This large, bright two-bedroom apartment extends over 1,020 sq ft and is located on Highbury Crescent, one of the most coveted addresses within the Highbury Fields Conservation Area. Thoughtfully reimagined under the current ownership, this apartment respects and celebrates the refined original features of its fabric while creating a home suitable for 21st-century life.
Setting the Scene
Highbury Crescent is one of Islington’s finest addresses, characterised by its grand Georgian and Victorian façades and bucolic views over one of north London’s most beautiful expanses of greenery, Highbury Fields – the largest open space in the borough and considered by many to be the jewel in Islington’s crown. The streets surrounding Highbury Fields make up the Highbury Fields Conservation Area, which this house lies at the heart of. The conservation area ensures that the exteriors of all buildings will remain largely unaltered, and that any changes which do occur will not alter the fundamental character of the buildings or area. For more information, see the History section below.
The Grand Tour
The apartment unfolds across the garden level of a large Italianate villa; a generously proportioned and voluminous lateral home with high ceilings, the spaces are bathed in natural light. A private entrance on Highbury Cresent opens to a generous hall, running the full length of the footprint with all rooms radiating from this. It is painted wonderful, contrasting shades of taupe and burnt orange.
To the front, the main reception room has a large bay window through which plenty of afternoon light enters. Beyond this is the south-facing main bedroom, which also makes sophisticated use of a contrasting palette. The second bedroom, currently arranged as a second reception/study, has double French doors in a bay that opens out onto the communal garden, which wraps around the apartment.
To the rear are the large diner and galley-style kitchen. The kitchen contains a sensitive mixture of traditional materials and styles alongside contemporary details, including a hardwood work surface and blue tongue and groove cabinetry, which have been set against powder pink walls to create a vibrant and playful space. Contemporary, high-quality appliances feature throughout.
The bathroom is an urbane and tranquil space with a large bath/shower and an art deco basin. Lavender grey tiles line the walls and geometric turquoise tiling with a floral motif runs underfoot.
The Great Outdoors
The communal garden extends over 23ft around the apartment. A secluded space, it is perfect for alfresco dining and is contained by mature planting. It benefits from strong light throughout the day thanks to its south-westerly aspect.
Out and About
The apartment lies within easy reach of bustling Upper Street but offers a sense of seclusion and tranquillity more akin to country living. Highbury Fields contain tennis courts, a playground and a swimming pool within Highbury Leisure Centre. Highbury Barn is just around the corner, with its wonderful butcher Godfrey’s, Bourne’s Fishmongers, Da Mario deli and the excellent original branch of La Fromagerie. Upper Street is home to an abundance of amenities, from Ottolenghi to Gail’s; the Almeida Theatre to The Old Red Lion Theatre & Pub. The award-winning restaurants Trullo and Westerns Laundry are also a short walk away.
There are further facilities at nearby Newington Green, including bakeries, a greengrocer, an Italian deli, a florist and a health-food shop, as well as numerous restaurants. King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard are within easy reach, and the Regent’s Canal path at Angel is a short walk from the house. Dalston is also nearby, home to the famous Dusty Knuckle bakery and the bustling Ridley Road Market.
Highbury Crescent has excellent access to public transport. The Victoria Line at Highbury & Islington is a few minutes’ walk from the house; the Piccadilly Line is accessed via Holloway Road or Arsenal Station. Overground and CrossCountry services also run from Highbury & Islington to Kew, Richmond, Shoreditch and Moorgate. There are plenty of bus routes both into and out of the city.
Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: approx. 116 years
Service Charge: approx. £2543 per annum + £910 Sinking Fund
Ground Rent: approx. £50 per annum
History
The first streets adjacent to Highbury Fields began construction in the late 18th century. Between 1774 and 1779, 39 houses were designed and built on Highbury Place by John Spiller, a speculative builder of Southwark. The terrace was home to several notable names including the Impressionist painter Walter Sickert, statesman Joseph Chamberlain and John Spiller himself, who moved in when the terrace was completed in 1777.
The building of Highbury Cresent commenced later, in 1844, and was expanded and accelerated in 1850 with the opening of the North London Railway at Highbury & Islington Station. The Italianate villas, of which this house is one, remain in excellent condition and rise high above the bucolic Highbury Fields. The surrounding streets are home to impressive houses by master builders such as Thomas Cubitt and John Bentley, resulting in a beautiful enclave that is steeped in architectural history.
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