House For Sale £1,650,000
This exceptional three-bedroom house forms part of Aquarius, a beautiful collection of Modernist houses built in 1975 on Eel Pie Island, in the middle of the river Thames at Twickenham. The house is configured across two expansive floors, with a private garden stretching down to the Thames at the rear. Originally designed by Anglo-Swedish architect Robert Stille, this particular house was extended in recent years, creating an expansive open-plan ground floor. A combination of Modernist aesthetics, idyllic riverside setting and an illustrious cultural history, results in this truly rare and charming island community, just under half an hour from central London.
The Estate
Aquarius occupies the sit of the former Eel Pie Island Hotel. Originally built in 1830, the hotel became a legendary venue for jazz, rock, and rhythm and blues bands during the 1950s and 60s. The hotel became infamous for its sprung dance floor and the raucous nature of gigs held there by The Rolling Stones and David Bowie.
After the hotel tragically burnt down in the 1970s, architect Bo Gunnar Robert Stille was commissioned to develop a scheme. Drawing on the principles of Scandinavian modernist housing, Stille initially drew plans for a high-Modern, almost Corbusian, series of two-storey houses with sweeping roof terraces, before eventually favouring more restrained light-grey brick elevations, oriented towards the sun and the water, all set within beautiful communal gardens leading down to the river.
The Tour
Aquarius is accessed via footbridge from Twickenham. The island contains a mixture of residential houses and boats, a working boatyard, artists’ studios and nature reserves. A bucolic footpath leads past private houses and Richmond Rowing Club, to Aquarius itself.
The house sits in the middle of its terrace, within a gated communal garden filled with mature plants and trees. Upon entry, the grand internal proportions of the house become immediately apparent. Five finger oak parquet runs underfoot, leading the eye uninterrupted from the front of the house, all the way through the plan to the garden and the river, to the south.
To one side of the entrance hall there is a guest WC with a Barbican sink. Opposite is a generously sized office, accessed via pocket door from the kitchen. It has a long window which looks out over the shared gardens, along Aquarius’s northern aspect. The kitchen is sleek and simple, formed of white units with an induction hob and integrated Siemens appliances.
The more recent extension houses a wonderful flowing dining and living room. A linear skylight draws light into the plan over the breakfast bar, while a white steel pillar punctuates these spaces, before a full height set of folding glazed doors open out to the house’s private garden. Beneath the stairs there is a significant amount of storage space
The staircase to the first floor retains its original hardwood balustrade and is bathed in natural light, care of a large skylight overhead. The flow of natural light is accentuated by a glass balustrade which runs the length of the first floor landing.
Perhaps the most impressive space on this floor is the main en suite bedroom. It has a grey anti-allergenic linoleum floor leading out, via glazed doors, to a private balcony and terrace overlooking the garden and the river below. This grand room was formerly two bedrooms and now accommodates a study area to one side. The en-suite shower room is fitted in minimalist grey tiles and has a further skylight and good amounts of storage space.
The remainder of this floor comprises two further double bedrooms, each with built-in wardrobes, and a family bathroom. The bathroom has grey limestone tiles and full-sized bath. There is also a convenient utility space on this floor with ample space for a washer and dryer and laundry.
Outdoor Space
Aquarius is set within communal gardens along its northern aspect and each house has a private garden oriented to the south. The communal gardens at the front of the estate are gated and open out to well kept lawns lined with mature plants and shrubs including numerous willow, birch and oak trees. The gardens were an integral part of the estate’s design and as such, each house has its own designated garden shed.
The house’s private garden has a decked area perfect for dining outside in the warmer months, or for a morning coffee year round. The deck steps down to a gently sloping lawn lined with beautifully maintained borders. The current owners have set up a seating area, partially shaded by the branches of a tree, with views over the water towards the neighbouring National Trust woodland of Ham House and Gardens.
There is potential to moor your own boat at the end of the garden (subject to planning permission for a pontoon and a licence from the Port of London Authority which many Aquarius houses already have). In addition to this, each house in Aquarius has designated dry storage space for small river craft within the estate.
Eel Pie Island can only be accessed by footbridge from the banks of the Thames at Twickenham. As such, each resident of Aquarius is able to apply for a residents parking permit in a designated parking area on the mainland.
The Area
Eel Pie Island sits in the middle of the Thames river. Twickenham lies to the north and the National Trust woodland at Ham House and Gardens lies to the south.
The island is privately owned and formed largely of private residences, which have formed over time a tight knit community reflective of the island’s bohemian history. Alongside the houses, there is a working boat yard and The Richmond Yacht Club, an ironically named establishment which, alongside nautical pursuits, functions as a community centre with yoga classes, seasonal fairs and occasional local events.
The centre of Twickenham can be accessed on foot in less than five minutes. It has a vast array of shops, cafes and restaurants including a large Waitrose, Marks and Spencer and Waterstones bookshop.
Water Lane and Bell Lane lead directly from the footbridge to Church Lane, a delightful thoroughfare of charming cafes, bars and restaurants, including local favourite Osteria Pulcinella a laidback Italian restaurant. There is also a Gail’s for morning coffee, bread and pastries.
There are numerous green spaces within easy reach and a number of riverside walks are available, taking in the previously mentioned Ham House on the southern bank of the Thames, or the beautiful York House and gardens along the north bank.
Twickenham Station is less than ten minutes’ walk from the house and runs national rail services to London Waterloo in under half an hour.
