Greatwood III
London BR7
Architect: Norman Starrett
Register for similar homes"Greatwood is a small development of 19 houses, all designed by Starrett in a style he called the ‘H2 Design’."
Designed by the acclaimed architect Norman Starrett in 1966, this large townhouse is located on Greatwood, a quiet cul-de-sac in Chislehurst. Arranged over three storeys, the four-bedroom house offers generously proportioned, light-filled accommodation, most notably in the open-plan living, kitchen and dining areas which occupy the entire first floor.
Greatwood is a small development of 19 houses, all designed by Starrett in a style he called the ‘H2 Design’. The houses are arranged in small groups of staggered terraces to give maximum privacy. Located in a quiet setting away from the main road, Greatwood retains a private and tranquil atmosphere.
This particular house is positioned at the end of the terrace. Many original features have been preserved, including exposed brickwork at ground level, douglas fir ceiling cladding and beautiful narrow floorboards on the first floor. The house has a garden which is landscaped into three terraces, as well as a garage and parking space for one car. There are additional visitor parking spaces in the estate.
Greatwood is 15 minutes’ walk from the high street of Chislehurst and 25 minutes from Royal Parade, both of which boast a wide range of independent shops, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. It is also 12 minutes’ walk from Elmstead Woods (Zone 4) train station. Journey times are from 15 minutes to London Bridge and 25 minutes to Charing Cross. European train travel is possible from nearby Ebbsfleet International (a 25-minute drive). The M25 and M20 are within 15 minutes’ drive.
The area is particularly well-served for both primary and grammar schools. The local recreation ground is a five-minute walk, with larger green open spaces at Chislehurst Commons.
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.
History
In 1966, Norman Starrett was an ambitious young architect who had learned his trade working in the practice of renowned Modern architects Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew. In Hyndewood, he was lucky enough to find a development company that shared his progressive ideas. Together they wanted to see housing in the UK keep pace with architectural advances in Scandinavia, America and elsewhere.
The development is one of a small number in the Southeast London area designed by Starrett for Hyndewood, a development company that is perhaps only rivalled by Span in the postwar era for the quality of its housing. The development was given a Civic Design Award in the 1960s, and the architecture and setting of Greatwood have been recently protected by a local listing. Sir Nikolaus Pevsner also singled out the development for praise in his celebrated Buildings of England series as, “one of the lamentably few good new developments in Chislehurst.”
