Raleigh Court
Lymer Avenue, London SE19

SOLD

Architect: Austin Vernon & Partners

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This fantastically bright two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor of the iconic Raleigh Court was designed by Austin Vernon and Partners and built between 1957 and 1963.

The main living space is large and light, with a five-metre window that runs almost the length of the room. A breakfast bar divides the kitchen from the main living space. The equal-sized bedrooms at the far end are large and bright, and are linked by a connecting door creating a versatile suite.

The block itself is situated in quiet communal surroundings, with views towards central London. The apartment has a garage en-bloc included in the lease and there is unallocated parking for residents in the grounds.

The flat is decorated to a very good standard in neutral tones. The original Iroko floor in the main living room and in the entrance hall has been restored and treated and secondary glazing has been added to all the main windows. Both the kitchen and bathroom have been modernised by the current owner.

An area well-known for its exceptional Modern architecture, the Dulwich Estate occupies approximately 1,500 acres, with numerous private roads that are managed by the Estate. It is noted for its concentration of outstanding 1950s and 60s design, much of it by Austin Vernon & Partners. The mix of houses and thoughtful landscaping make for an appealing and unique place to live.

The property sits near Dulwich and Sydenham Woods, which are a wildlife nature reserve, and Crystal Palace Park is a short walk away. Other local attractions include the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Horniman Museum and the local town centres of Crystal Palace and Dulwich Village. Crystal Palace, which was included in Lonely Planet’s “Greatest little-known neighbourhoods in the world”, is a short walk away, and is a vibrant area with award-winning restaurants and bars as well as having a thriving arts and music scene.

Raleigh Court is ideally situated between two mainline stations (each approximately a 10-minute walk away) that offer fast and convenient travel to the centre of London. Sydenham Hill runs services to London Victoria (15 minutes), Blackfriars (20 minutes) and City Thameslink/Farringdon (22 minutes), and Gipsy Hill Station has direct rail links to London Bridge (23 minutes) and Clapham Junction (15 minutes). Crystal Palace station is also within walking distance (approximately 20 minutes). Connecting trains (via Sydenham) will take you to Canada Water in 20 minutes and Shoreditch High Street in 30 minutes. There are also excellent bus links to Central London.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease: approx. 134 years
Service charge: approx. £1,056 per annum
Buildings insurance: approx. £440 per annum

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.


History

Raleigh Court is situated in part of a large area of land in South East London that has been maintained for over 400 years by the Dulwich Estate. In the 1950s the estate ran into difficulty. The area had been badly damaged during the Second World War, and lease lengths were running so short that banks were no longer happy to lend on the houses and selling was becoming more and more difficult. People were leaving the area and renting their houses out.

In 1954, Austin Vernon & Partners were called on to design a scheme that would rejuvenate the Dulwich Estate. Vernon himself had formerly been a pupil at Dulwich College from 1898 -1901 and so knew this area well, whilst his uncle Frederick Austin Vernon (1882-1972) had already been the surveyor and architect to the Dulwich Estate.

By 1957 Vernon’s first scheme of building was completed. The blocks on Farquhar Road were the first to be built and they proved to be such a success that a second scheme began, encompassing the nearby Lymer Road (including Raleigh Court) and beyond. Over the next 20 years more than 2,000 new homes were designed by Austin Vernon & Partners, resulting in a remarkable area of 1950s and 60s-era architecture.

The houses and flats were designed to a high standard, with use of large expanses of glass, open rooms and central heating. Also quite remarkable was the landscaping that was planned for the estate. The roads were separated from pedestrian areas and large areas were given over to communal gardens and spinneys. The result was an estate which was and remains beautifully designed, verdant and peaceful.

 

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