Tenure: Leasehold with Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 958 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £1,400 per annum including management charges, cleaning services, a provision for the sinking fund, and communal garden maintenance. (An additional contribution of £22 per month is paid by residents for maintenance of the footbridge to the mainland).
The Estate
Aquarius occupies the sit of the former Eel Pie Island Hotel. Originally built in 1830, the hotel became a legendary venue for jazz, rock, and rhythm and blues bands during the 1950s and 60s. The hotel became infamous for its sprung dance floor and the raucous nature of gigs held there by The Rolling Stones and David Bowie.
After the hotel tragically burnt down in the 1970s, architect Bo Gunnar Robert Stille was commissioned to develop a scheme. Drawing on the principles of Scandinavian modernist housing, Stille initially drew plans for a high-Modern, almost Corbusian, series of two-storey houses with sweeping roof terraces, before eventually favouring more restrained light-grey brick elevations, oriented towards the sun and the water, all set within beautiful communal gardens leading down to the river.
The Tour
Aquarius is accessed via footbridge from Twickenham. The island contains a mixture of residential houses and boats, a working boatyard, artists’ studios and nature reserves. A bucolic footpath leads past private houses and Richmond Rowing Club, to Aquarius itself.
The house sits in the middle of its terrace, within a gated communal garden filled with mature plants and trees. Upon entry, the grand internal proportions of the house become immediately apparent. Five finger oak parquet runs underfoot, leading the eye uninterrupted from the front of the house, all the way through the plan to the garden and the river, to the south.
To one side of the entrance hall there is a guest WC with a Barbican sink. Opposite is a generously sized office, accessed via pocket door from the kitchen. It has a long window which looks out over the shared gardens, along Aquarius’s northern aspect. The kitchen is sleek and simple, formed of white units with an induction hob and integrated Siemens appliances.
The more recent extension houses a wonderful flowing dining and living room. A linear skylight draws light into the plan over the breakfast bar, while a white steel pillar punctuates these spaces, before a full height set of folding glazed doors open out to the house’s private garden. Beneath the stairs there is a significant amount of storage space
The staircase to the first floor retains its original hardwood balustrade and is bathed in natural light, care of a large skylight overhead. The flow of natural light is accentuated by a glass balustrade which runs the length of the first floor landing.
Perhaps the most impressive space on this floor is the main en suite bedroom. It has a grey anti-allergenic linoleum floor leading out, via glazed doors, to a private balcony and terrace overlooking the garden and the river below. This grand room was formerly two bedrooms and now accommodates a study area to one side. The en-suite shower room is fitted in minimalist grey tiles and has a further skylight and good amounts of storage space.
The remainder of this floor comprises two further double bedrooms, each with built-in wardrobes, and a family bathroom. The bathroom has grey limestone tiles and full-sized bath. There is also a convenient utility space on this floor with ample space for a washer and dryer and laundry.
Outdoor Space
Aquarius is set within communal gardens along its northern aspect and each house has a private garden oriented to the south. The communal gardens at the front of the estate are gated and open out to well kept lawns lined with mature plants and shrubs including numerous willow, birch and oak trees. The gardens were an integral part of the estate’s design and as such, each house has its own designated garden shed.
The house’s private garden has a decked area perfect for dining outside in the warmer months, or for a morning coffee year round. The deck steps down to a gently sloping lawn lined with beautifully maintained borders. The current owners have set up a seating area, partially shaded by the branches of a tree, with views over the water towards the neighbouring National Trust woodland of Ham House and Gardens.
There is potential to moor your own boat at the end of the garden (subject to planning permission for a pontoon and a licence from the Port of London Authority which many Aquarius houses already have). In addition to this, each house in Aquarius has designated dry storage space for small river craft within the estate.
Eel Pie Island can only be accessed by footbridge from the banks of the Thames at Twickenham. As such, each resident of Aquarius is able to apply for a residents parking permit in a designated parking area on the mainland.
The Area
Eel Pie Island sits in the middle of the Thames river. Twickenham lies to the north and the National Trust woodland at Ham House and Gardens lies to the south.
The island is privately owned and formed largely of private residences, which have formed over time a tight knit community reflective of the island’s bohemian history. Alongside the houses, there is a working boat yard and The Richmond Yacht Club, an ironically named establishment which, alongside nautical pursuits, functions as a community centre with yoga classes, seasonal fairs and occasional local events.
The centre of Twickenham can be accessed on foot in less than five minutes. It has a vast array of shops, cafes and restaurants including a large Waitrose, Marks and Spencer and Waterstones bookshop.
Water Lane and Bell Lane lead directly from the footbridge to Church Lane, a delightful thoroughfare of charming cafes, bars and restaurants, including local favourite Osteria Pulcinella a laidback Italian restaurant. There is also a Gail’s for morning coffee, bread and pastries.
There are numerous green spaces within easy reach and a number of riverside walks are available, taking in the previously mentioned Ham House on the southern bank of the Thames, or the beautiful York House and gardens along the north bank.
Twickenham Station is less than ten minutes’ walk from the house and runs national rail services to London Waterloo in under half an hour.
Tenure: Leasehold with Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 958 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £1,400 per annum including management charges, cleaning services, a provision for the sinking fund, and communal garden maintenance. (An additional contribution of £22 per month is paid by residents for maintenance of the footbridge to the mainland).
