Amanda Shiel takes a look at what’s on offer in this county
ReadingCentred round the conversion of the former Upcross Hotel, Upcross Gardens offers a unique blend of old and new.
The first phase to launch at the development is The Pavilion, a collection of just six new build apartments. The renovated Upcross Wing with its high ceilings and period features will shortly follow suit, and the North Wing, designed to seamlessly blend with the imposing original building, will be the final phase to launch.
The spacious apartments will enjoy a superlative specification. Kitchens will feature bespoke fitted units complemented by granite quartz worktops and a comprehensive range of appliances in a natural steel finish, including a four-ring gas hob, electric fan assisted oven, extractor hood, microwave and an integrated frost-free fridge / freezer, washer / dryer and dishwasher.
Bathrooms and en suites will be finished to equally opulent standards. Crisp white Roca sanitary-ware and contemporary chrome furnishings will give a timeless appeal, while bespoke fitted vanity furniture and chrome towel ladder radiators meet the demands of modern living.
The generous grounds evoke a feeling of seclusion that belies the development’s convenient location. Each apartment will also benefit from either allocated underground parking or a car port.
Prices range from £185,000 to £285,000 for one- and two-bedroom apartments. Call the marketing suite, open Thursday to Monday from 10am-4pm, on 0118 959 7173. At all other times contact Jane Knight at selling agents Haslams on 0118 960 1000 or visit millgatehomes.co.uk.
Newell GreenMillgate Homes has started work on four three-bedroom cottages in the sought-after rural parish of Newell Green.
The properties have been carefully designed to reflect the local vernacular, yet behind their quaint cottage-style exteriors lie spacious highly specified interiors designed to meet the demands of busy modern lives.
Newell Green Farm is perfectly placed for those who want to enjoy the best of town and country living. While Newell Green itself offers plenty of rural charm with a good country pub within a couple of hundred yards of the development, its location on the edge of Bracknell means that essential amenities and great transport links are within easy reach. A Tesco supermarket is roughly one mile away, Royal Windsor is within ten miles and cosmopolitan Reading with its renowned Oracle shopping centre and thriving nightlife is just 12 miles distant.
This location makes Newell Green Farm ideal for those working in the technology hub of Reading, or further afield – the M3 and M4 motorways are both easily accessible and Bracknell station, under two miles distant, offers regular services to London Waterloo in just over an hour.
The cottages are due for completion early in 2008. Visit millgatehomes.co.uk for more details.
MaidenheadFairBriar is building Imperial Place, a collection of 28 traditional style two-bedroom apartments on Shoppenhangers Road.
Comprising four apartment buildings, the development is cleverly designed to give the appearance of large, traditional houses reminiscent of the grand mansions that can be seen along the waterfront.
The open plan layouts are spacious and light and allow for flexibility of use. The designer Alno kitchen comes complete with an integrated fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer and oven with ceramic hob and extractor hood.
The bathrooms feature luxury Porcelanosa sanitary ware, ceramic floor and wall tiles and a heated chrome towel rail. There is oak laminate flooring to the hall and living rooms with under-floor heating throughout the apartment. Both bedrooms come complete with a natural fitted carpet and the master bedroom is en-suite with a built-in wardrobe.
The building is within a secure gated environment with a lift servicing all floors. For added peace of mind each apartment benefits from an audio door phone entry and a full ten-year Zurich warranty
The development is situated just minutes from Maidenhead's mainline station. For international travel, Heathrow airport is less than 25 minutes away and for those who drive, the A404 leads to the M4 motorway.
Imperial Place will be built in four phases with the first homes expected to be ready for occupation in early 2008. Prices range from £360,000 for a two-bedroom two bathroom apartment. The sales and marketing suite is open Wednesday to Monday from 10.30 to 17.30. Call 01628 785 470 or visit imperial-place.co.uk.
MaidenheadReservations are now being taken for seven apartments at Longworth Drive. This select development comprises six two-bedroom apartments and a three-bedroom penthouse. Each unit has at least one balcony with direct river views.
