New Homes - June, 2004

Home gadgets and gizmos have traditionally been just an added extra. But these days developers offer an array of home technology with substance. Johnny Turner has a look.

As we work longer hours and need to relax, technology becomes more and more important to our homes. After all, the Brits put in the longest hours of any European country – and any time and worry saved by the use of machines can mean the difference between a life of stress and one of relative ease. Those who are in the market for a home will find a number of developments where the latest technology helps to clear space in your time – and in your head – for the many challenges that present themselves to you daily.

One area in which technology has changed the way we live is security. Wates Residential offers a magnificent church conversion in Gispy Road, West Norwood, where you will find not only a very high specification and stunning original features but also a colour video entryphone system, which gives you peace of mind.

There are six two-bedroom apartments for sale at this unique development, each with a 125-year lease. The original church features, including stained glass windows and vaulted beamed ceilings, are a beautiful complement to more up-to-the-minute touches such as mezzanine levels, stylish fitted kitchens and contemporary bathrooms. The exceptionally superior finish, which includes American oak wide-plank flooring, reiterates that this is a particularly thoroughly and imaginatively done conversion.
The location is excellent, and those who commute into central London will be surprised at the convenience. Trains from nearby West Norwood station get into Victoria station in only 25 minutes, making both the City and the West End easily accessible. For shopping, Norwood High Street has a wealth of both independent and chain retailers.
Prices for the apartments start at £230,000. Call the sole selling agent Wates Residential on 020 8299 2655 for more information.

In Chafford Hundred, Essex, Bovis Homes offers the ideal home – and a great deal – for the first-time buyer or investor. At Cumberland Rise the developer is offering to pay the five per cent deposit on two-bedroom apartments. And the high-quality internal specification makes these homes even more attractive.
The kitchen has a stainless steel oven, hob and hood, as well as an integrated fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher. There is wood effect flooring in the kitchen and hallway, adding to the modern styling. And with the help of technology, these apartments are a secure living environment; each home is fitted with an individual intercom unit which links to the main door.
The location is convenient for the M25, opening up a wealth of connections within the South East. Apartments are priced from £169,950. The sales office is open Thursdays to Mondays 10am to 5pm. Call 0845 230 4440 or visit bovishomes.co.uk to find out more.

A new mixed-use scheme in Islington is being created from the former offices of the British Standards Institute. Called 101 Islington, this development by Tilfen Land is located on Pentonville Road, between King’s Cross and Angel. Those who work in the City will find a very quick commute by bus or tube.
This development has been designed for low-maintenance, contemporary living to a specification unusual in the Islington area. All apartments will have underfloor heating, for instance. And the contemporary Manhattan kitchens feature Caesar Stone quartz worktops and stainless steel Neff integrated appliances including an American-style double-height fridge/freezer. Bathrooms, including the en suites, come furnished with white Ideal Standard by David Chipperfield sanitaryware, full-height mirrors and Vola chrome fittings.

High-tech features include Cat-5e cabling, TV/FM/satellite and BT points standard throughout. Or there is the option of a ‘plug and play’ IT package which provides a range of options including lighting and curtain automation, surround sound system and home cinema. Along with the entertainment possibilities, this makes working from home simple.
The location is excellent, being just a five-minute stroll from the many bars, restaurants and cinemas of Upper Street. Prices start at £315,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. For further information contact DTZ Residential on 020 7710 8116.

Techno-savvy is very much in evidence at Milan Quarter, the third phase of homes at Cassio Metro in Watford. Linden Homes’ new collection of two-bedroom apartments will be launched on 26 June, and its very high level of internal specification will ensure great interest from day one.
Besides desirable features such as private balconies, Milan Quarter will offer the latest in high-tech gadgetry in an effort to provide a lifestyle of luxury and ease. One particularly welcome touch will be television screens in the bathroom as well as incorporated into the bed, connected to the house alarm.
Cassio Metro includes a dedicated concierge service as well as on-site health and leisure facilities. Elsewhere in Cassio Metro, Linden has now opened its new contemporary town house show home in the highly successful Paris Quarter. Meanwhile, those who register interest at the Milan Quarter launch will have a chance to win a free trip to Milan itself!
Prices for the homes at Cassio Metro range from £249,950 to £475,000. For further information call Linden Homes at the development on 01923 229229 or visit lindenhomes.co.uk.

