03-18-2006, 05:10 PM
An architect known as the Great Planner of London has designed one of the borough's most striking buildings.
John Nash, who designed the capital's landmarks, such as Trafalgar Square and Heymarket Theatre, was also the genius behind Grovelands House in Southgate.
The Grade-II listed building - now homw of the private hospital, The Priory - stands at the heart of Grovelands Park.
The son of a Lambeth millwright, Nash became an architect following a short apprenticeship with the renowned architect, Sir Robert Taylor.
His neo-classical style is imprinted on many London landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Cumberland Terrace, and Marble Arch.
Contemporary research- ers have speculated Nash's behaviour showed characteristics of a form of autism, known as Asperger's Syndrome.
People with the condition usually have obsessive interests and tend to lack social skills. While living in Wales, Nash developed a successful partnership with the landscape gardener, Sir Thomas Repton, and the pair embarked on several projects together including Grovelands House.
The house stands in sweeping grounds leading to a lake and surrounded by flowerbeds, trees and gravel walks designed by Repton. The house itself is neo-classical, designed in stucco and Portland Stone.
Originally named Southgate Grove, the mansion was built in 1797 for a Quaker brewer, Walker Gray.
After Gray's death, the property was bought by John Donnithorne Taylor, whose family lived there until World War I when it became a military hospital.
Southgate Council bought a section of the estate in 1913 and turned it into a public park.
In 1921 it was purchased by the Royal Northern Hospital and then in 1948 it was adopted by the NHS and used as a convalescent home until 1977, after which it remained unoccupied until 1985.
In 1985 the Priory Hospitals Group purchased and restored the house for use as a private psychiatric hospital which it remains, re-named Grovelands Priory, with some new buildings added behind the house. Grovelands famously became home to the Chilean dictator General Pinochet in 1998, who was held under house arrest while a patient.
Nash died in May, 1835, and was buried at St James Church, Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.
From anfieldindependent.co.uk
John Nash, who designed the capital's landmarks, such as Trafalgar Square and Heymarket Theatre, was also the genius behind Grovelands House in Southgate.
The Grade-II listed building - now homw of the private hospital, The Priory - stands at the heart of Grovelands Park.
The son of a Lambeth millwright, Nash became an architect following a short apprenticeship with the renowned architect, Sir Robert Taylor.
His neo-classical style is imprinted on many London landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Cumberland Terrace, and Marble Arch.
Contemporary research- ers have speculated Nash's behaviour showed characteristics of a form of autism, known as Asperger's Syndrome.
People with the condition usually have obsessive interests and tend to lack social skills. While living in Wales, Nash developed a successful partnership with the landscape gardener, Sir Thomas Repton, and the pair embarked on several projects together including Grovelands House.
The house stands in sweeping grounds leading to a lake and surrounded by flowerbeds, trees and gravel walks designed by Repton. The house itself is neo-classical, designed in stucco and Portland Stone.
Originally named Southgate Grove, the mansion was built in 1797 for a Quaker brewer, Walker Gray.
After Gray's death, the property was bought by John Donnithorne Taylor, whose family lived there until World War I when it became a military hospital.
Southgate Council bought a section of the estate in 1913 and turned it into a public park.
In 1921 it was purchased by the Royal Northern Hospital and then in 1948 it was adopted by the NHS and used as a convalescent home until 1977, after which it remained unoccupied until 1985.
In 1985 the Priory Hospitals Group purchased and restored the house for use as a private psychiatric hospital which it remains, re-named Grovelands Priory, with some new buildings added behind the house. Grovelands famously became home to the Chilean dictator General Pinochet in 1998, who was held under house arrest while a patient.
Nash died in May, 1835, and was buried at St James Church, Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.
From anfieldindependent.co.uk