Alaska Buildings, Grange Road, London SE1

Bermondsey's renowned Alaska Buildings is the setting for this immaculately designed one-bedroom apartment. Inside, a fresh interior concept sympathetic to the heritage of the warehouse building has been crafted by DAINT Interiors. Zesty hues have revived the apartment's original Crittall windows, which cast light across honey-toned reclaimed oak parquet flooring. The rejuvenated former factories face into a generous and well-tended communal garden with a pretty ornamental pond.

The Building

Immediately identifiable from its set-back white façade and red-lettered logo, the Alaska Buildings make an arresting first impression. It comprises two former factories: one built in 1869, the other in 1932. The factory finally closed its doors in the 1960s and was later converted into apartments.

The latter part of the building was designed by Wallis, Gilbert & Partners, the renowned practice behind the Hoover Building in Perivale and Maida Vale's Wallis Building. The structure displays a series of retained art deco features, such as geometric shapes, moulded lintels and Crittall windows, that stand as reminders of its early history.

The Tour

Entry is to a main lobby manned by a 24-hour concierge service. The apartment sits on the second floor, accessed via a staircase.

An open-plan living, kitchen and dining room unfolds behind the front door, with a vibrant canary yellow-painted Crittall window and a slate grey-painted RSJ. Original features such as the parquet flooring and cast-iron column radiators celebrate the building's heritage.

Newly fitted, the kitchen lines the back wall of the plan and is formed of sleek, minimal joinery, a micro-cement worktop and integrated Smeg appliances.

A large sliding barn door leads to the bedroom, which has exposed brickwork and a concealed built-in wardrobe behind the bed. Intelligently renovated to maximise space, there is a bathroom contained within the room's perimeter with double sinks and a walk-in shower.

Outside Space

The communal gardens that sit centrally are especially well-maintained and have a variety of thoughtful plantings. There is a charming freshwater ornamental pond with lilypads that is bordered by mature shrubs and grasses. The space is well-lit in the evenings, making it a lovely area to be enjoyed day-long.

The apartment includes a secure parking space.

The Area

The Alaska Building is set back off Grange Road, which runs to the west of Bermondsey Spa Gardens. Bermondsey Street is about five minutes away on foot and is home to the White Cube Gallery, Comptoir Gourmand, The Giddy Grocer, The Watch House, José and Pizzaro, as well as numerous other cafés, bars and restaurants.

40 Maltby Street has an excellent food market, as well as the natural wine importer Gergovie Wines. There are free public tennis courts in Tanner Street Park. Borough Market is approximately a 20-minute walk away and houses some of London’s finest traders of fruit, vegetables and fresh produce; Monmouth Coffee, Ginger Pig and Brindisa are stalwarts.

Many of London’s most illustrious cultural institutions including Tate Modern, the Southbank Centre and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre are within 20 minutes of the apartment.

London Bridge Station is around a 15-minute walk for Northern and Jubilee Lines and National Rail services nationwide. The city is a 20-minute walk across London Bridge.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 900 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £2,800 per annum (including buildings insurance, freeholders' administration charges, cleaning services, concierge bike store, communal gardening and CCTV. A provision has also been made for a sinking fund.)
Ground Rent: Approx. £12 per annum 
Council Tax Band: C