For those who seek a home that is well connected both in terms of transport and technology, look no further than Britannia Walk by Goldcrest Homes. The collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments and live/work apartments is located in thriving Hoxton, where excellent commuter links and entertainment options have drawn a ready supply of willing buyers over the past five years or so. And the homes at Britannia Walk match the modern, stylish surroundings.
Technology is much in evidence here. The latest CAT5 cabling will give home workers the connections they need to do a day’s work without leaving the house, and kitchens are fully fitted with AEG and Electrolux appliances. There is also a private screening room in the development, where residents and their guerrr21sts can relax and watch the latest DVDs.
One-bedroom apartments are priced from £350,000. Contact the sales centre on 020 7731 7679 for more details.

Basildon, Essex

Bellway has made moving easier at its recently opened Upper Headlingley development by offering purchasers the option to part-exchange their existing home. The current phase of release includes two-bedroom apartments, priced from £135,000, and a selection of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, priced from £180,000 for the two-bedroom Woodridge. To find out more about these high-specification homes, call the sales office on 01268 272938.

Isleworth, London

The final phase of spacious two-bedroom apartments is now on sale at Barratt’s Monterey Place development, where over 100 homes have already been sold. All of the homes in the final phase have en suite bathrooms and designer kitchens with fully integrated appliances, as well as balconies and private parking. Prices start from £279,995. For details call 020 8569 9323.

Enfield, London

Fairview New Homes is now offering Sovereign Court, a lovely scheme of two-bedroom apartments conveniently located near Turkey Street station, from where London Liverpool Street station is a mere 30-minute journey by train. The apartments are available in six different designs; some comprise an open-plan kitchen/living room, en suite to the master bedroom and guest bathroom. Kitchens have fully integrated stainless steel appliances. Call 01992 765408 for details.

Caterham, Surrey

KingsOak is offering a selection of apartments at Kingswood Place at competitive, pre-show home prices – from £189,995 for a one-bedroom and from £249,995 for a two-bedroom. Prices inevitably change when show homes open, so buyers who can make a quick decision are encouraged to make a move now. Kingswood Place is located just half a mile from Caterham’s bustling town centre. Call 01883 349858.

Poplar, London

Countryside Properties is offering investors an ideal opportunity to purchase a stylish and attractive property in one of the most progressive parts of London with the EastPoint Apartments development, a collection of 44 contemporary apartments located close to schools, parks, sport and leisure facilities and the Docklands Light Railway. Prices start from £185,000 for one bedroom. Call 020 7987 8427 to arrange a viewing.

New Malden, Surrey

CDC2020 is seeing success with The Lime Apartments, located just a few minutes’ walk from New Malden’s high street shops, bars and restaurants. The development offers contemporary design, complemented by light modern materials, with bathrooms and quality kitchens boasting integrated stainless steel Neff appliances. Homes are carpeted. For prices at The Lime Apartments call selling agents Curchods or Allen Briegel on 020 8942 8887 or 020 8780 1642 respectively.

Sandhurst, Surrey

Fairclough has now opened a new Leicester style show home at The Chase, a selection of 36 three- and four-bedroom homes, to show buyers the quality and size of the accommodation available. The developer is also offering a part-exchange scheme to make the process easier for purchasers. Prices start from £179,950 for a two-bedroom apartment and from £299,950 for a four-bedroom town house. Call 0845 676 0163.

Haywards Heath, West Sussex

David Wilson’s Bolnore Village development in the heart of the countryside combines coastal living with commuter access to London, making it ideal for those who work in the capital but are tired of city living. An attractive development, Bolnore Village offers residents cycle paths, tree-lined bridleways and a selection of country walks. The second phase of release will comprise 69 apartments. For prices call 01444 474450.

Hatch End, Middlesex

Banner Homes is selling Argent House, a development of eight two-bedroom apartments in an exclusive location within walking distance of the town centre. The apartments are low-maintenance and most have their own terrace or balcony onto landscaped communal grounds. Prices range from £375,000 to £425,000. For more information contact the sales office, open Thursdays to Mondays from 10am to 5pm, on 020 8421 4691.

