During the Victoria era, architecture moved away from boxy shapes and uniform proportions, and we saw the introduction of bay sash windows, porches, and steep pitched roofs tiled with slate. Iron railings became even more popular, as well as coloured bricks, stained glass panes for doors and entrance windows, geometric tiled hallways, high ceilings, cornicing, and medieval-inspired finials - all in-keeping with Gothic Revival, the most prominent and dramatic style of the time and one that’s perfectly depicted by the Houses of Parliament, St Pancras Railway Station and Tower Bridge. The Victorians were wildly ambitious developers and even though many striking buildings have since been demolished as a result of war or modernisation, there are still incredible examples of late 19th century homes across the capital. Most notably, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is often described as a Victorian Citadel, with rows of immaculate terraced homes such as those in Carlyle Square, or red brick mansion blocks including Coleherne Court on Old Brompton Road and Albert Road Mansions on Kensington Gore.
As well as apartments and townhouses, the city is also studded with imposingly large properties from the period, including incredible mansions overlooking Clapham Common and Victorian villas in St John’s Wood, complete with sweeping gardens, converted coach houses, and modern luxuries such as swimming pools and cinemas.