Cadogan Group Limited and its subsidiaries, including Cadogan Estates Limited, are British property investment and management companies that are owned by the Cadogan family, one of the richest families in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. They also hold the titles of
Earl Cadogan and
Viscount Chelsea, the latter used as a
courtesy title by the Earl's eldest son. The Cadogan Group is the main
landlord
A landlord is the owner of property such as a house, apartment, condominium, land, or real estate that is rented or leased to an individual or business, known as a tenant (also called a ''lessee'' or ''renter''). The term landlord appli ...
in the west
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
districts of
Chelsea and
Knightsbridge, and it is now the second largest of the surviving aristocratic
Freehold Estates in Central London, after the
Duke of Westminster's
Grosvenor Estate, to which it is adjacent, covering
Mayfair and
Belgravia.
Property
The Cadogan Estate covers 93 acres (over 376,000 square metres) of the
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (often known by its initialism as RBKC) is an Inner London, Inner London borough with Royal borough, royal status. It is the List of English districts by area, smallest borough in London and the secon ...
, including residential properties, offices and retail space. The Foundations of the Estate were established in 1717 when Charles, second
Baron Cadogan, married Elizabeth Sloane, daughter of
Sir Hans Sloane
Sir Hans Sloane, 1st Baronet, (16 April 1660 – 11 January 1753), was an Irish physician, naturalist, and collector. He had a collection of 71,000 items which he bequeathed to the British nation, thus providing the foundation of the British ...
, having purchased the Manor of Chelsea in 1712. This part of
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
has remained under the
stewardship
Stewardship is a practice committed to ethical value that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources. The concepts of stewardship can be applied to the environment and nature, economics, health, places, property, information ...
of the Cadogan family ever since, the tradition continuing today under the present
Chairman
The chair, also chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by members of the gro ...
, Viscount Chelsea, and his father, Earl Cadogan, who is Life President.
Today the Estate includes approximately 3,000 flats, 200 houses, 300 shops, 500,000 square feet (over 46,000 square meters) of office space and over a dozen gardens covering 15 acres (some 60,000 square meters).
The Estate's long history, family ownership and conservative financial structure permit a long-term approach, the area developing into one of London's most notable
neighbourhoods
A neighbourhood (Commonwealth English) or neighborhood (American English) is a geographically localized community within a larger town, city, suburb or rural area, sometimes consisting of a single street and the buildings lining it. Neighbourh ...
.
History
The company owes its origins to
Sir Hans Sloane
Sir Hans Sloane, 1st Baronet, (16 April 1660 – 11 January 1753), was an Irish physician, naturalist, and collector. He had a collection of 71,000 items which he bequeathed to the British nation, thus providing the foundation of the British ...
, a well-known explorer, physician and collector, having purchased the manor of
Chelsea in 1712 and the 10-
acre
The acre ( ) is a Unit of measurement, unit of land area used in the Imperial units, British imperial and the United States customary units#Area, United States customary systems. It is traditionally defined as the area of one Chain (unit), ch ...
(40,000 m2) site of
Beaufort House at
Cheyne Walk in 1737. Sloane later died in 1753 without any male heirs, leaving his estate to two daughters.
In 1777,
Charles Sloane Cadogan – then
Earl Cadogan – granted a lease to architect
Henry Holland to create the first-ever purpose-built new town. "Hans Town" provided attractive
Georgian terraced houses to people of moderately affluent means.
Jane Austen
Jane Austen ( ; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist known primarily for #List of works, her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century ...
and her brother lived in one;
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the Atlantic slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780 ...
, who led the movement to abolish slavery, in another.
As London swelled during the industrial age, the 5th Earl Cadogan,
George Henry Cadogan (1840-1915), undertook a review of his estate and decided on a comprehensive redevelopment. He commissioned cutting-edge
architecture
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and construction, constructi ...
and a new red-brick style that became synonymous with the area: Pont Street Dutch. The opening of Sloane Square Station happened in 1868 and the completion of the riverside embankment in 1874. During the period 1877 to 1900 much of the modern Estate took shape. Cadogan Square – the "jewel in the crown" of the new development – the Royal Court Theatre at Sloane Square and Hotel Trinity Church on
Sloane Street
Sloane Street is a major London street in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea which runs north to south, from Knightsbridge to Sloane Square, crossing Pont Street about halfway along.
History
Sloane Street takes its name from Sir Han ...
were built under the 5th Earl's auspices and received support from Cadogan to the present day.
The 5th Earl was a Chelsea councillor and its first
Mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
. His grandson, the 7th Earl was Chelsea's last (before being incorporated with the
Royal Borough of Kensington). He died in 1997 aged 83, the title passing to Charles Gerald John Cadogan, the present
Earl Cadogan. The 8th Earl, having been involved for many years as a director and then chairman, is now Life President of Cadogan. His son Viscount Chelsea is the current chairman.
Chelsea has a bohemian history and has long been a haven for artists, authors, musicians and designers from
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Gabriel Charles Dante Rossetti (12 May 1828 – 9 April 1882), generally known as Dante Gabriel Rossetti ( ; ), was an English poet, illustrator, painter, translator, and member of the Rossetti family. He founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brother ...
to
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
and
Vivienne Westwood.
Jane Austen
Jane Austen ( ; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist known primarily for #List of works, her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century ...
stayed in Sloane Street with her brother Henry whilst writing ''
Pride and Prejudice
''Pride and Prejudice'' is the second published novel (but third to be written) by English author Jane Austen, written when she was age 20-21, and later published in 1813.
A novel of manners, it follows the character development of Elizabe ...
'', and poet and writer
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish author, poet, and playwright. After writing in different literary styles throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular and influential playwright ...
called the borough his home.
