Reed Watts has been working with the team at Kingswood Arts since 2022 to bring this local landmark back into meaningful use.
Built between 1811 and 1814 for William Vizard, the house has been extended and altered over the years, with at least three phases of expansion since then. In 1891, the lease of Kingswood House was acquired by James Lawson Johnston, the Scottish inventor of Bovril. Johnston carried out significant alterations to the property and it was Johnston who established the external appearance we see today, leading local residents to refer to the building as ‘Bovril Castle’.
Following a period of use as a hospital during WWI, the property was bought by William Vestey in 1919. Vestey embarked on a wide range of alterations including significant changes to the formal reception rooms on the ground floor.
Following the war, the house and surrounding land was acquired by the London County Council via a compulsory purchase order. A new estate of 789 homes was created in the grounds, with Kingswood House being converted to community uses by Camberwell Council (now part of the London Borough of Southwark) in 1956.
Since 2023, Kingswood Arts has operated the building as a local community arts centre providing arts classes and events for local residents. Reed Watts have helped to secure planning permission and listed building consent for a number of small alterations to the building, improving access and the operation of the building while a broader masterplan has been prepared which will see major enhancements to the flexibility, accessibility and sustainability of the building.
Sector
Heritage / Arts / Education
Location
Dulwich, London
Status
Ongoing
