Slowly shaking its rise-and-grind reputation, the City of London is proving that it too can work hard and play hard. While it remains the beating heart of London’s all-important financial industry, it is far from the sea of suits that it used to be.
Hidden amongst the glass skyscrapers and the busied commuters, just a few moments away from Aldgate station, the Windsor Penthouse at The Haydon offers a home in the heart of the Square Mile. In such a prime location, everything London has to offer is already on your doorstep: within 10 minutes you could be in a business meeting in Canary Wharf, window shopping on Bond Street or having a stroll in Green Park.
[See also: One11 Residences Penthouse Hits NYC Market for $17m]
For those who prefer to remain within the confines of their kingdom, The Haydon, from developers Regal London, has an array of luxurious amenities and hotel-style facilities, including a wellness suite complete with a gym, yoga studio, stretch zone and spa pool, a private cinema, landscaped gardens on the 11th floor, and 24-hour concierge on hand to support each resident’s lifestyle.
Architects ACME have not only created a contemporary landmark that allows The Haydon to stand out among the city’s mirage of skyscrapers, but the firm also made sure to account for maximizing light, space and privacy – something that is difficult to achieve in this condensed part of town.
While any of the 87 luxury residences promises tranquility from the city below, those looking for the very best should go straight to the top. Crowning the top three floors, the three-bedroom Windsor Penthouse remains the shining jewel of The Haydon.
[See also: The Lucan in London’s Chelsea Blends the Past with the Present]
Entering the property on the 14th floor, you will find the primary bedroom with an ensuite, plus an additional two double bedrooms and a family bathroom. If the sweeping city views from the floor-to-ceiling windows were not enough, a private terrace off the primary bedroom has you feeling like you can reach out and touch the tip of the Gherkin.
Rising an additional level, the property opens up to its sprawling open-plan living space. Thoughtfully designed with entertainment at the forefront of the mind, it offers flexibility to suit any socializing requirement while amplifying the feeling of expansiveness afforded by those city views.
Those impressive views provide the ideal inspiration for the luxury interiors, designed by award-winning studio A.LONDON. The use of brass and coppers in the social areas softly reflect the city into the property, while injections of powder blue throughout the bedrooms aim to create a feeling of an endless sky – a perhaps noble aim considering London is infamous for its gray days, but the soft hues offer some colorful optimism.
[See also: Own a Piece of Scottish History at Woodhall House]
No element of the penthouse has been overlooked, providing all the amenities required for modern city living; from bespoke fittings, a suite of Miele appliances in the kitchen, and Aquavision TV screens in the family bathroom.
Yet the signature of this property must be found on the final floor. Climb up to the 16th to discover the private roof terrace, which makes full use of those all-impressive views. Even against the backdrop of the City, it is the ideal place to forget about work in the morning.
$5.4m, regal-london.co.uk
[See also: This Paris Apartment is the Most Expensive Sold This Year]