Fishpool Street, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3

Superb modernised Grade II listed house in the heart of the old conservation area.


Description

A unique Grade II listed conversion of the former Black Lion Inn, which dates back to the 1700s. The inn was thoughtfully converted into three residential dwellings in 2013 and offers a fabulous blend of period charm and modern convenience.

198 Fishpool Street is the largest of the three houses and offers beautifully presented and very well-planned accommodation over four floors to form a welcoming family home. The conversion of the buildings involved extensive refurbishment; internally the house was reinsulated throughout, re-plumbed with a gas-fired central heating system with smart remote-control technology, completely rewired including the installation of an intelligent lighting system with low energy LED bulbs, and an intruder alarm added. Bathrooms and the kitchen were all replaced. External renovations included the roof, and re-pointing of the brickwork, while the windows were either replaced or re-furbished and include secondary double glazing.

The location is outstanding in one of Hertfordshire’s most scenic settings - the highly desirable Fishpool Street and St Michael’s Village conservation area. It is a minute away from expansive Verulamium Park, half a mile’s walk from the Abbey and within easy reach of the city centre, both stations, excellent schools, and many local amenities such as Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre.

The ground floor has an enormous 41 ft dual-aspect reception room with high ceilings and impressive beams. The room offers spaces for both sitting and dining areas and has parquet flooring throughout, while multiple sash windows with shutters make the most of the southerly aspect, allowing light to flood in. This main living and entertaining space leads to a stylish kitchen/breakfast room, with a spacious dining area, hand-painted wooden Shaker-style cabinetry, and French doors to the garden terrace. A large, glazed roof lantern provides further light. Folding wooden double doors lead to a snug/family room with bespoke shelving, cupboards and a desk. There is also a rear entrance hall and guest cloakroom.

On the first floor there are three south-facing double bedrooms, all with en-suites with under-floor heating and two with fitted wardrobes. The second floor has a further two bedrooms and an interconnecting en-suite, which are currently used as a principal suite of a bedroom, bathroom and dressing room. From here, there are charming south-facing views over Fishpool Street, onto Verulamium Park, into St Michael’s Village and Kingsbury Barn.

Extensive, custom-made storage was built throughout the house at the time of conversion. The basement floor has various useful storage areas plus a utility room and a large lockable wine cellar.

To the rear of the house, the private garden has been attractively landscaped with a lawn, paved terrace and planted beds and boundaries watered by an irrigation system. Much-sought after parking is provided in the shared courtyard with two allocated parking spaces, an electric vehicle charging point and timber stores with power and light.

Location

The location is exceptional, the house being positioned in the highly sought-after Fishpool Street and St Michael’s Village conservation area, one of Hertfordshire’s most picturesque settings, moments from Verulamium Park and Lakes, half a mile walk from the Abbey and within easy reach of the city centre.

St Albans offers an array of excellent schools, both private and state, and communication links by road and rail to London and the north are some of the best in the country.

Mileages approx; St Albans town centre - 0.7 miles; St Albans Abbey station - 1.0 miles (Watford Junction station from 38 minutes); St Albans City station – 1.3 miles (St Pancras International station from 18 minutes); access to M25 (J21A) - 3.5 miles; access to M1 (J6) - 4.4 miles; London Luton Airport - 11.4 miles; London Heathrow Airport – 27.5 miles

Square Footage: 3,265 sq ft