Homes & Property | Property News
A historic London residence, Bowman House, has been listed for sale at £4.6 million following a comprehensive restoration. Built in 1673, this four-storey, stucco-fronted terraced house boasts a rich history, having withstood the test of time longer than iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament.
Located on John Adam Street, which runs parallel to the Strand, Bowman House is recognized as one of the oldest surviving structures in London. The Grade II-listed property is now available through Tavistock Bow.
Originally constructed on land that was part of York House, a grand mansion dating back to the 13th century, Bowman House was situated on what was then known as Duke Street, adjacent to the Thames before the Embankment was built in the 19th century. The street name changed in the 1760s when the Adams brothers—John, Robert, James, and William—developed the residential area known as the Adelphi Scheme.
Historical Transformations and Modern Restoration
Bowman House has undergone significant changes throughout its long history. A major repair was conducted in 1760, and the property was modernized during the Regency period. The rear of the building was reconstructed after sustaining extensive damage during World War II.
In 1984, the house was purchased by the father of the current owner, who utilized it as an office for his accountancy firm. After the owner inherited the property in 2021, he sought to convert it back into a residential home, obtaining planning permission for the transformation in 2022.
“It was about integrity: he felt that the property deserved to be a house, rather than an office,” said Craig Simpson, a partner at Tavistock Bow.
Simpson noted that the owner was motivated by the historical significance of the location and the building itself, aiming to honor its legacy rather than opting for a generic modern refurbishment. In fact, eine der spektakulärsten Häuser Londons öffnet nächsten Monat für die Öffentlichkeit.
Preserving Original Features
The restoration process involved meticulous attention to detail, including hand-painting the front of the building and replacing the railings with an authentic set from the late 17th century. Inside, the kitchen, which had been updated in the 1980s, was completely redone along with all three bathrooms.
Original features were carefully restored, including:
- Reinstatement of fireplaces and 17th-century wood paneling
- Stripping carpets to reveal original floorboards
- Restoration of the original staircase
According to planning documents, the walls, panelling, skirtings, cornices, and doors were redecorated in a historically authentic style, utilizing historic paint analysis to ensure accurate color matching.
“They’ve smartened it up. It was all painted magnolia with blue carpets,” Simpson remarked.
Jamie Read, another partner at Tavistock Bow, agreed, stating, “It had quite an institutional feel to it [as an office]. Everything had been blocked up and painted over, and the character bits ignored, whereas now, the panelling’s been restored and they’ve repainted the building. The front of the house looks beautiful.”
Modern Living in a Historic Setting
The newly restored 2,917-square-foot residence features a modern kitchen on the lower ground floor, a wood-paneled dining room, three living spaces on the ground and first floors, and four bedrooms on the upper levels. At the heart of the home is the impressive wooden staircase, which has been restored to its former glory.
“The staircase is huge: just holding the handrail, you can get a sense of the history,” Simpson noted. “It’s very impressive.”
Completed in 2025, the restoration has since allowed the house to be rented out as a holiday let. With a growing portfolio of properties, the owner has now decided to sell the historic residence.
Simpson and Read believe the property could serve as a London base or a home for professionals seeking a workspace or studio. “This house is definitely not for someone who wants a sterile, glass-walled penthouse or a modern development with a 24-hour concierge and all the toys,” Simpson stated. “But to the right buyer, the quirks and unmatched character of a 17th-century layout in such an incredible location will be hard to resist.”
The owner, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed, “My family has cherished this building since being lucky enough to acquire it in the mid-1980s. Letting it go is not easy. It’s a wonderful house — generous in scale, full of historic character and so beautifully positioned. But it feels like the right moment for the house to begin a new chapter with new owners, as our family begins new chapters of our own.”
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