South London is now overtaking north London in terms of style and popularity. Anna Bowden looks at some new homes that are really doing this up-and-coming area justice.
South London is one of the most up-and-coming destinations of the moment and one of the city’s most talked about areas. It has almost overtaken north London in terms of popularity and has money pouring into it left, right and centre from many different sources for regeneration and cosmetic improvement. No wonder, then, that prices are rising in this newly-desirable part of the world.
As always, new homes developers have been quick to see the potential and demand for quality homes in this area, and there is now a plethora of great new developments springing up in all corners, offering high-specification living for all types of purchaser.
Bellway’s new Meridian South development in Hither Green, Lewisham, is set to bring a massive regeneration and economic boost to the area. Meridian South is the redevelopment of the former Hither Green hospital, and will retain the clocktower made by Queen Victoria’s clockmaker as its central feature, along with a new central piazza and water tower. The Historic Quarter of the development was officially opened just two weeks ago by the Mayor of Lewisham, Steve Bullock and will, when complete, comprise a mixed-use scheme of 442 new homes plus offices, a doctor’s surgery, health and leisure facilities, a children’s nursery and landscaped parking. The nursery is being funded by the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative and by the New Opportunities Fund, which provides lottery funding to community projects, and will provide full day care for up to 40 children between the ages of three months and five years.
Apartments are spacious and designed in a variety of styles. Prices for phase two of the Draco House building start from £147,000 for a one-bedroom ground-floor apartment and range to £227,000 for two-bedroom fourth-floor apartment. For further details or to arrange a viewing call the sales office on 020 8695 9856.
Copthorn Homes is furthering the regeneration of Peckham with the release of another phase of apartments and town houses, known as SouthQuarter2. Designed to maximise the use of space and light, this latest Peckham scheme will sit sympathetically within the local landscape by matching the Victorian style and proportions of Copthorn’s two existing Peckham developments, South Quarter and Coleman Square.
Neil Armstrong, marketing director for Copthorn Homes, says, ‘We are very pleased to be able to announce our continued presence in Peckham. We’ve built over 150 new homes already in the area and we are looking forward to providing the next phase.’
Consisting of 189 one- and two-bedroom apartments and a choice of three-bedroom town houses, the latest project is designed to appeal in particular to shrewd investors who are keen to reap the benefits of a conveniently located home which offers excellent rental prospects.
Neil Armstrong continues, ‘The Camberwell College of Art is situated nearby in Peckham, providing the ideal market for people who want to attract potential tenants from the student market. Kings College Hospital and the Maudsley Hospital are also nearby, bringing opportunities to let to medical professionals too.’
Peckham offers excellent transport links, with New Cross and Elephant & Castle providing an efficient tube service. Prices at SouthQuarter2 range from £140,000 to £300,000. For further information or to arrange a visit call the sales office on 020 7703 8693, or email information@copthornhomes.co.uk.
Laing Homes is offering funky, modern living in Putney at its SW15H development, a landmark development of 66 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments, penthouses and duplexes as well as an express supermarket, first floor office space, a restaurant and seven two-bedroom social housing units.
Situated virtually on the doorstep of East Putney tube station, SW15H is extremely well connected for commuters, allowing swift access into the West End via the District Line. Putney mainline station is also accessible, allowing an easy transfer into Waterloo. Sports enthusiasts are also well catered for, with the development’s proximity to Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park as well as the number of local gyms and fitness centres; and those who love shopping will enjoy Putney and Wimbledon’s excellent options.
Apartments at SW15H are contemporary and high-specification, boasting super-sleek streamlined spaces with Alno fully fitted kitchens and Villeroy & Boch bathrooms. Laing is also offering its sophisticated upgrade options, which include built-in cappuccino maker, TV screen in the bathroom, built-in steam oven, mood lighting, wooden floors and a multi-room hi-fi system.
Prices at SW15H start from £315,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and from £380,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. For more information call 020 8874 6536.
