Langham House Close, Richmond, TW10

Langham House Close was designed in 1955 and built between 1957/58 by James Stirling & James Gowan. It is often referred to in architectural literature as their “Ham Common Flats” and influenced by Le Corbusier's Maisons Jaoul (1954-56) sharing many of the external ornamental features such as the concrete ‘gargoyles’ and spouts. Unlike other Modernist projects of the period though, the Ham Common flats were privately funded and not social housing. 

This was Stirling's first major work prior to designing the Engineering Building at Leicester University in 1963 which established his reputation. His later celebrated works include the History Library at Cambridge, the Performing Arts Centre at Cornell University, the Clore Gallery at Tate Britain, the Sackler Museum at Harvard, the Braun Factory in Germany, and perhaps his masterpiece the Neue Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart. His design for the distinctive ship like building at No. 1 Poultry in the City was completed after his death.

This flat is in one of the ‘Pavilions’ with lovely views to all sides. Just 50m from the entrance to the block, Langham House Close leads directly onto the open spaces of Ham Common with its traditional village pub, pond and cricket pitch. The avenue of lime trees crossing the Common leads to the pathway to Ham House (NT) and the river. Crossing the Common over to Ham Gate Avenue leads up to Ham Gate into Richmond Park.

TENURE:  Share of freehold with a lease of  999 years from 1958.

 MAINTENANCE CHARGE  :    £185.00 pcm.

 COUNCIL TAX:  Band D  (London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames)

These particulars are provided as a general outline only for the guidance of intending buyers and do not constitute, or form any part of, an offer or contract. All descriptions, measurements, implications as to usage, references explicit or implied as to condition and permissions for use and occupation, are given in good faith, but prospective buyers must not rely on them as statements or representations of fact and must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them. Stated dimensions should not be relied upon for fitting floor coverings, appliances or furniture. None of the services, fittings, appliances, or heating or hot water installations (if any), have been inspected or tested by Mervyn Smith & Co and no warranty can be given as to their working condition. We have been advised by the vendor regarding the outgoings but we have not  inspected any accounts and we do not know their terms and conditions. Prospective buyers and their legal advisers will have to establish the exact rights and obligations prior to any legal commitment to purchase. DISCLAIMER: Many properties built in the UK up to the 1990s may contain some elements of asbestos.  If this is a concern, you are advised to seek a specialist assessment.

Communal Entrance

Double doors into a distinctive communal entrance hall with exposed vernacular stock brick walls, tiled floor, suspended concrete gallery above and floor to ceiling windows. The entrance to the flat is on the left with an exterior private store cupboard to the side of the door.

Hall

Tiled floor, double doors to cupboard.

Reception Room

5.31m x 2.97m

Signature central chimney stack in mellow stock brick with feature corbel, mantel and squint. Fitted gas fire and tiled hearth. Wall light fitments, room width front window overlooking garden.

Kitchen/Dining Room

5.31m x 2.36m

Double aspect space with windows to front and side gardens. Wall light fitting, kitchen units at eye and base level, inbuilt hob and oven, inset sink unit, spaces for appliances, double doors to indented airing cupboard within the stack housing hot water cylinder and slatted shelving over, door to meter/services cupboard.

Bedroom 1

4.19m x 2.97m

Window looking across rear gardens, double doors to inbuilt wardrobe cupboard.

Bedroom 2

4.19m x 2.36m

Window looking across rear gardens.

Bathroom

Part tiled walls, frosted window, panel enclosed bath with electric shower over, bifolding shower screen, WC, pedestal wash hand basin.

Communal Garden

Lovely gardens to the front and rear of the flat.