Kensington Roof Gardens History

They were taken over by virgin in 1981 and given a grade ii listing in 1998.

Kensington roof gardens history.

The landscape artist in charge of the project was ralph hancock a prominent garden landscaper of the time. Kensington roof gardens due to reopen. History of kensington roof gardens. It played a key part in the london nightlife scene showcasing top djs and live musical talent from across the decades as well as hosting numerous events showbiz parties award ceremonies weddings and dinners in its award winning restaurant babylon.

Kensington roof gardens is a private roof garden covering 6 000 square metres on top of the former derry toms building on kensington high street in central london. The garden covers 1 5 acres and are 100ft above street level. London s oldest and best roof garden still known to many as derry and toms roof garden recalling the name of the department store which commissioned the garden. In 1981 richard branson took a garden in the sky and made it all his own.

Kensington roof gardens formerly known as derry and toms roof gardens and later the roof gardens is a private roof garden covering 6 000 square metres 65 000 sq ft on top of the former derry toms building on kensington high street in central london. Published 04 june 2019. The gardens were founded in 1936 3 years after the construction of the department store and completed in 1938. Call it a comeback.

The gardens were laid out by landscape designer ralph hancock between 1936 and 1938. The current landlord of the. Once known as derry and toms roof gardens the gardens started out as a passion project atop of a former department store of the same name derry and toms. The roof garden was formerly known as derry and toms roof gardens since it was on the roof of the former department store derry toms which opened in 1933.

The kensington roof garden is among the famous roof gardens of the era. It included several themed gardens featuring trees shrubs roses and perennials and water features where ducks and flamingoes were found. 1930s in the 1930s trevor bowen the vice president of barkers the kensington department store that owned the site and constructed the building in 1932 commissioned ralph hancock a leading landscape gardener to create the gardens. Originally opened in 1938 the gardens were open to the public until january 2018 when the leaseholder virgin limited edition was unable to reach an agreement with the freeholder about renewal of the lease.

The garden was built on top of a london department store and its construction was completed in 1938. Here is the derry toms building in high street kensington. The roof gardens has now closed virgin limited edition occupied the roof gardens as a tenant from 1981 2018. Kensington roof gardens history the roof gardens cover 1 5 acres on top of the former derry and toms building on kensington high street making it the largest roof garden in europe.