Ancoats, from industrial ghost town to hipster hotspot: Surrenden Invest reports

Ancoats, from industrial ghost town to hipster hotspot: Surrenden Invest reports

by Georgina United Kingdom World
  • Ancoats named ‘hippest’ place to live in the UK (Travel Supermarket)
  • Talented young professionals drawn to Ancoats by its business prospects (Surrenden Invest)
  • Surrenden Invest launches Pop Works complete with Wondrwall smart home tech

 

According to a recent Hometrack report, Manchester property prices rose by an impressive 8.9% in 2016, the second fastest rate of growth in the UK. A shortage of homes has led to price inflation striking its highest rate in 12 years, marking Manchester out as an admirable investment hotspot.

Apartment prices in the city have skyrocketed, Zoopla figures show a rise of 25.88%, over the past five years yet the average apartment cost in Manchester is still just over a third of the price of a London apartment making a purchase of this stock type extremely attractive to buy-to-let investors.

But where in Manchester are investors looking for such property gems?

Investors are paying attention to Ancoats report leading property investment agency, Surrenden Invest. Home values in this area adjacent to Manchester’s Northern Quarter have risen by 29.54% over the past five years according to Zoopla figures, generating great potential for capital gains as well as healthy yields. Major firms including Deliveroo and Uber already call Ancoats home, along with a variety of local SMEs and creative and tech start-ups creating a vibrant and thriving business community.

Once home to textile mills and manufacturing industries such as newspaper printing, Ancoats is now a hotbed of creative industries and exciting start-ups thriving thanks to the ongoing regeneration in the area.

In 2017 Ancoats was named one of the best places to visit by The San Francisco Chronicle with talented young professionals drawn to the area by its business prospects, in turn driving demand for chic rental accommodation that lives up to their increasingly exacting standards.

 


“We chose Ancoats as the location of our latest buy-to-let development, Pop Works, because it’s such an up and coming creative hub with a great deal of potential and appeal. The area itself is more affordable than other established parts of Manchester and is now really starting to liven up with shops, bars and businesses – there’s even a ‘Hip Hop’ themed chip shop!.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

 

Pop Works, available to invest in through Surrenden Invest, is one of Ancoats most outstanding new developments. The residence has been designed with young professionals and their families firmly in mind and features the latest in “smart home” technology, along with an on-site gym for residents’ exclusive use. With high end, branded appliances and a superb finish, these 28 contemporary apartments showcase the best in urban living.

“With Ancoats being named ‘hippest’ place to live in the UK by Travel Supermarket, it is a no brainer that we had to consider what young hipsters want. We did our research to enable us to deliver exactly that and we integrated a range of features into the apartments to ensure we were meeting these demands. One thing we really wanted to focus on was smart home tech as this is something that today’s tenants demand.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

 

Given Ancoats location, surrounded by young businesses and IT start-ups and its appeal to tech-savvy creative individuals, Pop Works has appropriately elevated the bar when it comes to smart home technology.

The residence features the Wondrwall intelligent living system. This pioneering technology permits occupants to adjust their homes to effortlessly suit their needs. Residents can control their heating, lighting and security settings, using voice control technology to make changes at any time.

In addition, the Home Connect functionality and Siemens appliances mean that tenants can manage their home appliances from anywhere. Residents can boil the kettle before getting out of bed, or deal with a load of washing while still at the office. They can even look remotely into the fridge to see if they need to grab some shopping on the way home!

This smart technology aids to future proof Pop Works for investors, creating highly sought after, technologically progressive apartments that will endure to appeal to tech-minded tenants over the coming years.

 

Prices range from £145,000.

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

International estate agent makes buying and selling in Turkey easy for one British couple

International estate agent makes buying and selling in Turkey easy for one British couple

by Georgina Turkey United Kingdom World

A British couple have been rewarded for their loyalty to Spot Blue International Property after the international estate agent found buyers for their villa in Turkey eight years after finding them the perfect plot for the property.

