Brick & Wonder is A curated platform of the highest quality homes for sale worldwide. Launched by Lang Architecture in 2016, Brick & Wonder provides access to homes in the marketplace with design integrity that have the capacity to improve how we feel, think, interact and ultimately live our daily lives. Architizer will select one Brick & Wonder property to feature every other week.
For the second installment in our collaboration with listings website Brick & Wonder, Architizer turns to the urban environment to bring a selection of city dwellings exemplifying the height of modern residential design, all currently on the market. We’ve focused our collection on townhouses and low-rise apartment buildings in a range of contexts in global cities such as London, New York, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
The townhouse has historically been amongst the most coveted property types in an urban context since they were popularized in 18th-century London as a retreat for wealthy country estate dwellers. While many cities have responded to population growth and housing demands by parceling up these spaces into smaller multi-unit apartments, the townhouse still remains a private option for the urban elite. Townhouses often undergo several interior renovations to repair and enhance the existing structure while keeping the historical exterior — as seen in the London townhouse renovation by Adjaye Associates — while others are built from the ground up to reflect trends in contemporary design inside and out.
This collection also explores the repurposing of industrial or institutional space as another option for carving out residential opportunities, like the converted courthouse and a rehabilitated dairy factory below. Lastly, we take a look at how designers are proposing new residential solutions to combat urban density, such as a series of narrow, modular homes designed by Japanese retailer Muji. Read on to explore our selection of modern townhouses and apartments currently on the market:
Belsize Lane by Adjaye Associates, London, United Kingdom
Occupying a beautifully quaint corner plot in the heart of London’s Belsize Village, this house immediately connects visitors with views to the garden through full-width windows upon entering the home. Originally built in 1970 to a design by the noted architect John Winter, it was refurbished by Jerry Taylor in 1995, then updated and extended by the internationally acclaimed practice Adjaye Associates in 2002. Adjaye’s residential gem is currently listed at $5,480,000.
© Ramonde Zwemmer
© Ramonde Zwemmer
De Lairessestraat Apartment, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Built 99 years ago, the home has almost all of the building’s original period features well intact. Rooms are detailed with rich oak paneling, ornate marble fireplaces and restored parquet flooring, as well as Bakelite lighting. This Amsterdam apartment could be yours for $3,924,000.
Hewer Street Live/Work Studio by Theo Otten of Otten + Partners Architects, London, United Kingdom
This is a pied-à-terre on a little known cul-de-sac in the North Kensington neighborhood of London. The space is part of a larger building forming part of an old Victorian dairy premises, designed by Theo Otten of Otten + Partners Architects. This neo-industrial dwelling comes at an asking price of $3,887,000.
Cheyne Walk by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, London, United Kingdom
The Cheyne Walk home is designed by RIBA-Award winning Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios who are known for pioneering environmental expertise and progressive architectural approaches. Sustainable principles are embedded in the design, with materials and systems chosen to ensure a low impact. This stunning contemporary townhouse build is up for sale for $7,120,000.
Converted Courthouse, London, United Kingdom
This apartment in the West Kensington neighborhood of London is part of what was originally a courthouse. The apartment is in Court Room No1 with much of the original architecture preserved, including 35-foot vaulted ceilings. This historical beauty was recently sold.
The Vertical Muji House by Muji, Tokyo, Japan
Muji, the Japanese retailer of minimal but quality products, has expanded to a larger design scale in the form of architecture. This vertical Muji house is one of several modular designs the company has released. The vertical design is intended to take advantage of narrow urban lots with sustainability elements as central factors in future urban growth. Visit Brick & Wonder to obtain additional details on how to secure your own Muji home.
Turn of the Century Brooklyn Townhouse, Brooklyn, N.Y., United States
104 Prospect Park is a limestone-built townhouse completed in 1899 and designed by prolific architect Axel Hedman. A recent architectural renovation painstakingly preserved original details and craftsmanship while incorporating modern elements where applicable. Reflecting Brooklyn’s increasing popularity, this Prospect Park townhouse can be procured for $11,000,000.
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