Havona laugh

I return to the long-running disruption that is Havona House (planning permission applied for in 2009). Here is the impression on the website of the project's original architects. They have removed the zebra crossing at the foot of Portobello Road:

Architects' impression, minus zebra crossing

Real version with cheeky garage

The original architects say: Havona House, Pembridge Villas, is a 10,000 sq ft new build house in Notting Hill Gate... The new property totals seven floors, including the largest private indoor swimming pool in London within a four storey basement. A traditional facade design is based on the Tower of the Winds, including a set of modern sculptures commissioned from celebrated artist Theo Gayer Anderson. The design emulates the historic development of the Notting Hill Gate area, which saw the 18th century house type develop into Italianate Villas in the late 19th century.

CLIENT: Private 
YEAR: 2011
BUDGET: £3.5 million

It's hard getting the garage gates even

I am envious of my neighbour Barry, who saw a car being driven into the garage, or rather car lift. To the mournful crossing-sweepers and apple-cheeked rapscallions merrily whipping their hoops along the cobbles hereabouts, that would be a bigger treat than seeing Tower Bridge open.

View from front door

View from front door

Barrier inside balcony

View through side gate to back garden & overlooking properties

In the picture above you can glimpse a spiral staircase and, at the back, one of the windows in the overlooking properties.

Only the garage is lit at night in the empty house

There are more than 1500 empty homes in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. We're waiting for this one to have a resident. Must like swimming and balls.

Previous post about it is here