In 18-19th-century London, townhouses were a common form of urban housing, especially for middle and upper-class residents. These multi-story buildings were practical and often designed to showcase the status of their inhabitants. Constructed from brick, with symmetrical facades and sash windows, they featured central doorways, often adorned with fanlights and decorative columns or pilasters. Wrought iron railings and small private gardens or courtyards added charm to these residences.


A typical townhouse layout included a basement, often used as a kitchen and work area for household staff, with access through a side or rear entrance. The ground floor served as a reception area or parlor, while the first floor, known as the piano nobile, was the grandest and reserved for entertaining. Bedrooms occupied the upper floors, with servants' quarters often located in the attic. Narrow staircases connected the levels, including separate staircases for staff.


By the late 1800s, many of these homes were converted into apartments due to population growth and housing demands. Larger houses were subdivided into smaller flats or rented rooms, sometimes becoming tenements for working-class families. In wealthier areas, they remained single-family residences, but in less affluent neighborhoods, the division into multiple apartments was common.


Utilities were basic, with gas lighting becoming widespread in the mid-19th century. Indoor plumbing was rare early on, and many relied on shared outdoor facilities. Interiors featured heavy drapes, patterned wallpaper, and fireplaces as the primary source of heat.


These townhouses and their later adaptation into apartments reflect the social and economic evolution of London in the 1800s. Today, many survive as historic homes, modern apartments, or repurposed commercial properties, maintaining their iconic presence in the city.