Front elevation of Cromwell House, 104 Highgate Hill, Highgate, viewed from an angle from the south. The Bank, a Grade II listed retaining wall (listing number 107237), is visible along the view. The two-storey red brick building features a seven-window frontage, and the forecourt brick wall is Grade I listed (listing number 1188817). The sign on the side entrance to the house is clearly visible, reading: 'The Hospital for Sick Children, Country Hospital, in connection with Great Ormond Street.' A guard or policeman can be seen at the entrance to the hospital. 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.
