Living at Wembley Park – an evolution not a revolution

Living at Wembley Park – an evolution not a revolution

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Wembley Park residents’ feedback influential in enhancing future apartment design
  • Greenery and storage found to be top priorities
  • First new homes at Wembley Park since 2010 available from just £305,000

The new apartment buildings springing up at Wembley Park have firmly caught the eyes of Londoners looking for stylish, contemporary homes at mid-market prices. Developer Quintain has been careful to listen and understand what Londoners want – and to design each new phase of the expansive site in North West London with this in mind.

Quintain’s Head of Residential Sales, Paul Hogarth, explains,

“We want to ensure that Wembley Park is an area that provides homes for Londoners. We’re shaping the design of the site to meet their needs and in response to their direct feedback. It means that each new phase of housing has evolved from the one preceding, with residents able to contribute to the plans, allowing them to shape the environment in which they live in.”

The Emerald Gardens phase of the development, which has just seen the final allocation of one, two and three bedroom apartments released to the market, is a prime example of how consultation has been used to improve the offering at Wembley Park. Quintain consulted with and listened to residents already living in two earlier residential projects on the site when designing Emerald Gardens, which resulted in a number of additions to the plans.

A wide-ranging and comprehensive design brief was produced. Group feedback sessions and one-to-one interviews were then held with the owners and tenants of previously purchased Quintain homes. Consultation also took place with the Wembley Park Residential lettings team, who deal with residents’ feedback every day. As an on-site team who know Wembley Park inside out and deal with residents daily, the lettings staff were perfectly positions to contribute to the evolution of the next phase of the development.

The result was a number of changes designed to make Emerald Gardens even better than the (already excellent) previous phases. The near-acre of gardens around Emerald Gardens was one result. So much green open space as part of a London development is extremely rare and has helped to shape a truly unique offering at Emerald Gardens. Additionally, the apartment buildings were left unconnected, creating even more of an open feel to the development.

Architects GRID were keen to support Quintain’s goal of challenging perceptions and reflecting owners’ needs with storage another area that benefited from their evolutionary design approach. Emerald Gardens now includes an array of internal storage options, based around the three principles of storage: primary, secondary and tertiary.

For primary storage of everyday household items such as pantry supplies and toiletries, they introduced full height recessed mirrored cabinets in bathrooms and plentiful storage in kitchen cupboards. Secondary storage (for items used weekly, such as umbrellas, ironing boards and vacuum cleaners), GRID built in generous cupboards in each apartment’s hall. And for tertiary storage items that are used less frequently (suitcases, sports equipment) there are secure lockers for residents in the basement.

The result of GRID’s work has been an ideal balance between the desire for space and comfort and the need to quickly and easily access the many possessions that are an essential part of modern-day life. It is a point that Quintain was keen to pursue, as the company’s Paul Hogarth explains:

“For many developers, efficiency and optimization drive the design, and can lead to a compromised living space for the resident, with storage space often overlooked. The result is homes that feel cluttered and untidy from the moment you move in, and there’s a clear link between a cluttered home environment and heightened stress levels. We’ve addressed this at Emerald Gardens by listening responding and adapting to customers feedback allowing us to deliver to residents the space they need to live comfortably while still having easy access to their belongings.”

The Alto Apartments phase of Wembley Park has also benefited from this evolutionary design approach. The residents’ only courtyard garden and beautiful new London square, Elvin Gardens, are in response to residents’ direct feedback on their enjoyment of the existing green spaces. Alto will also benefit from the inclusion of the community hall on site upon completion in 2017, to further residents’ engagement with their local area.

With each new phase planned by Quintain at Wembley Park, design and specification are carefully examined to see where improvements can be made. This enables the continual evolution of the site, creating homes that perfectly suit the needs of Londoners at every stage.

Prices at Emerald Gardens start at £305,000 with first completions due Spring 2016. Apartments at Alto are available from £415,000.

For more information and to book a visit to the newly launched show apartments, visit www.northwestvillage.com, visit www.alto-apartments.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

Stylish ultra-luxe apartments coming soon to the ‘super suburb’ of Sunningdale

Stylish ultra-luxe apartments coming soon to the ‘super suburb’ of Sunningdale

by Viv United Kingdom
  • Sunningdale named a ‘super suburb’ (The Daily Telegraph)
  • Property prices up 15.4% over 5 years (Zoopla)
  • New luxury apartment development by Halebourne Group coming soon to Sunningdale

 

Sunningdale is a quiet, refined village which sits in the gentile county of Berkshire. The village butts up to other highly popular communities such as Ascot and Virginia Water, both known as millionaire hideouts, attracting wealth and affording residents an easy commute into London coupled with a peaceful lifestyle.

