Set behind a handsome stock brick façade, this charming one-bedroom apartment lies on the second floor of a Georgian townhouse in the centre of Bloomsbury. Compact but thoughtfully considered, the apartment was recently renovated throughout, resulting in a refined home defined by its elegance. The building is wonderfully located within walking distance of Euston Station and the bustle of the West End.
Setting the Scene
Built circa 1795, this Georgian terrace is a fine example of domestic, stock London architecture. Designed by James Burton, the master planner responsible for much of Regent’s Park, St Leonard’s and Piccadilly, Burton Street formed part of fashionable Bloomsbury in Georgian London. Classical detailing, such as stuccoed pilasters and cornicing, are intersected by recessed sash windows; the building is fronted with cast-iron railings. Given Grade II-listed status in 1974 for its architectural importance, the street forms a key figure in London’s wider town planning of the late 18th century. For more information, please see the History section below.
The Grand Tour
Situated on the second floor, entry to the apartment is to an open hallway. This leads, in turn, to the reception room with light, pine floorboards underfoot, adding a textural warmth. The room is bathed in natural light care of the two original sash windows overlooking quiet Burton Street. The current owners have employed a monochrome palette of shades by Farrow and Ball, and reintroduced period-appropriate features, such as cast-iron fireplaces and cornicing, giving the apartment a well-executed grandeur.
A bespoke, wooden kitchen by the Shaker Kitchen Co. conceals a multitude of utilities, including a dishwasher, fridge-freezer, washer-dryer, oven and induction hob; it also houses a bulter’s sink. Worktops are hardy Athenia white marble, leathered and imported from Greece, complemented by marble subway tiles on the splashback. Fixtures are also by Perrin and Rowe.
At the rear of the plan is the bedroom, where bespoke wardrobes add storage and expansive shelving has been set into the alcoves. The room has been finished in ‘Strong White’ by Farrow and Ball and has views across the Bloomsbury’s rooftops.
A bathroom finished in white glazed subway tiles, contrasting with a tiled grey floor. The shower, WC and vanity are all by Victoria Plumbing.
Out and About
Set in Bloomsbury, Burton Street is close to the colleges and institutes of the University of London. The British Library is nearby, as is the Wellcome Collection, the Charles Dickens Museum and the Foundling Museum. The British Museum is just over a 10-minute walk past the Brunswick Centre, which has a cinema and a Waitrose supermarket.
Green space can be found at Tavistock Square and Gordon Square, as well as Russell Square, Gray’s Inn Gardens and Coram’s Fields. Lambs Conduit Street, with its boutique-style shopping, numerous cafés and quality restaurants, is also within easy reach.
The nearest station is Euston, a three-minute walk. Kings Cross St Pancras is a ten-minute walk with frequent trains running all over the country and Eurostar connections to the continent.
Tenure: Leasehold
Underlying Lease Length: approx. 93 years remaining
Service Charge: approx. £552 pa
Ground Rent: approx. £10 pa
Council Tax Band: C
History
Arguably one of the most influential architects responsible for the cityscape of central London, Lieutenant-Colonel James Burton was the most successful property developer of Regency and Georgian London. Having built nearly 3,000 residential buildings in the city alone, Burton developed Bloomsbury, St John’s Wood, Regent Street, Regent’s Park and St James’s into the classically influenced neighbourhoods, shopping districts and public parks much loved to this day.
A part of Georgian London’s high society, Burton was an early member of the Athenaeum Club (of St James’s, which he was later responsible for developing) and a close friend of Queen Victoria and the Duchess of Kent; these patronages helped in establishing Burton as an eminent architect and wider town-planner.
His architectural style was inspired by Palladio and the Classical world and ruled by symmetry and proportion. Burton died in St Leonards on Sea in 1837 (an area he was widely known for developing into a fashionable seaside town). He was succeeded by his son, who went on to develop Hyde Park, Green Park and much of Victorian West London. He is buried in a pyramidal tomb (of his design) which stands to this day.
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