Apartment in James Stirling’s Langham House Close, Richmond upon Thames, Surrey
Someone has done a lovely job on this apartment in James Stirling’s Langham House Close, Richmond upon Thames, Surrey.
Not that it needs a boost. This is a very desirable place to live regardless of the finish. Although the fact that it looks so visually appealing doesn’t do it any harm.
If you didn’t know, Langham House Close is on Ham Common in Ham in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, a development of three Grade II* listed buildings designed in 1955 by James Stirling (yes, the same James Stirling commemorated annually by the prestigious Stirling Prize for Architecture) in association with James Gowan.
The design and its subsequent influence have resulted in a Grade II* listing, which is applicable to just 8 per cent of all buildings listed by English Heritage.
I have featured a few apartments in the past, and like all such places, you can’t guarantee that the interior remains in keeping with the architecture it sits within. But I do like what’s been done with the apartment here.
It retains the original midcentury modern vibe within, which I would always hope and expect of a place like this. But it hasn’t stayed in the 1950s. This is stylish, contemporary living with character.
Floor-to-ceiling windows always help when it comes to a stylish, well-lit interior. But that cool central chimney (updated with a log burner) also catches the eye, as does the flooring, which has also been updated to bamboo.
Outside of that, everything is minimal and something of a blank canvas for the furniture and art that harks back to the original era of this place. That’s pretty much the best option for an apartment like this. Don’t make it fussy; work with the light and space to create an open-plan living area you want to relax in when you come home from a hard day at work.
Or work at home. Yes, one of the rooms is currently laid out as a dream of a home office, again with plenty of light and a lovely view beyond. Or alternatively, convert it back into a bedroom if you need the extra sleeping space.
Talking of space…well, you probably have worked that out yourself. Especially if you are familiar with apartments in this block.
The focal point is the lounge, which flows into the kitchen/breakfast area, with plenty of natural light from the full-height glazing. The well-equipped kitchen is dual-aspect, with room for a table and chairs, and the bamboo flooring runs throughout.
And yes, the space is divided by the iconic central chimney stack design with mantel, corbel and squint.
Beyond that is the entrance hall (accessed via a communal hall with a tiled floor, stock brick walls and upper gallery in Breton Brut style concrete), the bathroom, a bedroom with views across the shared gardens and built-in storage and finally, the second bedroom with more of those views. Actually, there is one last thing – a storage cupboard just outside the apartment.
Oh, the communal space too, which is front and rear and hinted at via the photos on this page. A very picturesque spot. The sellers also independently own the end garage at the rear of the Close, which is available to purchase by separate negotiation with an asking price of £35,000.
But before you consider the garage, you will have to weigh up the cost of the apartment. That’s on the market for £550.000.
Images and details courtesy of Mervyn Smith. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