Large areas of wood and heathland hide glorious mansions, which can be glimpsed at behind ornate gates with meandering drives. It’s hardly surprising that Sunningdale warranted a place in The Daily Telegraph’s London’s super suburbs: the most valuable property markets report.

Aside from its roster of notable celebrity residents which have included Richard Beckinsale, Sir Cliff Richard, Gary Lineker, Chesney Hawkes, Brian Blessed, Diana Dors, Billy Ocean and even the late, great Agatha Christie, Sunningdale is well known for golf. The highly respected Sunningdale Golf Club has hosted numerous major competitions over the years including the Men’s European Open, the Women’s British Open and several qualifying rounds. Some say that the course is equal to, if not better than, the courses at mighty Wentworth just a few miles away.

Situated only 13 miles from Heathrow international airport and affording fabulous motorway links to the rest of the country and direct rail access to Central London in just over 50 minutes, Sunningdale is the ideal location for commuters both into the capital and overseas.

A-list worthy mansions might be the norm in Sunningdale but for savvy buyers looking for something different, local developer, Halebourne Group have created The Ridge. This mansion block sits in the very heart of Sunningdale and comprises ten luxury apartments that have been created to inspire and take your breath away.

Appointed selling agent Rupert Wyatt, of award-winning estate agency, Barton Wyatt, couldn’t be more excited,

“Buyers looking for a pied a terre need look no further. This impressive mansion block sits on one of Sunningdale’s most prestigious roads and we are already getting a great deal of interest in these luxury apartments.

“The Ridge is a perfect balance between the imposing grandeur of a large home paired with the ease of running a low maintenance apartment. The development is classically styled and the apartments have been designed to be graceful with majestic high ceilings and faultless design, giving owners a sense of space and refinement.”

As you arrive into the development the entrance hall oozes class and sophistication and here owners will have the benefit of a concierge to help with deliveries and reservations.

 

The apartments range from 2,314 sq ft to 3,606 sq ft with each accommodating sumptuous living space and private outside terracing. There is a choice of two and three bedroom apartments all with en-suite bathrooms and high spec kitchens. A lift services all floors and the basement has parking for two vehicles per apartment as well as generous secure storage.

Wyatt continues,

“The Ridge presents the perfect property for several buyer groups. The luxury and detail of the development will appeal to buyers who are used to a five-star lifestyle and enjoy easy living.  The sumptuous interiors have been designed to feel like home and with ease of living in mind, The Ridge is within walking distance to the mainline station with direct trains to London Waterloo in under an hour. For those with busy lives and little time for cooking, Sunningdale is flushed with many great restaurants just a short walk from the development.

“The whole concept of The Ridge is focused around people looking for a very high quality home that is secure, simple to maintain, easy to ‘lock up and leave,’ with spacious rooms, outside areas, garaging for their cars and plenty of storage.”

The luxurious show apartment is available to view by appointment from March 2016 with apartments ranging from £2,000,000 up £2.95 million for the penthouses.

For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

2016/17 Uni Applications Increase: UK applicants fall, EU applicants rise

2016/17 Uni Applications Increase: UK applicants fall, EU applicants rise

by Kate United Kingdom
  • Number of EU students applying to study in the UK increases 6%; non-EU student figures increase 1% (UCAS)
  • Overseas students’ demands supported by growing luxury student accommodation market (Collegiate AC)
  • Chinese students largest non-UK demographic at UK universities (UCAS)
  • Greatest increase in number of students from Ecuador, increasing 130% (UCAS)

With the passing of the annual January deadline for university applications, UCAS has released statistics that not only reveal the numbers of students applying for the 2016/17 academic year but also, interestingly, where they are coming from. The new figures show that once again, for the fourth year in a row, the number of students looking to study in the UK have risen, this year by 0.2%, taking 2016/17 figures to 593,720.

However, whilst the numbers of UK students applying to study at a higher education institution in their home country has decreased slightly year-on-year (down by 0.3%), the number of EU applicants (excluding UK) has risen by 6% on 2015/16 figures to today’s 45,220. Alongside this, non-EU applicant levels have risen by 1%, taking figures to 52,560.

