Aldwych Chambers – One of London’s quietly elegant hideaways

For those who live in central London, it is difficult to ‘turn off’ the constant noise and bustle.  Indeed, the internet is full of articles about how to find London’s ‘quiet corners’ and ‘peaceful places’ – spaces in which to walk, write or simply relax.   There is, however, very little written about quiet, elegant places in which to live.  Perhaps because those who live there prefer to keep quiet about them?

Architect, Brian Reinker has discovered his own elegant and peaceful hideaway which is, surprisingly, located on Essex Street, just off the Strand in London Wc2.  He bought an apartment at Aldwych Chambers off plan and moved in just a couple of months ago.

“Despite the central location, my apartment at Aldwych Chambers is extremely quiet,” comments Brian.  “I used to live just off the Piazza in Covent Garden which was incredibly noisy.  In this apartment you have no idea that you are in central London.”

Aldwych Chambers is a boutique development of just 20 apartments, duplexes and penthouses, set in the historic Strand Conservation Area, providing views over the City and the River Thames.  The neighbours are quiet; the building is surrounded by The Royal Courts of Justice, The London School of Economics and Political Science and King’s College, London, the third oldest university in England.

At Aldwych Chambers, Brian found an ‘oasis of calm’ with the perfect outside space.  He has a garden, approximately 12 metres by 5 metres; outside space was a priority as he owns a dog.

“I lived in Covent Garden a number of years ago and wanted to move back into town.  I needed a new home with an outdoor area for my dog – and then Aldwych Chambers came up,” says Brian.  “I liked the fact that the apartment’s living space is arranged on two levels so it feels more like a townhouse than an apartment.”

With three bedrooms and three bathrooms, Brian has plenty of space and he uses one of the bedrooms as a study.  There is a long balcony with steps leading down to a further outside space.  According to Brian, living at Aldwych Chambers has further benefits including a concierge service.

“This is a great place to work from as it is so convenient. The River, Temple Gardens, Inns of Court, in fact so many great places are within a ten minute walk. The location is fantastic and there is a concierge on site during normal working hours and is extremely helpful. He deals with parcels, deliveries, dry cleaning, arranging theatre or restaurant bookings or services such as cleaning or maid service.  There is also a private cinema room on the lower ground floor of the development,” adds Brian. “I am very happy here – I love the apartment and the fact I can walk everywhere and don’t need a car.”

The specification at Aldwych Chambers is of the standard one would expect of a development of this calibre.  A street level entry system allows each apartment to be called individually with secure audio and video communication and a connection from each apartment to the concierge.

Internally, Smart home technology is in place, providing comfort cooling, underfloor heating and a versatile home automation system.  The silver grey matt laminate Italian kitchens have uninterrupted handle-free surfaces, intuitive touch opening and soft closing drawers, aesthetically pleasing appliances and Titanium Caesarstone worktops.

For Brian, the apartment with high ceilings and good lighting provide the perfect setting for the artworks he has been collecting for a number of years.

JLL Residential Research Associate Director Nick Whitten says: “London is the de-facto global capital with world leading offerings in culture, sports, history, education, finance and the rapidly evolving digital sector. “It is an attractive city for long-term investors with prime residential property averaging 8.1% price growth per annum over the past 35 years – through a period including three recessions.”

Jamie Gunning, Executive Director at CBRE Commented: “The Strand is becoming a popular choice for investors and owner occupiers who are drawn to the excellent transport, vibrant culture and nightlife. Aldwych Chambers is in a fantastic location, a stone’s throw from Strands delights and the Inns of Court, yet situated down a very quiet street. Those who choose to live in The Strand will pay around £2,000 psf for a brand new modern apartment, compared with upwards of £4,000 for the same in Mayfair, further enhancing the areas appeal.”

A small selection of homes at Aldwych Chambers is available for purchase and ready to move into now. Prices range from £1,075,000 for a one bedroom courtyard apartment to £4,725,000 for a four bedroom duplex penthouse with roof terrace and City of London views.

www.aldwychchambers.com