Oxted Gasholder - Courtyard Gardens March 2022

The water feature at Courtyard Gardens has an industrial finish, in recognition of the gas holder that once sat on the site for over 50 years. To see how the site once looked go back to the beginning of these blogs to January 2018.

Welcome to Blog number 27 about my March visit to Courtyard Gardens here in Oxted, built on the former gasholder site now called Eden Place.

This blog forms part of a series of ongoing updates visually documenting the process from the demolition of the gasholder, which started in January 2019, right through to the completion this month, 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 Eden Place – the new name of the road Courtyard Gardens sits in.

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 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…

The gasholder taken on 5 March 2018

Same view taken 9 March 2022 - Hardwick House (Block C)

Hardwick House - Block C completed. The car park entrance on the right of the front door is to Beecham House - Block B car park.

The steps from the entrance up to the gardens and Beecham House- Block B front door.

The pathway between Blocks C (left) and Block B (right).

Beecham House - Block B

Hardwick House - Block C.

The pathway between Beecham House - Block B on the left and Hardwick House - Block C on the right looking towards Atkinson House - Block A.

A view of where the office cabins once sat, next to Hardwick House - Block C.

The side of Hardwick House - Block C.

The car park beneath Block C Harwick House with bicycle stand.

A view from an apartment in Hardwick House - Block C.

A finished kitchen in Harwick House - Block C.

A finished bathroom in Hardwick House - Block C.

The car park for Beecham House Block B is accessed to the right of Hardwick House - Block C’s front door.

Car Park Block B

A finished penthouse terrace.

The life in Hardwick House - Block C.

A corridor in Hardwick House - Block C.

The finished entrance hall in Hardwick House - Block C.

Photograph taken 17 August 2020 the same viewpoint as below

Photograph taken 9 March 2022 the same view point as above

I hope you have enjoyed following the progress from start to finish of Courtyard Garden (Eden Place) here in Oxted?

It has been a real honour and education to have been given access to document to process for posterity.

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

To read the blog from January 2022 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 26 previous blogs in consecutive order.

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. There are a few remaining apartments in Block C, Hardwick House if you are looking to make a purchase.

Thank you

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

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 June 2021

A view from a penthouse terrace in Block C showing the top of the hoist in the foreground, the shops in Station Road East on the right and Block A on the left.

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.

Welcome to blog number 21 about my June 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.

The photographs featured in this blog were taken on 23 June 2021 showing the progress to date. It has changed a lot since my previous visit in May. It was lovely to see some residents had moved in and made their balconies homely. I can see the site beginning to change from a building site to a resplendent community now called Eden Place.

The photographs 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…

The view from one of the penthouses in Block C looking towards the top of Snatts Hill..

A view from a penthouse in Block C.

Looking towards Block A showing the fourth and fifth floors.

Block A from Block C penthouse terrace.

A penthouse in Block B. There are seven penthouses in total.

From Block C penthouse showing the penthouses in Block B left and Block A right.

From a penthouse terrace in Block C with views of the North Downs.

Inside Block C – laying the tracking for the individual apartments to be constructed.

Inside the dividing walls…

Insulation inside the dividing walls.

A living room inside Block C.

A view towards the terrace doors in Block B.

The basement car park in Block B.

Kitchen and living area in Block B.

Stair core ready for plastering

Each time I attend the site I’m shown around by Ness Kingham, Assistant Site Manager. Below she explains the stage the development was at during my visit:

Externally, lighting bollards were being installed in the landscaping area, works were underway forming the structure of the water feature, and another section of pathway through the landscaped gardens had been freshly laid with tarmac.

The Block B scaffold was being struck and brickwork was progressing around the Block B basement linking it to the Block C brickwork.

Internally, joinery and second fix dry lining were underway to the lower floors of Block C and cables were being pulled. Meanwhile, in Block B, decorations were continuing in the apartments and the stair core was being boarded out ready for plastering.

The basement was starting to be cleared of equipment and materials to allow for decorations and snagging, and a push was being made to get the necessary materials distributed before the impending crane dismantle in mid-July. At the time of the visit, the tower crane was being serviced.

From Block B looking onto Block C.

A view onto the landscaping of the gardens from Block B.

Block C due for completion later this year.

Landscaping taking place.

Scaffolding around Block B.

The external stairs to the podium which will wrap around the water feature.

The hoist and silo outside Block C.

Brickwork progressing around the Block B basement lining linking it to Block C.

The wall will be the home of the water feature.

The crane was being serviced.

Landscaping and lighting bollards underway.

From the top of Snatts Hill – a comparison to show on the left taken in January 2019 and on the right in June 2021.

A reflection of me.

The removal of the scaffolding on Block B.

A corridor in Block C.

Electrical cables in Block C.

I hope you are enjoying seeing and learning about the progress of the development, I know I am.

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

To read the blog from May 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 20 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 July to photograph the progress to share.

Thank you

Stella