Modernist Waterfront Home

A truly original south facing waterfront home hidden away from public view whilst opening up onto the Thames with an unobscured view of the Greenwich Royal Naval College and Observatory, the Cutty Sark, and the London skyline. This home is one of the best kept secrets in London.

Architecture & Interior
Located in a formerly deprived neighbourhood of the Isle of Dogs, built by renowned architect firm Stout and Litchfield, infamous for New House, Shipton-Under-Wychwood (which featured in Stanley Kubrick’s big screen adaptation of ‘A Clockwork Orange’) is 50-52 Ferry Street, a not so well-known, but highly significant self-build project finished in 1979.

As noted by Historic England in The Architects Journal, after the property was grade 2 listed in 2021:

‘’…Historic England hailed the block as a ‘fragment of an exceptional vision’ which aimed to ‘create an alternative response to meeting housing need, giving people the opportunity to share in the creation of a new community’. ‘’ (source: Architects Journal)

Constructed of pre-cast concrete, with the facade finished in white flint lime brick and a reclaimed Welsh slate roof, the entire property was closely designed by the current vendor alongside the architect. In the 1970s, this was an incredibly pioneering and forward-thinking approach to take to owning a home, whereas now everyone is a budding self-builder.

With a double plot, the owners went about designing a 6 to 7 bedroom 5,349 sqft home with an uninterrupted view over the River Thames across to the Greenwich Naval College and The Cutty Sark. In the words of the vendor’s father, ‘this is the best view in London’ – this could not be more accurate.

Mature pine trees that were taken from Epping Forest line the approach to the house, and are hidden behind a Victorian brick wall, retaining a beautiful and subtle entrance to the public, whilst providing privacy within. As you walk past the single parking garage, a wonderful garden path guides you winding through gentle vegetation past a lovely lawn and up to the front porch.

A wide entrance hall & cloakroom leads onto arguably the best room in the house, a study with a glass light filled conservatory overlooking the historic waterfront. At high tide, this space is surrounded by water, a fascinating and incredible space to spend time in.

As you ascend to the first floor, you experience incredibly contrasting views, from a north facing forested view of the front gardens, to a south facing historic river fronted aspect.

Throughout the first level, there are splashes of 1970s interior designs, including William Morris block print wallpaper. The principal double reception, which the owner would stage opera evenings for friends and family, is finished in a rich green tapestry and the dining room in a fascinating floral arrangement, both with balconies overlooking the Thames. Completing this floor is a sumptuous kitchen, fully fitted with appliances and pine worktops has plenty of scope to be retained or benefit from a full refurbishment.

Onto the second floor, a generous hallway leads onto four bedrooms all equal in size, yet with their own original theme.

Each floor of this home feels like a different world, the true benchmark of a classic self-build. Two bathrooms, both finished in a bright ocean blue has fantastic tiling and is a time-capsule (one this author personally would not want to change.)

The showstopper is the top floor, which houses the principal bedroom and adjacent office. Vaulted pine ceiling slats curate a nautical theme that sweeps across the study and bedroom, a truly rare delight. An en-suite bathroom is finished in a time tunnel avocado fitted suite.

The pièce de résistance of this property is its south facing roof terrace, arguably providing one of the best views across London. Complete with its 270° vista of the Thames, Greenwich’s Georgian naval history and the wider urban cityscape, the eye will not be left wanting.