This beautiful mews house in the heart of Bayswater has significant plans for a complete internal remodelling designed by architect Felix von Bechtolsheim. The current house unfolds across 870 sq ft, while the plans will see it extended to nearly 1,200 sq ft across three floors. The exciting renovation includes adding a lower ground floor and reconfiguring the existing footprint to introduce an east-facing courtyard, creating generous living spaces illuminated by this ingenious void carved through the house. The shops, cafes and restaurants of Bayswater, along with the rolling expanse of Hyde Park, are a short walk away.

The Tour

St Petersburgh Mews sits within the Bayswater Conservation Area, characterised by its stuccoed terraces and grand boulevards, such as Westbourne Grove and Sussex Gardens. The mews is a quiet cobbled street that runs beside St Petersburgh Place. Originally, it would have been used for stabling for the adjacent houses, but now it has a wonderful and distinct identity of its own. The existing house is approached along the cobbles, with a façade of London stock brick and deep grey window frames. In spring wisteria blooms run along the terrace.

The proposed plans, details of which can be found here, offer an innovative transformation of the space into a three-storey mews, anchored by an inset courtyard carrying light throughout the plan and establishing a constant connection to the outside. A combination of birch-ply and polished concrete will establish a textured palette that will run seamlessly through the house.

The existing street-facing windows will be reconfigured to frame outlooks for the new internal layout. Wooden framed windows, partially screened with bespoke shutters, will provide a balance of natural light, ventilation and privacy.

Entry will be to a wide hallway on the ground floor, illuminated by a skylight upstairs carrying light through a void in the floorplan. A bespoke stairwell, bound by thin wooden louvres, will snake through the house beside the courtyard, rising to the open-plan kitchen and living room on the first floor. This expansive space will draw light from the front and rear of the plan, including the courtyard. This could include a leafy view of a treetop canopy if that’s how new owners choose to fill the space. The kitchen will run in an L-shaped configuration around the rear corner, with the living space sitting at the front of the plan with views over the mews.

On the ground floor, a double and a single bedroom will sit opposite the shower room, on either side of a cleverly positioned coat room. The lower-ground floor has been envisaged as a suite. An expansive double bedroom will overlook the courtyard at the back of the plan, with a freestanding bath positioned to one side. To the front, a large dressing room will lead to a bathroom and utility beneath the stairwell.

The Area

Development of this area of Bayswater began in 1827 and continued west throughout the rest of the century. The ambitions of the original plans are immediately evident in the scale and finish of its architecture, creating an impressively coherent and grand London neighbourhood.

Within eight minutes’ walk of the Mews are the boutiques and restaurants of Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road market with local favourite Portobello Gold, a restaurant and bar also designed by Felix von Bechtolsheim. The centre of Notting Hill is also nearby; the Grocer on Elgin, Lutyens & Rubinstein and Orasay are particular favourites. The Notting Hill Arts Club hosts a variety of performances from acclaimed artists and is a wonderful venue to have so nearby.

The luscious expanse of Hyde Park is less than five minutes’ walk away. One of London’s most beautiful parks, it offers 350 acres of rambling green space, lake swimming, sports pitches and the pioneering Serpentine Pavilion.

Queensway is the closest station running Central Lines services east to west through the heart of the city. The area is well served by bus links throughout London.

Council Tax Band: F

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.