Roger New decides it’s time to move on and what he loves about living in this desirable North London enclave….

Projects, we love a project! We talk to Roger New, the owner of a rather charming top floor Mansion Block apartment in Hampstead, a handsome red brick’d affair which loom’s over the Finchley Road.

I can’t emphasise enough the, “potential”, here.  It’s not in bad condition, Roger has looked after it well, but I cant help but feel it will be rather like handing on a old Juke Box. Refresh the colours, polish the few edges and replace the Duran Duran with a bit of Stormzy and, bingo, you’re in business.

One half of the flat is more mainstream, bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. The second half is where things get interesting, firstly, inside the private turret, it’s actually quite a serene place to be. I’m not sure if the wigwam, conical shape has anything to do with it, but some low slung, squashy furniture, deep pile rug and you have a cozy snug to just hide away.

Beyond this, there’s a mild , loft feel about the place. The main living space houses some bulky beams in the ceiling. Not the exposed type, they’re boxed in, but coupled with the vaulted ceilings, you do get a pretty dramatic effect.

As I did, you could also loose yourself for a while just staring out of the Velux windows. Being top floor, you’ll be forever scanning the roof top skyline, taking it all in. The mini mezzanine is another place you could perch yourself, it’s just the right size for small office table and chair, and there you have it, home/office.

We let the owner expand o  a few details.

How long have you been at your place ?

23 years

What first attracted you to it?

Its unusual design, its compactness, and its excellent location

Where did you live before?

In Liverpool, then Hampstead, just further up the same road.

How long did it take you to find your property?

3 months

What have you done to the place since you purchased?

Put in built-in bookcases in sitting room, filing shelves in study area, and fitted wardrobes, bed and dressing table in smaller bedroom.

Also, fitted a new security door, and having all windows replaced.  In communal areas, new lift been fitted within the last year, and stairwell redecorated

Favourite room in the place and why?

Sitting room – feeling of space all around, with high ceilings and connections with adjoining rooms, yet still cosy.  Also view across west London. I also love the tower, I’m a musician and love to play my harp and double bess in this room.

How have you found living in the area?

Excellent.  Love spending time in bars and cafes of West Hampstead.  Transport is great – 13 and 113 buses pass the door into the centre of town, and Finchley

Rd & Frognal overground station  is just across the road.  Finchley Road and Hampstead tube stations are 10 minutes walk away, giving a choice of three lines (all with all night services at weekends), and the Thameslink line in West Hampstead goes straight to Luton and Gatwick airports.

Favourite bar/cafe/coffee shop/pub/restaurant ect ect?

Pub: Hollybush in Hampstead

Bars: Gallery West Hampstead

Restaurants: Gung Ho, Sirous, Wet Fish

Cafes:  Gails, Lola, Soho, Streets

Leisure Centre:  Virgin Active in O2 Centre

Supermarkets:  Sainsburies & Waitrose – large and small

Bookshops:  Waterstones in O2 Centre, Karnac opposite tube station

Other:  Habitat, Oliver Bonas and Paperchase in O2 Centre

Why are you selling?

I’m buying a smaller property as an investment in East London..

Where are you moving on to next?

Somewhere equally funky.

Leinster Mnsions is for sale through Unique Property Company, £825,000