New Homes - April, 2008

Amanda Shiel looks at some of the finest new homes available in this popular county

Loughton
The Rodings currently features a selection of two-bedroom apartments with prices from £245,000. Although designs differ, the apartments typically offer an open-plan living/dining/ kitchen area, along with two bedrooms and a main bathroom. Selected properties also feature an en suite to master bedroom.
As well as being in an ideal position for commuters to London, The Rodings also benefits from its close proximity to Loughton which offers a range of amenities including bars and restaurants, as well as excellent shopping on Loughton High Street and sports facilities at Loughton Leisure Centre.  
The development is adjacent to Epping Forest F.E. College, from whom Redrow purchased the land, and proceeds from the land sale are contributing to the college’s redevelopment, which will see outdated accommodation replaced by a new state-of-the-art building.
Properties are due to be ready to move into this June. To find out more visit the on-site marketing suite on Borders Lane, Loughton, now open daily from 10am - 5.30pm or call 0845 676 0335. Alternatively visit redrow.co.uk/developments/view/196.

Woodford Green
The Roof Terrace comprises 23 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments and two- bedroom penthouses situated above retail premises and incorporating office space.
Each apartment comes with a stylish Urban Myth kitchen fitted with Smeg appliances, which including a stainless steel electric oven, a stainless steel gas hob, an integrated fridge/freezer, a washer/dryer and a dishwasher. Most apartments benefit from a private balcony or terrace and all have access to a communal roof terrace. The development also has an underground car park with one parking space allocated for each apartment and the rare possibility of purchasing a second space. 
Woodford Green and South Woodford have an excellent range of luxury shops and restaurants. South Woodford underground station has direct Central line trains to Liverpool Street Station which take approximately 20 minutes.
Prices start at £279,950 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further information and brochure requests contact Higgins Homes on 020 8505 0614 or visit higginshomes.co.uk.

Gidea Park
Highlands is a prestigious new development of 23 high specification retirement apartments in Main Road.
Features include luxurious one- and two-bedroomed apartments, a state-of-the-art safety and security specification, a residents’ lounge, library, guest suite and landscaped gardens – all standing in a convenient location close to local amenities and within easy reach of nearby major towns.
All the apartments will be ready to move straight into when complete, with carpeting to the main living areas and cushion flooring to the kitchen. There’ll be telephone points, terrestrial and satellite television points and gas central heating.
The roadside entrance to the development will feature an electric gated drive, while ground floor apartments will be alarmed and afford high quality windows and doors that meet the strict criteria of the Secured By Design standard. A CCTV entryphone system installed at the main entrance door will allow only welcome visitors to enter the building itself.        
For residents’ further peace of mind there will be a duty manager on call for day-to-day support, a 24-hour emergency support team available at the press of a button and free internal telephone calls between apartments, and to the duty manager’s office.
For further information contact sales agent Porter Glenny on 01708 725000 or visit Great Homes Limited’s website at greathomesltd.co.uk.

Colchester
Fortuna Park comprises of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and one- and two- bedroom apartments. The properties are generously proportioned, built to high standards and all have a garage, carport or an allocated parking space. Set in quiet cul-de-sacs, exteriors are a visually appealing combination of red and yellow brick, oatmeal render, varying rooflines and weatherboarding.
The interiors at Fortuna Park have been designed to a high, contemporary specification, with stylish features such as stainless steel kitchen appliances and sleek contemporary bathrooms. The properties offer a comfortable living space with modern amenities and have been designed to enhance the surrounding natural and built environment.
Countryside Annington (Colchester) Ltd is offering a ‘move in for free’ scheme on selected houses currently available, and will pay the five per cent deposit, stamp duty and a legal cost contribution. A part exchange scheme is also available as an alternative on selected houses.
Prices start from £199,950 for a three-bedroom house.
For further information contact the marketing suite on telephone 01206 549 760 or visit fortunapark.net.

