Having worn many different guises over its century and a quarter life — from florist to café, and bakery to office — Addison Gardens’ prominent corner position and striking period features in the heart of a conservation area made it a place of local architectural merit. Purchased off market by Brodee in 2023 after years of lying unloved and empty, it quickly debuted on the silver screen as a green room for the BBC series ‘Trying’ before the right tenant could be found.
Addison GardensAddison Gardens
Addison Gardens is a true neighbourhood story. A long-term investment in a cornerstone of the characterful West London neighbourhood of Brook Green, we introduced a tenant culturally aligned to the local fabric to sew this unique space back into its context through reconnection with its human story.
Role
Investment
Location
Brook Green, London
Timeline
2023—present
Collaborators
Occupier Partner — The Spa by Kaajal
Photography — Jakob Powell
Styling — Alexandra Raynbird
Investing in the neighbourhood
A space retold
A chance neighbourhood encounter led to an introduction to Kaajal, who was looking for a space for her new wellness studio. Through careful negotiations that sensitively brought the building’s freeholders and neighbours along on the journey, Brodee entrusted the space to an ideal occupier three months after completing on the purchase. A wellbeing-focused brand bringing positive natural energy to Brook Green, the off-market deal also gave a flourishing business the best possible home.
As well as renewing the space’s human story with newfound purpose and identity, the project also nourished the site’s natural impact. We lobbied for a new apple tree to be planted outside, while improvements to the communal garden and quality of light permeating the interiors all contributed to a healthier, more naturally enriched space better aligned with the spirit of its new custodian. Looked after with care, guided with purpose, Addison Gardens is the restoration by investment of a local figurehead.
“There were lots of conversations to be had with the freeholders and neighbours to ensure that they were happy with what we were doing. So Danny would bring them in, take our design plans and talk to them about what we’re doing to keep them all on board. It’s one of the unsung, but incredibly important things Brodee have done as part of their investment.”
