PBWA Kensington and Chelsea
Rossetti Studios are rare surviving artist’s studios in the heart of Chelsea. Their famous namesake, the pre-Raphaelite artist Rossetti, was based a stone’s throw away from the site as were other titans of the arts world, including JMW Turner and James McNeil Whistler – at the beginning of the 19th century Chelsea was the artistic quarter of London.
The studios were recently purchased by Cadogan and rescued from near dereliction with a £4million renovation and restoration; respecting their original function, enhancing their character and history and refurbishing them to a modern-day standard. The complex of 8 studios will be fully occupied by practicing artists to contribute further towards Chelsea’s rich artistic pedigree.
English Heritage listing: Rossetti Studios, built by Edward Holland and dated 1894, are recommended for designation at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Architectural interest: the studios, in late-C19 Queen Anne Revival manner, are designed and built to a high standard, uncommon in speculatively built, multiple studios; * Intactness: the position, layout of the site, internal studio plans and fittings clearly describe the hierarchy within two types of studio; * Rarity: survival of working studios, in an area where these were once common, with rare surviving features including unusual slit doors for access for canvasses, galleries for storing canvasses, living accommodation, changing rooms; * Historic interest: Chelsea Art School, founded at the studios by Augustus John and William Orpen in 1904, attracted a wide range of literary and artistic figures; notable post-war tenants included theatre director George Devine and photographer Ronald Traeger.
PBWA Kensington and Chelsea
Rossetti Studios are rare surviving artist’s studios in the heart of Chelsea. Their famous namesake, the pre-Raphaelite artist Rossetti, was based a stone’s throw away from the site as were other titans of the arts world, including JMW Turner and James McNeil Whistler – at the beginning of the 19th century Chelsea was the artistic quarter of London.
The studios were recently purchased by Cadogan and rescued from near dereliction with a £4million renovation and restoration; respecting their original function, enhancing their character and history and refurbishing them to a modern-day standard. The complex of 8 studios will be fully occupied by practicing artists to contribute further towards Chelsea’s rich artistic pedigree.
English Heritage listing: Rossetti Studios, built by Edward Holland and dated 1894, are recommended for designation at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Architectural interest: the studios, in late-C19 Queen Anne Revival manner, are designed and built to a high standard, uncommon in speculatively built, multiple studios; * Intactness: the position, layout of the site, internal studio plans and fittings clearly describe the hierarchy within two types of studio; * Rarity: survival of working studios, in an area where these were once common, with rare surviving features including unusual slit doors for access for canvasses, galleries for storing canvasses, living accommodation, changing rooms; * Historic interest: Chelsea Art School, founded at the studios by Augustus John and William Orpen in 1904, attracted a wide range of literary and artistic figures; notable post-war tenants included theatre director George Devine and photographer Ronald Traeger.