A penthouse located directly above the former Stock Aitken Waterman ‘Hit Factory’ Music Studios on Vine Yard, London is now on the market for £1.35 million.

The building was the recording site for renowned artists such as Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Sinitta, Steps, and Rick Astley.

Occupying the second floor of an industrial building, the two-bedroom 1,517 sq ft Manhattan loft-style penthouse with a double-height vaulted ceiling and a mezzanine floor. It overlooks a quiet courtyard off Sanctuary Street.

The penthouse has a discreet entrance in a courtyard, leading past the original music studio space.

The entrance hall – which doubles as a spacious dining area - opens onto the penthouse’s dramatic double-height, open-plan reception room, which has vaulted beamed ceilings up to 23 ft high at their apex. At one end the living space is spectacularly lit by huge industrial-style arched warehouse windows. In between the industrial windows are glazed double doors opening onto a Juliette balcony; beside the doors are the warehouse’s original industrial winch and joist machinery, now a feature and architectural reminder of the building’s past. 

The glamorous reception space offers zones for relaxing and entertaining, with a main living area with plenty of room for pieces of statement furniture set around a feature fireplace. The voluminous interior allows for ambitious indoor horticulture – the present owner has a fully-grown tree on display.

There are also multiple areas for reading and studying/home working, plus a separate dining area, with dark wood floors and glossy ruby-red walls. The dining area can easily seat 4-10 people for a powerbroking dinner. A separate kitchen, utility room, and guest bedroom with an ensuite shower room make up this level.

Up on the mezzanine floor is the spectacular principal bedroom suite, which has a vaulted ceiling and is illuminated by a lantern skylight. One side of the bedroom overlooks the huge living space below, with the eaves space cleverly lined with built-in wardrobes. Off the bedroom is a dramatic black marble main bathroom plus a dressing area.

See more photos of the penthouse on 8 Vine Yard building profile.

The building, believed to have origins dating back to the First World War, has notably thick walls, providing soundproofing ideal for a music studio. It was once home to Stock Aiken Waterman ‘Hit Factory’ Music Studios (also known as SAW). In 1985, followed by chart success for Princess and The Three Degrees, the trio moved out of premises at The Marquee in central London and Pete Waterman created his own 24-track music recording studio at Vine Yard. The premises were also home to Waterman’s hugely successful record label, PWL, launched in 1987 with the single I Just Can’t Wait by Mandy Smith.

Over the course of the next decade, an endless parade of up-and-coming as well as established pop stars would cross the Vine Yard building’s threshold. Possibly the most iconic day was the recording of Band Aid II, when the Vine Yard studio was invaded by paparazzi as all the stars arrived.

In 1987, Rick Astley’s debut single Never Gonna Give You Up hit No. 1 in the singles chart, and a year later Australian actress-turned-singer Kylie Minogue rocketed into the global cultural consciousness with I Should Be So Lucky, which stayed in the No. 1 spot for five weeks, quickly followed up with three further hits

Kylie was soon joined at PWL by Neighbours co-star Jason Donovan, whose duet of Especially for You has sales of over 1 million.

Gary Hersham, Founding Director of Beauchamp Estates commented: “As well as being in one of London’s hippest locations, moments from Borough Market and with easy access to the City, this stunning Manhattan loft-style penthouse comes with the priceless kudos of being part of British music history, located directly above the legendary music studios of Stock Aitken Waterman. Countless young virtually unknown musicians and singers crossed the Vine Yard threshold, only to emerge fully fledged pop stars having recorded with the trio.”

Jeremy Gee, Managing Director of Beauchamp Estates added: “This striking penthouse with its double-height ceilings and large arched windows is a rare proposition. With its vast vaulted-ceilinged reception and entertaining area, overlooked by a mezzanine bedroom, it would suit a buyer in search of a truly interesting home, with all the hallmarks of edgy, industrial design, in the beating heart of London’s foodie scene.” 

The penthouse at Vine Yard is available to buy for £1,350,000. For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Beauchamp Estates (Mayfair office) on Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 7722 or visit www.beauchamp.com.