Stonemason's House, Borough Road, SE1

Set behind gates on Borough Road, this extraordinary Grade II-listed Georgian home is one of SE1’s most distinctive. A rare octagonal residence rich in architectural history and quietly tucked within a small private development, moments from Elephant & Castle and Borough.

Originally constructed in 1821 by stonemason Henry Robert Hartley on land leased from the City Corporation, Stonemason’s House has evolved from workshop and family home into an elegant contemporary residence, retaining its remarkable character while offering over 1,350 sq. ft of versatile living space across three floors.

From the moment you arrive, the home feels entirely unique. The striking white stucco façade sits framed by period brickwork, while inside, the original spiral stone staircase winds dramatically through the centre of the house, connecting a series of beautifully proportioned octagonal rooms filled with light and atmosphere. The architectural form creates a remarkable sense of flow and individuality rarely found in central London homes.

The main reception room occupies the ground floor and is wonderfully bright and expansive, with the home’s eight-sided geometry creating a soft rhythm throughout the space. Crisp white walls, pale timber flooring and carefully curated interiors allow the architecture itself to take centre stage, while large windows draw natural light deep into the interior. The adjoining kitchen introduces a more contemporary feel, with bold terracotta-red and dark cabinetry balanced by white walls and dual-aspect windows that fill the room with natural light.

A quiet private terrace sits to the rear of the house, enclosed by mature planting and brick walls, offering a peaceful setting for morning coffee or evening entertaining. Residents also benefit from gated parking and a small communal courtyard, all privately managed by the residents themselves.

Upstairs, the first-floor octagonal room is currently arranged as a sitting room, maximising the natural light drawn in through the original cupola roof light, where an eight-sided glazed lantern floods the space throughout the day. The room has previously been used as a principal bedroom and benefits from an ensuite shower room.

A further bedroom is located on this floor, complete with a modernised ensuite bathroom. In total, the home offers three bath or shower rooms, providing flexibility for guests or family life.

The lower ground floor offers an entirely different atmosphere; currently arranged as a guest room, this calm, cocooning and exceptionally quiet space would also suit as a study, media room or cinema room

Stonemason’s House carries a fascinating history. The ground floor originally operated as a shop, while Hartley is believed to have used the cupola room as a workshop, living below with his family. In the early twentieth century the premises became home to E.J. & A.T. Bradford Ltd., architectural sculptors, before being sensitively redeveloped in 1998 into the intimate gated enclave seen today.

Borough Road places the house at the centre of one of London’s most dynamic and well-connected neighbourhoods. Borough Market, Bermondsey Street, Flat Iron Square and the South Bank are all within easy reach, offering some of the capital’s finest restaurants and cultural buildings such as the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe. Elephant & Castle station is nearby for Northern and Bakerloo Line services, while Borough, London Bridge and Waterloo are all easily accessible, connecting quickly to the City, West End and Canary Wharf.