Hayes: A blooming marvellous place to Be

Hayes: A blooming marvellous place to Be

by Priscillia Mudiaki United Kingdom ,

The London Borough of Hillingdon has struck gold in the nationwide Britain in Bloom competition for its lovely local parks and gardens. The 2017 winners were named at an awards ceremony last month with Hillingdon, West London, once again winning in the Large City category, impressing judges with its 200 open spaces and impressive Green Flag sites.

Alongside the Britain in Bloom award, Hillingdon was also named as winners in the 2017 Green Flag Awards. While the borough retained 42 Green Flags, it also expanded its collection with a further five new Green Flag sites including Cherry Lane Cemetery in Hayes, Southlands Arts Centre in West Drayton, Long Meadow in Eastcote and the Gravel Pitts in Northwood.

RHS Britain in Bloom is the UK’s largest horticultural campaign, running for over 50 years, which “encourages local gardeners to improve their environment through the imaginative use of flowers, trees, shrubs and landscaping”. By winning the competition, the considerable efforts of Hillingdon residents to make the community greener, cleaner and more beautiful have paid off.

“As a local resident of Hillingdon myself, it’s wonderful that the borough has once again been named as a Britain in Bloom winner. You can see the hard work and dedication that many put into making the local area the very best it can be and that extends to us here at the Gatefold Building in Hayes. We think it’s a blooming great place to be.”

Akash Sharma, Hillingdon resident and Assistant Property Manager – be:here Hayes

Be:here Hayes by Be Living Ltd is a development built for rent, located just three minutes from Hayes & Harlington station.

Be:here Hayes’ residents can enjoy a number of ground floor homes with 30 foot, private gardens (large enough to accommodate furry friends who are also most welcome), podium gardens in the central courtyard with plentiful greenery and benches as well as a large landscaped communal roof terrace.

The front lawn and play area has been specifically designed to resemble musical notes when viewed from above, in tribute to the iconic name of the building – The Gatefold, which is the form of packaging for vinyl records. The development is part of the wider Old Vinyl Factory regeneration scheme, the former home of the EMI record factory.

Residents can enjoy the use of communal gardens, roof terrace and play space, designed to allow community spirit to flourish and to relax. The development’s feline residents can indulge in the cat nip especially planted in the podium gardens for their enjoyment.

The stylish development offers 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms, pet-friendly homes with green space from £1,200.

For more information please contact be:here Hayes on 0203 845 4796 or visit http://www.behere-hayes.co.uk/.

Manchester-Beijing route drives inward property investment right on time for Christmas

Manchester-Beijing route drives inward property investment right on time for Christmas

by Priscillia Mudiaki United Kingdom
  • Hainan Airlines’ new direct flights to China generated hundreds of millions for northern England’s economy (Steer Davies Gleave)
  • Chinese investment in Manchester property rose by 54% (Steer Davies Gleave)
  • 22,000 Chinese visitors expected during Christmas holiday (Manchester Airport)
  • Properties of the World sees 30% rise in Chinese property buyers over the last year

 

Manchester’s economy is decisively booming thanks to the city’s new direct flights to Chinese destinations, according to new report undertaken by consultancy Steer Davies Gleave.

Launched last year, the new Hainan Airlines route between Manchester and Beijing has provided a boost of £200 million per month in tourism to the region.

This tourism income is set to rise further as the biggest influx of Chinese tourists arrives during the festive season with Manchester International Airport expecting some 22,000 passengers in December. Staff have been trained in Mandarin to cope with the boom in Asian guests.

Many of these visitors come to spend their yuan at traditional Christmas markets and shopping malls but Chinese interest in Manchester during this holiday period also extends to the city’s bricks and mortar.

With Cathay Pacific increasing its service from Manchester to Hong Kong with daily flights starting from December 1st, Manchester is fast becoming a key location, and indeed rival to London, for Chinese travellers.

