New Homes - February, 2005

Maidstone, Kent

Fairview Homes offers an enviable riverside lifestyle at The Crescent, located on the river Medway just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre. The new Fremlin Walk shopping centre will make what is already a shopper’s paradise even better. Homes include studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, some of which are duplex. Prices start at £174,995 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment. Call 01622 754950.

Docklands, London

Weston Homes and property experts King Sturge present The Block, an intimate development situated between West India Dock Pier and the Millennium Harbour. The seven-storey building will comprise 19 stunning one- and two-bedroom apartments, with a stunning penthouse spanning the whole of the top floor. Prices are expected to start at £250,000. Call Weston Homes on 01279 873333 or King Sturge Residential on 020 7715 9700.

Northwood, Middlesex

Fairclough is seeing sales success at its Viceroy Court development, an Arts and Crafts-inspired collection of apartments and town houses. The spec if very high, with designer kitchens and OMC home cabling. Duplex apartments are available from £425,000 and town houses, which feature an integral garage, start at £660,000. Contact Fairclough Homes on 0845 676 0164 or selling agents Christopher Rowland on 01923 824225.

Dartford, Kent

Trinity Court, an attractive new scheme by Crest Nicholson, features 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments aimed at the first-time buyer market. The architecture is a fusion of traditional and modern styles, and all apartments have either double doors to either a spacious balcony or French doors to a Juliet balcony; a number have both. Prices start at £174,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. Call 0870 755 9711.

Epping, Essex

Part exchange is now available on selected plots at Launceston Gate, a secure gated development offering a mix of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. Interior spec is modern and stylish, while exteriors blend traditional brickwork and grey weatherboarding. Epping tube station is within walking distance, and the M11 and M25 are easily accessible, making commuting simple. For more information call 01992 561565.

Hailsham, East Sussex

Redrow Homes has released Mill View, the first phase of which features two- and three-bedroom houses on the edge of open countryside. This first release, priced from £157,950, will appeal to empty nesters and first-time buyers, while future phases of detached four-bedroom homes will be aimed at families. The development is very well placed for access to the M25. Call 01323 472194 or visit redrow.co.uk.

Cranleigh, Surrey

Centex2020 has one property remaining for sale at its exclusive Copse development. This substantial four-bedroom home is completed to an extremely high specification and offers a flexible, open-plan style of living. ‘Wow’ factors include double-height space to the family room as well as the Alno kitchen with granite worktops and American-style fridge/freezer. Priced at £825,000. Call selling agents Roger N Coupe on 01483 268555.

Reigate, Surrey

Linden Homes is selling Silk Quarter, a superior collection of 27 three-storey homes with three or four bedrooms located in a courtyard setting. Ten different house styles are available, each offering spacious and innovative designs. Silk Quarter is close to excellent shops and a wide selection of good restaurants. The local train station is within walking distance. Prices start at £375,000. Call 01737 779199.

North London is connected, smart and stylish. And there are some fantastic homes to be had here. Johnny Turner has a look around.

The attributes of north London are too many to list. From culture to transport, green space to shopping, those who live in the northern end of the capital are spoilt for choice. And when it comes to buying a home, the wide choice and high quality are drawing more to this area than ever. Looking at the current selection of newly built homes it is easy to see why.
Banner Homes is offering attractive incentives at three north London developments, including Argent House in Hatch End, which comprises eight spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. Here the buyer will find an enticing deal which includes five per cent deposit paid as well as fitting the carpets, curtains and light fittings.
Argent House not only offers high specification but also simple transport links: the development is located only a stone’s throw from Hatch End mainline station, from where London Euston is only a 37-minute journey.
Prices start at £375,000. For more information contact the sales office, open Thursday to Monday, on 020 8421 4691 .

A second Banner development offering the five per cent deposit and fitted carpets and curtains is Marsh Point, at the heart of thriving Pinner. The development consists of 18 spacious two-bedroom apartments. Prices range from £390,000 to £460,000. Find out more by calling 020 8966 9129.
A further Banner development is Compass Place, located in Edgware. Perfect for those who are looking for a lock-up-and-leave property, Compass Place offers 18 spacious two-bedroom apartments, each with private basement parking, set in landscaped grounds in Glendale Avenue, near both Stanmore and Edgware tube stations.
The apartments range size-wise from 923 to 1,396 sq ft and feature open, spacious sitting rooms which can easily accommodate large pieces of furniture and show them off to their full effect.
The show home is offered with all its fixtures and fittings at a price of £435,000, while other homes start at £299,000. To find out more call the show homes, open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5pm, on 020 8958 0739.

At New River Village, St James Homes’ impressive development in Hornsey, buyers in search of contemporary design and cutting-edge specification will find plenty to like in the Emerson Building.
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.
Apartments in the current phase of New River Village are priced from £168,000 for a studio apartment. Call 020 8347 4139 or visit newrivervillage.co.uk.

Next to the Highbury/Holloway border, an increasingly sought-after neck of the north London woods, where VizioN7 is wowing buyers. This joint venture between Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey, in association with Arsenal FC, will see an amazing collection of horseshoe-shaped apartment blocks designed by renowned architect Piers Gough.
VizioN7 is nearly 50 per cent sold, as buyers have rightly seen the combination of high style and very convenient placement as an excellent property opportunity. The latest phase, called Buckler Court, is to be released on the weekend of 12 and 13 March – and this promises to be immediately popular.
The apartments and penthouses are ideally located on Eden Grove, just minutes from Holloway Road tube station. Guide prices for the one-bedroom apartments start at £225,000, while two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments will start at under £300,000 and rise to £495,000 for penthouses with huge terraces.

