The Untold Story Of Gravesend’S Terraced Houses

Many of our terraced houses in Gravesend were built during the Victorian era.

Terraced houses emerged as a response to the Industrial Revolution, as people flocked to towns and cities for employment. Terraced houses provided decent, habitable accommodation, offering an escape from the slums.

Interestingly, most Gravesend Victorian terraced houses followed a standard design: a ‘posh’ front room for high days and holidays, a back reception room where the family resided daily, and a scullery attached to it (scullery – a small kitchen at the rear of a house used for washing pots and other dirty household work). Off the scullery, there was a door leading to a rear yard where you would traditionally find the privy or outside toilet! There were two good-sized bedrooms upstairs, with a smaller third bedroom (or nursery) accessed directly through the second.

Notably, in 1875, the Public Health Act mandated that each house should have 108 square feet of livable space per main room, access to running water, an external toilet/privy, and rear access for waste collection (as there were no public sewers in Gravesend at that time, at least not where these “workers'” terraced houses were built).

During the 1960s and 70s, an indoor WC and a bathroom were installed (often in that third bedroom or as a ground-floor extension of the scullery). In the 1980s, gas central heating became prevalent, and since then, there has been a continuous replacement of uPVC double glazing.

Two-storey terraced houses started to be built again in the 1960s, yet they were marketed as ‘townhouses’. Since the early 2000s, with the price of building land rising so quickly, new home builders started to build three-storey townhouses.

The humble terraced/townhouse never seems to go out of fashion!

Looking at the makeup of all the Gravesham Council area properties, some fascinating numbers appear. Out of the 41,724 households in Gravesham … 6,837 are detached properties, 13,799 are semi-detached properties, 12,511 are terraced/townhouse properties, and 8,437 are apartments/flats. The rest are made up of caravans and mobile homes.

Next, looking at the percentages compared to the national picture is interesting. 16.4% are detached properties (national average 26.1%), 33.1% are semi-detached properties (national average 31.4%), 30.0% are terraced/townhouse properties (national average 22.5%), and 20.5% are apartments/flats (national average 20.1%).

So how has the Gravesend terraced house risen in price? The average price for a Gravesend terraced house in spring 1995 was £46,381. Today, that figure stands at £297,894, a rise of 542%. Not bad when you consider the overall average in Gravesend during the same time frame has only risen by 479%.

Terraced houses in Gravesend often go unnoticed by buyers, despite offering flexible and sizable accommodation. It’s time to shed light on the untold story of these charming homes. If you’re thinking of selling your terraced house and want to ensure you get the best price, look no further. As an experienced estate agent specializing in Gravesend properties, I’m here to offer you expert advice tailored to your needs.

Remember to consider the potential of the terraced house. These properties have a rich architectural history and have provided significantly more habitable accommodation for generations. From the standard Victorian design with its distinct rooms and rear yard to the modern-day improvements of indoor facilities and central heating, from the second coming of the terraced house in the last 50 years with the ‘townhouse’, Gravesend’s terraced houses have continually evolved to meet the needs of their residents.

Call me if you’re ready to sell your terraced house and want to maximize its value. As a local estate agent, I deeply understand the Gravesend property market. With my expertise and personalized guidance, we can navigate the selling process together, ensuring you achieve the best possible outcome. Contact me today to unlock the full potential of your Gravesend terraced house and secure a successful sale!