COLL CHAL

Reference code

COLL CHAL

Title

Chalcots, Middlesex

Level

Series

Administrative / Biographical history

The Chalcots Estate was the last remaining property which the College kept of the former possessions of the Hospital of St James - founded before 1100 for "14 maidens that were leprous”. That Hospital, along with its properties, was given in 1448 to Eton by Henry VI; The Hospital itself however, and the one hundred and eighty-five acres round it were acquired by Henry VIII from the College in 1532 - and on it was built St James’ Palace; The one hundred and eighty five acres were situated mainly to the North and side of Piccadilly, but the Hospital had possessions elsewhere which Eton was allowed to keep. In Central London it had amongst other things, the “Ball in Holborn", the "White Bear in Cheapside" and the "Boar’s Head Yard" - all these were sold between 1869 and 1875. And, finally, there were two farms in Hampstead – Wylde’s and Chalcots.

In 1842, by Act of Parliament, the College exchanged part of Chalcots, namely fifty-four acres now comprising Primrose Hill Park for land and houses at Eton, including Cock Close and the Christopher Inn. At other times various portions of Chalcots were sold to Railway Companies.

Then in 1907, Wylde's Estate was sold. The L.C.C. bought eighty acres for the Hampstead Heath Extension; and Mrs Barnett and others bought two hundred and forty-five acres for the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust.

In the seventh year of George IV's reign an Act of Parliament was passed allowing the College to grant building leases on the Chalcots Estate; and in the reign of William IV development began. The first Houses were along Haverstock Hill. Then followed Houses in Adelaide Road, in honour of the Queen, Provost's Road, Fellows Road etc. This first phase of building under ninety-nine years building leases lasted from about 1830 to 1864.

Then about 1880 began a second phase when the Eton and Middlesex Cricket Ground was handed over for development to the famous builders of that time, Willett & Son, and was laid out on "garden city lines". This phase ended with the building of the “Eton Court” Flats in 1924. In all between eleven hundred and eleven hundred and fifty Houses were eventually built between 1830 and 1924, which brought into the College some £6,600 a year in Ground Rents.

The area was heavily damaged during the Second World War, and a large scale redevelopment followed, with many terraces and tower blocks being built in place of the mansion houses.