South Kensington Living
Thurloe Street
Thurloe Street is a short road running west from Thurloe Square.
The buildings are four-storeys (plus basement) with white stucco. They are in a different style from the neighbouring streets in that they have attractive small front gardens some with small hedges behind the front railings which gives extra privacy.
The street also has many attractive trees.
The houses on the south side have a rather unusual balustrade running along the top.
Thurloe Street is part of the Alexander Estate.
The street was originally named Alfred Place West and it was only renamed Thurloe Street in 1939.
The houses were built between 1844 and 1846. On the south side, Nos. 2-18 (even) were built by H.W. Atkinson possibly also with assistance from John Atkinson and John Gooch, Jnr. Building took place between 1845-6. At the same time, the adjoining terrace at Nos. 20-36 (even) was being built by John Gooch Jnr, with some involvement by H.W. Atkinson. The houses were eventually demolished to make way for South Kensington Station.
The north side of Thurloe Street is cut by Exhibition Road which was knocked through in 1867. Nos. 1-13 (odd) were commenced whilst George Basevi was still alive. On the other side of Exhibition Road, Nos. 25-43 (odd) were built after his death and probably to designs by John Blore , who was his successor as estate surveyor. Nos. 1-13 were built by John Gooch Jnr. and Thomas Holmes. Work was carried out between 1844 and 1847. Nos. 13-21 were built by Thomas Holmes by 1846. These were later demolished for Exhibition Road. Nos. 23 – 43 (odd) were built by Thomas Holmes. Nos. 37-43 were completed that year. But later in 1846 Nos. 23-27 collapsed, killing one of the workers. Criticism was levelled at the design and at the building work. This lead to Holmes going bankrupt in June 1847 and it was not until 1851 that all the houses were finally completed.
