Flat for sale in Otto Building, Downs Road, London E5

This striking, split-level three-bedroom apartment is enviably situated on the northern perimeter of Hackney Downs. Arranged over the ground and first floors, the interior spaces are characterised by soaring ceilings, tall banks of glazing and bespoke joinery. A private terrace flows alongside the first-floor level, overlooking the statuesque elm and London plane trees that define the boundary of the park. In addition to the private terrace and a separate spacious ground-floor patio, there is a communal roof terrace with far-reaching views. There is also a bike store, concierge and lift access to all floors. Clapton, Hackney Downs and Hackney Central stations are all a short walk away, as are a wealth of independent eateries, pubs and shops.

The Architect

Otto Building was designed by architects Hawkins Brown, known for undertaking both large-scale public and private works. This striking residential development borders the wide, open spaces of Hackney Downs and comprises two towered sections at each end connected by a lower three-storey plinth in the centre, where a smart communal lobby is situated. The architects also undertook the design of the neighbouring Nightingale Primary School, for which the practice received a riba London Award (2021) and riba National Award (2021).

The Tour

The apartment is accessed on the ground floor via the communal lobby. The door to the apartment opens into an internal hall, from which the voluminous main living, kitchen and dining room unfolds. Two wide banks of floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors welcome natural light into the room and work in tandem with light-washed engineered oak floors to create a bright, inviting space. The doors also open out onto a patio area, with gate access to the street and the park beyond. There is underfloor heating and triple glazing throughout.

The room is divided into three distinct areas: A living space, a dining area and, at the rear, a kitchen, defined by wraparound composite worktops. Light grey cabinetry houses a wine cooler and a steel sink that faces the dining area. A Smeg induction hob rests below a dark grey run of wall-mounted cabinetry, and there are twin Smeg ovens.

Directly off the entrance hall is a useful laundry and utility room, with a separate WC that doubles as a cloakroom. The utility room is laid with slate floor tiles and has a composite marble-effect worktop. Hexagonal ceramic tiles stretch across the floors and walls.

A flight of stairs to the first floor rises alongside a bank of beautiful full-height bespoke bookshelves and open shelving by Uncommon Projects. Exposed ply edging to the shelving here contrasts perfectly with the black frame of the cabinetry, and the rounded oak handrail provides a further visual link with the engineered oak treads and risers.

Three bedrooms sit on the first floor, with the principal room sitting to one side. Engineered oak flooring continues here, and two banks of floor-to-ceiling wardrobes provide plenty of storage. There is a window at the end of the room with delightful park views, and a door to one side opens directly to the private terrace. A smart en suite bathroom, clad in hexagonal and rectangular ceramic tiles, has a walk-in shower, a full-width mirror rising behind a cut-in shelf, and additional wardrobe space.

One of the two remaining bedrooms is currently configured as a home office, with bespoke cabinetry and bookshelves here providing useful storage. A wardrobe provides further storage in the third bedroom, and both rooms have access to the private terrace via sliding glass doors. A well-appointed family bathroom completes the first-floor plan.

Outdoor Space

A terrace overlooking the park sits on the first floor. Accessible from all three bedrooms and slightly set back from the building line, it has an almost internal feel. A glass screen bounds the space, and there is plenty of room for outdoor seating to sit and admire the expansive park views.

A private patio is accessible from the ground-floor living spaces, flowing alongside the front of the building. Laid with rectangular porcelain tiles, there are brick parapet walls to each side, with railings to the street finished in the same delicate taupe as the building's cladding. Hackney Downs lies directly opposite, on the other side of quiet Downs Road.

In addition to the private terrace and patio, there is a communal roof terrace at the centre of the building. Here, raised beds are planted with rosemary, bamboo, lavender, verbena, mint and cherry blossom along, with grasses and flowering shrubs. There are delightful views over Hackney Downs and towards the Shard and The City. There is a central section of astroturf set on a slightly raised section, where a timber pergola sits on top of decking.

The Area

Downs Road runs between the open green spaces of Hackney Downs and the shops, restaurants and bars of Lower Clapton, including Kate Sheridan, Pages of Hackney, legendary natural wine bar 107, Lucky & Joy, and Casey’s bakery. Chatsworth Road is less than a 20-minute walk away and offers a lively gauntlet of independent shops, cafés and restaurants such as Pivaz, and specialist suppliers l’Epicerie 56, London Borough of Jam and Hackney Draper.

See our Hackney Downs and Clapton area guide for more of the best of the area.

There are plenty of good pubs nearby, including The Star by Hackney Downs, The Pembury Tavern and The Elderfield. As well as its wonderful green space, Hackney Downs is also home to basketball and tennis courts, picnic spots and an excellent café, refill store and furniture shop, Spazio Leone.

The closest stations are Hackney Downs and Clapton (Overground). Also within easy walking distance is Hackney Central, offering Overground lines to Stratford, Highbury & Islington and Liverpool Street.

Tenure: Leasehold
Length of Lease: Approx. 995 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £10,000 per annum
Ground Rent: Approx. £400 per annum
Council Tax Band: E