Such students have their own particular demands when it comes to studying in the UK, many of which extend into the type of accommodation that they are searching for. Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, the leading provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, explains more,

“Making the move to study in the UK can be daunting for international students and this is where accommodation that provides additional facilities comes in to ease the transition. The shared social spaces of on-site cinemas, luxury lounges or private gyms encourages the making of new friends from the off. The support of an on-site concierge and electronic door entry systems, for example, can also be just what is needed to provide a sense of security and reassurance for those students arriving in the UK and their families at home.”

As current UCAS figures reveal, Chinese students make up the largest non-UK demographic studying at higher education institutions in the United Kingdom, with 9,000 students from China applying for the 2016/17 academic year. This is followed by students from Hong Kong (5,180) in second place, students from Ireland in third (4,750), and those from France and Italy making up the remainder of the top five, with 4,650 and 4,270 students applying respectively.

Yet this is not all the new figures show. They also unveil which nations have seen the largest growth in the numbers of students applying to study in the UK. Within Europe, Croatia takes the lead, with an impressive 45% increase year-on-year in students submitting an application to study at a UK university. This is followed by Slovakia (with a 39% increase) and the Czech Republic (with a 34% increase).

Lebanon is the Asian country with the largest year-on-year growth in students looking to study in the UK, with 41% more applying for 2016/17 compared to 2015/16. Turkish students take second place in terms of percentage growth in Asia, with 25%, and students from Qatar in third, with a 17% increase. Uganda and Egypt share the top spot for African nations applying through UCAS to study on UK soil, both nations having witnessed a 14% increase from last year’s figures. Second place is taken by South Africa with 11% and third place by Zimbabwe with 7% growth.

In North America, the Cayman Islands take the lead, with 20% more of its students applying to UK universities for the coming year, according to UCAS, with Mexico (at an 18% increase) and Bermuda (seeing a 17% increase) following close behind. The only growth in Oceania is seen from New Zealand, wherein 12% more students are applying to study in UK universities this September. South America’s top spot is taken by Ecuador from where a huge 130% more students have put in applications for UK study in the 2016/17 academic year.

As Cuanalo has indicated, these increasing figures of overseas students looking to study in the UK from later this year, is set to have a knock-on effect on the student property market, with a growing interest in luxurious student properties that offer the extra touches that make studying in a foreign country easier and hassle-free. He says,

“In line with the new UCAS figures, we have also noticed the same growing demand from overseas students, with over half of our properties for 2016/17 being taken by non-EU students and 0.4% more EU students signing up for our luxury student accommodation this year compared to last. In line with this, we are launching eleven new properties to fulfil the growing need and are already seeing great interest from overseas students, both from the EU and beyond.”

Collegiate AC properties are situated throughout the UK in some of the very best university cities, from Edinburgh to Exeter, Southampton to Birmingham, Newcastle to Reading, and many more. Properties boast beautifully-designed interiors alongside excellent additional facilities that include games rooms, on-site gyms, dinner party rooms, in-house cinemas, study rooms and luxury lounges, as well as inclusive billing, free Wi-Fi and high-speed broadband.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

Home is where the heart is. Perfect Valentine’s Day pads in seductive Surrey!

Home is where the heart is. Perfect Valentine’s Day pads in seductive Surrey!

by Viv United Kingdom

Elvis wasn’t wrong when he sang, “Home is where the heart is.”

Whether you rent or own a property, for the majority of people “home” is their sanctuary and the place they feel at peace, however grand or humble.

For those looking for somewhere new to rest their hearts this Valentine’s Day then perhaps one of these beauties available through prime Surrey agent, Barton Wyatt, might give rise to a flutter or two:

March House, St George’s Hill, Weybridge Surrey                                     £8,950,000

With its sleek lines and imposing frontage, March House is designed to be a brand new ‘super home’ located on a prime 1.1 acre plot in the world famous St George’s Hill gated estate in Weybridge, Surrey. This truly spectacular property would offer stunning accommodation and is of a contemporary Mediterranean style that conveys a sense of peace, calm and tranquillity.

A home designed not just for entertaining but also for the family, March House blends both of these qualities into an intoxicating mix of elegance and style that is bound to tantalise the senses for love.

