Hertfordshire is becoming increasingly popular as buyers wise up to its convenience and beauty. And the excellent crop of new homes there is the icing on the cake, says Anna Bowden.
With current demand for quality housing at affordable prices and in a convenient location at an all-time high, Hertfordshire as a county is seeing massive growth. Its beautiful countryside, commutability, pretty towns, cultural and leisure facilities and high quality new developments are attracting droves of home seekers, from first-timer buyers to families.
Some of the best of the bunch of new developments include Signature, Barratt’s collection of two- and three-bedroom apartments in Watford. Designed for those who seek a thoroughly modern lifestyle, Signature is located just one and a half miles from the bustling town centre and has been uniquely designed to perfectly match the feel of this up-and-coming town.
At Signature the emphasis is on contemporary elegance and maximising the use of space and light; there are full-height glass walls on the upper floors and nearly all the apartments boast sweeping terraces and balconies. The use of glass continues in the houses; each house boasts a full-width conservatory room to the rear.
Interiors are no less impressive. Fully fitted kitchens have a complete range of integrated stainless steel appliances, including oven, hob and hood, as well washer/dryer and dishwasher. Stylish bathrooms have classic white suites and most of the master bedrooms offer en suite shower rooms.
Keep-fit enthusiasts can also benefit from two fully-equipped residents’ fitness rooms, and all homes offer private parking or garage (the latter only with the houses).
Signature is perfect for commuters to London. Watford Junction station offers a direct service into London Euston, with a journey time of around 20 minutes, Watford and Croxley stations both offer access to the Metropolitan Line and the M1 is less than three miles away. For those who travel abroad frequently, perhaps with their job, air travel is equally well serviced, with Heathrow, Luton and Stansted airports all very accessible.
Prices at Signature range from £180,000 to £330,000. For further information call 01923 237581.
KingsOak is now offering St Michael's Park in Bushey, a small and pretty town boasting a village atmosphere close to the amenities and facilities of Watford. This stylish new development consists of 22 two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses designed to offer open-plan living accommodation for increased sociability and freedom of choice. Some homes have a study, which could also act as an extra bedroom, as well as being perfect for those who work from home.
Specification at St Michael’s Park is high; designer kitchens feature stainless steel hob, extractor hood and double oven and many apartments boast balconies and/or terraces. And security is highly regarded – all homes have secure parking and video entry systems.
‘Buyers are individuals and no two have identical needs or situations, which is why we have created no fewer than ten different designs of apartments at St Michael’s Park,’ explains David Campbell, managing director for KingsOak North London. ‘Each apartment has a very special individuality and guarantees plenty of options for flexible living.’
Bushey itself is a highly convenient location. Oxhey mainline station is just a quarter of a mile away from the development and offers a direct service to London Euston (with a journey time of just over 20 minutes). In addition, the M25, M1 and A41 are all around three miles away as are Stansted, Heathrow and Luton airports. In terms of facilities, Watford’s Harlequin Centre is just a mile away, offering residents access to a fantastic range of shops (including John Lewis and Marks & Spencer) as well as restaurants and bars. The area also boasts an 18-hole golf course and a David Lloyd Centre.
Prices at St Michael’s Park currently start from £289,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. To find out more call the marketing suite, open Thursdays to Mondays from 11am to 6pm, on 01923 238137.
Also by KingsOak is Queen’s Court in Tring, a superb new collection of just 21 spacious two-bedroom apartments designed to the highest standards and boasting many quality features. And to add to its desirability, buyers who purchase now – off-plan – are being offered a fantastic five per cent deposit-paid scheme.
When complete homes will benefit from fully fitted kitchen with a wealth of integrated stainless steel appliances, including fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer. Other features will include en suite facilities and a video entryphone system.
