Designed by Morpheus
Designed by Bowler James Brindley
It can take a lot to impress in London. With a skyline of towering glass and steel nestled against ancient stone buildings and Georgian townhouses, it is a city that certainly has that wow factor. Having lived here for more than five years now in a few abodes, I am always interested in seeing what actually happens inside some of these buildings and how the “other half” lives. My previous role in Financial PR saw me slap bang in the middle of Victoria and, while working there, it was definitely a place in transition; more than £2.2 billion was pumped into the area in one of the biggest renovations seen in the Capital, spearheaded by property developer Landsec. Three years on and the transition is now complete; Victoria is not just a hop-off point for the south, but a destination in itself. The jewel in the crown? The Nova Building.
The exterior of The Nova Building is certainly striking, but it is inside that its residential offering really impresses. The complex includes 2, 3 and 4-bedroom apartments as well as three luxury penthouse residencies and a duplex penthouse apartment, all of which have been individually created and fitted out. I was lucky enough to have a tour of the two best penthouses in the building, both looking out over the equally impressive (albeit slightly older) Buckingham Palace and the grounds below.
Ascending the elevators to the top floor is an occasion in itself; Victoria and the surrounding area disappearing beneath your feet, with the crowds eventually becoming almost ant-sized as you reach floor 12. The Morpheus interior designed £8.95 million penthouse is a joy to behold from the moment you open the front door; the distinctly modern finish punctuated by statement pieces that adorn the walls and floors. Although it is the smaller of the two penthouse apartments, the open living area is welcoming, with extensive views out over surrounding area below and the horizon beyond. The kitchen, just off the main living area, is equally as impressive; certainly a place in which you could cook up a culinary storm. Three bedrooms then finish off the ground and first floor levels, with a staircase leading up to the very impressive roof terrace, which is easily big enough to host a small party.
After a tour of the first apartment, we headed over to the showpiece of The Nova Building; the split-level penthouse. Curated with original art, bespoke hand-crafted rugs and the most beautiful chandeliers, the first impressions were that interior designers, Bowler James Brindley, have definitely taken plenty of inspiration from the Sixties and Seventies, just with a modern twist (and all the mod-cons). Each living, sleeping and eating area has been designed to flow effortlessly but each have distinct designs. The highlight for me was most definitely the walnut and leather bar in the more expensive penthouse, complete with beautiful glassware and a well-stocked bar. A few steps across the room and you’re transported into a Seventies-style living and dining area, with the swinging chairs providing plenty of entertainment should the twelve-seater table or state of the art sound system not be enough. Of course, no penthouse would be complete without a rooftop terrace and both of these apartments impress in this department too. A beautiful sliding glass system blocks out any unwanted rain or pigeons, and it is a very dramatic way to access the rooftop. They are huge spaces, with plenty of room to entertain guests while watching London continue at its frenetic pace.
Elsewhere facilities are certainly up-to-scratch; there is a resident’s terrace with panoramic views of London as well as a private cinema and state of the art gym. Downstairs, as well as ridiculously convenient transport links, the development has some of the best eateries in town including Jason Atherton’s Hai Cenato, Timmy Green and The Rail House Café. The latter is a great place to grab some tapas-style food and a drink but, with penthouses as good as these, there is probably very little to make you want to leave your tower.
