This bright, lateral apartment occupies the upper-ground floor of a townhouse on Edith Grove, in Chelsea. High ceilings and natural light are a constant throughout the two-bedroom apartment's voluminous interior, which extends to 750 sq ft; the current owners have retained a great deal of its original features, including intricate cornicing, an original fireplace and a wonderful orangery to the rear. Externally, the apartment has direct access to a pretty shared garden. Edith Grove is located in a conservation area among the bustle of Chelsea, just a short stroll away from King's Road. Wonderfully connected, Earl's Court and Gloucester Road underground stations are a short walk away, while the A4 provides quick and easy access to Heathrow Airport and south-west England.

Setting the Scene

Largely developed during the mid-to-late 19th century, this area of Chelsea is awash with handsome townhouses built in the classical revival style. Awash with fine brick and stucco façades, the area was part of a wave of expansion from the historic riverfront, to accommodate the rising middle classes of Chelsea and South Kensington in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Sitting just off King's Road, Edith Grove is still a fashionable, residential pocket in the heart of Chelsea, and has a more recent history as the home of rock and roll legends the Rolling Stones. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

Occupying the entirety of the upper-ground floor, this apartment comprises what would have once been the grand reception rooms of this semi-detached townhouse. Entry to the home is up a broad flight of tiled steps and through a communal hallway, which leads directly into the drawing room. A voluminous space between the kitchen and primary bedroom, the room is lined with bespoke bookcases and cabinetry, with smart sisal carpet running underfoot. The current owners have retained the room's marvellous original cornicing and ceiling roses, finished in a soothing shade of off-white by Farrow and Ball.

The primary bedroom sits at the front of the plan. Flooded with natural light from an original bay window, the space is accessed via double doors that reflect the symmetry of the layout. An original Carrara marble fireplace is flanked by bespoke cabinetry, and ceiling heights of some 12-feet soar above.

A large bathroom also leads off the reception room through double doors. An indulgent space, the room has an oval-shaped freestanding bath by Oceanus, with brass fittings by Lefroy Brooks. There is also a separate vanity and WC.

At the rear of the plan is the kitchen. Occupying what would have once been an orangery or garden room, the space is awash with light from the garden, which filters through glazing that runs the width of the room. Pale cream cabinetry skirts one side of the room.

A secondary bedroom and guest bath leads on from here. A peaceful room overlooking the communal garden, the space has been finished in a moody shade of green. This bedroom has bespoke fitted wardrobes and the adjoining en suite, finished in the same shade of deep green, has a shower, vanity and WC.

The Great Outdoors

From the orangery, there is a short flight of brick steps leading down to the communal garden. An oasis of privacy despite the apartment's central location, the space is partially shaded by two grand bay trees. A small gravelled terrace is the perfect spot for reading a book or drinking a coffee, and the lawn is framed by evergreen bushes.

Out and About

Edith Grove is wrapped up in the best of Chelsea’s offerings: King’s Road, with its supreme selection of shops, restaurants and bars, is just around the corner. A short stroll towards Sloane Square passes by La Famiglia, Chicama, The Cadogan Arms, The Ivy, Rabbit and Colbert. More practically, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer and Peter Jones are also along the road.

In addition to its multitude of furniture and homeware shops, Lots Road – an eight-minute walk – is famous for its weekly auctions of both antique and contemporary items. Nearby, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is held annually on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea on the Chelsea Embankment. The Royal Court Theatre, Serpentine Gallery, and an Everyman Cinema are close by, along with a host of green spaces like Brompton Cemetery (where Emmeline Pankhurst is buried), Battersea Park and Chelsea Physic Garden. St Luke's Gardens and Chelsea Green are also a short walk away along the King's Road.

The Chelsea Waterfront development is within easy reach and has been named "the biggest riverside development on the North Bank of the Thames". The development will bolster the immediate area with retail spaces, new homes, and a cycle track along the Thames.

Earls Court and Gloucester Road stations are both a 15 and 20-minute walk respectively, with access to the District, Piccadilly and Circle lines. The A4 provides quick access by car to Heathrow Airport (approximately 35 minutes) and the south-west of England. Parking permits are available to residents via the local authority, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Tenure: Share of Freehold
Underlying Lease Length: approx. 990 years remaining
Service Charge: approx. £1,250 pa
Ground Rent: n/a
Council Tax Band: E