Folio - City Road area’s latest prime residential development
City Road, built in 1761 to connect Islington to the City of London, has been rediscovered by young professionals seeking homes within walking distance of the burgeoning employment centres of King’s Cross and Old Street, as well as the City. Thanks to the UK government’s multimillion pound support for regenerating the Old Street roundabout area, creating Europe’s centre for high tech start-ups and entrepreneurs, talent from around the world is being drawn into the area.
Additional interest in the neighbourhood is coming from students, as several of London’s world class universities are within a short travel distance, including University of London’s Institute of Ophthalmology (6 minute walk), City University (13 minute walk), Cass Business School (16 minute walk), the Guildhall (18 minute walk), University College of London (32 minute bus ride) and Central St Martin’s/University of the Arts, (34 minute bus ride).
Drawn by this growing commercial interest, new cultural, shopping and culinary experiences are spreading through the area. Internationally acclaimed productions at Sadler’s Wells and the Barbican Centre present a diverse range of artistic events, ensuring the area never falls short of entertainment. Shopping is plentiful, with Chapel Market open Monday to Sunday, antique shops selling vintage treasures and the N1 Shopping Centre offering everything from Vue Cinemas to French Connection.
City Road also offers what are arguably the best locals in London; The Island Queen is an oasis of comfy sofas and intriguing features reminiscent of a classic London gin palace, and The Wenlock Arms, which first opened in 1836, has been named North London Pub of the Year by CAMRA on four occasions. Those seeking comfort food can sit down for dinner at The Pig and Butcher, occupying an 18th century pub built on the fields used by farmers to feed their livestock before being sent to Smithfield's Meat Market. Those wishing to test their taste buds can head to Ottolenghi to try a colourful menu, from braised oxtail wonton to cinnamon French toast.
The demand for high specification residential accommodation in the area is generating several high rise schemes, however those seeking luxury on a more traditional scale will appreciate Folio, Notting Hill London’s new development of 71 private homes on Micawber Street, adjacent to City Road Basin. Located within Transport for London’s Zone 1, Folio is comprised of two and three-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom houses plus six commercial units. Eight of the apartments on the top (6th) floors at Folio are premier properties with an enhanced specification similar to that of the houses. All of the premier apartments and houses are fully equipped with an integrated audio system, renowned for producing the finest commercially available sound, offering residents understated elegance and seamless entertainment.
On what was once the site of the British Library’s book repository, award-winning architects Pollard Thomas Edwards have created a development with a contemporary design, which draws inspiration from the area’s vibrant commercial history, mixing traditional materials like brick with zinc cladding. Sedum roofs on the townhouses help to achieve the developments Code Level 4 for Sustainable Homes. The well-designed kitchens and living areas, clean architectural lines, and floor-to-ceiling windows help blend the interiors seamlessly with the private outdoor space to create open, light-filled homes.
Facilities include a private fitness centre for residents on site, as well as a 12 hour concierge service. Cycle storage is available as well as underground car parking through separate negotiation.
As the private sales arm of the Notting Hill Housing Group, Notting Hill London is one of the financially strongest housing developers in the UK as well as one of the most experienced developer and manager of mixed use developments.
Prices for the new homes at Folio start from £595,950.
For more information and prices, visit foliolondon.com.
