Fairacres is a confident, muscular building set into a huge and quite awesome landscape. I wasn’t quite prepared for the richness of detail in this incredible development. Porthole windows, green retractable awnings, bespoke signage and true curved glass Crittalls are but a few of the luxurious touches here. The rippling brick detail beside the windows and at the foot of the cores is highly original - I haven’t seen it anywhere else. The only shocker is the highly insensitive installation of new communal heating which has ruined the street elevation. It seems inconceivable that this got listed building consent. The upkeep of this place must cost its residents a fortune but then it was considered a luxury development both originally and now. A principle was adopted of not allowing vehicles into the inner part of the estate and the plan is arranged to allow all servicing from the convex road side of the curved building. Flats range from three to five bedrooms and are arranged around eight cores with two flats per floor. Each flat has a dedicated servant’s quarters. Substantial fitted furniture was installed from the outset. There is a large garage, including chauffeurs’ rooms (!) and a workshop. There are also stand alone lodges providing seven flats for porters and service staff. The developer and contractor was C F Kearley Ltd.