Basterfield House
Golden Lane Estate, London EC1
Architect: Chamberlin, Powell & Bon
Register for similar homes“An exacting restoration of Chamberlin, Powell & Bon's early design”
Discussions are ongoing regarding the upgrading and restoration of the Golden Lane Estate, including the replacement of all windows. Dates for this are yet to be finalised; official estimates from the City of London (May, 2021) can be provided on request.
Basterfield House lies at the heart of the Grade II-listed Golden Lane Estate, the pioneering project that saw the creation of renowned architectural practice Chamberlin, Powell & Bon. This second and third-floor two-bedroom maisonette has been wonderfully preserved and remains true to the architects’ original desires, with sleek finishes that combine mid-century details with smart contemporary finishes. The apartment has a wonderful balcony that overlooks the green expanses nestled within the estate.
The Architect
In 1951, the City of London ran a competition for architects to submit plans for a scheme to replace buildings destroyed by a night of bombing in December 1940. The proposal was to be called the Golden Lane Estate. Peter Chamberlin, Geoffry Powell and Christoph Bon all submitted plans and agreed that if one of their practices won, they would form a partnership and work together on the project. Powell won the competition, and thus Chamberlin, Powell & Bon was formed in 1952. After their success with the Golden Lane Estate, the firm was asked to design the Barbican Estate, which arguably became London’s most iconic brutalist complex. For more information on the building, please see the History section below.
The Tour
Basterfield House is immediately recognisable within the estate, with pillar box red panels and white balconies that house the forward-thinking, counter-weighted windows for which these apartments are known. Colour played an important part in Chamberlin, Powell & Bon’s early designs and is married here with rich wood, concrete and terracotta tiles, which they continued to use in later projects.
This apartment has wonderful views across the manicured communal gardens within the Grade II-listed estate. Internally, it has been restored with exacting care by the current owners. The kitchen lies to the right of the front door and lobby; it has been renovated to a design by architect Martin Edwards, making use of original materials including sapele wood, stainless steel and the paint colours used across the estate.
An original timber and glass divider painted with British Standard Colours delineates the adjoining living space, a touch typical of Chamberlin, Powell & Bon’s considered aesthetic. An open-tread concrete staircase lies at the heart of the living room, which is bathed in light from double-height windows. Restored and reclaimed lateral parquet flooring runs underfoot.
Upstairs there are two bedrooms at the front of the plan, with original floorboards underfoot. There is a fire escape from one bedroom that has excellent views towards the sports centre. The understated bathroom has original exposed floorboards underfoot and has been renovated to the same exacting standard as the rest of the house.
Outdoor Space
The living area opens onto a concrete balcony, which faces the picturesque communal gardens of the estate beyond. There are fantastic facilities for residents, with beautiful communal spaces, ponds, gardens and allotments. Included in the lease are discounted rates at the swimming pool and sports facilities, as well as for those at the Barbican.
The Building
The Golden Lane Estate is currently undergoing an estate-wide restoration. Instantly recognisable for its buttercup yellow colouring, Great Arthur House has recently been refaced; there is also an improved community hall and a redesigned children’s playground by Muf Architecture. The estate is known for its strong community of residents, who – much as the architects had hoped – continue to use the shared grounds, such as the courtyard in front of the flat.
Underground parking and storage sheds in the basement of the building are available by separate arrangement.
The Area
Basterfield House is near an excellent selection of restaurants, pubs and bars, including the nearby Smithfield Market, St. John, Luca and The Quality Chop House. Farringdon and Old Street are within walking distance, both known for their excellent restaurants. There is a food market every weekday at nearby Whitecross Street. The Barbican Centre facilities are also within easy walking distance.
Transport links are excellent, with Underground stations at nearby Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines), Old Street (Northern Line), Farringdon (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines) and Moorgate (Northern, Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan Lines). On the imminent opening of the Elizabeth Line, Farringdon will become one of the main Crossrail stations.
Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: approx. 86 years remaining
Service Charge: approx £1,484 per annum
Ground Rent: approx. £10 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
“Golden Lane straddles the boundary between the picturesque and the formal, its rectilinear plan and hard landscaping eased by the changes in level, natural materials and circular bastion” – Elain Harwood
By 1951, only 5,000 residents remained in the City of London following the devastation of World War II. Concerned that people working in vital industries such as hospitals and the police force needed housing in the centre of the city, the City of London Corporation announced an architectural competition for schemes to provide new homes. The brief was to provide quality, high-density housing for singles and couples, using economical methods of construction with as little steel as possible – after shortages due to the war. Each apartment was to have heating and hot water included in the rent, and it was stipulated that there should be plenty of natural light. There was to be a community centre, sports facilities and a playground, to encourage a distinct and sustainable community.
One of the most important post-war architectural practices, Chamberlin, Powell & Bon, was born out of this opportunity. Having separately submitted proposals and agreeing that whoever won would join forces with the others, Geoffrey Powell, Christoph Bon and John Chamberlin jointly designed the Golden Lane Estate. Many of the ideas that define their later and better-known project at the Barbican had their genesis in The Golden Lane Estate. The design embraces the urban environment; the blocks look inward over landscaped courtyard gardens, while pedestrian walkways connect the buildings and replace the pre-war road patterns. The celebratory use of bold colours on the outside of the buildings was integral to the estate’s design, and each block has a slightly different take on the combination of colour, concrete and glass.
