Massie Road, London E8

This incredibly bright three-bedroom house is nestled along a quiet no-through road between Dalston, London Fields and the open expanse of Hackney Downs. It is one of two modern and cleverly integrated houses created by Hardcastle Architects on a site where four disused garages formerly stood. It sits over three levels and has a convivial open-plan living space as well as a first-floor balcony and lightwells at the front and rear. Designed with eco-conscious principles in mind, the house has a series of photovoltaic roof panels that provide much of its energy.

The Tour

Sited on Massie Road, the house is close to the buzz of the surrounding area yet tucked down a peaceful residential street. Its profile is decidedly contemporary with stepped geometric forms, deep grey brick and wide panels of glazing. The house sits behind a gate, and opens to a porch with space for shoes and coats?

From here, the open-plan living spaces unfold; engineered oak spreads out underfoot, while the walls are finished in a brightness-enhancing white. Light enters through a tall window at the front and from a lightwell at the rear. The space is brilliantly flexible; a sitting area is presently at the fore with a dining space behind, but its open feel lends well to different configurations.

A kitchen - left open to the rest of the room - is at the rear, its U-shaped white cabinetry set beneath a deep roof light. Contrasting dark worktops provide preparation space and there is a Smeg oven and a fridge/freezer.

At the core of the house is a plywood staircase with a gold motif along its grey-painted banister. The first of the house's three bedrooms lies upstairs and is presently used as a peaceful study. Sliding glazed doors open the room to a balcony with timber decking and larch cladding.

Downstairs, accessed via a second staircase, are the remaining two bedrooms. Both have generous glazing to the paved lightwells. There is also a utility cupboard on this level, and a beautifully designed family bathroom with contrasting blue and mustard metro tiles.

Outdoor Space

Lightwells extend from the front and rear of the house, providing a space for outdoor seating and/or potted plants. From the first floor is a larger balcony with room a bistro table and chairs.

The Area

The house is very well located between Dalston Junction and Hackney Central. Wilton Way, which runs adjacent, has a growing number of excellent independent shops, cafés and restaurants, most notably Violet and Pidgin, and a number of good pubs including the Spurstowe and the Prince George.

Massie Road is also a short walk from the cafés, bars, restaurants and weekly market on Broadway Market and the open spaces of London Fields and its perennially popular heated Lido.

There are many fantastic cafés and restaurants locally, notably Pophams and Lardo on Richmond Road, Little Duck The Picklery and Angelina on Dalston Lane, Elliot’s on Mare Street, and Pidgin and Violet on Wilton Way. E5 Bakehouse, on the edge of London Fields, is excellent for freshly baked artisan bread and grains.

Kingsland Road is a short walk away and is the site of popular spots including Brilliant Corners, The Jago and The Dusty Knuckle. The Talbot and The Spurstowe Arms are among local favourite pubs.

There are plenty of schooling options nearby, including Gayhurst and London Fields primary schools.

Dalston Junction station is a nine-minute walk from the house and provides Windrush line services towards Highbury & Islington, Shoreditch High Street, Whitechapel and south-east London. London Fields station is a 13-minute walk away and provides a quick route, via the Weaver line, to Liverpool Street.

Council Tax Band: D