As has been mentioned in the note to the previous scheme, in 1809 Colonel Gordon acquired an 80-year lease of what had been a part of Yarborough House grounds, on which he was to build himself a villa. The lease was a mere formality at £52 14s 0d per annum but he obtained it on the understanding that he spend £3,500 on building his villa. Very eager to start work, Gordon commissioned Thomas Leverton to draw up designs (even before the lease was granted on 11 March) and set about pulling down an existing pavilion that projected into his land in preparation.

Unfortunately, Gordon’s over-eager demolition left the Whitster’s residence, which was attached to the pavilion, exposed to the effects of the weather. (A Whitster was a washerwoman or man, particularly involved with bleaching). Soane himself reported the damage and its likely effects to the Board on 13 April 1809 (as recorded in the meeting minutes). Alongside his report, Soane presented watercolour views to show the state of the buildings (SM volume 78/3, SM volume 77/4, SM volume 78/7, SM volume 78/4, SM volume 77/5 and SM volume 78/5). The Whitster’s residence was at this point adjacent to the laundry and airing grounds, but part of the Yarborough House gardens.

Despite the damage caused to the Whitster’s residence, a new house was not built until 1821 (adjoined to the Surgeon’s new house).

The remainder of the drawings in this group (SM 67/2/14, SM 67/2/15, SM 67/2/11, SM 67/2/13, SM 67/2/10 and SM 67/2/12) show Colonel Gordon’s House and must be copies, made by a Soane pupil, of Thomas Leverton’s originals. Under pressure from Soane, Gordon did alter his plans for a villa slightly, but not enough to make a substantial impact on the fate of Soane’s new Infirmary.

The lease of Colonel Gordon’s villa ran out in 1889, at which point it was let for the Royal Military and Naval Exhibitions and two years later converted into a residence for the Infirmary nurses. Gordon House is now much altered but still provides accommodation for staff.