Richmond, Surrey

Barratt Homes has released the last house at the exclusive gated Queens Richmond development in this very sought-after residential location. Available for immediate occupation, this detached home occupies a coveted corner plot and offers classic architecture and very substantial internal accommodation. The price of £1.8 million includes landscaped gardens as well as all furnishings and fittings. Call 020 8332 2904 to find out more.

St Albans, Hertfordshire

Aventine is a newly launched development which gives purchasers the ideal balance between town and country living. There are just 12 luxury two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments in this smart location on Holywell Hill, which is close to the town centre yet opposite the beautiful, hundred-acre Verulamium Park; half of the apartments have direct views over the park. Prices range from £289,950 to £359,950. Call 0845 676 0168.

Wandsworth, London

At Riverside Quarter, LCR Developments has launched Coptain House, which provides 46 stylish apartments. There are large angled balconies and expanses of floor-to-ceiling glazing, ensuring that all apartments have either direct or oblique views of the River Thames. Two-bedroom apartments are priced from £430,000 to £730,000; three-bedroom apartments start at £530,000. There are also one-bedroom apartments, priced from £305,000. Call 020 8877 2000.

East Dulwich, London

With Altima, Laing Homes has brought 11 three-bedroom, three-storey town houses to the heart of this up-and-coming part of south-east London. The gated development is perfect for young families, with nearby amenities including a sports centre, Goose Green Park and good schools. The top-floor bonus room adds flexibility to this already intriguing mix. Houses start at £350,000; Altima also includes 72 apartments. Call 020 7703 5943.

New Malden, Surrey

Only six of the 14 contemporary two-bedroom apartments remain for sale at CDC2020’s The Lime Apartments, situated just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre and railway station. Prices start at just £239,950 and a number of incentives are on offer to purchasers. The homes are almost ready for occupation. Call the on-site marketing suite on 020 8949 0821 or selling agent Churchods on 020 8942 8887.

Watford, Hertfordshire

Linden Homes’ Cassio Metro offers stunning four-bedroom, three-storey town houses for those who want to move into their new home as soon as possible. The development includes on-site health and leisure facilities as well as a dedicated concierge service. Busy professionals will be especially interested in Cassio Metro, which is located just two minutes’ walk from Watford tube. The town houses start at £395,000. Call 01923 229229.

West Molesey, Surrey

Faraday Mews, Crest Nicholson’s exceptional new development of homes, has just become even more attractive to first-time buyers with an offer to pay the five per cent deposit for a limited time. Just minutes from West Molesey High Street, the development offers modern living in a village-style location – ideal for families, couples and professionals. Two-bedroom homes currently start at £235,000. Call 020 8979 1513.

Variety and convenience are hallmarks of north London. And these days the area offers some of the South East’s most desirable newly built homes. Anna Bowden investigates.

One of the pleasures of living in north London is the connectedness to where the action is. With a comprehensive tube and train system, the various areas of north London give you all the convenience of a London lifestyle while still allowing you to switch gears into a less frenetic pace for the evening. Nature is all around and the landscape is beautifully varied. And whether you are in or out of the London postcode area, the north side of the capital is full of surprises – especially for today’s home buyer.
Linden Homes is celebrating a double sales success with the recent opening of two show homes at Linden Mews in Garston and Benskin Mews in Watford. With just two homes remaining at the former and four at the latter, customers are urged to visit the show homes to see the benefits of town house living for themselves.

Helen Todd, sales and marketing director for Linden Homes Chiltern, explains, ‘Since the launch of the show homes and the advanced progression of the build, customers have been able to see exactly what we are building and can envisage their new low-maintenance lifestyle in a Linden home.
‘The homes are well-designed with spacious interiors and a mixture of traditional and contemporary exterior designs that will appeal to a wide range of buyers including professionals, second-time buyers and families. The town houses at these two developments are well located for the town centre, while Benskin Mews is also within walking distance of Watford tube station.’
Both show homes display the high-quality finish and attention to detail afforded by Linden to every home. Prices start from £275,000. Call 01923 639259 for further information regarding Benskin Mews and 01923 674855 for Linden Mews.

