St Johns Road, Wivenhoe, Colchester, CO7

Viewing is essential for this property situated in one of Wivenhoe’s most desirable locations. This impressive two bed two-bathroom home enjoys uninterrupted views of the Colne River, the wet dock and the Rowhedge bank and wildlife. An expansive wraparound private terrace furnished with mature architectural plantings, offers substantial additional living space for al fresco dining and entertaining or simply enjoying the sun from rise to set from its broad south facing aspect.

The high-end Scandinavian inspired interior of this property is a design collaboration between Soup Architects and the owner, former winner of the Sunday Times renovation of the year 2018 for his previous Churchill Barn property in Assington. Maximising on the space, light and views the living space is open plan with a thoughtfully positioned generous kitchen recess. Its clever incorporation of ample storage space as well as an additional outdoor garage/storage unit makes this the perfect home for a downsizer.

It is just a ten-minute walk to the train station through pretty lower Wivenhoe village, voted ‘The place to live in in Eastern England’ by the Sunday Times 2024, where a regular train to London Liverpool Street station provides just over an hour’s commute. Meanwhile Wivenhoe itself features an array of attractive bars, cafés and shops, a sailing club, as well as many stunning walks and nature reserves to explore by foot, bike, paddleboard or canoe throughout the seasons.

Details

Specification

This exceptionally high spec apartment is one of the largest properties in the Oysters Catcher building, the site of a former boat builders. It has been exquisitely designed and finished by the current owner.

Accommodation

Living area & dining area

Kitchen

Two double bedrooms

Two bathrooms (one en-suite)

Utility Room

Wraparound enclosed terrace.

Separate storage unit/ locked garage

Covered Parking

Entrance Hall

The entrance hall is banked with custom built birch ply storage units, which together with the Betontech natural white rectified porcelain floor tiling that runs throughout the living space, brings warmth and light to one of the few areas of this property not washed with the sunlight. The gentle birch ply detailing continues down the hallway opening into the expansive living space where aluminium framed glass doors offer up the spectacular river Colne vista, graced year-round by many sea birds and sailing boats.

The Living Space

The generous living space is currently divided into a spacious dual aspect living area, dining area, and workstation, bathed by the natural light, which is amplified through the use of a light reflective palate on walls and flooring and birch ply storage & display units. As the evenings close in, the living area’s lighting is distributed and unobtrusive, operated by sectional dimmer controls.

Kitchen

The kitchen area is located in a comfortably sized alcove area which opens to the dining space meaning the chef can work uninterrupted but without being isolated from the rest of the party. The tasteful pale blush pink birch ply ‘Naked’ kitchen marries elegance with a chef’s ambition, with high end appliances including Miele appliances, a top of the range ‘Quooker’ tap and that provides boiling, chilled sparkling and chilled water, and a ‘Bora’ induction hob with integrated counter level powerful extraction fan, again keeping the cooking in the kitchen. The kitchen is finished with off white Corian countertops and double sink, and again copious storage space.

Bedrooms

The two generous bedrooms enjoy the additional cosiness and warmth of solid wood flooring. The master suite features a spacious en-suite bathroom and access to the wrap-around terrace, where a stylish seating area overlooks the wet dock with plantings and hazel hurdle fencing. The master bedroom also benefits from more floor to ceiling Scandi style birch ply storage space.

The adjacent second bedroom is slightly larger than the master-suite and looks out across the wet dock. Remote control blinds offer the choice of views or privacy with the touch of a button.

Bathrooms

Both bathrooms are generous in size and fitted out with white Roca bathroom suites and feature a charcoal grey tiling. The ensuite has a large walk-in shower, while the main bathroom has a bath and shower fitting.

Utility Room

A comfortably sized utility room with cabinetry spacious enough to house large white goods. The room also has a sink area and again additional floor to ceiling storage space.

Outdoor Space

One of the most coveted aspects of this unique modern property is its large wraparound terrace area, which meets the water line. When the tide level rises you can enjoy a waterside experience and as it recedes the area is graced by many local seabirds including the eponymous oyster-catcher. The awesome view stretches east across the small pier towards the estuary, south over the Rowhedge natural river bank with its tall grasses and woods, and west upriver towards the banks and pretty houses of Fingringhoe. The terrace acts as a living space and is tastefully furnished with modern minimalist seating and tables, positioned to enjoy the best aspects of the view. The plantings have been chosen by a landscape architect and include fragrant lavender, jasmine, olive trees, and a small kitchen garden where day long sunlight and estuary air produces rich and ripe tomatoes, courgettes and herbs..

Outdoor Storage

As well as an allocated covered parking spot and use of a guest spot at the front of the building, the property also enjoys a separate garage/ storage unit a 30 second walk from the building.