Hampstead homes’ heroic history
Otto Schiff helped rescue some 12,000 Jews from the Nazis from 1933 until after the Second World War. He was awarded an OBE for helping refugees during the First World War and went on to become chairman of one of the first committees in Britain to aid Jewish victims of Nazism, the Jewish Refugees Committee.
A nephew of American banker Jacob L. Schiff, he bought 14 Netherhall Gardens in the 1920s. During the 1930s, he and his wife moved to Mayfair and the house became a refugee sanctuary, processing arrivals from continental Europe and sending them out to sympathetic homes. For this, King George VI awarded Otto Schiff a CBE.
Now you can own a flat in the building where so many lives were saved. Developer Godfrey London has transformed 14 Netherhall Gardens into two buildings containing 14 converted and newly built two-to-five-bedroom apartments, including duplexes and penthouses.
They are set in landscaped gardens and have underground parking.
The apartments have attracted local buyers — two of them already live on this street. There is interest across the £2.4 million-to-£5 million price range and five apartments in the development are now under offer.
Built between 1885 and 1888 by Hampstead landowner and 10th Baronet Sir Spencer Maryon-Wilson, the original 14 Netherhall Gardens was designed by British architect Richard Shaw in a combination of Victorian country house and Gothic revival style. Along with its neighbours, it was intended for City bankers, underwriters and lawyers. The road was named after Netherhall House, on the Maryon-Wilson family’s Fitzjohns estate in Essex.
On Otto Schiff’s death in 1952, he left a bequest establishing 14 Netherhall Gardens as a trust and care home for victims of Nazi persecution. In honour of Schiff’s achievements, the home was named after him.
The trust and care home operated independently until 2010 and were then incorporated into Jewish Care, with the facility relocated to a Jewish Care property in nearby Golders Green.
Godfrey London has spent the past Otto Schiff 18 months returning Otto Schiff House to its residential state.
The entrance hall, with its high ceiling, fireplace and grand staircase, has been restored and provides access to the apartments, which measure from 1,443 sq ft to 3,068 sq ft.
Otto Schiff Mansions, a new pavilion building in the grounds, provides seven newly-built two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom apartments of 1,437 sq ft to 3,500 sq ft.
Kitchens are by Boffi, with integrated Gaggenau appliances, bathroom suites are by CP Hart and finishes include Italian Statuario porcelain.
A home-automation system by Legrand controls the lighting, heating and audio (which has built-in ceiling speakers).
Kate Gould, a Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist, has designed the gardens and courtyards.
Prices at 14 Netherhall Gardens start from £2.4 million, for a two-bedroom unit on a 250-year lease.
Joint agents are Goldschmidt & Howland and Savills. Charmingly, Goldschmidt & Howland sold the house to Otto Schiff in the 1920s.
Founder Louis Goldschmidt used to fly prospective purchasers over Hampstead in his biplane, though there is no record of his having done this with Otto Schiff. EDITED BY CHARLIE JACOBY New look for 14 Netherhall Gardens