Model housing: plans to build underground home on exclusive London street unveiled by celebrity architect

If planning permission for Sophie Hicks' underground home is granted, and the build goes ahead, the only part of the property visible from ground level will be a "glazed cube" made of translucent glass. 
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A celebrity architect plans to build a “unique” subterranean house on one of London’s most exclusive streets, the Standard has learned.

Sophie Hicks, mother of supermodel Edie Campbell, has submitted an application to create a two-storey underground home with a swimming pool on a long-abandoned “eyesore” strip of land close to the Italianate villas of Holland Park.

Designs submitted to Kensington and Chelsea council show that only a “glazed cube” made of translucent glass with a bronze anodised aluminium frame would be visible from ground level.

After passing through the so-called “entrance pavilion”, visitors would descend to the living space and master bedroom, above three further bedrooms and the pool. There are also four small courtyard gardens and all levels would be connected by a lift.

Subterranean: Sophie Hicks wants to create an underground home on this strip of land
https://sophiehicks.com/holland-park/

In her application the 58-year-old former fashion editor at Vogue and Tatler said the design “allows the two adult generations of my family to live together with some privacy”.

Ms Hicks, who has designed shop interiors for Paul Smith and Chloé, bought the overgrown wedge-shaped parcel of land at auction for £880,000 in 2011, and has spent four years developing the plans for the 2,200 sq ft house. However, the proposal has met a mixed reception from neighbours in an area where residents such as the Beckhams will pay £30 million or more for a mansion.

Backers include her 28-year-old daughter, the former Vogue cover girl, who said in her submission: “This is a carefully considered proposal. I have seen the model and like the design.

“The house will be a positive feature of the street scene, and will put a piece of derelict land to proper use.”

Hotelier Vanessa Branson, 60, sister of tycoon Richard, who has lived in the area for 50 years, said: “I welcome another building from an architect of note.”

Lady Conran, third wife of restaurateur Sir Terence, said: “I like the plan and I would prefer Sophie Hicks to build a high-quality house, which is her field, rather that some random developer building a larger and less beautiful structure.”

But the plans sparked anger from some residents. Andrew and Jennifer Dell, whose flat is inside a Grade II listed house nearby, said they feared the development would cause “structural harm” to their home.

Despite the plans proposing a multi-level basement — supposedly banned by Kensington and Chelsea — officers recommended them for approval.

They said the “unique” proposal should count as a single-storey basement relative to surrounding land levels and neighbouring properties.

A planning inspector’s report in 2015 added: “The new house should be considered as having a lower ground floor storey and basement storey so that, in this respect, it complies.”

The application will be decided by the council’s planning committee on Tuesday.