Lofty living: UNStudio’s Canaletto tower gives Tech City a residential revamp

Although ideally located for Tech City – the current nickname for the cluster of tech businesses on London's Old Street roundabout – City Road might not be the first place that jumps to mind when you think of luxury living. But the Canaletto tower, designed by the Amsterdam-based UNStudio, has given the road a residential revamp. Located half-way between Old Street and Angel stations, the streamlined high rise comprises 31 stories of apartments, including the newly launched, three bed Beaumont suites.
Inside each of these high end homes, located on the 25th to 28th floors, a peaceful, modern sanctuary has been created by interior designers Goddard Littlefair that belies the tower's proximity to the City. London life can't be forgotten for long however, thanks to the impressive panorama taken in by floor-to-ceiling windows. Designer Martin Goddard (the interiors mastermind behind the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel) comments, 'the apartments have very simple clean lines but use luxury materials such as highly polished timbers and marbles to create a mid-century feel with classic features'.
Externally, Canaletto has an intricate facade – one which is unusually detailed for a residential block. Clusters of adjacent apartments are grouped together with textured aluminium rims, creating clouds of 'neighbourhoods', distinguished only by clean glass terraces. Internally, a communal swimming pool, gym, private screening room and bespoke concierge service add to the neighbourly atmosphere.
Aluminum rims skirting the tower’s facade represent different clusters or ’neighborhoods’ of apartments, adding detail and texture to the exterior walls, as well as providing sustainable shading to keep the apartments cool
The Beaumont suite bedrooms feature 180 degree cityscape panoramas
The idea was to keep the style very contemporary and strong, in keeping with the architecture of the building,’ says interior designer Martin Goddard
Quality materials, such as Italian marble for feature walls and kitchens, have been used throughout to create a classic, mid-century feel
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Canaletto tower’s website
ADDRESS
Canaletto
257 City Road
London, EC1V 1AD
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.
-
The Sinclair name is back, attached to a pocket-sized games console with an educational edge
Grant Sinclair’s name is freighted with early computing history. Wallpaper* tapped up the British inventor to find out more about his new GamerCard console and other innovation
-
Beloved sushi restaurant Sōgo Roll Bar comes to Highland Park
The sushi hangout begins a new chapter in its second location, becoming the perfect spot for a quick grab-and-go or a relaxed tasting experience in east LA
-
Japanese designer Shinichiro Ogata's latest venture is a modern riff on the traditions of his home country
As he launches Saboe, a series of new tearooms and shops across Japan, we delve into Shinichiro Ogata's creative vision, mirrored throughout the spaces and objects, rituals and moments of his projects