Pelham Crescent, Garden square in South Kensington, England.
Pelham Crescent is a garden square in South Kensington featuring 27 symmetrical townhouses with white plaster facades, decorative columns, and private first-floor balconies. A communal garden sits at its center, accessible only to residents who hold keys to the gates.
George Basevi Jr designed this residential development between 1832 and 1840 after local nurserymen went bankrupt, freeing the land for construction. The project marked the end of market gardening in this part of South Kensington.
The space is named after its historical landownership and is maintained by residents who hold keys to the gates. It reflects how affluent London families traditionally organized their homes around private green spaces.
Access to the gardens is restricted to keyholders, with maintenance costs funded through key sales to new residents. Visitors can admire the architecture from the surrounding public streets without entering the private green space.
Several houses display blue commemorative plaques honoring notable past residents, including actor Nigel Playfair and French politician Francois Guizot. These plaques mark the residences of people who left a lasting impact on their fields.
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