Crampton Street, London SE17£475,000 Leasehold

Pullens Buildings IV

A superbly configured Victorian apartment enfolding contemporary interventions with period bones

Call us +44 (0)20 3687 3071

This cleverly renovated apartment is on the ground floor of the Pullens Buildings in Walworth. Built in the late 19th century, Pullens is one of the few remaining Victorian tenement buildings in the city and occupies a wonderfully tranquil corner of Kennington. Transport connections are excellent, with both Elephant and Castle and Kennington Underground stations less than a 10-minute walk away.

Setting the Scene

The venture of the visionary builder James Pullen, the Pullens Buildings – constructed between 1886 and 1901 – is a sterling example of a late Victorian speculative development, combining both tenement housing and workshop units arranged in mews, along with some shops. Over the course of 15 years, beginning in 1886, Pullen acquired the land and meticulously crafted the quiet streets that now form the estate. Today, the area is designated as a conservation area, preserving its peaceful surroundings amid the city’s hum.

Since the 1980s, there has been a strong community of residents in the Pullens Buildings, who ensured that the estate was recognised and preserved and now work together to maintain the communal facilities. There are two open studios a year in Iliffe and Peacock Yards. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

The building’s yellow London stock brick façade is punctuated with white sash windows and wrought-iron railings. The windows are decorated with detailed white stucco pediments while the shared entrance is characterised by a painted terracotta archway with a high relief keystone, along with capitals decorated with acanthus leaves and pilasters beneath.

The ground-floor apartment’s front door opens into a neat hallway leading to each of the living spaces. To the front of the plan lies the bright living room with a bio-fuel stove. The fireplace is decorated with terracotta bricks arranged in a fan against a crisp white walled backdrop with a deep green ceiling that extends to the cornice. A pair of double sash windows ensure plenty of light and are matched with bespoke Venetian shutters.

The custom-built ply kitchen is considerately designed to accommodate appliances and storage requirements – neatly housing the electric oven in the chimney breast against a backdrop of brown tiles from Mandarin Stone. Reeded glass wall-hung cabinets add to an attractive palette of materials.

Beside the living room is the bedroom, characterised by an exposed brick wall and woodwork painted in Railings by Farrow & Ball. Bespoke alcove shelving provides storage space as well as a neat fold-out desk for days spent working from home. A three-over-three pane sash window here looks out across the private courtyard.

The bathroom has a terrazzo floor from Otto Tiles, reeded glass screen and a vanity unit, beautifully reconditioned from an antique gramophone. To the rear of the plan lies a dressing room with custom-built wardrobes occupying one length of the elevation, with direct access to the courtyard opposite.

The Great Outdoors

Situated on the ground floor, the apartment is one of the minority that has its own courtyard. It is paved with terracotta hexagonal tiles from Fired Earth with plenty of space for outdoor dining and with a useful tool shed for storage. There is access to the communal flat roof terrace, where exceptional views capture London’s iconic landmarks.

Although not for sole use by residents, Pullens Gardens and Park runs the length of Amelia Street – a tree-planted green breathing space enclosed by wrought-iron railings.

Out and About

Excellently positioned for access to the green spaces of Kennington Park (Grade II-listed) and Burgess Park, the area abounds with exciting cafés, galleries, shops, restaurants and pubs, including Louie Louie, Hermanos, Walcot Stores, Orbit Brewery, Diogenes the Dog, Theo’s Pizza and The Nunhead Gardener.

The creative hub Pullens Yards is moments from the front door, with the lovely JamJar Flowers nearby, as is the new development around Walworth Town Hall. Walworth Gardens, an award-winning, organic community garden, is open to all and has been a community asset since the late 80s. City and Guilds of London Art School is within easy reach, with an excellent assortment of independent galleries along Kennington Road. The apartment is also close to The Castle Leisure Centre, which offers Southwark residents free Gym and Pool access at the weekends.

Kennington and Elephant and Castle Underground stations are less than a 10-minute walk away, providing access to central London via the Northern and Bakerloo lines, as well as Overground services further afield. The surrounding area is well served by a frequent bus service into the City, the West End and beyond.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx 101 years
Service Charge: Approx £1,140 per annum
Ground Rent: N/A
Council Tax Band: A

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. Inigo 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

The construction of Westminster Bridge in 1751 and improvements to London Bridge brought a significant increase in foot traffic to the Southbank. As a result, people flocked to the area in search of more affordable housing options. Around 1765, the name ‘Elephant and Castle’ emerged, paying homage to a pub at a significant crossroad near the end of Westminster Bridge.

With a rapidly growing population in south London during the 19th century, developers seized the opportunity to profit from the escalating housing demand. Vast stretches of land were purchased, and tenement buildings, reflecting the decorative and utilitarian cultures of the time, were erected in great numbers. The Pullens Buildings, constructed by James Pullen, a scaffolder, stand as prime examples of these Victorian tenements. Historical records reveal that these buildings were occupied almost immediately after construction, often by middle-class workers and police officers stationed in Lambeth. Renters paid eight shillings a week for three rooms, a kitchen, and a scullery — a reflection of the living conditions at that time.

Today, the Pullens Buildings remain one of London’s last surviving Victorian tenement complexes, cherished as architectural symbols of the area’s rich history. These buildings serve as a reminder of the area’s vibrant past and significant contribution to London’s urban landscape development.