David Percy

At KIRE we want to celebrate the outstanding homes of NW3 (Belsize Park, Hampstead and parts of Primrose Hill) and want to contribute to the understanding of the long history of homes in the area and the residents who have lived here.

To make this a reality, KIRE has teamed up with Belsize' resident, historian, and acclaimed writer and photographer David S. Percy to produce an iconic book to capture historic, architectural and anthropological factors of remarkable homes located in the London postcode of NW3.

A long-time resident of Belsize Park, David S. Percy is an award-winning cinematographer, NW3 specialist historian, architectural photographer, director, and graphic designer. Over the past 30 years Percy has authored and co-authored many articles and books, including several recognized films and books about Belsize and Hampstead.

Belsize & Hampstead experience:

In 1975 David was commissioned to photograph Hampstead Garden Suburb, a documentary film (for European Architectural Heritage Year) detailing the suburb's architecture and history, narrated by Sir Donald Sinden. David later directed and produced The Belsize Story (2012) narrated by Belsize resident Fiona Bruce, an in-depth, feature-length documentary film of the history, architecture and people of Belsize Park.

In 2017 he co-compiled and published Belsize Remembered, fully illustrated with many of his photographs. In 2020 he wrote and published The Harlots of Haverstock Hill a compelling, fully-illustrated account of the remarkable life of ‘Moll' King, one of the first settlers on the road to Hampstead in the mid-18th century.

David grew up in Belsize Park in the 1940s and takes a particular interest in the history, people and architecture of Belsize and the wider Hampstead community, and is an active member of local groups such as the Belsize Village Association and The Belsize Society.

“I am thrilled to work with KIRE because of their knowledge of NW3 property and their passion for the area."