The newly renovated penthouse has views of Lords to rival the press box but that’s not the only selling point for this luxury designed flat.
If there’s anything to make the long-suffering companion of a cricket fan dread the start of summer, it’s hearing the sunny marimba of Booker T and the MGs hitting their screens and radio waves.
For the cricket-averse, no matter how nice the packaging, the off-putting combination of impenetrable rules and interminable matches spells a season of pain, or at least mental dissociation.
If that describes you, the thought of buying a flat directly overlooking Lords cricket ground might be the furthest thing from your mind.
But the developers of this two-bedroom apartment in the heart of St John’s Wood, would like to think that, although the prime pitch view is it’s USP – and comes with a price premium – the flat itself boasts considerable charms for the anti-cricket too.
“People should walk in and have a luxury experience with high end, quality furniture and lovely fabrics,” says Carly Madhvani of NW3 Interiors, who decorated the property.
Along with a concierge and parking (a considerable draw in central London), the penthouse also has a thoughtfully laid out kitchen designed on advice from estate agents at Goldschmidt & Howland, who explained exactly what buyers want in a new kitchen.
A wall dividing the kitchen from the main living space was knocked through so the open plan space now boasts spectacular skyline views in two directions. Make no mistake, though, cricket is the main draw here – how could it not be with views of the pitch to rival the media centre itself?
Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open out onto a balcony, offering unobstructed views of the whole ground, with a large flat screen TV alongside so viewers can catch the commentary too.
“The guy who previously owned it had seven chairs on the terrace so he must have had people round to watch it all the time,” says developer Adam Andrews.
Apparently, the previous owner would also rent the flat to Channel 5 for them to film matches and interview cricketers.
So confident are the developers that the flat will be snapped up by someone keen to enjoy their own private view of Lords that they are only marketing it privately to people in the cricketing world, adding to its air of exclusivity.
“It’s on the top floor of the block so there’s no ceiling on the terrace and the panoramic views are amazing,” says Andrews. “We expect that either a current or former cricketer or agent will have it as a pied-a-terre, somewhere they can drop into as they travel from city to city following the sport.
“The Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has a flat nearby and his son comes over quite a lot too. It’s like having your own private box.”
While you might save money and skip the waiting list for the notoriously difficult to procure membership to the MCC, Andrews estimates the penthouse view is worth between £500,000 and £1m of the flat’s £3.5m asking price.
“There’s no other flat with this view of Lords and the night skyline on the market,” says Andrews. “It reminds me of Frasier that city view, I love that.”
Cricket fans rejoice, everyone else take comfort in the fact that the cricketing season only lasts from April to September.
To find out more contact Whitehall Park on 020 7428 1340
Get the look
You’ll never replicate that view, but you can get a similar easy luxury look with the help of NW3 Interiors.
Knoll Tulip oval dining table with a white base and marble top
“I’ve had mine for 13 years and it’s still going strong,” says Madhvani. Designed in 1956, architects still love it today for its enduring style, lightness and durability.
Teal/blue
“This is the colour of the moment, Kate Moss put it in her Cotswolds place,” says Madhvani. The deep muted blue seen in the sofa and curtains looks great with dark woods like walnut.
Alexander sofa from the Sofa and Chair Company
The sofa is an off the peg model covered in Kobe fabric, which is also found in the bedroom in a different colour to create a sense of continuity throughout the flat.
Curtains from Curtainly Elegant
Kobe fabric is used again in these curtains made by this north London made to measure curtain company.
020 7693 7187, curtainlyelegant.co.uk
Hallway wallpaper from Arte
“The wallpaper guy hated me because I came in and market up the walls to get the geometric pattern of the handmade wallpaper just right, but I think it was worth it,” says Madhvani. “It works together with the herringbone flooring for a really dramatic effect, which also makes the hall appear bigger.”
Rug from Rugs by Ana
“She’s a rug expert. She imports rugs directly from India and she understands perfectly where to put them.”
07768 081329
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