Langtry House near Hampstead Heath looks like an unassuming bungalow from the surface, but runs to nearly 3,500 square feet…

hampstead2Langtry House (named after Victorian actress and Royal mistress Lillie Langtry) rises just 11 feet above the ground, but offers nearly 3,500 square feet of hidden depths.

The high-spec three-bedroom house on East Heath Road, near Hampstead Heath, is on the market at £4.7 million via Aston Chase.

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It’s tucked away behind a classic Victorian property, on a site previously occupied by garages. Planners insisted that the new building rise no taller than the previous 11-foot structure – hence the subterranean space.

Despite being largely underground, living space is light and airy thanks to a lot of glass, including a 25-foot high central atrium with glass roof and sunken courtyard.

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Above ground, Langtry House is set behind a gated and walled patio garden, with parking for three cars. Down the feature staircase (and past the 800-bottle wine wall), the lower level is largely open-plan. There’s a kitchen/living room with sliding doors to the sunken courtyard and to a family room, a cinema room, space for a home gym, and a storage cellar.

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Craig Draper, Associate Director at Aston Chase: “We are delighted to bring this unique home to the market at a time where buyers are seeking property with access to large green spaces such as Hampstead heath. Langtry House is the perfect house for a family with bright modern interiors and plenty of space for cars, entertaining and relaxing.”

Mark Pollack, Co-founding Director at Aston Chase: “Langtry House is an exceptional property and arguably Hampstead’s ultimate “iceberg home” having just the 11ft high ground floor of the house above ground, but with expanses of glazing, the large atrium and sunken patio enabling the creation of an abundance of light filled living space at lower ground level. The house has a bright and airy ambience throughout and is perfect for a family wanting to live in sought-after Hampstead, literally across the road from Hampstead Heath.”