Manhattan Loft Company

[paulie134]

Does anybody know anything about the church that is being converted on Forest Hill Road opposite the newly refurbished FHT? I know it is being done by the Manhattan Loft Company and that they are resposible for some amazing developments around London, including a new 10 million pound apartment in Kings Cross.

[spadetownboy]

a 10 mil appartment in kings cross,feck me whats it do blow you every morning,it would need to at that price.

[all_star]

Nothing about it on their website - I just took a look. But they have converted a very similar church in Notting Hill with stunning results (and a price tag to match no doubt!)

[Chantoozie]

bagsy the bedroom with the 20ft-tall, south-facing stained glass window!

[East Dulwich Dweller]

Having been a follower of the SE1 Forum for sometime (place of work), it?s great to find one for SE22 (the place to live!).

Thought I would just comment on the Manhattan Loft Company thread. I?m the third generation of a family who has attended Honor Oak Baptist Church (corner of Forest Hill and Mundania Road) since the 1930s. The church building is indeed being turned into flats but will still house Honor Oak Baptist Church. The church is being divided vertically in half so there?ll be an area of worship, a hall and kitchen at one end and then apartments built at the other end. The building isn?t being knocked down. It?s the architect (not the building) that is listed and key to keeping the building in one piece.

The church (as in the congregation) still meets in the hall on Sundays at 11am and 7pm. The hall is also used during the week for church meetings, occasional games of badminton, Girls? Brigade, and a new group called Slightly Ballroom. If you?re interested in knowing more about the church please stop by.

The refurbishment is yet to start (what?s another few months when it?s been 10+ years in the planning). It will be interesting, however, to see what can be done in what would probably have become a ruin if MLC hadn?t seen an opportunity. I only wish I too could afford to buy an apartment! I?d better start saving!

Well done to those who have set this site up, I?ve become quite addicted! Time to log off or perhaps just another 5 minutes of browsing!

EDD

[Louisa]

I hear rumours that this old church was built on one of the original plague burial sites for the thousands who died in the city of London.. Like many other more famous local sites eg the park opposite Hornimans museum, these areas were picked for mass burial because they were so far outside of London and could prevent any further outbreaks.. How times have changed, these areas are now cinsdered inner london! :)

[macroban]

> Like many other more famous local sites eg the park opposite Hornimans museum, these areas were picked for mass burial because they were so far outside of London and could prevent any further outbreaks..

A doubtful local story, maybe about to be proved a myth.

See here.

[Jah Lush]

A good link Macroban but it's a definitely maybe methinks. We'll just have to wait and see won't we.

[Louisa]

Well I hope to god it is a myth, because I always remember my great grandmother telling me of an elderly man when she was a girl, who told her not to venture over the hill as the stench of death from the great plague would strike you down in an instant. It's always been a strongly held local legend, and hopefully it isnt true, though if it is, what on earth could they be releasing into the air? Surely this could be a public health issue? Let's call Southwark Council :)

[macroban]

Those bumps were so good for sledging back in the 1950s when we had real snow.

Fortunately, whatever's buried there, it's Lewisham's problem.

[Keef]

I've always heard that rumour too... Oh, and we did get to sledge there once or twice in the 80's ;-)

[MadWorld74]

Blackheath is the largest plague burial ground in South London....

[Keef]

Just as a side thought.... Would Horniman's not have dug up anything that might have been valuable years ago????

I hope they don't dig too much up... It's a nice bit of land which could do with a rethink... If Lewisham want to spend some money on it, why don't they either make the paddling pool safe again, or replace it with some other watery fun for the kids like in Wells Park (just up the road).

I have real fond memories of sunny days at the paddling pool with my friends when I was a kid, it could be such a nice place... These days it just looks depressing :(