St Albans
Victorian houses are ‘the most desirable properties for UK homebuyers’ according to a recent survey by a leading home warranty provider*. The Arboretum, Crest Nicholson’s parkland development in Hertfordshire, is set to tick all the boxes for admirers of this traditional architectural style, in addition to providing all the benefits of a luxurious new home.
The Victorian villa was voted the most popular house type by 25% of survey participants, firmly holding on to its position over the last decade at the top of UK househunters’ wish lists.
Set in over 72 acres of mature wooded parkland, The Arboretum is the conversion of the former Victorian Napsbury Hospital in Napsbury Park, Hertfordshire, and its grounds into a mix of converted and newly built one, two and three bedroom apartments and three, four and five bedroom houses.
Located in secluded glades, leafy courtyards and smart tree-lined avenues, the classic Victorian style properties blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Many of the houses and apartments occupy the fine Victorian buildings that lie at the heart of this exclusive country retreat whilst others are newly constructed, influenced in equal measure by the original architecture and the needs of modern living.
Sarah Jones, Sales and Marketing Director, Crest Nicholson (Chiltern) Ltd, comments: “The use of traditional craftsmanship at The Arboretum and the attention to both period and contemporary detail has returned the Victorian facades of the original buildings to their former glory. The result is a stunning development which people who appreciate the style of the Victorian period will fall in love with.
“As part of Crest Nicholson’s comprehensive strategy, great care was also taken to preserve the natural landscape and retain the magnificent trees and original wooded grounds, all of which contributes to the overall period charm of the development.”
Externally, decorative cornices, coping and pillars have been retained or replicated and windows have been adapted to suit modern requirements, but remain in keeping with the original sash design. The interiors of the apartments and houses incorporate creative architectural detail such as fireplaces, traditional skirting, architrave and ornate cornices.
Surrounded by countryside of outstanding natural beauty, yet only 20 miles from the heart of London, The Arboretum provides the best of both worlds. For links with the national motorway network and Heathrow Airport, Junction 21A of the M25 and the M10/A414 are both within six miles. From St Albans station, direct First Capital Connect trains reach City Thameslink station in around half an hour (peak time), giving access to the heart of London.
With unprecedented demand since The Arboretum’s launch in 2002, now is the last chance to own a piece of this historical site. One and two bedroom apartments are still available and start at £249,950 and three bedroom houses are available from £449,950.
For further information on The Arboretum, contact the marketing suite on telephone: 01727 820 730 or visit Crest Nicholson’s website www.crestnicholson.com
Rickmansworth
Discerning purchasers in search of new three or four bedroom properties will welcome the launch of Capricorn Homes’ premier development of townhouses in Rickmansworth this weekend.
Conveniently situated just off the Uxbridge Road, the development, known as Church Grove, represents a rare opportunity to secure a stylish new home in such a desirable commuter belt location, priced from £389,995.
Developed to the highest specification, the unveiling of the three bedroom Croxley show home on Saturday 13 January marks a first for Capricorn’s southern division, a new and fast expanding house builder with a growing portfolio of high quality sites in the UK.
The three storey, three bedroom Croxley show home has been designed and furnished in a peacock blue and cream theme by internationally renowned Claude Hooper Interior Designers. This stunning presentation is set to capture the hearts and minds of both young professionals in search of more space, or families looking for flexible accommodation.
Built over three storeys and incorporating a single garage, the Croxley boasts a clever design with modern-day living in mind.
No expense has been spared as far as the specification is concerned, and the show home features a wide range of added extras, which are included as standard, at no additional cost.
A stylish kitchen featuring gloss cream units awaits visitors to the new show home and exudes the wow factor with its fitted range of Siemens appliances.
Moving home to Church Grove is certainly a haven for mod cons with the inclusion of a double oven, gas hob, chimney hood, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and a dishwasher. The ground floor is therefore very much the hub of the home, with the kitchen and dining area just perfect for relaxing, with French doors providing direct access to the garden.
The Croxley’s spacious living room which measures 15’ 5” x 12’ 10” is located on the first floor and naturally benefits from the added light that fills the room, creating a bright and airy presence. Bedrooms two and three can also be found on the same level, together with a separate bathroom.
The master bedroom is definitely the highlight of the house, providing a luxurious sanctuary for busy parents or those just looking for added privacy. This dream room occupies the whole of the second floor, sharing its space only with the en-suite facilities. The master bedroom also benefits from fitted wardrobes, TV and telecom points.
Also included in the price of each home is ceramic floor and wall tiling from the Porcelanosa range as well as downlighters to the kitchen, bathrooms and cloakroom. The Ideal Standard Studio range of sanitaryware, Mira thermostatic showers and screens, heated towel rails and taps by Bristan ensure such high standards are ever present in even the smallest rooms.
The same attention to detail is also extended outside to each property; front gardens are turfed and driveways feature block paving.
The discovery of Church Grove is expected to fuel interest with the opening of the show home, as Mo Griffiths, area sales manager of Capricorn Homes said: “With new property a rare find in Rickmansworth, and with Capricorn offering part-exchange on its homes for a limited period of time, buyers are urged to act quickly.”