David and Barbara Barber from Northern Ireland completed the sale of their villa, located in the Calis area of Fethiye, in August 2017, having accepted an offer of just under £400,000 through Spot Blue International Property in May.

 

“We sold to another British couple,” said Mr Barber, “which meant we could agree a price in Sterling and avoid any exposure to exchange rates. The buyers especially liked the size and design of the property, and the tastefully done interior. We sold fully furnished with lots of bespoke local furniture.”

Back in 2009, Spot Blue International Property helped the Barbers create their dream holiday villa in Turkey by finding and selling them its 1,000-square-metre plot. The couple then employed an award-winning Turkish architect to design the 220-square-metre property. It included five en-suite bedrooms – four with balconies, a spacious open-plan living area with central burner, gallery windows and lots of natural light.

“We went the self-build route because we couldn’t find any existing properties in Calis that we actually liked,” continued Mr Barber. “We chose Spot Blue to help us find a plot as we knew they were an experienced, knowledgeable agency who would guide us through the Turkish buying process. They helped us back then, so it made sense to go back to them when we came to sell.”

“We could tell that Spot Blue’s agent on the ground, who did viewings for us, had been in Turkey for years and really knew the lay of the land and how things work there. He was very helpful, communicating with us throughout the sales process and giving us feedback after each viewing. We took their advice and appointed power of attorney to a local lawyer, who could act on our behalf during the sale. We were in Turkey for the day of completion and found everything happened very smoothly.”

The Barbers’ reason for selling in Turkey was twofold: their two adult children have flown the nest so they visit less as a family and there are now fewer flights to Dalaman from Belfast. However, the couple won’t stop visiting Fethiye.

Concludes Mr Barber: “We love the area and still have friends there, so at some point will return there for holidays. We really enjoyed having a home there but circumstances meant it was time to sell.”

British buyers are especially fond of Calis, where recent infrastructure upgrades include a linking of its beachfront promenade with Fethiye’s promenade. Calis’s location just 50 minutes from Dalaman Airport, 15 minutes from the centre of Fethiye, 25 minutes from the famous Ölüdeniz lagoon and 30 minutes from the upmarket marina resort of Göcek add to its international appeal.

 

For more information, call +44 (0) 208 339 6036 or visit www.spotblue.com.

What it takes to make a splash when building a new development

What it takes to make a splash when building a new development

by Georgina United Kingdom World
  • Housebuilding at highest level in nearly 10 years (DCLG)
  • Urban living increases anxiety by 21% and mood disorders by 39% (Dr Jaan Peen)
  • Developers including swimming pools & vitality experiences for enhanced wellbeing (Aqua Platinum)

 

When it comes to flagship developments in prestigious locations, the premium price tag means that buyers expect top of the range facilities – not just in their individual apartments but in the building as a whole. For locations like central London, buyers are investing in a lifestyle rather than just a home. That’s why significant developments, such as 190 Strand, have to ensure that their facilities are a cut above the rest.

 

Housebuilding in the UK has reached its highest level in nearly ten years, with 164,960 new homes started in the year to June 2017. That’s an increase of 13% over the previous year, according to Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) data. The increased competition means that developers are having to provide increasingly tempting facilities in addition to the homes themselves.

 

At 190 Strand, developer St Edward has achieved precisely that by engaging luxury swimming pool design and build company Aqua Platinum.

 

“We knew that 190 Strand needed something truly marvellous – the building’s prime location and specification demanded it. The bespoke apartments and penthouses on London’s world-famous Strand inspired us to create a stunning pool and vitality area for residents to enjoy as part of their central London lifestyle.”

 

Dominic Searle, Aqua Platinum

 

 

As such, the Aqua Platinum team allows for not one but two pools at 190 Strand.

 

The first was a fully tiled mosaic pool of 125m³, which serves those who swim to keep in shape as well as those looking to simply relax and enjoy the water. The design team also built in a 30m³ vitality pool, equipped with the latest in air and water jet features, to complete residents’ wellbeing experience. The vitality experience was completed with a traditional sauna and a luxury steam room.