Indeed, just as the airlines put their landing gear down in Manchester, so too are potential investors with enquiries to property agencies rising by 54% since the launch of direct flights between Manchester and China reports Steer Davies Gleave.

One property investment consultancy which has seen just such a rise in interest is Properties of the World, which has recorded a 30% increase Chinese investors over the last year.

 

 “Much of the inward investment pipeline for Manchester, including property, is from Chinese companies and investors and so direct flights from the city to a range of key Chinese destinations is important to enable those who own assets here are able to visit regularly and with ease. Manchester’s door is very much open to the East.”

Jean Liggett, CEO, Properties of the World

Xu Xiong of Properties of the World cites the fall of the pound as the reason for this recent boom in Chinese investment commenting that “Chinese investors are still taking advantage of the drop in Sterling against the Yuan, snapping up homes in the UK as the yields available are twice as high as those in China.”

For Chinese investors looking to treat themselves to a UK buy-to-let property this festive season then the new Northill apartments, right on the Manchester waterfront, are the perfect choice.

Northill’s prime luxury residential homes comprise 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments from £109,995 with assured returns upwards of 6% NET. Situated right in the heart of the tech hub that is Salford Quays, it is in the premium destination to work, live and invest.

“Christmas is an ideal time for buyers to scour the planet for enticing investment opportunities. Projects like Northill, where construction is well underway, are particularly attractive as their looming completion dates mean that buy-to-let investors can already see their end goal and the assured rental returns offer financial peace of mind too.”

Jean Liggett, CEO Properties of the World

 

For more information, visit http://propertiesoftheworld.co.uk/or call +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

It’s got to be Gateshead – why the spotlight is turning onto this regional town

It’s got to be Gateshead – why the spotlight is turning onto this regional town

by Maria Tilev United Kingdom
  • Gateshead home to second fastest growing economy in North East (Invest Gateshead)
  • Apartment prices up 19.4% in 5 years (Zoopla)
  • New Hopper Street accommodation presents future-facing investment opportunity (Surrenden Invest)

Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne are known mainly for the Angel of the North and the stunningly contemporary Millennium Bridge. The town of Gateshead has at times seemed to exist in the shadow of the much larger metropolis that faces it across the River Tyne: Newcastle. However, the spotlight has now turned firmly onto Gateshead itself, with everyone from robotics manufacturers to property investors rushing to be a part of the town’s future.

“Gateshead is one of those regional towns that has suddenly burst into the spotlight thanks to a combination of factors. A higher than average economic activity rate, rising property prices and significant local investment mean that Gateshead is becoming something of a favourite with businesses and investors alike.”

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director, Surrenden Invest

Gateshead enjoys a higher economically active rate than the North East region as a whole, at 77.3% and 75.2% respectively, and is the second fastest growing economy in the North East, according to Invest Gateshead. The town has a growing reputation for innovation and industry, backed by a sound infrastructure. Gateshead residents enjoy 91% superfast broadband availability, compared with a national average of 89%.

In recent months, this has attracted robot manufacturer Comau UK (creating up to 60 highly skilled jobs), while Blue Kangaroo (the branding agency behind Peppa Pig and Doctor Who) has expanded its Gateshead base. Northern Gas and Power also announced plans to create up to 500 jobs in Gateshead earlier this year. As a backdrop to all this activity, the Gateshead Economic Growth Acceleration Plan 2015-2020 is supporting the creation of 4,000 jobs, while Gateshead Invest projects that more than 9,000 jobs will be created by 2030. Furthermore, the town enjoys the lowest staff attrition rates in the UK – across all sectors!

With strong local employment prospects, good schools and affordable homes, Gateshead has quietly moved up to offer the joint highest life satisfaction rating in Tyne and Wear (along with Sunderland). Property prices there have risen steadily over the past five years, with Zoopla reporting that values have increased by 16.04%. For apartments, that figure rises to 19.41%. Meanwhile, house prices are some 46% lower than the national average, according to Invest Gateshead, providing investors with an excellent entry point into the market.

