Whether you’re in the market for a property or just fancy looking at some jazzy interiors, you’ll want to see this apartment in Chelsea, that’s up for sale for £975,000.
The one-bedroom flat, just next to Sloane Square, is in an iconic modernist block called Chesil Court, which was built in 1938 in an art deco style.
It used to belong to Harry Fowler, a newspaper boy who ended up being scouted by a Hollywood film studio in the 40s and became a national treasure.
That’s a cool fact, but don’t worry if you’re not a Fowler fan – the interiors are incredible in their own right.
While the flat has been refurbished, it has kept loads of its original features, such as an iron bath and a traditional Chesil Court clock.
The decor is pretty standout, with rainforest wallpaper in the bedroom, peacock blue silk curtains, and a silk leopard print carpet throughout.
It’d pain us to suggest redecorating, but if you did want to strip out all the snazzy bits, the base of the flat is decent too. It’s 568 sq ft, with a sizeable bedroom, a reception room, a kitchen, and a bathroom – so ideal for a singleton.
There’s a balcony, too, offering views over the communal gardens.
Location-wise, whoever buys the property will be close to Sloane Square station, Cheyne Gardens, and just a short walk from King’s Road and Battersea Park.
Its former owner, as we mentioned, was Harry Fowler, who appeared in TV and film for more than 60 years before his death in January 2012 at the age of 85.
Harry was best known for his part in The Army Game, after he was discovered by a film producer when he was a teenager newspaper seller living in London, who heard him talking on the local radio about life during the Blitz.
The producer was on the hunt for a local boy to star in a propaganda film, and Harry got the part.
After that he became a star, appearing in The Bill and Lawrence of Arabia.
In between all that he found the time to buy this Chesil Court flat.
If you fancy now buying that flat, you’ll need to front the £975,000 asking price as well as a £5,000 annual service charge.
Rupert Greig, Senior Associate Director at Strutt & Parker Chelsea, said: ‘Chesil Court, built in 1938, is one of the famous Art Deco blocks in this part of Chelsea of which there are a few.
‘If you’re looking for a safe lock up and leave, these blocks are perfect and seeing a resurgence in popularity. Swan Court just up towards the Kings Road is a bigger version of Chesil Court and has recently undergone a major overhaul to restore it to its former art deco glory; Chesil Court is undergoing a similar transformation at the moment.
‘The building sits within Old Chelsea at the bottom of Flood Street by Cheyne Walk.
‘A typical buyer of this sort of property will be looking for a secure pied-a-terre, somewhere for their children or just downsizing locally.
‘The vendors are creatives – he is a musician while she is a designer – and they’re now looking to upsize in the same area.
‘The artistic building has attracted an eclectic mix of residents over the years and retains a real sense of community, year round.
‘The current owners love the building, while the flat they occupy is the former home of actor Harry Fowler, the newspaper boy scouted by a Hollywood film studio in the 40s who later became a national treasure.
‘The property provides a fabulous mix of modernist architecture with an eclectic interior design.
‘There are original features including the iron bath with marble surround, radiator and fireplace, and additions such as the Crittall windows, fully upgraded galley kitchen and underfloor heating.’
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