A three-bedroom, split-level new build by Hackney Downs where clever joinery hides everything in plain sight.
Ask anyone who has moved from a period property into a new build what changed most, and they will often land on the same answer: storage. Modern life simply demands different things of a home than it did in Victorian or Edwardian times, and newer homes are designed around that reality. None of which is to talk down London's glorious period stock: the tall sash windows, the ornate cornicing, the original fireplaces, the hallway tiles worn smooth by a century of footsteps... It is what so many people move to London dreaming of, and plenty of the renovated homes in our portfolio pair that character with brilliantly thought-through storage additions. The best of both worlds is very much achievable.
That said, the apartment we currently have for sale in the Parkhaus development, recently featured in The Guardian's roundup of Homes for sale in England with smart storage, is a particularly elegant example of what happens when clever storage is baked into a new build from day one, and then dressed with the kind of panelling and craftsmanship that makes you do a double take and wonder if the whole place has been standing for a hundred and fifty years.
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A new build that feels like a period apartment
Right by Hackney Downs park, one stop from Liverpool Street, the three-bedroom split-level apartment has been transformed by the current owners and a master craftsman joiner into something genuinely unusual. Engineered oak herringbone floors with underfloor heating, wood panelling running up the walls and staircase – and, crucially, much of that panelling is doing double duty as concealed storage. Under the stairs, in the wall facing the sofa in the snug: tech and belongings tucked away behind the woodwork.
It is a reminder that smart storage does not have to look modern to be modern. And it does not have to come at the expense of character.
What's on offer at Parkhaus
- Residents' rooftop swimming pool
- Residents' lounge
- Engineered oak herringbone flooring
- Concierge services
- Private balconies/terraces
- Communal Wi-Fi throughout the development
- Moments from Rectory Road Station
Selling or letting a home with real character?
A feature in The Guardian does not happen by accident. It happens because the details of a property are spotted, photographed and presented in a way that makes editors, buyers and tenants lean in. That is the work we love, whether it is a converted Victorian terrace, a craftsman-finished new build like the Parkhaus apartment, or a period flat with original features worth fighting for.
And right now, there is an extra reason to take off with us. Bring a new property to Foxtons to sell or let, and you can collect up to 30,000 Avios* when we get it done. Enough to fly you to Barcelona, Santorini or a long weekend somewhere sunny. Your property flies with Foxtons, and now, so do you.
*T&Cs apply. **TwentyCI data, 2025 new lettings instructions at a brand level.
A quick note on Hackney Downs
Hackney Downs is a 40-acre green space with a wildflower meadow, sports pitches and a playground. On its doorstep, Hackney Downs Studios houses independent shops, a bakery and bars, while Chatsworth Road Market (Sundays, 11am to 4pm) is a local favourite.
Transport is excellent: Hackney Downs and Rectory Road stations run on the Weaver Line straight into Liverpool Street, putting the City within easy reach.
Explore Hackney Downs Homes →Source: This article references reporting from The Guardian and first‑hand detail from Foxtons marketing and sales teams. Foxtons works closely with homeowners across London to present properties accurately, with a deep understanding of the local market for them. Our teams specialise in highlighting the details that matter to buyers and renters, and the property owners. If you have any questions on this article, send us an email to ask a Foxtons expert