“When we were undertaking due diligence on regional UK towns that offer solid investment prospects, Gateshead kept cropping up. It’s a surprisingly innovative and forward-looking location, which is why we felt it was ideally suited to the future-facing homes on offer at Hopper Street.”

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director, Surrenden Invest

Hopper Street is a collection of 81 stylish apartments designed with students and young, professional urban tenants in mind. Residents benefit from an on-site sauna and gym, as well as bicycle parking, terraces and a superb, central location. They can also enjoy the hassle-free approach of having all of their bills (heating, water, electricity, internet, etc.) included as part of the rental package. Unusually for a student development, mortgages are available to those looking to invest in Hopper Street, making this a particularly exciting prospect.

Gateshead’s student population has increased in recent years. Gateshead College was crowned the top performing further education college in the whole North East of England and the third best in the country back in 2015, which has had a notable impact on the number of students wanting to study there. Student developments such as Hopper Street are not only well positioned to serve these young people, but also those studying at Newcastle University, which lies just over the bridge from Gateshead.

Student numbers at Newcastle University have shot up by more than 70% since 2000, going from just 12,302 students in 2000/01 to more than 21,000 today. Nearby Northumbria University has also seen student numbers rocket – by more than 114% since 2000 to a current student body of more than 27,800 fulltime students. The rapidly growing student populations have created strong local demand for high quality student accommodation.

Alongside property investors, Gateshead Council is also pouring money into the town’s future, with £54 million worth of funding allocated as part of its 2015-16 investment programme. Whichever way you look at it, Gateshead is a town that has been thrown firmly into the spotlight – and is thriving under this new scrutiny.

For further details and property investment opportunities, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499.

Seasonal Style Secrets: Alexander James Interior Design shares the secrets behind this season’s most stylish Christmas homes

Seasonal Style Secrets: Alexander James Interior Design shares the secrets behind this season’s most stylish Christmas homes

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
  • UK families spend £2.3 billion on Christmas decorations (Go Compare)
  • Quirky, tropical touches will give this festive season a contemporary new vibe
  • Soft, reflective metallic hues and twinkling lights to bring the Christmas magic to life

UK households spend a staggering £2.3 billion each year on Christmas trees, decorations and trips to the pantomime, according to Go Compare. With so much being spent on Christmas décor, it’s no wonder that our festive displays seem to be getting more stylish each year.

Creating the perfect setting within the home is a wonderful way to bring alive the Christmas magic and get into the festive mood. As such, the expert team at Alexander James Interior Design have shared their top tips for making this Christmas the most stylish one yet.

 “This Christmas, many are going against tradition for a tropical, contemporary look. No longer confined to the summer months, we’re seeing tropical touches being given a sophisticated twist for the winter season. The 2017 Christmas style definitely has a playful edge – it’s about capturing the joy of Christmas and having fun in new ways, while also delivering an elegant overall look.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

 

Stylish tropical touches this Christmas include beautifully woven peacock feather and palm leaf wreaths and stunning centre pieces featuring metallic pineapples and cream and white tropical flowers. Harrods is featuring quirky, parrot-inspired Christmas tree decorations, Selfridges is all about the pineapples, while Liberty has opted for a fan-tailed peacock offering. It’s all about mixing vibrant colours tastefully with more traditional Christmas tones.

Metallics will also be big news this Christmas, with new twists added to the traditional bright silver and gold hues. Stylish, contemporary touches include warm, soft, reflective metallics in copper, brass and rose gold, to provide a sophisticated glow and add an element of understated luxury. Copper has been popular in interiors over the summer, thanks to its versatility. It can be teamed with a clock colour or with organic materials such as wood to create a variety of feels, from  Scandinavian luxury to mid-century cool. Now, that versatility is being carried through to the festive season, with metallic baubles providing the perfect contrast the earthy, organic tones of Christmas trees.

