The former IYLO brings a luxury London lifestyle within reach

In any setting, the sleek, 20-storey ISLAND building would be quite the sight. It could be in the most sought-after district of Dubai or the most in-demand corner of New York City and still turn heads. That's on account of such astonishing design features as its elliptical plan consisting of two equal halves appearing to 'slide' past each other, the jaw-dropping double-height entrance lobby and serene water-fountain communal garden.

However, the structure appeals for reasons other than its own impressive internal and external specification. That's because this building was once called IYLO, and since the beginning of its construction, was intended to make luxurious living attainable for a wider audience of prospective residents of what is, after all, a very special city. That city is none less than London, one of the world's most formidable and thriving metropolises.

So many reasons abound to make London your home. This is a city that offers a universe of opportunity on your doorstep, a city in which you can dine in the very finest of fine restaurants, discover world-renowned artistic treasures 'in the flesh' or scream in ecstasy as an attendee of concerts and festivals simply unparalleled elsewhere in their importance and excitement. It is also, of course, a place to realise all of your most treasured career dreams.

In short, London is the complete city. Whether one is taking in any of the endless parks and gardens - such as Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens - that make it a surprising green lung, or instead making the most of landmarks like Buckingham Palace or the London Eye, it's clear that this is a part of the world where there is always something to see, do and hear.

However, there's also nothing quite like being able to return from all of this stimulation to the most hospitable abode - one featuring everything from engineered wooden flooring and opulent underfloor heating to white sanitary ware throughout the bathroom and a living/kitchen area fully equipped with the highest quality integrated appliances. Such luxury is all the more to be savoured when it is available at a genuinely affordable price.

So popular a city is London, that such a proposition is like gold dust in this city - and yet, it does exist, in the form of the recently-completed ISLAND penthouse and apartment building. Formerly IYLO and a project that was subject to successive unfortunate delays, the structure is now a finished reality, and it won't be long before each and every one of its temptingly-priced living spaces has been snapped up.

Croydon's surprising architectural heritage now being added to by the ex-IYLO building

London is, of course, a repository for some of Western civilisation's very greatest buildings. Anyone who is even casually quizzed on the rich architectural inheritance of this global metropolis can reel off the names of structures of iconic status the world over, from the Tower of London and London Eye to Tate Modern and Battersea Power Station.

However, rather less is said of the buildings that predominate in one of the capital's most unsung corners, Croydon, and even when conversation does turn to that area of south London, it so often turns to stereotypes, of dull 1960s office blocks and angular shopping centres, dotted between roads suffering from choking congestion.

Not only do so many people seem to forget how much of Croydon's architecture predates the post-industrialised 20th century, but the same seems to apply for the fresh influx of construction that is rapidly bringing forth a very different Croydon. Such perceptions have contributed to this part of the ever in-demand English capital remaining relatively un-gentrified compared to those areas of a similar history - but this cannot remain the case for much longer.

It certainly can't remain the case for as long as such a remarkable new addition to the Croydon skyline as the former IYLO building exists. From whichever angle one views this sleek 20-storey tower in the heart of Croydon, it truly merits that adjective - "remarkable". One might most admire the structure's decidedly 21st century elliptical plan, consisting of two equal halves that appear to slide past each other.

Alternatively, it may be the inside of the building that most strikes the observer - its sophisticated lobby and reception area, perhaps, or the well-planned apartments and penthouses themselves, with their plentiful natural light. What cannot be denied, is that the erstwhile IYLO building befits a tradition of surprisingly beautiful Croydon architecture. Such a tradition stretches back to the likes of the English Gothic Croydon Minster and the Old Town Hall, and continues through to Fairfield Halls and the Saffron Square luxury apartment development.

The former IYLO building - now rebranded ISLAND - takes its proud place in Croydon as the town looks to celebrate its rejuvenation this decade. Most astonishingly of all, some ISLAND penthouses and apartments remain available - but are sure to be snapped up as word gets round of Croydon's new architectural giant.