Streatham Common, London, SW16

Properties like this one don't come up very often — and when you see the drone shots, it's easy to understand why. Sitting on the top floor of Javelin Court on Streatham Common North, this two-bedroom penthouse has been fully renovated and extended into something that genuinely stands apart from anything else in the area. At 1,185 sq ft internally, plus approximately 60 square metres of wraparound terrace, it's a home that lives on a completely different scale to what you'd typically expect from a purpose-built block.

The terrace is the obvious headline. Tiled throughout, enclosed by frameless glass balustrades, and directly accessible from both the living room and the kitchen via full-width sliding doors, it sits right on the edge of Streatham Common with open views stretching across South London. On a clear day you can pick out the city skyline in the distance. It's the kind of outdoor space that changes how you use a home, and it faces in a direction that makes the most of the light.

Inside, the living and dining room runs to just over 30 feet and is bright from every angle — windows on three sides, treetop views, and a real wood-burning stove at one end balanced by air conditioning at the other. Whether it's January or August, this room works. The kitchen is a serious, well-specified space with integrated appliances, stone worktops, underfloor heating, and its own direct access to the terrace. Off the kitchen sits a separate utility room, keeping everything practical and out of sight. Both bathrooms have underfloor heating too.

The main bedroom is a generous 16'10 x 11' and benefits from a walk-in wardrobe. The second bedroom is a comfortable double. The whole flat has been finished to a standard that's genuinely close to new — which, on top of a block that dates back several decades, is no small thing.

The area

You're right on the doorstep of Streatham Common — proper open parkland with woodland walks, a walled garden at the Rookery, and views across London that most people don't realise exist until they're standing in them. Streatham Common station is moments away with direct trains to Victoria (around 15 minutes), London Bridge, and Clapham Junction. Balham, with its Northern Line connection, is easily reachable too.

Streatham High Road has come into its own in recent years. Brickwood Café, Hood, and Perfect Blend are solid options for coffee; Bravi Ragazzi, Exhibit B, and Rice Republic are among the popular spots for food and evenings out. The Odeon is on the High Road, and independent shops sit alongside the everyday essentials.