As ever, the perfect lighting is also key to creating a magical Christmas ambience. Far from being limited to the Christmas tree, this year lighting will feature throughout the home, from garlands to tumbling showers of LED lights to table centre pieces. If it’s not sparkling delicately, it should be! Anything from a pile of gifts to a simple tree branch can be brought to life with the right lighting. Understated twinkles spread throughout the home can create a truly stunning overall impact.

Candles, naturally, should form part of the Christmas décor, with stunning glass and metallic lanterns adding to the overall sophistication of this year’s style.

“The finishing festive décor touch this Christmas is the wreath. No longer restricted to the front door, we’ll be seeing wreaths adorn the home in a variety of ways. Contemporary elegance can come in the form of real branches interwoven with LED lights, or more modern wreaths made of twisted wire with tiny twinkles throughout. Once more, we’re seeing metallic come into play, bringing modern elegance to this Christmas tradition.”

Robert Walker, Managing Director, Alexander James Interior Design

 

With the home interior looking perfectly stylish, all that remains to be done is to give it the ideal festive scent. The White Company’s Winter Botanical Large Pillar Candle ffers a generous infusion of cinnamon sticks, orange slices and red berries, while Jo Malone has opted for fragranced Christmas tree decorations in both Pomegranate Noir and Pine and Eucalyptus. The White Company’s sweet almond blossom, frankincense, neroli and honeysuckle diffuser also captures the spirit of the season perfectly.

Decorating for Christmas is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for the festive season. With these styling tips in mind, every home can create a stunning, elegant Christmas ambience that brings the magic of the season alive.

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.  

An award-wining place to Be

An award-wining place to Be

by Priscillia Mudiaki United Kingdom ,

With so many employment opportunities flooding in, Crossrail on the way and the population growing, leading build to rent developer, Be Living, selected Hayes in West London as the location of their latest rental offering – be:here Hayes at the Gatefold Building.

Within the last week, the 119-unit development just 300 yards from Hayes & Harlington station, was awarded not one but two industry leading awards.

Firstly, be:here Hayes was  awarded Silver in Best Build-to-Rent Project category at the WhatHouse? awards which took place on the 17th November at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

The WhatHouse? awards are UK housebuilding’s most prestigious event with around 1,700 housebuilding figures and 21 categories.

And then adding to collection, the site, which opened earlier this year, was named the Best build to rent development 2017 in the Inside Housing Development Awards.

Held on November 23 at the Hurlingham Club in South West London, the awards are “an opportunity to celebrate the very best residential development across the UK from the past year” with sixteen categories recognising schemes.

 

“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Hayes really is happening! We have long believed in the fundamentals of this area and are committed to delivering high quality, modern homes for its rental community through the Gatefold Building. The entire team is passionate about delivering the very best experience for our residents so it is wonderful for their hard work and achievements to be recognised within the industry through these accolades.”

Simon Chatfield, Director, Be Living Ltd

 

Spacious pet-friendly apartments at be:here Hayes are available from £1,200 pcm with no agency, admin or referencing fees. All homes include either a garden or a balcony.

 

For more information please contact be:here Hayes on 0203 845 4796 or visit http://www.behere-hayes.co.uk/.

Ho ho homes near Christmas markets

Ho ho homes near Christmas markets

by Charlotte Ashton France United Kingdom
  • UK Christmas markets generate more than £250 million in visitor spending for the towns that host them (Nabma)
  • Christmas markets add to a city’s attractions and property market (Properties of the World)
  • Homes near Christmas markets attract keen interest at this time of year (Surrenden Invest)

 

As December arrives in all its festive glory, Christmas markets pop up all over the UK. Offering seasonal tastes and gifts to shoppers in the run up to the big day, these markets provide a delightful experience that contrasts to the usual high street madness that is Christmas shopping in the UK.