 

Dutch researcher Dr Jaap Peen was one of a team of scientists who found that urban living raised the risk of anxiety disorders by 21% and the risk of mood disorders by 39%. The need for those living in the heart of urban environments to combat stress has never been better understood.

 

Swimming for 30 minutes three times per week has been found to increase general life satisfaction, lower stress levels, raise mood, improve sleep patterns, lower incidences of anxiety and depression, according to Swimming.org. Swimming can also help to rebuild muscles after injury and to improve memory, concentration and focus in people living with conditions such as dementia.

 

Residential planners have certainly taken this information on board when it comes to new developments such as 190 Strand. Indeed, the resulting exquisite, deck-level pool and adjacent vitality pool are not only charming residents, but have also been short-listed for the Design & Architectural Awards 2017.

 

 

 

“The facilities at 190 Strand really are something special. We’re delighted that this has been recognised by the short-listing committee of the Design & Architectural Awards.

 

“The wellbeing area of 190 Strand was no easy feat. The complexity and size of the scheme meant that we had to develop an upper level and lower level complex plant room system, so that it could accommodate the balance tank and high-tech control systems. We paired that with a best-in-class filtration and disinfection system, resulting in outstanding water clarity and purity in both pools. It’s the ultimate addition to the perfect contemporary development.”

 

Dominic Searle, Aqua Platinum

 

 

For more information, call 0203 362 0442 or visit www.aquaplatinumprojects.co.uk.

New partnership paves the way for those seeking style on the seas

New partnership paves the way for those seeking style on the seas

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
  • Alexander James Interior Design partners with Sunseeker London Group
  • Southampton Boat Show and Cannes Yachting Festival showcasing stylish interiors
  • World debut of The 76 Yacht brings the Sunseeker lifestyle to the fore

Attendees at the Cannes Yachting Festival and the forthcoming Southampton Boat Show are lucky enough to enjoy the results of a new partnership between leading interiors firm Alexander James Interior Design and luxury yacht company Sunseeker London Group.

With twenty years of experience in creating award-winning interiors, the exclusive dressing of the yachts has offered an extra dimension to the work of the Alexander James Interior Design team.

“We’re keen to inject our passion, style and sophisticated luxury into the already glamourous yachts for which Sunseeker is so well known. It’s a pleasure to have worked so closely with Sunseeker once again in the world of luxury yachting.”

Robert Walker, Managing Director, Alexander James Interior Design

The partnership follows the success that the two companies have enjoyed when they have worked together for previous yachting events.

For Cannes, the Alexander James stylists have styled the San Remo, Manhattan 52, Manhattan 66 and Predator 68 vessels, all of which have been extremely well received.

For the Southampton show, the team has also dressed Sunseeker’s largest boat, along with the 57 Yacht Mark 2 and the 76 Yacht, which makes its world debut this year.

It was important to the team that the soft furnishings and home accessories used to dress the yachts complemented the already exquisite styling that is innate to the Sunseeker brand. Thus, to achieve the right lifestyle look, Alexander James has partnered with artist, gemmologist and designer Beau Han Xu, as well as with British perfumer Jo Malone. Beau Han’s involvement will see him undertake a film and photoshoot aboard the 95 Yacht as part of the Southampton show.

“I approached the design of each yacht by giving them a distinct look, using different colour palettes to give them an individual feel. I then used cushions, throws, floral arrangements and decorative accessories to provide a sense of sophistication and lifestyle.’”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

Aboard the yachts at the Southampton Boat Show, items used from Beau Han included those from the Beau Han Barware collection, an exquisite collection of Swarovski glasses paired with a beautiful decanter, reflective of the luxury lifestyle that Sunseeker’s stunning yachts represent.

These stylish craft will travel on to other boat shows around the world once they have been presented in Cannes and Southampton. Forthcoming events include the Genoa Boat Show and Monaco Yacht Show in September, followed by London, Dusseldorf, Poole and Swanwick in 2018.

 “It’s wonderful to be able to share the elegance of perfect interiors with new audiences in this way and to showcase the versatility of outstanding interior design. We look forward to working with Sunseeker to take their superb yachts from strength to strength over the years ahead.”

