A 1622 square feet conversion of a 1914 Edwardian HQ of a school, the first floor flat consists of a large main room of about 650 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2-baths, and a kitchen. The present decor is likely to draw a strong divide in opinion.
Designed by Arthur Conran Blomfield in 1914 as the boardroom and chairman's office of Christ's Hospital, a separately located boarding school (not a hospital in the modern sense) conceived by Henry VIII as a school for poor children and founded a few years later in1552. The space was recently renovated as apartments after having last served as banking offices of NatWest.
Yes, it's a leasehold, but with a 99-year term remaining. Nothing to fear, not even if you are a teenager looking for some gentleman's clubby forever digs.
Take away every one of the extra cushions on the chairs and sofas (and that ugly and too small arched top virtine between the front windows) in the main room and I love the space, the glowing mahogany, the moody dark walls, the Georgian banking office details. Sure there are things I would change: the chintz sofas, the too many small prints, the chandelier needs an upgrade in size, the candle sconces, but it's a rare case for me of liking a place as it is and not having to look past the teastes of the present owner.
I'd like less living on Great Tower Street, storming with traffic and tourists, and the Square Mile seems an odd place to live though it has some some great early buildings and apartments tucked in among some monstrosities, some mediocre, some Roman ruins, etc., and it's convenient enough, just less residential than some might like.
Floor plan, photos, and listing at link.
