Description
The World's End Estate was designed for the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea by Eric Lyons, who sought to move away from the blandness of many high-rise estates in his use of a distinctive many-sided design and exposed decorative brickwork. The estate is effectively a single building, since its 7 tower blocks are connected with 9 low-rise walkway blocks in a figure of 8 formation around two internal courtyards laid out as gardens. The gardens are actually at first floor level since they are directly above car parking below. On the south side of the estate is additional green space, part of which is now an allotment garden tended by residents. Most of the residents have fine views over west London.
Practical Information
| Site location | King's Road/ Blantyre Street/Cremorne Road/Cheyne Walk, Chelsea |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW10 0DS |
| What3Words | ///react.plan.cups |
| Type of Site | Housing/Estate Landscaping |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | Partially |
| Opening Times | Has opened for Open House London |
| Facilities | Has opened for Open House London |
| Public Transport | Tube: Sloane Square (District, Circle) then bus. |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2017 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The World's End Estate is built on an area previously occupied by low-rise Victorian housing, which was demolished in 1968. The new estate was commissioned by the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea in 1963, but Eric Lyons' original design wasn't accepted, since it exceeded the LCC's housing density limits at the time. Following a public enquiry, a design providing 750 units of council housing was approved in December 1966, and work began in 1968. The new estate was completed in April 1977, by which time the first tenants had moved in.
The estate is designed as a figure of 8 with 7 tower blocks linked by 9 low-rise walkway blocks with two internal courtyards, laid out as gardens. Various community facilities were built at the same time as the estate in a similar style, including what is now the Chelsea Theatre, which started life as the community centre, Ashburnham Primary School and Omega House with a supermarket on the ground floor. St John's Church pre-dated the estate. Although various changes have been made to the estate the core design remains.
World's End Residents Association was set up by the residents to represent the views and interests of all residents when dealing with the Council, its agents and their contractors, and to ensure that residents were consulted on estate matters. WERA aims 'to foster a wider sense of community and cooperation amongst all of the estate's residents and aims to ensure that all of the estate's varied communities are properly represented and are able to participate in its activities'.
The estate is designed as a figure of 8 with 7 tower blocks linked by 9 low-rise walkway blocks with two internal courtyards, laid out as gardens. Various community facilities were built at the same time as the estate in a similar style, including what is now the Chelsea Theatre, which started life as the community centre, Ashburnham Primary School and Omega House with a supermarket on the ground floor. St John's Church pre-dated the estate. Although various changes have been made to the estate the core design remains.
World's End Residents Association was set up by the residents to represent the views and interests of all residents when dealing with the Council, its agents and their contractors, and to ensure that residents were consulted on estate matters. WERA aims 'to foster a wider sense of community and cooperation amongst all of the estate's residents and aims to ensure that all of the estate's varied communities are properly represented and are able to participate in its activities'.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ265773 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | RB Kensington & Chelsea |
| Site Management | Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation Limited; World's End Residents Association |
| Dates | 1969-77 |
| Designers | Eric Lyons |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Kensington & Chelsea |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Archaeology Priority Area (Chelsea Riverside) |
| Other LA Designation | Article 4 Direction; Thames Special Policy Area |
Gallery
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
The riverside Cremorne Gardens were re-landscaped in 1981/2, but commemorate the Cremorne Pleasure Gardens that were on the site from 1845-77. Located in the gardens are the restored Cremorne Gates that once stood at the King's Road end of the original gardens and belonged to Lord Cremorne's house. The gates serve to divide the park into two areas: a cobbled area with raised beds, planters, War Memorial and steps leading to the river promenade; and an area of lawn on undulating ground with shrubs and seating.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
This private town garden was designed for Sir Hugh Lane in 1909 by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the planting plan by Gertrude Jekyll, as part of the refurbishment of his house at No. 100 Cheyne Walk. The house stands on what was once part of the site occupied by the C17th Lindsey House, famous as the residence of the 3rd Earl of Lindsey, Lord Great Chamberlain to Charles II. Reinstatement of the 1909 plan for the rear garden has been undertaken since 1983.
This private town garden was designed for Sir Hugh Lane in 1909 by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the planting plan by Gertrude Jekyll, as part of the refurbishment of his house at No. 100 Cheyne Walk. The house stands on what was once part of the site occupied by the C17th Lindsey House, famous as the residence of the 3rd Earl of Lindsey, Lord Great Chamberlain to Charles II. Reinstatement of the 1909 plan for the rear garden has been undertaken since 1983.
Burial ground for the Moravian Church established here by Count Zinzendorf, Bishop of the Moravians. In 1750 Zinzendorf had purchased Lindsey House and the grounds of Beaufort House, both once part of Sir Thomas More's Chelsea estate. The burial ground, on the stable yard of Beaufort House and having remnants of Tudor brick walls, was exempted from closure after the Burial Act of 1855 and around 400 people have been interred since 1751.
