Luxurious Two-Bedroom Apartment in One Blackfriars, Southwark, London

Some homes have a certain kind of hush when you step in. This two bedroom apartment at One Blackfriars, out in Bankside right by the river, really does that. I had that funny moment just staring at the Thames and the skyline and thinking, well, this could be a good place to slow down for a bit. I mean, you actually feel in London but somehow above it all at the same time.

The kitchen looks purpose built for someone who actually likes cooking, not just for show. Everything in there is by Miele so you get those proper chef vibes even if you are just warming up a pasta. I opened one of the cupboards and it had that quiet soft close and even the fixtures feel solid. It just says no fuss and everything in the right place. You could picture yourself having morning coffee by the window looking out over the water. To be honest, I can see that becoming a little ritual especially with the way those windows pull in the light. There is something about that open plan living room too. It is spacious but not so big that you lose yourself. It feels like the sort of place you would want to come home to after a day walking around Borough Market or popping down to Tate Modern just minutes away.

The full height windows are really the thing here. During the day you get loads of sun. On an overcast afternoon you can just watch the city wake up right outside. I even found myself just leaning against the glass once or twice. The bedrooms are east facing so morning light starts creeping in honestly before you might even want it. But it is gentle and not too sharp. The storage is more practical than people expect and the layout feels like whoever designed it actually lived here for a while and thought it through.

One of the nice things is the comfort that sneaks up on you. Underfloor heating for colder mornings so you are not searching for socks. Home automation makes setting the vibe pretty simple. There are two TVs which sounds excessive until you realise you might want to watch something in bed and something else out in the living room. The Sonos surround sound makes movie nights surprisingly good. I tried out the controls and it was all pretty easy.

Downstairs is where it gets interesting. The building does not feel all show. There is a concierge that always remembers faces and just makes things run smoothly without it feeling overbearing. The spa is the kind you would pay a fair bit for elsewhere in the city. I saw a few residents using the pool and nobody rushing. On the thirty second floor there is a lounge with these wild panoramic views. I could see how a private dinner or a work meeting up there would be something you remember.

If fitness is your thing there is an actual gym and not just a treadmill in a closet. Some people were practicing swings in the golf simulator which is honestly more fun than it sounds. Even if you do not play golf. There is a private cinema as well and on the weekends you sometimes see families heading there with buckets of popcorn.

The location hits that sweet spot. Right in South Bank so the walk along the river is always an option. Coffee shops everywhere. If you are into culture you have theatres and galleries almost at your doorstep. Getting to Mayfair or Knightsbridge for dinner or shopping does not take long either and you are still able to get back home without much fuss. Sometimes you see kids biking along the river in the evenings or people walking dogs. It feels lived in not just high end.

Honestly this apartment works whether you are using it full time or just as a place to escape to in London. It never feels stiff or pretentious. The only way to see if it suits you is to come and have a look yourself. If something catches your eye or you want a chat about living here just reach out any time. At LuxuryProperty dot com we want to help you feel at home before you even move in.