Lowood Court II
Farquhar Road, London SE19
Architect: Austin Vernon & Partners
Register for similar homes“Defined by wonderful mid-century design and a superb quality of light”
This impeccable two-bedroom apartment is situated on the top floor of Lowood Court, a building within Austin Vernon & Partners’s renowned Dulwich Estate. Supremely peaceful and light care of its elevated position, the apartment retains an abundance of original features and a thoroughly mid-century atmosphere. Lowood Court lies amid quiet communal gardens and sloping lawns dotted with mature trees.
The Building
An area well-known for its exceptional modernist architecture, the Dulwich Estate occupies approximately 1,500 acres and includes numerous private roads that are managed by the estate. It is noted for its concentration of outstanding 1950s and 1960s design, much of it by Austin Vernon & Partners. The mix of houses and thoughtful landscaping make for an appealing and unique place to live. For more information on the Dulwich Estate, please see the History section below.
The Tour
Lowood Court rises high above the quiet, leafy street below. This apartment is positioned at the top of the building, on the seventh floor, to which there is both lift and stair access. Replete with original features, it is defined by its impeccable mid-century design and the superb quality of light that flows around its circular plan.
The front door opens to a hallway with storage space; this leads immediately to the open-plan living and dining area. Dark, recently restained original timber runs underfoot and stands in contrast to the white-painted walls. With its generous proportions, the room has space for separate seating and dining areas. Artemide light fittings ensure ambience throughout the day.
On the opposite side of the plan lies the kitchen. The room is dual aspect, with large internal glazing that borrows light from the living space on one side and a window on the other. White cabinetry with a contemporary gloss finish provides plenty of storage. Appliances are by Bosch; large-format grey tiles extend across the floor.
Both bedrooms are bright and spacious, with large windows that frame uninterrupted and far-reaching views towards the City. The main bedroom, painted with ‘De Nimes‘ by Farrow and Ball, has recently had a new, dark carpet installed. The second bedroom, by comparison, makes use of a light decorative palette. Both are arranged in a circular plan so that each can be accessed from the living spaces, or from a door that connects the two.
The recently updated bathroom has the same grey floor tiles as the kitchen, creating a sense of material continuity. White metro tiles clad the walls, and there’s an inbuilt bath.
The apartment has a private garage, and there is unallocated guest parking on the forecourt below.
Outdoor Space
Lowood Court is peacefully situated amongst communal gardens dotted with a variety of mature trees. As with many mid-century estates, the Dulwich Estate was originally planned around the existing woodlands in the area and so feels wonderfully sympathetic to its surroundings.
The Area
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. The new Everyman cinema, within a carefully restored art deco building, is also within easy reach.
The Dulwich Estate is extremely close to Dulwich & Sydenham Woods, now a wildlife nature reserve. The lake, maze and open spaces of Crystal Palace Park are also a short walk away.
There are excellent primary schools in the area, including the Ofsted “Outstanding”-rated Paxton Primary School.
Lowood Court is excellently positioned for access to the transport network. Gipsy Hill Station has direct rail links to London Bridge (26 minutes) and to Clapham Junction (15 minutes), Crystal Palace station is also within walking distance, approximately 20 minutes away. 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 Length: approx. 122 years remaining
Service Charge: approx. £1,350 per annum
Council Tax Band: C
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
Lowood Court is situated in 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 after being badly damaged during the Second World War. 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) so knew this area well; his uncle, Frederick Austin Vernon (1882-1972), was also a surveyor and architect for the Dulwich Estate.
By 1957, Vernon’s first scheme of building was completed. The blocks on Farquhar Road, including Lowood Court, were the first to be built; they proved to be such a success that a second scheme began, encompassing the nearby Lymer Road and beyond. Over the next 20 years, more than 2,000 new homes were designed by Austin Vernon & Partners, resulting in a concentrated area of 1950s and 60s-era architecture.
The houses and flats were designed to a high standard and made excellent 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 a beautifully designed, verdant and peaceful estate.