‘Choosing a home directly from plan means that you can watch your new home grow, safe in the knowledge that you have bought at the best possible price,’ explains sales manager for KingsOak North London Nina Fitzgerald. ‘And subject to availability and time of construction you can also choose your own kitchen fittings and tiles, rather than having to accept those that have already been chosen for you. This way, your new apartment will be tailored to your own personal choice right from the outset and will also be an investment that is sure to appreciate.’
Prices at Queens Court currently start from £219,995. Call the sales office on 01442 824229 for further details.
Banner Homes is currently selling its flagship development Hawkesley Manor in Radlett, an extremely desirable part of the Hertfordshire green belt. The development is an exclusive collection of 18 two- and three-bedroom apartments in a mature landscaped setting, designed in a classical style. The two wings of the manor contain a superior level of specification – kitchens are professionally designed and boast granite worktops, recessed down lighters and ceramic flooring, bedrooms include wardrobes and bathrooms offer stylish white sanitary ware, chrome fittings, heated towel rails and marble floor and wall tiling to master en suites. Hawkesley Manor also offers secure underground parking and maintained grounds and communal areas.
Shelley West, sales and marketing manager for Banner Homes, comments, ‘We take great locations and build high-quality, well specified, spacious homes which are high security and low maintenance. We’re confident the houses at Hawkesley Manor will prove to be extremely popular. The development is sensitively designed and attention has been paid to the finest detail.’
Prices begin at £465,000 and rise to £895,000. For more information call selling agent Palmer Mandley and Sparrow on 01923 853444, or visit banner-homes.co.uk.
De Novo in St Albans is Laing Homes’ latest Hertfordshire development. This scheme of 12 two-bedroom apartments is located within a few minutes’ walk of the train station in the heart of the town, which also makes it convenient for the town’s other superb amenities, including shops, restaurants, bars and leisure facilities.
De Novo is not only beautiful to look at, with its curves of glass and steel, but comfortable to live in. Each apartment is fitted with smart home technology, as well as Villeroy & Boch stainless steel integrated kitchen appliances, and each apartment incorporates private roof terrace, balcony and patio. Security is prevalent, with video entryphones, and Cat 5e cabling makes working from home easy. There is also secure parking for all residents.
Living in St Albans makes for an easy commute; King’s Cross Thameslink station is only 25 minutes away by train, and the M25, M1 and A1(M) motorways are close.
Prices at De Novo start from £299,950. For further details contact the marketing suite on 01727 855623.
Linden Homes Chiltern has been granted planning permission for its first ever development in Welwyn Garden City. Located in Lemsford Lane, on the site of former lock-up garages and commercial/industrial units, Linden Square will comprise a stunning collection of ten three- and four-bedroom homes as well as 14 two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments.
Gary Durden, land director for Linden Homes Chiltern, comments, ‘Linden Square represents the company’s first development in the town and continues our 100 per cent dedication to building on brownfield land. The site is located in an established residential area adjoining the beautiful Stanborough Park, and the new homes will be specifically designed to blend in with the local vernacular.’
Like all Linden developments, the homes at Linden Square will be highly specified with a high level of finish and build quality. The site will be launched later this summer. For further information call the connections manager Kay Floyd on 01895 827447.
Hertfordshire will see the construction of another Linden Homes Chiltern development, with the recent approval of planning permission for a new residential and mixed-use development at Victoria Street car park in St Albans. Managing director Chris Coates comments, ‘We are delighted to have received planning permission, and the new scheme will include approximately 362 one- and two-bedroom apartments with a residents’ on-site health and leisure facility.
‘The development of Victoria Street, designed by architect John Thompson & Partners, will bring highly specified new homes to St Albans, and the apartments also include a proportion of key worker homes to meet the growing demand in the area, something that we have been keen to include.’
The development will also boast a new secure 836-space multi-storey car park, a doctors’ surgery, commercial floor space, a redesigned interchange and a footpath and cycle link through from Alban Way to the station.
For more information or to register interest call 01895 827400 or visit lindenhomes.co.uk.