An interesting house (flat) in… Greenwich (near the park)

I have been ever so tempted not to make this site all about London. I was born in a London borough, and thanks to the property market being, frankly, unaffordable in 1989 to my parents, I like so many other kids at the time, moved out of the smoke (Beckenham to be fair), to the Garden of England (which wasn’t as nice as Beckenham).

The property market that was over-inflated then seems tame compared to what London has to offer the average working family these days. But, what with it being the capital city and what-not, it does have a ridiculously disproportionate number of interesting properties to the rest of the UK. Of course, I hope to prove my own thesis wrong over the coming weeks and months, but when I find something that meets my own definition of “interesting”, I will share it here. And here’s my second London property out of the four we have so far.

Now, my favourite place in London is the Barbican. Like I said in an earlier post, I am no architect, I am no student of styles, but I do know what it is that I like. I like Brutalism, and I like it particularly when it seeps into the suburbs.

Which is why this property, near to Greenwich Park, is so interesting.

This is a two bedroom flat in Vanbrugh Park Road, marketed by John Payne of Blackheath Road, is something of a find. Designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, who famously were responsible for both the wonderful Golden Lane Estate (social) and the Barbican itself (quasi-social, don’t get me started on how Right to Buy applied to it when it clearly wasn’t meant to), the Vanrbrugh Park estate was completed in 1963. To the outsider, or to those with no knowledge, it looks a typical, down at heel local authority estate. To those in the know, it’s the chance to live in a true one off, located a short walk from two of South London’s finest parks (Greenwich and Blackheath), and within easy commuting distance of the City.

Oh, and other, minor quirk of interest – Vanbrugh Park Road is named after John Vanbrugh, the famous architect of the 17th Century, who has a castle he built nearby – it’s been converted into flats. #architecturemerrygoround

What’s to like?

What’s not to like more like (actually, that’s the title for the next segment). It’s also very keenly priced – more of that in the next bit.

Just look at it. (thanks to Streetview)

Admittedly, it doesn’t have the same Ballardian sheen as the Barbican, or indeed Golden Lane, but it does sit sympathetically among the Georgian and Victorian Townhouses of Vanbrurgh Park Road itself, and the low rise nature of it is kinder given that this big little part of London, so close to the river, the City and the revived Docklands is relatively flat. Keeping it low is good.

Inside the flat itself, you’ll find a host of what look like original features (well, the glazed panel internal doors), as well as a recently fitted Kitchen (which I would lose and put something like the original in because I am a bloody painful wannabe hipster).

Have a look around

The social housing (both rented and leasehold expert) in me tells me that the addition of the satelite dish to proceedings in the last photo means either

• a) an active breach of lease (most blocks don’t allow the leaseholder to stick their own dish up)
• b) a completely ineffective lease or management company / landlord.

Don’t let that put you off – the thing I will always shout about with leasehold is GET YOUR SOLICITOR TO READ THE BLOODY LEASE AND FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO BECAUSE ACTUALLY YOU’RE JUST BUYING A TENANCY.

But less shouting.

Also to like is the location. It’s fantastic. Walks to the Observatory on a Sunday morning to gaze out over the wonderful listed Power Station, and the modern skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. Walk south to Blackheath and its fantastic shops, eateries and pubs. A slightly longer walk to go and watch Charlton Athletic, if that’s your thing. Lots of good things, but if you know about this part of London, you know.

What’s not to like?

Well, it’s a flat above a garage, or more accurately, a block of garages.

Pay attention to the service charges, particularly those that might extend beyond the block to the wider estate. And do some research into possible regeneration. The Estate, while beautiful to some, isn’t to everyone’s taste, and is the sort that people look at and go “you know what, we can make a lot of ££££ on that land and ship the residents out to Ramsgate”. So have a think. I’ve no knowledge of anything like that, by the way, it’s just the sort of hunch I’d be following up if I was thinking about moving there.

Also, the price. It’s a good price. Very good indeed. Find out how long is left on the lease; find out what the service charges are, and, more importantly, if there’s provision in the lease for these to go up, as well as any reserves that have been accrued for major works (remember, with a flat like this, chances are you won’t own the windows, the roof, or the structure and will have to pay your share of upkeep for this as well as day-to-day stuff like gardening etc)

Tell me where I can buy a pint. I like a pint.

There are so many places I direct you to google. If you like a rough boozer with Fosters Tops, you’ll find plenty in walking distance into Woolwich and Charlton, if you like a craft beer from a Keg and a chat with a man with a whispy beard that cost him £70 for a trim, you can go to Blackheath (he’ll also talk to you about Rugby and how he once met Danny Baker).

Where can I find out a bit more?

Like I said, John Payne of Blackheath – 020 8012 0740. As ever, I’ve not got their permission to borrow their photos, and if they ask I will take them down. Or, tell them it was here you saw it, I am only trying to do the right thing and I am hopefully due 1% of their 1.5% (about £3.50)