Chelmsford
The 26 one- and two-bedroom apartments apartments at Aurora are arranged on three storeys and set around a central courtyard. The development includes four retail spaces, one of which will be a restaurant, together with a communal garden.
Interiors are very well designed with an open-plan layout that combines the living/dining and kitchen area to maximise the use of space. Kitchens are well equipped with a brushed steel gas hob, electric oven and free-standing washer/drier. There are many different layouts available, providing buyers with an individual home.
These smart contemporary apartments are located on Broomfield Road, just a few minutes from the town centre and railway station.  
Prices at Aurora start at £179,995 for a one-bedroom apartment and £224,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. The first homes are expected to be ready for occupation by June 2008. For more information contact the Barratt marketing suite on 01245 353080, open daily from 10am - 6pm. Alternatively visit barratthomes.co.uk.

Bocking Village, nr Braintree
Barratt is building 108 homes at Bocking Mill, ranging from two- and three-bedroom apartments to two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom houses.
The architecture of the homes reflects the traditional Essex style, while interiors are sharply modern. Each apartment has a large open-plan sitting/dining/kitchen area that maximises the light and space. Kitchens are very well equipped with the latest appliances, including an oven, hob, fridge/freezer and washing machine. Bedrooms are generously sized and most of the apartments have two bathrooms, including one en suite to the master bedroom.  Each home comes with an allocated parking space.
The market town of Braintree is a short drive from the development offering a good range of high street and independent shops, and plenty of coffee shops, bars and restaurants. Nearby is Freeport Designer Village, one of the UK’s largest outlet shopping centres, which has over 85 stores, a 12-screen cinema, bowling, go-karting, nightclubs and restaurants.
Braintree is only ten miles from Chelmsford and 15 miles from Colchester. Nearby Braintree station has a regular service to London’s Liverpool Street taking around one hour. Stansted airport is 13 miles away. 
Prices start from £164,995 for a two-bedroom apartment.
For more details call the marketing suite on 01376 529539, open daily from 10am - 6pm or visit barratthomes.co.uk.

Colchester
 Xplore by North Green Homes is a unique development of 11 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom houses situated to the east of the town centre.
Each house will have a fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, a fitted white suite bathroom with en-suite to the master bedroom and a car port or allocated parking.
There is a regular train service from Colchester to London Liverpool Street with a journey taking 50 minutes. Road links with the A12, A14 and M25 are good for commuters travelling north or south of the town. For those wanting to travel further a field Harwich International Port is 30 minutes away and Stansted Airport 30 miles away.
For further information on Xplore contact the Connells Colchester office on 01206 547431.

Epping
Situated in private grounds on the edge of the Epping Forest, Theydon Towers is prestigious
development of four exclusive self-contained apartments from Hertfordshire-based developer,
Time & Tide Homes.
Theydon Towers is located just 2 miles south of Epping and 15 miles north-east of London. The
apartments are ideally located for Central line transport links to the City and West End and are
well served by Stanstead and City airports, the M25 and the M11, making Theydon Towers a
hot ticket for the emerging super-suburb market working in the city.
The units are set to hit the market at between £950,000 and £1.5million each.
Complementing the main building, the stable and office block situated in the property’s grounds
will be converted into a 2000sq ft, £1.3million three-bedroom house and a four-
bedroom eco-home is also planned for the site.
For more information contact James Lawlor at Lawlors Estate Agents on 0208 502 5588.

Case study
Newhall
Since their move to Newhall, Marsha Manning can hardly believe that they once lived ‘in an ordinary house, in an ordinary road.’  
Newhall has been carefully planned as a series of neighbourhoods with architecturally diverse and beautifully crafted, sustainable homes. Marsha is entranced by it all. ‘I love the architecture, they’re all different. In fact, I feel like I’m on holiday all the time,’ she says, adding that the colourful, modern homes give the look of a sunny European resort rather than the Essex countryside.
Master planners Roger Evans Associates have integrated nature, homes and landscape into the development, with ample ‘green wedges’. For the Mannings, it has led to a change of lifestyle. ‘We walk all the time, it’s all so beautiful and quiet and the views are fantastic.’
The family has a three-bedroom townhouse in Simplicity Lane, one that meets their needs to be compact and easy to run. And although they are still unpacking boxes, they feel completely settled.
Despite its rural Essex location, Newhall enjoys good connections to Harlow and is an excellent location for commuting to London and surrounding regions. The Mannings all work in different places and find that getting to their places of work is easy. Elliott commutes by tube into London from Epping, the girls travel from Harlow Town station, and Marsha and her husband drive to their company’s office in Buckhurst Hill, which takes about 25 minutes.
Clearly, the move to Newhall has been an enormous success for the Mannings. ‘I wouldn’t move for a million pounds!’ says Marsha.
The latest phase currently under construction, North Chase, will eventually comprise 127 homes in a mix of apartments, townhouses, detached houses and flexible live-work units, and will include the development’s first commercial units. Prices will range from £225,000 to £450,000 and further information can be obtained by calling the Sales Centre on 01279 416660 or by visiting the website at newhallproject.co.uk.

