Marlowe Court
Lymer Avenue, London SE19
Architect: Austin Vernon & Partners
Request viewingRegister for similar homes“Pops of sorbet-coloured paint add a playful, cheery feel”
This two-bedroom mid-century apartment unfolds across on the elevated ground-floor of Marlowe Court, one of the seven towers within the Dulwich Estate. Built between 1957 and 1963 by Austin Vernon and Partners, the Estate is known for its leafy, well-maintained communal grounds, which are overlooked by this apartment’s generous triple-aspect glazing. It takes an interlinking arrangement – typical for the period in which it was built – and retains original features including sliding doors and wide Crittall windows. Secluded yet well-connected, Marlowe Court lies less than a mile from stations in Gipsy Hill and Sydenham, where quick services run to London Bridge, London Victoria and Clapham Junction.
The Estate
An area well-known for its exceptional modernist architecture, the Dulwich Estate occupies approximately 1,500 acres and includes numerous private roads managed by the estate. It is noted for its concentration of outstanding 1950s and 1960s design, much of it by Austin Vernon and Partners. The mix of houses and thoughtful landscaping make for an appealing and unique place to live. For more information, please see the History section.
The Tour
The brilliance of Austin Vernon and Partners’ design filters through every aspect of these coveted buildings, from their light-filled spatial design to the most considered aspects of detailing. This attention is equally appreciated in the communal areas, which pair bare brick with polished concrete, terrazzo, encaustic tiling and glass brick walls. The dramatic raised ground-level entrance is reached via a wide set of covered steps which ascend to a communal hall with Iroko panelling.
The apartment is entered through a well-proportioned and naturally lit hallway with room for a bench. This leads ahead to an open-plan living space where a full-length wall of Crittall frames a leafy outlook. These apartments were intended to provide high-quality housing for working professionals and, as such, were finished to exceptional standards. The original Iroko flooring has been retained in the living areas and hallways. The room is arranged with a spacious living space to the right and dining to the left.
The kitchen is entered via an original sliding door. Apricot sorbet-coloured walls blend harmoniously with a smart black-and-white-chequered floor, in keeping with the period of the building.
Two similarly sized bedrooms occupy the northern section of the apartment, both with original built-in cabinetry. The bathroom has been recently renovated with metro tiles. An oval basin rests above a vanity unit and an overhead shower has been fitted above the bath.
A garage is included with the apartment and there is further unallocated parking available within the grounds.
Outdoor Space
All residents of the Dulwich Estate have access to the woodland and beautifully maintained communal gardens.
The Area
Marlowe Court lies close to the wildlife reserves of Dulwich and Sydenham Woods, and next to Crystal Palace Park. Other local attractions include the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Horniman Museum and the local town centres of Crystal Palace and Dulwich Village. Crystal Palace, which was included in Lonely Planet’s ‘Greatest little-known neighbourhoods in the world’, is a short walk away and is a vibrant area with award-winning restaurants and bars as well as a thriving arts and music scene.
The apartment is well-positioned for access to the transport network, with Gipsy Hill and Sydenham Hill stations less than one mile away. Gipsy Hill Station has direct rail links to London Bridge (23 minutes), London Victoria (25 minutes) and Clapham Junction (15 minutes). Trains from Sydenham Hill will take you to Victoria Station in 15 minutes. There are also excellent bus links to central London.
Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 124 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £1,300 per annum
Ground Rent: Peppercorn
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.
History
Marlowe Court is situated in part of a large area of land in south-east London that has been maintained for over 400 years by the Dulwich Estate. In the 1950s, the estate ran into difficulty. The area had been badly damaged during WWII, and lease lengths were running so short that banks were no longer happy to lend on the houses and selling was becoming more and more difficult. People were leaving the area and renting their homes out.
In 1954, Austin Vernon and Partners were called on to design a scheme to rejuvenate the Dulwich Estate. Vernon himself had formerly been a pupil at Dulwich College (from 1898 -1901), so knew this area well; his uncle, Frederick Austin Vernon (1882-1972), was also a surveyor and architect for the Dulwich Estate.
By 1957, Vernon’s first scheme of building was completed. Over the next 20 years, more than 2,000 new homes were designed by Austin Vernon and Partners, resulting in a concentrated area of 1950s and 60s-era architecture. The houses and flats were designed to a high standard and made excellent use of large expanses of glass, open rooms and central heating. Also quite remarkable was the landscaping that was planned for the estate. The roads were separated from pedestrian areas, and large areas were given over to communal gardens and spinneys. The result was a beautifully designed, verdant and peaceful estate.
