Raleigh Court VI
Lymer Avenue, London SE19
Architect: Austin Vernon & Partners
Register for similar homes“Serene mid-century architecture set within the landmark Dulwich Estate“
Situated on the penthouse floor with far-reaching views across Crystal Palace, this two-bedroom apartment lies in the coveted Raleigh Court. The building was one of seven towers constructed between 1957 and 1963 to designs by Austin Vernon & Partners as part of their rejuvenation of the Dulwich Estate. Inside, generous living spaces speak to architectural ethos of the era, which championed light and lifestyle as key tenets of modern living. Original features abound and are enhanced by sensitive interventions and a subtle use of colour that celebrates the building’s arresting modernist heritage.
The Estate
Austin Vernon & Partners are synonymous with the Dulwich Estate, the beloved, 15-year-long passion project of Russell Vernon. Spanning around 1,500 arces, the Estate comprises townhouses and apartment blocks, with special attention paid to preserving mature trees, lush planting and communal grounds. As well as designing over 2,000 homes, the practice was also responsible for the restoration of the nearby Dulwich Picture Gallery. For more information, see the History section.
The Tour
The apartment is reached via a lift or stairwell to the seventh floor, where a further staircase leads to the penthouse level. On entering, the apartment’s pioneering design is apparent, from seamless built-in storage to the generous width of the hallway. It has been sympathetically renovated by the current owners, with originally features such as the beautiful Ikoro flooring carefully preserved.
Light infuses across the main living area through an almost five-metre long wall of Crittall glazing. The spatial design provides distinct areas for relaxing and dining, foregrounding the clever layout. The kitchen sits adjacent to the living room and has been modernised with understated white cabinetry, plenty of open shelving and integrated appliances.
Lying just off the living areas, the main bedroom amplifies the morning light it receives with white-washed walls while original pine floorpboards run underfoot. A second bedroom of equal size is currently used as an office. Both rooms have an excellent provision of storage.
The bathroom is decorated with white graphic tiles and a neutral palette in keeping with the period.
A garage en-bloc is also included in the lease. There is also off-street parking available.
Outside Space
All the residents of Raleigh Court have access to the well-maintained communal gardens, with views towards central London.
The Area
Raleigh 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.
Church Road winds through Crystal Palace, surrounded by cafes and restaurants, including Brown & Green, Four Boroughs, Palazzo, and the Affinity Brew Shop. The lake, maze, and open spaces of Crystal Palace Park are also a short walk away, as are the beautiful expanses of Sydenham Wells Park and Dulwich Park.
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. 125 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £1,121 per annum
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
Raleigh 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 & 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 & 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.