VizioN7 will appeal both to owner-occupiers and investors; the latter will be impressed at the proximity of nearby Metropolitan University, which boasts the highest intake of overseas students in the UK. The appeal will stretch to those who work in the City or West End as well; besides the speedy Piccadilly Line tubes from Holloway Road station, nearby Highbury & Islington station has a direct WAGN service to Old Street (seven minutes) as well as Victoria Line tubes (eight minutes to Oxford Circus).
Find out more about VizioN7 by calling the sales and marketing suite, open daily, on 020 7700 7555 or visiting vizion7.co.uk.

Also in the area is Crest Nicholson’s Urban 7 development, consisting of 47 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments set in and around an original Victorian school. These homes offer beautiful modern space for today’s lifestyle, and the proximity to fantastic supermarkets, shops and transport, not to mention a host of good pubs, bars and restaurants, means the busy young professional will be especially at home here.
Current availability includes one-bedroom apartments with en suite, priced from £249,950; a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments from £340,000; and one three-bedroom home with garden, priced at £385,000. Contact 0870 300 2721 for more information.

Fairview New Homes’ The Chase is an excellent example of the leafy, upmarket feel of the archetypal north London neighbourhood. This gated community in an affluent London suburb has 18 carefully designed four-bedroom, three-storey town houses, located a short walk from Southgate tube station.
Situated in attractively landscaped grounds, The Chase has a children’s play area as well as a landscaped seating area for outdoor relaxation. A fitness centre is adjacent to the development, ideal for after-work workouts.
The development is within easy access of local shops and facilities for outdoor activities such as football. Highly regarded schools are also nearby, making this an ideal family location.
Fairview is offering purchasers five per cent deposit paid or part-exchange at The Chase, taking much of the worry out of moving. Prices start from £231,000. For more information contact the sales and marketing suite on 020 8882 5821 or visit fairview.co.uk.

Fallow Gate in Finchley, London N12 has proved an outstanding success of Barratt Homes, with the result that only a small selection of the 82 one- and two-bedroom apartments remain available.
Approximately eight miles from central London, Fallow Gate is located within 200 yards of an extensive leisure park, including: cinema complex; Hollywood Bowl; a David Lloyd Centre with tennis school, gym and swimming pool; and several good eateries. The location is very convenient, with the A406 providing access to the M1, M40 and M11. Also, regular buses run from the High Road to East Finchley station, with its Northern Line services providing a journey time to London of less than 30 minutes.
The remaining two-bedroom apartments include fully fitted kitchens with integrated stainless steel ovens, hobs and cooker hoods, washer/dryers, dishwashers and fridge/freezers. Master bedrooms to some apartments have en suite bathrooms. All have electric central heating and double glazing. There is private parking and entryphone systems within this gated development.
Prices for the remaining two-bedroom apartments start at £250,000. For further information contact the sales office on 020 8371 6809. Visit barratthomes.co.uk.

In very sought-after Crouch End, Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward is selling The Collection, an assortment of 15 one- and two-bedroom apartments in an expertly restored former tax office.
The renovated modern building is located moments from the main Broadway in Crouch End, a vibrant area that enjoys an array of trendy cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as boutiques and antique shops. The open spaces of Alexandra Palace and Hampstead Heath are also close by.
The apartments range in size from 603 to 1,033 sq ft and benefit from balconies with Iroko decking, floor-to-ceiling glazing and natural oak flooring throughout the living areas. All kitchens have been finished to a high specification, to include granite work surfaces and integrated appliances. Stylish bathrooms have Villeroy & Boch fittings and ceramic tiling.
Each apartment has a video entry system, and there is lift access and CCTV as well as secure car parking to the rear of the development.

The apartments at The Collection are priced from £295,000. For sales information contact Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s Crouch End office on 020 8348 8181.

The urban life isn’t for everyone – and those who choose a more villagey lifestyle will find lots of new homes to choose from, finds Johnny Turner.

A relaxed pace of life is an increasingly sought-after attribute when looking for property. Country locations provide the perfect antidote to weekday overwork, while increasingly high-quality transport connections make it possible – even simple – to lead a ‘double life’, one of urban toil balanced by lush country leisure time.

Buyers would do well to investigate the new homes currently on the market in these desirable spots. One such home is currently being built in West Chiltington in West Sussex. Quilters Park, by developers Charles James Homes, is an exceptional home in the grounds of the original country mansion Quilters. Accommodation comprises five en sutie bedrooms, drawing room, dining room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, family room and utility room. There is a triple garage, plus an audio security system from the gated entrance to the house.

The home is on the market at £985,000. To make an appointment to view contact Charles James Homes’ dedicated sales line on 01903 748396.

Furlong Homes is selling The Meadows, a select development of 28 two-, three- and four-bedroom contemporary homes in the picturesque village of St Osyth, near Clacton-on-Sea. The irresistible combination of rural tranquillity and coastal living is a very attractive aspect of the development. And each of the nine different house styles has been designed to maximise both space and light. The living space is flexible and the specification is high.

Prices start at £169,950. For further information contact the sales office on 01255 821516.

