The Estate Office at 29a Montague Street is undergoing a major transformation and facelift.   Built is the early 1840s, it has been in continuous use since then as the management office for the Estate.  For many years from when it was first built, the ground floor was used as a secure strong room, as witnessed by the steel doors and window shutters, and iron bars on the windows.  It is a splendid room, with a high vaulted ceiling and elegant central columns.  In recent times it has been used as a store for archived files and property documents, and part was let off as an artist’s studio.  In the 1970s, 29b Montague Street (the Garden Block, as it is known) was built between the Estate Office and 74-77 Great Russell Street.    At that time, the Estate Office was linked into the second floor of the Garden Block to provide additional office accommodation.

 

We are now bringing the ground floor of the Estate Office into more appropriate use, creating a modern reception area and offices, with a new board room extension to the rear.  This will allow us to release the space we occupy in the Garden Block, and this will be incorporated into the current refurbishment of 74-77 Great Russell Street.  The project is on site and due for completion in September.  Visitors to the office will then have the benefit of entering a reception area at ground floor level and will, for the first time, be able to enjoy the unique architectural features of this splendid room.

 

At the same time, we have increased our staffing levels in the Office.  This is a consequence of  the decision to take in house all of our residential management from the beginning of this year and the current and projected level of building activity around the Estate.   It also reflects our commitment to providing a top quality management service to our tenants.

 

We are also implementing plans to improve and enhance our gardens.  Users of Bedford Square garden will have seen – and I hope enjoyed - the elegant park benches we have recently installed and will have noticed the development of the stumpery at the Gower Street end of the garden.  In 2008 we will be renewing the edging to the grass areas and re-gravelling the pathways, which have become very worn through constant use.   In the garden opposite the Victorian mansion block of Ridgmount Gardens, our gardening team has designed and planted a new scheme in the shady central section and further plans are afoot for the rest of this garden. 

 

Bloomsbury has long been renowned for its green spaces, its attractive garden squares and tree-lined streets, which are much enjoyed by residents, workers and visitors alike.   Much has been done over recent years by both private landowners and public bodies to improve these areas.   It is the Estate’s policy to ensure that its gardens are continually maintained and improved to a high standard and play their part in upholding and enhancing Bloomsbury’s green credentials.