Narrow alleyway on busy London road to be transformed into family home
A NARROW alleyway on a busy road in central London is set to be transformed - into a multi-million pound luxury home.
Innovative architects came up with a clever plan to squeeze a 1,500sq/ft property into a spot which is just 3.1 metres wide.
Dubbed 'The Skinny House', it will have a courtyard at ground level and a fourth floor terrace along with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
There will be an open plan kitchen/diner on the lower ground floor with a roof light onto the terrace.
The alleyway was previously used as a link path to the now-closed Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital near Regent's Park in upmarket Fitzrovia, London.
But it is not a traditional residential location - with the proposed house set to be sandwiched between two large commercial buildings at a very busy part of Euston Road next to Great Portland Street tube station.
By the looks of things it is going to be an incredibly unusual property
Plans were this week approved by Westminster Council - and the developer's “out-of-the-box” thinking has been praised by property professionals.
Edward Corry-Reid, director at Aylesford International, said: “It is an interesting idea and I am intrigued by it. By the looks of things it is going to be an incredibly unusual property.
“But it is sandwiched between two large commercial properties and located on a very busy road.
“It is always good to see developers creating housing stock and their out-of-the-box thinking should be applauded.
“It is fantastic to see someone has taken the initiative to create a living space for someone but is it going to work for a family? I am not sure.
“Will it work for a bachelor who wants a bit of fun in an area of town? Then maybe. It will be interesting to see who ends up buying it and what purpose they use it for.
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“You have Regent's Park on your doorstep, Marylebone High Street is very popular at the moment and there are plenty of bars and restaurants on the doorstep.“
Buying agent Henry Pryor added: “I presume that you will have to walk sideways into this house.
“This is of course just another example of the madness of the London housing market and the lengths that people now have to go to find somewhere to call home.
“Will it appeal to everyone? I doubt it. Will there be someone who will want to buy it? I'm sure there will be.
“You'll have to be fit though, the plans don't show a lift and every room is on a different level. For me it looks like you will be living in a stairwell but that's the housing ladder in the capital. ”
The property was designed by HOK Architects and will be developed by Bolsover Street Ltd.
Marylebone estate agents have been unable to value the Skinny House, but similar-sized properties in the area are marketed for more than £2 million.