Today’s developers are creating a modern version of the classic town house design. Johnny Turner sees what’s available.
Today’s home buyer is looking for modern, spacious and flexible accommodation, and town houses are the answer to many a prospective buyer’s prayers. From its roots in the still-popular Georgian architecture, the town house is characterised by elegance in layout and generosity of space. And the town houses that are now being built take these principles and give them a useful 21st-century spin.
At Castle Mews in popular Weybridge, Antler Homes provides ten Georgian-style town houses in a private cul-de-sac within the leafy Oatlands area. Castle Mews comprises just six four-bedroom homes and four three-bedroom homes. The properties are designed in an appealing traditional style, with all of the elegant elements of Georgian architecture, such as white render and traditional brick work. Some also have integral garages.
Inside, the homes are equally impressive, with modern clean lines and attention to detail. There are luxury fitted kitchens with granite worktops, integrated fridge-freezers, microwaves and dishwashers. For flexibility and convenience, each home also offers a cabling infrastructure that allows for computer and telephone networking, as well as the ultimate in entertainment systems.
Prices at Castle Mews start from £439,950 for a three-bedroom home. For further information call Antler Homes on 01932 857857.
In the Harmans Water district of Bracknell, the new four-bedroom town houses in are exceptional on every level. Built by Phoenix Homes & Development Ltd, Broad Terrace is an individual development of four superb homes built to an exacting standard. The luxurious properties are within easy reach of Bracknell’s local amenities and transport links.
Designed specifically to take full advantage of the three-storey layout, each property boasts a generous 21ft kitchen/dining/family room, which opens out onto an open-plan conservatory. Flexible and practical, this room forms the heart of the home. The kitchen area is fitted with a comprehensive range of storage units as well as a built-in oven with hob, while the conservatory provides an ideal entertaining space. A study, cloakroom and integral garage complete the ground floor.
Each house benefits from a first floor living room with feature fireplace, French doors and Juliet balcony. The main bathroom is also located on this level and features a contemporary three-piece suite, heated towel rails and tiled flooring. The bedrooms are situated across the upper two floors, while the master and second bedrooms enjoy en-suite facilities and built-in wardrobes.
For those who purchase early, there is the added opportunity to customise the interior to your own personal taste using Phoenix Homes’ bespoke service. Depending on the stage of construction, buyers are offered their choice of everything from the colour of walls to more integral options such as a kitchen or bathroom suite. Each property is fitted with a security alarm system and mains-wired smoke alarms to all floors.
Situated a mile to the east of the town centre, Broad Terrace is in walking distance of Bracknell’s mainline train station and within easy reach of the M4 and M3 motorways. Leisure facilities in the area include a cinema, swimming pool, bowling alley and retail park. For an even wider choice of shops and entertainment, Windsor and Reading are also nearby.
The homes at Broad Terrace are priced at £325,000. Contact Prospect’s New Homes department on 0118 979 7775.
Bovis Homes has re-designed its popular three storey town house to reflect the changing lifestyles of its customers. Research conducted by Bovis revealed that today’s customers demand flexibility of living space and practicality of design. The Portman, an innovative three-bedroom property with open-plan features, has been developed as a result.
Keith Pye, group architectural director at Bovis Homes, says, ‘In my experience, the layout of traditional three-storey town house properties can often be impractical and rigid, with little flexibility in usage of living space. The new Portman design aims to address this via the concept of open-plan living, comprising large interlinking kitchen, dining area and family area with patio doors leading out into the garden.’
The new design is popular with families with young children, as parents can keep a close eye on their children from any space on the ground floor, as well as prepare and eat meals together in the same area. The new design also makes the downstairs space ideal for guests. On the first floor, the accommodation is perfect for parents, with a sitting room and master bedroom with en suite and fitted wardrobes, while on the second floor there are two further bedrooms, one with fitted wardrobes, and a separate family bathroom. This layout allows each member of the family to have their own space.
Other practical changes in the town house design include a conveniently located ground floor cloakroom, providing toilet facilities on each level, which is unusual in traditional town houses. The Portman also encompasses a new straight staircase, which facilitates easy access for furniture to the first floor.
Bovis Homes offers a range of home designs throughout the South East. For further information call 01474 876200 or visit bovishomes.co.uk.
The four-bedroom Kent design available at George Wimpey South Midlands’ Mathison Grange development in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, presents buyers with the perfect town house property.
The Kent offers flexible and attractive accommodation over three storeys and features a thoughtfully designed kitchen and spacious combined family room/dining area, which offers a contemporary open plan living space with French doors to the rear garden. A separate entrance hallway, a guest cloakroom and a useful storage cupboard complete the ground floor accommodation.
Upstairs, the landing leads to a large lounge and the master bedroom with en-suite facilities. On the top floor there are three further bedrooms, one with en-suite, a family bathroom and an airing cupboard.
Like all new homes at Mathison Grange, the Kent benefits from a high standard specification including central heating, double glazing, and a fitted kitchen with built-in oven, hob and hood.
Mathison Grange is located in one of Bletchley’s most prestigious areas, just over half a mile from the town centre which is home to a wide variety of local amenities including high street and independent stores, banks, supermarkets, a Post Office, and a library.
The Kent design is currently available priced from £259,995. Visit the sales centre, which is located off Church Green Road in Bletchley and open daily from 11am to 5pm. Call 01908 643466.