Linden Homes is also offering Amber House on Honeypot Lane in Stanmore, Middlesex. This exclusive scheme of just 15 two-bedroom apartments offers convenient transport links to London, the A1, A41 and M1. However, despite its proximity to the capital Stanmore benefits from a country feel, with a host of parks and leisure facilities nearby.
Set within an established residential area with a real mix of family homes and more modern apartments, Amber House is in a highly sought-after location, as well as being within easy walking distance of Canons Park underground station.
Launched six months ago, the development is already 60 per cent sold and remaining two-bedroom apartments are priced from £299,000.

Linden Homes has also acquired more than 30 brownfield sites in and around Greater London and the M25 and is working with regeneration partners to bring new life to the environment, something for which the developer has won many awards. The developments are also all conveniently placed close to transport links, making them ideal for commuters.
Two sites of particular note are in Stanmore and Finchley. The Stanmore development will be the conversion of a former pub into an exclusive collection of 15 highly-specified two-bedroom apartments, with private parking and landscaped communal grounds, and Finchley will see the regeneration of a derelict church into 12 luxury two- and three-bedroom apartments with private balconies.
For further details on these and other Linden developments visit lindenhomes.com.
Banner Homes is now offering Compass Place, a gated development of 18 two-bedroom apartments close to Edgwarebury Park in Edgware. The scheme is perfect for those who need to ‘lock-up-and-leave’, with security cameras, infra-red outside lights and doors with cylinder deadlocks as well as private basement parking. At Compass Place Banner Homes is currently offering to pay the three per cent stamp duty for purchasers, or will include carpets, curtains, blinds and a modern mounted electric fire. It is also offering a package aimed at investors and is guaranteeing income in the form of a financial contribution towards the mortgage in the first year.
Prices at Compass Place start from £299,000 and rise to £435,000. For further information contact the sales office, open daily from 10am to 5pm, on 020 8958 0739.

Bellway North London has launched a new development at the heart of Southgate, comprising 24 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ideal for young professionals or empty nesters looking to move to a smaller, more manageable home. Southgate Central has been so successful already that 25 per cent of the apartments have been reserved off-plan, including both one-bedroom apartments.
Most apartments have lift access, balconies and en suite facilities to the master bedrooms. One of the main advantages is secure, gated parking in the heart of a busy London village; however, residents do not have to rely on car transport as the development is just minutes away from Southgate tube station, which is serviced by the Piccadilly Line and which can take residents into central London within approximately 30 minutes.

Southgate Central is also conveniently placed for access to excellent shopping, entertainment and leisure facilities, with Marks and Spencer, Pizza Hut and LA Fitness within short walking distance.
Only two- and three-bedroom apartments remain for sale at Southgate Central, with prices starting from £284,995 for two bedrooms and £334,995 for three bedrooms. Occupation is expected by summer 2005. Call selling agent Lanes Property Agents on 020 8882 8068 to find out more.

Following the amazing success of the first phase at New River Village, St James Homes has now announced the launch of the Emerson building. This second phase of the Hornsey development will incorporate 94 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and continues the scheme’s trend of providing contemporary design and cutting edge specification.
The 15-acre collection of homes will see the redevelopment of a former Thames Water site into 620 apartments. The Emerson building is set over six storeys and provides secure underground parking, balcony space and a communal roof terrace.
Each apartment benefits from full-height windows in the open-plan living and kitchen areas, with most properties boasting sliding doors to the balcony space. Full-height windows are also a feature of the bedrooms in the one- and two-bedroom apartments, with some enjoying sliding doors to the balconies from the master suites as well as the living space. Incorporated into all apartments are separate storage cupboards, while a large proportion of the properties also include integrated wardrobes, resulting in a spacious, clutter-free environment.
Internally, the apartments offer open-plan kitchens, fitted with a choice of units, worktops and fully integrated stainless steel appliances, while all of the bathrooms incorporate contemporary white sanitary ware and floor tiles.

The Emerson Building provides a strikingly modern exterior that has been carefully designed to complement the surrounding urban landscape. Dedicated to making use of open, public space, St James Homes has also included extensive landscaping at the scheme, dramatically transforming large amounts of land into gardens and open spaces that can be enjoyed by residents and members of the public alike.
Paul Hopkins, managing director of St James Homes (North Thames) comments ‘Every element of New River Village takes us one step closer to our overall ambition of creating a community that offers a village feel, combining large open spaces with shops, social establishments and public art. Following the success we have achieved with the first phase, the Emerson Building offers a stunning new collection of apartments that provide something for everyone.
‘To complement the launch of this second phase we have redesigned the marketing suite and show apartment to reflect the updated specification in the Emerson Building properties.’
Prices for apartments in the second phase of New River Village are priced from £174,000 for a studio apartment. Call 020 8347 4139.

