![](https://197kensington.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/high-street-earls-court-road-uai-258x169.jpg)
Ordnance Survey of 1867–72.
Built by the developer Thomas Allen in the early 1820s, 197 KHS formed part of a terrace of townhouses known as Allen Terrace, which were originally set back from the High Street to allow for front gardens.
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1868 View inside Kensington (now High Street Kensington) Station.
The first station on Kensington High Street was built in 1867 and covered by a large iron and glass roof. Demolished in 1906, it was rebuilt to include a new shopping arcade.
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An artist’s impression of Barker’s in 1955. In 1957 House of Fraser bought the Barkers Group, eventually opening a much condensed Barkers, including an arcade. In 2006, the 135-year-old department store closed for good. Part of the Barker premises has now been taken over by American Whole Foods Market.
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The Commonwealth Institute moved to Kensington High Street in 1962–2004. Following £80 million redevelopment, the site became the home of the Design Museum, opening in late 2016.
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Nos. 197–217 Kensington High Street in c. 1905.
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Nos. 197–217 Kensington High Street in c. 1963. Businesses included Pettits and Woolworth.
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Buildings at the junction of Kensington High Street and Allen Street c.1983.
![](https://197kensington.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/khs-underground-sign-uai-258x219.jpg)
Kensington High Street remains one of London’s most popular, best known shopping streets and there is significant redevelopment in the area.
![](https://197kensington.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lm-stern-khs-uai-258x219.jpg)
L.M. Stern redeveloped 197, creating a state-of-the-art office building and improving the built environment of Kensington High Street.