Thornsett Group

Top Marks For Style

Fashionable Clerkenwell was full, but behind a medieval abbey a new space was found, says David Spittles

Clerkenwell, the spiritual home of loft-living, has had a quiet period following the new homes boom of the nineties. Development activity has almost ceased in the past two years because sites have dried up. But a Second World War bombsite on the edge of a small medical campus belonging to St Bartholomew’s Hosiptal remarkably escaped the clutches of developers – until now.

To be called Charterhouse thesq, it takes its name from the former Charterhouse School for Boys, which was founded on the site in 1611 before later moving to Goldalming.

It is a special location, tucked away behind a medieval abbey, close to bistros and bars in cobbled alleyways a short walk from the splendid Victorian edifice of Smithfield Market and the Barbican centre. Thornsett Group is building 124 apartments in two corner blocks, one fronting Clerkenwell Road and the other Goswell Road, which together form a courtyard area with about 50,000 sq ft of commercial space earmarked for fashion and furniture retailers and specialist food outlets.

Many flats, some with wraparound balconies, will look onto the landscaped courtyard where an ancient wall, found during excavation, will be left exposed. The courtyard will be a public space. There is also social housing of 50 flats in a separate building.

Flats have up to three bedrooms, and there are seven penthouses. Interiors are crisply modern – underheated walnut floors, wall hung sanitary units, luxury German-made kitchens, full height glazing. It marks a return to Clerkenwell’s designer roots.

Prices start at £395,000 for one-bedroom flats: penthouses cost from £1.05 million, including parking space. Completion is due in late 2008. Contact estate agent Currell on 0207 253 2533.