Research by the Nabma ROI team has shown that Christmas markets bring significant benefits to the towns that host them – generating more than £250 million in visitor spending at the markets, as well as positively impacting spending in other stores within the town. They can also have a positive impact on the local property market.

 “There are many factors that make a town or city a desirable place to live and this includes the range of amenities. Once a location establishes itself as offering an enticing Christmas market each year, that becomes part of the overall attraction to the area – and the more attractive an area, the more success those investing in its property market can enjoy.”

Jean Liggett, CEO, Properties of the World

 

In light of the arrival of Christmas markets on the UK scene once more, we’ve included a round-up of the top properties near each market. We’ve even thrown in a couple of examples across the Channel, for property buyers looking for a French take on the festive season.

London

London offers a range of Christmas markets, from Winter Wonderland to the stalls of the South Bank. This year, Hampstead Village will host its first Christmas fair, transforming the entire high street into a magical Christmas experience.

Those looking to pick up property as well as presents should check out Four 5 Two from Bellis Homes: 13 superb, balconied apartments with park views in a prominent Hampstead location. Prices from £xxxx.

Birmingham

Already a mecca for shoppers, Birmingham ups its game each December with the largest German market located outside of Germany or Austria. Mulled wine, craft beers and Christmas crafts are the order of the day, as visitors soak up the festive atmosphere.

Property investors can enjoy the well-located B5 Southside development from Surrenden Invest: contemporary rental apartments just five minutes’ walk from New Street Station. Prices from £155,000.

Manchester

With an extensive market in front of the town hall that attracts millions of visitors each year, and a large ice rink for seasonal frolics, Manchester certainly can’t be accused of not getting into the Christmas spirit.

When it comes to homes near Manchester’s Christmas markets, it has to be Danforth Apartments from Properties of the World, just minutes from the city centre: 113 stylish homes within the village-like environment of Fortis Quay. Prices from £124,995.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s Christmas market always brings festive magic to the heart of the city, as twinkling fairly lights light shoppers’ path around its winter huts. Food, jewellery, arts, crafts and clothes from four continents mean that shoppers looking for alternative Christmas gifts have plenty of inspiration.

Perfectly positioned for access to the city’s Christmas market is The North House from Surrenden Invest: high-end apartments designed with professional urban tenants firmly in mind. Prices from £120,000.

Halifax

The recently renovated and re-opened Piece Hall in Halifax will this year host a spectacular Christmas extravaganza, including a carefully hand-picked festive market packed with local Yorkshire retailers and gourmet food providers.

Property investors need look no further than the nearby Martins Mill from Property Frontiers: a selection of one and two bedroom apartments in a stunning, six-storey converted mill. Prices from £64,950.

Paris

Paris, like London, offers a wealth of festive fun for Christmas shoppers. The crafts, gifts and hot spiced wine on offer around the Sacré-Coeur at Montmatre are one of the highlights of the season.

Those looking for a place to rest their head after a long day’s shopping will be delighted by this studio apartment from FrenchEntrée, just moments from the Sacré-Coeur. Priced at €165,000.

The Alps

Of course, for some, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a good helping of snow. The Christmas market at Courchevel offers a snowy winter wonderland for shoppers looking for beautiful decorations and seasonal delicacies.

Property buyers looking to pick up a home in Courchevel will enjoy these luxurious ski apartments available through SkiingProperty.com: 14 two-bedroom apartments with communal pool, just 10 minutes’ walk from the nearest shops and slopes. Prices from £660,591.

 

With many Christmas markets already in full swing, it’s time to wrap up warm and enjoy the best of the festive shopping season, whether you’re looking for presents or properties!

“Homes by Christmas markets always attract keen interest at this time of year, whether they’re investment properties or those for sale to owner-occupiers. Christmas markets give these properties a little something that other homes don’t have and many buyers are keen to take that into account when making their purchase.”