Buyers at KingsOak North London’s St Michael’s Park in Bushey are being offered an amazing deal: a special 3.99 per cent mortgage rate on selected plots for the first three years.
‘This is a fantastic deal for young buyers opting for their first home or, indeed, anyone who is looking for the best way in which to maximise their money,’ explains sales manager Nina Fitzgerald. ‘This further supports our confidence in the strength of the housing market and the quality of our homes. An excellent rate like this will help buyers plan ahead with confidence.’
St Michael’s Park features a choice of just 22 two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as prestigious three-, four- and five-bedroom family style homes, all carefully designed to offer individual, contemporary living accommodation.

The apartments come in ten different designs with stylish internal features, including designer kitchens fully fitted with a range of integrated appliances, classic white bath suites, energy-efficient heating, double glazing and gated private parking. Individuality is highlighted by inclusions such as terraces, balconies or angular room layouts, and extra features to some apartments, such as a study, increase the potential for truly flexible living.
St Michael’s Park is situated just one mile from the cosmopolitan town of Watford, Hertfordshire, and its vast array of shopping, restaurant, employment and nightlife options. Just 22 minutes by train from London, Bushey is ideal for commuters who want the best of both town and country worlds. The village and the surrounding area boast restaurants, antique shops, bistros, inns and a wealth of leisure options including an 18-hole golf course.
Prices start from £284,999 for a two-bedroom apartment. Call 01923 238137 to find out more.

Today’s apartments combine clever space with high style. Johnny Turner looks at some of the finest examples of newly built apartments currently on the market.

A high-quality apartment is a sought-after commodity to today’s buyer, whether they are a first-time buyer or looking to trade up or downsize. Developers are providing an excellent selection of apartments in a variety of locations throughout London and the South East.
Starting in Maidenhead, Banner Homes offers The NEXUS, a select development of just 14 two-bedroom apartments in a contemporary urban style. Sure to appeal to first-time buyers as well as those who are trading up to their next property, these homes are located just off tree-lined Luke’s Road, only two miles from the M4.

The town centre location is ideal for young home owners who want to be near Maidenhead’s entertainment and nightlife. And with its nearby railway station, a night out in London is also a very viable proposition.
Each apartment will be extremely spacious, with all but four of the homes boasting en suite bathrooms to the master bedrooms. Kitchens are professionally designed and include washer/dryer. Security is also top-notch, with a gated entrance, CCTV and entryphone system.
The newly opened on-site show home is open daily from 9am to 5pm, and off-plan buyers can reserve their chosen plot now at the sales office. Prices range from £215,000 to £265,000. Call 01628 536229.

Two-bedroom apartments are by far the most popular type of new apartment being built in London, according to new research by independent analyst London Residential Research (LRR). Currently 62 per cent of all new apartments built in or around London have two bedrooms, with studio and one-bedroom apartments accounting for only 13 per cent. Crest Nicholson points out, meanwhile, that the term ‘two-bedroom’ can apply to a wide range of properties.

‘There is certainly a huge difference between many of the properties marketed with a “two-bedroom” tag,’ says Kevin Davies, managing director of Crest Nicholson (London). ‘Whereas purchasers know what to expect when they think of a one- or three-bedroom property, a two-bedroom apartment can mean anything from a small pied-a-terre or investment property to a very large and luxurious main residence.’
Furlong Homes has just opened a show apartment at its contemporary development The Edge in Walthamstow. This bespoke development features two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom houses and two-bedroom maisonettes in a quiet cul-de-sac location. The Edge boasts a range of excellent-value, quality homes to suit everyone from first-time buyers to growing families who are looking to move up the property ladder.

