Grenville Court
Lymer Avenue, London SE19

SOLD

Architect: Austin Vernon & Partners

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“The Dulwich Estate: A hillside haven in south-east London” - Mid-century Magazine

Foliage-filled views framed by masses of glazing serve as the uplifting backdrop of this exquisitely renovated two-bedroom apartment. It occupies an elevated position, set on a leafy hillside within the revered Dulwich Estate on the third floor of Grenville Court, one of seven iconic towers built to a design by Austin Vernon & Partners between 1957 and 1963. Exceeding 850 sq ft, it combines the finest attributes of mid-century modern living, with incredible levels of light throughout and fabulous views through glazing in each of its four aspects. The apartment also has the leasehold of a garage on the estate.

The Tour

The brilliance of Austin Vernon & Partners design filters through every aspect of these coveted buildings, from their light-filled spatial design to the most considered aspects of detailing. This attention is equally appreciated in the communal areas, which pair bare brick with polished concrete, terrazzo, encaustic tiling and glass brick walls. The dramatic raised ground-level entrance is reached via a wide set of covered steps which ascend to a communal hall with Iroko panelling and doorways leading in turn to the main stairwell and lift.

The apartment is entered through a well-proportioned and naturally lit hallway with cloak and shoe storage. This leads ahead to an exceptionally bright, open-plan living space where a sublime wall of Crittall frames leafy views of the hillside’s canopies. These apartments were intended to provide high-quality housing for working professionals and, as such, were finished to exceptional standards. The original Iroko flooring has been retained in the living areas and hallways. The room is arranged with a living space to the right and dining to the left; the two areas are united by the breathtaking natural backdrop of the westerly wall of glazing.

A sliding door offers separation of the living room from the kitchen. This, and its fixed neighbour, has been thoughtfully designed with glass panels allowing light to fill the kitchen from both aspects.

Two similarly sized bedrooms occupy the northern section of the apartment, both with built-in cabinetry, oak parquet floors and excellent views in each direction. A shower room serves the two bedrooms. Throughout the apartment, secondary glazing has been added to boost efficiency.

Outdoor Space

All residents of the Dulwich Estate have access to the woodland and beautifully maintained communal gardens.

The Estate

An area well-known for its exceptional modernist architecture, the Dulwich Estate occupies approximately 1,500 acres and includes numerous private roads 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. For more information, please see the History section.

The Area

Grenville Court lies close to the wildlife reserves of Dulwich and Sydenham Woods, and next to Crystal Palace Park. 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 a thriving arts and music scene.

The apartment is well-positioned for access to the transport network, with Gipsy Hill and Sydenham Hill stations less than one mile away. Gipsy Hill Station has direct rail links to London Bridge (23 minutes), London Victoria (25 minutes) and Clapham Junction (15 minutes). Trains from Sydenham Hill will take you to Victoria Station in 15 minutes. There are also excellent bus links to central London.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: approx. 125 years remaining

Parking: private garage and off-street
Council Tax Band: C
Service Charge: approx. £2,000 per annum

Please note that this property is owned by an employee of The Modern House Ltd.

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

Grenville Court is situated in part of a large area of land in southeast 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 WWII, 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 homes out.

In 1954, Austin Vernon & Partners were called on to design a scheme to 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. 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.

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