Boyd Street, London E1

This two-bedroom apartment sits on the second floor of a converted Victorian sugar mill between Aldgate and Whitechapel. Its original exposed brickwork, polished concrete and steel frame were artfully paired with a contemporary palette of complementary materials during a recent careful renovation by Green Cube. Boyd Street sits in easy distance of the City and is close to Shoreditch, Bethnal Green and Spitalfields.

The Tour 

The private entrance to the apartment is on the second floor of the building. The front door opens to a hallway with oak parquet flooring and a wall of exposed brickwork, a palette that continues throughout the apartment.

At the end of the hallway is the open-plan kitchen and reception room. The kitchen is composed of bespoke cabinetry topped with natural quartzite worksurfaces, a four-ring hob and a deep ceramic sink. Light streams through a pair of tall Crittall-style windows to create a wonderfully bright space, with deep sills of bullnose brick beneath ideal for keeping potted plants. There is plenty of space on the other side of the room to arrange a living area and a dining table. 

There are two double bedrooms and a family bathroom on the left of the hallway. The primary bedroom is wonderfully light, with en suite access to a sophisticated shower room with heated towel rails and white tiles. In both bedrooms, windows frame views of the leafy London plane trees on the quiet street outside. Fitted wardrobes in each room are finished in a soft grey shade. The main bathroom is selected in a fresh pale pink, and there are handy integrated shelves for storage. 

Throughout, the apartment gleams with a meticulous, creative renovation. Buster and Punch handles, switches and sockets are a rejoinder to brass fittings in the bathrooms and kitchen. 

The Area

Boyd Street has the advantage of being close to the City, London’s financial district, and the lively communities of Brick Lane and Whitechapel. Spitalfields has attracted many artists in recent years, including Gilbert & George and Tracey Emin. 

These days, the area is renowned for its art galleries, such as the brilliant Whitechapel Gallery. Street markets, restaurants, bars, clubs (including Shoreditch House) and shops are aplenty in the area. The restored Spitalfields Market, in particular, has a multitude of restaurants and cafés. 

Bethnal Green is only slightly further afield and home to institutions like E Pellicci and The Approach Tavern, joined by a new wave of bars and restaurants, including Brawn, Redchurch Brewery and Sager + Wilde on Paradise Row. It is also home to some of London's most exciting contemporary gallery spaces including Chisenhale Gallery, Maureen Paley, Emalin, Herald Street and Carlos/Ishikawa with exhibitions presented all year round. The Young V&A Museum is a short walk away too, as is York Hall Leisure Centre.

Liverpool Street, Aldgate East, Aldgate and Shoreditch stations are all within walking distance and offer both Underground and Overground services. 

Tenure: Leasehold 
Lease Length: Approx. 104 years remaining 
Service Charge: Approx. £3,400 per annum 
Ground Rent: Approx. £100 per annum 
Council Tax Band: E