Bedfordshire is a popular country location in which to live, and Persimmon Homes’ The Folly development fulfils all the requirements of the market town lifestyle. Located in the well-loved village of Clapham, only three miles from Bedford, The Folly is situated less than an hour’s train journey from St Pancras station, meaning that living outside of the capital needn’t mean you’re out of the loop.

Denise Williams, head of sales for Persimmon’s Midlands division, says, ‘Too frequently commuters are forced to compromise between a home in a country location and a property situated close to work. In the most extreme situations, individuals are forced to purchase an extra property closer to the city and live apart from their family during the week.’

This is certainly not the case at The Folly, where high-quality family homes set in picturesque countryside are within easy reach of the metropolis. The current release of homes ranges from a three-bedroom Harlow mews home at £167,950 to £400,000 for a five-bedroom detached Prelude. Call the marketing suite on 01234 215200 or visit persimmonhomes.com.

Finally, Beechcroft Homes offers Bramley Grange in Bramley Village, just south of Guildford. This exclusive collection of 16 luxury apartments and four cottages is ideal for the retiree who seeks a quiet but event-filled village life.

Located approximately 100 yards from Bramley High Street, the development offers secure underground parking and a residents’ indoor swimming pavilion. While designed externally to complement older properties in the village, the interiors provide generous, flexible living space.

Prices at Bramley Grange range from £330,000 to £665,000. Call 01483 891830 or visit beechcroft.co.uk.

Surrey suits all types of buyers, from City high-fliers to first-time buyers and retirees. And the currently available newly built homes in this county are a real treat. Johnny Turner investigates.

Surrey contains so many of the ingredients of a quality lifestyle that buyers are never in short supply. At the moment, not only is there plenty of demand but supply is also up – and what supply! From smart city-type apartments to executive homes in stockbroker belt locations, this county has all that today’s home-seeker requires.

Number One Albury Road, just one mile from Guildford High Street, is a development of just ten apartments by award-winning Premier Properties. With the first phase of five apartments having already been reserved or sold, agents Clarke Gammon Wellers expect the second phase to sell just as quickly.
The homes feature Bespoke Pepper kitchens with handle-free cabinets and stone worktops which will make entertaining a pleasure. There is also a full range of fully integrated AEG/Electrolux appliances, including a dishwasher, washer dryer and waste disposal. Elegant bathrooms, meanwhile, feature recessed mirror cabinets with integrated lighting – and wiring for LCD television.
The five remaining apartments provide a variety of internal designs, all of which include a well-proportioned living room, two bedrooms, separate kitchen, family bathroom and en suite. But each has its own special feature, such as a bay window opening onto a private patio or an additional study and balcony off the living room.

For further information on Number One Albury Road contact Clarke Gammon Wellers on 01483 88090
Barratt Homes offers a number of attractive developments currently for sale across Surrey, both in town centre locations and rural settings. Homes, too, are very varied, encompassing everything from one-bedroom apartments to cottage-style houses.
In Woking, Centrium is a striking 15-storey development housing 288 luxury apartments, offering such luxuries as a 24-hour concierge, and a gym with sauna and Jacuzzi exclusively for residents. Besides the aspect of pampering, convenience is another strength, with Woking station a very short walk away, making Centrium ideal for busy commuters.
A few minutes’ walk away is The Clock Tower, a small development of two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments set in landscaped gardens. For first-time buyers, Prospect Place, close to the shops in Old Woking, offers competitively priced apartments.
Guildford is one of Surrey’s most favoured towns, thanks to its extensive shopping, restaurants, bars and sporting facilities. Near the town centre is The Courtyard, which consists of 13 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The development has parking spaces within the grounds, a huge advantage in a busy town.

Barratt’s Surrey portfolio offers a number of luxury homes in the heart of the commuter belt. In Walton-on-Thames, the contemporary apartments at Terrazza are close to the town centre and enjoy views over the green. In Claygate, the luxurious large town houses of Ruxley Mews are situated in a quiet residential area, with the A3 just a short drive away. And in sought-after Epsom, apartments at The Maple Garden on the Upper High Street feature a courtyard Japanese garden – and of course the world-famous race course nearby.
To the east of Epsom is Banstead, a country town surrounded by vast areas of open countryside. On its outskirts is Chatsworth Park, styled as a grand country house and containing 24 luxury two-bedroom apartments and duplexes measuring up to 1,238 sq ft, with uninterrupted views over four acres of beautiful private grounds and open greenbelt countryside. Further south, Reigate is an old market town five miles from Gatwick Airport. Here Barratt is building The Coppice and The Gables, two adjoining developments of cottages and apartments set in mature gardens and located close to the town centre.
For affordable village living, King’s Mews in Frimley Green, near Camberley, is an attractive development of mews-style houses which brings all the benefits of a village environment but less than an hour’s train journey from London.

Whatever is important to you in your choice of home – whether easy commuting, town living or country surroundings – you are certain to find it in Surrey. To find out more about Barratt Homes properties in Surrey call 01483 306480 or visit barratthomes.co.uk.
In Chertsey, Laing Homes Thames Valley has launched Bridge House, a brand new selection of 22 contemporary apartments at its Upper Reach development on the River Thames.
Every apartment at Bridge House has been designed to maximise prime riverside views. There are spacious rooms and wrap-around balconies, making the properties at Bridge House some of the most desirable in the whole Upper Reach development.
Upper Reach consists of seven private residential apartment buildings, designed and positioned to ensure the best possible views and forming one of the most unique Thames-side developments outside London.
Prices at Upper Reach start from £249,950. For further information contact the marketing suite on 01932 564177.