Thanks to mass regeneration this part of London is enjoying a new lease of life. Amanda Shiel takes a look at what’s available  

Docklands
Barratt’s spectacular Capital East project in London Docklands has entered its final phase.
Comprising over 700 new apartments in a series of ten ultra-modern glass-walled buildings rising to a maximum of 18 storeys, the development covers some three acres of former dockside.
The Royals area has boomed in recent years and is now one of the most exciting areas of Docklands. Adjacent to the ExCel Exhibition Centre and benefiting from the outstanding new transport infrastructure across Docklands, the £210 million Capital East development has brought new restaurants, offices and retail, plus dockside walks and easy access to Royal Victoria DLR Station.
The new duplex penthouses are all located over the 17 and 18 floors of the final tower. They have fully-fitted designer kitchens, complete with a full range of integrated appliances, plus fully-fitted luxury bathrooms. All have floor-to-ceiling glazing, balconies and roof terraces from which to enjoy the views, with spiral staircases linking the levels.
The apartments are served by a lift accessed through stylish common areas and there is private parking for residents. A health and fitness suite is open for the exclusive use of residents and there is a round-the-clock concierge service.
The penthouses comprise: a duplex two-bedroom apartment extending to 1,177sq ft, priced at £899,995; a duplex two-bedroom apartment of 1,189sq ft at £949,995; and a duplex three-bedroom apartment of 1,813sq ft at £1.5m.
Viewing of the Capital East penthouses is by appointment only. Call 020 7476 7163 or visit barratthomes.co.uk.

Whitechapel
VoguE1 comprises 58 one- and two-bedroom apartments and two- and three-bedroom duplex penthouses located on Plumbers Row.
Internally, each apartment is fitted with a designer Urban Myth kitchen and Siemens appliances which include a stainless steel electric oven, microwave, gas hob and chimney hood, integrated fridge freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher. The apartments also benefit from under floor gas fired central heating, a video entry phone and lift access to all floors. Many of the spacious and bright apartments offer sweeping views over central London. A number of the penthouse apartments also have spectacular views of the Gherkin and across the Square Mile.
VoguE1 is located close to the famous Spitalfields market, the multicultural Brick Lane and the Square Mile, which ensures that residents benefit from the shopping, nightlife and history of this part of the capital. The nearest stations are Whitechapel and Aldgate East, which are both under half a mile from the development. The development is only five miles from London City Airport and under three miles from Canary Wharf.
Prices start at £395,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £475,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. First occupations are expected in late spring. For further information contact Higgins Homes on 020 8498 6059 or higginshomes.co.uk.

Leyton
Stadia is located on the south side of Leyton Orient football ground, on Buckingham Road, looking towards the site of the 2012 Olympics. The apartments have full width balconies with southerly views over Coronation Gardens to the future Stratford City beyond and are located a short distance from zone three Leyton tube station. The bustling shops and many leisure amenities of suburban Leyton are all right close by.
Still around 18 months from completion, there are just three apartments remaining at Stadia. Apartment 34 is a much larger than average two-bedroom/two bathroom home at 888sq ft and is located on level three. It has a large south east facing balcony and a parking space included for £290,000. The other two homes available are on level six and being on the upper levels, have an upgraded internal specification. The two-bedroom apartment, number 45, is 817sq ft, has a large balcony, a parking space included and is priced at £300,000. Apartment 44 is a three bedroom apartment, even more spacious at over 1160 sq ft internally, with a full width balcony and a parking space. This apartment also benefits from secondary views onto the Leyton Orient Football Club pitch from bedroom three. All floors have lift access and parking is located in a private under-croft car park.
For more information call 087 087 209 87 or visit www.telfordhomes.plc.uk.          

