From the street, this home looks like a standard single-storey bungalow. But in fact it is a sprawling ‘iceberg home’ with much of its living space contained in a light and airy mega basement.
The modern family home on East Heath Road, Hampstead, north London, was built on the site of communal garages.
Planning restrictions meant the height of the property could not exceed the 11ft of the original structure, so developers Aston Chase dug underground instead.
The 3,451sq ft property on is dominated by a 25ft high atrium, with more than 10ft of that below ground, which houses an open-plan living space and leads off to the designer kitchen and two bathrooms, all of which open out to the sunken courtyard at the centre of the property.
There is also a master bedroom suite on the ground floor, an exercise room, second children’s living room and a soundproof cinema room.
Unassuming: The property in Hampstead, north London, looks like a single-storey bungalow from the street… but is actually a sprawling ‘iceberg home’ with much of its living space contained in a light and airy mega basement
Hidden depths: The sprawling mega basement has a 25ft high atrium housing a massive living space. Planning restrictions meant the height of the property could not exceed 11ft, so developers Aston Chase dug underground instead
The clever design allows for dual-level outdoor space without losing the light to the basement level. Pictured, a view from the walled garden on the ground floor looking down to the sunken courtyard at the centre of the basement level
Clever use of the courtyard, skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows means the property still feels bright and spacious, despite being largely underground. Developers dug some 13ft below ground to create the desired effect
In one corner of the open-plan atrium there is a comfortable living area (left), which opens out to the dining room (right). On the basement level there is also a cinema room, spacious kitchen, two bedrooms and a gym room
The basement level also boasts a fully soundproof cinema and music room that is perfect for relaxing. The developers said there continues to be huge demand for a private cinema space and this one is a stylish example
The master bedroom suite is on the ground floor (pictured) and opens directly onto the stylish walled garden. The room boasts its own dressing room and ensuite bathroom so residents can enjoy every luxury
On the ground level there is a reception hall and master bedroom suite, with dressing room and ensuite bathroom, along with access to the walled patio garden.
From the glass walled entrance hall stairs lead down into the central atrium with a double height feature wall and storage for 800 bottles of wine. A glass roof and open-plan layout makes the most of the natural light.
Within the atrium space is the open plan living and dining room, with the family kitchen, designed by Poggenpohl, located off the atrium, featuring a central kitchen island.
Full height glazing and sliding glass doors from the living area give access to a spacious sunken courtyard which forms a central patio and allows further natural light into the living space.
Off of the living area, through 10ft high sliding doors is a family room, perfect for children or for taking time away from the open living space.
An aerial view of the property reveals how the property stretches down into the basement from the walled garden, adding thousands of square feet of space. Outside the front gate (seen bottom left) there is space for parking three cars
The front gate opens onto the walled garden, which offers ample space for entertaining, and leads into the house. Floor-to ceiling windows along this top level floods the entrance hall with light that spills into the open-plan basement below
The master bedroom suite boasts a separate dressing room and monochrome marble bathroom (pictured). The bathroom features a spa-like full-sized tub, rain shower and his-and-hers sinks, giving couples plenty of space to get ready
The master bedroom suite connects to a ground floor landing (right) which leads to the staircase down to the basement. The design features a 25ft high statement wall, which is currently used to display a striking piece of modern art (left)
The open design of the staircase (left) stops the entryway from feeling to closed off and dark. The bottom of the staircase looks out into the sunken courtyard at the centre of the property and looks out to a bedroom on the opposite side
Underneath the staircase there is inbuilt wine storage with enough space for 800 bottles, including special compartments to showcase favourite vintages. However this space could be easily re-imagined to become extra cupboard storage
The open-plan living area benefits from 25ft ceilings and large skylights above the living area and staircase (just pictured). The entryway on the ground floor at the top of the house has a mezzanine landing that looks out to the living area
The ground floor of the property is just 11ft tall, pictured, and is concealed from the street by a wall (pictured). No one walking past the property, which is just a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, would have any idea of the mega basement below
There are two further bedrooms on this floor, one with a walk-in dressing room and both with en-suites, with floor to ceiling glazing in the bedrooms opening onto the central patio, which introduces fresh air and natural light into the bedrooms.
Beyond the kitchen is a space perfect for a home office or gym, a facility popular with buyers since the pandemic. The house also benefits from a fully soundproofed cinema room.
Langtry House, named after Victorian actress Lillie Langtry, the mistress of King Edward VII, whose cousin Philip Le Breton was a local Hampstead resident, is situated just a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath.
The property is also under a 10-minute walk into Hampstead village and the abundance of retail outlets, cafes and restaurants that the village boasts.
Off to one side of the living space (right), there is a separate TV room, which could double up as a play area for children. The open-plan design allows you to see right across to the guest bedrooms on the other side of the courtyard
The second living room is ideal for family living and has a built-in desk that’s the perfect spot for homework. It could also be re-imagined as a home office, or even as and additional bedroom for guests or children
The kitchen (left) and downstairs bedrooms (one seen behind) open directly onto the sunken courtyard (right). The kitchen is designed by Poggenpohl, located off the atrium, featuring a central kitchen island
The large, modern kitchen is dominated by a sleek island that could double up as a breakfast bar. It has integrated appliances from Gaggenau and white marble work surfaces throughout that add to the feeling of ultimate luxury
The design centres around the sunken courtyard which brings a feeling of openness to the lower basement level. This view shows how the upper walled garden can be viewed from the basement level, and vice-versa
The kitchen leads out to the courtyard through doors that can be fully retracted for indoor-outdoor living. The patio is large enough for a table and chairs and bright enough to eat or relax in and enjoy the sun
A view from the sunken courtyard, looking up to the walled garden above, and through to the central living space. The kitchen (right) and bedroom (left) occupy the rooms on either side of the courtyard
Craig Draper, Associate Director at Aston Chase said: ‘We are delighted to bring this unique home to the market at a time where buyers are seeking property with access to large green spaces such as Hampstead Heath.
‘Langtry House is the perfect house for a family with bright modern interiors and plenty of space for cars, entertaining and relaxing.’
Mark Pollack, Co-founding Director at Aston Chase says: ‘Langtry House is an exceptional property and arguably Hampstead’s ultimate “iceberg home” having just the 11ft high ground floor of the house above ground, but with expanses of glazing, the large atrium and sunken patio enabling the creation of an abundance of light filled living space at lower ground level.
‘The house has a bright and airy ambience throughout and is perfect for a family wanting to live in sought-after Hampstead, literally across the road from Hampstead Heath.’
One of the downstairs bedrooms, which opens out to the sunken courtyard and would be perfect for children. The space is flooded with light and is extra secure thanks to its position at the centre of the house
Another bedroom which leads out to the courtyard and offers a view to the atrium living space at the front of the house
The bathrooms are spacious and stylish, creating an ideal space for ultimate at home relaxation
Behind the cinema room (seen through the door on the right) there is a space that could be used for exercise
The walled garden offers space for outdoor living and dining (pictured) and leads directly to the master suite
The property looks just as impressive when lit up at night. Pictured, the view down to the sunken courtyard