“A serene south-east London home, where industrial austerity meets the stylish flair of the Arts and Crafts movement”
“A serene south-east London home, where industrial austerity meets the stylish flair of the Arts and Crafts movement”
This wonderful home occupies a quiet corner at the heart of Blackheath village, on the first floor of a Grade II-listed building. Dating to the late 19th century, this warehouse-style annexe sits adjacent to the former 1880s Blackheath Art Club, contributing to a rich cinematic history rooted in late-Victorian art movements and early British cinema. The interiors are one of a kind, pulling equally on the diverging, artistic threads that compose them; the result is a series of sun-drenched rooms through large Crittall windows, alongside a decorative palette of colours and patterns. Set in one of south-east London’s most villagey neighbourhoods, the apartment sits moments from Blackheath Park and Greenwich Park.
Setting the Scene
The building has contributed to a spectacularly rich history over the past century, more specifically in the worlds of art and cinema. The adjacent Art Club was constructed between 1885 and 1886, followed by this separate warehouse-style annexe in 1891, to designs by architects John C. P. Higgs and Frank Rudkin. Both were built as artists' studios and exhibition space to promote the arts in Blackheath, and a blue plaque now honours the building’s cinematic history.
In a second lease of life, between 1933 and 1943, they were used as the headquarters and studio for the General Post Office (GPO) film unit, led by legendary documentary pioneer John Grierson. Some of the most influential British documentary and propaganda films of the 1930s/40s were developed here.
The Grand Tour
The building lies within a quiet, leafy cul-de-sac. The apartment sits on the first floor, accessed via a communal hallway and staircase with beautiful floral wallpaper and a green-painted skirting board, leaning into the building’s original Arts and Crafts influences. The private entrance opens to a corridor, with vibrant hardwood flooring underfoot.
To the left is a large open-plan kitchen and dining room; wonderfully atmospheric, the room has a double-height ceiling that draws the gaze toward the exposed stainless-steel trusses. Large Crittall windows flood the room with day-long light and frame the neighbouring treetops. On one side, the kitchen is anchored by a floating island with a hardwood countertop book-matched to the solid wood floor, and Shaker-style units are painted an elegant teal green. A dining table is adjacent, creating a space well suited to entertaining.
A cantilevered staircase with a glass balustrade – lending a contemporary sensibility – rises to a mezzanine-style reception room. The walls are painted the same dusty pink as downstairs, and a door opens to a rare roof terrace with exceptional views year-round.
The main bedroom is brightened by windows on two sides; one of which overlooks a magnificent, mature black chestnut tree. Directly adjacent is the second bedroom, which has a soft teal colour scheme and nature-themed wallpaper. Across the hall, the bathroom has a shower over the bath, the same hardwood flooring underfoot, and white tiled walls.
The Great Outdoors
The apartment has a spectacular roof terrace, rare for this part of London. Surrounded by established trees that soften the sun’s gaze, the terrace has plenty of space for seating and sweeping views over this peaceful corner of Blackheath.
Out and About
Positioned moments from Blackheath Village, Bennett Park captures the quiet, refined charm of south-east London. A short stroll leads directly into the vibrant high street, where independent bakeries, artisan coffee spots, and welcoming wine bars spill onto the pavement.
Culture thrives right on the doorstep: the renowned Blackheath Concert Halls and The Conservatoire sit just at the top of the street, with a rich program of music, art, and community performances. Beyond the village, the vast, open expanse of the heath provides a dramatic backdrop for crisp morning walks, seamlessly connecting to Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory, and the historic riverside beyond.
Connectivity from Bennett Park is excellent, with Blackheath station situated virtually at the end of the road. Regular direct Southeastern services run straight into central London hubs including London Bridge, London Cannon Street, London Victoria, and London Charing Cross. Lewisham is just one stop away for quick interchanges onto the DLR towards Canary Wharf, while nearby bus routes offer direct connections across southeast London.
Tenure: Share of freehold | Lease Length: Approx. 90 years remaining | Service Charge: £1,350 per annum | Ground Rent: £50 | Council Tax Band: D
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