Avior has been built to a traditional design featuring the best in environmental building techniques and materials. Extensive insulation, low energy lighting, under floor heating and double glazed UPVC windows all help to keep energy costs down, while integrated fridge-freezers, dishwashers and washer-dryers all come as standard. The professionally designed kitchen also features granite worktops and a stainless steel oven, hob, hood and microwave, while the bathrooms boast ceramic floor and wall tiles, chrome fixings and contemporary wall-hung sanitary ware.
Maidenhead is located within easy reach of London, Windsor and the numerous business centres along the M4 corridor. Heathrow is just 17 miles away.
Shanly Homes are offering part exchanges to customers buying properties before Christmas at Avior. They will also take care of estate agents fees and HIPs.
Four of the seven properties have already been reserved. Prices start from £520,000.
Contact selling agents Braxton’s on 01628 674234. Alternatively, visit shanlyhomes.com.
Reading Barratt Thames Valley has launched The Crescent at its popular Shinfield Park scheme in Reading. This is the final stage of the development and offers a striking range of two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom townhouses and a two-bedroom coach house.
All of the homes in The Crescent will be ready to move into in June next year. If this is too long to wait, there is a collection of three- and four-bedroom townhouses and the last few detached houses available now.
Reading’s central location plays a major role in the town’s popularity. It’s within half an hour’s drive of London, Maidenhead, Oxford and Slough. Bath and Swindon to the west and Basingstoke and Southampton to the south are also within commuting distance.
Barratt is offering a part exchange deal on all properties and will handle the HIP requirement on the old property. Buyers can also take advantage of Barratt’s ‘six of the best’ special offer where the housebuilder will pay the deposit and £1000 towards legal fees and all carpets, curtains, light fittings and a fridge/freezer will be included in the price.
Prices start from £239,950 for a two-bedroom apartment. Townhouses and detached houses are available to move into now and start from £369,950 for a three-bedroom townhouse and from £514,950 for a six-bedroom detached home. The sales and marketing suite and three showhomes are open seven days a week, from 11am-6pm. Call 01189 751267 or visit barratthomes.co.uk.
Bracknell Created on the site of the former meteorological office, Celsius is a stylish development of 166 one- and two-bedroom apartments, set in large beautifully-landscaped gardens and offering gated undercroft parking.
Each apartment has been designed to maximise space and natural light. Kitchens are fitted with dark granite colour worktops and integrated appliances by Symphony Kitchens. Bathrooms boast white sanitary ware with chrome finish fittings.
Bracknell offers excellent shopping and leisure facilities, including supermarkets, a ten-screen cinema, fitness suite, skating rink, swimming pools and an all-weather pitch.
Apartments started from £180,000. Contact Fairview New Homes on 01344 424319 or visit fairview.co.uk.
SloughAspects comprises of 197 apartments on Windsor Road.
The bright and spacious apartments have been thoughtfully designed with contemporary interiors including fitted kitchens complete with a range of integrated appliances, open-plan dining and sitting rooms and bathrooms with white sanitaryware and chrome fittings. Many apartments overlook beautifully landscaped grounds and some styles have balconies. An audio-entry system, undercroft parking and a residents gym are also included.
There are a range of bars, a department store, supermarkets and a cinema right on the doorstep and the centres of Slough and nearby Maidenhead offer plenty of shopping opportunities. Windsor, less than three miles away, has a variety of designer boutiques, bars and restaurants, in addition to its famous castle, Great Park and the River Thames.
Aspects is located around two miles off the M4 (J6), offering convenient access to the M40, M25 and London Heathrow Airport. Slough railway station runs services to London Paddington with a journey time of around 20 minutes.
Prices are from £177,950 for one-bedroom apartments, from £234,995 for two-bedroom apartments and £294,950 for the last remaining three-bedroom apartment. Incentives are available. Contact the sales and marketing suite, open seven days a week from 11am-6pm, on 01753 574262 or visit barratthomes.co.uk.