This remarkable two-bedroom house is located on Priory Grove, a quiet, residential road in Stockwell's Larkhall Conservation Area. It has a private south-facing garden, ripe for development, and has been creatively designed by architects Thomson Lavers to fill a gap in the Victorian terrace. The discreet frontage nods to the surrounding vernacular while subtly hinting at the contemporary spaces within. The design won the Daily Telegraph award for ‘Townhouse of the Year’ in 1993.
The Tour
Nestled within a period terrace, the house bears traces of its previous life in old garden walls and a covered well. Entry is on the raised ground floor, where the rawness of the design is immediately apparent; the building's structure has been left exposed, showing brick and steelwork as well as the timber ceiling joists. The impressive volume of the main living space is accentuated by full-height bespoke doors that open to a roof terrace.
Behind a sliding partition door, stairs lead to the lower-ground floor kitchen, second bedroom and a family bathroom. There are charming architectural slights of hand throughout, such as glass bricks that frame views into the garden from the bath. Double doors in the kitchen open onto a paved terrace and the garden beyond.
On the top floor lies the main bedroom, which is currently used as a second living space/office. It is accessed via an open-tread ash and steel staircase, decorated with a similarly pared-back approach. The soaring pitched roof is timber clad on the north elevation and glazed on the south side, allowing light to pour into the interior spaces throughout the day and framing views of passing clouds.
Planning permission has been approved to add a lower ground floor extension and a large window on the top floor; further details are available upon request.
Outdoor Space
The south-facing rear garden offers great opportunity for development and planting. There is also a roof terrace off the living space on the raised ground floor.
The Area
The house is well located on a peaceful one-way street that runs parallel to the green spaces of Larkhall Park. Clapham Common, Battersea Park, Brixton and the Thames River are all within walking distance.
Stockwell has a very good selection of pubs, notably the Canton Arms and nearby Brunswick House. The extensive redevelopment of Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms has created a new and vibrant neighbourhood with an influx of shops and restaurants with outdoor seating, including and .