Charles Square, London N1

Positioned on the first floor of a handsome Georgian townhouse, this bright apartment in Hoxton has been beautifully transformed by Marta Nowicka of DOMstay. Original features have been carefully preserved while introducing a gentle, pared-back contemporary palette, along with a modern kitchen by Rotpunkt. Wonderfully located, the building is in a quiet spot close to Old Street, Shoreditch, the Barbican, and the City, as well as some of London’s finest green spaces and most illustrious arts institutions.



Please note that Inigo is also marketing Charles Square II. We've written about the reimagining of both in our Almanac.


Setting the Scene



Charles Square itself was laid out at the same time as nearby Hoxton Square, when it was described as being “set with greens, plants, fruit and other trees”. A remarkable survival, the building in which this apartment lies is the oldest remaining house on the square, constructed around 1720. It has lived many lives: it has been a courthouse, a city guild for haberdashers and needleworkers, a magistrates' court, and, more recently, a political headquarters.



Its former glory has been reinstated by Marta Nowicka, a developer, lecturer in interior architecture specialising in adaptive re use, and the founder of the multifaceted Domstay. In light of the building’s rare Grade II* listing, Marta worked with English Heritage, creating a home that is at once true to its origins and designed with modern living in mind.



The Grand Tour



From the building’s entrance is a remarkable hall, a space that hints at the grandeur and scale beyond. Here, an original staircase with a mahogany handrail winds up to the first floor where the apartment lies. A secondary, private staircase and its own landing leads up to the apartment's private entrance.



Soaring ceilings and original Grade II*-Listed wood panelling, restored and painted in an understated colour palette, characterise every room. Underfloor heating runs beneath smoked oak floorboards.



At its core is a sublime open-plan living space, with a smart Rotpunkt kitchen on one side, fitted with integrated appliances by Bosch and marble quartz countertops. A trio of beautifully retained shuttered sash windows, and a bullseye-adorned fire surround, capture the building’s early essence.



The home has two generous double bedrooms, one with doors connecting it to both the hallway and the living space. Both have twin shuttered sash windows and refined wall panelling; one also has built-in storage and access to a pristine en suite shower room. A separate bathroom has a clean, crisp finish, with several mirrored elements that cast light around the room, and marble chip resin floors underfoot.



Out and About



Charles Square is close to the buzz and brilliance of Shoreditch and Old Street, where a near-endless array of bars and restaurants can be found. Manteca is close by, as are the haunts of Redchurch Street, where favourites include Labour and Wait and an outpost of Aesop, along with restaurants such as Dishoom, Smoking Goat, and the Michelin-starred Brat.



There are some fantastic spots to see art nearby, including exhibitions at the Barbican Centre and at Victoria Miro, which sits close to Regent’s Canal. Liverpool Street and Spitalfields are also easily reached, where a branch of Ottolenghi and the excellent Raven Row gallery can be found.



While much of London is within walking distance, there are also plenty of transport connections nearby. Old Street is a short walk away and runs Northern line services, while Hoxton station is on the Overground (Weaver line). Liverpool Street station can also be reached on foot and runs Elizabeth, Central, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, as well as National Rail services nationwide.



Tenure: Share of Freehold / Lease length: Approx. 999 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx. £1,000 per year (includes buildings insurance, repairs to shared areas / outside of the building, and cleaning services) / Ground Rent: N/A / Council Tax Band: E