It was constructed between 1934 and 1938[1] and is remarkable for its surviving underground air raid shelter, built in anticipation of the Second World War and now Grade II listed.

[2] The shelter is beneath the raised central courtyard in front of the flats, under a grass lawn[3] which is surrounded by a hedge.

[5][9][10] According to Historic England, it has some similarities to W. Braxton Sinclair's design of a sophisticated air raid shelter for flats at Queen's Gate, in South Kensington, London, which was published in The Builder in October 1938.

[2] In 2007 Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council rejected a planning application, which had been opposed by local residents and councillors,[11] to convert the shelter into two self-contained apartments.

[14] Habitats & Heritage is working with other local organisations (Mortlake with East Sheen Society, Barnes and Mortlake History Society, St Leonard’s Court Residents Association and Richmond Borough Council) to conserve the building for the benefit of the community and for use as an educational resource.