CALA Homes is selling Focus, a vibrant collection of 98 one- and two-bedroom apartments with square footage ranging from 400 to 1,000. The location is superb; near Camberley town centre, Focus will make it easy to access a large range of amenities, entertainment options and shopping facilities. Transport is also a breeze, with fast and easy train services to the capital as well as the local road network which puts the surrounding towns of Guildford, Sunningdale and Wokingham within easy reach.
The design of the apartments will be modern, stylish and spacious. Great emphasis has been placed on good internal design, and the architectural detail has been carefully thought out to blend in with that of established homes nearby.
Another extremely attractive aspect of Focus is the price. Apartments at the development are priced from as little as £149,950 – a surprise in such a sought-after area. For further information contact the marketing suite on 01276 675341 or visit the show home, which is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Another CALA scheme in the county is at the other end of the price spectrum – and rightly so. Boundary Park, located in exclusive Weybridge, is a secure gated development which contains only six five-bedroom detached houses. Each of these wonderful homes has a bonus studio room and en suite bathroom situated in the attic.
Spec is extremely high, and goodies include the latest kitchen appliances such as American fridge/freezer, underfloor heating on ground and first floors – and the option of a bespoke garden designed by GDUK.
Prices at Boundary Park will start from £1,195,000. Call selling agents Jackson, Stops and Staff on 01932 821160.

Livingstone Park is a new development which is being created by a consortium of the UK’s leading house builders. Located in popular Epsom, the development is being constructed on the site of the former Horton and Long Grove hospitals. Bryant, Charles Church and Persimmon Homes are joining forces to build a stunning new development of apartments, house and town houses in a beautiful 20-acre parkland setting. The scheme will combine rural tranquillity with stylish modern living.
Louise Frampton of Bryant Homes says, ‘Using a mix of converted buildings and new homes alongside established open spaces, the consortium has worked closely together to create a balanced community that meets the needs of today’s modern home buyer. When complete the development will be stunning and has all the amenities that residents could require right on the doorstep.’
A new David Lloyd Centre offers the latest in fitness facilities, while the 400-acre Horton Country Park includes a children’s farm and adventure playground, 18-hole golf course and equestrian centre. And the nearby Downs give spectacular panoramic views of London.
Find out about availability from the sales centres: Bryant Homes 01372 742612; Charles Church 01372 741586; Persimmon Homes 01372 721090; and Try Homes 01372 385170.

In Bisley, Charles Church offers Snowdrop Rise, an exclusive development of four four- and five-bedroom homes which are ready and waiting for their new residents!
These beautiful homes boast traditional mellow brick with contrasting brick detailing, decorative tile hanging or rendering which adds relief to the front elevations. The steeply pitched rooflines, some with attractive dormer windows, also add to the cottage-style feel of these properties.
The interiors are just as impressive but provide a contrasting modern style. There are streamlined kitchens with a superb range of appliances by Bosch, as well as bathrooms with gleaming white Ideal Standard sanitaryware.
The pretty village of Bisley is located approximately eight miles from both Woking and Guildford. Brookwood station, only a short walk away, offers services to Woking taking only five minutes, while London Waterloo is approximately a 40-minute journey.
Prices range from £429,950 for a four-bedroom home to £494,950 for five bedrooms. Contact selling agents Waterfords on 01252 628831 or visit charles-church.co.uk.

Finally, in thriving Sutton, Crest Nicholson is selling Clandon Court, a development of only 13 three-bedroom town houses of two and three storeys. The development, just off Woodside Road, is ideal for local schools as well as a wide range of amenities in the town. Homes provide spacious accommodation, along with finishing touches such as fully fitted Manhattan kitchens with a range of Bosh appliances and luxuriously appointed white bathrooms with Hansgroe taps and fittings.
Clandon Court is within walking distance of both Sutton Common and West Sutton stations, from where peak-time services into London Victoria can take less than half an hour. You also have the choice of Northern Line tubes from Modern station less than two miles away. Car commuters will find convenient roads such as the A217 into central London and the M25 for Gatwick Airport.
Remaining homes start at £289,950. For more information call the sales and marketing suite on 020 8644 0743 or visit crestnicholson.co.uk.

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Redrow Homes has launched 23 luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments in the village of Hazlemere, on the site of the former Cedars public house in Cedar Avenue. Stylish kitchens offer a complete range of integral appliances. The location, in the heart of the Chiltern Hills yet with easy access to both London, is ideal. Prices start at £189,950. Call agents the JNP Partnership on 01494 521223.

Ealing, London

Iconica is Barratt’s collection of 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments near the heart of bustling Ealing. There is an underground station at Ealing Broadway and  nearby mainline services for Paddington, Reading and Slough – plus an in-house car club, operated by whizzgo, which allows members to pre-book a car. Prices start at £199,995 for a one-bedroom apartment. Call the marketing suite on 020 8840 7949.

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 start at £299,950. Call 0845 676 0168.

Bromley, Kent

Centex2020’s new development, called One, consists of 24 private apartments in a very contemporary building located in the sought-after town centre. All one-bedroom apartments have been reserved, while two-bedroom apartments will be officially launched for sale in May, at prices from around £270,000. Interested parties are encouraged to register interest now by calling Centex2020 on 0845 676 0216. Find out more online at cdc2020.com.

