A striking Art Deco apartment block in Highgate, this six-storey curved structure represents a bold modernist moment in 1930s London residential design.
At a glance
Cholmeley Lodge is a Grade II listed Streamline Moderne residential building of 48 flats (listed documents note 54) arranged in three curved concave blocks. Designed by Guy Leslie Llewellyn Morgan and completed in 1934, it stands on Highgate Hill facing what was once the site of the Mermaid Inn.
History
The building takes its name from Sir Roger Cholmeley, who owned the land until 1565. Originally proposed for Bournemouth seafront, the project met resistance from local authorities who rejected its modernist design, demanding Tudor-style timberwork softening. Refused planning permission, the scheme relocated to the London Borough of Haringey, where it replaced the Mermaid Inn—closed in 1679 and subsequently demolished.
What you see
The building’s distinctive form comprises three curved concave blocks spanning a 30-foot (9.1 m) radius, characteristic of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne aesthetics. Its sweeping horizontal lines and rhythmic fenestration exemplify the style’s marriage of geometric abstraction with functional residential planning. The curved facade maximizes light and views while creating visual dynamism along Highgate Hill.
Cultural significance
Cholmeley Lodge represents an important episode in early 20th-century British modernism. Architect Guy Morgan went on to design Florin Court, a more celebrated apartment block also in London, but Cholmeley Lodge was his pioneering prototype—a building that demonstrated modernism’s viability in metropolitan housing despite initial local resistance.
Key facts
- Architect: Guy Leslie Llewellyn Morgan (1903–1987)
- Completed: 1934
- Style: Art Deco / Streamline Moderne
- Grade II listed building
- Location: 126 Highgate Hill, London Borough of Haringey
- Coordinates: 51.570875, −0.14428056
- Structure: Six-storey residential block; 48–54 flats in three curved concave blocks
Practical information & getting there
Cholmeley Lodge is a private residential building in Highgate, north London. You can view its distinctive curved facade from Highgate Hill. The building is not open to the public. Highgate is served by Highgate Underground station (Northern Line). For current access information and local visiting details, check with Haringey Council or local heritage resources.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una fotoDo you manage this place?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Keep it accurate — and make it work for you. Free for non-profit heritage institutions.