Prime central London is getting younger by the year, and property buyers are demanding more from their potential homes. Not only do they desire the latest technology, one-of-a-kind design, and luxurious features, consumers are looking for individuality and character is their residence.
London is home to a wealth of historic buildings, full of character, and many of these have been converted into unique family homes. Here are five of the strangest London has ever seen.
SECLUDED WATERFALL ON PRIVATE PATIO
You don’t get more individual than your own personal waterfall on a private patio. This grand residence exudes luxury, history, and charm. Formerly a house of worship, this church is the ultimate combination of characterful architecture and modern elegance. The 6,167 sq ft property in Kensington is packed with expensive features, including a private gym, colossal stone window arches, and an exquisite spiral staircase which glistens under the stained glass windows leading the way to the top floor.
The spacious four bedroom dwelling presents an entirely open plan ground floor, complemented with the original ceiling height stone pillars. The beautiful original red brick exterior is the final detail which brings this historic and modern house together to create an original home, most recently valued at £10 million.
BRINGING OUTDOORS INSIDE
This contemporary mews conversion is the epitome of quirkiness, with a remarkable view whichever way you look. Located in the Belsize Park district, the stables can be dated back as far as 1890, and Michael Nathenson most recently designed the conversion. The three bedroom mod house presents an upturned layout, with the bedrooms located on the ground floor and main living spaces upstairs.
Last sold for about £2.95 million, the 2,800 sq ft property is a perfect sun trap, with five feature skylights, and an entire window wall to absorb the light into the primary living space. The room is accented with a built-in aquarium and custom cut in-wall bookshelves. The focal point of the entire house is the green wall which runs the full height of the property and is covered entirely in ivy.
HANDCRAFTED DESIGN AT ITS BEST
Mount Row of Mayfair is famous for its Tudor style properties, and rightly so. Full of charm and luxury, these mews properties are cosy, spacious, and perfect for families looking for something to set them apart from the crowd. One of the two bedroom maisonettes claims boasting rights as the former stables of the Bishop of Salisbury’s horses, dating back to 1726.
Given a deluxe makeover in the late 1920’s, the property now offers a garage, traditional red brick facade, spacious interiors and carved woodwork throughout. Currently available on the property market through esteemed Mayfair estate agent, Wetherell, for £3.25 million, the fashionable family home contains two bedrooms, private roof terrace, high ceilings, feature skylights, and wooden flooring across three floors and 1,197 sq ft.
NINE FLOORS OVERLOOKING THE CAPITAL
Towering nine storeys high, this impressive water tower underwent a famous renovation which was featured in the 100th episode of the popular television show, Grand Designs, and was labelled a ‘showstopper’. The Victorian structure in Kennington was bought for £380,000 in 2011, before experiencing the £2 million transformation.
The Grade II listed building includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a roof terrace, two reception rooms, and the biggest sliding doors in Britain. The highlight of the property is the unusual, but creative, installation of a glass-walled living space around the entire tower, offering 360-degree views across the city and nicknamed ‘The Cube’. An additional focal point is the former 38,000 gallon water tank at the top of the tower, which is now the Prospect Room.
Additionally, the family home offers potential residents a private gym, garage, lift, parking and security. Last on the property market for £6.5 million, the asking price was reduced by almost £2 million to £4.75 million in 2016 and has since been removed from the market. However, it is available on Airbnb to rent a room should you wish to experience the luxury.
PRIVATE BRONZE & GLASS LIFT
The total embodiment of opulence resides within this luxurious church conversion, located in the heart of Knightsbridge. Described as one of the finest properties in London, by property developers Rigby & Rigby, this 11,500 square foot residence is offered to only the most affluent people on the private property market for an eye-watering £50 million.
Fully equipped with a 30 ft pool installed in the basement, seven bedrooms, private gym, 120-inch screen cinema room, gold leaf ceilings, exclusive mini spa, and impressive bronze and glass lift encased in the spiral staircase travelling four floors high, you could want for nothing more with this family home.
The Grade II listed building retains its original exterior and traditional floor to ceiling stone pillars in the open plan ground floor. Sold for £13.5 million in 2009 and renovated on a £10 million budget, the remarkable conversion boasts a property value of over double that today.
