Martha's Buildings, Old Street, EC1V

Originally purchased as a shell in a former warehouse, the concept enjoys c. 1,450 sqft of internal, multifunctional space, which can be used flexibly if required, designed with the intention of oscillating between the roles of live and work. The project has received an abundance of media attention over the years, featuring in numerous editorial articles both within the UK press notably in The Independent on Sunday Review and The Times Magazine, and overseas including Slovakia, Bulgaria, Holland, Norway, Italy, Denmark and Chile. It has also been exemplified in multiple design publications and RIBA Sector Reviews. In addition, it has been the focus of several television programmes both in the UK and Japan. One of which was a competition by Channel 4 to find Britain’s Best Home in 2003, in which Unit 2 was awarded second place in the ‘apartment’ category of the series. Furthermore, the space has been selected as a location for film and photographic shoots.

Arranged over a split-level the property opens into an expansive, sunken reception space fitted with custom designed, modular furniture that creates a sense of fluid multi-functionality within the space; creating different environments depending on their current usage. The furniture set into the sunken level can be manipulated to produce varying seating arrangements; the corner storage units have reversible lids, timber/leather upholstered, doubling their role into table or chair. The backrests are independent of the bases, so accommodating any new layout is hassle free. The etched glass screen also serves as a dual aspect projector wall, a beautiful feature which divides the reception and entrance hallway. Full height sliding glazed doors open onto a balcony with adjacent landscape of green roofs and living wall.

Vertical partitions are kept to an absolute minimum and furthermore perform multiple roles in order to preserve the open visual field of the space, with the bespoke kitchen constructed from steel and glass perfectly complimenting the scheme, set on the raised level with ample space for a 10 seater dining table, perfect for entertaining. Lighting throughout the space is entirely bespoke and enables endless lighting conditions to create a variety of different ambience.

Large double bedrooms are housed at the front of the apartment and can be separated from the main space with an ingeniously designed pivoting door. The second bedroom has an en-suite shower and further benefits from a walk-in wardrobe. The principal bedroom has a large walk-in wardrobe, further low level storage ideally suited for shoes, and leads into a spectacular en-suite bathroom with a separate shower, stand-alone bathtub, and beautifully rendered vanity unit. Both bathrooms are clad in polished plaster with marble tiled shower enclosures. All sanitaryware throughout is Duravit Starck 1 and Axor Starck designed by Phillippe Starck. The principal bathroom is delineated by a layered glass wall, which with the variable play of light allows the gaze either to penetrate or be refused along its surface, reminiscent of standing behind a waterfall and offers total privacy for the bathroom whilst allowing ample light to flow into the space.

An exceptional apartment, rarely available on the open market that must be seen to be fully appreciated. The property is ideally located for access to the financial hub of the City, the technology centre of Old Street (Silicon Roundabout). The nightlife, bars restaurants, boutique shops and galleries of Hoxton, Shoreditch and Clerkenwell as well as the Barbican are all close by, giving a vast array of choice within a small geographical area. It should be noted that with work well under way on the construction in Farringdon, which is a future Crossrail hub, the property is suitably positioned to benefit from its completion, both in terms of additional transport links and the potential for future growth and investment.

Selling your property in Martha's Buildings? Trying to find your perfect home to buy? Register with Chestertons Islington to get the full picture from the experts in the Hoxton market.

Our China Desk is here for you, if Chinese is your preferred language, please get in touch via WeChat (S-ChestertonsAPAC)