Live in a Rural Idyll With a London Address

Totteridge Common is one of London’s most fiercely protected conservation areas, boasting an ancient parish Church with one of the country’s oldest living things, a stately 2000 year old yew tree, which is still thriving in the churchyard.

Very rarely does a substantial piece of quality land come to the market in Totteridge. Octagon, a locally based company acquired such a plot, on which they have painstakingly created a large detached residence, with exterior details inspired by the original dwelling on the site.

Set in three acres of private, landscaped grounds on Totteridge Common, the new home has over 200 metres of frontage and is accessed by two gated entrances which are video controlled from the house. The stately main entrance is reached by a long gravel bonded driveway which meanders through exquisitely landscaped grounds. The other gated entrance leads to an open paved courtyard and into the integral four car garage, through which the main house can be accessed.

Richard Galland, Octagon’s Regional Director, who has overseen the entire construction since the initial purchase of the site, explained to Country Life Magazine’s Penny Churchill,

“The original unlisted building was a fairly ordinary Italianate Victorian house, built in the 1850’s and extended over the years with little or no coherent planning. But rather than replace it with a modern house, which we were quite at liberty to do, as we liked the Italianate style, we decided to create an elegant but practical family house with the style and grandeur of a Victorian mansion“.

Heritage expert architects Agora were engaged to design the new house exterior incorporating the original dwelling’s flamboyant Romanesque style. Whilst inside, the 15,000 sq ft of living space, decorated and furnished by Rachel Beckett of R Interiors, features a number of fine period-style details combined with the latest 21st century comforts. The result is a truly luxurious and deceptively easy to run house, perfect for both grand entertaining and relaxed family living.

The spectacular double height main hall with classic marble floor is flooded with natural light from the full height south-facing windows. A wide elegant corridor leads directly from the entrance to some beautifully-proportioned living spaces, namely the drawing room, dining room, family room and library.

Extending from the family room is the kitchen, with bespoke painted cabinetry, a hidden walk in pantry, dumb waiter and impressive range of built-in Wolf and Gaggenau appliances.

As well as the large island breakfast bar there is an informal dining area. This is another light-filled room, with an added touch of drama, because along with wide fully retractable glazed doors opening onto the garden terrace, it has an entire internal glass wall with direct views onto the indoor swimming pool and gym.

The very comprehensive spa and leisure suite consists of a 10 metre pool, steam room and changing room with shower, and is accessed from a dramatic glass ‘bridge’ running over the pool . Adjoining the pool complex is a fully-fitted gymnasium and magnificent games room.

Upstairs on the first floor are 5 sumptuous bedroom suites, all with bespoke fitted wardrobes. The Master Bedroom Suite goes one stage further, having both a spectacular bathroom clad in exquisite book-matched Calacata marble, and a polished mahogany cupboard lined walk-in dressing room. A further flight of stairs leads into the top of the tower, the perfect lookout post with three viewing windows and an extended roof space, ideal as an office or studio eyrie.

Above the four car garage is a self contained spacious two bedroom apartment. Depending on the household, the apartment would make excellent staff accommodation or granny annexe.

Down to the lower ground floor, more treats beckon, namely a magnificent wine cellar with comfortable tasting area, plus a fourteen seater cinema room. This is where residents and their guests can sit back in their electrically-controlled reclining seats to enjoy a movie great on the giant 10 foot wide screen. During the screening and for post film discussions, refreshments can be served from the cinema’s own fully-stocked cocktail bar. Also on this level is a secondary catering kitchen fitted out with commercial stainless steel appliances and linked to the upper level kitchen by a dumb waiter, this is a necessary addition for serious entertainers taking on a house of this size.

Outside, the gardens are arranged into three separate areas of lawn and woodland, with extensive wide sheltered slate paved terraces flanking the rear of the house.

This once in a lifetime house, 48 Totteridge Common, is available to view through appointed agents Statons telephone 020 8445 3694.