Live the Life Aquatic in This Floating Home on the River Thames
Property Details:
Location: Oyster Pier, London SW11
Price: £1,800,000
Architect: LAB Architects
Footprint: 2,150 square feet (3/4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms)
Year built: 1950s
From the agent: "Handsomely moored on the southern banks of the Thames, Bosco is a spectacularly converted 1950s Dutch barge with a 120-year mooring on Oyster Pier in Battersea. She was designed by LAB Architects for their own family and contains three bedrooms, two living spaces, a utility room, an open-plan kitchen/dining room, and a sublime winter garden on the deck. Bosco offers all the benefits of a fantastic family home, with the unique addition of the tranquillity that comes with life on the river."
"In her commercial past, Bosco was a cargo barge traversing the European waterways carrying grain and coal."
!["In order to transform her [Bosco] into a comfortable family home, the vessel required complete re-engineering; a new steel and glass top section was designed, while the internal space was laid out in a way that complemented the rhythm of the existing brass portholes."](https://images2.dwell.com/photos/6063391372700811264/6947577687109910528/original.jpg?auto=format&q=35&w=160)
"In order to transform her [Bosco] into a comfortable family home, the vessel required complete re-engineering; a new steel and glass top section was designed, while the internal space was laid out in a way that complemented the rhythm of the existing brass portholes."
A large winter garden on the deck offers a tranquil place to read or chat riverside. The "transparent sea container" is heated to ensure its usability year-round.
"Wide timber flooring and a natural palette create warm hues in the winter garden, a peaceful space filled with greenery"
Water and garden-side views from the oak wood deck atop rippling waves will gently rock anyone comfortably lounging to sleep.
Separate staircases lead up from the center of the barge to the deck and winter garden.
Below-deck is configured in three parts, each with its own staircase.
A surprisingly expansive kitchen hosts Carrara marble countertops, stainless steel cabinets, and oak wood panelling, with gallery ceiling lights and two skylights overhead.
A small dining nook sits beside the kitchen.
This staircase leading below deck is well lit by skylights and windows above, also allowing light into the darker parts of the cabin.
Beyond this corridor is entry to the two double cabin bedrooms with supplementary storage and extra shelf-beds for guests.
A private social space mediates between the primary bedroom with en suite bath and the childrens' bedroom.
This cubby-like childrens' room features painted wall panelling and built in storage.
"The main bedroom is situated within the stern and combines oak parquet flooring with birch ply skirting and ceilings framed by wood-panelled walls. There are also built-in wardrobes, providing plenty of storage."
Deep navy lime-wash walls together with Victorian tiles add alluring charm to this en suite bath.
This central area below deck has a full bathroom and is currently used as a study, but could be converted into a secondary living space if desired.
"Oyster Pier is just five minutes walk from the café culture of Battersea Square, which has many wonderful places to eat and drink."
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