Laing is also currently offering its Milieu development in Barnes, a unique collection of just 19 new and partly refurbished one- and two-bedroom apartments that combine traditional architecture and values with a contemporary approach and design style. The development consists of two constructions – the River Terrace Apartments, a striking glass structure comprising six beautifully refurbished and extended apartments together with three brand new apartments, all boasting unbroken views across the Thames; and the Village Apartments.
The River Apartments have a stunning specification, boasting Alno continental designer fully fitted kitchens, with a choice of corian or granite worktops and Bosch stainless steel integrated appliances. Bathrooms feature Villeroy & Boch contemporary sanitaryware and fittings, including a double-ended bath and walk-in shower area.
The Village Apartments offer a different perspective, comprising ten newly-created high-specification designer apartments fronting Barnes High Street. The majority of the apartments boast a deck, a terrace or a balcony, and all have private allocated parking within the central courtyard.
Prices at The Village Apartments start from £330,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and at the River Terrace Apartments from £590,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. For more details call selling agent 020 8487 1417.
Berkeley Homes Southern is currently transforming the former Wandsworth Boys School in Southfields into a collection of luxury apartments and town houses called Arcadian Place. The school building itself will be converted into 29 apartments, while a further 12 town houses and eight mews houses, with two-, three-, four- and five-bedrooms, will be built in a contemporary design down a tree-lined boulevard. Four generously-proportioned Arts & Crafts style semi-detached houses will be built at the entrance to the driveway, boasting four-and five-bedrooms respectively, and these will be the first released for sale, at prices from £750,000.
David Orchin, sales and marketing director for Berkeley Homes Southern, says, ‘Arcadian Place offers an outstanding collection of highly desirable homes, with off-street parking, in a prime London location. The prices are very competitive with those of comparable properties in and around the Wimbledon area. This type of development sells very well off-plan, so we would recommend purchasers register their interest early to ensure they have their pick of the plots.’
This combination of old and new buildings, with traditional and classic styles complemented by contemporary designs, provides an attractive choice of house styles and sizes not often found in the area, thus making Arcadian Place perfect for professionals, those with young families and those in the vicinity looking to upsize to a high-specification, high-quality new home.
Prices at Arcadian Place range from £250,000 to £950,000. To register interest contact the sales and marketing suite, open weekdays from 11am to 7pm and weekends from 10am to 5pm, on 020 8704 5517.
Taylor Woodrow has just opened a superb new show apartment at Bombay Wharf, a Thames-side scheme of 70 apartments and one house in historic Rotherhithe, to showcase the 103 Rotherhithe Street section of the development. International design team Connections in Design has created the show apartment to perfectly reflect the unique design and high quality of the development, using original wooden beams as a significant feature to provide character and sophistication. Di Franklin, sales manager at Connections in Design, says, ‘We aimed to create an oasis of understated sophistication in the area of Rotherhithe; a bohemian flavour, used with natural, earthy colours combined with rich textures to contribute to the intrinsic quality of the scheme. We have avoided using window treatments because we felt there should be no distractions from the amazing views. You need to visit the show apartment to fully appreciate the uniqueness of this development.’
Bombay Wharf is accessed from St Marychurch Street and is grouped into five main buildings, which are surrounded by contemporary landscaping and timber decking. Each of the buildings has a distinctly different feel, derived from their unique architectural features, and apartments are given character by timber flooring, exposed brickwork and timber ceiling buttresses. The specification differs for each building to preserve the individual characteristics of each part of the scheme. However, all apartments boast sleek stainless steel integrated appliances and bespoke units in the kitchens, giving a stylish and contemporary feeling. Many apartments also have balconies or terraces, allowing for full appreciation of the spectacular riverside views of Tower Bridge, or the impressive Canary Wharf skyline.
Bombay Wharf occupies a prime Thames-side location and is perfect for commuters, being close to the Jubilee Line at Bermondsey, taking travellers to Canary Wharf within ten minutes. Prices range from £240,000 for a one-bedroom home to £595,000 for a large three-bedroom duplex apartment. One four-bedroom house at £1.1 million (freehold) is also available. For further information call 020 7064 4897.