Dreaming of Church Conversions in Islington

My Roman Empire

Sometimes, I fantasize about what our permanent home here might look like. On one hand, I envision a classic Victorian house with a lovely backyard. But those apartments in former churches completely capture my imagination!

After the war, there was a decline in religious participation, and by 1969, a law was passed that allowed churches to be converted into residential and other types of projects. The boom for developers hit during the '80s and '90s. I’ve learned that there are quite a few church conversions right here in Islington and nearby Highgate and Hampstead.

Just around the corner from our home is this beautiful red church. The interior of the apartment for sale isn’t exactly impressive, honestly. The renovation is just passable—it’s clear they didn't want to invest too much effort, as the old windows have been covered with ugly plastic shields. This 164 m² apartment is priced at £1 million. Is that reasonable or a bit much?

However, I’ve completely fallen for this other former church, and now we stroll around the neighborhood in the evenings just to admire it. The entrance and the beautiful modern windows show that some thought went into the renovation. There’s a two-bedroom apartment for sale there as well! It has a much more thoughtful layout, measuring 79 m², for just £625,000.

It's a pity that this one doesn’t have floor-to-ceiling windows. Otherwise, I would have definitely bought it by now! 💅