Wonderful living accommodation will be provided by three spacious reception rooms, a magnificent kitchen/breakfast/dining area, cinema room and five sumptuous bedroom suites. Key features will include a bespoke wine wall considered and built by award-winning furniture designer Ed Johnson and a spectacular two storey entertaining space 6 metres high.

With leisure facilities including a heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi and gymnasium, as well as a mature landscaped garden with large terrace to the rear finished in Portland stone, March House will truly be a heart stopper.

Long Ridge, Wentworth Estate, Surrey                                                     £5,500,000

Searching for something a little more traditional for your Valentine’s setting? Then look no further than classically styled Long Ridge. This imposing house is situated in the very heart of the exclusive Wentworth Estate.  A superb two storey family home set in gardens of one acre with a delightful heated swimming pool.

Magnificent reception rooms and a refitted kitchen/breakfast room make Long Ridge perfect for easy family living. Upstairs boasts five en-suite bedrooms plus a luxury annexe with one bedroom that would suit a nanny, granny or just for guest use. A large loft also offers buyers potential for additional space (subject to planning).

Long Ridge underwent a full renovation in 2012, which included air conditioning to the master bedroom, CCTV alarm system and new doors and windows throughout the main house.

The gated swimming pool has an electrically operated blind and pool cover and there is a large patio for entertaining. The pool house has been completely renovated and includes underfloor heating, a kitchen and shower room for those steamier moments!

Longbourn, Wentworth Estate, Surrey                                                      £4,950,000

Longbourn is a light and spacious home with an excellent flow of accommodation ideally suited to contemporary family living and entertaining. Upstairs, the five bedrooms all have en-suite bathrooms with the master boasting a fantastic vaulted ceiling and balcony overlooking the rear gardens. There is a small basement and impressive wine cellar, perfect for storing those vintage bottles ready for Valentine’s night.

Over the triple garage is a delightful one bedroom staff/au pair annexe.  The house sits in the middle of the 1.5 acre gardens, which are immaculately tended and well stocked. High hedges and mature trees give complete privacy from the adjoining properties.

Across the rear of the house is a large expanse of terrace, which leads to the outdoor pool area, carefully positioned to catch the afternoon and evening sun. There is also a large tennis/sports court with an all weather synthetic grass surface. The rear boundary borders the 15th fairway of the championship West Course, a truly beautiful outlook.

Badgers Hill, Wentworth Estate, Surrey                                                     £2,750,000

Badgers Hill is a unique and superbly presented home with adaptable accommodation set over two floors incorporating a magnificent indoor swimming pool complex amounting to 5,680 sqft in all.

The property is set behind electronically operated wrought iron gates in beautifully maintained and tended gardens of just under half an acre, with a sunny aspect and backing directly onto the Cabrera Trust Woodland Nature Reserve, a coveted and tranquil location.

The house has white washed internal walls and wooden flooring giving it a lovely clean, spacious, Dutch feel. There is an amazing kitchen for rustling up a tasty Valentine’s dinner and a gorgeous feature fireplace to complete the romantic setting.

If you’ve got that loving feeling and are in search of the perfect romantic home, contact the experts at Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Well, well Wembley – New Year, new home, new you!

Well, well Wembley – New Year, new home, new you!

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Just 56% of UK adults engage in moderate (or more intense) physical activity (BHF)
  • Wembley Park building on sporting heritage with residents’ wellbeing in mind
  • Last 26 units at Emerald Gardens now released for purchase

At this time of year our national focus shifts to working off all those extra mince pies, Christmas chocolates and New Year glasses of bubbly. Gyms across the country are lining up to entice new customers through their doors to work off the excess pounds produced by the holiday season. But the New Year doesn’t have to mean a new gym membership to add to the pile of unused resolutions from previous Januarys. Instead, smart homebuyers are building their exercise routine into their property demands, as James Saunders, COO of London-based developer Quintain, explains,

“With a wide range of sports and fitness available on site, the Wembley Park area is the epitome of a modern, well designed district for residents who are committed to regular exercise as part of their lifestyle.”

Each building at Wembley Park has been designed with residents’ wellbeing in mind. Emerald Gardens is ideally suited to those who like to work out in the sunshine, with almost an acre of landscaped gardens surrounding the contemporary apartment buildings under construction. It also has its own gym, which is due to open this summer.

With an approach of ‘new home, new you’ for the New Year, Quintain has just released the last 26 units at Emerald Gardens for sale. Buyers can move in within a matter of weeks, with the first completions due as early as April: perfect for owner occupiers wanting to be in their new home this summer.

