Span are perhaps the most celebrated of all 20th-century residential developers. The company built 30 housing estates between 1948 and 1984, and many of their buildings throughout the south of England are now listed. Founded by architect-turned-developer Geoff Townsend and Eric Lyons (thoroughly schooled in the modern movement having worked for Bauhaus designer Walter Gropius from 1936-37), their designs sought to bring the tenets of modernism – light, openness, a sense of order – to suburban areas on a domestic scale.

Parkleys was the first estate conceived by Span, built between 1954 and 1956. It remains one of the best-preserved examples of the characteristics for which Span are renowned, with a considered design throughout, particularly evident in the building's ironmongery, signage and colour schemes. The interlinked courtyards, continuous glazing and glazed doors and screens create a sense of seamlessness between the interior and exterior landscape; this is characteristic of Span, who aimed to integrate architecture fully into the landscape, notably eschewing private gardens in favour of shared external spaces.

In recognition of its architectural importance, Parkleys was listed Grade II by English Heritage in 1998 and designated a Conservation Area by Richmond Council in 2003.