Founded by the Martin family in 1946 we are proud to have created one of the largest private property portfolios within the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Our business has seen many governments and financial cycles and proven itself agile and considered in its growth strategy over many decades. One thing has never changed: our commitment to the areas we invest in and the stakeholders we work with. Our most valued asset is the company’s hard-earned reputation for reliability, quality and friendliness, setting us apart in our industry as investors, landlords and property developers.
George and Kay Martin moved their electrical retail business to the Kings Road, Chelsea.
Their son, Peter Martin joined them after national service and together they grew this business.
Between 1950 & 1956 George and Kay Martin acquired houses in Royal Avenue, Sydney Street, Way Place, and Cheltenham Terrace.
Peter Martin made his first property investment in Munro Terrace, comprising of a block of flats with a retail unit on the ground floor.
Peter bought his second property The Chelsea Pottery in Radnor Walk.
Later that year Peter and his Mother acquired further Houses in Radnor Walk.
Peter Martin acquired the Freehold of Whitelands House, King’s Road. Comprising eight retail units, a public car park, 105 apartments and an office suite.
Peter continued to expand the portfolio with more commercial properties, including 190-196 Walton Street.
Peter purchased Menin Works on Bond Road which was an Industrial estate in Mitcham. The leases were re-geared and then sold.
Peter sold the electrical business a month before black Monday. By this time his business had acquired a number of properties in the area. In selling the retail business, capital was returned to concentrate on building the property investment business which had garnered a reputation for reliability, quality and customer focus which is central to the business’s ethos today.
Lancaster Mews in Richmond was purchased comprising single storey garages. Planning consent was secured to develop 6 townhouses and then sold to a local developer.
York House nursing home in Berners Street, Eastcastle Street and Newmans Street (W1) was purchased and promoted through the planning process and then sold with planning consent to Berkeley Homes.
Twyford Tip Land field site in Park Royal was bought from the local authority. Planning consent was secured for a 200,000 sq ft data centre and then sold to Global Switch.
Martin’s Properties purchased the iconic Fulham Road Cinema.
In a joint venture with the South Kensington Estate, Martin’s bought a Brompton Road portfolio consisting of 15 apartments.
199-209 King’s Road was redeveloped in to 5 shops and 9 apartments.
44-46 King’s Road was acquired and redeveloped into 2 retail units and 4 apartments.
Tom Martin becomes CEO after Peter Martin’s death.
1-6 Clay Street was bought and then sold in 2012.
Chenil House 187 King’s Road was acquired.
Martin’s Properties went on to expand and diversify their portfolio with the purchase of 3 City properties – 130 City Road, 100 Bunhill Road and 140 Old Street. Leases were regeared and the properties sold as a portfolio.
Development of The Printworks 130 New King’s Road from warehouses and offices into 9 Luxury apartments.
195/197 King’s Road was developed into Luxury flats and restaurant, the latter being leased to Caprice Holdings to create The Ivy Chelsea Garden.
Martin’s purchased The Old Sorting House in Islington for a mixed use development.
Martin’s Properties acquired a site in Chiswick for the development of Wedgwood Villas comprising 6 prime town houses, in partnership with Black Onyx.
Obsidian Strategic land promotion business created.
Richard Bourne joins Martin’s Properties as Property Director.
Acquisitions of reversionary office investments in Sevenoaks & Oxford form part of the new strategy.
Corporate rebranding completed.
New framework team of development professional advisers appointed.
New development procedures put in to place.
Richard Bourne appointed as the first non-family Managing Director. Tom Martin becomes Chairman.
Redevelopment of 111-115 Kings Road and 1-5 Radnor Walk into a restaurant, D1 medical space, 4 town houses and 3 apartments was completed and 100% let on completion.
Redevelopment of 105-107 Kings Road from a nightclub into 2 retail units, a gym and 3 apartments was completed and 100% let on completion.
With continuous expansion and another sector to break in to, the company’s first hotel was purchased – the 59 bed Travelodge in Alton.
The new strategy leads to the company’s first acquisition, in over 30 years, of an industrial scheme – the forward funding of the 43,000 sq ft Link 23 at Handcross near Gatwick.
The development of the Old Sorting House in Islington was completed and 100% let on completion to Zava.
The development of 2 town houses, 1 retail unit and 4 apartments commenced at 28-30 Old Church Street.
Project Stream business restructuring completed.
Another first for Martin’s Properties with the purchase of our first retail warehouse park – Hadden Hill Retail Park in Didcot.
Covid-19 has a significant impact on the business and our customer – see blog links for impacts.
Acquired Lloyds Bank in Guildford High Street.
David Brown joins as Finance Director.
Completed sales of 36, 37 & 76 Whitelands House flats.
Started on site to develop 7,000 sq ft of planning use Class E space at 13 Radnor Walk.
Acquired 109 Kings Road to complete the ownership of the 105-115 Kings Road block.
Completed the sale of 25 Oxshott Rise.
Completed the sale of 1-4 Munro Terrace and 111-112 Cheyne Walk.
Completed the development of 26-30 Old Church Street comprising 2 town houses and 4 apartments.
Completed the sale of Old Sorting House.
