This three-bedroom apartment was built in the late 1950s by Span, a development company inspired by Scandinavian modernist architecture. It sits on the first floor of The Hall within Span's Cator Estate and is surrounded by beautifully maintained communal gardens. Wide windows draw in plenty of light to the apartment, which unfolds across a generous 975 sq ft of internal accommodation. A highly coveted spot, The Hall sits just half a mile from the village-like delights of Blackheath.
The Architect
Founded by Geoff Townsend and Eric Lyons, Span has been heralded as one of Britain's most important 20th-century developers. Many of their buildings have been listed in recognition of their importance to modernist architecture. Responsible for building 30 housing estates over the course of five decades, their tenets for design – light, landscaping and open-plan living – remain wonderfully contemporary and demonstrate their forward-thinking approach.
The Estate
A stellar example of the Span's design, The Hall in Blackheath is part of Span's coveted Cator Estate. Ivor Cunningham was responsible for the landscaping in the development which he referred to as “wall-to-wall landscape carpeting”. A friendly spirit prevails, with an active residents' association and several community events throughout the year. For more information, see the History section.
The Tour
The apartment's entrance is on the first floor, accessed via a communal stairwell. It has been thoughtfully refurbished and rewired in recent years, with new plumbing cleverly concealed beneath herringbone-laid flooring to ensure clean lines throughout. The finishes are overall contemporary yet in keeping with the well-preserved original design. Many mid-century features remain, including original internal south-facing picture windows that carry light across the width of the apartment, as well as light switches and door handles.
Once inside, a cloakroom leads through an original reeded glazed door to an expansive and bright open-plan living room/dining area - a hallmark of Span's designs. Large windows run the length of the main living space with panoramic views over the communal garden square beyond.
The kitchen cabinetry houses integrated appliances including a Bosch oven and gas hob and a dishwasher, with handles from Swarf and ply worktops above. Cork flooring runs underfoot.
Each of the three bedrooms is carpeted and overlooks the external greenery, with the main bedroom offering the widest aspect. A recent bathroom renovation has introduced a crisp palette of white tiles and glaucous blue rubber flooring.
There is a shared storeroom just outside the entrance, currently used for utilities.
Outdoor Space
The communal lawned gardens are interactive areas that were designed to encourage residents to mix without compromising on privacy. They were landscaped with great care and intent around the existing mature trees that still stand today.
The Area
The Hall is nestled in Foxes Dale, just half a mile from the vibrant Blackheath Village. Blackheath boasts an array of boutique shops, a farmers' market, delightful restaurants as well as its heath for green space. The nearby Royal Greenwich Park and the historic charm of Greenwich town centre features landmarks such as the Royal Naval Hospital, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, and the iconic Cutty Sark.
The apartment is very close to Brooklands Primary, John Ball Primary and Thomas Tallis Senior Schools along with several esteemed independent schools including Blackheath Preparatory School, The Pointer School, Heath House Preparatory School and Blackheath High Junior.
The apartment is approximately seven minutes’ walk from Blackheath mainline railway station, which is one stop from the Docklands Light Railway, with easy access to both the Docklands and City. Trains from Blackheath to London Bridge take approximately 10 minutes, and approximately 25 minutes to Victoria.
Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease: Approx. 913 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £3,840 per annum
Council Tax Band: E