Inside the historic $17 million London home of HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall's ancestor

By
Sonia Taylor
July 20, 2022
The home belonged to Thomas Cubitt, a prolific master builder of the early 19th century, who also happens to be HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall's great-great-great-grandfather on her mother's side.

The former home of Thomas Cubitt, master builder and great-great-great grandfather of the Duchess of Cornwall, has hit the market for $17.3 million (£10 million).

Cubitt was a builder in London during the early 19th century, considered a prolific pioneer who was responsible for developing large areas of Belgravia, Pimlico, Camden Town and Bloomsbury.

This includes many of London’s historic streets and squares. He’s renowned for building parts of the Grosvenor Estate and royal residences including Buckingham Palace and Osborne House – a full circle moment, considering his descendant would one day walk those halls as a member of the Royal Family.

The Duchess of Cornwall, through her mother’s side, is a Cubitt. And this makes Thomas Camilla’s great-great-great-grandfather.

Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
The home belonged to Thomas Cubitt, a prolific master builder of the early 19th century, who also happens to be HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall’s great-great-great-grandfather on her mother’s side. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property
Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
The entrance hall to the sprawling home on over 2130 square metres. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property

He began building swish white stuccoed homes characteristic to the area for wealthy Brits after establishing his company, Cubitt & Co, in 1810. But the sprawling Pimlico property was originally built in 1851 by Andrew Cuthell Jr, Thomas’s deputy and nephew.

It was one of three family homes in Warwick Square that were owned and used by the Cubitt family, and is referred to as the ‘pride of Pimlico’.

Warwick Lodge is a grand white-stucco Victorian house with seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms and three reception rooms.

Stand-out luxuries for a central London townhouse include, firstly, its impressive size at 2133 square metres (7,000 feet), as well as a large patio for al fresco dining and entertaining and what is believed to be the largest walled garden in Pimlico.

Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
The property has the largest walled residential garden in all of Pimlico, a rarity for any central London townhome. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property
Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
The family kitchen and breakfast room offers views out to the garden. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property
Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
Another distinct luxury of the home is the outdoor space on offer, with numerous patio areas accessible to all levels. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property

Despite its historic significance, the home is turn-key – it’s been fully modernised by design house Chester Jones while retaining gorgeous Victorian features, such as large bay windows, high ceilings and fireplaces.

You’ll be greeted by the entrance hall and reception room, before making your way to the family kitchen/breakfast room on the ground floor, all opening onto or offering views over the garden.

Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
The historic Victorian home has been modernised by design firm Chester Jones, while retaining Victorian features such as soaring ceilings, bay windows and fireplaces. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property
Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
The seven bedroom, seven bathroom home has two principal suites with impressive ensuites. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property
Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
There’s even a rooftop terrace. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property

On the first floor is a large drawing room with access onto a roof terrace, and an anteroom with a step out balcony.

On its own private level on the top floor is the first of two principal bedroom suites, with a bedroom that overlooks the garden and opens onto a balcony, walk-in dressing room and a bathroom with bath and separate shower.

On the lower ground floor extensive use of patios enable loads of natural light to flow into the living spaces.

The second principal suite has a sizeable bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, separate dressing room and a bathroom.

Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
Another of the seven designer bathrooms with luxury finishes. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property
Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
A $17 million property of course includes a fitness suite, along with luxury steam room and sauna. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property

There are four further bedrooms and three bathrooms, a fitness suite with gymnasium, steam room, sauna and bathroom, a TV/media room, a utility room and a self-contained studio with its own kitchen, bathroom and separate access (serving as a staff flat or seventh bedroom).

After Cubitt’s death in 1855, Queen Victoria said, ‘In his sphere of life, with the immense business he had in hand, he is a real national loss. A better, kindhearted or more simple, unassuming man never breathed.’

Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
The mosaic-tiled steam room in all its glory. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property
Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
Warwick Lodge was built in 1851 by by Andrew Cuthell Jr, Thomas’s deputy and nephew. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property
Warwick Lodge Thomas Cubbit HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall sale 10 million
Cubitt was responsible for developing large areas of Belgravia, Pimlico, Camden Town and Bloomsbury, including parts of the Grosvenor Estate and royal residences including Buckingham Palace and Osborne House. Photo: Jackson Stops / Radstock Property

In 1995 a statue of the renowned architect was erected on the corner of Georges Drive and Denbigh Street in Pimlico. There’s a second in Dorking, opposite the Dorking Halls, as he was favoured there for his architecture on his Denbies estate in Surrey.

A number of pubs have also adopted his name to honour his legacy.

The sprawling family home is for sale via joint sole selling agents Jackson-Stops and Radstock Property.

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