Drake Court, Tylney Avenue, London SE19

Bright and airy, this peaceful two-bedroom elevated apartment is on the fifth floor of Drake Court, a building on the perennially popular Dulwich Estate. It was designed by Austin Vernon & Partners in the 1950s and sits amid beautiful communal grounds that act as an immersive, seasonally shifting backdrop. Despite its sequestered feel, the building is a short distance from Crystal Palace, and is close to Gipsy Hill station for travel into central London.



The Building



An area well-known for its exceptional modernist architecture, the Dulwich Estate occupies approximately 1,500 acres and includes numerous private roads, all managed by the estate. It is noted for its concentration of outstanding 1950s and ’60s design, much of it by Austin Vernon & Partners. The mix of houses and thoughtful landscaping creates an appealing and unique living environment. For more information, please see the History section below.



The Tour



This exceptionally bright apartment is on the fifth floor of Drake Court, accessible by a newly refurbished lift or stairs.



From the entrance hallway, a direct line of sight reaches across the living space towards a quintessentially mid-century bank of glazing, which captures views across the leafy grounds and across south London. The apartment has retained original features from its late 1950s inception, including Crittall windows, reeded glazing and an elegant terrazzo sill. The living space and hallway are both grounded by original Iroko floorboards and have simple soft-grey painted walls. Generous in size, the reception area is large enough to accommodate distinct sitting and dining areas.



A sliding door behind the living room reveals the kitchen, with its smart white units, sleek wood-finish countertops and integrated appliances. A window at the far end is positioned opposite the glazing in the living room, allowing light to tunnel across the spaces when left open to each other.



The apartment has two double bedrooms. One opens from the living room, while the second lies beyond a small internal corridor with built-in cupboards. Both of the bedrooms are quiet, serene spaces, with leafy backdrops and new wool carpet underfoot.



Next to the second bedroom, the shower room is a bright, crisp space. It has a large walk-in shower behind a glazed screen, along with twin mirrored cabinets fitted with internal LED lights.



Outdoor Space



Drake Court is peacefully situated among woodlands and communal gardens dotted with a variety of mature trees.



The Area



Despite its private setting, Drake Court is wonderfully connected to the surrounding area. Local attractions include the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Horniman Museum and the local town centres of Crystal Palace and Dulwich Village.



Crystal Palace, which was included in Lonely Planet’s 'greatest little-known neighbourhoods in the world', is a short walk away and is a vibrant area with award-winning restaurants, bars and mid-century furniture shops. Haynes Lane market offers an array of fresh produce on the weekends. The Everyman cinema, which occupies a carefully restored art deco building, is also within easy reach.



The Dulwich Estate is close to Dulwich and Sydenham Woods, now a wildlife nature reserve; the lake, maze, and open spaces of Crystal Palace Park are also a short walk away.



There are excellent primary schools in the area, including the well-regarded Paxton Primary School.



Drake Court is well-positioned for access to the London transport network. Nearby Gipsy Hill station has direct rail links to London Bridge (26 minutes) and Clapham Junction (15 minutes). Crystal Palace station (Windrush overground and mainline trains) is also within walking distance, as is Sydenham Hill station, which runs direct services to Victoria. There are also excellent bus links to central London.



Tenure: Leasehold / Lease Length: Approx. 123 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx. £1,600 per annum / Council Tax Band: C