Hornchurch, Essex

The Limes is a development of one- and two-bedroom apartments, some of which are second-floor penthouse-style homes with study. Very near Emerson Park station, The Limes offers one-stop links to Upminster (for District Line tube or mainline Fenchurch Street services) and Romford (fast to Liverpool Street). Launch weekend is 5 & 6 March. Call Bairstow Eves New Homes on 01708 443471 for a brochure.

Watford, Hertfordshire

Linden Homes is bringing central London style to Watford with the unveiling of Cassio Mansions, a new scheme of 101 stylish two-bedroom apartments, including 20 magnificent duplex penthouses. Apartments are between 690 and 830 sq ft; each is designed in a contemporary open style. Two-bedroom apartments are priced from £249,950, while penthouses will launch later in the year at prices from approximately £375,000. Call 01923 229229.

Weybridge, Surrey

Only four town houses remain at Woodsome Grange, the stylish development by Crest Nicholson – and the developer is offering an irresistible part-exchange offer to help take the stress out of moving house. Weybridge is a beautiful town, offering easy links into London, Thames-side walks and great shopping. The three-storey town houses are priced from £499,950. Contact the sales and marketing suite on 0870 751 0480.

Deanshanger, Buckinghamshire

Charles Church has only a few properties remaining at its prestigious Beechwood Gardens development in this picturesque village location. Buyers are encouraged to hurry to reserve at this attractive scheme of executive four- and five-bedroom family homes. Prices for remaining homes start at £348,500. Call the sales office, open Thursdays to Mondays, on 01908 263104, or selling agents Thomas and Co on 01908 231551.

The developer Henley Homes is part of a breathtaking plan to vastly improve east London. We look at the company’s beautifully designed and conveniently located 417 Riverside development.

Contemporary urban living along the banks of the River Lea at Fish Island London E3 is being created by award winning Henley Homes who specialise in constructing desirable, affordable homes in areas of major regeneration. 417 Riverside, generally referred to as the gateway to Fish Island, forms part of a group of nine- and ten-storey buildings visible from the river bank. Exposed concrete, steel and glass form a 21st-century facade that surrounds a beautifully landscaped courtyard garden. An elegant and contemporary development designed for both living and working, all of the apartments enjoy a terrace or balcony and almost all a view of the River Lea.

Affordable, practical and contemporary, 417 Riverside represents urban riverside living within an attractive and accessible location. Just minutes from Stratford, itself a gateway to both Central London and from 2007 when the new International station opens, Europe. Fish Island, already popular with artists is the final corner of undiscovered inner city London to be redeveloped.

Each stylish apartment boasts principal rooms with floor to ceiling windows leading to timber-decked balconies. Clean white or neutral interior walls offer a blank canvas for each owner to create their own ambience. Custom designed kitchens feature high quality integrated appliances including fridge
freezers and dishwashers. Utility cupboards are fitted with washer/dryers and the bathrooms feature white suites, recessed halogen lighting and partially tiled walls. Bedrooms and work areas are carpeted, elsewhere wooden floors add to the sense of space, all enjoy under floor heating. Access is via video entry phone and secure car parking is also available. Provisions have been made for smart house technology, including an ISDN to link the lounge, master bedroom and work studio.
Fish Island benefits from the rapidly expanding transport network in the Lower Lea Valley – and gives residents travel connections. A new high-quality bridge will mean that a walk from 417 Riverside to Hackney Wick station on the Silverlink North London Line will take only ten minutes. Pudding Lane DLR station is only a 12-minute walk, and Stratford, London’s comprehensive transport hub can be reached by foot in only 15 minutes. From Stratford you have the choice of Jubilee or Central Line tubes, mainline railway, DLR, Silverlink and frequent buses.

With the opening in 2007 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link International station Stratford will also be a gateway to Europe, with a journey time of just 2 hours 20 minutes to Paris. A fast new domestic service from Kent will also serve this new station. Further expansion of the DLR will offer quick connections to the City Airport, Stansted and Heathrow.

Plans have recently been approved for Stratford City, an impressive new metropolitan shopping centre for east London. Expected to be opened in 2007 and covering over 1.5 million square feet, this complex will be home to retail, leisure and community facilities. Three departmental stores and 120 shops and cafés will be available in this new business district, with offices, conference facilities and hotels as well as more schools, health centres and other public amenities.

An extensive Regeneration Park is planned to utilise the forgotten and neglected areas of open space in the area. Over 100 bridges are planned throughout the Lower Lea Valley, creating a vibrant ‘water city’ linked by walkways, roads, transport systems and cycle paths.
Fish Island lies in the heart of the area proposed for London’s 2012 Olympic bid and with firm Government support for the continued re-development of the area it is poised to become the a fashionable new urban community.

For further information go online and visit 417riverside.co.uk. You may also call Bridge Estates on 020 7749 1400 or Adam Brockley Associates on 020 7613 8181.

Lamberhurst, Kent

Ward Homes offers Coopers, a development located in this traditional Kentish village just eight miles east of Tunbridge Wells. Buyers are sure to find what they are looking for, with this mix of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. Ideal for commuters, Coopers has convenient links to the M20, M26 and M25, while nearby Tonbridge offers a fast train service into London. Call 01892 891724.

