Primrose Mansions, Prince of Wales Drive, London SW11

This charming two-bedroom apartment is on the top floor of a handsome Edwardian mansion block. With beautiful, leafy views overlooking Battersea Park and a warm, tactile material palette within, it is both welcoming and peaceful. Soothing colours and natural materials have been used throughout to create a coherent set of spaces that reflect the origins of the building.

Setting the Scene

Primrose Mansions is a late-Victorian mansion block situated on the southern side of Prince of Wales Drive. Dated to November 1894, the building occupies the site of what was once Battersea Fields and was inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement. The developer, Cyril Flower, was responsible for several blocks along the road; he named this one in particular after his wife's cousin. The apartments within the buildings were especially popular when first built and the leases were taken up with enthusiasm.

The Grand Tour 

The handsome red-brick mansion block has distinctive white stucco detailing against protruding bay windows. This apartment is situated on the top floor, to which there is stair access.

The front door opens to a generous hallway, where a coir herringbone carpet runs underfoot and walls have been painted in Farrow and Ball's 'London Stone'. The carpet continues throughout the apartment, other than in the kitchen, creating a sense of material continuity. There is handy storage at a high level, neatly tucked away from sight.

The main living space retains its beautiful cast-iron fireplace, with a contemporary touch added via a green-painted mantlepiece. Shelving in the alcoves on either side provides useful storage, while French windows open to allow light to flood in and frame views over Battersea Park. High ceilings create a sense of volume, yet the room remains cosy due to its embracing walls, washed with 'London Stone' by Farrow and Ball.

The recently renovated kitchen has been finished with smart, light-blue cabinetry. Open shelving creates space for displaying objects, while further storage is found within the cabinetry below oak countertops. Built-in appliances include a Bosch dishwasher and extractor fan, and a Zanussi oven. The original wooden floors have been carefully maintained and restored here.

Two generous bedrooms and a family bathroom complete the plan. 'Breakfast Room Green' by Farrow and Ball walls ensure a peaceful sleeping environment in the main bedroom, with 'Teresa's Green' walls in the second bedroom creating a subtle contrast. The main bedroom has a wall of built-in wardrobes for storage and enjoys views over Battersea Park through double-glazed windows. Both bedrooms have bespoke, handmade blinds.

The bathroom has undergone a comprehensive renovation including retiled floors, fixtures and fitting by Aston Matthews, the addition of a large bath with rainfall showerhead, a heated towel rail and lights by Pooky.

A series of modern conveniences have been added under current ownership, including double glazing on the front-facing windows and a smart Nest heating system.

Out and About

Primrose Mansions is a quiet residential street in the Latchmere Conservation Area of Battersea. The area has a broad range of popular shops, restaurants, bars and cafés.

Battersea Park is just opposite the apartment and is one of London’s best-loved green spaces. Spanning 200 acres and laid out between 1854 and 1870, the Grade II*-listed park has an extensive frontage and riverside promenade to the Thames. Wide, leafy avenues meander around a large boating lake and through open lawned areas, with notable trees, children’s play areas, a children’s zoo, Pump House Gallery and sports facilities. The Pear Tree Cafe is set beside the lake and offers vibrant evenings of live music, with food by ex-Petersham Nurseries alumni Annabel Partridge and Will Burrett. Latchmere Recreation Ground, with its children’s playground, is also a short walk away.

There are plenty of schools locally for all ages, including the excellent Newton Prep School and Thomas’s School, while excellent independent day schools are located nearby in Chelsea.

The closest train stations are Battersea Park, Queenstown Road, and Clapham Junction, each around 15 minutes away on foot, while regular bus services run to the West End and to Chelsea. For Underground services, the Northern line extension at Battersea Power Station is around 20 minutes’ walk east. Victoria station can be reached via bus from Cadogan Pier, from which the Thames Clipper Uber boat service connects to the City and Canary Wharf.

Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 950 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £6,000 per annum
Council Tax Band: E