Artists, designers and small batch manufacturers knew how to combine work and play long before the work from home revolution.
The live/work unit remains an object of aspiration for those whose practice requires light and space, not a laptop.
Forget the hastily repurposed guest room or the ‘workspace’ carved from the corner of the kitchen – these (usually) former industrial buildings include mezzanine levels or sometimes a distinct studio space for all manner of zealous activity.
It’s little wonder their huge windows, high ceilings and flexible layouts appeal to those with no creative pursuit to speak of.
Here are ten of the best on the market now.
Poplar, E14
£625,000
A blank-slate Spratts Complex flat with almost 1,000 square feet of space, plus extra storage. Highlights include rough-hewn exposed brick walls and sliding doors for added flexibility.
Purple Bricks, 020 3889 9017
Royal Docks, E16
£675,000
A spacious flat in a Grade II-listed Victorian warehouse with a striking timber ceiling. There’s a versatile mezzanine level accessed by spiral staircase, plus a dressing room and a second WC.
The Modern House, 020 3795 5920
Shoreditch, E2
£650,000
A particularly bright live/work unit just off Brick Lane and close to the Overground. Split over three floors, it comes with huge arched windows and mezzanine storage.
Winkworth, 020 3907 3670
Kensington, W8
£1.475 million
A rare unmodernised mews-style artists studio in a prime cul-de-sac spot, with original wood floors and a pitched glass roof. It’s being sold as a freehold property.
Chestertons, 020 3879 1508
Haggerston, E8
£800,000
A top floor apartment with towering full-height windows, two minutes from the Overground. Perks include a sleek modern kitchen and mezzanine level with glass barrier.
Fyfe McDade, 020 3835 2591
Shad Thames, SE1
£1.5 million
An almost 2,000 square foot space with its own entrance, arranged around a capacious central studio. Unusually, it comes with two allocated parking spaces.
Urban Spaces, 020 3910 0873
Shepherd’s Bush, W12
£1.5 million
A two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat with a generous roof terrace. There’s also an option to buy additional studio above the apartment by separate negotiation.
Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, 020 3879 5257
Hackney, E9
£525,000
A characterful one-bedroom flat with mezzanine level in a ‘one-off’ converted warehouse among period homes. Perks include allocated parking and no onward chain.
Stirling Ackroyd, 020 3893 8695
Stepney, E1
£850,000
A spacious warehouse conversion with a share of the freehold and parking. Sensational period features include historic panelling and a retro Preway fireplace.
Circa London, 020 3889 9067
Westferry, E14
£750,000
A sizeable warehouse conversion flat near Canary Wharf, with large work studio or third bedroom or lower floor. Further highlights include secure allocated parking and a patio area.
