Description

A sensitively renovated studio flat with separate bedroom in the Grade II* listed Crescent House on the Golden Lane Estate, designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon. The apartment is located on the top floor of the building and benefits from a distinctive barrel-vaulted ceiling, inspired by Le Corbusier’s Maisons Jaoul. The flat underwent a sympathetic restoration and upgrade by its architect-owner, TYPE studio, a few years ago, while retaining the mid-century aesthetic of the original architecture.

Entered on the third floor, it opens into a compact lobby. To the left is a modern fitted kitchen with a restored wood worktop and a partly glazed screen separating the kitchen and dining area — incorporating a serving hatch and storage. To the right of the hall is a contemporary bathroom with a shower, bath and concealed storage.

The living space offers ample room for a dining table and sofa, with original built-in bookshelves under the windows. A three-quarter-height partition (with integral uplighters) and sliding doors separate the sleeping area. Additionally, the owners have ingeniously installed plywood sliding doors to create a study nook. Cork flooring with underfloor heating runs throughout.t.

—The property is available from 19 July 2025 —Rent is exclusive of bills —It is offered unfurnished —The landlord is looking for minimum 2-year tenancy

Amenities

Residents have access to the Golden Lane Estate swimming pool, tennis and badminton courts at preferential rates. There is a Waitrose supermarket close by, and the Barbican Arts Centre is also within walking distance. Clerkenwell, Smithfield Market, Farringdon and Old Street are all within short walking distance and have a fantastic selection of restaurants, pubs and bars.

Transport

There are several Underground stations nearby, including Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines), Old Street (Northern line), and Farringdon, which offers both Underground services (Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines) and National Rail connections. Farringdon also has access to the Elizabeth Line, providing direct links to four of London’s international airports.

History

Award-winning Golden Lane Estate was the result of a competition, held in 1951 by City of London, to design housing on a heavily bombed site on the southern border of Finsbury. The competition attracted 178 entries, but the winning entry was by Geoffry Powell (1920–1999). Powell joined forces with his colleagues Peter (Joe) Chamberlin (1919–1978) and Christof Bon (1921–1999) and commenced on their first housing project. They later went on to design the neighbouring Barbican Estate.

The architects embraced an innovative approach to design, rejecting the traditional urban forms such as streets lined with houses. The scheme comprises nine blocks —incorporating shops, a pub, a community centre, a swimming pool, tennis courts, courtyards, a fish pond and underground car parking. The first phase of the estate was officially opened in 1957, with the last phase completed in 1962. The estate was popular from the off and the first residents to move in included an architect, a doctor, nurses and teachers.

Crescent House was the final building to be completed – in 1962 – and is a defining element of the estate’s special architectural interest. It marked a critical point in the evolution of Chamberlin, Powell and Bon’s architectural language and informed the language of the architects’ later adjacent Barbican Estate.

The estate was given Grade II Listed building status in 1997 with the exception of Crescent House which is Grade II*.