Explore a modern converted lighthouse home in London |

last updated 16 October 2020

A converted lighthouse has just come on to the market, offering a unique home or opportunity to renovate.

Boasting six bedrooms, original 1930s furniture and a copper bath, the former floating lighthouse – moored in East London – is for sale for just £700,000.

Called Light Vessel 93, the boat lives in Royal Victoria Dock in East London where it has a residential renewable yearly licence.

The house boat is 134 feet long, 25 feet wide at its widest point, and 45 feet high, with steps going up to the light at the top, from which you have a spectacular view.

For sale through River Homes and listed on Zoopla, the listing reads: 'Breathtaking views over the docks can be enjoyed from the lighthouse tower rising 45 feet from the water level. Hundreds of square meters of open deck space on multiple levels offer further options for events, photoshoots and filming, leisure time and entertaining.'

The pre-Second World War vessel certainly isn't shy when it comes to its appearance, with a deep red exterior – and flamboyant interiors...

Built in 1938, The striking boat has an interesting history; the vessel acted as a North Sea lighthouse up until 2004 when it was converted into a six-bedroom home by its current owner, a photographer.

His unusual home has proved to be the perfect backdrop for plenty of celebrity photoshoots, with the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Jessie J, the Arctic Monkeys and Dermott O'Leary stepping on board, as well as former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, who starred in Quantum of Solace, for a Bond themed photoshoot.

At over 75 square meters, the former engine room offers ample space for entertaining, or space to be converted into a large, open-plan living area or kitchen.

Meanwhile there's a former cable store, which is now a daylight studio, and an upper store, which is currently used as office space. There vessel also offers plenty of storage.

The boat still includes some of the original 1930s mahogany furniture (as it was built in 1938), but the inside has been extensively renovated.

The listing reads: "The philosophy behind the renovation of the ship has been driven by a deep love and respect for the heritage of the vessel.' In fact. all aspects of the refit were researched at length through an extensive collection of photographs and ship drawings spanning the entire work life of the light vessel, from its construction in 1938 to its retirement from service as a North Sea lighthouse in 2004. The renovation materials were collected from marine and architectural salvage companies, with all replacement lighting, doors, timbers, portholes and fittings sourced from marine salvage companies or directly from shipyards.

The large open space galley kitchen and messroom was fitted with a vintage English Rose style kitchen.

The house boat's interiors are a strong reminder of the property's identity and history.

There are four crew cabins turned bedrooms, with one of them being en-suite. The stern houses the main skipper's cabin and separate storeroom, while a new main cabin and bathroom occupies the top level of the wheelhouse.

A 19th century French copper bath – painted silver – steals the show in the master bathroom.

The six-bed property is for sale for £700,000 via estate agents Riverhomes. Read more history about the ship here.

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.