Robert Walker, Managing Director, Alexander James Interior Design

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

Dressing homes fit for fashionistas this London Fashion Week

Dressing homes fit for fashionistas this London Fashion Week

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
  • London Fashion Week commences 15th September 2017
  • The right dressing room can be a daily pleasure to use
  • Have fun honing your style and display your items accordingly
  • Use made to measure shelving and back-lit displays for the ultimate designer dressing room

With London Fashion Week fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to focus on a wardrobe refresh. However, according to leading interiors firm Alexander James Interior Design, committed fashionistas are taking this one step further.

“Having the ultimate dressing room can be a life-changing experience for those who love their clothes and London Fashion Week presents the perfect excuse to give that dressing room an overhaul. Just because it’s a practical space doesn’t mean it can’t also be beautiful. The best dressing rooms should serve to inspire their users and celebrate all that is beautiful and fashionable each and every day.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

In honour of London Fashion Week, which this year takes place from 15 to 19 September, Sibley has shared her top tips on how to make the most of your dressing room in order to enjoy it at its best.

How to dress your dressing room – Stacey Sibley, Alexander James Interior Design

Start by having a good sort through all your clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery, etc. You don’t want to build a space that is going to be storing items that will never be worn. Reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy by Marie Kondo can be a huge help with this. Kondo gives tips on how to sort through your belongings and even how to fold clothing.

Next, think about what’s important to you. If you’re a shoe addict, think about how you would like them stored and displayed – do you want them on show or wrapped away for protection? Do you need lots of shelving for shoe boxes or do you prefer to have the shoes out of their boxes on display?

It’s important to think about lighting, too. Make sure the space is well lit, especially where you have the full length mirror for trying outfits on. Using back-lit shelves can be a nice touch here, especially if you have a designer handbag collection or hats to display. Made to measure shelving can also work wonders for those items.

Give some thought to space allocation for clothes as well. Do you have more dresses than separates? If so, you’ll need more full height hanging space. Be realistic about your level of tidiness as well. If you’re super neat then open shelving and hanging space can work well, but if you tend towards the messy then doors to hide away the mess come highly recommended!

Be playful with your style as part of the process too. Do you want your dressing room to be glamorous and glitzy, sleek and cotemporary, or vintage inspired? Shape the space and the items on display to fit your preferred style.

When it comes to practical touches, drawers can be a great help. Underwear, ties and jewellery can all be neatly stored in drawers, while a safe for expensive jewellery and watches may also be a good move. If space allows, a central island for more storage can also be very useful – or a central ottoman for sitting on while getting ready.

Of course, if you have oodles of space available then a ‘his and hers’ dressing room set is the ultimate luxury touch – and will certainly put paid to any arguments over the allocation of wardrobe space. It also means you have the pleasure of creating two distinctly different dress room spaces!

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

A hot tub on a superyacht? Yes, it’s possible and time to get on board!

A hot tub on a superyacht? Yes, it’s possible and time to get on board!

by Priscillia Mudiaki United Kingdom World
  • Buyers can pick up Lord Sugar’s superyacht, complete with Jacuzzi, for £12.6m
  • “Imagination and budget are the only constraints when it comes to on-board spas” (Aqua Platinum)
  • Pools, hot tubs, swim-up bars, hammams, saunas & balcony showers can all feature on board

 

The glamour and excitement of the Southampton Boat Show is almost upon us. From 15-24 September, some of the world’s finest sea-faring vessels will moor in Southampton for a celebration of all things maritime.

 

The show inspires many attendees to pursue their boating dreams, from the smallest rib up to the most luxurious superyacht. Those looking for something exclusive might be interested to know that they can pick up Lord Sugar’s superyacht, complete with Jacuzzi and accommodation for 12 guests, for a cool £12.6 million.

 

Indeed, it seems that simply owning a superyacht is no longer quite enough – if it doesn’t have an on-board spa, it’s old news, according to luxury swimming pool design and build company Aqua Platinum.

