Highbury Hill II, London N5

Sitting on the top floor of a handsome, semi-detached Victorian villa, this exquisite two-bedroom apartment is nestled in a coveted pocket of Islington. Its renovation was executed to an impeccable finish by renowned British architect Paul Archer. Sliding doors, high ceilings, and expansive glazing enhance the flow of movement and light throughout. In addition to a private roof terrace, the apartment has access to a communal garden.



The Architect



Established in 1999, Paul Archer Design is an award-winning practice based in London, with over two decades of experience in the private residential sector. Acclaimed for its pursuit of a modernist aesthetic with sustainability at the forefront, the practice has successfully both reimagined numerous period buildings and designed beautiful new homes.



The Tour



The building sits on a quiet, leafy street lined with tall Victorian villas. This building's brick façade rises across three storeys, with sash windows and stuccoed mouldings. Framed by a low wall and trimmed hedging, a wrought-iron gate opens to the paved front garden.



A short flight of steps leads to a striking yellow front door. Inside is a well-maintained communal entrance hall, where stairs lead to the apartment's second-floor entrance.



Entry is to a central hall, with the open-plan kitchen, dining and reception room on the left. Here, three large west-facing sash windows draw in an abundance of natural light and capture panoramic views over the London roofscape.



Set against crisp white walls, ebony-stained bespoke units- topped with complementary black stone worktops -create a bold contrast, and are anchored by a sleek Mercury range cooker and chrome fittings. A large island affords additional space for food storage and preparation. Adjacent is a generous dining area and ample space to sit, relax, and entertain.



At the opposite end of the apartment is a spacious east-facing double bedroom, with views over the shared garden. White-painted shutters frame sash windows. There is an attached nursery, which would also work well as a quiet study, as well as an additional room currently used as a dressing room. The en suite bathroom has a walk-in shower, and decorative Moroccan tiles run underfoot.



There is also a shared bathroom with a freestanding bathtub on this floor, accessible from the entrance hall. Alongside are handy storage cupboards.



A sculptural open-tread staircase casts modelled shadows against the abutting walls and leads to a versatile, light-filled mezzanine. This space is currently used as a sitting room and is equally suitable as a quiet working space or an additional double bedroom. From here, a set of bifold glazed doors unfolds onto a spacious roof terrace, and storage space has been cleverly built into the eaves.



Outdoor Space



Decorative floral-patterned tiles adorn the wall of the generous roof terrace. East-facing, this is a beautiful spot for morning coffees and evening drinks. Views stretch to Alexandra Palace and Finsbury Park.



Residents have access to a leafy shared garden at the rear of the building. Its carefully maintained lawn is perfect for picnics during the warmer months.



The Area



Highbury Hill is a sought-after, leafy road in a low-traffic zone at the northern edge of Highbury Fields. It is well served by public transport and ideally positioned for easy access to Islington’s wide array of independent shops, restaurants, and cafés.



For green spaces, Highbury Fields is a short five-minute walk away with tennis courts, a playground, and a swimming pool. Clissold Park is also close by. Highbury Barn is around the corner, home to a wonderful butcher, deli and the excellent cheese shop, La Fromagerie.



Upper Street is a 20-minute stroll south, offering an abundance of amenities, from Ottolenghi to Gail’s, the Almeida Theatre to The Old Red Lion Theatre & Pub. For art, the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art is only a short walk away. Third Space is a fitness and wellness centre with a 20-metre pool and spa.



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



There are excellent schooling options in the area. Primary schools include Ambler Primary School and Children’s Centre and Gillespie Primary School. A little further afield, the independent St Paul’s Steiner School is also within easy reach. St Mary Magdalene Academy, Highbury Fields School and The London Screen Academy are also close.



The house is exceptionally well-connected by public transport. Drayton Park rail station is a five-minute walk away, with fast connections to Moorgate. Arsenal Underground station is a nine-minute walk away, with the Piccadilly line running services to King’s Cross in five minutes and Heathrow Airport in just over an hour. Highbury & Islington station is only slightly further afield.



Tenure: Share of Leasehold / Lease Length: Approx. 90 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx £2,500 per annum / Ground rent: £25 per annum / Council Tax Band: E