Bow
Caspian Wharf sits adjacent to the Spratts Building, with work progressing on the creation of 82 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in a six-storey contemporary-style building. This is the first phase of a much larger development for Limehouse Cut, with the creation of a new living quarter spearheaded by Berkeley Homes (South East London) Ltd’s build programme.
The development enjoys direct canal frontage, with the scheme’s architects maximising the waterside views with glass-fronted balconies and extensive glazing. Almost every apartment boasts its own private balcony or terrace, and there’s a communal terrace and podium overlooking the Limehouse Cut for use by all residents. Caspian Whart is superbly placed for public transport.
Current prices start from £205,000 for a studio, with two-bedroom apartments priced from £395,000 and three-bedroom apartments from £435,000. Call 0844 800 1152 for further details.

Dalston
Kinetica is an upcoming development from Telford Homes in happening E8. Due for completion in 2010, just ahead of the opening of the new East London Line station at Dalston Junction, this is set to be a very well-connected collection of homes. The one-, two- and three-bedroom contemporary apartments will feature the smooth, modern design and superior spec that buyers have come to expect from Telford Homes, including kitchens by Urban Myth and pure white Roca bathroom suites. The forward-thinking green features include a vertical wind turbine, which will generate a minimum of ten per cent of the building’s electricity, and a sedum roof and a brown roof, which will provide a natural habitat for the black redstart bird. These just-released apartments are selling extremely quickly, so a quick reaction is essential to secure these high-style, well-placed homes. Prices currently range between £260,000 for a one-bedroom ninth-floor apartment and £465,000 for a three-bedroom triple-aspect apartment on the 12th floor. Visit telfordhomes.plc.uk for more information.

Contrary to many reports, there are ways to get on the property ladder. With the market slowing, bargains and incentives in the new build market are getting easier to find, says Johnny Turner

Close-up
Who Kyle Davis, 21
What A 75 per cent share of a two-bedroom apartment whose full price was £109,995; his share was £82,500 and Persimmon Homes gave him an interest-free loan on the remaining 25 per cent.  
Where Clayton Court, Pontardulais near Swansea. Call 01792 886647
Why The development offered me everything I wanted in terms of location, and I found a two bedroom apartment that accommodated all my needs. However, I was conscious that as a first time buyer, I may not be able to afford my perfect property. The sales advisers at Clayton Court soon laid my fears to rest though, when they introduced me to their shared equity scheme.’
What else Persimmon’s shared equity scheme is also available at Bryngwyn Village in Gorseinon. Visit persimmonhomes.com.

Climbing on to the ladder
Alice Clarke found that it made more sense to head out of London to buy – both in terms of commuter convenience and affordability.
Instead of renting on the outskirts of the capital, she bought at Pembroke Park in well-connected Crawley. With prices starting at £205,000 and a range of incentives available from Fairview New Homes, new buyers will find the help they need in these still-expensive days.
Pembroke Park is a new ‘village’ on Haslett Avenue East in Crawley, offering both apartments and houses within beautifully landscaped areas. Planning permission has been granted for a gym, wellness centre and shops which will create a new village centre.
Both road and rail connections are top-notch in the area, a clear advantage in attracting young professional buyers. As for Clarke, ‘I will be catching the train from Three Bridges to London and I don’t expect it to take me any longer to travel to work than it did when I was living in rented accommodation in London.’
Call 01293 521707 or see fairview.co.uk.

Young buyer sees success
During the last decade of almost relentless price rises, it became more and more common to see first-time buyers teaming up in an effort to get on the ladder.
Which is exactly what Julia Spencer did in 2005. At the time she couldn’t afford to buy by herself, so she bought with a friend in St Albans. The compromise has now paid off in spades, as the sale of the property raised enough capital for her to buy her own two-bedroom apartment at Mezza Luna, Crest Nicholson’s latest development in the area.
‘The profit from the sale of my first home allowed me to move onto the property ladder by myself much sooner and more easily than I otherwise would have been able to do,’ says Spencer. ‘It left me financially ready to buy my own property and the affordability of the homes at Mezza Luna meant that I haven’t had to compromise on location or specification.’
As a commuter, she has found Mezza Luna’s location ideal. ‘I can get into London for work in under an hour, door to door.’
Mezza Luna is made up of 22 stylish apartments across three separate buildings. Other Crest Nicholson sites across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire that will appeal to younger buyers include thehub:mk in Milton Keynes, Viridian Square in Aylesbury and the recently launched Sentinel in Watford.
Contact Mezza Luna on 0870 755 0844; Sentinel on 0870 755 1630; Viridian Square on 0870 755 1635; and thehub:mk on 08700 843482. Visit crestnicholson.com.

