School building purchase reflects strong market

A desirable Grade II* listed property located in a prime position on the banks of the river Thames in Twickenham has just been sold to a new school on the instructions of The Independent Educational Association Ltd

Pope’s Villa had been used by an independent, St James School, for boys between the ages of 11 and 18. Due to its exceptional demand, St James School has moved to a larger 30-acre site in Ashford and so the site in Twickenham became surplus to requirements.

Sold through property consultancy Knight Frank, the building has a fascinating history, having originally been built as a home for Alexander Pope, the famous eighteenth century English poet and satirist, best known for his translation of Homer. Pope chose this location in Twickenham to construct his white stucco-fronted Palladian-style riverside mansion (hence the name Pope’s Villa) in 1719, where he also created his famous grotto and gardens.

New aims
The new owner intends to continue the existing educational use at the property, as an independent day school for pupils aged 7-18 years. Radnor House School will open next September as a co-educational school. Leading the school will be headmaster Robert Cook who, for the past 10 years, has run Victoria College, a fee-paying school in Jersey.

He says: “Parents and children have a unique opportunity to experience the vibrancy and energy which comes with a new school. Radnor House will help young people achieve their very best personally and academically.”
Links with nearby St Mary’s University College and the Thames Young Mariners’ Club will be forged to provide top-range facilities and extracurricular opportunities for students.

Emil Gigov, partner of Albion Ventures LLP, which is providing financial backing for the school, said: “Richmond and Twickenham is used to the provision of independent education and we believe that Radnor House can add to the diversity of the provision on offer and increase the choice available to parents and students.”

The site had a guide price of £7 million for the freehold with vacant possession. The purchase price has not been disclosed, however.

Morgan Allen of Knight Frank comments: “The sale of Pope’s Villa follows a successful marketing campaign which generated a great amount of interest. It is one of Twickenham’s finest properties, in a beautiful setting and a highly desirable and sought-after residential area convenient for London. It is a rare and exceptional prospect for the purchaser. St James School was particularly keen for the buyer to retain its educational use.”

Morgan Allen is a consultant in Knight Frank’s institutional consultancy department. Morgan can be contacted on 020 7861 5426 or through http://www.knightfrank.co.uk/residential/institutional.

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