Shelley Court II
Parkleys, London TW10

SOLD

Architect: Eric Lyons

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“An original glass divider frames the bright kitchen, which is complete with mid-century cabinetry”

This characterful two-bedroom apartment in Shelley Court forms part of the Grade II-listed Parkleys Estate, built by renowned development architects Span in the 1950s. Parkleys was the first development by Span co-founders Eric Lyons and Geoff Townsend and is one of London’s finest residential modernist estates. It is set among beautiful communal gardens planted with flowering trees, and expansive stretches of lawn that are much loved by residents. The estate is located in leafy Ham, a pretty suburb with a lovely high street, which sits between Richmond Park and the River Thames in south London.

The Architect

Span are perhaps the most celebrated of all 20th-century British residential developers. Many of the developments that they worked on throughout the south of England are now listed, and they are renowned for their outstanding, yet simple, modern architectural style and their considered landscaping. For more information, please see the History section below.

The Tour

This apartment is situated on the first floor of Shelley Court and enjoys views across the communal gardens, which are laden with white birch trees, shrubs and wildflowers. The current owner has thoughtfully preserved the Span-designed elements while introducing careful modern touches.

Inside, a neat hallway leads to dual-aspect living and kitchen spaces. A series of original Crittall windows overlook the gardens below and allow copious amounts of natural light into the living area. The kitchen adjoins the living space via an original glass divider and reeded door, both of which aid the flow of natural light in a design quite typical of Span developments. The mid-century kitchen has been incredibly well preserved and retains its original taps and fittings.

Two bedrooms and a bathroom lie off the hallway. Both bedrooms retain their original cabinetry, which provides plenty of storage space, and overlook the gardens below. The bathroom has been recently restored by the current owners and is lined with modern, dove-grey tiles and fitted with chrome sanitary ware, resulting in a calm, light-filled space.

The communal areas and landing are of particular note in this estate; they have been impeccably executed with decorative brick, glass and bespoke Span details that have been lovingly maintained. Each apartment has a private external store and there are communal drying and bike storage rooms.

The Area

Ham is a picturesque district in southwest London located between Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames. It unfurls around a large, open common and is renowned for the quality of its period architecture, the most notable example of which is Ham House, described by the National Trust as “the most complete survival of 17th-century fashion and power”. There is a parade of shops in Ham, including a monthly farmers’ market plus wider shopping and dining opportunities in Richmond and Kingston.

Richmond and Kingston both have fast train connections into central London.

Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: approx. 960 years remaining
Service Charge: approx. £2,400 per annum
Parking: There is unallocated residents parking in the estate
Council Tax Band: D

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

Span are perhaps the most celebrated of all 20th-century residential developers. The company built 30 housing estates between 1948 and 1984, and many of their buildings throughout the south of England are now listed. Founded by architect-turned-developer Geoff Townsend and Eric Lyons (thoroughly schooled in the modern movement having worked for Bauhaus designer Walter Gropius from 1936-37), their designs sought to bring the tenants of modernism – light, openness, a sense of order – to suburban areas on a domestic scale.

Parkleys was the first estate conceived by Span, built between 1954 and 1956. It remains one of the best-preserved examples of the characteristics for which Span are renowned, with a considered design throughout, particularly evident in the building’s ironmongery, signage and colour schemes. The interlinked courtyards, continuous glazing and glazed doors and screens create a sense of seamlessness between the interior and exterior landscape; this is characteristic of Span, who aimed to integrate architecture fully into the landscape, notably eschewing private gardens in favour of shared external spaces.

In recognition of its architectural importance, Parkleys was listed Grade II by English Heritage in 1998 and designated a Conservation Area by Richmond Council in 2003.

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