Sloane Street
The Estate includes one of London's most upmarket retailing districts, based on
Sloane Street
Sloane Street is a major London street in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea which runs north to south, from Knightsbridge to Sloane Square, crossing Pont Street about halfway along.
History
Sloane Street takes its name from Sir Han ...
, and also contains some very expensive residential property in some of central
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
's most sought after residential locations.
Originally commissioned by Charles, 1st Earl Cadogan in the 18th century, Sloane Street has evolved to become one of the world's most exclusive retail destinations – the epitome of London luxury. An impressive list of flagship stores - including Chloe, Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford and Valentino - line the street stretching from Knightsbridge to Sloane Square attracting a truly global clientele.
In July 2016, Cadogan launched George House, a £205 million office and retail development on Sloane Street that includes luxury flagship stores – Red Valentino, Boutique One, and Delpozo and smaller independent shops that can be accessed via Pavilion Road. George House also connects directly with new public realm, an open-air courtyard that also features a Granger & Co restaurant and gym from KX Urban.
Pavilion Road
Following a consultation with the local community in summer 2015, Cadogan pledged to create a destination for independent, artisan traders behind the new George House development on Sloane Street. Established fashion and beauty boutiques have now been joined by exciting new artisan food shops in November 2016: a traditional family butcher, Provenance; fine wine shop – Pavilion Wine; bakery and school –
Bread Ahead;
Natoora – a fruit and vegetable specialist, offering a range of fresh seasonal produce,
Ottolenghi - a fancy breakfast chain, and London Cheesemongers, who specialise in sourcing traditionally produced cheeses.
King's Road
The
King's Road has roots dating back to the 17th century, when access along the route was only granted to those carrying a special token bearing the king's initials. The route was made public in 1830, at a time when the area was becoming settled by artists, creatives and bohemians who hugely influenced its legacy.
It is still one of Chelsea's most popular destinations.
In October 2015, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea unanimously granted planning approval for Cadogan to redevelop 196-222 King's Road. Plans include a new 400-seat boutique cinema auditorium, a new pub for the local community, as well as retail, residential and office space that will respect the heritage and enhance the special character of its surroundings. Completion of the scheme is expected to be 2020.
Sloane Square
Sloane Square
Sloane Square is a small hard-landscaped square on the boundaries of the central London districts of Belgravia and Chelsea, London, Chelsea, located southwest of Charing Cross, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The area forms a ...
is at the heart of Chelsea and the Estate. Its landmarks include the Royal Court Theatre and department store Peter Jones.
Cultural life on the square is served by the Royal Court Theatre and Cadogan Hall, home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Duke of York Square
Newly created by Cadogan in 2004, Duke of York Square was the first new public square to be opened in London for a century, and now hosts over 30 shops, 6 restaurants, flats, schools, offices and a weekly Fine Food Market. A massive undertaking to redevelop Ministry of Defence land and buildings, the project also created a new home for the Saatchi Gallery which displays one of the largest private collections of contemporary art and hosts free exhibitions seven days a week. This carefully curated public square at the junction of King's Road and Sloane Square offers fashion, beauty, food and culture in the heart of Chelsea.
Current plans include a new café at the heart of the square, designed by NEX Architects. Their new vision for the café features a glass wall that is able to rise and fall depending on the weather – the first of its kind in the UK, due to open in 2018.
Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall is a 950-seat capacity concert hall in Sloane Terrace in Chelsea, London, Chelsea in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England.
The resident music ensemble at Cadogan Hall is the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ( ...
, just north of Sloane Square, is another example of a successful acquisition and repurposing on the Estate. Cadogan bought it in 2000 as a dilapidated church and converted it into a concert hall that seats 900 – creating a new subsidised home for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The refurbishment retains many of the original features including stained glass windows by Baron von Rosenkrantz (who trained in Tiffany in New York).
Asbestos exposure
On 14 June 2018,
Westminster Magistrates' Court
Westminster Magistrates' Court is a Magistrates' court (England and Wales), magistrates' court at 181 Marylebone Road, London. The Chief Magistrate of England and Wales, who is the Senior Judiciary of England and Wales#District judges, Distric ...
fined Cadogan Estates a total of £180,000 for the 'uncontrolled release' of
asbestos
Asbestos ( ) is a group of naturally occurring, Toxicity, toxic, carcinogenic and fibrous silicate minerals. There are six types, all of which are composed of long and thin fibrous Crystal habit, crystals, each fibre (particulate with length su ...
during renovation works to one of the Estate's properties. The asbestos contamination occurred at Rosetti Studios, Flood Street, Chelsea, in June 2015. Cadogan Estates admitted that there were failures in procedures to ensure the adequate control of asbestos during the renovation process.
See also
Other large privately owned historic estates in London include:
*
Bedford Estate (Bloomsbury)
*
Portman Estate Portman may refer to:
* Portman (surname)
* Viscount Portman
Places
* Portmán, a town near Cartagena, Spain
* Orchard Portman, a village and civil parish in Somerset, England
* Portman Estate, 110 acres in Marylebone in London’s West End
* Por ...
(Marylebone)
*
Grosvenor Group
Grosvenor Group Limited is an internationally diversified property group, which traces its origins to 1677 and has its headquarters in London, England. Previously (from 1841) based at 66-68 Brook Street & 53 Davies Street, it is now based at 7 ...
(Mayfair and Belgravia)
*
Howard de Walden Estate (Marylebone)
*
Smith's Charity Estate (South Kensington, SW7)
*
Pettiward Estate (West Brompton, SW10 & Putney)
References
External links
*
{{Real estate in the United Kingdom
Cadogan Estate
Family-owned companies of the United Kingdom
History of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Privately owned estates in London
Property companies based in London
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
1753 establishments in England
British companies established in 1753