Oakley Road, London N1

This distinguished one-bedroom 19th-century apartment sits on the raised ground floor of a terrace in the heart of De Beauvoir. Its smart Victorian façade conceals bright interiors suffused with natural light, care of wonderful full-height sash windows. High ceilings amplify the sense of volume, and interiors have been recently updated in a fresh, neutral palette. The excellent shops, bars and restaurants of De Beauvoir, Islington and Dalston are all within easy walking distance. Essex Road rail station is a 10-minute walk away, with regular services to Moorgate in approximately seven minutes.



Setting the Scene



Once given over to agricultural land, in the late 1500s a grand manor was built in what is now known as De Beauvoir Town. Originally built for London mayor George Whitmore, who was later imprisoned as a Royalist during the Civil War, the house was purchased by Richard de Beauvoir in the 1860s. De Beauvoir entertained many foreign visitors at the manor, who enjoyed the beautiful house and gardens. The house remained in the De Beauvoir family until the early 1820s, when the elderly Reverend Peter De Beauvoir was persuaded to grant a building lease to William Rhodes, signing away 150 acres for a paltry fee. When he died, Richard Benyon de Beauvoir, a distant cousin, inherited the estate and took Rhodes to court.



The original building plans were to create four smart residential squares connected by diagonal roads to a central octagonal plaza, designed to appeal to wealthy tenants. The plans were modified to build more modest homes suitable for clerks in the nearby City, and only one of the planned squares – De Beauvoir Square – was built, although three of the diagonal street layouts survive. Today, the area is known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture, alongside a wealth of excellent shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs.



The Grand Tour



The exterior is defined by its Victorian architectural features; the townhouses that form the smart terrace along Oakley Road all have façades of London stock brick, punctuated by sash windows surrounded by white stucco trim.



A short flight of steps ascends to the apartment’s cobalt-blue front door, opening onto a bright entrance hall on the raised ground floor level. Geometric quarry tiling lines the floor, while smart fitted storage has been installed overhead.



In the open-plan sitting, dining and kitchen area, soaring ceilings with neat cornicing and picture rails create a wonderful sense of volume. At either end, full-height sash windows – one with painted wooden shutters – flood the space with light. In the sitting area, a grand cast-iron fireplace is framed by open shelving. Here and throughout the apartment, painted wooden floorboards with underfloor heating run underfoot, and cast-iron radiators have been installed. Details have been carefully considered throughout, right down to burnished brass light switches and faceplates by Forbes and Lomax.



A recently renovated kitchen sits to the rear of the plan. Here, a Lacanche range cooker with extractor fan has been cleverly set into what was once a chimney breast. A bespoke floor-to-ceiling cupboard to one side provides ample storage space, while an alcove is currently used as desk space. A wood-topped island with bar seating is partly inset with tiles, and has a butler sink. Appliances include a dishwasher and a washing machine.



A serene double bedroom is illuminated by an original sash window, and fitted storage has been installed overhead. A walk-in shower with a thermostatic valve by Lefroy Brooks sits adjacent to the bedroom, and has marble tiling underfoot.



A bright WC is revealed behind a reclaimed timber door with delicate stained glass detailing. Its walls are papered in an intricate floral pattern by Cole and Son, and there is a bespoke sink by Chadder and Co. Mandarin Stone marble floor tiles complete the ensemble.



Out and About



Oakley Road is a wide, tree-lined terrace predominantly made up of large Victorian townhouses. The apartment is conveniently positioned for the pubs, restaurants, shops and cafés of Islington, De Beauvoir and Dalston.



The Scolt Head and De Beauvoir Arms are both excellent and close to the house. The De Beauvoir Deli has two outlets a few moments away and is a firm favourite with locals, offering locally sourced produce alongside seasonal fruit and vegetables, sandwiches and salads. Sweet Thursday offers Neapolitan-style pizza with craft beers and wine.



Other excellent local spots include Batch Baby, Dan's and wine bar Goodbye Horses. The Regent's Canal lies just beyond and is home to the inimitable Towpath and the highly regarded Japanese café Toconoco. The canal's footpath provides a gateway to the rest of London, and the shops, galleries and restaurants of Shoreditch beyond. For entertainment, Dalston’s arts venues, including the Arcola Theatre, are within walking distance to the east. To the west, Union Chapel is a thriving community hub and a working church with a full roster of comedy and music events.



New River Walk is approximately a 12-minute walk from the apartment, a tranquil man-made waterway with mature trees with plenty of benches to sit and read. Nearby, Highbury Fields has large areas of open green space, as well as tennis courts, a playground and a swimming pool. The historic De Beauvoir Square, with its beautiful rose garden, is also close by.



Essex Road rail station is a 10-minute walk away, with regular services to Moorgate in approximately seven minutes. Highbury & Islington (Victoria line) is slightly further afield and also runs Overground services.



Tenure: Share of Freehold / Service Charge: £0 / Lease Length: Approx. 85 years remaining / Ground Rent: £0 / Council Tax Band: C