A high-flying lawyer living in an ultra-exclusive north London square has been forced to repaint his £2.6m townhouse – after turning it black in a controversial and unapproved makeover.
Edmond Curtin had transformed his Georgian property with brooding black and grey paint leaving his neighbours ‘furious’.
Mr Curtin and his wife, who wishes to remain anonymous, had coated almost every inch of the frontage of his Grade II-listed property in affluent Gibson Square, Islington – among the capital’s most coveted addresses.
he refurb saw the iconic white render – known as stucco – window frames, cornices, architraves, entrance steps and a basement lightwell smothered in dark colours, sparking fury from council conservation officers.
And despite launching an appeal, the couple were ordered by the planning inspectorate to restore the house to its traditional white with ‘three coats of wash’ within two months.
When the Daily Mail visited the property this week, it was clear the couple had complied, with their period terrace now displaying the same frontage as their neighbours.
But although they had adhered to the council’s demands, certain locals appeared frosty on their chances of being forgiven.
One woman, who had called the square home for 60 years, said: ‘It was obvious to anyone that they’d have to change it back.
