This remarkable four-bedroom house is positioned on Orchard Rise, Croydon, within a vast private garden. It was designed by the architect Sydney Gubby for his own occupation in the 1930s and remains in remarkable condition, with many of the most engaging original details, including impressive fireplaces and a wonderful front door, still in place. There is a sunny, south-facing garden at the rear, home to an abundance of mature trees and carefully planted borders.

The Building

Orchard Rise retains many of the distinguishing trademarks of the art deco movement with its clean, relative simplicity and planarity demonstrated by the flat roofs, tall, pillar-like chimneys and long horizontal lines. The interiors have been designed with systematic proportions and contain many striking motifs of the era including zig-zag formations and geometric shapes. The façade has been clad with visually arresting terracotta tiles.

The Tour

The house is set back from the road behind a brick wall, behind which lies a leafy front garden with a broad variety of trees and bushes. There is a short private driveway, upon which three cars can be parked, plus a double garage with doors painted the same deep green as the original front door.

The house opens to an enclosed cloakroom with plenty of storage space. This leads seamlessly to a wonderfully bright open-plan dining area, which could be easily used as a second living room, where light pours in through original steel-framed Crittall windows (which are found throughout the house). A 1930s fireplace is positioned centrally, a piece likely inspired by De Stijl, a Dutch visual art movement characterised by its exploration of vertical and horizontal geometry. Adjacent lies a separate living area with an arched brick fireplace at its centre and glazed doors leading to the garden beyond.

The kitchen lies at the rear of the plan and retains many of the original 1930s storage units with their geometric handles, many of which have been carefully restored or replaced. The current owners have echoed the pastel-coloured palette of the era on both the walls and cabinetry, which have been painted cream and mint green.

A prism-like Crittall window illuminates the staircase, which retains its original steel handle. It ascends to the first floor behind a wall cut in a zig-zag formation, leading to the four bedrooms, family bathroom and WC. The main bedroom displays Gubby’s delightfully inventive approach to design, with display recesses in the wall, a fantastic fireplace and the playful use of differing ceiling heights. There are wonderfully preserved built-in cabinets here too, set flush with the wall. A bold colour palette has been used in the remaining bedrooms.

A stairway leads up to the recently resurfaced roof terrace, which affords far-reaching views towards Canary Wharf. In Gubby’s time, however, the terrace was used for star-gazing rather than watching the expansion of the city. The architect was reputedly an amateur astronomer (hence his naming of the house ‘Solstice’, as emblazoned on the front door), which is why the roof space is so noticeably generous.

Outdoor Space

The garden is one of the real delights of the home. It is largely laid to lawn, with an abundance of beds and shrubs, several patios and a charming playhouse built by Gubby for his children.

The Area

Orchard Rise is one of the most sought-after roads in this peaceful, residential area. The opening of BOXPARK Croydon in 2016 spurred a flurry of new restaurant openings and the area has experienced significant regeneration since. Nearby Surrey Street Market is one of the oldest street markets in Britain and has recently undergone a £1.1 million refurbishment; it is open six days a week.

There are several green spaces within the vicinity including the 114-acre Lloyd Park, which has a children’s playground, sports pitches, a frisbee golf course and hosts a park run, in addition to Kennel Wood, Spring Park and Addington Park. There are a number of popular schools nearby such as Orchard Way, Monks Orchard, Edenham High School, Langley Park School for Boys and Langley Park School for Girls.

Eden Park railway station, which runs direct services into central London (Charing Cross, Waterloo and London Bridge) is approximately half a mile away from Orchard Rise. Further afield is East Croydon station, with connections to London Bridge in 13 minutes and London Victoria in 30 minutes. The M25 is a short drive, giving easy access to the South East and the countryside beyond. It is a 40-minute drive to Gatwick Airport or 16 minutes by train.

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.