BARONET’S ORNATE HOME

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 May 1938, Page 9

BARONET’S ORNATE HOME

RATING APPEAL SUCCEEDS. | LONDON, March 17. The unusual planning and decoration of a bachelor baronet's, house ini South-street, Mayfair, were described j before-the London Sessions Rating! Appeals Committee yesterday. [ Its owner, Sir Bernard Eckstein, i appealed against the assessment at £BOO gross and £663 rateable valuation. The Committee reduced the gross valuation, to £7OO. Sir Bernard’s counsel, Mr Frederick Grant, stated that the house had been built by him on. the- site- of property conveyed to him by his mother. It was decorated regardless of cost in'an “ornate and highly eccentric” style, which might not appeal to others. Features of the house, which wasi

'completed in 1937, were: I Bath and wash basin of onyx, with ;pillars of lapis lazuli. „ Dining-room sealing only,,six people. Library, “a passage with bookshelves.” Roof garden and a penthouse coekItail bar. ! Every room extremely dark, and 'artificial light always necessary in [some of them. [ The electricity bill was £3lB a ’year. It was stated that the roof garden was surrounded by chimneys, and, except in a northerly wind, people using it would be “covered with smuts.” Sir Bernardi had only used-, it once. Sir Bernard Eckstein was allowed the costs of his appeal.'