As an area, Wembley Park is known for its commitment to physical activity. The SSE Arena, Wembley and Wembley Stadium* play host to numerous sporting events year-round. From impact wrestling at the SSE Arena to football and rugby at Wembley Stadium, sports fans area spoiled for choice. Students with a love of sport can even pursue their passion through education at UCFB Wembley, studying sports business and coaching (such as an MA in Sport Management) taught inside Wembley Stadium.

For residents who want to participate in physical activity rather than just watch, Wembley Park has everything from residents’ gyms to swimming pools, dance studios and fitness suites. There is even a set of seven five-a-side all weather football pitches and beautifully landscaped grounds that are ideal for walking and running around. There are also regular classes at Wembley Park’s Yellow Pavilion, including yoga for adults and street dance for children. Attendance is free for the first class, so residents can trial a class to see what takes their fancy.

Running is a popular way in which many residents are seeking to improve their health and maintain fitness levels. Locals can often be seen enjoying the early morning light as they run before work, on their own or in small groups. For those who like to run en masse, a number of organised activities such as the North London Half Marathon, the Asics running club and the Color Run provide a fun and inspiring environment in which to participate.

For runners looking to purchase new kit for the New Year, the prime location of London Designer Outlet is perfect for Wembley Park residents. With a Nike Factory Store, Asics, Adidas, Skechers and so much more, the designer retail outlets ensure that all those who exercise in the area look fabulous while they are doing it, whatever their chosen activity.

The British Heart Foundation’s Physical Activity Statistics 2015 publication reports that just over half of UK adults (56%) engage in moderate (or more intense) physical activity. The impact that a sedentary lifestyle has on health is staggering and highlights the importance of adding fitness features for all ages into new developments. It is one of the factors that has inspired Quintain to make residents’ health such a core component of the design at Wembley Park. It’s about making lifestyle changes easy for residents to embrace as part of their routine. Even the site’s transport network plays a part – with Bond Street, Baker Street, King’s Cross and Marylebone stations all less than 20 minutes away by tube or train, residents can enjoy spending less time commuting and more time honing their fitness regimes.

With sports and fitness available in such abundance, the Wembley Park area is the epitome of modern, well designed home for residents who are committed to improving their wellbeing both through ownership of a fabulous contemporary home and through regular exercise. It’s the perfect blend of new home and new you for the New Year.

Prices at Emerald Gardens start at £305,000. For more information, visit www.northwestvillage.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601. Viewings of the on-site show apartment will be available from February 2016 for those seeking the first opportunity to visit the site.

 

* Wembley Stadium is the property of The FA Group and run by Wembley National Stadium Limited, a subsidiary of The Football Association.

Get a property MOT: Barton Wyatt’s top 10 tips on how to sell your house this spring

Get a property MOT: Barton Wyatt’s top 10 tips on how to sell your house this spring

by Viv United Kingdom

Multi award-winning Surrey estate agent Barton Wyatt has been selling homes in the Virginia Water area, where house prices regularly top £15 million and the average price is over a million, for over 50 years. Half a century’s worth of xperience has certainly taught the team a trick or two and there is not much they don’t know about buying, selling and letting mansions in Surrey’s prime territory.

The Barton Wyatt team is trusted by Surrey’s vendors to achieve premium prices for their homes, being appointed time and time again by clients both at home and overseas, who leave the sale of their homes in the custody of the long-standing, loyal team.

Property experts are, in general, predicting a bumper year in 2016 but it will be a bumpy ride for the prime market with increased stamp duty levies hitting this sector the hardest.

With this in mind your home needs to be in the best possible shape to sell. Barton Wyatt’s expert team encourage all vendors to undertake a ‘MOT’ on their property before selling and here are their top 10 tips:

