Kinetica Apartments, Tyssen Street, London E8

This light-filled penthouse apartment is elevated high on the 12th and 13th floors of Kinetica Apartments in Dalston, east London. It is arranged across two levels, with an expansive balcony that spans the length of the open-plan living area and is set against a immersive city backdrop. Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the building has impressive eco-credentials as well as a spacious communal roof terrace.

The Architect

Waugh Thistleton, established in 1997, is an architect practice based in Shoreditch and founded by Andrew Waugh and Anthony Thistleton. The practice strives to make beautiful, intellectually rigorous, environmentally responsible architecture; responsive to client, context and brief. Projects range from high-rise housing to mixed-use, public and commercial buildings. Clients include housing associations, local authorities, artists, synagogues and cinemas.

The Building

Kinetica Apartments was built by Waugh Thistleton Architects in 2009 and comprises 56 individual flats arranged over 13 stories. Designed as a prow shape, the building cuts a striking profile along the Dalston skyline. Waugh Thistleton took inspiration from New York's Flat Iron building designed by Daniel Burnham and Frederick Dinkleberg in New York in 1902.

The Tour

Entrance to the apartment is on the 13th floor via a smart communal lobby area with multiple lifts. The front door opens onto a central hallway with plenty of full-height cupboards for concealed storage. Arranged in reverse, the open-plan living spaces flow directly from here, with the bedrooms positioned downstairs.

Punctuated by floor-to-ceiling sliding glazed doors that span the length of the living area, the living spaces have been executed with a crisp, paired-back palette of white-washed walls and dark stained floorboards. The kitchen, configured as a U-shape, sits tucked to one side with an induction hob placed in the centre to ensure lines of sight while cooking. Understated off-white cabinetry houses plenty of storage and integrated appliances.

A staircase descends to two spacious double bedrooms and a large bathroom. Each bedroom has generous storage in the form of mirrored full-height wardrobes, and neutral grey carpet underfoot. The main bedroom also has an en suite shower room with a neutral palette. There is also a useful utility cupboard on this floor.

The apartment also comes with a parking space, which sits within a secure underground carpark.

Outdoor space

A large balcony, laid with mosaic tiles, can be accessed via sliding glazed doors from the living area, creating a wonderful sense of extension to the internal plan. A secluded spot, it offers breathtaking, uninterrupted views across London, as well as plenty of space for planting and a small table and chairs.

The apartment also has access to a separate spacious communal roof terrace.

The Area

Kinetica Apartments is in Dalston, close to Ridley Road Market - considered by many to be the beating heart of the local community. It has run every Monday to Saturday since the 1880s and is home to over 150 stalls offering fresh produce from around the world.

Dalston has an eclectic range of restaurants and cafés, including Little Duck, The Dusty Knuckle, Violet Bakery and Brilliant Corners, on Wilton Way. There are many excellent pubs and bars in the area, including The Spurstowe Arms and Three Sheets.

For green space, Hackney Downs Park and London Fields (with its popular heated lido and tennis courts) are both approximately a 15-minute walk away.

Dalston Junction and Kingsland stations are a short walk, providing transport links on the east/west and southbound branches of the London Overground. Buses run regularly to London Bridge and the City from nearby Kingsland Road.

Tenure: Leasehold / Lease Length: approx. 110 years remaining / Service Charge: approx £7,000 per annum (includes parking, heating and hot water) / Ground Rent: £300 per annum / Council Tax Band: D