Studio for sale

Ruskin Park House XI, Champion Hill, London SE5

This carefully considered studio apartment is on the second floor of Ruskin Park House, a wonderful modernist development on Champion Hill in Camberwell. Designed in the 1930s by Alexander Stuart Gray and William Watkins, Ruskin Park House stands as a monument to British modernism and is surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens. The open green spaces of Ruskin Park are close at hand, while Denmark Hill station is just five minutes away on foot.

The Building

Ruskin Park House is made up of 241 flats in three blocks, with formal gardens maintained by the estate’s live-in caretakers. It is one of the few blocks of its era to retain most of its period features, including Crittall windows and exquisitely tended gardens.

While the building is now known for its beautiful, streamlined aesthetics, the architects were pragmatic in their approach to design. Gray, who trained under renowned architect Edwin Lutyens, has described his approach in self-deprecating tones, stating that “[Ruskin Park House is in] the style of those days... Long lines, bow windows... A modernistic style".

The Tour

Entrance is via stairs or lifts to the second floor. The front door opens to a hallway, which opens to the primary space - a room awash with natural light from an original Crittall bay window. Its proportions allow for dining, sitting and sleeping zones. A large built-in birch plywood wardrobe on one side has been bespoke-made for the space and has compartments carefully designed to store essentials.

A sleeping area is adjacent, with a dimmable Tim Rundle opal globe light suspended from the ceiling. String shelving is mounted on one wall with a clever, versatile desk area for use when needed. There are also integrated plug sockets

and usb charging points throughout the room for flexible use of the space.

The hallway, which is painted in a striking deep red hue by Farrow and Ball, and lit with a Jasper Morrison globe light above, also contains a coat and shoe closet. The separate kitchen is neatly arranged with plenty of storage, a pantry, a fridge, freezer and washing machine. A Neff oven is also integrated with an induction hob atop, and light spills from a Crittal window at the far end. Dimmable and under-shelf lighting adds versatility to the ambiance.

The bathroom has a shower over the tub and a heated towel rail.

A Nest thermostatic system and intercom connected with hyperoptic fibre have also been installed.

Outdoor Space

Ruskin Park House is set in immaculately maintained, extensive communal gardens that are open to residents. The apartment also has a private balcony which could accommodate a dining table and two chairs, or a number of plants. Ruskin Park itself, from which the development takes its name, a minute’s walk. Both the park and Ruskin Park House take their name from renowned writer and philosopher John Ruskin.

There are off-street parking, garages, storage rooms and bike racks on the estate, which are available for residents’ use subject to application and availability. Likewise, there is an allotment available for residents’ use and a communal laundry room in Block A.

The Area

Positioned on the slopes of Champion Hill, Ruskin Park House is minutes from the cafés, bars and restaurants of Camberwell, including Silk Road, The Daily Goods, The Camberwell Arms and Theo’s Pizzeria. Across the road in Ruskin Park is the beloved community saunas, tennis courts, gardens and playing fields.

There are also excellent galleries nearby, including the South London Gallery (recently extended by 6a Architects), Hannah Barry Gallery in nearby Peckham and the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Both Peckham and Brixton are nearby and have a plethora of bars and restaurants, including Levan, Ganapati, The Begging Bowl, Artusi and countless others. Not far is also two Picturehouse cinemas, East Dulwich Picturehouse on Lordship Lane and Brixton’s Ritzy Picturehouse.

Ruskin Park House is well-served by public transport. Denmark Hill Station is within a 5-minute walk, running Thameslink, London Overground and National Rail services across to London Victoria, London Blackfriars, Clapham Junction and nationwide.

Tenure: Leasehold / Lease Length: Approx. 136 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx. £2,347 per annum (including cleaning of communal areas, gardens and sink fund) / Ground Rent: Approx £1 per annum / Council Tax Band: A