 

“Celebrities and the super-rich are becoming more exacting when it comes to their boating requirements. Pools, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, hammams, outdoor balcony showers and water features can all be built into superyacht structures, if they are implemented at the design stage. Those who own luxury yachts are usually after other elements of the luxury lifestyle – and that includes spa facilities. Why limit those to use on dry land?”

 

Dominic Searle, Aqua Platinum

 

Being in the water while on the water is an increasingly sought after experience. According to the Aqua Platinum team, almost anything can be made possible if you apply a little imagination and a sizeable budget.

 

Hot tubs and pools tend to be a maximum of 8-10 metres long on most yachts, due to size restrictions. Counter current units are used to make up for the smaller pool size, providing an outstanding fitness experience.

 

When it comes to hot tubs, much consideration is given to fill and heat-up times during the design phase. Most will need to be emptied prior to sailing to prevent spillage, then rapidly filled and brought up to temperature when the yacht docks. Room also needs to be allowed for plant space, while filtration systems and lighting also require consideration.

 

“Designing pools and hot tubs for luxury yachts certainly presents unique challenges, but that’s part of what makes the process so interesting. There are various technical elements that have to be incorporated, as well as ensuring the facilities are superbly designed and look outstanding. There are some lovely synergies between luxury spa facilities on land and those that can be created on the water.”

 

Dominic Searle, Aqua Platinum

 

 

For those with big budgets, almost anything is possible. The refitted Nomad luxury motor yacht boasts a Jacuzzi spa pool with swim-up bar. The Elixir features a spa pool with panoramic vistas. Legend features a Balinese spa. The superyacht Solandge is home to a chromotherapy spa, complete with sauna, hammam, massage room and beauty salon – plus a generously appointed pool, of course.

 

“If you’ve got the vision and the budget, the sky’s the limit. Superyacht and luxury spa designers can together achieve great things, so why not test their abilities and see just how exciting your on-board wellness facilities can be?”

 

Dominic Searle, Aqua Platinum

 

For more information, call 0203 362 0442 or visit www.aquaplatinumprojects.co.uk.

Image from Dreamstime for illustrative use only.

Top Autumn design trends revealed by Alexander James Interior Design

Top Autumn design trends revealed by Alexander James Interior Design

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
  • Rich jewel tones are at the centre of autumn’s design inspiration
  • Keep nature in the home with large floral prints on walls and cushions
  • Add warmth with raw brass touches as the nights lengthen

While the rest of us have been enjoying the summer holidays, the team at Alexander James Interior Design have been busily working away on this autumn’s top interior design trends. Now, Creative Director Stacey Sibley has shared her expert insights into this autumn’s must-have colours, fabrics and florals.

“We’ve seen a real inclination for soft, muted tones over the spring and summer. All that’s going to change in the autumn, as bright jewel colours burst onto the interiors scene. Colours are all about the rich warmth of teals, burnt oranges, shaded spruce and autumn maple. These are bold tones for uplifting interiors – we’ll be brightening up the indoors as the outdoors dims in preparation for winter.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

Plush, patterned fabrics will complement the bold jewel colours of autumn. Sibley highlights the new Bonheur velvet from Zinc Textiles as an example. The plush velvet is interspersed with multi-tonal textural bouclé yarns to form a deconstructed hounds tooth design that is both elegant and warm.

Meanwhile, summer’s fascination with nature will continue, but with a shift into more rich, floral patterns.

“Florals this autumn will be larger than life – picture rich velvet cushions printed with large scale, expressive tulips, apple blossom and roses. The Designers Guild’s new cushions epitomise this trend. We’re also seeing floral prints in wallpapers and fabrics that look like old master still life paintings, allowing us to incorporate these into the home in exciting new ways – it’s a modern twist on classical prints.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

When it comes to larger items of furniture, colour comes to the fore once more. Julian Chichester’s beautifully sculpted, teal vellum Deneuve Cabinet is the ultimate example. Double curved ends provide elegance while the textured raw brass detail that follows the shape of the front of the cabinet pairs perfectly with autumn’s favoured tones.