Amanda Shiel takes a look at the latest developments located near this popular tube line

Camden
The Lockhouse comprises 115 one-, two and three-bedroom apartments.
The development provides a new benchmark in metropolitan living with a sleek, elegant façade, large windows and exceptionally stylish, contemporary interiors. Some of the homes will benefit from balconies or terraces which will overlook Regent’s Canal or the split-level landscaped courtyard which forms part of the development.
Solar roof panels, which move according to the sun’s position, will maximise the solar power that supplements the development’s electricity supply. There is also a residents’ fitness room and a 24-hour concierge service.
The Lockhouse is conveniently located within walking distance of Camden Town underground station, London Overground and numerous bus stops. 
Apartments start at £349,995 and will be available for occupation from summer 2008.
For further information contact Barratt’s sales and marketing suite, open seven days a week, on 0207 482 5905. Information on all Barratt developments is available at barratthomes.co.uk.

Kentish Town
Tally Ho comprises twenty fashionable one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Each apartment features a kitchen/living room with natural oak flooring. The Italian fitted kitchen is finished to a high standard with black granite worktops, integrated Neff electric oven, gas hob, microwave, dishwasher, washer/dryer and fridge/freezer.
Bathrooms boast modern white sanitaryware, steel bath, chrome towel rail and porcelain tiling. Bedrooms are all fitted with 100 per cent wool carpets, while the master bedrooms also feature built-in mirrored wardrobes.
There are individual alarm systems, a colour video entryphone system, keyed entry lift to all floors and smoke/heat detectors. Some apartments also enjoy balconies or terraces.
Kentish Town’s close proximity to central London, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, along with an eclectic mix of shops provides the perfect opportunity to balance the lifestyles of central London bustle and the quirky charisma of NW5.
New apartments at Tally Ho Quarter are priced from £310,950. For more details contact Preston Bennett New Homes on 020 8954 8626 or visit prestonbennett.co.uk. Alternatively, contact joint agent Humberts on 020 7290 2822 or visit humberts.co.uk.

Islington
Only four apartments remain at Chaplin Mews, a gated development consisting of 37 new and refurbished one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes.
Located in the heart of Islington, this former Victorian school conversion combines a unique character with one of north London’s most desirable post-codes.
The exterior remains in keeping with the historical surroundings and still boasts many of the architectural features of the original school including decorative brickwork, arched windows and double height living spaces.
Inside, the homes have all been designed to be open plan in order to reflect the requirements of modern urban living, and feature mezzanine levels as an integral part of their design. Many also have en suite facilities to the master bedrooms or first floor sleeping galleries, as well as a separate cloakroom area on the lower floor.
Other standard features include a fully fitted kitchen with laminate worktops, integrated fridge-freezer and dishwasher, as well as a complete bathroom suite with white sanitaryware by Roca and chrome Hansgrohe mixer taps and fittings.
Prices start from £299,950 for a one bedroom apartment, with the last remaining two-bed apartment priced at £414,950 and the final three-bed at £499,950.
For more information contact the sales and marketing suite on 0870 750 8403 or visit crestnicholson.com.

Totteridge
Millennium House boasts striking contemporary architecture and state-of-the-art features including air-conditioning, underfloor heating, video-entry system, an indoor swimming pool complex with electrically operated glass roof and 34ft cinema room. The home is perfect for modern day living, entertaining and relaxation and exudes luxury and convenience from its grand entrance hall to its opulent master suite.
The four ground floor reception rooms are light and airy with stylish décor, a sound system and oak flooring. A 33ft kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with designer Poggenpohl units and a host of integrated Bosch appliances including dishwasher, gourmet microwave, fridge and freezer.
With six bedrooms all boasting en-suites and fitted wardrobes, the property is well-equipped for overnight guests or extended family.
Priced at £12.75 million. For further information or an appointment to view contact Preston Bennett Fine Homes on 020 8954 0044 or visit prestonbennett.co.uk.

