Building Name

“Chomlea” Claremont Road Salford.

Date
1883
Street
Claremont Road
District/Town
Claremont, Salford
County/Country
GMCA, England
Partnership
Client
Benjamin Armitage
Work
New build
Status
Demolished

Chomlea, with its low roof and low garden walls, tranquil outlook and peaceful surroundings had in it inspiring images of easy and elegant refinement and dignified repose and all in it was in keeping with an English gentleman’s domain of fortune and position, even its beautiful garden of rhododendrons was the finest in Lancashire. The pictures are by masters and very valuable. [Salford City Reporter 17 February 1900]

Standing at the top of Cholmondley Road, Pendleton, "Chomlea" is one of the most imposing buildings in the city. Like Rivington across the road and "Tea Pot Hall" in Radcliffe Park Road, "Chomlea" can be seen for many miles afar, and in the old days when Swinton Fields was a popular area for Sunday afternoon walks, strollers were never out of sight of these three stately mansions. With its many rooms, verandahs and intriguing windows, "Chomlea" was the ideal country house and its landscaped grounds increased its impressiveness. The main entrance faces on to Claremont Road, but the western frontage, looking towards Eccles is every bit as attractive. One of the main features of its interior is the superb hall with its beautiful gallery. For many years now, "Chomlea" has been converted into flats and the grounds laid out in tennis courts. Indeed the members of Chomlea Tennis Club have much justification in their claim that the setting of their club is one of the finest within a radius of many miles. [Salford City Reporter 28 October 1949 Page 4 col.3 6 with illustration]

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION on 17 July 1900 at the Mitre Hotel, Cathedral Gates Manchester: All that Desirable Detached Family Residence known as “Chomlea,” situate in Claremont Road, Pendleton, near Manchester, late in the occupation of Benjamin Armitage Esq, deceased, and comprising hall, dining room, drawing room, morning room, library, billiard-room, study, 16 bed and dressing rooms, work-room, linen room, three bathrooms, excellent kitchens and all usual offices, and also ample stabling and carriage-houses, with coachman’s and groom’s quarters; also good kitchen garden and entrance lodge, suitable for butler or gardener. The property which contains 19,900 square yards or thereabouts (approx. 4 acres) is leasehold, and is sold for the residue of a term of 999 years from 24th June 1878, subject to the ground rent of £207 5s 10d, and to the covenants and conditions contained in the deed creating the said term. [Manchester Courier 14 July 1900 page 12]

The house was built for Benjamin Armitage. Liberal MP With the Agnews and ... formed the leading group of Liberals in the city. Salomons had worked for the Agnews at various times and it is probable that the commission was achieved through this connection.

Reference:     Salford City Reporter 1883
Reference    Pike 101
Reference     Salford City Reporter, 17 Feb 1900. Article on Benjamin Armitage
Reference    Manchester Courier 14 July 1900 page 12 – sales by auction
Reference    Salford City Reporter 28 October 1949 Page 4 col.3 6 with illustration
Reference    Greenwood Victorian Salford