For smaller accessories, it’s all about blending those jewel colours with interesting textures. Healthfield & Co’s emerald Amelia table lamp reflects the autumnal trend perfectly. A design collaboration with Zoffany, the hand-crafted lamp features stunning volcanic glass detailing, meaning that each piece is unique. Antique brass and a satin shade finishes the lamp beautifully.

“Finally this autumn, don’t forget the importance of art. If you’re nervous about how to introduce jewel tones, opt for something like Trowbridge Gallery’s Lovebird Feathers. It’s a stunning piece that shows the bright, delicate plumage of the world’s smallest parrot. The close-up of the rainbow spectrum of colours is truly beautiful and adds a wonderful sense of texture as well as colour.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

With the longest day already well behind us, it’s time to enjoy the rest of the summer while preparing for the autumn. Make sure you’re ready for the arrival of dark skies and darker evenings by giving your home the rich colour boost it deserves.

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

5 reasons to love living in zone 5

5 reasons to love living in zone 5

by Priscillia Mudiaki United Kingdom

Just like that, summer is over. With September now upon us, many people across London will be looking to move home.

Those looking for more bang for their buck this autumn might do well to head a bit further afield to Zone 5 boroughs such as the London Borough of Hillingdon.

Leading build to rent developer Be Living Ltd has selected Hayes, located within the London Borough of Hillingdon, as the location for their new be:here Hayes development of 119 1, 2 and 3-bedroom homes designed with renters in mind. The development is already proving popular with residents moving from within the local area as well as from elsewhere in London and the Home Counties.

Local resident Akash Sharma, Assistant Property Manager at be:here Hayes, shares his top 5 reasons to love living in zone 5:

 

  1. It’s well connected

Whist zone 5 might sound a long way from central London, existing and planned transport connections make traveling into Central London for work or for play in 30 minutes a reality. The be:here Hayes development is just a three minute walk from Hayes & Harlington station, with fast, frequent trains into London Paddington in 20 minutes.

2019 will see also see Crossrail arrive at Hayes & Harlington, enabling residents to travel direct to Bond Street, in the heart of the West End, in 25 minutes.

On top of all this, Hayes has quick and easy access to the M4 and M25 motorways and Heathrow Airport, making it – like a number of other Zone 5 locations – better connected than many more central neighbourhoods.

  1. More for your money

At be:here Hayes, 1-bedroom apartments start from £1200 pcm (£277pw) and 2-bedrooms from £1450 pcm (£335pw). These rates include free 20mbps broadband internet, an on-site property manager, concierge services and a full-time caretaker to keep the building and communal area in good repair and looking great.

With some units boasting 30 ft private gardens and the rest generous balcony space as well as a communal roof terrace, tenants at this pet-friendly development are getting great value for money.

  1. It’s cleaner and greener

Residents of Zone 5 can enjoy living in one of the cleanest and greenest areas in the UK. The London Borough of Hillingdon is home to more Green Flags than anywhere else in London with new additions for 2017 including Coney Green, The Gravel Pitts, Long Meadow, Cherry Lane Cemetery and Southlands Arts Centre.

 

  1. Things are changing – fast

At last count there were 13 operational cranes visible from the roof terrace at be:here Hayes – a sure indicator of the scale of the transformation underway within the local area.

Next door to be:here Hayes, The Old Vinyl Factory site is the former home of record label EMI and is being transformed by developer U+I into offices, new homes, leisure spaces, restaurants, shops and a cinema, all due to complete by 2020.

 

  1. It has a rich culture and history

Zone 5 takes in a whole host of London towns which have a village atmosphere and a rich culture heritage. Art scenes, historic sites, cultural venues, museums … Zone 5 has the whole package, if you know where to look!

Hayes appeared in the Domesday Book and is home to numerous Grade II listed buildings. Notable residents include ‘the father of English music’ William Byrd author George Orwell, who lived and worked in Hayes in the early 1930s. Music enthusiasts can still enjoy the Beck Theatre, now in its 40th year, which regularly hosts local musicians and stage productions as well as visit the London Motor Museum nearby.

