Gibson Road, London SE11

Generous light and proportions characterise this airy two-bedroom flat, a modern addition to Kennington's Conran and Partners-designed Lilian Baylis redevelopment. A private garden teeming with plants wraps around the plan, creating a lusciously secluded feeling inside. Beyond are the brilliant cafés, delis and shops of Kennington Cross.

The Building

Now Grade II-listed, Lilian Baylis was initially designed as a school in the early 1960s by Architects Co-Partnership (ACP) and was converted to gated apartments in 2014 to a design by Conran and Partners. The practice was invited to reinvent the old campus based on a sustainable vision after the school was relocated locally. The ambition was to preserve and reuse the existing spaces, building on the unique identity of the expressed concrete structure, expansive brickwork and generous runs of glazing with linked blocks while adding subtle new extensions to create a collection of new homes. This flat sits within one of the contemporary extensions, but shares access to the communal grounds and a discount at the climbing wall set within.

The Tour

The flat is approached along Gibson Road, which sits at right angles to the main school development. The entrance feels more like stepping into a house, set back from the road and approached through a private garden. The angular façade is articulated through dark brick and wide panes of glazing referencing the original design of the school. An extra wide hallway hints at the generosity of the circulation space throughout the whole flat. Originally designed as a fully wheelchair-accessible home, the doorways, corridors and bathrooms are particularly large with flush openings.

Engineered oak floors run throughout the hallway, living room and bedrooms. The main living space is open plan and focussed towards wide panes of glazing that frame a luscious terrace outlook. A sleek kitchen with white cabinetry stretches along the back wall with plenty of work and storage space. There is ample room for separate dining and sitting areas.

The main bedroom is well-sized and has an en suite wet room. There is generous space for storage and the view is of a leafy laurel in the garden. The second bedroom is also a double. A smart family bathroom sits off the hallway. A deep utility cupboard sits in a recess in the hall. This is a highly functional space, set apart from the living area.

Outdoor Space

A luscious courtyard garden wraps around the flat with all the main living spaces and bedrooms looking out on a private patch of greenery. Beside the dining area wide glazed doors open to a patio with space for tables and chairs. Woodchips have been laid amongst the ferns and fatsias that spread at the foot of the more mature shrubs around the garden.

An irrigation system has been laid for easy maintenance. The inviting greens of Lambeth Walk Open Space are glimpsed from the garden.

The Area

Gibson Road 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. A local flower market provides endless supplies of freshly cut flowers. The nearby Prince of Wales on Cleaver Square is loved by locals and home to lively games of boules throughout the summer.

Kennington Road itself has several excellent pubs including The Dog House and The Ship. Only a little further afield is the bastion of pub cuisine, The Canton Arms. 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 & 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. 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 ideally situated within easy reach of Kennington and Oval Underground stations (Northern Line), as well as Lambeth North (Bakerloo Line) and Vauxhall (Victoria Line and Overground services). There are excellent bus links into central and south London, and good cycling and walking routes towards the South Bank and Soho, which can be reached within 10 and 35 minutes respectively on foot.

Tenure: Leasehold / Lease Length: Approx. 116 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx. £2341 per annum / Ground Rent: Approx. £350 per annum / Council Tax Band: E