Snodland, Kent

Woodside Court by Berkeley Homes makes the most of a wide range of architectural styles. The scheme’s 15 homes include 14 different house types, and the development is designed to give the feel of a traditional well-established village community. Spec and finish are top-quality and beautiful countryside is right on the doorstep. The first six homes are priced from £129,950 to £334,950. Call 01732 227555.

Harrow, Middlesex

Country & Metropolitan Homes announces the last few remaining properties at the popular Red Jasper development, a well placed community near the vibrant town centre which offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle and great commuter links. Only five apartments remain of 16 impressive one- and two-bedroom properties; these homes have allocated parking spaces and are priced from £159,950. Contact Preston Bennett New Homes on 020 8954 8626 or visit prestonbennett.co.uk.

Holloway, London

Crest Nicholson have already sold 60 per cent of Urban 7, its transformation of a magnificent Edwardian school building into 47 one-, two- and three-bedroom converted and newly built lofts and apartments. The high-specification homes include contemporary kitchens, classic white bathrooms and the latest home network systems for communications and internet access. Prices currently start at £249,950. Call the marketing suite on 0800 300 2721.

Bromley, Kent

Centex2020 is making good progress on One, its development of 24 apartments at the new development located in Sherman Road in the town centre. The apartments are spacious and sophisticated, featuring designer kitchens by Alno and beautifully fitted baths and en suites. With the one-bedroom apartments now sold out, the two-bedroom apartments are due for imminent release, with prices likely to start at £270,000. Call 0845 676 0216.

Harrow, Middlesex

The Grange is Barratt’s development of new luxury homes on the site of the former Harrow Hospital. The two hospital buildings are being converted into a small number of stylish apartments in carefully landscaped grounds, accessed by electronically controlled gates. Prices start at £240,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and range to £530,000 for an impressive four-bedroom detached family home. Call the marketing suite on 020 8423 8047.

Thamesmead, London

Fairclough’s riverside development The Gateway is an ideal first purchase, with prices for a two-bedroom apartment with parking space starting at £209,950 (£234,950 with a river view). And for those who can almost but not quite afford these reasonable starting prices, the developer has a range of incentives regarding the deposit or mortgage that may just make the difference. Call 0845 676 0162 for more information.

Harrow, Middlesex

Persimmon Homes is selling brand new three-storey town houses at The Chase, a gated development – and demand has been high. Each property has a parking space, audio door entry system and a high-quality finish. Lounge/dining rooms are spacious and flexibility of the general layouts are conducive to today’s style of living. Prices for the town houses start at £349,950. Contact selling agents Colin Dean on 0845 676 0184.

Kent is a great combination of lush countryside, thriving market towns and commuter convenience. And its wide choice of new homes includes everything from roomy family houses to luxury apartments, finds Johnny Turner.

Kent is both well connected and cosy, offering easy and convenient access to London and a green and pleasant environment in which to live. Historically, residents such as Churchill and Dickens have been won over by the combination of natural beauty and proximity to the busy, buzzy capital. Those who wish to take advantage of this unique county will find some fantastic new property options, with both new homes and redevelopments on the agenda for prospective buyers this year.
Starting in Faversham, Crest Nicholson is offering purchasers at its Kings Chase scheme a special five per cent deposit paid offer combined with legal fees and free carpets on selected three-bedroom houses. The development, located in this popular market town, consists of 70 two- and three-bedroom houses.

Homes at Kings Chase boast high levels of design and are tailored to contemporary living. Kitchens and dining areas are open-plan, which makes for a relaxing living space, and all kitchens are fully fitted and feature a comprehensive range of Seimens appliances.
Faversham is a historic medieval market town which has a wide variety of good shopping as well as convenient commuter links to London, surrounding towns and even the Continent.
The offer is subject to terms and conditions and is only available for a limited period. Prices start from £169,995 for a two-bedroom house and range up to £265,000 for a three-bedroom town house. For more information contact the marketing suite on 0870 750 2750 or visit crestnicholson.com.

Langley Waterside in Beckenham is an exclusive and tranquil lakeside village next to a nature reserve, offering a wide range of home types built around tree-lined avenues and fountained courtyards. The scheme is designed to preserve and enhance the natural environment, which lends added quality of life to the residents, who include families, empty nesters and downsizers.
A local primary school has just opened on site and there is secure car parking on the 16,000 sq ft grounds. Water features are plentiful; they include fountains, a canal and a large natural lake. To the south the site in bounded by the River Beck.
The development is both peaceful and connected, as Beckenham has good access to both road and rail. The nearest train station is Eden Park, which offers services to Waterloo taking approximately half an hour. Bromley and Crystal Palace town centres are also near Beckenham, and central London, Croydon and the M25 are all easily accessible.
Prices for the luxury apartments at Langley Waterside start at £549,995. For further information contact the sales office, open daily from 10am to 5pm, on 020 8658 7861 or visit laing-homes.co.uk.

RPC Land & New Homes announces the release of a superb development of just three five-bedroom detached homes close to Meopham, an attractive village in the beautiful North Downs. These brand new properties, built by Chapelwood Homes, will appeal to the discerning purchaser who is looking for a substantial detached house with excellent living and entertaining accommodation. Each home boasts an impressive front entrance, spacious hallways, and a superbly fitted kitchens with granite worktops and integrated appliances. There is a breakfast area leading into the conservatory/family room, a drawing room with Inglenook fireplace and double doors leading out to the patio, and a separate laundry room. Both the master and guest bedrooms have en suites, and there is a further family bathroom. These homes are truly unique.

