bar scale

labelled A, B and N^o. 5

Soane office

Soane's report of 9 March 1809 records his visit to Thomas Leverton when he asked to see the plans for Colonel Gordon's house. These could not be found but were brought around to Soane's house by Leverton later that day. SM volume 77/22 and SM volume 78/28 are evidently copies of an original in Leverton's possession and there is also a printed version accompanying Soane's report in Papers, presented to the House of Commons, relating to the Building of a New Infirmary, and the Leasing of Ground at Chelsea Hospital. The drawings show the proposed site for Gordon's house which would obstruct the circulation of air from the river to the proposed site for Soane's Infirmary (across the airing ground). Soane also notes an objection to the 30 feet wide access road (from Paradise Row to Colonel Gordon's property) which he had thought was to be only 24 feet wide. The constriction on the Infirmary site was deemed too great.

As a result of these objections, Soane drew up three alternative plans for the location of Colonel Gordon's house, this drawing, SM volume 78/11 and SM 67/2/16. This drawing and SM volume 78/11 show the original site proposed for the villa marked A and Soane's suggestion for another site, marked B. These plans are also printed along with Soane's report in Papers, presented to the House of Commons, relating to the Building of a New Infirmary, and the Leasing of Ground at Chelsea Hospital. SM 67/2/16 shows the altered position for the villa, shielded by 'a clump of trees'.

Papers, presented to the House of Commons, relating to the Building of a New Infirmary, and the Leasing of Ground at Chelsea Hospital (ordered by the House of Commons) to be Printed, 20^th April 1809

Drawing

Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation

If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk