1 bed Flat For Sale £450,000
Old School Court Drapers Road, London N17

Featuring charm and character across its two floors, this lovely one-bedroom duplex garden flat in a former Victorian schoolhouse feels light, welcoming and incredibly special. Originally constructed in 1848 and serving as The Drapers College for Boys in the Late Victorian period, the Grade II listed building was redesigned in 1998 to become Old School Court.

Situated near excellent transport links, independent coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants, the peaceful, well-maintained gated development offers an oasis of calm with a real community spirit. The schoolhouse is set behind original cast-iron gates and greets you with a fantastic London stock brick frontage finished by a gabled roof, detailed stone-arched windows, a weathervane-topped turret, and a grand entrance porch.

Arriving through the main double doors into the wide communal hallway, walk past a sweeping staircase to reach your private front door on the ground floor of the right-hand wing. Inside, the impressive open-plan living space is flooded with natural light from a tall double sash window with garden views. White walls and panelling to the incredibly high ceiling give it an airy, almost loft-like feel. Original tongue-and-groove panelling around the room echoes that on the ceiling, and richly-hued original floorboards underfoot bring warmth.

The original features are complemented by the simple, clean lines of the modern kitchen, installed in 2021. Matt white slab-fronted units are brought to life by a fabulous Diespeker terrazzo quartz worktop, which is complemented by a white tiled splashback with contrasting dark grout.

There is a large Belfast ceramic sink by Shaws of Darwen with a black mixer tap, a Bertazzoni Master range cooker with a four-ring gas hob, an integrated dishwasher and washing machine, and a freestanding fridge freezer which could stay. The boiler is also housed to one side.

Other details include plenty of useful open shelving, peg-style hooks, and a Verner Panton flowerpot pendant light in Beige Red. Beyond, a column-style radiator warms a living area with ample space for separate working, dining and relaxation zones.

Framed by baton-style bannisters, matt black-painted stairs lead down to green-painted floorboards, which flow throughout the lower ground floor. These add a pop of colour to the white walls and provide a visual link with the greenery outside.

Ahead, you’ll find a brilliantly useful walk-in wardrobe, currently used as a home office and crafting space.

Before entering the bathroom, you’ll notice a built-in airing cupboard offering practical storage space. Continuing into the room, white wall tiles pair with monochrome chequerboard floor tiles, backdropping a bath with a telephone-style shower, a pedestal basin with traditional chrome taps and a close-coupled loo.

The bedroom is beyond – a calm and private space looking out onto the garden through French doors fitted with white wooden Venetian blinds. Further tongue-and-groove panelling encircles the white walls in a nod to that seen upstairs. There’s also a central pendant light, a modern radiator, and a roomy double built-in wardrobe.

Outside, the split-level private garden extends to over 17ft and enjoys the morning and evening sun for several hours each day. From the bedroom, a private slabbed patio has space for pot plants and seating and a matt black storage shed.

Stairs lead to the upper section, where stepping stones invite you through a leafy oasis planted with St John’s wort, ferns, Japanese acers, evergreen honeysuckle, campanula, poppies, foxgloves, euphorbia, laurel and pieris; many of which change colour with the seasons.

In addition, the quiet, well-maintained communal courtyard at the rear of the schoolhouse brings neighbours together. It is dotted with passionflower and blossoming trees, communal herb and vegetable gardens and a barbecue area. Through tall, electric gates, a large car park wraps around the main building and comes with an off-road allocated parking space.

A NOTE FROM THE OWNER

‘Old School Court is a special building, and visitors always remark that it must have been a happy school. I love buildings with history and character, and it’s a little oasis tucked away. This was my first home, and now, after 20 years, it’s sad to say goodbye, but I'm sure whoever takes over will love it and feel as much at home as I have.’

IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Draper’s Road is ideally situated in a thriving neighbourhood, with newly emerging establishments alongside well-established pubs, bars and restaurants. The current owner recommends the cosy High Cross pub at the end of the road, which does a great Sunday roast, and The Beehive, with its large beer garden, friendly staff, and a great atmosphere on match days, which is a five-minute walk.

Other local favourites include The Palm; the Bluecoats; Table 13 and Mother Kelly's, along with True Craft on West Green Road for fantastic pizza; Pasero restaurant for small plates and cocktails; Chuku's for Nigerian tapas; and With Milk (around a 10-minute walk) – serving amazing coffee roasted by Perky Blenders. A new independent cinema is also planned for the area.

Tottenham Marshes is nearby and ideal for running, cycling or dog walks. From here, you can also walk to the canal at Tottenham Hale (about 15 mins) and along to Hackney Marshes via Stoke Newington.

Well-connected for transport, the Tottenham Hale and Seven Sisters Underground stations on the Victoria line are just a 15 and 16-minute walk away, respectively, whizzing you into central London within 15 minutes. Alternatively, Bruce Grove station is 7 minutes on foot, taking you to London Liverpool St in just over 20 minutes.

While getting to cultural hotspots is easy, if you're looking for local entertainment, Stoke Newington and Islington are a short bus ride away. You’re also just 20 minutes from Dalston, Hackney, London Fields, and the thriving scene around Mare Street.

Nearby schools include Bruce Grove Primary (8 mins) and The Mulberry Primary School (12 mins), both Ofsted-rated ‘Good’, and Harris Academy Tottenham (14 mins), an ‘Outstanding'-rated secondary.