Jonathan Stephens, CEO, Surrenden Invest

 

For more information, please contact:

Bellis Homes: 01279 424 733 or www.bellishomes.co.uk

Surrenden Invest: 0203 3726 499 or www.surrendeninvest.com

Properties of the World: +44 (0) 20 7624 5555 or www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk

Property Frontiers: +44 1865 202 700 or www.propertyfrontiers.com

FrenchEntrée: +44 (0)1225 463752 or www.frenchentree.com

SkiingProperty.com: +44 20 8150 9502 or www.skiingproperty.com

 

Old Trafford attracting not just footballers from around the world, but also investors

Old Trafford attracting not just footballers from around the world, but also investors

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
  • Manchester flagged as top UK city for investment prospects (pwc)
  • M16 postcode out-performing rest of city with 4.46% growth in 12 months (Zoopla)
  • New Kinetic development providing investors with way into Old Trafford (Surrenden Invest)

Manchester United FC is known for being one of the best football teams in the world. The club’s status and plentiful funding means that it has the pick of players, coaches and managers from across the globe. Football fans appreciate they heritage of Old Trafford as a venue, but now it seems that a new kind of international interest is being stirred up in this hotbed of sporting activity.

“Old Trafford has an unbreakable connection with football, but there’s actually a lot more to the area than sport alone. Those living there enjoy easy access to Manchester city centre, Media City, White City Retail Park and the University Quarter. The mixture of local amenities and proximity to key areas of the city is causing investors to take a much closer look at Old Trafford.”

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director, Surrenden Invest

The interest from investors is supported by data from a range of sources. pwc has just highlighted Manchester as the UK’s top city investment prospect in its Emerging Trends in Real Estate Europe 2018 report, while figures from Zoopla pinpoint the M16 postcode area as enjoying property price rises above the overall level for the city – 4.46% for M16 compared to 4.22% for Manchester as a whole over the past year.

Against this exciting investment backdrop, property investment specialists Surrenden Invest have just announced the launch of the superb new Kinetic development.

With 48 apartments designed for modern, professional tenants, the building offers both investors and residents the chance to be a part of one of Manchester’s most exciting locations. The apartments have been shaped to the needs of contemporary urban residents, from their elegant, Italian-designed kitchens, to their sleek, stylish interiors.

Not only have the apartments been designed to suit professional tenants, but they have also been created with university students in mind. Just moments from Kinetic, Lancaster University is opening a brand new campus for 6,500 students from September 2019. Students with a taster for refined living will no doubt be delighted by Kinetic, while Kinetic residents will benefit from use of the new campus leisure centre.

“Old Trafford is still up and coming in terms of its investment credentials, so Kinetic offers a particularly exciting opportunity for investors who like to be at the forefront of an area’s growth (and reap the financial rewards that doing so entails). The creation of the new university campus, as well as the existing attractions of the Old Trafford location, mean that this development has been conceived not just with an eye on the present but also with future considerations taken into account.”

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director, Surrenden Invest

 

For further details and property investment opportunities, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499.

Perfect party pads – Homes to entertain in style this festive season

Perfect party pads – Homes to entertain in style this festive season

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
  • Big kitchens, spacious lounges, cinema rooms & pools all key to festive entertaining (Bellis Homes)
  • Sparkling wine sales peaked at 600 bottles per minute on ‘Fizz Friday’ (Sainsbury’s)
  • Walk-in fridge at Mulliner House is the ultimate party pad amenity (Bellis Homes)

It’s that time of year again – Christmas adverts are all over TV and social media, Christmas trees have sprung up in supermarkets across the UK and shoppers everywhere are preparing for the festive season in earnest. With the arrival of December, the party season will get into full swing as families up and down the country get into the festive mood.

When it comes to festive entertaining, having the perfect party pad in which to host friends and family is essential to surviving the season without getting flustered.

