Frobisher Court
Sydenham Rise, London SE23
Architect: Austin Vernon & Partners
Register for similar homesThis fantastically bright two-bedroom flat, on the fifth floor of an iconic block, has spectacular views over central London from its elevated position on Sydenham Hill. Designed by Austin Vernon and Partners in 1959, the building forms part of the Dulwich Estate and won a Civic Trust award in 1964.
The open-plan living space is full of light, with a five-metre north-facing window that runs the length of the room. The bedrooms at the far end of the living space are large and bright with impressive views to the north and east.
The flat is decorated to a very good standard in neutral tones. The original wood floor has been restored and there is beautiful polished plaster detail on carefully chosen walls. The bathroom has been completely refitted by the current owners, finished with Fired Earth tiles.
The block itself is situated in quiet communal surroundings, with views from almost every window. There is a garage included in the lease and parking in the grounds.
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 exceptional landscaping make for an appealing and unique place to live. The property is very near the Horniman Museum and Gardens and a short walk from Dulwich and Sydenham Woods.
Forest Hill is the nearest station, with direct National Rail services to London Bridge and Victoria. Overground services to Shoreditch, Highbury & Islington and Dalston. There is a connection to the Jubilee Line at Canada Water.
Tenure: Leasehold
Lease length: approx. 135 years remaining
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
Frobisher 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 and a single block Sydenham Rise. 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.
