Proudly sitting on the top floor of a former film studios, Gainsborough Studios, this marvellous penthouse has far-reaching views of the city and the studios sign from the wrap-around terrace. This really is the definition of city living. Architecture & History Invitingly positioned in the premier block for Gainsborough Studios, the scale of this apartment is immediate as soon as you enter
Proudly sitting on the top floor of a former film studios, Gainsborough Studios, this marvellous penthouse has far-reaching views of the city and the studios sign from the wrap-around terrace. This really is the definition of city living. Architecture & History Invitingly positioned in the premier block for Gainsborough Studios, the scale of this apartment is immediate as soon as you enter into a wide hallway and turn into the expansive reception room. The cityscape views hit you from every direction, with natural light pouring from either end of the apartment through floor to ceiling windows. This is arguably one of the grandest views from any property in N1. From all angles all you can see is rooftops and huge sky views. It is a malleable room with great entertaining, dining and relaxation potential. The current space, arranged as a flexible living and dining room, has huge bookcases currently lining the walls, which can either be utilised or removed by any incoming buyer. A long galley kitchen stretches out along the length of the terrace, with fully integrated appliances along one wall. This is a perfect opportunity to either repair/replace to taste or entirely reposition the kitchen into the reception room and convert this area into a perfect work from home office space. Three sets of double-glazed doors open out onto a 270-degree wrap-around terrace which is an exceptional rarity and inevitably is the reason you make this your home. As an all-day suntrap there is room for all types of roof-top design, with the scope for a whole host of arrangements. The first of two bedrooms is a great size and has plenty of scope to be transformed to taste. There are doors out onto the terrace providing canal side views and a superb ensuite bathroom. An adjacent second bedroom is an equally bright affair and comprises an ensuite shower room & additional access onto the terrace. In the hallway there is also a separate W/C which doubles up as a huge storage cupboard. Tall ceilings, brightly lit interiors and sensational views, these are all standout features that make this a sensational penthouse to live and thrive in. A 24-hour concierge, secure underground parking space and private residents canal-side wharf, truly complete the palate. ‘Gainsborough Pictures’, as Gainsborough Studios were formerly known in a past life was a power station for the Great Northern & City Railway, before transforming into a studios and producing some of the best known ‘melodrama’ pictures of the 1940’s. Popular films such as Hitchcock’s ‘The Lady Vanishes’ (1938) & ‘Fanny By Gaslight’ (1944) were all filmed here. In homage to the famous resident director, a large sculpture of Hitchcock’s’ head was erected in memory in the courtyard of the development. Local Area & Transport The immediate area around Gainsborough Studios is a microcosm known for ingenuity, neighbourliness, and a popular creative scene. Directly opposite the development is Shoreditch Park, a great open space filled with greenery, an urban gym and a running trail around the perimeter. There is a Better Health run gym close by, boasting tennis courts on the roof, a football pitch, a swimming pool with water slides and a soft play for children. There is a privately run ‘Hitio’ Gym onsite, a Co-op Supermarket and a café on Poole Street, ‘Bobo & Wild’, serving delicious homemade food, cakes and freshly brewed coffee. A short walk away you’ll find Quince Bakery, a hugely popular local bakery and the wonderful Rosemary Branch pub hosting independent theatre nights, just the other side of the canal. Local connectivity is excellent, with both Hoxton and Haggerston Overground only a short walk away with links through to East and South East London. Old Street Station is a pleasant 15-minute walk or a quick bus ride away, serving the Northern Line. The area also benefits from plenty of bus routes down New North Road, ensuring speedy access to both the City and the West End. If cycling is your preferred mode of transport, being close to the canal means rapid links to Upper Street or east to London Fields & Victoria Park, via the canal. The start of Shoreditch is also only 15 minutes on foot, and Upper Street is about the same.