Cabanel Place, London SE11

This light-filled three-bedroom apartment sits on the first floor of the Grade II-listed, mid-century-built Cabanel Place in Kennington, south London. Its living spaces and bedrooms all have elevated views over the building's well-maintained communal garden squares, beautifully planted courtyards and raised vegetable beds. Although situated in a residential part of Kennington, Cabanel Place is in audible range of Big Ben's chimes and is within easy walking distance of the river and the area's excellent pubs and restaurants.

The Building

Cabanel Place was initially designed as the Lilian Bayliss School in the early 1960s by Architects Co-Partnership (ACP). It was converted to gated apartments in 2014 to a design by Conran and Partners. The building and its verdant communal gardens - complete with resident-tended allotments - have been lovingly maintained over the years. The apartments were converted from classroom blocks and, as a result, have unique configurations with plenty of glazing. For more information, please see the History section below.

The Tour

Housed in what was once the science block, this apartment holds a commanding position with views across the central courtyard. It is is accessed via an original concrete and hardwood staircase with striking original banisters.

Entry is to a bright and generous hallway that leads through to the open-plan living space; here, huge original sliding windows welcome in an east-facing light. The living area is flexible and has plenty of room for a dining table as well as soft seating. A run of kitchen cabinetry at the rear of the plan includes a Siemens oven and microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer. As part of Conran and Partners' restoration of the building, the original hardwood windows were refurbished and new oak floors were installed.

All three bedrooms receive a sublime quality of light from refurbished windows. In the main bedroom, sliding floor-to-ceiling west-facing windows are fitted with a curtain track. An en suite shower room with WC and basin is access via an oversized door. The remaining two bedrooms are both of a good size. All three are grounded by soft carpet.

The main bathroom has a bath fitted with overhead shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC. There is also a large utility room with a washing machine.

Outdoor Space

Cabanal Place's gated grounds are generous and abundant. Great care has been taken to create diverse communal areas; as a result, there are planted coutyards with water features, allotment beds and a play area. VauxWall East Climbing Centre lies at the heart of the development and is discounted for residents.

The Area

Cabanel Place is a short walk to Kennington Road, which has excellent amenities. There is good coffee and cake to be had at Vanilla Black, Sally White and Urban Botanica and there is a local flower market. The nearby Tommyfield and Prince of Wales on Cleaver Square are loved by locals, while only a little further afield is the bastion of pub cuisine, The Canton Arms. Bonnington Square is home to renowned deli Italo, while the cafés (and weekly food market) along ever-popular Lower Marsh are within easy reach.

The Kennington Triangle has undergone something of an artistic rebirth in recent years. Within a short walk are Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery, Cabinet, Gasworks, The Camera Club, The Tea House Theatre and The City and Guilds London School of Art. The manicured open space of the Grade II-listed Kennington Park is under 10 minutes’ walk away from the apartment. Even closer are Archbishops Park and Lambeth Walk Doorstep Green. It is a short walk or bus ride to the River Thames and the Thames Path, with access to Tate Britain as well as other local riverside favourites such as Borough Market.

Cabanel Place is close to both Kennington and Oval underground stations (Northern line), as well as Lambeth North (Bakerloo line) and Vauxhall (Victoria line and Overground). Waterloo and Westminster stations are also in easy reach. There are excellent bus links into central and south London, and good cycling/walking routes towards the South Bank and Soho, which can be reached within 10 and 35 minutes respectively on foot. There is a Santander Cycle Hire station directly outside the development.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 114 years remaining
Service Charge: £4,500 per annum (includes buildings insurance, freeholders' administration or management charges, repairs to shared areas and the outside of the building, cleaning services, concierge or caretaker, sinking fund, bike store and communal garden)
Ground Rent: £450 per annum
Council Tax Band: E