For Sale: One of London's Oldest Surviving Houses

It has been here longer than Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral or the Houses of Parliament.

Entrance to Bowman House

Bowman House is a four-storey, stucco-fronted terraced house with its name written in gold above a black front door. Built in 1673 on John Adam Street, which runs parallel to the Strand in central London, the Grade II-listed property is thought to be one of London’s oldest surviving houses. And now, it could be yours for £4.6 million ($6.13m).

Bowman House was built on land that belonged to York House, a grand, 13th-century mansion with gardens that stretched out behind the Strand. At the time, it was known as Duke Street and, preceding the construction of the Embankment in the 19th century, it stood on the bank of the Thames. The street’s name was changed in the 1760s, when architect brothers John, Robert, James and William Adams developed the residential area known as the Adelphi Scheme.

Bowman House, like the area around it, has changed with time. A major repair was undertaken in 1760, while the house was “modernised” during the Regency period.

All images courtesy of Tavistock Bow | Click to enlarge

The current owner acquired the property in 2021 and restored in an “historically authentic” style. According to Craig Simpson, partner at sales agency Tavistock Bow: “He was inspired by the history of the location and the building itself, and wanted to do it justice. He didn’t want to do a generic modern refurbishment.” Adding: "This house is definitely not for someone who wants a sterile, glass-walled penthouse or a modern development with a 24-hour concierge and all the toys. But to the right buyer, the quirks and unmatched character of a 17th-century layout in such an incredible location will be hard to resist."

The property spans 2,917-square-foot and now has a new kitchen on the lower ground floor, with a wood panelled dining room and three living spaces on the ground and first floors, and four bedrooms on the two floors above.