Standing tall on Bloomsbury’s sought-after John Street, a substantial Grade II listed, six-bedroom Regency townhouse has become available to rent for £3,500 per week through Dexters Bloomsbury. Though the property is just stepping distance from Doughty Street, the home of the great English novelist Charles Dickens, this Georgian house was moved firmly into the future after a significant restoration project saw it transformed into a spectacularly modern and eco-friendly home.
This was achieved through the help of interior designer Emma Bizley who meticulously converted the period property into a Passivhaus-type house. This form of ‘retrofitting’ significantly improves the energy efficiency of a property by optimising its thermal performance and increasing overall comfort. At John Street, this meant the installation of special Japanese glass to minimise street noise, bespoke glazing, and discreet placement of two air-source heat pumps and insulation to eliminate the typical drafts associated with Georgian properties.
Although the home is radical in its eco-friendliness, the sense that it is an experiment in green living is entirely absent. The house has six bedrooms, five bathrooms and reception rooms, plus a modern rear extension which was completely rebuilt to accommodate a TV room and hobby room.
There is natural light throughout the property and subtle design touches can be found everywhere – from the thirties-inspired marquetry wardrobes in the master dressing room to the cocktail area finished in a stunning black-and-white mosaic at the turn of the stairs.
One of the standout spaces is the spacious playroom in the basement, with a drawstring bridge that lowers a large table of Meccano train sets. Another impressive feature is the renovated private roof terrace together with the bar with beautiful views across London.
