A Gothic-style house on one of Islington’s most sought-after squares has been added to Historic England’s register of buildings at risk of decay.
The Grade II* listed property at 16 Lonsdale Square, Barnsbury, is among 16 buildings across the capital added to the Heritage at Risk Register today.
The whole square was designed by Gothic architect Richard Cromwell Carpenter between 1838 and 1845, and many of its terraced houses are listed for their Tudor Gothic revival style, with picturesque gables, Elizabethan-style mullioned windows and formal iron railings.
Historic England says of Lonsdale Square: “It survives little altered inside and out. It is a unique, intense and immaculately composed piece of design.”
Like its neighbours, number 16 still has original features including decorative mouldings, fireplaces and iron railings. But Historic England describes the property, which is in private ownership, as being in “poor” and “declining condition”, and at risk of “slow decay”.
Estate agents say the square — where author Salman Rushdie and conductor Simon Rattle have lived — is the “best” in the Barnsbury Conservation Area. A five-bedroom house is on the market in the square for £6.25 million, while a 521 sq ft flat is on sale at a guide price of £595,000.
Historic England hopes that by adding buildings to the at-risk register it can put pressure on owners, local authorities and funding bodies to help rescue them from decay.
Historic England bosses Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire said: “Our historic buildings and places help tell the story of where we live and contribute to the character and identity of local communities.
“The most effective way to protect our buildings is to bring them back into use as places that create connection and enjoyment for local people.”
The listing comes as other historic London buildings are also fighting for their future, with the Victorian Society appealing for nominations for its Top Ten Endangered Buildings list and a restoration appeal under way for Crocker’s Folly in north-west London.
