Located in one of the east end’s original warehouse conversions, this beautifully proportioned three-bedroom live/work apartment has an expansive lateral living space and access to a shared balcony. Formerly the old Spratts dog biscuit factory, the building was originally converted by artists in the 1960s and sold as shells to painters and sculptors, many of whom still live and work in the building today.
The first-floor apartment is entered via a communal courtyard and up a flight of stairs to the rear of the block. Double doors open onto one end of the main living space, washed with light from oversized sash windows and laid with broad-beamed solid-wood floors. The space extends to the right, ending in an open kitchen and dining area, separated by a large island worktop, that looks out over the courtyard below. There is access, from the kitchen, to a large shared balcony space.
Through a second, more intimate, reception room / study are two bedrooms that are positioned at the back of the building. There is a large bathroom at the end of the short hall that leads to the master bedroom. The main bedroom has an en-suite shower room.
The interiors of the apartment have been extensively and elegantly detailed, using the large space (1,711sqft) with great balance. In parts, the original brickwork has been left exposed reflecting the building’s industrial past.
The community of artists, mostly painters and sculptors, is a fundamental presence in the building. The high demand for the sculptures of Barry Flanagan in the 1960s led to the development of the Arts Foundry on the ground floor of Block A (opposite), that now continues to cast bronze sculptures, producing the works of Anish Kapoor, Tracey Emin, Anthony Gormley, Marc Quinn, and contemporary international artists of similar stature.
Next to the foundry there is a conservation and restoration workshop of master craftsman Rupert Harris, carrying out restoration work for the V&A, the Royal collection, and many public bronze sculptures. The yard is extremely dynamic and unassuming, with the ongoing accidental display of sculptures that are produced or restored in the foundry.
The apartment is located just to the south of Limehouse Cut, a vibrant area undergoing lots of interesting redevelopment. The canal path runs to Limehouse in one direction and Bromley-by-Bow in the other. Mile End Park is a short walk away, with its excellent leisure centre. The shops and restaurants of Canary Wharf are nearby, and can be reached by DLR from Langdon Park. The Jubilee Line can also be accessed at Canary Wharf, for quick journeys into central London in one direction, or Stratford in the other.
Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: approx. 970 years
Service Charge: approx £912 per annum
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.
