
“A resplendent house on one of north London's finest garden squares”
This exceptional Grade II-listed Victorian townhouse lies on coveted De Beauvoir Square, within the De Beauvoir Conservation Area. Clean architectural lines and a vibrant colour palette combine with original period features to create a striking set of interior spaces. A generous south-east-facing garden stretches from the rear and is bordered by established trees that partly obscure a unique ‘gingerbread’ house hidden among the leaves.
The Building
The houses lying on the north, east and south side of the square were erected from 1838 by the builder Thomas Smith and sit in pairs. This particular house (which lies on the southerly perimeter) combines Tudor and Jacobean-inspired features with Dutch gables and a steeply pitched roof. The London stock brick façade has stone dressings and stucco-framed bays containing distinctive windows with lozenge-shaped panes, recreated to exactly match the original design. Original classical mouldings and wooden shutters can be seen within.
The Tour
The house sits behind a wrought-iron railing and a thoughtfully planted front garden filled with fragrant jasmine, ferns, hellebores and acers. Its original front door sits on the raised ground floor and opens to an imposing hallway with white-painted walls; here, a second original door made of glass opens to the rear garden. An elegant staircase, complete with a sweeping Victorian handrail, dominates the space and is finished with a custom orange carpet runner that establishes the house’s playful use of colour.
The kitchen and dining room lies adjacent, with tall ceilings bordered by preserved cornicing. An exceptional quality of natural light pours through from a bay window at the front and French doors, which open onto the Juliet balcony, overlooking the garden at the rear. Black walnut floorboards run underfoot here.
A bespoke, shocking pink kitchen lies at the front of the space. A large quartz-topped island incorporates plenty of integrated storage and a sleek worktop extractor fan. Bespoke floor-to-ceiling shelving lines one side of the room, highlighting its voluminous proportions. Twin fireplaces with the original marble surrounds lend a sense of grandeur.
A cosy den and a separate office space occupy the lower-ground floor, delineated by deep purple carpet and lime-green Marmoleum flooring. Architect-designed shelving and storage cupboards line the walls in the study, providing plenty of display space. Crittall doors open onto a stone-paved patio, with a staircase leading to the garden ahead. There is also a WC on this floor.
A bold approach to colour continues on the upper levels, with lively carpets used on each landing. The main bedroom is on the first storey and has double doors opening onto a sizeable en suite bathroom and dressing room. An additional double bedroom and a large bathroom crown the top of the house, along with a generous walk-in storage cupboard.
Outdoor space
The garden is accessed via external stairs from the ground and lower-ground floors. Laid mostly to lawn and with a sunken patio at the front, it was designed and planted by Jude Moraes in the 1970s. It is populated by established bushes and evergreen plants that burst from the borders while whimsical wisteria climbs the rear elevation. A paved pathway leads under an archway, which partly obscures an additional patio and recently restored ‘gingerbread’ house used as a separate entertaining space or summerhouse.
The Area
De Beauvoir square is conveniently positioned for the pubs, restaurants, shops and cafés of Islington, De Beauvoir and Dalston. The Scolt Head and De Beauvoir Arms are both excellent and atmospheric local pubs. The De Beauvoir Deli have two outlets a few moments away and is a firm favourite with locals, offering locally sourced produce alongside seasonal fruit and vegetables, sandwiches and salads. The De Beauvoir branch of Wholefoods is just down Southgate Road, where Sweet Thursday offers Neapolitan-style pizza with craft beers and wine.
Other excellent local spots include Batch Baby, Dan’s and newly opened bar Goodbye Horses. The Regent’s Canal lies just beyond and is home to the inimitable Towpath and self-proclaimed ‘kid-friendly’ Japanese café Toconoco. The canal’s footpath provides a gateway to the rest of London, and the shops, galleries and restaurants of Shoreditch beyond.
Haggerston station is just over a 10-minute walk away and provides London Overground services to Canary Wharf via Canada Water. Regular buses run to the City and beyond from Kingsland Road.
Council Tax Band: G
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.



