Goldhaw Road, Shepherds Bush
Take a stroll down Goldhawk Road in Shepherds Bush, and you will see a row of familiar-looking London terraces. However, you might just blink and miss what is officially England’s slimmest house. This tiny terrace house is snugly wedged between two regular-sized properties and measures a mere 1.66 metres at its narrowest point.
If the sight of the house makes you feel slightly claustrophobic, don’t let its diminutive dimensions fool you! This home extends over five floors and offers the owner a surprising 1034 square metres of living space. You have to think the plans for this place were down to an ingenious architect! This house was once a Victorian hat shop, with a display window on the street, storage below and living quarters above. Recent sales particulars rightly lauded its “unique charm,” hinting at the stylish and imaginative interiors.
The Treatment Rooms, Chiswick Park
This stand-out property is easily found within the leafy streets of Chiswick Park and is famous for being the home to artist Carrie Reichardt. This three-storey house leaps off the street with colour and artistic expression. Carrie spent years transforming her home in a joyful rebellion against its neighbours’ traditional architecture. Every inch of the exterior is adorned with intricate tiles, a collaborative masterpiece crafted over the years by Carrie and fellow artists from across the globe.
Carrie furthered her visual creativity by extending her art to include a dazzling mosaic-covered pick-up truck and a London taxi, which both reside outside her home, adding to the property’s unique charm. Even the garage doors hold an early work by the celebrated street artist Stik, emphasising this home’s status as a living, breathing art installation.
Look closer, and you will discover that the mosaic-covered exterior tells many powerful stories. You will find quotes from Martin Luther King and imagery addressing social justice issues, transforming this work of art into a thought-provoking statement. To the rear of the property, you will find a striking white octopus and lunar-phase pyramids, adding layers of intrigue to this remarkable London home.
Archway Studios, Archway
Tucked away in Archway, defying all expectations, stands a house that is quite literally built into a railway bridge. While the thought of rumbling trains running overhead might seem off-putting, Undercurrent Architects, the ingenious minds behind Archway Studios, incorporated an acoustic shell in their design, creating an oddly tranquil space amidst the urban bustle.
This extraordinary dwelling resides in one of 10,000 arches that carve through London’s industrial landscape and makes a bold architectural statement. Despite being built beneath the railway, the designers cleverly maximised access to natural light. A concave outer wall acts as a light-catcher, drawing daylight into the surprisingly spacious interior. Within its 150 square metres, you will find a minimalist style, clutter-free living and dining area, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a library, a play area, and even office space.
Archway Studios shows you that there is potential to transform even the most challenging urban spaces. At Crown Luxury Homes, we appreciate that London’s unique character stems from its willingness to embrace the unconventional, and Archway Studios perfectly exemplifies this spirit.
The Pagoda, Blackheath
Blackheath is a charming London neighbourhood where you wouldn’t normally expect to find an oriental-style home. The Pagoda is a house that instantly captivates the imagination with its distinctive Chinese-style gabled roof and interesting history. Built around 1775, it was believed to be the creation of Sir William Chambers, the celebrated architect behind iconic landmarks like Somerset House and the Kew Gardens pagoda. It was intended to be a folly for the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, adding a touch of eye-catching whimsy to their nearby estate.
The Pagoda bears the marks of a rich and evolving history, extended and altered in the 1820s and again in the 1850s. Constructed with Flemish bond red brick, its defining feature remains the gabled Chinese-style slate roof, with lead flashings and dramatically upturned corners at the gable ends. Notably, the leaded gable end displays a thistle emblem, a nod to Henry Scott, the 3rd Duke, who was a Knight of the Thistle.
This exceptionally rare example of the Chinoiserie style strongly suggests the hand of Sir William Chambers, who is known to have worked on other properties for the Duke and Duchess. Originally attached to the now-demolished Montagu House, its subsequent extensions for the Legge and Glenton families have only added to the story of its architectural journey.
The house later became home to Caroline of Brunswick following her separation from the future King George IV, adding a royal connection to its already fascinating past. In the 20th century, it served as a London County Council children’s home before returning to private ownership. At Crown Luxury Homes, we understand that true luxury lies in the character and stories that define a property, and The Pagoda is a shining example of this.
St Donatts Road, New Cross
As you casually wander down St Donatts Road in New Cross, you might find yourself scratching your head at a seemingly slender terraced house. From the pavement, its narrow facade gives little hint of the Tardis-like proportions that lie within. It is a classic case of not judging a book by its cover, for stepping through the front door reveals a surprisingly expansive home.
Extending an impressive 1,621 square feet across three well-designed floors, this property truly unfolds as you move through it. The rear of the house opens up into a modern, open-plan living space that smoothly blends with a generous 80-foot private garden through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, a delightful contrast to its unassuming frontage.
Architect Sam Selencky intentionally crafted an “understated yet intriguing street presence” that respects the rhythm of its neighbours, making the internal transformation all the more remarkable. Inside the completely redesigned home, living spaces seemingly float in mid-air, and a comfortable sunken lounge sits between the dining area and patio. This “smart” home is also equipped with modern conveniences, including underfloor heating, a sophisticated Sonos sound system, and a video doorbell. This stylish home shows that first appearances really are deceiving!
Five Thurloe Square, South Kensington
One might not typically associate the elegant avenues of South Kensington with particularly slender dwellings, yet nestled between the station and the iconic V&A Museum sits Five Thurloe Square, affectionately known as the ‘Thin House’. This wedge-shaped building stands as one of London’s most remarkably narrow residential properties, measuring a mere six feet across at its most constricted point.
Constructed in the mid-1880s, the unique shape of this end-of-terrace house was dictated by the path of the District and Circle underground lines running directly behind it. Despite its seemingly limited dimensions, the interior of a studio flat within surprisingly expands to 34 feet at its widest, encompassing a drawing room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom within its 600 square feet.
While the thought of residing in such a distinctive property might appeal to some, its price tag when last sold certainly raised eyebrows. This modestly sized studio flat within this iconic thin house commanded a hefty £900,000 in 2016, highlighting the premium often attached to London’s most unique real estate. At Crown Luxury Homes, we truly enjoy the unique stories and architectural quirks that make this city so captivating.
Conclusion
From the delightfully diminutive dimensions of the Goldhawk Road house to the eye-catching artistic statement of The Treatment Rooms, and the ingenious repurposing found beneath the arches of Archway, London’s housing landscape is a rich tapestry woven with threads of history, innovation, and sheer eccentricity. These remarkable homes, each with its own compelling story and visual signature, stand as a testament to the city’s enduring spirit of individuality and willingness to embrace the unconventional.
At Crown Luxury Homes, we recognise and sincerely appreciate the unique character that defines London’s diverse property stock. Whether your aspirations lie within the timeless elegance of a classically designed Georgian house or the captivating surroundings of something truly unique, our expertise spans the full spectrum of this fascinating market. We understand that your home should reflect your personal style, be a place to create memories, and, for some residents, be a place that makes a bold architectural statement. Let us guide you in navigating London’s diverse and intriguing property landscape, helping you find a place that truly speaks to you, no matter how wonderfully “strange” it may be.