 

For more information about zone 5 living, please contact be:here Hayes on 0203 845 4796 or visit http://www.behere-hayes.co.uk/

 

 

Top of the Props: Portugal popularity hits nine-month high

Top of the Props: Portugal popularity hits nine-month high

by Georgina Portugal United Kingdom World ,
  • Portugal makes top three for first time since October 2016 
  • Italy makes top four for the third time in 2017 
  • Tunisia and Turkey both enter top 15 

The popularity of Portuguese property has reached a nine-month high, reveals new research from TheMoveChannel.com.

The international portal’s latest Top of the Props index shows that Portugal reentered the top three destinations in July 2017. This is the first time that Portugal has been in TheMoveChannel.com’s top three since October 2016. Portuguese real estate accounted for 1.87 per cent of all enquiries on the portal in July, with enquiries rising 2 per cent month-on-month in real terms.

Portugal was beaten only by second place Spain and first place USA, which both held on to their spots for the second month in a row. US property accounted for 6.93 per cent of enquiries, while Spain accounted for 6.12 per cent.

France also enjoyed a surge in interest, rising from fifth place to steal fourth. This is the second month so far in 2017 that France has been the fourth most popular country on TheMoveChannel.com, and the third month in a row that it has been in the Top of the Props Top 5. In real terms, enquiries for French property rose 16 per cent in the three months to July compared to the previous three-month period.

France and Portugal’s rise pushed Italy down into fifth place, with 1.72 per cent of all enquiries on the site. However, this is the fourth time Italy has been in the Top of the Props’ Top 5 in 2017, as the country’s popularity continues to increase.

Italy is not the only nation enjoying a rebound. Greece continues to see interest grow, climbing from 10th place into ninth in July. Greek property accounted for 0.69 per cent of all enquiries on the portal, marking the third time in 2017 to date the nation has been in the Top of the Props’ Top 10. In real terms, enquiries for Greek real estate more than doubled in the three months to July compared to the previous three-month period.

Tunisia has also risen into the Top 15, up 24 places from the previous month, with 0.41 per cent of all enquiries. Turkey saw signs of a return to favour as well, jumping five places from 12th into seventh, with 1.61 per cent of enquiries.

TheMoveChannel.com Director Dan Johnson comments: “With summer in full swing, the traditional holiday home favourites rule the roost, with Spain, France and Italy all among our Top 5 destinations. However, July sees buyers begin to return to old favourites too, as the tourism industry continues to help boost market recoveries, not just in Europe but further afield. Official data shows that Turkish visitor arrivals are on the up this year, as relations between Turkey and Russia improve, which highlights the country’s returning appeal to international holidaymakers and investors. We also saw notable growth in enquiries for Tunisian real estate in July, which follows improving tourist figures for the country this spring. Buyers are going back to Cyprus too: despite the country slipping down the Top of the Props charts, enquiries remain 22 per cent higher in the three months to July than they were in the three months to January 2017. The island’s tourism sector had a record year in 2016, with arrivals expected to rise another 5 per cent this year.”

“Portugal has been one of the stars of 2017 to date,” adds Johnson, “repeatedly appearing in TheMoveChannel.com’s top three destinations. The housing market’s recovery continues to build

momentum, with prices and transactions both improving steadily and consistently. With Golden Visas on offer in Portugal, Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, citizenship schemes rank alongside tourism as an important driver of international interest.”

Click here to see the full top 40 property destinations for July 2017.

— ENDS –

Notes to Editors

About Lead Galaxy and TheMoveChannel.com

Founded in 1999, www.TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with more than 1.4 million listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.

TheMoveChannel.com is one of more than a dozen international property sites operated under the Lead Galaxy brand. Lead Galaxy provides online marketing solutions to thousands of property companies worldwide, focusing on portal listings, email marketing, qualified leads, paid search and social media advertising.

The business is headquartered at 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Shoreditch, London, E1 6NN.

