Post-Fordism

November 3, 2012

Section:

The flexible £12.75 million former home of Tom Ford

Number 26 Gilston Road in London’s SW10 is a property that has been on and off the market repeatedly in recent years. On each and every occasion it has been promoted as the “former home of the fashion icon Tom Ford” and though he hasn’t lived there in years, it is still just as he left it.

Tom Ford 500 — Designer and film producer Tom Ford

26 Gilston Road 500 — “The former home of design icon Tom Ford”: 26 Gilston Road, London, SW10 9SS

Situated at the end of a terrace on the corner of Priory Walk, one can see why the house appealed to the Texan born designer credited with turning around the fortunes of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. Hidden behind a high wall and hedging, 26 Gilston Road is private yet minutes from the restaurants of Old Brompton and Fulham Roads.

This 4-storey townhouse was sold in June 1997 for £2,250,000 and again marketed in 2009 for £8,500,000 through Aylesford. In the time since, it has been available to let at prices ranging from £5,500 to £7,500 per week, but is now back for sale at the extraordinary figure of £12,750,00 through Russell Simpson.

Reception 2 500 — One of the reception rooms, just as Tom Ford left it

Reception 1 500 — Another of the Tom Ford styled rooms

Bedroom with TV 500 — A Tom Ford designed bedroom

Garden 500 — The garden of the property is extremely private

What explains such a rise during a period of economic downturn? Well, it’s because developers Equilibrium have gained permission to “de-Ford” the house. As is now the trend in London, they have planned a total redesign. Their illustrations incorporate a new sub-basement and as a result the gross internal area will increase from just over 3,700 square feet to just under 5,300 square feet.

Living dining kitchen void 500 — Equilibrium’s plans include a vast living-dining-kitchen with a study in the void over. The space is lit by a skylight.

Cutaway 500 — A cutaway shows the extent of the redevelopment planned

26 Gilston Road and Priory Walk 500 — A view of 26 Gilston Road from the corner of Priory Walk

Whilst the layout Tom Ford, himself a graduate in architecture from Parsons The New School of Design, created at 26 Gilston Road was ideal for A Single Man; the new floor plan with 4 bedrooms is much better suited to a family. Ford and his partner, Richard Buckley, announced the birth of their son, Alexander, in September. Perhaps they should put in a bid.

For more information about 26 Gilston Road, London, SW10 9SS, contact Russell Simpson, 5 Anderson Street, London, SW3 3LU. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7225 0277. View a brochure for the property at: http://www.russellsimpson.co.uk/assets/12/06/15/5081/pdf_archive-1.pdf

View Equilibrium’s website at: http://www.equilibriumlondon.com

View Tom Ford’s website at: http://www.tomford.com