Glyn Road, Hackney, London

The Home -

This five-bedroom Victorian mid-terrace in Lower Clapton has been re-imagined by William Tozer Associates and is a showcase of light filled living which has been fully extended to over 1,959 square feet. The original façade maintains harmony with the surrounding terrace, whilst the interior has been redesigned and extended to create a modern layout.

The ground floor is arranged as a series of open zones with a floating wall of full height storage spanning the double reception. Well thought out full-height pocket doors introduce flexibility, allowing spaces to open or close while carefully modulating the flow of natural light. Original floorboards run throughout the house and are finished in Osmo white oil, creating a consistent thread across the space. Exposed brickwork has been treated in Bauwerk limewash, alongside bespoke Douglas Fir cabinetry, a Caesarstone worktop and island, and a considered mix of Claybrook and porcelain tiles. The entire house is bathed in light given its East-West orientation and the fact it is not overlooked at the front. Arranged over four levels, including a cellar, the house has a clear flow running from street to garden. Materials are consistent throughout, combining retained elements such as the front bay windows, original floorboards and exposed brick, with modern finishes such as frameless glazing to the rear.

Glyn Road is a well-connected part of Hackney, close to Chatsworth Road and its mix of independent shops, cafés, and the weekly market. Hackney Marshes and the Lea Valley are both within walking distance, and transport links provide straightforward access into the city and central London.

The Indoors -

The front door opens into an entrance hall with full height built-in coat and shoe storage. The first of the full-height pocket doors opens into the double reception room, where original proportions are maintained. The bay window is framed with full-length semi-transparent Silent Gliss curtains, complemented by an East London Cloth café curtain that provides privacy while allowing light to flow. Original floorboards run underfoot, finished in a pale Osmo oil. A continuous wall of full-height storage spans the length of the double reception, giving clarity to the plan while concealing utility. The ground floor is arranged as a series of connected zones rather than fixed rooms. The full-height pocket doors allow the spaces to be opened entirely or separated when required.

Moving toward the rear, the house opens into an impressive kitchen and dining space defined by light and volume. A three-meter-long roof light sits above the kitchen, while frameless glazing and a sliding corner opening dissolve the rear boundary. A large picture window incorporates bench seating and storage, establishing a threshold between inside and out. Material use is consistent and restrained. The kitchen combines white and warm Douglas fir cabinetry with Caesarstone worktops and a mirrored splashback, amplifying light.
Storage is integrated throughout including a pull-out pantry and concealed breakfast bar with flush, handle less fronts. The floor is finished in large-format grey porcelain tiles with underfloor heating, giving the appearance of a continuous, concrete-like surface. A lime-washed brick wall runs through the space, carrying up alongside the staircase.

Open tread timber stairs move between levels in a zig-zag arrangement, letting light through and acting as a spatial divider. Up-lights and concealed integrated LEDs provide an even, ambient quality of light throughout. There is a downstairs WC neatly positioned by the entrance to the cellar that has Claybrook triangular mosaic tiles, a mirrored cabinet and mirror. Timber clad open tread stairs lead up to the first floor which is arranged with three bedrooms and a family bathroom. Each room is defined by built-in joinery such as birch ply-lined cupboards, window seating, and integrated shelving. Openings are positioned for light and outlook rather than symmetry. The rear double bedroom has a wall of built-in cupboards, exposed ceilings into the eaves giving extra height, and a picture window overlooking the private garden. The second bedroom is a good sized double and has a built-in cupboard, birch-ply-clad wall and door that wraps around into the cupboards in the main bedroom.

The front bedroom is a wonderfully bright space thanks to a bay window that has a window seat and storage. The room boasts built-in bespoke bookshelves, including some hidden behind the pocket door, along with built-in birch-ply clad cupboards along the room’s length. The family bathroom continues the material language, with tiled surfaces, a walk-in wet room shower area, and minimal fittings such as Claybrook triangular mosaic tile on the walls, mirrored cabinets, and a concrete bespoke sink.The staircase opens to a double-height landing on the top floor, lit by hanging Muuto light pendants. A small study or single bedroom sits to the rear with a large frameless window and far-reaching views of the East Village.

The principal bedroom is a beautifully designed space that is light and offers a real sense of tranquility with extra head height compared to most loft extensions. The exposed brick original chimney frames the bed and a large window provides sweeping views over the neighborhood and out towards the East Village. Storage is ample and well considered with birch ply cupboards running across the eaves and additional cupboards wrapped neatly around the rear of the staircase. Stairs lead down into the exquisite en-suite, where doors can be left open to create a serene, suite-like feel or closed to ensure privacy. A skylight above the shower brings light directly into the bathroom. Fittings are modern and minimal including a Lussostone sink, rain / handheld showering a freestanding bath. Across the house, materials remain consistent: lime-washed brick, pale timber, white surfaces, and bespoke fittings. Windows are a mix of double-glazed wooden sash to the front and frameless to the rear and extensions. Heating is provided via wall-mounted Hudevad radiators, with underfloor heating in the kitchen. A cellar sits below for extra storage.

The Outdoors -

The garden is treated as a continuation of the ground floor. Immediately outside the kitchen, a paved terrace aligns directly with the internal floor finish, extending the dining space outwards. There is a second seating area at the rear of the garden. Between them, a lawn and planting introduce softness. Mature trees and boundary planting provide privacy, limiting overlook from neighboring properties. The arrangement is linear and uncluttered, reinforcing the connection between the rear extension and the garden. To the front, the garden is paved and structured, incorporating bespoke bike storage from Bikebox Works within a Corten steel enclosure. Planting is integrated, with an irrigation system supporting year-round growth.

Loving The Location -

Chatsworth Road, which runs north from Homerton to Millfields Park and Hackney Marshes, offers many independent shops, cafes and restaurants, including ramen bar Men, popular Italian restaurant Leo's and specialist suppliers L’Epicerie 56. The road also boasts high welfarebutchers Morgans, Stone Bros and Finks for excellent coffee, and a weekly food market on Sundays. Restaurants such as Mambow, Uchi, My Neighbours The Dumplings and Lucky & Joy, in addition to the legendary wine bar P. Franco are all nearby in Lower Clapton. The Elderfield and The Spread Eagle are classic local favourite pubs. The Castle Cinema is independently crowdfunded and screens features, as well as classic and contemporary art-house films. Blok gym is a short walk away.

This area is spoilt for green space and parks with Millfields Park and Hackney Downs Park just a short walk away, Clissold Park, Springfield Park, the Lee Navigation (canal walk), Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve, Woodberry Wetlands nature reserve, and the Stratford Olympic Park are also within easy access. Hackney Marshes is a lush green belt 10 minutes on foot and is perfect for a dog walk, summer picnics, and even a visit to see the horses that live there year-round! Using the overground you can also visit Walthamstow wetlands nature reserve and be in Epping Forest with 20-30 minutes.

Glyn Road sits within the catchment for several well-regarded secondary schools, including The City Academy, The Urswick School and Mossbourne Community Academy. Excellent primary schools such as Rushmore Primary, Millfields Community Primary and Daubeney Primary are all close by. Hackney Wick is nearby and lies between Victoria Park and the River Lee. Once a bustling industrial area, it now draws an eclectic and creative crowd. Since the 2012 Olympics, it has seen a significant influx of cultural investment, with new developments and facilities in easy reach of this house. There are numerous restaurants and bars, including Grow, Silo and Crate Brewery. The Here East campus, The Breakfast Club, Randy’s Wings, Mother and Gotto is a short walk away and operates as a co-working hub and cultural centre, while award-winning theatre and music venue The Yard is also close by.