Crescent Road, London

“A rare original apartment in one of the area’s most sought-after modernist buildings”

This bright maisonette occupies part of Highgate Spinney, a late mid-20th-century modernist building on the border of Crouch End and Highgate. It has two ample bedrooms and desirable private patios extending from the front and back doors. There is a private garden to the front with ground-level access to the mature, leafy communal gardens at the rear. The interior design follows mid-century principles, creating a series of minimalist, open spaces across a split-level layout and maximising natural light and unobstructed garden views. The apartment has kept its original configuration and material palette, preserving a functional modernist aesthetic of timber, crisp white walls and glass. Fringed by lush specimen trees, the setting is resplendent, and close to some of north London’s most prized neighbourhoods.

The Building

Highgate Spinney was built between 1964 and 1966 to a design by noted architects John Howard and Bruce Rotherham. It comprises 30 apartments in a secluded position on Crescent Road, surrounded by trees and communal gardens. The building is a linear red brick and concrete block with a southeast street elevation, designed to match the surrounding Victorian terraces. Its stark, jutting forms are sensitively softened by the surrounding greenery.

The Tour

Positioned on the ground floor, the apartment is accessed through a private front garden framed by brick boundary walls and planted with mature trees and hedging. An outdoor seating area is set up here, on one of the two exclusive patios belonging to this particular apartment.

The front door opens directly onto the kitchen, with glazed doors to one side opening to the front garden and drawing light into the interiors. The apartment’s mid-century detailing is immediately apparent: a half-open-plan blueprint places the living room beyond a short set of steps, creating distinct spaces while preserving sightlines. A hardwood, open-tread staircase shapes a visual interest point, and smooth concrete-style flooring runs underfoot.

To the left, the U-shaped kitchen establishes a clear identity, with arresting ochre-yellow full-height cabinets and dark countertops set against the white-painted walls. In contrast, the living room has soft carpeting and wide double doors opening to the rear patio and communal gardens. The room’s plentiful light is amplified by the white-washed colour scheme.

The original staircase rises to the first-floor landing, with a double-height ceiling and a viewing gallery that overlooks the stairwell. Two bedrooms sit on opposite sides of the landing, each inviting wonderful views of the trees. Both rooms are bright and airy, continuing the living room’s simple colour scheme and fitted with floor-to-ceiling joinery.

A large bathroom sits between them, with a shower over the bath, and a utility room directly adjacent.

Outdoor Space

The maisonette has two private patios. Each provides a peaceful setting for outdoor seating and potted plants, while the private front garden features a raised bed well suited to seasonal or perennial planting. Tall trees line all sides, lending privacy and welcome dappled shade in warmer months.

There is an expansive communal garden, solely used by residents. It is impeccably maintained and is a tranquil spot that feels utterly secluded.

The Area

Crescent Road is a tranquil tree-lined street within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of Crouch End Broadway. To the west is Highgate Wood and the adjacent Queen’s Wood, with a playground and a large expanse of playing fields. To the north is Alexandra Park, and to the south is Finsbury Park, which are connected by Parkland Walk, a former railway line. Highgate Village is nearby with a wide variety of independent boutiques, cafes, pubs and restaurants.

There are excellent schools in the area, including Highgate School, Highgate Primary School, St Michael’s Primary School and Channing. Highgate Spinney is a short walk from Coolhurst Tennis Club, as well as Coleridge Primary School, which is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Local transport links include Crouch Hill Station (Overground) and Highgate Underground (Northern Line), as well as excellent local bus routes.


Tenure: Leasehold | Lease Length: Approx. 962 years remaining | Service Charge: Approx. £3400 per annum | Ground Rent: £0 | Council Tax Band: E