This fantastic two-bedroom apartment unfolds over the eighth and ninth floors of Corringham, one of London’s little-known modernist gems located in the heart of Bayswater. Built in the early 1960s and designed by Kenneth Frampton, Corringham was Grade II-listed in 1998 in recognition of its architectural significance. With a split-level ‘scissor’ layout and extensive glazing, the top floor apartment has an excellent sense of volume and quality of natural light. A balcony off the main bedroom overlooks the building’s beautifully maintained communal garden. Under five minutes’ walk from Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, Corringham is excellently located within easy reach of Notting Hill and central London.

The Building

Designed by British-born architect, critic and historian Kenneth Frampton, one of the world’s leading voices of modernist and contemporary architecture, Corringham has a unique design, comprising 48 apartments that interlock over four levels. This ‘scissor’ arrangement allows each apartment to have a west-facing living room with sunset views, whilst all bedrooms overlooking the quiet communal gardens. An exercise of Mies van der Rohe’s idea that “less is more”, Corringham’s archetypal modernist form is characterised by clean lines of concrete, expansive ribbon windows and mirror-backed panels that reflect varying tones of blue from the ever-changing sky.

Corringham reveals an intersection of the leading modernist theories and approaches of the 1960s. Frampton was heavily influenced by the work of James Stirling, as well as American architect Louis Sullivan’s idea that “form follows function”. The deliberately visible incorporation of the rubbish chute and extractor fans is an application of Le Corbusier’s idea that a house is a “machine for living in”. For more on Corringham and Kenneth Frampton, see the History section.

The Tour

Accessed via the stairwell or lift, the apartment entrance is on the eighth floor. Minimal walkways – a result of the building’s scissor design – allows the plan to concentrate in the living spaces. Here, stairs lead past the hallway storage and utility room into the light open-plan living and kitchen area. Far-reaching views across London fill the space from the wall-to-wall Crittall glazing. A bold blue pillar creates a circular flow and nods to the building’s 1960s heritage.

The kitchen has a breakfast bar and hob which faces towards the dining table, making for a more sociable approach to cooking. Integrated appliances and white cabinets echo the pared-back interiors.

Downstairs are the apartment’s two well-conceived bedrooms. The main room has original built-in wardrobes and a balcony that faces out to the gardens. Currently utilised as a study, the second bedroom is filled with light filtered in through large Crittall windows. The bathroom has a large bath and the original fan-light. There is also a separate WC on this floor.

A secure parking space is allocated for the apartment in the underground car park below the building.

Outdoor Space

A balcony extends from the main bedroom; east-facing, it is an ideal spot for coffee while watching the sunrise. It overlooks the communal gardens and has plenty of space for a table and chairs.

The communal garden comprises a large lawn framed by flourishing garden beds awash with roses and cyclamens, as well as a mature plane tree and a row of cedar trees along the northern edge.

The Area

The apartment is brilliantly situated off Bayswater Road, which runs along the northern edge of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. There is an array of independent cafés, pubs and restaurants in the area, including Sociale Café, The Cleveland Arms, The Dorian and The Ledbury. Sol’s and Foreign Exchange are recent fashionable openings on the road. Portobello Road, Golborne Road and Westbourne Grove are all within easy reach, known for their independent boutiques, restaurants and excellent markets. There is a fantastic selection of cafés, pubs and restaurants in nearby Notting Hill, notably Orasay, Empire Empire and Kuro London. The Electric Cinema, The Gate Theatre and Electric House are also within walking distance.

The green expanse of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park is a few minutes’ walk away. One of London’s most beautiful parks, it offers 350 acres of open green space, lake swimming, sports pitches and the pioneering Serpentine Pavilion.

The recently redeveloped Paddington Basin is close at hand, providing charming canalside walks over to Maida Vale.

Bayswater and Queensway are the closest Underground stations, running District, Circle and Central services east to west through the heart of the city. Paddington Station is also close by and operates national rail and Elizabeth Line trains in addition to Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith and City services.

Tenure: Leasehold 
Lease Length: Approx. 136 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £6,000 per annum
Ground Rent: £25 per annum
Council Tax Band: E

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.