Detail of the balustrade on the staircase of Cromwell House, 104 Highgate Hill, Highgate, from the landing to the first floor. The carved woodwork features military motifs and emblems. The view also reveals details of the cleft pediment above one of the doorcases on the first floor, as well as the half-circle glass pediment on the doorcase leading to the entrance hall. Built for Richard Sprignell in 1638 by an unknown architect, this Grade I listed building, listing number 1079233, became home to Alvaro da Costa and his family from 1675 to 1749, making it the first Jewish-owned property in England since the expulsion of 1290. Used for institutional purposes since 1843, it operated as a convalescent home for Great Ormond Street Hospital from 1867 to 1924 before being converted into the Mothercraft/Truby King Children's Home, which remained in operation until 1951. Later, owned by Protestant and Catholic missionary orders, the building fell into disrepair by 1980 but was restored between 1983 and 1989. Today, it houses the High Commission of the Republic of Ghana and remains closed to the public.