The homes have all been designed and finished in a smart, up-to-the-minute style and have the added advantage of low running costs and minimal maintenance. The design of the properties is fresh, spacious and contemporary, with emphasis placed on practical living space such as well-proportioned kitchen with living/dining areas. The fitted kitchens boast laminate worktops with tiled splashbacks, stainless steel ovens and gas hob, integrated appliances, ceramic tiles and downlighters. Bathrooms and en-suites are all equipped with stylish white sanitary ware with chrome fittings and taps, ceramic tiles and downlighters.
The highly sought-after homes are located close to the town centre and overlook the wide open spaces of the famous Walthamstow Reservoirs. The location is an oasis in a busy community which bustles with shops, restaurants, bars, schools, leisure facilities and all-important rail links into the centre of London.
Prices start from £184,995. Contact 020 8531 8830 or visit furlonghomes.co.uk.

Crest Nicholson is currently marketing a range of larger two-bedroom apartments which will appeal to owner-occupiers. At Viewpoint on Highbury Grove in London N5, there are a total of 18 two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from a spacious 886 sq ft to an amazing 1,295 sq ft. The apartments have a variety of layouts; however, all benefit from access to at least one private balcony or terrace.
Each apartment at Viewpoint has a spacious reception room, and many of them are dual-aspect. Open-plan kitchens have ceramic flooring, sleek fitted units with feature glass sections and a comprehensive range of integrated appliances including microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer. All master bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and an en suite shower room. A spacious guest bathroom and separate bathroom add to the convenience and feeling of spaciousness.
The 29 luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments overlook the 28 acres of Highbury Fields, providing one of the most sought-after views in the capital. The development has secure underground parking and is only a ten-minute walk from Highbury & Islington station, with its Victoria Line connection and its quick WAGN link to Moorgate for the City of London.
Prices for the remaining two-bedroom apartments at Viewpoint range from £430,000 to £599,950. Contact the marketing suite on 0870 300 6129.

Also from Crest Nicholson, Brookshill Gate in Harrow, Middlesex is a development of 18 luxury two-bedroom apartments in a newly built three-storey red brick building. The modern-day interpretation of a Victorian mansion block is set in mature landscaped grounds with gated access and parking facilities.
Each apartment offers approximately 900 sq ft of living accommodation designed for modern living. The spacious reception room has defined living and dining areas and incorporates large bay windows which provide an abundance of natural light. Large French doors open from the reception room to an outside patio or balcony, helping residents make the most of the mature landscaped grounds.
The kitchen/breakfast rooms are fully fitted with high-quality bespoke units and granite worktops, a range of stainless steel integrated appliances and ceramic flooring. The luxurious master bedroom suite has built-in wardrobes and an en suite shower room. The spacious guest bedroom can comfortably accommodate a double bed, and there is a luxury guest bathroom which, like the en suite shower room, is fitted with high-end Villeroy & Boch suites, Hansgrohe taps, heated towel rails and ceramic flooring.
Prices at Brookshill Gate start at £345,000. Call the marketing suite on 0870 300 0820.

Calverley Heights, located in one of Kent’s most popular towns, is a scheme from Whiteoak Developments which offers stylish homes in a perfect location. Set in secluded grounds, Calverley Heights is located close to picturesque Dunorlan Park in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells and represents stylish living at its best.
This exceptionally well designed development consists of 12 two-bedroom apartments, each with an en suite shower room and private balcony or patio, and two duplex penthouses, each with three bedrooms and a large decked roof terrace. All apartments will benefit from underground parking with a lift from the parking level to the second floor, as well as comprehensively landscaped gardens. The kitchens are fitted with units from the latest Leicht range and come with numerous integrated appliances.
Selling agents Brand New Homes UK have reported a great level of interest in Calverley Heights. Sales manager Zoe Lund comments, ‘The response for the development has been excellent. The development itself is set only a short distance from the town with a wide range of leisure and shopping facilities within easy reach. With the high specification of the development itself and the excellent travel links into London it is proving very popular with home buyers looking for something special in a great location.’
The show apartment and sales office is open Thursdays to Mondays from 10am to 5pm. Contact the sales consultant on 01892 515582 or call Brand New Homes UK on 0870 7778 726 for more details.

