There are two Kensal Houses in London W10 - this was the original
In the triangle between the canal and Harrow Road, a new Italianate villa stood by 1835. Called Kensal House and occupied by Alfred Haines in 1841, it was unusually large for its position.
In 1911, in association with the LCC, the Paddington & Kensington Dispensary for the Prevention of Consumption established an open air school for local tuberculous children, set in the estate of Kensal House.
Kensal House had an extensive garden and the Open Air School provided an education for children who would otherwise have been barred from normal school.
The original Italianate house survived in the 21st century, containing three storeys over a basement and of brick and stucco, the main façade having seven bays, a prominent cornice, and a Corinthian porch.
A 19th century wing has been added to the east and a modern one to the west. After serving as a school, the house was occupied by the Metropolitan Railway Surplus Lands Co. by 1949, stood empty when owned by the United Church of God in Christ by 1965, and was owned by the I.C.E. Group by 1985.
In 2003 Virgin Records sold this and Portobello Dock to, and leased them back from, Derwent Valley Holdings.
