Schreiber House, Shreiber House

Built in the early 1960s, Schreiber House sits in an unparalleled raised position on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Grade II-listed – a rarity for a post-war home – the house was designed by esteemed Scottish architect James Gowan. Defined externally by its blue rustic Staffordshire engineering brick and aluminum windows, the house has incredible light-filled lateral spaces, high ceilings, and exceptional attention to detail, throughout its 5,600 sq ft.



The Building



Commissioned by furniture designer Chaim Schreiber, the house would have been particularly avant-garde at the time - an appeal that it retains today. Designed by Gowan in collaboration with Schreiber, the house marks the marrying of two design imaginations.



The home's built-in furniture is particularly significant; it was designed by Gowan and made by Schreiber's furniture factory. It was installed over a number of years and has exceptional teak elements, steam-bent cabinetry and a beautiful long teak and bronze dining table. For more information, see the history section below.



The Tour



Each floor is an open suite of rooms where concealed doors can be used to divide the space for privacy. The ground floor is home to an incredible, voluminous open-plan dining and reception room, and is resplendent with many original details and motifs repeated throughout the house, such as the same limited palette of thoughtfully chosen materials: teak, limestone, marble, bronze, and concrete. The ceilings are precast concrete trough ceilings which have been faced with Bathstone.



Between the dining and living areas is elegant, fitted teak furniture, and above the rooms are lit by long rows of bronze light fittings.



The kitchen has its original glass and bronze cabinetry, as well as some sensitive additions which the owners have ensured are completely in keeping with the original design. The cabinetry is topped by a worktop of limestone from a quarry in Spain.



A hallway next to the kitchen leads to a guest WC with original Armitage and Shanks taps, re-chromed mirrors, and a sink from the same limestone as the kitchen. The hallway also has access to a cloakroom, study and a side door to the garden. From this area is a remarkable Manganese Bronze spiral staircase which leads downstairs to the working part of the house, where there is a useful, generous utility room, garage, storage, as well as a guest bedroom.



The first floor is home to a galleried library/dressing room, which opens onto the principal bedroom suite with its en suite bathroom.



There are three further bedrooms across the top floor, and two bathrooms to service them, including a shower/steam room. Each bedroom, like the rest of the house, is defined by its generous ceiling heights and light.



The Great Outdoors



The house is set back from the road behind separate pedestrian and vehicular entrances, the latter leading to parking for multiple cars, including under a large carport (fitted with EV charging). It is possible to walk around the whole perimeter of the house.



The rear south-facing garden has a sun-drenched terrace that hugs the house, with ample space for a dining table. The rest of the garden has lawned areas and raised beds delineated by Staffordshire engineering brick walls. These beautifully planted beds are stocked with deep herbaceous borders planted with Japanese anemones, peonies and ferns. The whole house, surrounded by fences and tall hedges, has a secluded, private feel.



The Area



Schreiber House is well located, bordering the south-western end of Hampstead Heath, with lovely leafy views. The Heath offers freshwater swimming year-round in the men’s, ladies’, and mixed Bathing Ponds, as well as some of London’s most beautiful woodland walks.



Hampstead's Hill Garden and Pergoda is a 10-minute walk from the house; a Georgian arbour and terrace with expansive views over the heath. In addition to elevated views of the city from Parliament Hill, there are tennis courts, cafés, and Kenwood House, a wonderful 17th-century country house and gallery.



The house is near the quality providers and cafés in Hampstead village, such as Oddono’s Gelateria, Ginger & White, Gail’s, and the famous Hampstead Crêperie, as well as an Everyman cinema. There are several charming pubs nearby, including The Horseshoe, The Flask, The Old White Bear, and The Hollybush.



Across the heath, towards Highgate, is Swain’s Lane and its wonderful array of independent suppliers, including Bourne Fishmongers, Superette grocers, and Fam Greengrocers. There is also a weekly farmer’s market near here every Saturday morning, on Parliament Hill’s eastern side.



The area is surrounded by some of north London’s finest schools, including Christchurch Primary School, Gospel Oak Primary School, and Parliament Hill Secondary School. Independent options include The Academy, Devonshire House, Hampstead Hill School, St. Christopher’s, Northbridge House Senior School, and University College School.



Transport links are excellent, Hampstead station (Northern line) is just 15 minutes away on foot, and regular bus services run to central London.



Council Tax Band: H