This astonishing former Edwardian workshop has been the subject of an exceptional architectural redesign by Martin Reynolds, creating a unique two-bedroom house in the heart of London Fields. The house unfolds vertically across four stories, hinged together via a floating, open-tread oak and steel staircase. The contemporary design combines a palette of simple yet considered materials, including slate and York stone, with extensive levels of glazing while celebrating and preserving the home’s existing features. A luscious south-facing garden unfolds at the rear, planted with clematises and small fruit trees, and with a terrace perfect for eating alfresco.

The Tour

Set back from the pavement behind a driveway with space for one car, the house’s façade is characterised by a distinctive mix of brown and red London stock brick with olive green painted accents.

The large glazed front door leads straight to the open-plan kitchen and dining space. Oak floorboards run the length of the room, carefully mirroring the whitewashed tongue and groove ceilings that feature throughout the house. A generous south-facing sash window allows this room to be bathed in natural light.

At the rear lies a wonderfully open living area with a pitched roof, adding a palpable sense of volume to the overall plan. Floor-to-ceiling glazed doors frame the garden, encouraging interaction with its flourishing greenery.

A bespoke, enclosed staircase made from oak ascends to the first floor, currently configured as a bedroom. Exposed brick walls have been painted white, beneath which the raw nature of the material is still visible and deliberately preserved. The main bedroom crowns the top of the house with plenty of built-in wardrobe space and beautiful views of the garden below.

The bathroom sits on the lower-ground level and has a large bath in the centre. Something of a sanctuary, the poured resin floors contrast with the predominantly neutral palette and chrome fixtures and fittings. There is also plenty of integrated storage in the hallway.

Outdoor Space

Through the living space, large sliding doors seamlessly open onto a levelled decked area with plenty of room for a table and chairs. The garden unfolds from here, where a broad variety of evergreen plants and mature trees burst from the borders. It is backed by neighbouring gardens that form a wonderfully peaceful area behind the buildings facing the surrounding streets.

The Area

Richmond Road is perfectly positioned for the best of London Fields, Wilton Way, Mare Street and Broadway Market. London Fields’s heated lido and tennis courts are a minute’s walk from the front door. The street has recently been designated as a no-through road and thus is extremely quiet and peaceful.

There are many fantastic restaurants locally, notably Pophams Bakery, Lardo, Little Duck |The Picklery, Pidgin, and Violet Cakes on Wilton Way. Weekly markets take place at Victoria Park, with Broadway Market also a short walk along the Regent’s Canal Path. E5 Bakehouse, on the edge of London Fields, is excellent for freshly baked artisan bread, and nearby Netil Market is a thriving hub of restaurants, breweries and coffee roasters.

Hackney Central runs direct services to Stratford and Highbury & Islington on the London Overground, and London Fields offers direct trains to Liverpool Street. Bethnal Green Underground Station, easily accessible by bus, has excellent links to central London via the Central Line.

Council Tax Band: B

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.