Land is in short supply these days, and developers are finding new uses for buildings and land which have some fascinating stories to tell. Anna Bowden looks at new homes with interesting histories.
There is always a buzz associated with buying a home, but what if your new property had an interesting history as well? Then you would really have something to talk about. To combat the shortage of land, new homes developers are more and more frequently refurbishing and/or converting buildings with a former life to create great new homes for people, enabling buyers to not only enjoy high-specification, high-quality living, but also to live in a property with a past.
Beechcroft has recently completed a sensitive conversion of a former Grade II listed mansion and its outbuildings at Cobham Park in Surrey, creating 21 new luxury homes. Five of these homes – The Mews Cottages – are located in the former stable yard and each cottage offers modern benefits combined with the charm and character of the original buildings. Outside, the cottages have their own decked patio areas, large enough to accommodate a table and chairs and, inside, a specification and style that is a world away from the cottages’ humble origins.
Contemporary features include limestone fireplaces, fully fitted kitchens, stylish bathrooms, underfloor heating, designer light fittings, deep fitted wardrobes, wool carpeting and comprehensive wiring systems.
Prices for The Mews Cottages at Cobham Park range from £640,000 to £710,000. Call 0870 240 3128 for more information.
The houses at Try Homes’ Coombe Hall Park development are now almost complete, and with a staircase now fitted within the Coombe Hall building, the eight apartments are now accessible for the first time. Converted from a former Tudor revival house on Coombe Hill Road in East Grinstead, West Sussex, this exclusive development comprises seven new detached and link detached homes plus the apartments, with all properties benefiting from a range of shared facilities including almost seven acres of grounds, a tennis court and a natural pond.
Nick Champness, sales and marketing director of Try Homes Southern Region, comments, ‘The apartments at Coombe Hall Park have been carefully designed to offer the highest standards of accommodation. At Try Homes we understand that many people who are looking to move to an apartment do not want to compromise on space and several of the apartments have the equivalent area of a four-bedroom house, with the only difference being that the accommodation is arranged on just one floor.’
Apartments start from £250,000 and houses start from £575,000. For details call 01342 302522 or visit tryhomes.co.uk.
Berkeley Homes is currently transforming a former rubber and plastics factory on Ordell Road in Bow, London, into a gated residential scheme known as Bow Central. The development will provide 146 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments and 14 three- and four-bedroom town houses as well as covered and surface parking and landscaping. The buildings will range in height from four to five storeys, with façades, some curved, of glazing and contrasting brickwork plus sleek, simple columns, picture windows and Juliet balconies.
Mark Dickinson, operations director at Berkeley Homes North East London, says, ‘Bow Central is a classic regeneration project that will transform a redundant industrial site in an up-and-coming inner city location into a new collection of homes, creating a truly sustainable young and vibrant neighbourhood.’
Bow Central is located in the heart of Bow within 500m of Bow Road tube station and Bow Church DLR station, ideal for those who work in the City or Canary Wharf. Prices start from £165,000 for a one-bedroom home. Call 020 7321 2122.
Barratt’s stunning development of 252 new homes on an eight-acre site in Sunbury in Middlesex in now almost all sold out, weeks ahead of construction. Windmill Gate, constructed on land previously occupied by a redundant industrial estate, offers apartments starting in price from as little as £140,000.
The development stands in its own landscaped grounds and boasts a central garden square, ample private parking, a children’s play area and new public open space. Interiors are highly specified. Available now are studio apartments from just £139,995, one-bedroom apartments from £179,995 and two-bedroom apartments from £224,995. For further information call 01932 787283.
Kinleigh, Folkard & Hayward is now selling three apartments and two houses at Henry Tate Mews in Streatham, London, the conversion of Park Hill House, Sir Henry Tate’s former Grade II listed home. The elegant homes are accessed through electronically controlled gates and the grounds incorporate a pond, a unique 25 ft octagonal folly and a grotto.
The three three-bedroom homes have been converted from the wing of the main house, which used to house the original Tate Gallery where Sir Henry kept his treasured art collections. Overlooking a private courtyard, the two duplex apartments offer their own private terraced balconies, while the third has an elegant colonnade.
The chapel has been extensively refurbished to create three four-bedroom town houses comprising family rooms, studies and views onto a covered terrace. One even boasts a superb indoor swimming pool.
Currently available properties start in price from £395,000 for an apartment and £575,000 for a house. Call 020 8769 8744 to find out more.
Higgins Homes has recently acquired a redundant petrol station in Rotherhithe, south-east London, to be converted into eight one- and two-bedroom apartments and six designer three-bedroom houses. Copper Point is a gated development based around a central courtyard, constructed in a blend of copper, cedar and brick elevations. Boasting an ultra-modern look, the apartments are located at the front of the development, overlooking Lower Road and Southwark Park beyond, while the houses are at the rear of the site and offer maximum privacy.
The interior specification is high. Designer kitchens by Urban Myth are sleek and stylish and boast a range of integrated appliances by Smeg, including stainless steel oven, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. Bathrooms offer contemporary sanitaryware from Ideal Standard.
Prices at Copper Point start from £249,950. Call 020 8508 6000.