19th Century origins

The terrace was initially built in the 1870s by the builder George Frederick Tippett, who also developed much of the rest of the neighbourhood. Tippet was an entrepreneur who combined the roles of ground landlord, developer, builder "and probably architect as well".^[1] The gardens, however, were smaller than some earlier ornamental gardens in the neighbourhood. The 1973 Survey of London described the gardens at 1-3 Colville Gardens as being "a feeble imitation of the earlier and more spacious paddocks on the Ladbroke estate".^[1]

The houses were intended as single family homes for the well-to-do but from the beginning it proved difficult to attract wealthy buyers to the area, and as early as 1888 the buildings began to be subdivided into flats.^[2] In 1885 Tippett was declared bankrupt. He attributed his failure to "his inability to let a large portion of his property and to the pressure of secured creditors". Gradually the character of the buildings changed as wealthier tenants left the area. By 1888 two of Tippet's houses in Colville Gardens had already been subdivided into flats.^[1]

1920s and 1930s

By 1928 the neighbourhood was described as "rapidly becoming poorer and more Jewish",^[1] and by 1935 as a "largely slum area... large houses turned into one-room tenements".^[3]

World War II

Further decline set in as many residents moved away during World War II to escape The Blitz.^[2] One of the buildings at the end of the terrace was destroyed during a bombing raid; it has since been rebuilt in the modern style. The same raid severely damaged other neighbouring buildings including All Saints Church.

1950s

In 1953 1-9 Colville Gardens was bought by Fernbank Investments Ltd (a subsidiary of Davies Investments Ltd) for £8,000.^[2] Some questionable business practices followed, mostly involving attempts to displace sitting tenants (in some cases by intimidation) which however significantly increased the income from the property. At the same time the quality of the building deteriorated, and in around 1966 some of the residents began to approach the Council in order to attempt to improve living conditions.

1960s

In 1967 Fernbank Investments declared bankruptcy. Its owner, Bowen Davies, took his own life, saying that he had "caused suffering... to very many, and the burden on my conscience is intolerable".^[4]

In October 1967 1-9 Colville Gardens was sold to another investment company, Trade and General Investments (Bahamas) Ltd, for £65,000.^[5] The building continued to deteriorate and in February 1969 it was again sold, this time to Cledro Developments for £120,000, whose Director Robert Gubay described conditions in the buildings as "truly terrible".^[6] In 1970 the block was sold to Crown Agents of Overseas territories, who renamed the building Trident House. The building was then again sold, changing hands several times before being purchased by Elkington's (PIF) Ltd in 1972 and renamed "Pinehurst Court". Elkington's began to invest in the building, selling off the flats on long leases, mostly to the occupying tenants.^[7]

Modern Revival

Over recent years the quality of the building gradually improved, reflecting the general revival of Notting Hill.

Today the building comprises around 105 one and two bedroom flats, mostly leased to private tenants on long leases of 100 years or more.