When it comes to ideal homes for Christmas entertaining, it’s all about big kitchens, stylish lounges and added extras. Of course, an enormous fridge is also essential. Prosecco and champagne sales over the holiday season are such big business that Sainsbury’s named 23 December 2016 ‘Fizz Friday.’ It followed the supermarket reporting a spend of £5,000 per minute on sparkling wine by shoppers on 23 December the previous year – the equivalent of 600 bottles of fizz for every minute that stores were open!

When it comes to the ideal fridge to store all that fizz for Christmas, few properties can compare to Mulliner House in Hadley Wood, North London, which is available from Bellis Homes. The ultra-luxurious, six-bedroom home comes with plenty of quirky features, including a walk-in fridge that’s perfect for preparing the ultimate Christmas party. Not only that, but the property also includes its own swimming pool, cinema room, lift and staff quarters. Let the festive partying commence!

“We wanted to create a really lavish property at Mulliner House – one that was packed with entertainment options and on-trend features. Walk-in fridges are one of the most sought-after amenities in luxury properties right now and are perfect for this time of year.”

Henry Fordham, Director, Bellis Homes

 

Calleva House, Mulliner’s sister property, is another detached, six-bedroom home. The property comes complete with an enormous lounge, kitchen and cinema room for entertaining. There’s also a superb steam room for unwinding in style after the festivities are over.

Meanwhile, few party pads offer as much scope for entertaining multiple generations as Eleven Trees in Mill Hill.

The stylish, contemporary home features a cinema room and games room complete with pool table for entertaining younger family members, while the grownups can enjoy milling around with their glasses of fizz in the spacious, open plan kitchen/dining/living room. A formal lounge offers an alternative space for guests to relax in and a chance for them to take a breather from the main party areas, should they so desire.

“With homes of this stature, providing flexible spaces is key. Families need to be able to enjoy their home in a range of ways. That means the property needs to be suited to everything from quiet family evenings in to extravagant entertaining. It’s about creating a whole-life experience, not just a space aimed at one kind of use.”

Henry Fordham, Director, Bellis Homes

 

This ethos has certainly been reflected at Eleven Trees. The property is on the market for £4.5 million. Meanwhile, Mulliner House and Calleva House are priced at £5.5 million and £3.75 million respectively.

For more information, contact Bellis Homes on 01279 424 733 or visit www.bellishomes.co.uk.

Team GB Pentathlete Tom Toolis reveals what Generation Rent wants from the build to rent sector

Team GB Pentathlete Tom Toolis reveals what Generation Rent wants from the build to rent sector

by Priscillia Mudiaki United Kingdom

 

  • Modern, stylish home at be:here Hayes offers the ultimate living experience
  • Excellent connections for local and international travel
  • Safety and afforability both key priorities

“I opted for a build to rent home because I was moving to London to live with my girlfriend. We needed an affordable apartment that we could enjoy living in. As soon as we came to visit the Gatefold building we knew it was the place for us.”

Tom Toolis, Pentathlete, Team GB

 

Fresh from his top 20 finishing position in the world competition in Cairo, Team GB pentathlete Tom Toolis is back in the UK and relishing the opportunity to relax in his sleek London rental apartment. With a tough training schedule and frequent trips overseas, having a base where he can relax and feel at peace is important.

Toolis moved into the Gatefold building from be:here Hayes straight out of his university accommodation. Having shared a rather worn down house with four other students in Bath, the clean, modern accommodation from Be was everything that he had been dreaming of. Toolis was also drawn to the community vibe, with the friendly, on-site management team making him feel very welcome and the shared roof terrace available for social events.

 

“Security was also a key concern for us. My girlfriend has said how safe she feels when I’m away, which means that we’re both wonderfully relaxed and that I can have peace of mind when I travel to compete. It’s also great to have a secure, private parking space – that was something I was worried would be an issue in London, but with Be I can park safely within my own building, which is fantastic.” 

