Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens - Prospective Book

A view from behind Johnsdale and behind the shops on Station Road East, Oxted in 2018

Here in Oxted we used to have a gasholder that sat in the centre of our town for over 50 years!

That all changed in 2019 when demolition began to make way for 111 high-end apartments and penthouses.

Having had a business right next to this landmark for 23 years I made it my mission, whenever the time came for it to go, to photograph the process for posterity.

The demolition and build took place between January 2019 and March 2022. St William, part of the Berkeley Group granted me access on a regular basis to document the process. With the help of the Assistant Site Manager, I wrote monthly blogs to share my experiences and record the process. I was amazed and captivated by the many stages, craftsmanship, and people involved throughout this time, I learned so much.

My intention was, and still is, to create a coffee table picture-led book showing the changes on the site. I just didn’t want hundreds of images laying dormant on my hard drives. So, it is through the photographs taken I share the story of the time the gas holder came tumbling down making way for a wonderful new living space – Eden place, formerly known as Courtyard Gardens.

If you would like to receive a prospectus about purchasing the proposed book please register your interest here.

During demolition early 2019.

A vast space for the process to begin.

Courtyard Gardens now called Eden Place in Oxted, Surrey.

To read the previous 27 blogs about Courtyard Gardens click here and scroll to the bottom of the Blog page under ‘Featured’ where they all appear.

Thanks Stella

Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens November 2021

The car park entrance to Block C - Hardwick House Courtyard Gardens.

Welcome to blog number 25 about my November site visit to Courtyard Gardens in Oxted – built on the former gasholder site.

This blog forms part of a series of ongoing updates visually documenting the process from the demolition of the gasholder in January 2019, right through to the completion of 111 high-end one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses by St William, part of the Berkeley Group.

Blocks A and B are now complete! Project completion due January 2022.

A model of the development at Robert Leech Estate Agents on Station Road East, Oxted – just opposite the development.

Block C – Hardwick House top centre and right, with Block B – Beecham House on the left , adjoining this back left Block A – Atkinson House.

There are 41 apartments in Block A – 21 apartments in Block B and 49 apartments in Block C – including seven penthouses – two each in Blocks B & C and three in Block A.

The photographs featured in this blog were taken on 23 November 2021 showing the progress to date.

The photographs in the galleries below are each captioned top left – if viewing on a smartphone they may only be visible in landscape format.

Read on to find out more…

Before and after – on the left photographed on 29 August 2018 and on the right on 23 November 2021. A view from Station East opposite the entrance to Courtyard Gardens.

The landscaped gardens between Block B and C.

A view from a penthouse terrace.

View from a penthouse terrace.

Right of centre you can see the spire from what was St Michael’s School and now apartments.

The water feature under construction.

Benches to rest and take time out.

On the day I visited the majority of the brick work on Block C was complete with the hoist and silo now removed. With decorations continuing within the apartments terraces and balconies. Landscaping continues and permanent seating benches in place. The water feature is nearing completion.

A view from a penthouse in Block C towards the North Downs

A view from a penthouse towards Johnsdale on the right.

A view from a penthouse Block C overlooking the North Downs.

A kitchen in an apartment in Block C.

View from a balcony in Block C.

Utility room Block C.

Stairwell Block C.

Working outside Block C.

A view from behind the flats on Station Road East during the demolition process photographed on 27 March 2019

The same view point as above showing Block C – Hardwick House photographed on 23 November 2021.

Corridor Block C.

Living room kitchen Block C.

A kitchen Block C.

A view from a balcony Block C.

Ensuite shower room.

A reflection of me in a wardrobe mirror.

An apartment hallway Block C.

An apartment kitchen Block C.

Entrance to Block B car park.

Sign above the pedestrian entrance to Block C.

The side of Block C with Block B to the left.

Block C with blocks B & C behind.

I hope you are enjoying seeing and learning about the progress of the development as much as I am.

All of the images taken are held within my personal archive for posterity, please do get in touch if you would like to know more.

To read the blog from October 2021 please click here.

To read previous blogs, these can be found towards the bottom of the main blog page under ‘Featured’ blogs – this includes all 24 previous gasholder blogs.

For further information about Courtyard Gardens please follow this link to the Berkeley Group St William website.

