View along The Bank on Highgate Hill, looking east. The foreshortened view shows Cromwell House at 104 Highgate Hill, and the adjoining buildings. The iron railing along The Bank, Grade II listed retaining wall (listing number 107237) are visible, with Cromwell House and its forecourt brick walls seen at an angle. 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.
