Live in style in one of the great Victorian buildings but hurry
IT’S not that often that you get a chance to live in one of London’s great Victorian buildings. Those who fancy a spot of Grade 1-listed Gothic should get their skates on, because there are now just two apartments remaining in the revamped St Pancras Chambers Apartments. With bonuses back, if you fancy living in this piece of London history, this is probably your last chance.
The St Pancras Chambers Apartments are housed in part of the former Midland Grand Hotel, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, which originally opened in 1873. Being designed for the steam age, it had become obsolete by the 1920s. Following the destruction of Euston’s grand ticket hall, the building was listed in 1967, something which put off developers for decades.
However, when it was decided that the station would house the new Eurostar terminal, developers started looking at the site again. Manhattan Loft Corporation, which is also involved in the re-opening hotel, which will be completed in 2011, took up the challenge to develop new apartments.
The company worked closely with English Heritage to keep the character of the building, and all apartments have original details, period fireplaces, panels, cornicing and so on. While the hotel’s famous grand stairway will only be for guests, apartment residents gain entry via fantastic Venetian palazzo-style stairs. And that’s before you even mention the spectacular views into the station itself.
The developer was also keen to give the finished complex the right atmosphere. “We made an absolute rule that nobody could buy more than one, we wanted it to be people who felt an empathy with the building,” explains CEO Harry Handelsman. He also insists that, while the Kings Cross area has a seedy side, there is a massive buzz about the place, with the piazza in front of the station, and bars and restaurants springing up. Most people who live in the complex are, as you might imagine, professionals working in London. It’s a short trip on the Northern Line to Bank and on the First Capital Connect to City Thameslink, while the other Tube lines mean that the rest of central London is close. And, of course, for those who travel to Europe, the Eurostar is literally on your beautifully designed doorstep.
Two apartments remain at St Pancras Chambers. One, a duplex, is on the market at £700,000, while the other is £1.3m. Contact Caroline on 020 7631 1888 or see: www.manhattanloft.co.uk.