Ford Square, London E1

This smart one-bedroom apartment occupies the second floor of an elegant converted Regency townhouse in the heart of Whitechapel. Set in the Ford Square Conservation Area, the building is characterised by its late Georgian symmetry, crisp cornices and large sash windows that look onto the square. Recently redecorated, a pared-back palette enhances the airy proportions of the space. Transport links are excellent: Whitechapel station is a 5-minute walk away and runs the Elizabeth, District and Hammersmith and City lines, as well as the Overground, which provides access to the DLR via Shadwell station.

Setting the Scene

Ford Square and the neighbouring Sidney Square were developed in the 1820s on the site of former fields owned by John Sidney Hawkins. The squares were built because of the incredible growth of the London Docks at the time. Ford Square is an elegant setting, surrounded by mature plane trees; this apartment lies within a handsome building on its eastern side.

The handsome red-brick façade is decorated with geometric Regency flourishes. Each of the three floors is punctuated by four large sash windows with keystones above and a French window at the centre. A wrought-iron balcony runs the length of the first floor, and a smart black door with a curved pediment marks the entrance to the former townhouse.

The Grand Tour

The apartment is set on the second floor, capturing natural light throughout the day across open green spaces to the front and allotments to the rear.

An open-plan living and dining room overlooks the recently replanted Ford Square through two large sash windows. Honey-toned floorboards run underfoot, with the eye drawn upward by smart cornicing, accentuating the room’s bright appeal. A 19th-century wrought-iron fireplace centres the space, and modern cast-iron radiators subtly introduce modern flair to the building’s period fabric. An adjoining kitchen has recently been refitted with streamlined units, integrated appliances and a white metro tile splashback.

The bedroom is at the back of the plan, where wide sash windows frame views towards Canary Wharf and peaceful allotment spaces immediately behind. Painted in ‘Stiffkey Blue’ by Farrow and Ball, the bedroom is a quiet, calming space with generous storage and far-reaching views. The bathroom has a bath with an overhead shower surrounded by white metro tiles and a chrome towel rail.

There is a handy walk-in hall closet for storage, as well as a substantial private storage space in the basement.

Out and About

The apartment looks out onto Ford Square, one of the largest public green spaces in the neighbourhood. It has recently been updated by the local council with new paving and lawn. Mature London plane trees surround its periphery, casting dappled light over borders filled with burgeoning rose shrubs, euphorbia and hydrangeas.

Its position in Whitechapel provides easy access to Shoreditch, Shadwell, Wapping and the River Thames. Favoured local amenities and attractions include Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane, riverside walks along the Thames, the Curzon cinema at Goodman’s Field and Wilton’s – London’s oldest surviving music hall – for drinks and special events. The Prospect of Whitby and Captain Kidd pubs in Wapping have outdoor terraces for waterside drinks, while the old Turks Head building has been transformed into a French restaurant, Bistro Bardot.

St Katherine’s Dock offers a further selection of good restaurants and bars, including local favourite coffee shop White Mulberries, the Yurt Café, plus a large branch of Waitrose. Wonderful parks are also located nearby, with the ancient Wapping Woods and King Edward IV Park (with outdoor tennis courts) both a short walk away while a short cycle to the north of Ford Square easily takes you to Broadway Market via London Fields and Victoria Park.

Transport links are excellent. Whitechapel station is a 5-minute walk from the apartment, where the Elizabeth Line connects to Bond Street in 10 minutes and Heathrow Airport in 38 minutes. From Shadwell, there are convenient links via the Windrush line, which runs on a south-east and north axis and the DLR which provides fast access to Canary Wharf and Greenwich. Cycle Superhighway 3 runs directly along Cable Street, connecting central London and Canary Wharf via a cycle-only pathway.

Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 85 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £1800 per annum
Ground Rent: Approx. n/a per annum
Council Tax Band: C