This beautiful two-bedroom apartment lies in the heart of Highbury. Positioned on the top floor of a handsome Victorian villa, it has an expansive south-facing roof terrace and sunroom with far-reaching views across London. A carefully considered material palette has been employed throughout, featuring a gypsum sheen on the living room walls and natural seagrass underfoot. The previous owner was a specialist decorator who worked with John Pawson, and much of his minimalist ethos is evident here.  A large walled communal garden lies behind the building, which is a short stroll from Islington, Canonbury and Stoke Newington.

The Tour

Aubert Park is a wide, tree-lined road named after the Victorian astronomer Alexander Aubert who built his observatory on its elevated position. This building sits harmoniously within the Victorian terrace, with a traditional façade of London stock brick and smart white stucco adornments. There are newly paved gardens in front of the building, planted with specimen plants, including ceanothus, tree peony, quince and hydrangeas.

Entrance is on the raised ground floor to a communal hallway, which is wide enough to store several bikes or prams. The apartment’s front door on the third floor opens to a lobby area with understair storage space for coats and shoes, where white-painted wooden stairs ascend to the main living spaces; a large single-pane window on the stairway casts excellent amounts of light over both floors.

The generous living area is wonderfully light and open. Seagrass matting extends underfoot, creating a sense of texture and warmth, while walls have a soft sheen from the gypsum, silver and mica render. High ceilings and a large window add to this feeling of volume, while full-height glazed doors that open to the south-facing sunroom allow plenty of light into the space and create a seamless sense of indoor/outdoor living. This is a large, flexible room that can easily accommodate separate living, dining and office areas.

A set of full-height double doors framed by white cabinetry and beautifully unusual Japanese wax-sealed lead tiles open onto the kitchen, which employs the same minimal palette as elsewhere. A large window over the sink illuminates the space, which is filled with bespoke white cabinetry for storage. There is a built-in hob and extractor fan, as well as a new dishwasher.

A hallway leads from the landing to the family bathroom and two bedrooms. The hallway is home to a desk that runs the length of one wall, with open shelving above and built-in cabinetry at one end. There is a secondary storage space along the wall opposite, where there is a standing desk with storage below and two large built-in wardrobes.

The two bedrooms are calm, peaceful spaces with sweeping views north towards Alexandra Palace and Finsbury Park. The main bedroom has been painted in darker tones and feels simultaneously enveloping yet bright, while the second bedroom makes use of a neutral palette. The main bedroom has copious amounts of storage underneath the bed, as well as built-in double wardrobes that form the bedhead.

The family bathroom, in contrast to the minimal interiors elsewhere, is decorated in colourful homage to Mexican architect Luis Barragán with a yellow ochre, marble, white cement and mica adobe render that incorporates a bath and reclaimed butler sink.

The exceptionally well-maintained building is resident-managed.

Outdoor Space

The large sunroom is accessed directly from the living room. This is a wonderfully versatile space that would suit a variety of uses; previous owners have used it variously as an artists’ studio, photography studio and yoga room. It has terracotta tiled flooring and is the perfect climate for growing plants.

An expansive south-facing roof terrace lies adjacent to the sunroom. This has far-reaching views over London, with plenty of space for a table and chairs that could seat up to eight people.

There is also a large walled garden behind the building, which also houses bicycle storage.

The Area

Highbury Barn is seconds away, with its wonderful butcher Godfrey’s, Bourne’s Fishmongers, Da Mario deli and the excellent original branch of La Fromagerie. The green, open spaces of Highbury Fields – which has tennis courts, a playground and a swimming pool – as well as Clissold Park and Finsbury Park are within easy walking distance.

Nearby Newington Green has a wealth of great places to eat; Esters and Jolene are particular neighbourhood favourites. Much-loved Church Street is home to The Spence Bakery, Whole Foods and The Good Egg, as well as many other independent businesses. Dalston is also nearby, home to the famous Dusty Knuckle bakery and the bustling Ridley Road Market.

Upper Street is home to everything from Ottolenghi to Gail’s; the Almeida Theatre to The Old Red Lion Theatre & Pub. King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard are within easy reach, and the Regent’s Canal path at Angel is a short walk away.

The house lies seven minutes walk from Arsenal (Picadilly Line) and 14 minutes walk from Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line and Overground) tube stations, and just a short distance further from Canonbury Overground. Drayton Park railway is also close at hand. There are plenty of excellent bus routes in the area.

Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: approx. 996 years remaining
Service Charge: approx £1,920 per annum
Council Tax Band: E 

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.