The western section of the capital delivers gorgeous parkland, excellent amenities and some fine homes. Anna Bowden takes a look at what’s on offer in this very desirable part of London.
West London has long been the preserve of the London elite. Spacious, leafy and beautiful, it is traditionally only in the price bracket of those who have already made it in life. However, new homes developers are paying scant regard to this unwritten law, building superb, high-specification – and affordable – collections of homes in this part of the capital, enabling even first-time buyers to get a foot in the door. Here are a selection of the moment’s best.
Barratt has an excellent variety of homes available in the west of London, starting with Oyster Wharf, where there are new show apartments. The development comprises 130 apartments in three distinctive interlinked buildings with a stepped profile of terraces cascading towards the river, offering residents a truly special home. Externally, many apartments feature terraces or balconies with views over the river or the landscaped courtyards; internally all boast a high level of specification. Kitchens are fully fitted with a range of integrated stainless steel appliances, and elegant bathroom suites have chrome fittings. All apartments are connected to the main entrance via an audio entryphone system and there is lift access to all floors.
Much of the appeal of Oyster Wharf, however, is its ability to service the lifestyles of busy London professionals and those seeking a city pied à terre by providing a secure and tranquil home environment with the convenience of key amenities within minutes of the front door. A hard day at the office can be followed by a work-out at the development’s private gym, and then drinks and dinner either in the restaurant or served at the water’s edge. Secure parking and a concierge service complete the fantastic range of available amenities.
Prices at Oyster Wharf start from £315,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. For details call the central sales number on 020 8326 7171.
In north-west London this time is Barratt’s The Visage, an 11-storey collection of 131 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses in Swiss Cottage. Those who are looking for a more relaxed lifestyle will appreciate the 24-hour concierge service and the tailored management scheme, which ensures that residents’ every need is catered for, from booking restaurants, theatre tickets and holidays to arranging dinner parties, shopping deliveries and dry cleaning.
Prices at The Visage start from £404,995 for a two-bedroom/two-bathroom property. For further information or to arrange a viewing call the central sales number, open daily from 10am to 6pm, on 020 8326 7171, or visit website barratthomes.co.uk.
Finally, Barratt is also offering Iconica in Ealing, a superb collection of 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments in a stylish and modern building. Most apartments have terraces or balconies, perfect for evening relaxing after a commute from the city, and all boast high-specification interiors with designer kitchens and bathrooms.
Prices at this lovely collection of homes start from £184,995. Call 020 8840 7949 to find out more.
Berkeley Homes is now offering West 3 in Acton Vale, the transformation of a former Government ministry building into an impressive scheme of 350 inspirational studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses – some of which will have timber decked terraces. West 3 is positioned around five central courtyards and is fitted with lifts and underground parking facilities.
Located close to Shepherd's Bush and Chiswick, the converted building will be six storeys high and will boast a 24-hour concierge service, communal entrances and a high specification.
Internally, materials have been skilfully combined to create an overall feeling of comfort. Vertical grain American white oak veneer doors, bespoke door handles, tiles with soft edges and dimmer lights for different moods have been used to create sophisticated living spaces that exude contemporary flair and timeless appeal; and clever space-saving devices include panel heating, pull-out racked kitchen storage systems and, in larger apartments, a glass walk-in wardrobe to the master bedroom suite. This contains a shelving and rail system which can be altered in layout to meet individual storage needs.
Kitchens, which are ergonomically designed and flow from the living spaces, are fully fitted with Kuppersbusch appliances, including a touch-control ceramic hob, combination microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and an Okotherm oven whose powerful extractor fan ensures that cooking smells do not permeate the living areas. En suites have porcelain tiled flooring, finely crafted mirrored and shelved cabinets, Hansgrohe fittings and Villeroy & Boch suites.
Penthouses will feature a Home Network system for state-of-the-art entertainment systems, and many of the apartments will provide views over the central courtyard, which has a landscape design with water features, shrubbery, birch trees and paved walkways.
