West-facing, the house's substantial courtyard garden is perfectly placed for sunset entertaining
West-facing, the house's substantial courtyard garden is perfectly placed for sunset entertaining
Set on the ground-floor of a tall Victorian townhouse between Kentish Town and Camden, this one-bedroom apartment opens out to a private courtyard garden that captures the best of the afternoon light. At its centre is an open-plan living space that makes full use of the apartment’s period proportions. Quiet Healey Street is a peaceful spot close to the buzz of Kentish Town’s high street, with Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath a short walk to the north and west respectively.
Setting the Scene
There are a number of theories as to how Kentish Town got its name: it has been suggested that it comes from ‘ken-ditch’, meaning the ‘bed of a waterway’ (the now subterranean River Fleet once ran through the area), or from ‘cant’ or ‘cantle’, referring to its position between two forks of the same river. The appearance of the area today is largely due to the wave of development that occurred in the area during the 19th century, with lots of new buildings constructed as a result of the burgeoning railway.
Healey Street, previously known as Arthur Street, is lined with many such houses. Its tall, slim frontage retains much period charm: black wrought-iron gates set it back from the street and elegant period windows are dressed with stucco. Chequerboard tiles lead up to the shared front door, with this apartment’s private entry just beyond.
The Grand Tour
The front door of the apartment opens into a central arterial corridor that provides passage to each of its rooms. A deep cupboard to one side provides plenty of storage for coats and shoes among other things. Tall ceilings begin here and continue throughout, as does solid oak flooring and walls finished in soft hues by Farrow and Ball.
The open-plan living space unfolds ahead, with the living room occupying the first part of the room. A wall with green-painted internal glazing delineates the space from the hallway, creating a cocooning yet semi-open divide. On the opposite wall is a brilliant built-in entertainment console painted in a matching shade of ‘Obsidian Green’ by Little Greene.
At the rear is the kitchen, divided from the rest of the space by an oak-topped breakfast bar that snakes around to provide a generous preparation countertop. An induction hob is integrated, and there are open oak shelves along the white-tiled wall that provide a place for stacking recipe books. The chic stainless steel units provide plenty of storage space and run along opposite walls, with wide glazed double doors to the garden between.
A tranquil space, the generous bedroom occupies the front of the apartment. Light enters through a period tripartite bay window, glazed to the lower half and with original shutters on either side. A generous bank of built-in wardrobes runs along one wall, providing plenty of hanging space.
The walls and floor of the bathroom are lined with green slate tiles. There is a deep, carved-out Roman bath with a rainfall shower overhead, as well as a window that draws in a soothing quality of light. The inlet within top part of the ceiling has been painted green and makes for a brilliant spot to hang trailing plants.
The Great Outdoors
The house’s substantial patio garden receives a beautiful quality of light. A white-painted wall bounds the rear side, with neighbouring evergreen ivy tumbling down across one side. There is a built-in fire pit for evening entertaining and decked boards pave underfoot, with plenty of room for seating, a barbecue area and potted herbs and plants atop.
Out and About
Healey Street is a peaceful resident street, situated just off Kentish Town’s Prince of Wales Road, a particularly popular part of north London. Brilliant pubs are on the house’s doorstep, including The Parakeet, The Rose and Crown and stalwart The Pineapple.
The high street and surrounding area have a fantastic selection of independent shops, cafés, and restaurants, notably lifestyle emporium Kentish Town Stores, bakery Panadera and Parisian inspired restaurant Patron nestled next to its sibling cocktail bar Tabac.
Nearby Camden is well known for its world-famous market and wealth of independent restaurants, cafes and venues, including an outpost of plant-based restaurant Mildreds, The Jazz Café, The Roundhouse, iconic gelato parlour Marine Ices.The Grade II-listed music venue KOKO is within walking distance and has two stages, a late-night pizzeria and House of Koko, a four-storey members club with a rooftop bar.
Primrose Hill, under a 20-minute walk away, is known for its brilliant eateries, includingLemonia,Greenberry Café, Primrose Bakery and Le Petite Poissonerie.
Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill are also within walking distance. The latter has tennis courts, a lido, a boules court and a weekly farmers’ market. ‘The Heath’ is one of London’s most popular public parks, with the men’s and women’s swimming ponds offering year-round freshwater swimming.
Kentish Town West station (London Overground) is only four minutes away on foot and runs services on a west-east axis. Kentish Town Underground station is just beyond and provides Northern line and Thameslink services for quick access to the city. The area is also well-served by buses.
Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 900 years remaining
Council Tax Band: C
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