Meopham is a typical Kentish village with village green, parish church, local pubs and shops and everything the country resident needs. Transport is extremely convenient; mainline stations at Meopham and Sole Street offer quick, frequent services into London Victoria. There is also easy access to both the A2 and A20/M20 motorways, which connect car users to the coast and London.
Plot 2 has just been released at a price of £675,000. Call RPC Land & New Homes on 01322 228891.
Also on sale through RPC is The Chenies, off Chancery Lane in Maidstone. These 14 two-bedroom apartments and seven two-bedroom duplex apartments, by Da Vinci Properties, are sensitively situated next to a nature reserve, which lends a new dimension to town centre living.
Ground-floor and first-floor apartments are currently available, priced between £161,950 and £166,950. Both are spacious, with a lounge, en suite shower room to master bedroom and a main bathroom. Find out more by calling RPC on 01622 691911 or 01732 363633.

Bromley House, in the heart of Bromley, is a contemporary development comprising 25 homes arranged over four floors. Seven two-bedroom apartments are currently available for sale, offering carefully designed interiors, a spacious open-plan sitting room adjoining a custom-built kitchen, and an en suite shower room as well as a bathroom.
Technology includes satellite connections and data sockets, which have been installed to allow links to broadband telephone and internet services. Security is high, with residents’ own electronic pass keys, CCTV and underground car parking.
Bromley has a wide range of cafés, bars, restaurants, shopping and leisure. There are also quick commuter links to London Cannon Street from Bromley North station, which is only 200 yards away, while trains from Bromley South, a half-mile away, has fast and frequent services to Victoria.
The apartments are available from £215,000, including stamp duty. Contact Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward on 020 8460 6066.

Over half the homes have been sold at CALA’s Norfolk Grange in Tunbridge Wells. Situated between Church Road and York Road in the heart of the town centre, the development will comprise three buildings, called Villas, Heights and Mews, and will feature two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments as well as two three-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouses. The apartments offer spacious interiors, a secure environment and a peaceful setting, which has meant interest has been high from all types of prospective buyers, including young professionals, empty-nesters and downsizers. Homes are high-spec, with elegant ceramic floor tiling, modern granite kitchen worktops, downlighters and other contemporary touches.
‘The response we have received has been fantastic,’ says Philip Brown, sales and marketing director of CALA Homes (South). ‘There is just so much to see at Norfolk Grange and visitors are recognising that is stands out from the rest when they visit the two show homes now available.’
Trains from Tunbridge Wells station mean that London is only 53 minutes away, making the location ideal for those who work in the capital but would rather live outside the hustle and bustle.
Prices for apartments start from £299,950. Find out more about Norfolk Grange by visiting the show homes, located two doors away at 18 Church Road and open daily from 11am to 5pm, or calling 01892 614238.

The ‘wow’ factor is alive and well in Southborough, as Millwood Designer Homes has recently introduced Manor Fields, a select development located on a private road on the border with Bidborough. The scheme consists of two five-bedroom detached family homes, eight two- and three-bedroom apartments and two three-bedroom penthouses, all of which have upped the luxury factor.
The specification is very impressive, as are the stunning views over the Southborough Valley. Alno kitchens have modern stainless steel appliances and stylish tiling from Porcelanosa, while the houses and penthouses also offer granite work surfaces.
Prices for the two-bedroom apartments start at £270,000, while the three-bedroom apartments begin at £330,000 and the five-bedroom detached houses are priced from £799,950. Book an appointment to visit the new view home by calling selling agent James Millard on 01732 834835. Also visit Millwood’s website at mdh.uk.com.

Bryant Homes is following up previous successes in Orpington with the new Oaklands development, which offers 49 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.
The homes will suit a range of buyers, says John Inglis, regional sales and marketing director of Bryant Homes. ‘We’ve had a high level of interest in Oaklands and believe it will be ideal for families or for those commuters looking to be close to the train station and an excellent range of amenities.’
Orpington has a thriving town centre with a plethora of high street shops and a great selection of pubs, bars and restaurants. Orpington station is approximately one mile away and the journey into central London takes about half an hour. Meanwhile, drivers will appreciate the straightforward links to the nearby M25 and M20 motorways which give easy access to Gatwick Airport and the Channel Tunnel.
Prices for the first release of three- and four-bedroom houses start at £299,950. Get more information by visiting the marketing suite, located on Sevenoaks Road and open Thursdays to Mondays, or phone 01689 875281.

Finally, Berkeley Homes is selling the award-winning Vermont house type at its Leybourne Lakes development near West Malling. The four-bedroom Vermont has been singled out for its innovative design and its use of ‘New England’-style touches such as Kent-lapped timber elevations.
Internally, the layout is practical to suit modern life, while the balconies to all floors create a sense of light and space. The stunning double-height master bedroom has wowed prospective buyers and competition judges alike.
Prices for the Vermont at Leybourne Lakes start at £374,950. For further information contact the marketing suite on 01622 791723.

East London has a lot going for it, from trendy hangouts to excellent transport connections. And, says Johnny Turner, another major draw is the current crop of high-quality newly built homes.

