Heron Tower (110 Bishopsgate) is apparently now officially taller than Tower 42's 183m. It will eventually reach 246m into the sky, taller even than 1 Canada Square.

Technorati Tags: architecture, development, London, property, real estate

This counts as "news", in my book. The Barbican boasts 69 new apartments, after a conversion of City University business school offices in residential use. Okay... you could argue that these aren't "original"... they might provide living inside a visionary 60s block, but they're not the 60s vision of living. Doesn't seem to be putting off the buyers, apparently, some of whom are said to be trading sideways from inside the Barbican. But check out the prices:

Expect to pay £380,000 for a studio with a flip-down bed, and up to £1.87 million for a three-bedroom duplex.

Now check out the apartments.

Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate

A little-known regional index (no, not house prices) was published by the Communities and Local Government Department a couple of days ago. It's the happiness index... how happy are you living where you do. The City came out tops, with a 92.4% swellness rating, narrowly beating Richmond upon Thames into second place. Richmond - clearly taking this kind of crap far too seriously - has fought back... calling the City "statistically insignificant" because of its sub-10,000 population, and proclaiming itself the swellest place in the country. Incidentally, the least swell place in the country was also in London... sorry, Barking and Dagenham (56.6%).

Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate

Towering over the neighbouring buildings, the Barbican stands as the ultimate symbol of London’s postwar urban planning.

It certainly does; and here at the Rat and Mouse we love it. Time Out has put together a little guide to one of the city's residential landmarks, and it makes for interesting Friday afternoon reading.

Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate

... makes me reflect on research that came out several years ago about the young professional classes being attracted to more culturally mixed areas, attracted by their ethnic diversity and vibrancy... A visit to London's Hoxton and Shoreditch over the weekend confirmed this view. The run down streets were full of 20 somethings seeking pleasure and experiences all attracted by the places slightly edgy feel... These areas can often provide landlords with some great letting opportunities as properties tend to be cheaper than in more established areas but rents are strong and there is always the potential for more rapid capital appreciation as a result of gentrification.

Something tells me PropertyHawk's not from 'round here... but if he can find some of those cheap Hoxton or Shoreditch properties, I'm all-ears. (Not literally, obviously.)

Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate

The Telegraph visits wooden floor specialist Eelke Bles's Spitalfields loft, a genuinely remarkable converted shmatte trade sweat shop, which he used to store wood for a while before converting for domestic use. He now lives there, alongside offices and a furniture showroom. What's so remarkable about the story is his hands on approach, from design, to actually making much of the furniture. He's a talented chap. Read it, here.

Technorati Tags: architecture, design, interiors, London, property, real estate

Over at Londonist, they're carrying the story of a potentially very dramatic addition to the London skyline. DIFA Tower (I know... too boring, it'll have to change) will be up to 40 metres higher than the Gherkin. The architect has been named as Kohn Pederson Fox, and the location... 6-8 Bishopsgate. Which means, from certain angles, it may well detract from the Swiss Re. What do you think? Good idea? Or not?

30 acres in the sky [March 14]