  1. First Impression – “This can be make or break” says Sales Manager Oliver Clarke. “If a potential purchaser is put off before the entering the front door then we are doomed. So take a look at the outside of your home as a stranger might see it. It might be winter and very wet but for a small sum or some time and energy you could tidy the garden and plant a pretty pot by your front door.”
  2. Odour – It may seem minor but the aroma of your house is really very important when you are selling. A simple diffuser discretely hidden in the lobby could do the trick. Some people proffer the advice of coffee and home baked bread but we are realistic, it could take a few weeks to sell your home and you cannot be there ready to turn on the bread maker at the drop of a hat.
  3. Tidy – Be obsessive about this, as it is a make or break to a prospective client. Our advice is to have a seriously good clear out before you put the house on the market – even if you bundle up your prized possessions and take them off site. Prospective buyers want to see clean lines and uncluttered work surfaces that create a feeling of space.
  4. Clean – Fresh, sparkling and inviting would be perfect. Hard to achieve when you have an active life with pets and children running amuck we know, but the cleaner your house is the easier it is to sell.
  5. Temperature – Heating houses is an expensive business. However, taking a client into a house that has sat empty for the weekend without the heating on is going to put them off instantly – keep your house ticking over at a pleasant 15° C – it will stop your pipes bursting and mean that we don’t shiver round the viewing!
  6. Animals – People’s pets are much loved by the owner but very often just the owner and not necessarily the person that is going to buy the house. Pets also can have quite a strong odour, not to mention the litter trays, food bowls and paraphernalia that goes with having an animal in the house. Try to keep pet evidence to a minimum.
  7. Bathrooms – Generally we don’t advise sellers to refit a bathroom prior to sale – unless it is really ghastly. Do the obvious instead – re-grout, re-silicon, fluffy towels, pleasant scent, clean and spotless please!
  8. Kitchen – Spare a thought for the poor estate agent as you dash out of the house without loading the dishwasher! We want to take pride in your house when we show clients around and leftover breakfast is not the first thing they want to see as they enter the kitchen.
  9. Problem areas – It is possible that you have a part of your house that you would rather not draw attention to, perhaps somewhere that is mid repair. Our recommendation: don’t put the house on the market until it is in tiptop condition. Make it your problem, not the client’s.
  10. Brief the agent – The more we are prepared to answer questions about your house the easier it will be to sell it and allay any fears that prospective buyers may have. As an estate agent we dislike not having the answers. And we particularly dislike not knowing how your gadgetry works so please do show us how to use the iPad entry system, the drop down cinema and the fancy lighting system! If we make it look easy the clients will love it. If we don’t know how it works, then they won’t.

 

These are tried and tested tips – they will make a difference and the Barton Wyatt team are here to help, so give them a call on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Unlocking Manchester’s property potential – Trend towards conversions for city living

Unlocking Manchester’s property potential – Trend towards conversions for city living

by Kate United Kingdom

The undeniable centre of the Northern Powerhouse effect, Manchester is witnessing a huge influx of businesses moving into the city from southern climes, creating an evolving marketplace. The recent Savills ‘Spotlight: The Future of Manchester’ report has revealed that the city has seen the creation of 57,000 jobs in the city centre since 2011, a figure that is greater than twice the growth seen across the UK as an entirety.

And this is just the beginning for Manchester’s business growth. The report also predicts that the city will need to house an additional 36,000 office workers in the next ten years which, given the current average annual property shortfall of around 5,100 homes and the expanding population as a whole, will be quite some feat.

With brand new developments appearing both in the city centre and edging further towards the outskirts to fulfil this blossoming need, there is a growing demand for a different type of property emerging.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, explains,

“A growing number of large corporations have moved – or are planning to move – their operations to northern centres of business, with Manchester leading the way as a far cheaper alternative to London in many ways. Savills has predicted that this will result in the need for nearly 100,000 new properties in the next ten years and therefore the question has been posed to Manchester as to how they will meet this explosive demand.

“Though a large part of this demand is being answered by the myriad of new builds under construction, since the extension of the Permitted Development Rights (PDR) there has been an emerging trend within Manchester of conversions of former industrial or office spaces, unlocking previously hidden potential in the market – and providing exciting new properties in turn.”

Appealing to the growing professional population themselves and investors alike, such developments boast all the benefits of centre city living and modern amenities, alongside character features and the high quality of an original, traditional building.

One such project that is gaining attention is Surrenden Invest’s One Cross Street. Situated in the very centre of the city, just five minutes’ walk from Manchester’s prime business and exclusive leisure district, Spinningfields, as well as from the luxury shopping district of New Cathedral Street, One Cross Street is ideally located for the new growing professional sector.

Redeveloped from the stunning structure of a former cotton mill, the original building of One Cross Street was built circa 1907 and is one of the last properties of its kind to be developed. The property is formed of 34 luxury apartments within a high-quality conversion of the original building, featuring elements of the existing structure left exposed, such as exposed brick and beams, as well as a creation of a modern new-build extension which will include two new penthouse floors featuring floor to ceiling glass walls.

