From Survey of London: Volume 45, Knightsbridge. Originally published by London County Council, London, 2000:
“This smart inter-war apartment block, conspicuously situated aslant the bend in the road, occupies the site of the nineteenth-century mansion of the same name, originally called Clytha House. The present building was erected in 1933–4 to designs by T. P. Bennett & Son (a slightly earlier scheme by Wimperis, Simpson & Guthrie having been abandoned). The main contractor was J. Gerrard & Sons Ltd of Swinton, Manchester.
Comprising a central block flanked by projecting wings, Eresby House has a symmetrical plan designed to provide seven floors of two — and three-bedroom flats with reception rooms looking out to Rutland Gate, most with a view of the upper communal garden.
The central section contains two flats per floor while the wings have three, grouped around their own staircase and common areas. Here the entrance lobbies and staircase halls have stylish elliptical and semi-circular plans. An extra floor over the central section, designed as bedrooms and bathrooms for servants, has since been converted to private flats. Much of the basement was originally fitted out as box-rooms for the tenants.
The exterior of the building is faced in brick, rusticated on the ground floor, with minimal Portland-stone dressings. Curved corners on the projecting front wings give a slightly streamlined effect. The brickwork of the balcony fronts is laid in a basket-weave pattern, but otherwise ornamentation is mostly reserved for the main entrance. The stone relief of a horse and rider above the central doorway is by Eric Aumonier, as is the turquoise faience relief of two female musicians in classical dress over the fireplace in the main entrance hall.
In the common areas wood veneers and marquetry are used to produce a look of suave modernity. Similar in feeling are the Travertine marble stairs with their steel banisters and chromed handrails.
At the back of the flats are lock-up garages, including a pair with maisonettes over in Montpelier Terrace.”
Julia Upton 