House in London, United Kingdom, 238 sq.m

This elegant five-bedroom house with a large private garden and off-street parking can be found on coveted North Hill which extends from Highgate Village towards ancient Highgate Wood. Forming part of a Grade-II listed Georgian terrace this expansive house has undergone various interventions, culminating in a complete and exacting restoration in 2019 that sought to restore a sense of flow to the building’s light-filled volumes.

The house has a beautiful walled garden at the rear which measures over 90ft in length and is planted with espalier apple trees along its southern aspect. The house is set behind a hard-standing with off-street parking.

The project, with its elevated position on the hill, has long been admired for its fine and diverse architecture. This house was built in the late-18th century and represents the restrained approach taken by Georgian architects and builders in the area. Originally two houses, the buildings were previously combined and a thoughtful extension added to the rear of the plan to form a house of considerable size, measuring over 2,500 sq ft internally.

The house has recently been completely re-finished and restored to an impressive standard, working within the building’s period spaces to create a functional contemporary home. Original Georgian detailing has been retained where possible including wonderfully worn floorboards that run throughout most of the house, fireplaces and restored sash windows. Contemporary elements including delicate panelling, coving and new cast-iron radiators in subtle neutral tones chime with the historic fabric of the building.

Entry is to a central hallway, where an original staircase runs through the heart of the plan. To the right is a series of handsome formal living spaces, with a panelled room at the front and a snug ‘smoking room’ beyond it that has been painted with a deep blue-grey in contrast to the white used elsewhere. This room opens onto a large contemporary kitchen and dining room, delineated from the Georgian building by a slight step down and a careful use of bare-brick detailing. Huge sliding doors open this space to the garden. The outside is manicured, with formal box bushes set within the expansive lawn.

Also on the ground floor is a further living space that is currently used as a home office, a garage and separate WC and utility room. A second spiral staircase (as the house was originally two separate buildings) leads upwards from the rear of the plan. On the first floor are two large bedrooms, one of which is currently used as a wonderfully bright living room, and two bathrooms. Both of the front-facing spaces have handsome sash windows and panelling that accentuate their 18th century volume. There are three bedrooms on the second floor, and a further shower room.

The projects street has a lovely collection of small shops, delis, a Gail’s bakery and other cafes that give it a unique small community feel. Local favourites include Greens greengrocers, Highgate Bookshop, Limone delicatessen, Highgate Pantry, Wholefoods and Highgate Butchers. The much-loved 17th Century Flask Inn speaks to the area’s history.

Muswell Hill Broadway is within fifteen minutes’ walk, with cafes, restaurants, an Everyman Cinema, Planet Organic while nearby is The Maid of Muswell pub and a great restaurant, Korto, which serves fantastic tapas and good wine.

The house is roughly equidistant between Highgate and East Finchley Underground Stations. Both run Northern Line services citywide.

The price is £2,000,000