More information here on the Robert Leech website too.

Looking forward to going back for the final weeks as we edge closer to completion.

Thank you

Stella

Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens October 2021

Welcome to blog number 24 about my October site visit to Courtyard Gardens in Oxted – built on the former gasholder site.

This blog forms part of a series of ongoing updates visually documenting the process from the demolition of the gasholder in January 2019, right through to the completion of 111 high-end one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses by St William, part of the Berkeley Group.

Block A and B are now complete! Project completion due January 2022.

A model of the development at Robert Leech Estate Agents on Station Road East, Oxted, just opposite the site.

Block A in the foreground with Block B adjoining back centre with Block C back left. Block A is Atkinson House, Block B is Beecham House and Block C is Hardwick House.

There are 41 apartments in Block A – 21 apartments in Block B and 49 apartments in Block C – including seven penthouses – two each in Blocks B & C and three in Block A.

The photographs featured in this blog were taken on 6 October 2021 showing the progress to date.

The photographs in the galleries below are each captioned top left – if viewing on a smartphone they may only be visible in landscape format.

Read on to find out more…

Spraying with water to clean the brickwork.

Maintenance access behind Block B.

Looking into car park B from maintenance access walkway. The grills complete the façade.

Block C from outside Block B.

Block B from the gardens.

The office cabins next to Block C are due to be removed in November to make way for further landscaping.

Landscaping preparation between Blocks B & C.

Beecham Hose entrance to Block B.

The entrance to Beecham House (Block B).

On the day of my visit, the brickwork was being cleaned on Block C following recent scaffold strikes. Landscaping continues on the podium and to the water feature area, and balcony balustrading is underway to Block C. Internally, communal ceiling closures are being undertaken and decorations continue within apartments.

The entrance to Atkinson House (Block A).

The hoist and silo outside Block C are due for removal end of October early November.

The drive entance to Blocks A on the right and B on the left.

Car park B for residents, underneath Block B and has Block C spaces too.

Each apartment is allocated one or two spaces depending on the flat size ( Spaces pre-fixed with a C or B depending on the block they live in).

Car park space for a resident in Block B.

A view from a penthouse apartment in Block C over the North Downs.

A view from Block C penthouse to a penthouse in Block A.

Extraction chimney from the plant room.

From a penthouse terrace in Block C looking over to a penthouse in Block A.

From a penthouse terrace in Block C looking over to Block A adjoining to Block B on the left.

A view from a penthouse terrace in Block C over the North Downs.

I would like to say a very big thank you so much to Ness Kingham, Assistant Site Manager who has been my brilliant point of contact over the past three years and has shown me around the site every month (except during the lockdowns). I have learned so much from Ness during my short visits about the construction of Courtyard Gardens. Wishing her all the very best on her next project with the Berkeley Group as she says goodbye to Courtyard Gardens.

A view from behind the shops on Station Road East - 30 January 2018

The same view from behind the shops on Station Road East – 6 October 2021.

The entrance to Block C where the resident mailboxes with be.

The living room of a penthouse in Block C.

A corridor in Block C.

The spacious hallway to one of the penthouses in Block C.

Insulation in one of the walls in Block C.

Cold water and sprinkler pipes, isolation valves and pressure gauges in Block C.

A window in Block C showing the brick work.

From a terrace in Block C.

A kitchen in an apartment in Block C.

Another kitchen in an apartment in Block C.

Living room onto a terrace in Block C.

Looking down from the office cabins to the terrace from the previous photo.

The office cabins adjacent to Block C are due for removal to make way for landscaping.

This fruit tree next to Block C called Cornus kousa, or Chinese dogwood produces a soft fruit that can be eaten without the skin. The Cornus kousa trees are also located on the podium so they’re a regular feature of the landscaping.

My reflection in a wardrobe mirror. I carry three cameras each with different lenses. Wide-angle, telephoto and standard.

I hope you are enjoying seeing and learning about the progress of the development as much as I am.

All of the images taken are held within my personal archive for posterity, please do get in touch if you would like to know more.

To read the blog from September 2021 please click here.

To read previous blogs, these can be found towards the bottom of the main blog page under ‘Featured’ blogs – this includes all 23 previous gasholder blogs.

For further information about Courtyard Gardens please follow this link to the Berkeley Group St William website.

