Marlowe Court, London SE19

“A mid-century modern apartment that stands the test of time, on a community-focused estate”

This bright two-bedroom apartment lies on the seventh floor of Marlowe Court, a celebrated and peaceful mid-century block on the Dulwich Estate. Designed by Austin Vernon & Partners and completed in 1959, the estate is surrounded by leafy, landscaped grounds and mature woodland, while remaining just moments from some of south-east London’s most beloved neighbourhoods. The building’s masterplan emphasised modernist principles of light, openness, and integration with nature – emulated in this apartment with a wall of glazing that overlooks the grounds, and a fantastic open-plan layout.

The Estate

Marlowe Court is one of seven distinctive residential towers constructed by the Dulwich Estate between 1957 and 1963. The block is named after the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe; each tower is fittingly named after historical contemporaries of Edward Alleyn, the 17th-century actor and founder of the nearby Dulwich College.

The Dulwich Estate occupies approximately 1,500 acres of communal grounds; a thoughtful element of Austin Vernon & Partners, who championed, in particular, the innovative use of landscaping, courtyards and split levels. Architect Ian McInnes, co-author of a recent book on the award-winning work of the Dulwich Estate’s architects, ‘Dulwich Housing Mid-Century Oasis’, described the result of the project as “2000 classic mid-century modern houses which have responded flexibly to the test of time […] increasingly valued by residents, and experts considering how to build sustainable communities”.

The Tour

The architects’ design filters through every aspect of these apartments to the most minute details. This considered attention is equally applied to the communal areas, which pair bare brick with polished concrete, terrazzo, encaustic tiling and glass-brick walls.

The apartment is accessed via a set of stairs or recently renovated lift to the seventh floor. A private entrance opens directly onto a light-filled open-plan kitchen-living space, its original Crittall windows capturing superb views of the verdant communal gardens. In keeping with the original design, a minimalist palette of tonal whites and hardwood flooring shapes the room’s composition.

Subtly delineated, a neat kitchen has streamlined cream-painted cabinetry, solid-wood worktops, and grey-mosaic-tiled and stainless-steel splashback walls. A utility cupboard provides useful storage space, and integrated appliances include a washer/dryer and double electric oven.

At the back of the plan sit two interconnecting double bedrooms; each has bespoke fitted joinery providing ample storage and wide windows with reeded glass detailing, typical of the original design. A shared bathroom lies off the landing, with simple white tiling, a glass basin, a shower over the bath, and an obscured glass window for light and privacy.

Outdoor Space

Residents have access to the beautiful woodland and well-maintained communal gardens cared for by the Dulwich Estate, along with dedicated on-street parking.

The Area

Marlowe Court lies close to Dulwich Wood and Crystal Palace Park. Other local attractions include the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Horniman Museum, and the town centres of Crystal Palace and Dulwich Village.

Crystal Palace, one of south-east London’s most popular neighbourhoods, is a short walk away and is a vibrant area with award-winning restaurants and bars, as well as a thriving arts and music scene. The apartment is well-positioned for access to the transport network, with Gipsy Hill and Sydenham Hill stations less than one mile away.

Gipsy Hill station has direct rail links to London Bridge (23 minutes), London Victoria (25 minutes), and Clapham Junction (16 minutes). Trains from Sydenham Hill run to Victoria in 15 minutes. There are also excellent bus links to central London.

Tenure: Leasehold / Lease length: 122 years / Service charge: Approx. £2115 per annum / Council Tax Band: C