Kensington
Essex Villas
Most of the period houses of Essex Villas are on the north side of the street. They are large semi-detached houses with wide entrances which accommodate the street door and lights on either side, all set within a doorcase. The houses have basement, ground, first, and second floors, and only a few dormers. The façade is plastered at basement and ground level, and it is painted white, as are the external surrounds of the windows, and the prominent quoins which run up the sides of the building.
The basement and ground floors have canted bays. Above the bay is a three-part window consisting of a large central window flanked by narrow lights. The central window is surmounted by a curved pediment. A traditional rectangular window is placed over the front door.
Some very full grown trees right up against the houses and brushing all the windows.
On south side there are a few similar houses. But there are post-war brick houses from Nos. 12 to 20. These houses just have a raised ground and a first floor. They also have an integral garage at the side.
Essex Villas was built as part of the development of the Phillimore Estate.
The principal builder in Essex Villas was Joseph Gordon Davis. Between 1861 and 1864 Nos. 1-21 (odd) on the north side and Nos. 2-20 (even) on the south side had been built. Davis either had a direct building lease of each property or individual leases were granted to his confederates. The Paddington builder, Charles Frederick Phelps also had a financial interest and was possibly involved in the construction work.