More information here on the Robert Leech website too.

Looking forward to going back in October to photograph the progress as we edge closer to completion.

Thank you

Stella

Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens September 2021

Welcome to blog number 23 about my September site visit to Courtyard Gardens in Oxted – built on the former gasholder site.

This blog forms part of a series of ongoing updates visually documenting the process from the demolition of the gasholder in January 2019, right through to the completion of 111 high-end one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses by St William, part of the Berkeley Group.

A model of the development at Robert Leech Estate Agents on Station Road East, Oxted, just opposite the development.

Block A on the right with Block B adjoining back centre and Block C on the left. Block A is Atkinson House, Block B is Beecham House and Block C is Hardwick House.

The photographs featured in this blog were taken on 3 September 2021 onsite showing the progress to date.

The photographs in the gallery below are each captioned top left – if viewing on a smartphone they may only be visible in landscape format.

Read on to find out more…

A view from behind Johnsdale taken on 3 September 2021

A view from behind Johnsdale taken on 5 March 2018

Now that the development is nearing completion it’s fascinating to compare the photographs taken during construction to the ones taken before the gas holder was demolished as the examples above and below.

This personal project has taught me so much about the building process from demolition back in January 2019 until now. From the foundations and footings to the types of bricks that are used and all the skilled trades and craftspeople involved to make this happen – not forgetting everyone working behind the scenes from the designers & architects to the team working onsite in the office (portacabins) and everyone in between to pull everything together.

I have been very fortunate to have been given access to go onsite regularly over the past nearly two years to photograph the changes for posterity. A huge thank you to the Berkeley Group for accepting my request to photograph the process and to Ness Kingham - Assistant Site Manager, for showing me around each time and telling or rather teaching me about the works and processes taking place.

I asked Ness to give a brief update about the stage the site was at during my visit and this is what she said:

‘We were preparing for the handover of Block B, undertaking final decorations, cleaning and podium landscaping. Internal trades and brickwork were continuing in Block C’.’

From behind the shops on Station Road East on 3 September 2021

From behind the shops on Station Road East on 2 February 2019

Car park beneath Block B.

Stairwell in Block B.

This is how I dress for the occasion

A kitchen in an apartment in Block B.

Living room in an apartment in Block B.

Terrace

View from Block B onto the front entrance looking onto Block C.

A navy kitchen in an apartment in Block B.

Another kitchen in an apartment in Block B.

A view over the terrace from a penthouse apartment. The strip on the top is part of a lightning protection system.

A spacious penthouse terrace in Block B.

A view towards the North Downs from a penthouse apartment in Block B.

Bathroom in a penthouse apartment in Block B.

A view from the patio doors from a penthouse apartment in Block B towards Block C.

A view from a penthouse in Block B towards the main entrance on Station Road East.

A view from a penthouse apartment in Block B towards Block A and the shops on Station Road East.

A view from a penthouse apartment in Block B towards the hoist on Block C with far-reaching views of the North Downs.

The hoist on Block C.

Hardwick House the sign over the entrance to Block C.

Underground car park to Block B.

Brick work on Block C.

Corridor in Block C.

Block C.

Inside Block C.

From outside looking into the car park in Block B.

I hope you are enjoying seeing and learning about the progress of the development as much as I am.

All of the images taken are held within my personal archive for posterity, please do get in touch if you would like to know more.

To read the blog from July 2021 please click here.

To read previous blogs, these can be found towards the bottom of the main blog page under ‘Featured’ blogs – this includes all 22 previous gasholder blogs.

For further information about Courtyard Gardens please follow this link to the Berkeley Group St William website.

More information here on the Robert Leech website too.

Looking forward to going back in October to photograph the progress as we edge closer to completion.

Thank you

Stella

English Country Gardens - Southlands Lodge, Tandridge

My favourite time of year in the UK is the summertime, it’s the longer daylight hours and warmer weather that I love the most!

I also really enjoy visiting gardens to see the wonders of Mother Nature and how clever and creative some people are in their backyards.

This July I had the pleasure of visiting Southlands Lodge, Southlands Lane, Tandridge, Surrey.

The photographs below – apart from the last set which is from a private garden - show you a selection of photographs I took during my visit. The garden was open to the public via the National Garden Scheme (NGS) by ticket only. You too can visit this Sunday 1st August by pre-buying your ticket(s) available online via this link .

