Orwell Studios, Market Place, London W1

Perched high above central London, this light-filled duplex apartment sits within Orwell Studios, an impressive art deco building overlooking Oxford Street. It was completed in 1926 to a design by Herbert Austin Hall and is characterised by giant stone pilasters and beautiful bronze adornments at ground floor-level. Soho, Fitzrovia and Mayfair are all minutes away on foot.

The Building

This beautiful building was designed and built alongside its neighbour, the equally grand pilastered department store that forms the north-eastern edge of Oxford Circus. The pair exhibit many of the trademark art deco and neoclassical flourishes prevalent at the time, including ornate stonework, cavetto cornicing and powerful arched entranceways at street level. For more information, see the History section. 

The Tour

The apartment is accessed via Market Place, a quiet cluster of shops and cafés tucked behind Oxford Street. The building’s north-facing façade is just as impressive as its south-facing aspect, with stone pilasters, large sections of glazing, jutting ornamental cornicing and a trio of small balconies. Access is gained via an entrance lobby clad externally in bronze. A plaque commemorating George Orwell’s broadcasts from the building during the war sits to one side, while lifts provide access to all floors.

This sub-penthouse sits on the fourth floor and takes a largely open plan. Crittall-style windows frame incredible views across central London and draw in plenty of natural light to illuminate the recently renovated kitchen, living and dining spaces.

Black marble counters delineate the kitchen and form a breakfast bar. Integrated appliances include a Bosch induction hob and oven, a wine fridge and sleek black units; a mirrored panel further disperses brightness across this section of the plan. The living and dining areas adjoin and have wide-format engineered oak boards underfoot, as well as underfloor heating.

To one side of the dining area is a double bedroom, accessed from either the main rooms or the entrance hall. There are black-framed, glazed factory-style windows to the open-plan areas with bespoke fitted blinds for privacy, as well as built-in wardrobes. Opposite is a shower room and WC finished in smart black marble with brass fixtures.

A beautiful solid oak staircase with a glass balustrade ascends to the first floor. Here, the main bedroom is positioned above the open-plan quarters below, separated by a further row of black-framed, factory-style windows. This room is bright and spacious, and also has bespoke fitted blinds. Adjoining the main bedroom is a generous en suite bathroom, with twin sinks, a freestanding bath and a walk-in dressing room with plentiful bespoke wardrobes and storage spaces.

There is lift access across all floors and a concierge service.

The Area

Orwell Studios is located in the veritable heart of central London. Soho is less than five minutes’ walk from the front door and is home to a vast array of shops, restaurants, bars and galleries. Mayfair is slightly further afield and contains some of London’s finest hotels and restaurants, including Claridge’s and 45 Park Lane. Fitzrovia is a few minutes walk to the north, as is the vast open green space of Regent’s Park.

Marylebone Village meanders north from Oxford Street, where charming independent restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs are peppered amongst its Georgian architecture. At the north end, the lane becomes Marylebone High Street, home to an array of boutiques, grocers and restaurants, including The Conran Shop, La Fromagerie and Fischer’s Viennese restaurant. The offerings of Chiltern Street are close at hand, including the Chiltern Firehouse and Marylebone farmers’ market, which takes place each Sunday on Aybrook Street.

The apartment's location means that much of central London is accessible on foot, though Oxford Circus station (Victoria, Bakerloo and Central lines) is moments away for travel further afield.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 107 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. half yearly service charge £5,403
Ground Rent: Approx. half yearly ground rent £125
Council Tax Band: F