Tom Toolis, Pentathlete, Team GB

 

The area’s excellent connections were also a draw. The Gatefold building is just two minutes from the nearest train station, providing easy access to central London, as well as to Heathrow Airport. The area also offers a wide range of local shopping opportunities, catering to residents’ needs perfectly.

 

“Providing ideal build to rent accommodation is about getting a range of factors right, so that differing tenants’ needs can be met. As well as superb accommodation and dynamic social spaces, that means choosing the right location with the right amenities nearby – it’s about delivering an overall package.”

Akash Sharma, Assistant Property Manager, be:here Hayes

 

The modern aspect of the development was one of its top attractions for pentathlete Toolis and his partner. Neither had expected to find an affordable, contemporary home of the quality provided by Be – and certainly not one with outdoor space. The couple have been delighted with the spacious, light-filled apartment, which has been tastefully furnished to provide a stylish yet homely living environment.

 

“It just goes to show that being part of Generation Rent has its benefits after all!”

Tom Toolis, Pentathlete, Team GB

 

One-bedroom apartments at be:here Hayes can be rented from £1,200 pcm. Two-bedroom homes are available from £1,450. All homes include either a garden or a balcony.

 

For the latest availability and any questions, please contact the be:here Hayes team directly on 0203 845 4796 or visit http://www.behere-hayes.co.uk/.

All hail Halifax – A materially different property market

All hail Halifax – A materially different property market

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
  • 250,000 visitors descend on Halifax in response to Piece Hall opening in August 2017
  • Average Halifax property value is £70k below national average (Zoopla)
  • New Martins Mill provides investors with a piece of Halifax’s textile history (Property Frontiers)

Best known for its history as a wool and textile centre, the West Yorkshire town of Halifax is undergoing an exciting revival – and its former cloth mills are firmly at the heart of its new life.

It all began with an inspirational vision for Piece Hall, a Grade I listed cloth hall for handloom weavers consisting of 315 rooms set around a central courtyard. After a three year, £19 million restoration project, Piece Hall opened to the public on 1 August 2017 as a centre for trade, heritage and culture. Since it reopened, more than 250,000 people have visited Piece Hall – and many have discovered Halifax as a result, from property investors to business owners.

“This is a period of transformation for our town. We have wonderful buildings, a highly skilled workforce and, being close to the M62, great road links. In fact, everything new businesses need.”

Barry Collins, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, Calderdale Council

 

The flurry of interest in Halifax and its heritage is already having a noticeable impact, with local estate agents highlighting an uptick in interest in the town’s property market as a result of the increased visitor numbers.

Piece Hall has served to pique the interest of many buyers. Halifax’s excellent value for money has then furthered that level of attention. The average property price in the town is just £154,217, according to Zoopla, following an increase in prices of 14.6% over the past five years. By way of comparison, the UK House Price Index for August lists the UK’s average property price as £225,956.

“Halifax has a real up-and-coming vibe to it right now, with Piece Hall having kick-started an elevated level of interest in the town. Buyers and renters are particularly interested in being a part of the town’s cultural heritage, and the textile industry is the epicentre of that.”

Ray Withers, CEO, Property Frontiers

 

The most recent textile-related offering in Halifax is the superbly redeveloped, six-storey Martins Mill. The building, which harks back to the 1800s, offers 60 unique one and two-bedroom apartments, the majority of which enjoy spectacular views of Shibden Valley’s rolling hills.

Exclusively available through Property Frontiers, the apartments will allow investors to capitalise on Halifax’s current notoriety and tap into the town’s huge potential for turning its history into its future.

“Martins Mill is perfectly positioned for those interested in the Halifax market and looking to profit from property in the town. The development blends a stunning external façade with delightfully contemporary interiors that have been designed with professional renters and their families in mind. It’s an excellent investment opportunity for those with their finger on the property market’s pulse.”

Ray Withers, CEO, Property Frontiers

 

For more information, contact Property Frontiers by visiting www.propertyfrontiers.com or calling +44 1865 202 700.