In a city as architecturally diverse as London, it’s no surprise to see buildings of all kinds repurposed into homes. And what often sets them apart is the quirky details that remain – remnants of bygone styles, or relics of the city’s industrial past.
We’ve scoured the market for 6 of the most unusual properties on offer in the capital right now.
Haydon Way, Wandsworth, £1.4m
A contemporary artist and painter oversaw the conversion of this former Victorian laundry, incorporating a double-height painting studio alongside the home’s living spaces. The other rooms are no less dramatic, including an all-white bathroom lit with a porthole window and huge skylights, and two bedrooms tucked into the sloping roof.
Pembridge Villas, Notting Hill, £5.95m
Evenings spent in front of the telly will take on a dramatic twist inside this Gianni Botsford-designed Notting Hill home, which sweeps up and into a spiralling timber oculus. Wood and glass interiors focus the eye on the London property’s unusual ceiling, while copper surfaces bring a touch of soft industrialism to the pared-back space. Outside, a Japanese garden offers a zen spot to sit and relax. See more.
Archway Studios, Southward, £960,000
Undercurrent Architects designed this billowing, Corten-steel clad home which slots in around a Victorian viaduct in south London. Inside are cavernous curbing rooms where light is maximised via an all-white colour scheme and a glass atrium which funnels light into the main living room. See inside.
Powis Mews, Notting Hill, £8.5m
It’s a spartan futuristic affair inside designer Ross Lovegrove’s Notting Hill home. A ground floor workspace connects to three upstairs bedrooms, via a spiralling spine-like staircase, while a private roof terrace sits above that. Many of the elements of the house are bespoke and designed by Lovegrove himself. The London property has been off and on the market a number of times over the last few years, seeking a buyer that will appreciate its unorthodox bones as much as the Lovegroves – perhaps 2019 will be its lucky year.
Globe Wharf, Rotherhithe, £1.95m
Globe Wharf is a former granary dates back to the late 1800s and is now home to a set of warehouse apartments. This penthouse, for sale via Warehouse Home, has a balcony and dual terraces meaning there’s plenty of space to enjoy views over the River Thames. Those looking for an unusual alternative to London’s crop of new builds will enjoy the red crane that’s still mounted to the front of the building, the abundance of original warehouse features and particularly this penthouse’s rooftop ‘tower’ where an extra bedroom and study are tucked away.
Blenheim Gardens, Lambeth, £2.1m
Spot the telltale signs of this Brixton building’s past as a chapel, not least its soaring ceilings and huge open-plan living space, where a mezzanine library is reached, pulpit-style, from a spiral staircase. Interiors have a maximalist vibe thanks to built-in cabinetry, layered furnishings and textured woods, but walls and plants quieten things down. The three-bedroom London property also has a courtyard garden, cocooned from the busy street thanks to high walls and lots of greenery.
Dusky Parakeet, St Katharine Docks, £290,000
Life on the water doesn’t get more minimal than on this 60-ft-long canal boat, designed by 31/44 Architects. No detail has been skimped, with bespoke elements throughout including worktops made from recycled yoghurt tops and steps and seats with hidden storage. Solar panels mean you go can go off-grid with the houseboat. Get a closer look.
The Old Aeroworks, Marylebone, £3.45m
You’d expect architect Terry Farrell’s home to be an impressive sight, and this Marylebone penthouse doesn’t disappoint. Its former life as a Spitfire gun factory is reflected in its interiors, which feature steel joists, corrugated steel, and a ceiling hung with replica fighter planes.
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