The Glasshouse, Royal Oak Yard, London SE1

Situated in central London, this spacious apartment is nestled down a private and surprisingly quiet side road in Bermondsey. The modern interiors reflect the contemporary architecture of the building, which utilises its namesake glass to fill the space with an abundance of light. A balcony at the rear provides a space to grow kitchen herbs or to sit and sip a morning coffee.

The Tour

Perched on the first floor, the apartment is accessed via a staircase and opens into a generous hallway punctuated by external glass bricks. Dark floorboards run underfoot and Sleek Zehnder Flow Form radiators feature throughout.

The hallway melts away into the open-plan living space, which is naturally lit by a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. A sitting area is arranged in front of the glazing, with a dining table currently occupying the central part of the room. There is a flexibility to the space that lends it to flexible and ever-changing configurations.

Along the opposite wall is the kitchen, which is formed of glossy grey units, a Welsh slate worktop and integrated appliances. Opposite, an island provides additional preparation space. A sliding hatch between the kitchen and the rear bedroom (which is currently used as an office) allows for extra light and connectivity.

The studio bedroom is tucked away at the right-hand side of the apartment, opposite a glazed door to the balcony that brings in additional brightness and, in the warmer months, a cooling breeze. A generous bathroom serves both of the apartment's sleeping spaces and has a cast-iron roll-top bath and large walk-in shower; here, a bespoke sound-insulated cupboard houses white goods.

The glass brick-framed bedroom at the front of the plan has been cleverly converted to accommodate a small storage room with a stud wall that can be removed to further extend the space.

Outdoor Space

The balcony from the studio bedroom provides a place for a table and chairs. Wonderfully sheltered, it is an ideal spot for growing herbs and hardy evergreen plants.

The Area

The Glasshouse is well-placed in its cosmopolitan Zone One setting. Just off Bermondsey Street and home to Comptoir Gourmand, The Giddy Grocer, The Watch House, José and Pizzaro, as well as numerous other cafés, bars and restaurants. Michelin-starred restaurants Sollip, Story and Trivet are all situated within a short walk in London Bridge, the area formerly known as ‘London’s Larder’.

Many of London’s most illustrious cultural institutions are also readily available, including White Cube which is two-minutes’ walk away, and The Fashion and Textile Museum which is a five-minute walk; Tate Modern, Southbank Centre and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre are all within a 30-minute walk.

The famous Borough Market is approximately 15 minutes away on foot and houses some of London’s finest traders of fruit, vegetables and fresh produce; Monmouth Coffee, Ginger Pig and Brindisa are firm favourites.

For those seeking greenery, the Tanner Street Park has lovely spaces to sit on the lawn beneath shady trees as well as tennis courts. The River Thames is a short stroll away and the Thames Walk heads towards public outdoor spaces on the banks along the river.

The apartment is well placed for transport. Just nine minutes away on foot, London Bridge runs Jubilee and Northern lines as well as extensive National Rail services.

We've written more about our recommendations in the area in our Journal.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 973 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £4,400 (Buildings insurance, Freeholders' administration or management charges, repairs to shared areas and the outside of the building, cleaning services, sinking fund, bike store)
Ground Rent: Approx £150 per annum 
Council Tax Band: E