The Mansion Block represents a uniquely British take on the challenges of accommodating a growing urban population through apartment living. 

Its origins are entwined with the rapid increase in London’s population during the Victorian era, rising from 1 million at the start of the 19th century to 5.5 million by the end. This greatly increased the demand for housing that used space more efficiently than the low-rise terraces that had previously dominated the urban fabric.

These buildings were in many ways the original Build to Rent model, constructed and leased out by speculative developers from the 1850s onwards. This enabled an aspirational middle class to live in desirable locations. 

The name derives from their resemblance to the mansions of the nobility, evoking a grandeur that was made available to a wider public. The results were taller-than-average buildings with strong massing, softened by often intricate façades and iron railed balconies. They created a new kind of street with a more metropolitan character that promoted a denser, culturally rich, and dynamic way of city living.

The building type made its way to London via Paris’s Haussmann apartments as well as the Scottish tenements. Despite these imported legacies, the designs were quickly reimagined. The unmistakable red brick and white stone frontages have become a quintessential image of London housing. The mansions along Prince of Wales Drive, directly opposite Battersea Park and built in the 1890s, provide some of the defining examples of this period.

Prince of Wales Drive Mansion Blocks transaction values compared to Battersea Park area average to Jul-23

In these blocks, the first flat to sell for over £1 million happened in 2007, after which more followed in spite of the economic turbulence caused by the financial crisis. From 2012 onwards the blocks experienced significant value growth, with many breaking the £1.5 million mark. 

On a price per square foot basis, a handful achieved at least £1,000 psf prior to 2014, after which the significant price growth saw the majority achieve between £1,000 to £1,500 psf. Adjusted to today’s prices, these flats have commanded a substantial premium of 47.7 per cent over the average for the area since 2008, and even a 26.5 per cent premium over the upper quartile, emphasising the value buyers place on these compelling homes.

Prince of Wales Drive Mansion Blocks price per square foot compared to Battersea Park area average and upper quartile to Jul-23

As with many heritage buildings, the key challenge remains to make these architectural icons fit for a sustainable future. On Prince of Wales Drive, for example, since 2008 just 27 per cent of sales have had an EPC rating of C and above. Given the potential for different tenancies and ownerships, improving EPC ratings for a whole block is a challenge as it requires coordination rather than measures by individual occupiers. 

The first step is to understand the heritage significance of the buildings so that any measures do not have unacceptable impacts on their character or appearance. Any interventions must then factor in that Victorian buildings are ‘vapour permeable,’ which means water can pass through them. Anything which traps moisture will likely exacerbate poor energy performance and create other problems. Options for improvement might include adding insulation, introducing secondary or slim-line glazing, and draught-proofing doors, so long as the materials and method of installation are compatible with the building. The right approach for one building may not be for another, so the impact of each intervention needs to be assessed.

Today, the Mansion Block is undergoing a renaissance as architects and planners seek to increase urban density while retaining a human scale. In this they are continuing a century-old tradition that proves how flats can be just as aspirational as houses. 

To find out more, scroll through our gallery of mansion flats currently for sale

Further information

Contact Emily Williams or Emma Lawrence

Icons of architecture: London’s Barbican

Heritage & Townscape Consultancy