A property that is barely 6ft wide is being offered for sale in one of east London’s most sought-after areas for £150,000.
Estate agents describe the property - built in the gap between two terrace houses that once led to a cemetery - as a “unique opportunity” to acquire a “substantial three-storey freehold property” in Walthamstow.
They say the property, which was previously used as a ceramics workshop and commercial space, has “huge potential for redevelopment” into a home, “stylish apartments” or work/live space.
But one person who spotted it on the Rightmove website told The Standard that it was the latest illustration of the challenge of trying to buy a home in London.
The property, in Exmouth Road, is close to the area’s famous street market and less than a mile away from Walthamstow village, known as Awesomestow by locals with its Eat 17 “posh Spar” supermarket, Gail’s bakery and Blackhorse “beer mile” beloved of east London hipsters.
Jo Davies, the ceramicist who used to rent the property, told The Standard: “It’s an odd little place. At the time, I had two studios and I used it as a teaching studio, teaching wheel throwing – that was our specialism.
“I never lived there – it’s not great to live in a pottery studio – though people would occasionally ask me if I did. It’s weirdly spacious in there. It has a first floor and an attic as well.”
Ms Davies, who has relocated to Herefordshire, said she believed it could be converted into a home or a live-work space.
“I think it could be, with some clever design solutions. I wonder it could be a really good project for an architect, or somebody who is good with design and can get round the constraints.
“It’s a London thing: people end up living in all sorts of interesting spaces because of the constraints of London.
“I used to live in a narrowboat, so when I first saw it I thought: ‘I have made this kind of thing work before.’ It feels like more space than you initially think you have.
“We can think ‘more is more’ but it’s clever design that wins the day.”
It is being marketed by Strettons and is available only to cash buyers. It appears not to have planning permission to be used as a home, while the energy performance certificate is “awaited”.
Bryn Nettle, of Strettons, said it was holding an open day on Tuesday February 25, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. The number of people lined up to view it was “already in double figures”, he said.
“If you are looking for a property in Walthamstow and have a big deposit, you can convert it into what you want. The sky’s the limit.
“I dealt with a property that was quite similar near St James’ Street station a couple of years ago. That was a workshop. We sold it to a developer who was looking to convert it into a trendy and unique property, with bespoke units.
“This is the chance to have something a little bit unique in a desirable location.”
Pictures posted online show a ground floor room that is 6ft 5in wide and a kitchen that is 5ft 6in wide, with part of the kitchen space used for a 2ft 3in wide bathroom with toilet and shower.
The first floor and top floor spaces are both 6ft 5in wide.
The property also has its own rear garden, measuring 7ft 11 by 20ft long.
It is understood that the property was built on what was once an entrance to Walthamstow cemetery, and was a small factory prior to being used for pottery.
Strettons said: “Currently used as a workshop and commercial premises, this versatile building offers huge potential for redevelopment, whether as a continued business space, a residential conversion, or a live/work unit (subject to local planning consent).
“The surrounding area is a thriving hub of creativity and enterprise, home to independent businesses, artisan cafés, and vibrant markets, making it an ideal location for those looking to establish a dynamic commercial space or create a bespoke residential development.
“Internally, the building offers generous square footage across three floors, with a flexible layout that can be adapted to suit a range of purposes.
“High ceilings, large windows, and solid structural integrity present an exciting blank canvas for transformation, whether into stylish apartments, a spacious live/work loft, or a state-of-the-art commercial premises.
“With Walthamstow's ongoing regeneration and the increasing demand for mixed-use and residential properties in the area, this is a prime investment opportunity with significant potential to add value.
“Opportunities like this are rare-early viewing is highly recommended to appreciate the full scope of what this property has to offer.”
In 2014, Waltham Forest council won a legal fight to have a property in Leyton that had been dubbed Britain’s narrowest house reinstated as a garage.
The makeshift wooden structure, jammed between two homes in Manor Road, was built in place of a garage last May. It was little more than 6ft wide.
In 2016, a 7ft-wide house that was thought to be the narrowest in central London was put up for sale with a £1.25million price tag.
The house, on Peel Street, Kensington, has two bedrooms, a drawing room separate to the kitchen, and even a roof terrace all fitted into a width of just 84 inches.
