Words: Ally Sinyard
In association with:
If your lifestyle means you spend more time in departure lounges than your own living room, does the following sound familiar? There’s a half-packed suitcase in the corner of your bedroom, in a half-decorated minimalist flat that feels like it’s somebody else’s. You have a ‘place in the city’ but it feels temporary – it doesn’t feel like home.
If this is you, we think it’s time to change that, and find yourself a space that isn’t just a “base.”
This stunning three-bedroom penthouse in King’s Cross, part of the beautifully restored, Grade I-listed St Pancras Chambers, is impressive to the point you might never want to leave for another business trip.
It retains its original period features, while at the same time feeling modern and luxurious. From the moment you enter, you can take in all three levels at once thanks to the clear-glass panels and clever design by Thomas Griem of TG Studio.
The studio totally reimagined the interiors after being enlisted by Arran Patel, a prominent real estate broker at Compass in New York and the man behind the restoration.
The main open-plan living area, complete with wooden beams and oak floors, also benefits from a Leicht designer kitchen and Gaggenau appliances. Not only that, the fully integrated audio-visual system can be controlled by iPad and wall mounted controls.
On the same floor, you’ll also find two of the bedroom suites, each with their own dressing room and marble tiled bathrooms within Gothic towers.
Meanwhile, the middle floor hosts a large, open plan sitting room and games room – perfect for an indoor pool party.
To top it all off, the master bedroom suite takes up the entirety of the top mezzanine floor, featuring a large walk-in wardrobe, cavernous, en-suite bathroom and walk-in shower.
It’s almost a shame that the position of this stunning penthouse makes it so easy to leave the city. St Pancras Chambers sits above the famous Marriott Renaissance Hotel and the Eurostar terminal, perfect for those with a regular Paris commute.
With a fascinating history going back to the 1860s, the Chambers were part of the original Midland Grand Hotel designed by architect George Gilbert Scott in 1873.
The Midland Grand enjoyed a reputation as one of London’s leading hotels until poor profits forced its closure in 1935. It was then converted into offices for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and the building was renamed St Pancras Chambers.
In the mid-1960s, both the hotel and station were at risk of destruction but, thanks to a high-profile campaign, were saved and the buildings received Grade I listed status in 1967.
In 2011, after 10 years and £200 million of restoration, this Gothic masterpiece reopened as the 245-room St Pancras Renaissance Hotel (now the Marriott Renaissance Hotel), with 67 new flats above it.
If you’re familiar with NW1, you’ll know the location is absolutely unbeatable. Granary Square alone is a hotspot of bars, shops and restaurants, with the recently opened Coal Drops Yard only adding to the abundance. And of course, the transport links are second to none…
But for those nights when you’ve flown in late or caught the very last Eurostar, you needn’t worry about what’s for dinner. Thanks to its proximity, the apartments within St Pancras Chambers are actually serviced by the Marriott.
Owners can take full advantage of such facilities as the restaurants, spa and gym, 24-hour concierge and exclusive private club membership.
Marketed by Knight Frank in London for £4,550,000, it’s the perfect penthouse apartment for the globe-trotting high-flier who wants a place – not just a base – to call home.
Looking for your escape to the country? Write your family history in this beautiful estate…
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