Galba Court
Augustus Close, London TW8

£360,000
Leasehold

Architect: Sir Roger Walters

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“A simple scheme amplifies the south-westerly light”

This smart apartment sits on the first floor of a Sir Roger Walters-designed dockside block in Brentford, west London. Its wide windows stretch from wall to wall in the living space and the bedroom, drawing in brightness and framing tree-filled views. The building sits on the fringes of Kew Gardens and is within easy reach of Brentford station, where trains run to London Waterloo in as little as 30 minutes.

The Architect

Sir Roger Walters (1917-2010) was noted for his role in a number of major post-war building projects in London, including the Thames Barrier, and the redevelopment of Covent Garden. During his time as Chief Architect of the Greater London Council, he developed a low-key style in contrast to the trend for high-rise building solutions of the 1970s. He also pioneered the use of public consultation in architecture.

Walters was involved in numerous housing developments, including Palace Road Estate in Tulse Hill and Brentford Dock Marina, of which Galba Court is part. Brentford Dock had originally been built to a design by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the mid-19th century. It closed in the mid-1960s, up to which point it had been used as a passageway for imports of coal, steel, timber, cork, flour and even Morris cars from Oxford. Construction of the Brentford Dock housing estate began in 1972, with the project completed in 1978.

The Tour

A communal stairwell provides access to the first floor, where an open walkway guides towards this apartment’s front door. Entry is to a hallway grounded by engineered oak floorboards that spread out across much of the apartment. Here and throughout much of the plan, walls are washed with Farrow and Ball’s understated ‘Off White’.

The living room/dining space occupies the right-hand side of the apartment. Typical of the building’s 1970s conception, a tripartite window at the far end beckons in a substantial amount of southwest-facing light. A bespoke storage unit runs underneath the window, with room for books and records.

Neutral floor tiles mark the transition into the kitchen, which sits behind glazed double doors that can be left open to the living room for an open-plan feel. White cabinetry provides plenty of storage space for cooking essentials. The room is complete with a fridge/freezer, an electric hob and an oven, and a stainless steel sink beneath a dock-facing window.

The bedroom is situated to the left of the plan, with a second wall-to-wall window and generous built-in storage. A contrastingly dark yet soothing scheme has been used in the adjacent bathroom, which has a bath surrounded by bluish-grey metro tiles.

In addition to the generous cupboard space inside the apartment, a separate store outside provides an additional provision of storage.

The Area

Brentford High Street is a five-minute walk away and offers a range of independent cafes, pubs and restaurants including Rye by the Water, Siracusa,The Weir Bar and there is a weekly food market on Sundays. Independent cinema and theatre Waterman’s Art Centre are also in proximity, as is Johnson’s Island, a thriving creative community positioned on the canal and Hen Corner, serving artisan cuisine. There are two watersports clubs close by, offering a broad variety of activities including canoeing, paddleboarding and kayaking.

The flat is a five-minute walk from the beautiful Syon Park; direct fob access to their private garden is available for purchase.

Galba Court is a short walk from the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, regarded as one of the country’s most beautiful green spaces. With over 500 acres of woodland and home to various plant houses, landscaped gardens and ever-changing exhibitions, and the renowned Christmas at Kew event, it is one of London’s most loved green spaces. The Thames Path is also within easy walking distance of the apartment for riverside expeditions by foot or boat.

Kew village lies beyond and is arranged around a horseshoe-shaped road. There is a monthly farmer’s market on Sunday with over 40 stalls and a recently opened outpost of Gails, which sits alongside a myriad of independent shops and restaurants. Chiswick, Richmond and Twickenham can also all be easily reached.

The nearest station is Brentford, which provides mainline service to Waterloo in around 30 minutes. The flat is a 7-minute bus from Boston Manor Station (Picadilly Line), and a 15-minute bus or cycle from Gunnersbury (Overground and District Line). For Elizabeth line services, Ealing Broadway station is a short bus journey or cycle away.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: approx. 953 years remaining
Service Charge: approx. £3000 per annum

Council Tax Band:  C

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.



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