The Old Bookbinders, London N1

Exacting in its attention to detail, this exquisite two-bedroom apartment occupies part of a former bookbinding workshop on the south side of leafy Barnsbury Square. The building's form is distinct from its 19th-century neighbours, with the semi-industrial bones of its former use evident in its warehouse proportions and generous glazing. Located within the Barnsbury Conservation Area, the apartment is a short walk from the restaurants, cafés and independent shops of Highbury and Angel.

The Square

Barnsbury Square began as the site of a medieval grange belonging to the Canons of St Paul’s. In the 19th century, the owner of the manor that stood on the land, William Tufnell, parcelled up the surrounding land for development by a variety of builders who mapped the squares, streets and crescents seen today.

The square, as it appears now, was largely developed as part of the Bishop Estate from 1834 onwards and is a mixture of preserved Victorian villas and sensitive modern additions. This building is an unusual but visually arresting outlier, built in the early 1900s. Its architectural language is distinctive and more industrial than its neighbours, but it shares in the same generous proportions.

The Tour

Located on the building's first floor, the apartment is reached via lift access. Its private front door opens to a central corridor with storage cupboards for tidying away shoes and coats.

A large open-plan kitchen, dining and living room unfolds across the southerly part of the plan. In this room, wide Crittall windows bathes the room in changing light across the day. Engineered wooden floors run throughout the entire space, which has been subtly delineated with 'zones' for relaxing, dining and cooking.

The kitchen is formed of mid-century inspired walnut veneer cabinetry and sleek, cool quartz worktops, and integrated appliances. Opposite, a dining space has been configured within a clever nook beneath a wide window. On the same wall, a glazed warehouse door opens to the south-facing terrace that runs the width of the room.

At the far end of the apartment are its two peaceful bedrooms. Both are finished with a serene neutral palette and have the same floorboards as the living spaces underfoot. An almost wall-to-wall window in the main bedroom draws the greenery of the leafy garden square in, along with a painterly north-facing light. Pristinely finished, the en suite bathroom that adjoins the room has a walk-in shower, a bathtub and elegant marble panelling.

A smaller room just off the corridor is currently used as walk-in wardrobe, though could make for a quiet study. There is also a second bathroom adjacent to this room, with rich sea green herringbone-laid wall tiles, chequerboard floor tiles and a luxurious walk-in shower, along with twin VitrA sinks and a heated towel rail.

Outdoor Space From the open-plan living spaces, double doors open to a south-facing terrace. There is plenty of room for table and chairs here, and its convenient placement just beyond the kitchen makes it great for entertaining in the warmer months.

The AreaBarnsbury Square is minutes from the boutiques, cafés and eateries of Upper Street. Here, outposts of Ottolenghi and Gail’s can be found, along with stalwarts the Almeida Theatre to The Old Red Lion Theatre and Pub. The delightful Compton Arms and the wonderful Union Chapel are a couple of minutes’ walk from the house.

Islington High Street and the excellent Camden Passage are also close by. The area has excellent gastropubs, including The Drapers Arms and The Albion. Corbin and King’s Bellanger is nearby on Islington Green.

The much-admired shops and restaurants of Highbury Barn are just north, through the green open space of Highbury Fields – which has tennis courts, a playground and a swimming pool. King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard are also within easy reach.Several quality schools and universities are within easy reach.

The area enjoys excellent access to public transport, including several main bus routes to the City and central London. The Victoria line at Highbury and Islington is a few minutes’ walk from the house, and the Northern line is available at Angel. The Eurostar at King’s Cross St Pancras is also easily accessible, as are London’s airports.

Tenure: Leasehold | Length of Lease: Approx. 250 years remaining | Service Charge: Approx. £1,500 - £2,500 per annum | Council Tax Band: F