——————————-

Do you need comment or statistics for an international real estate article? Our experienced editorial team and management are happy to collate data, provide example properties, or offer insightful comment to support your publication.

Please contact Ivan Radford on ivan.radford@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7221

——————————-

Sign up to our Daily International Property Newsletter:

– Daily updates on property market news headlines

– Quirky stories from around the world of property

– Hot properties being launched internationally

– Useful guides, surveys, research and trends

– Gossip, lists and other property chit chat

Sign up here: http://www.themovechannel.com/my/subscriptions/

——————————-

Feature property listings in your publication!

Our technical team has developed a great new solution for content publishers that allows the addition of high impact advertising units, which can be configured to show property listings, relevant to a type of property, country, region or a specific location.

There are 2 types of implementation:

• Standard Ad Units: These show in 120,600, 160×600, 300×150, 300×250, 300×500, 300×750 and 728×90 formats, with a varying number of listings showing in each version.

• Dynamic Portfolio: This is a completely configurable panel, where you can choose the number of columns and rows, plus the size of the listings and dedicate a section of a page, or even a whole page to a set of properties.

Please contact Ivan Radford on ivan.radford@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7221

The country chic challenge – honouring history in a new build family home

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
  • Alexander James Interior Design challenged to find what Robert the Bruce and ballerinas have in common
  • Wadhurst Place in East Sussex highlights the best of contemporary country living
  • Neutral tones, cleverly blended textures and rustic touches create the ideal country home

There’s always a frisson of excitement in the air when an interior design team first sets foot inside a new property. That’s particularly true when the home presents a unique challenge, like Wadhurst Place, in East Sussex.

“The brief was to offer a balance of luxury ‘Show Home’ mixed with a ‘Country Chic’ feel. Wadhurst Place is a unique development offering luxury accommodation set in 18 acres of parkland with breath-taking views. The properties range from substantial, family houses to large, lateral apartments and mews houses. It was imperative the Show Home offered a lifestyle that captured a wide audience.”

Ben Axton, Head of Show Home Sales, Alexander James Interior Design

The challenge at Wadhurst Place was to dress one of the development’s five-bedroom, three-bathroom houses – known as The Elder – in such a way that it both honoured the site’s rich history and presented a contemporary, luxurious country lifestyle, as befits a location that made it onto this year’s Sunday Times list of the best places to live in the UK.

The full development comprises 13 apartments and 26 homes, set in 18 acres of breath-taking parkland. The original, Grade II listed manor house, which is being delicately restored into apartments after 15 years of neglect, was built for a descendent of Robert the Bruce in 1885. Built in the Domestic Revival and Queen Anne style, half-timbered with ornamental red brick facings and carvings, the house includes oak joinery, ornate plastered ceilings and stained glass windows. It was described in the 1885 directory as having, “an interior which is admirably appointed, and no expense whatever has been spared.”

The manor house became a girls’ boarding school in the 1930s, supplemented by a ballet school in the 1980s, until its closure in 2001, when the site fell into disrepair. Work is now underway not only to restore the manor house to its former glory, but also to provide an outstanding collection of homes in the surrounding parkland that honour the site’s extensive history and rich architectural heritage.

“Wadhurst Place presents a uniquely beautiful setting and we wanted to reflect that in the interior design of The Elder show home. Capturing the elegance of country living was key, so we sought to blend modern furnishings and fabrics with select rustic pieces, to create a distinctive overall look and feel. Different textures played an important role in achieving the overall effect, with rich velvets, satin, wicker and textured wallpaper all playing a part.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

The resulting show home presents a stunning glimpse of life in this beautiful East Sussex market town. Clean, classic design elements and natural tones create a sense of harmony and peace that’s very much in keeping with the local area. Those touring The Elder can enjoy a true sense of the lifestyle that Wadhurst Place offers – this is effective interior design at its very best.

“We’re delighted with the overall result at The Elder. It shows off contemporary country living for the modern family, while still reflecting the development’s rich heritage, which was precisely what we wanted to convey.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

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