Also in Kent, Sunley Estates has chosen a new scheme to pioneer a revolutionary, environmentally-friendly concept: the glass roof. Clarendon Heights comprises just 17 one- and two-bedroom apartments in a conservation area in sought-after Sevenoaks. The apartments form part of two architecturally impressive new multi-level apartment buildings called The Pinnacle and The Glass House, both of which are built into a natural slope under the unusual grass-effect roof. The former Westways site will incorporated low-maintenance sedum plants to create a living, natural green slope that changes with the seasons.
There are private terraces or balconies, and all apartments are open-plan with luxury specification. Both of the contemporary buildings have access to secure underground parking.
Pam Reardon, sales and marketing director of Sunley Estates, says, ‘Not only is the roof at Clarendon Heights aesthetically pleasing, but it will benefit those who live beneath it in terms of slowing thermal energy loss, reducing noise and building maintenance.’
Prices at The Pinnacle range from £195,500 for a one-bedroom apartment to £420,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment; at The Glass House prices range from £213,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to £370,000 for two bedrooms.
For further information call the sales office, open Thursdays to Mondays from 10am to 5pm, on 01732 464750, or visit sunley.co.uk.

Weston Homes offers chic London living at its Anderson Heights development, located in Norbury, south London. The seven remaining duplexes at this converted office block offer exceptional space and value.
The duplex apartments are in excess of 1,200 sq ft, with many offering terraces that afford expansive views across south London and Crystal Palace. There are two basic choices of layout, which allows the buyer to decide whether to have the living, dining and kitchen area on the lower or the upper floor. The specification is excellent:­ more of the type you would expect in a much more expensive very central London apartment.
Anderson Heights has excellent transport links. A short walk to Norbury station will give you a connection to either London Bridge or Victoria that takes only 25 minutes. There is also a good selection of dining and drinking establishments in the local area, as well as sporting activities such as tennis and golf.
Duplexes start from just £275,000. Call the marketing suite, open daily from 10am to 5pm, on 020 8679 0666.

Bovis Homes’ stylish Cumberland Rise, part of the ambitious community of Chafford Hundred in the Thames Gateway in Essex, has several bright ideas for getting first-time buyers on to the elusive property ladder. The builder is not only offering to pay the five per cent deposit but is also throwing in stamp duty, legal fees and complimentary fitted carpets. This could translate into a saving of over £12,000 on a two-bedroom apartment priced from £169,950.

A fantastic new two-bedroom show apartment has just been opened so prospective buyers can get a good look at the excellent value for money we’re talking about.
Cumberland Rise offers a wide variety of homes, which leads to a true community feel. Just a short drive from the local railway station, the development is great for commuters:­ the connection to London Fenchurch Street takes approximately 35 minutes. And for motorists, these homes are just five minutes from the M25.
The two apartment blocks, Cumberland Heights and Frobisher Heights, offer 24 two-bedroom properties. The show apartment is open for viewing from 10am to 5pm Thursdays to Mondays. For more information call 0845 230 3331.

Telford Homes has shown itself to be extremely adept at providing apartment schemes that speak to today’s buyer, primarily investors. And its latest scheme, Tequila Wharf, was launched last month to buyers in both London and Dublin to great acclaim and not a little interest.
‘Telford Homes is excited about this scheme,’ remarks Sheena Ellwood, the developer’s sales and marketing director. ‘With Tequila Wharf Telford Homes is moving on in its programme of urban regeneration and is taking its specialist skills and knowledge of the sector to new heights.’
The canal-side structure rises from five to ten storeys in a fusion of light sandstone brick, clean pale render and expanses of glazing and steel. The result is a clever complement to the surrounding water, industrial buildings and plant life.

All apartments at Tequila Wharf feature the latest in fitted kitchens by Urban Myth, with fully integrated stainless steel appliances from Smeg. Bathrooms have elegant white sanitary ware finished with chrome taps and fittings by Grohe. The one- and two-bedroom apartments and the luxurious penthouses with large terrace are ideal low-maintenance residences for today¹s busy professional,­ and the location right between the City and Canary Wharf means the commute is all but cut out.
Prices start from £192,500 for a one-bedroom apartment and from £250,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. Penthouses are priced from £370,000. Find out more online at telfordhomes.plc.uk or call 0870 872 0987.

Looking to the future, Laing Homes announces an upcoming apartment scheme called Evolution, located near Burgess Park in Peckham. It will offer purchasers over 100 homes, including one- and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom town houses.
Evolution is less than half a mile from Laing’s last success in Peckham, the already sold-out Renaissance. Construction on Evolution has commenced and the homes are set to go on sale in January. Call Laing Homes on 0800 622298.