St James Court

The Grand Tour

From the street-level entrance, which has a video-entry system, are a set of well-maintained communal areas. The entrance hall is particularly lovely, with its 19th-century stained-glass window. There is lift and stair access to the second floor, where this apartment’s private front door sits. Beyond is a hallway with walls washed in ‘Hague Blue’ by Farrow & Ball – a deep, inky hue that contrasts with Victorian-style geometric tiles underfoot.

Painted in the sky-blue counterpoint of Little Greene’s ‘James’, the living/dining room is at the far end of the apartment and is wonderfully bright care of leaded original windows on two aspects; here, the deep red hue of the exterior brickwork peers through. Painted white, a dado rail snakes around the perimeter of the room.

At the rear of the room, a pair of bookshelves atop cupboards provide space for books and games; on the opposite end, an open hatch to the kitchen doubles as a convenient breakfast bar with space for two stools. Accessed from the hallway, the forest-green kitchen, finished in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Green Smoke’ makes smart use of space with low and high-level units and integrated appliances.

The bedroom lies next to the living room and has two more exquisite leaded windows. On one side, storage is concealed behind a semi-sheer grey voile curtain.

A pop of pink douses the shower room and is well-paired with navy-blue cabinetry. Above the sink, a wall-mounted mirrored cabinet provides handy storage space.

The Great Outdoors

The building is accessed via a communal entrance courtyard, planted with mature shrubs including spotted laurel and japanese japonica. Bright daffodils appear in early spring.

The ground-floor of the building also has secure bicycle storage.

Out and About

St James Court is exceptionally located to make the most of Bethnal Green’s brilliance. Beyond E Pelicci – conveniently sited across the street for weekend breakfasts and lunches – are a wealth of other places to dine, including Bistrotheque and Ombra. There are plenty of popular pubs in the local area, including The Bethnal Green Tavern and the Kings Arms.

Hackney Road lies a short walk to the north and is home to a brilliant pub, the Marksman, along with Sager and Wild, coffee shop Sevente, Dom’s Subs, Equal Parts and Morito, the sister restaurant of Exmouth Market favourite Moro. Beyond is Broadway Market, known for its weekend food market, wine bars, and restaurants.

Columbia Road is even closer to home and is the site of a much-loved Sunday flower market. Brawn and Campania are well-regarded dining options here, while Straw and Milagros are popular places to shop. A branch of popular bakery Pavilion can also be found here – within easy reach for a morning’s coffee and pastry dash. A short stroll to the west of Columbia Road are Redchurch Street and Arnold Circus, where bakery Jolene, restaurant Rochelle Canteen and the likes of APC, Aesop and Labour and Wait can be found.

There are several green spaces nearby, including Weaver’s Fields, Bethnal Green Garden (which lies next to the Young V&A), Haggerston Park and London Fields, with its heated lido. Victoria Park and the adjacent Regent’s Canal are slightly further afield but still accessible on foot. There are also city farms in both Spitalfields, to the south, and on the edge of Hackney Road.

Transport options are excellent; both Bethnal Green Underground (Central line) and Overground (Weaver line) are nearby. Whitechapel station is only slightly further away and runs the Elizabeth, District and Hammersmith and City lines, along with the Windrush branch of the Overground. The area is also well-served by buses, and is within walking distance of the City, Liverpool Street and Old Street.

Tenure: Leasehold

Lease Length: Approx. 152 years remaining

Service Charge: Approx. £3,500 per annum

Ground Rent: Peppercorn

Council Tax Band: C