Prices at West 3 will range from approximately £150,000 to £750,000. Call 020 8811 2336.
The Island at Brentford Lock, a joint venture between developers Crest Nicholson and Charles Church, is proving to be an extremely successful development. In Jessops Wharf only four apartments and two penthouses remain, priced from £349,950. A selection of incentive packages are also still available there, including stamp duty paid or part-exchange on selected plots.
Apartments in Jessops Wharf offer a sophisticated and elegant living environment with an emphasis on space, light and convenience. The eye-catching streamlined kitchens boast stainless steel and glass appliances, while contemporary lighting complements natural light. Large expanses of glass in all the main living areas offer either waterside views or views of the attractively landscaped courtyard. Master bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and en suite facilities while bedroom two is served by a family bathroom. Bathrooms and en suites have modern white Villeroy & Boch sanitary ware, thermostatic showers and chrome finish fittings, bringing a cool and understated approach to bathroom design.
Island life offers a retreat from the stresses of city life, yet is located just a mile from Kew Bridge; whether for work or play the location could not be more convenient. Fast and frequent local transport links offer access to Covent Garden, the West End, Canary Wharf and the City. By car, both the M3 and M4 motorways are within a few miles, providing access to further road networks.
Prices at The Island currently range from £269,950 to £799,950. For further information call the marketing suite, open daily from 10am to 5pm, on 0870 758 1010, or visit website island-life.co.uk.
Gleeson Homes is now offering The Railway Cottages, a lovely development of two- and three-bedroom homes perfect for those city workers with little time on their hands. The homes are offered with smaller, low maintenance gardens for those too busy to indulge in horticulture, but the development is close to the 2,500 acres of beautiful Richmond Park, which residents can enjoy when relaxation is in order.
Getting around – into town or elsewhere in the country – is also easy. The Railway Cottages boast easy access to the M3 (a few miles south from the centre of Richmond) as well as a host of mainline rail and Underground services, including the District Line. Prices start from £329,950. Visit gleeson-homes.co.uk.
St George is now launching 4 Little Green, a lovely collection of nine unique apartments crafted from a Victorian church at one of London’s most desirable addresses, Little Green in Richmond. Little Green is one of Britain’s hidden gems, a picturesque historic village green in this vibrant and cultured town, within a short distance of central London.
Development 4 Little Green offers a fusion of contemporary and historic architecture. The handsome red brick building has stone pediments and pinnacles and is to be transformed to accommodate eight stylish and individual apartments, together with a magnificent penthouse on the fourth floor.
Each apartment will offer light and extensive living space, blending original architectural features with modern design to produce distinctive and individual homes. Features will include underfloor heating and Wi-Fi home networking and many will have fabulous feature Gothic windows to complement the interiors.
Some kitchens will be large enough to have a separate dining table for informal dining. Generously sized master bedrooms will have a fitted wardrobe or dressing room and ample cupboard and storage space will be provided throughout. Main bathrooms will have a Whirlpool bath.
4 Little Green is just a five-minute walk from Richmond station, which provides regular services into London Waterloo with a journey time of just 30 minutes as well as access to the District Line. And for overseas travellers Heathrow Airport is less than a half-hour drive away.
Prices start from £699,950. Call 020 8917 4040 to arrange a viewing.
Honeygrove Properties is now selling 51 Iverna Gardens in Kensington, a modern and attractive apartment block in the heart of Royal Kensington, overlooking gardens and offering underground parking. The development is an exciting selection of 17 newly modernised apartments, which have been architecturally designed to the most exacting of standards. Each unit has been finished with high-quality fixtures and fittings, with a spacious open-plan theme throughout. The apartments have the use of the west-facing balconies, which have direct views over the square of Iverna Gardens and a formal private garden, to which residents have access. The apartments are within minutes of Kensington High Street and its shopping and transport options (Circle and District Lines) and have the facility of lift access and porterage and the considerable benefit of private underground parking (at extra cost).
For prices and further information call 01737 249393.