East London offers a satisfying mix of history, industry, family life and nightlife. Perhaps more than any other corner of London, the East End sums up the thriving, commerce-driven  personality of this amazing city. While one section grows exponentially as a centre of big business, another looks as if it were put in a time capsule. Media and fashion, cuisine and music scene – east London provides the scene for the cutting edge of a number of industries.
Those who seek the ‘real’ London, where both work and play are taken very seriously, will want to be in this bit. And home buyers will find a wealth of modern, low-maintenance apartments to facilitate the hectic but rewarding lifestyle of today’s metropolis.
Developers have seen demand for homes here skyrocket, and the properties currently on the market will interest both those who want to make the E-postcode area their home and shrewd investment buyers.
Stratford Square is Barratt Homes’ striking conversion of the former offices of the London Electricity Board in Romford Road. The site will become a mix of superb new apartments and contemporary town houses – and this is but one of several ambitious regeneration programmes currently happening around Stratford.

‘Home buyers are increasingly recognising Stratford’s enormous potential,’ says Barratt Southern chairman Clive Fenton. ‘And that is why Stratford Square has been selling strongly ahead of the building programme.’
With its high ceilings and large windows, the original building lends itself well to its transformation into a range of one- and two-bedroom apartments, while further new building is now taking place at the rear, around a large, square communal garden and private car parking.
A total of 60 homes will be created; many of the apartments will have balconies and views over the courtyard. All homes feature fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances, fitted bathrooms, central heating, double glazing and pre-fitted TV and telephone wiring.

Stratford is a wonderfully convenient rail and road hub for the eastern half of Greater London – and this is set to improve further with the opening of the new Eurostar terminal in the area within the next two years. Besides its proximity to Docklands and the City, Stratford’s Jubilee Line links mean the West End is within easy reach – ideal for both a day’s work or an evening’s entertainment.
One- and two-bedroom apartments are currently available, priced from £196,995. There are also seven four-bedroom town houses currently on the market. Sales offices and fully furnished show homes are now open at Stratford Square. Call the main sales office on 020 8519 9658.
Telford Homes has picked an amazing spot for its latest scheme of apartments, known as Equinox. Perched at the tip of the Isle of Dogs, adjacent to Island Gardens Park, this scheme consists of an exceptional six-storey tower and four-storey main building offering 63 one- and two-bedroom apartments and penthouses for private sale.
Those who work in Canary Wharf or the City – and those who are buying with the intention of renting to those who work there – will find the development unbeatable in terms of commuter convenience. Island Gardens DLR station is literally moments away, placing Canary Wharf and Bank within a ten- and 18-minute journey respectively.

Equinox’s southerly aspect extends across the River Thames to the dramatic skyline of the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. And with the Greenwich foot tunnel just 100 metres away, makes the location ideal for exploring beautiful and stylish Greenwich, with its top-class restaurants, bars, antiques market and green space.
All apartments have open-plan kitchen/living areas extending out to spacious balconies or terraces, while a select few also include external space extending from the main bedroom.
Contemporary kitchens have fitted German Systemat units from designer Urban Myth and feature the full complement of integrated appliances. Bedrooms are spacious and feature fitted wardrobes, while all two-bedroom apartments have en suite facilities.
Semi-basement parking is available with the two-bedroom apartments at an additional cost of £17,500, and there is a dedicated concierge service.
Prices start from £225,000 and £310,000 for one- and two-bedroom apartments respectively. Find out more by calling selling agents Felicity J Lord on 0800 138 6868 or Knight Frank on 020 7823 5906. Visit telfordhomes.plc.uk.

George Wimpey’s new Nexus development offers chic urban living in up-and-coming Leytonstone – just two tube stops from ultra-connected Stratford.
Those who are tired of endless travelling to reach the office – and international destinations! – will love this location. The forthcoming Channel Tunnel rail terminal will make a trip to France a breeze, while City Airport is a short journey by cab. And with both the City and the West End a quick, direct tube ride away, Leytonstone could not be better placed for commuters.
Nexus is a handsome complex of 37 one- and two-bedroom apartments in a smart, secure environment. The homes include superb designer kitchens with several hideaway appliances, carpeted communal areas and, to some apartments, private patios or balconies. Traditional craftsmanship fused with the use of modern materials ensures that maintenance will be minimal; these homes are for those who are too busy living to find time for DIY.
Find out more about these newly launched apartments by calling 0845 676 0233.

Walthamstow is a solid East End location, and stylish new developments of apartments are finding an agreeable home among the more traditional houses for which the area is known.
Furlong Homes has launched a development that is the ideal opportunity for first-time buyers who have so far been priced out of the London housing market. The Edge offers apartments starting at £186,950 – almost unheard of price for this quality area.
The apartments are finding favour with young professionals who no longer want to rent, and the ‘smart’ technology available fits right in with this demographic; selected plots have wireless technology, 30in LCD TV, alarm, home cinema system and PC point. These homes are ideal for those who are among the fast-increasing number of us who work from home.

Each property has a well-proportioned kitchen with living/dining area. Fitted kitchens boast laminate worktops, stainless steel ovens and gas hob, integrated appliances, ceramic tiles and downlighters.
These homes are near Walthamstow town centre and overlook the wide open spaces of the famous Walthamstow Reservoirs. Set in a cul-de-sac location, the apartments are near a wide selection of shops, restaurants, bars, schools and leisure facilities – and of course the tube/BR station is very convenient.
Call 020 8531 8830 for more information or to view the show apartment.