You won’t be disappointed – as well as the gardens there are sheep, chickens, Cayuga ducks and guinea fowl roam free through the property. An 'insect hotel' features. There is a working apiary of 10 beehives – I can highly recommend the honey produced – it’s delicious on hot buttered toast!

Colin and John the owners and creators of the gardens also serve tea and coffee and a delicious selection of cakes to enjoy during your visit.

Face the sun and leave your shadow behind…

The photographs below are from a private garden that has the most beautiful selection of hydrangeas. I visited this garden on 27th July after the torrential rain on the Sunday before, which doesn’t seem to have battered them in any way, it just goes to show how hardy they are!

If you have a garden you would like to have photographed please do get in touch!

Thanks

Stella

Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens April 2021

The second bedroom in the showhome.

Welcome to blog number 19 about my April site visit to Courtyard Gardens here in Oxted – built on the former gasholder site.

This blog forms part of a series of ongoing updates visually documenting the process from the demolition of the gasholder in January 2019, right through to the completion of 111 high-end one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses by St William part of the Berkeley Group.

Due to the lockdown restrictions, I haven’t been on site since December. I was delighted to be welcomed back on April 14th to take a variety of photographs of the progress to share with you. I must say It does look incredible – I am always amazed by the number of processes, skills and crafts involved to create buildings such as these. It doesn’t seem that long ago that a solitary gasholder sat on the site for over 50 years!

The photographs below are each captioned on top – if viewing on your smartphone they may only be visible in landscape format.

Read on to find out more…

The car park under Block C.

The plant room where all the heating and water is housed very neatly for all three blocks.

The same plant room showing the boilers and pumps for water and heating to service all the flats in all three blocks.

Looking out of Block C onto Block A.

Looking out from a terrace in Block C onto Johnsdale.

Looking out onto the back of the shops on Station Road East from the plant room.

The layout for indivudual flats to be constructed.

Looking out of Block C on to Block A and the entrance to Blocks A and B under the arch.

A penthouse apartment in Block C.

Timber pattressing in position within a kitchen wall for units to be fixed to.

Whilst I was on site I was told there were 150 people working in different areas. It’s interesting to see the various stages each Block is at. Block A will be completed first, followed by Block B then Block C.

Car park beneath Block A .

Construction of an apartment space.

Apartment under construction.

Penthouse in Block B with a beautiful slate finish and fabulous view from the terrace.

Looking out from the terrace of a Penthouse in Block B to Block C.

Apartment inside Block A.

Kitchen progress in Block A .

The master bedroom in the show home in Block A.

En-suite shower room in show home.

The second bedroom in the show home.

The second bedroom in the show home.

The assistant site manager who shows me around the site on each visit is called Ness Kingham – I asked her for a current update on each of the three Blocks, below is her response:

Block A is at decoration with apartments gradually being handed over to customer service for final snagging. Block B façade is near completion, and internals are progressing with 2nd fix at lower levels. Block C mansard roof has commenced and windows are installed on half of the block. Internally, the lower levels are at first fix whilst the rest of the building is made watertight. Externally, the lower half of the podium landscaped gardens is underway.

The living room in the show home with doors to the terrace on the left.

The comfortable breakfast area in the kitchen in the show home.

The kitchen in the show home is well laid out with plenty of storage.

Tastefully furnished with attention to detail.

Desk space in the living room in the show home.

The living area in the show home looks out onto the entrance of Courtyard Gardens.

The entrance to Courtyard Gardens from the show home looking out onto Block C.

The view from the living room window in the show home looking out onto the entrance to courtyard Gardens. Block C in the center with Block B to the right.

The spacious terrace to the show home.

The spacious terrace to the show home.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing and learning about the progress of the development as much as I have.

All of the images taken are held within my personal archive for posterity.

To read the blog from December please click here and to read previous blogs these can be found towards the bottom of the main blog page under ‘Featured’ blogs – this includes all 18 previous gasholder blogs.

For further information about Courtyard Gardens please follow this link to the Berkeley Group St William website.

More information here on the Robert Leech website too.

Looking forward to going back in May to see the progress to share.

Thank you.

Stella