Issue 48 AUG 25 web - Flipbook - Page 84
architectural ingenuity, housing a diverse mix of residents,
from actors, royalty, politicians and professionals.
Reimagining the entrance to Dolphin Square meant
restoring a true sense of arrival – one originally conceived
with grandeur in mind, Stanley Gordon Jeeves, who
designed Grosvenor Road as the grand primary frontage.
His drawings revealed a striking vision – elegant steps
leading to the water’s edge, allowing residents to fully
embrace the riverside setting. At its heart, the tripartite
arches, subtly adorned yet commanding, framed a long,
uninterrupted vista that led into the lush gardens of the
quadrangle. This composed perspective culminated at the
estate’s crowning feature – a colonnaded pavilion with a
distinctive copper roof, its steps ascending to the original
Spanish Gardens.
In recent years, however, the estate faced challenges
associated with ageing infrastructure and changing
lifestyle expectations. The building fabric suffered from
deteriorating windows, inefficient heating, and a lack of
insulation. Interiors no longer met contemporary
standards, with cramped kitchens, limited storage, and
accessibility issues. In response, GRID Architects and
Interiors undertook a comprehensive and sensitive transformation of Dolphin Square, preserving its architectural
integrity while aligning it with sustainability and design
standards.
Set on a sprawling 7.5-acre site along Grosvenor Road,
Dolphin Square comprises 1,234 private rental apartments across 13 houses named after maritime navigators.
At its heart lie 3.5 acres of landscaped gardens, designated
Grade II-listed in 2018 for their historic and ecological
significance. Designed in an elegant neo-Georgian style,
the estate plays a defining role in shaping the architectural
character of the Dolphin Square Conservation Area.
By the 1970s, this vision had been eroded. The opening
of Pimlico Underground Station shifted arrivals to the
Chichester Street entrance, originally intended only for
taxis and service deliveries. Internally, this space lacked
cohesion, with poor circulation, low ceilings, and limited
natural light. The estate’s treasured gardens were barely
visible. Attempts to improve this secondary entrance over
the years had failed to resolve its fundamental spatial
shortcomings.
When AXA-IM Alts acquired Dolphin Square in 2020
on behalf of its clients, the objectives were clear: preserve
the original design, modernise services, enhance interiors
and amenities, protect the gardens, and foster a stronger
sense of community. The ambition demanded a holistic
restoration strategy, balancing heritage with innovation.
The opportunity finally came to restore the grandeur
Jeeves envisioned and transform Chichester Street into a
true gateway. GRID’s bold architectural response has restored both presence and purpose to this long-neglected
entrance.
Below, DolphinSquare, Photographer Nick Guttridge
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