The first ‘Span’ development by architect Eric Lyons, now Grade 11 listed by English Heritage.
Richmond Borough Conservation Area 67, designated in 2003, comprises the modern residential development of Parkleys and Ham Farm Road which were built in tandem in 1955-6 on the former site of Ham Farm Nursery. The flats at Parkleys were the first residential project by the pioneering Span Developments and the architect Eric Lyons. It was originally conceived as a new model of low rise modern housing for first time buyers set within a planned landscape. It had an innovative resident controlled company which still operates today, and also seems to have been the first instance of endowment mortgages being offered in the UK. Eric Lyons was later President of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and a retrospective of his work was held there in 2006. Parkleys is Grade 11 listed by English Heritage.
Parkleys comprises 2 storey blocks around courtyards and other blocks of both 2 and 3 storeys in an “H” plan with a bright central staircase. Since there are 175 units altogether, sales of flats in Parkleys are relatively frequent. When first built, Parkleys was the preserve of young families but later also became popular with older buyers because of its combination of peacefulness in easy proximity to all the facilities and shops of Ham Parade. In recent years the cachet of the listed status and the fashion for 1950s retro-chic has again drawn in younger professional buyers. If you would like to register your interest in future Parkleys apartments which become available please contact us. If you would like to read more about Eric Lyons and Span developments, we recommend the 2006 RIBA book Eric Lyons & Span edited by barbara Simms.
