George Loveless House, Diss Street, London E2

We advise buyers to conduct their own enquiries regarding mortgages in this estate.

This carefully considered apartment lies in George Loveless House, a Grade II-listed block in the Dorset Estate, east London, conceived in 1957 by renowned architects Skinner, Bailey and Lubetkin. Simply executed throughout, the light-filled space has been immaculately renovated in keeping with its modernist heritage. The building is minutes from the shops and weekly flower market of Columbia Road and is within walking distance of the City.

The Architect

One of the most important figures in modernism, Berthold Lubetkin set up the architectural practice Tecton in 1932; early commissions included the iconic Penguin Pool and Gorilla House at ZSL London Zoo. Lubetkin and Tecton’s buildings became some of the most renowned of the period, ranging from private houses in Sydenham to a modernist terrace in Plumstead, south London, as well as the Finsbury Health Centre and the Highpoint apartments in Highgate.

The Building

The Dorset Estate was designed by Skinner, Bailey and Lubetkin (the latter also practised independently under his given name, Berthold Lubetkin). It was completed in 1957, five years before nearby Sivill House, which was also designed by the trio. The estate includes two Y-shaped 11-storey blocks, George Loveless House and James Hammett House, plus the lower-rise James Brine House, Robert Owen House and Arthur Wade House. The blocks are named after the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of farmers who, in 19th-century Dorset, were transported to Australia after coming together to demand higher wages.

The Tour

The apartment lies on the fifth floor of the building, to which there is both lift and stair access. A striking, hexagonal spiral stairwell is typically Lubetkin, who poetically exclaimed that 'the staircase is a dance'.

Entry is to a hallway with painted concrete flooring throughout and storage space for coats and shoes. The apartment has windows on two sides, ensuring it receives a fantastic quality of light throughout the day.

The main living area is a beautifully bright and welcoming space. A built-in bookcase fills one wall, providing ample space for storage and display. An oak countertop next to the dining area delineates the living space from the open-plan kitchen. Arranged in a two-run galley with clean, white cabinetry, it has a pantry cupboard as well as an integrated washing machine and dishwasher.

At the end of the corridor is an airy, elegant bedroom. Low-level shelving and two recessed wardrobes offer neat storage solutions.

Adjacent is the recently renovated bathroom, where burnt orange mosaic tiles add an unexpected burst of colour. A bespoke concrete sink brings texture to the scheme and natural light enters from a window at the front.

The Area

George Loveless House is fantastically situated for the best of east London and the neighbouring locales including London Fields, Columbia Road, Brick Lane and Broadway Market.

The green spaces of Haggerston Park, London Fields and Victoria Park are all a short walk away. Broadway and Columbia Road Markets, with their wide array of independent shops and cafés, are very close by. Neighbourhood favourites include Donlon Books, twos, World of Echo, Pavilion Bakery, Brawn, Campania and Jones and Jolene. Hackney Road is home to an increasing number of popular restaurants and bars, including Morito, Sager + Wilde, and The Marksman.

Hoxton and Shoreditch High Street are both nearby for London Overground services. Bethnal Green (Central Line) and Old Street (Northern Line) Underground stations are equidistant, while rail services are available from Cambridge Heath. There are also excellent bus links locally, and the City is within easy walking distance.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 89 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £1,660 per annum (includes building insurance, freeholders' administration and management charges, repairs to shared areas and the outside of the building, concierge or caretaker, communal garden) 
Ground Rent: Approx. £10 per annum
Council Tax Band: B