Islington
Grove Manor Homes have released their Premier Collection of Diamond and Platinum upper floor luxury apartments at Angel Waterside.
The development is located between Old Street and Angel Islington on the City Road Basin, an area that is currently being transformed into a village of over 800 apartments overlooking the Basin and the Regent Canal, which connects to the waterway.
A £3 million project has just begun which will open up public access around the Basin and will form part of a series of parks and open spaces in areas which were previously derelict and inaccessible. The works, which will take around nine months, will include preparing the site to allow public access with a decked entrance platform, a stairway and ramp access from City Road, plus access improvements from Graham Street and Wharf Road together with seating, lighting, paving and landscaping.
Angel Waterside was the first of several major schemes planned on the site and it provides a stunning array of luxury waterside homes designed for modern urban living.
The building is eight storeys tall with 64 units, including the Premier Collection of Diamond and Platinum penthouse apartments, as well as 5,000sq ft of office space and underground parking.
Prices start at £425,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £550,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. Contact the sales office on 020 7359 5259 or visit  angelwaterside.com.  

Mill Hill
One three-bedroom property is currently available at The Chapel, a development comprising four homes built within a former chapel dating back to 1888.
The Atrium provides just under 4,000sqft of living space set over three floors. The kitchen is fitted by Pedini of London with a comprehensive range of Miele appliances including a gas hob, stainless steel cooker hood, microwave, dishwasher, washer/dryer, coffee machine, combi oven and granite worktops.
Both the second and third bedrooms have vaulted ceilings and benefit from en-suite facilities in the naves. The sitting room on the second floor, with feature stained glass windows and lounge area, are joined by a corridor and together provide a further 670sqft of living space.
On the top floor, the master bedroom suite has an en-suite bathroom featuring a flat screen TV, a dressing room and mezzanine which provides the ideal office space.
The property has its own private remote controlled car turntable, garden and terrace area.
Priced at £2.3million. For more details contact Cavendish and Gloucester on 020 8446 4216.
 
Clapham
The Sanctuary comprises eight boutique townhouses located in a gated development.
The homes offer the very best contemporary architecture and design. Each boasts state-of-the-art kitchens with Poggenpohl designed units, Bosch electric ovens, gas hobs and full height fridge freezer and reconstituted stone worktops. The bathroom suites are bespoke and have Grohe sanitaryware, limestone or porcelain flooring and wall tiles and underfloor heating.
Landscape designed gardens and patios make full use of the leafy surroundings and have pergolas and external lighting. .
Life in The Sanctuary offers stylish city living, yet in a more relaxed environment than that of central London.
Six houses are currently available, from a 1,205sq ft four-bedroom house for £675,000, to a 1,781sq ft five-bedroom house at £825,000.
Show home is open on Thursdays between 12pm-8pm and Fridays and Saturdays between 10am-3pm or can be seen at other times by appointment. Contact the London Residential new homes team on 020 7173 4999 or visit knightfrank.com.

Islington
Recently launched NORTHPO1NT comprises 32 contemporary studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. The open plan apartments will feature fully fitted kitchens from Pepper, which come complete with a full range of integrated appliances including an AEG stainless steel oven, hob and extractor hood. Porcelanosa sanitary ware, chrome fixtures and fittings including an electric heated tower rail and ceramic wall and floor tiling creates a tranquil and calming bathroom.
The development is located on Essex Road and within easy reach of Angel Underground station on the Northern line and Highbury and Islington on the Victoria line. Travel to the City takes approximately 30 minutes. Purchasers at the development will automatically receive 12 months free membership to the car club scheme running at the development.
Islington is a vibrant and cosmopolitan area that offers a buzzing atmosphere and a wealth of bars, cafés and restaurants on nearby Upper Street.
For further sales information call selling agent Chesterton’s on 020 7288 0330. Alternatively visit    inspacehomes.co.uk.