Modern low-carbon technology means that the building will be one of the city’s most energy efficient, making this a future-proof investment. The passive heating environment that is created, where the building’s ambient temperature is maintained through air source heat pumps and heat recovery systems, means that running costs are incredibly low.

As part of the sense of community that is central to the project, One Cross Street boasts laundry rooms and a beautiful roof terrace, available to all residents. Properties also come fully furnished, with high quality furniture packs, as well as high end fixtures and fittings.

Studios are priced from £130,323, two-beds from £224,355, and a three and four duplex from £286,613.

Offering an unrivalled 6.2% net rental guarantee for 4 years, there is a projected 5 year return on investment of 45%.

For more information, visit www.surrendeninvest.com or contact Surrenden Invest on 0203 3726 499.

Great Expectations! New study reveals UK offers the best quality accommodation, according to students

Great Expectations! New study reveals UK offers the best quality accommodation, according to students

by Kate United Kingdom
  • UK offers a more satisfying university experience than anywhere else in the world – 91% of students overall satisfied (UK Higher Education International Unit)
  • Quality of student accommodation in the UK rated better than anywhere else (UK Higher Education International Unit)
  • Annie McConnell, University of Reading student, discovered Collegiate AC accommodation far exceeded expectations with additional facilities

The UK university experience has undeniably huge appeal, seen in the growing numbers of students studying in the country with each passing year, but whilst it is easy to look at the figures of those choosing a UK study set-up, once here, does the experience meet their great expectations?

A new study commissioned by the UK Higher Education International Unit using data from i-graduate’s International Student Barometer (ISB), has revealed that satisfaction with the UK study experience has in fact improved in recent years, with latest statistics from 2014 showing that 91% are satisfied overall, compared to 90% in 2008.

Alongside this, the UK university experience comes highly recommended: the number of those who would recommend the experience to someone else has grown by 2% in the last six years, placing the UK – the country with the greatest international student intake – firmly on the world stage as the leading higher education destination for student satisfaction.

An important aspect of this appeal is the living experience provided by student accommodation, the quality of which has been shown by the study to have improved by a percentage point to a level of 84% of students satisfied today. This places the quality of UK student properties ahead of its rivals around the world when students were asked to rate out of 4, with the UK’s satisfaction score of 3.07 ahead of Australia at 3.05 and Canada, New Zealand and the US all rating 3.01.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of the leading provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, Collegiate AC, comments on the findings,

“We are very proud to be at the leading edge of the excellent, and internationally recognised, student accommodation sector in the UK and it is fantastic to see that students are overall extremely satisfied with their university living experience. At Collegiate AC we strive to be the very best we can be and our motto ‘Student living. Just better’ is at the core of everything we do. It is heartening that this is recognised in our consistently high levels of student satisfaction both those overseas students arriving in the UK to study and with our home-grown students that choose to live at a Collegiate AC property.”

One such happy student is Annie McConnell, 18 from Glastonbury, a first-year student at the University of Reading and a resident of Collegiate AC’s Saxon Court. Annie explains how her living experience compares to her previous expectations,

“When choosing my university accommodation, I knew that I wanted to be in a halls environment so that I could make new friends, but also have my own privacy and space, and this is exactly what the individual studio setup at Saxon Court seemed to provide. After looking at the website and visiting the showroom I had an idea of what the rooms looked like, but didn’t think that my studio would be the same. I assumed that the company would have made some things look better than they are in reality – I genuinely thought what I’d seen was far too good to be true – but it turned out that this wasn’t the case at all!

“Saxon Court has exceeded my expectations, when I saw my room I was so happy. I would have just been happy with my studio let alone the gym, cinema room and dinner party room! I also didn’t expect the lounge to be so nice, it really does look like something off of a movie set, it’s incredible!”

Interestingly, although the cost of living in the UK for students has increased in recent years, student satisfaction has also increased over and above this. Further revealed by the ‘International Undergraduate Students: The UK’s Competitive Advantage’ report, the most significant study of undergraduate experience ever undertaken, there has been an increase of 7% in living cost satisfaction levels from 2008 to 2014.

