A duplex penthouse on the grounds of a historic London church with a history dating back centuries, has hit the market with a £1.995 million (US$2.67 million) price tag.
References to the original St. Olave Old Jewry church date to 1130, but after burning down during the Great Fire of London in 1666, the church was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren, one of England’s most highly acclaimed architects.
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After the fire, Wren was responsible for rebuilding 52 churches across the City of London, including St. Paul's Cathedral, London’s famed, domed church.
But the rebuilt church was mostly demolished too, in 1887, and now all that remains is its Grade I-listed 27-meter-tall tower, said the property’s owner and developer Julie Matthews.
The three-bedroom penthouse, listed last month, is found within the tower’s annex, built in 1986, which it shares with offices on the lower floors.
"We purchased it last August," Ms. Matthews said. "My husband is an architect and I have a property management background."
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The plan was always to renovate the home and sell it on, Ms. Matthews said. "We just saw the potential of the project," she said. "It was such a lovely opportunity; so rarely do you get such an interesting property in that location."
The renovations took just six months, with a team working seven days a week, Ms. Matthews said.
Spanning 2,088 square feet, the penthouse has a modern open plan layout, two terraces, its own private entrance and a private elevator.
"The apartment is full of character but one of the terraces looks up onto the pinnacle of the church which is a pretty unique feature," said Kyle McCall, senior negotiator at listing brokerage Hamptons International City. "The location is also superb, right in the heart of the city and next to the iconic Bank of England."