High above Victoria – with views north to the BT Tower and south to Battersea Power Station – the Nova Building, a smooth residential block designed by London-based practice Benson + Forsyth LLP Architects has launched its crowning jewel, the duplex penthouse. Featuring interior design by FLINT, the team that worked on interiors across the building, the penthouse received an exclusive interior styling by Bowler James Brindley.
Completed in 2017, the Nova Building runs along Buckingham Palace road from Victoria station down towards Buckingham Palace Gardens and is the last piece in a larger 22 acre redevelopment by UK developer Landsec. The rectilinear façade, framed with bright fins in primary colours and constructed of portland stone, is a worthy neighbour to its Belgravia peers and although the building holds 170 apartments it is compartmentalised into several mansion blocks along the street.
While drawing on the cultural heritage of London architecture, the building holds all the modern amenities of any luxury residential building including a cinema, gym, rooftop gardens and a sleek residents lounge.
The open plan dining and living room at the heart of the penthouse apartment
The penthouse has been decked by design team Lucy Southall, Ian Bayliss and Stephen Crawley, all co-founders of Bowler James Brindley. They were inspired by the ‘modernist ideology of the 1960s and 70s’, the era that also informed the architectural design of the building, and the cultural scene of the period. Their mood board featured icons such as Le Corbusier, Verner Panton, The Rolling Stones and Twiggy.
The four-bedroom apartment occupying the 13th and 14th floors of the highest mansion block is a convivial capsule for social soirées and endless entertaining. An open plan reception area leads into a comfortable snug, opening up the first view of the leafy Belgravia surroundings. Rosewood panelling – an addition by Bowler James Brindley – softly conceals entry to the master suite and a FLINT-designed, wide oak stairway leads upwards to the party.
On the second level the open plan living, dining and bar area features bold furniture choices and strong graphics from Bowler James Brindley, which anchor the apartment within a moment of audacious living. Two brushed brass hoop chairs, upholstered in bright red Kvadrat wool, by Lee Broom hang by the floor to ceiling windows: ‘The circular motifs of these swinging pieces are bold and uninhibited representing the spirit of the 60s period perfectly whilst their clean lines retain a place in contemporary London,’ say the team.
The master suite balcony with views towards Buckingham Palace
Another cultural lynch pin of the space is a photograph of Alexandra Bastedo by John D Green from the mid-sixties – known for being used on the cover of The Smiths Rank album in 1988. A drum kit at the foot of the stairs is another hint that the apartment’s new occupant has musical inclinations.
Bowler James Brindley describes the interior palette as ‘liberal’ and ‘eclectic’: ‘Our intention was to awaken the senses with a bold and unapologetic play on colour and texture.’ Moving and shaking through the space, materials offer new sensations for all types of activity – at any level, whether you’re on the leather lined freestanding cocktail bar, up against the polished rosewood veneers, horizontal on sky-blue velvet and or pinned down into the deep pile carpets.
One level up again, and you’ll find yourself on the expansive terrace where 360-degree views will serve you up a sunset (or a sunrise even) over the city.
