'Let's not sugar coat this,' when we wrote about Pindock Mews back in 2021. 'This house is in need of a serious renovation. Very serious. This is only the second time in the last five years that we've come across a property scoring just 1 point on the official energy rating scale.'
At the time it was on the market with Lurot Brand at £2.25 million, the price having been trimmed by a quarter of a million from its original £2.5 million listing back in 2017.
It's taken seven years, but now estate agent Harding Green have found a buyer will to look past the chipped plaster walls, patched ceiling tiles and that pretty shocking energy rating. The Evening Standard (or, we suppose, the plain old Standard, now that it's no longer an evening paper) reports that the sale closed at £2 million.
And despite everything, it's not hard to see. It's clear the potential that lies in this property.
The house sits in the middle of the mews, amongst neatly painted garage doors and balconies brimming with flowers. So while it is, ahem, somewhat 'tired', it's equally possible to see the quaint and characterfully rustic vibes that will make the house an amazing restoration project in Maida Vale's most popular mews — a street, apparently, where Boy George once lived.
Why did it take so long? 'There have always been offers,' says Noah Pearlman of Harding Green told The Standard, adding that Brexit, labour shortages and the soaring cost of materials have put off a string of buyers over the years.
'People do their research and realise it would be particularly difficult.'
The freehold property is currently configured as a one bedroom, 1,484 sq ft house with a large double garage and open-plan kitchen/living space and was home to the outgoing owner for 40 years.
With all the necessary planning and consents, the slightly shabby mews house has the potential to be transformed into accommodation that spans three-four floors with 2,700 sq ft of living space. Quite the upgrade.
The mews is located in the heart of the Maida Vale conservation area, connecting Warwick Avenue and Castellain Road, and a short walk from Little Venice and Regent's Canal.
As for how much it'll be worth when all the work is done? The agents estimate around £3 million, which — considering the size we're talking about — should actually leave plenty of room for someone to make a profit.
And if you're working with that sort of budget, looking at this area, and kicking yourself that even seven years didn't give you enough time to make an offer? You're in luck: a lovely-looking house, completely refurnished and finished, is for sale right now at the end of the road at £3.5 million.
Maida Vale: What you need to know
Location: Maida Vale is located in West London and is part of the City of Westminster. The three closest underground stations are Warwick Avenue, Maida Vale and Royal Oak and provide Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City and Circle line connections.
Atmosphere: Home to the BBC's Maida Vale studio and also many large Victorian and Edwardian mansion blocks, the area is a highly-sought after area to live with a thriving community feel and popular high street.
Things to do: The southern part of Maida Vale is known as 'Little Venice' and home to many house boats. Visit the Canal Cafe Theatre, the Warwick Castle Pub or catch the waterbus service from Little Venice eastwards around Regents Park towards Camden Town.
Schools: St Saviour's C of E Primary School and Ark Atwood Primary Academy both received outstanding ofsted reviews. Maida Vale Secondary School recently opened in 2020 and the Paddington Academy is also nearby.
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