Living on the edge of Rickmansworth town centre, the development offers easy and direct access into London via tube or train, which is ideal for commuters wanting a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Nearby access to the M25 motorway is another major plus to this select development of 18 properties.
The former market town of Rickmansworth has excellent schools and sports facilities and is well serviced by a variety of shops and restaurants.
Church Grove is open to visitors from Thursdays to Mondays, 11am – 5pm. Alternatively, further information can be obtained by calling the sales office on 01923 775232 or by visiting www.capricornhomes.co.uk
Hemel Hempstead
abode@riverside, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Comprising 70 one and two-bedroom apartments within a striking eight storey building, abode@riverside will also feature a communal roof terrace and gated undercover parking. Interiors are of a high standard, synonymous with the Crest Nicholson brand, and include De Dietrich appliances in the kitchen and Villeroy & Boch sanitary ware and Hansgrohe taps in the bathroom. The development is in the heart of town centre with shops and restaurants such as Debenhams, Pizza Express and Monsoon right on the doorstep.
For commuters, abode@riverside is just over a mile from Hemel Hempstead train station from which London Euston can be reached in 30 minutes. The M1 is just under three miles away allowing easy access to the M25.
One-bedroom apartments start from £169,950 and two-bedroom apartments start from £204,950.
For more information contact the sales team on telephone: 0870 755 1641 or visit www.crestnicholson.com
Kings Langley at The Ovaltine Apartments. There is now a selection of two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses at the new development that are all ready to go. What’s more, they offer plenty of generously proportioned living space, making them ideal for coping with the inevitable visitors that descend during the Christmas period!
“At this time of year, house buyers really don’t want to have any extra worries or problems as Christmas can be stressful enough on its own,” said Ann Lever, Sales Director for Fairview New Homes. “In view of this, we are pleased to offer a selection of superb homes at The Ovaltine Apartments which are now build-complete and ready to move into. If you snap one up now, you could be celebrating Christmas in style.”
The Ovaltine Apartments have been created from the former Ovaltine factory site in the town.
The original factory façade remains, a typical streamlined white Art-Deco-style edifice built around 1930. Behind it, Fairview has constructed a range of bright, modern apartments with two to three bedrooms and a choice of different sizes and floorplans.
Currently available and ready for Christmas occupation are these three, stunning homes: a two-bedroom, two-bathroom corner apartment, priced at £ 269,995 and offering a spacious 900 sq ft of living space with exceptional light and space, fifth floor two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse offering 906 sq ft of accommodation includes its own terrace at a price of £304,995 and a three-bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a generous 930 sq ft of living space is ready to go from £279,995.
Each apartment or penthouse offers luxuriously designed living accommodation with en suite facilities, fully fitted kitchens with appliances and granite-effect worktops, and many apartments have balconies with views over the gardens. There are also underground and undercroft residents’ parking facilities.
The development enjoys an idyllic location right on the edge of the Grand Union Canal which offers a delightful and tranquil environment for soaking up the waterside vistas, as well as fishing, strolling, picnicking and cycling. There are also fantastic communications from this great location; the major towns of Hemel Hempstead and Watford are just a short distance away and London Euston station is accessible in just 27 minutes by train.
Prices for at the Ovaltine Apartments start at £269,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. The development is set to complete in late springtime 2007 and a new three-bedroom showhome will be opening in January. For further details please call The Ovaltine Apartments sales office on 01923 268921 or visit fairview.co.uk.
Bricketwood
Country & Metropolitan Homes has launched its J6 development, situated conveniently between Watford and St Albans. J6 is strategically positioned off the M1 and M25, a perfect location for discerning buyers who consider excellent commuter links a must.
Quick access to the UK’s main motorway network is a major advantage to people who live their lives in the fast lane, and living at J6 will enable you to minimise travel time and maximise your time at work and the even more precious, your time at home to relax.
This stunning development from the award-winning house builder Country & Metropolitan – part of the Gladedale Group – will comprises of 48, one and two bedroom contemporary apartments over two phases.
The first phase of J6, comprising of 24 apartment is now released for sale. With pre-launch prices starting from £224,950 there is expected to be high demand from potential homeowners keen to secure a property in such a sought after location.
J6 is a mere 30 miles from London and will be built within the popular village of Bricketwood, Hertfordshire, providing a peaceful haven from the constant buzz of the capital.
Country & Metropolitan prides itself on building homes that adhere to three principles – superior specification, bespoke design and exceptional build with the prefix of quality in everything it designs – and this is clear at J6.
The spacious design of the apartments are tailored to contemporary living in the 21st century with generous living/kitchen areas providing ample space for entertaining. When completed, each home will come with the latest in modern appliances, including a stainless steel oven, hob and extractor hood, as well as a washer/dryer. Secure underground parking is also included in the price of your new home.
Interested home-hunters are invited to view a model of the development at local agents Preston Bennett. A show home is expected in April 2007, with the completion of phase one to follow in June.
For more information call Preston Bennett on 020 8954 8626.