As the report indicates, the ‘key here is ‘positive expectation management’’ and this is where inclusive billing by companies like Collegiate AC comes in. The leading provider ensures that energy and internet bills, for example, are part of the single fee charged, ensuring that student budgeting for cost of living is made simple and painless. Not only this but the on-site facilities offered by Collegiate AC properties, such as on-site gyms and private cinemas at no extra cost, means that, again, budgets are far more manageable.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

Surrey’s property market is no Monkey business for Chinese buyers

Surrey’s property market is no Monkey business for Chinese buyers

by Viv United Kingdom
  • February 8th marks the start of the new Chinese Year – The Year of the Monkey
  • Prime Surrey estate agent looks to the East as new buyers are attracted to Wentworth
  • New Chinese school coming to North Surrey

February is an important month for the Chinese. February 8th sees the start of the new Chinese Year – this year the naughty Monkey takes over from the staid Sheep.  The Chinese New Year also heralds the start of Golden Week in which many Chinese nationals take a week off, often overseas, to celebrate the start of their New Year.

Down in the affluent county of Surrey, Chinese property buyers have been taking a peek at what the quintessentially English village of Virginia Water and the exclusive Wentworth Estate has to offer this New Year. Increasingly attracted to the area since the purchase of The Wentworth Club in 2014 by Chinese business, the Reignwood Group who own drinks company, Red Bull.

James Wyatt, partner of prime Virginia Water estate agency Barton Wyatt, has been showing Chinese buyers around homes in the area during Golden Week for the past few years. He comments,

“It’s been interesting to see who has been enticed to look at homes in the area off the back of the Chinese company buying The Wentworth Club last year. So far they are not buyers but observers and it is apparent from the viewings that the Chinese are not looking to buy the showiest homes on Wentworth, these tend to attract the Russian and Middle Eastern buyers. Chinese interest seems to be focused on new build properties with compact beauty.

“Houses that have proven popular are packed with high tech gadgets and gizmos – but to be fair all new homes on Wentworth are very highly specced – and those with the correct feng shui. Chinese investors have also been keen on hearing about our Private Office – our concierge service which allows owners complete peace of mind.”

A new Chinese school is in the offing for North Surrey according to Barton Wyatt.  James Wyatt goes on to say:

“We are working with a client to secure premises for a new Chinese school in the area and this will definitely be the crucial decider for many looking to relocate to the area and no doubt drive further sales.”

For more details about luxury homes in Virginia Water and on the Wentworth Estate contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk

2016 – The year of the pound

2016 – The year of the pound

by Louise United Kingdom
  • Early 2016 may see the pound strengthen against the euro
  • The pound may gain strength against the dollar in the latter half of the year
  • Even Brexit wobbles won’t stop the pound from having a great 2016

One way or another, 2016 is going to be an interesting year for forex trading. Every year, forex trading software becomes more advanced as developers and programmers push technology to its limits in their pursuit of the ultimate trading platform. 2016 is going to be no exception, with even more advanced forex trading software coming onto the market over the course of the year.

It’s going to be an interesting year due to changes to forex trading laws as well. Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easy-forex, comments,

“We’re likely to see a number of countries change their forex laws this year as a result of the disastrous effects that the de-pegging action of the Swiss National Bank had on forex companies and traders.

“We will also see Russia’s forex bill fully kick in, which will be the first time that a standard regulatory protocol has been in place for the forex market in Russia. Other countries will be tightening up their forex trading laws during 2016 and the Bank of England’s Fair and Effective Markets report is set for full implementation. All in all, it’s going to be a busy year, and that’s before we’ve even looked at individual currencies and the global events likely to affect them!”

One currency that looks set to enjoy a good year in 2016 may be the pound. Certainly against the euro it should go from strength to strength in the early part of the year, with the European Central Bank looking likely to devalue the euro in order to generate inflation.

At the same time, the UK economy is looking the healthiest it’s been since pre-crisis times. Unemployment is low and wages are on the up. However inflation is still low and that is not helping sterling right now.

Two big factors will come into play for the pound in 2016 – divergent central bank policies and EU membership. Traditionally when the Fed raises rates, the Bank of England is not far behind, though Governor Mark Carney has stressed that is unlikely in the coming year.

The other big influence may be the vote on the UK’s future in Europe, which will take place in 2016 or 2017. Many companies are apprehensive about the outcome and the pound is likely to suffer in the short-term as a result.

However, the latter part of the year may see the pound rally against the US dollar. While the dollar will enjoy a strong start to 2016, the pound may make a turnaround against it as the months pass.

All in all, despite the potential Brexit wobbles, 2016 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the British pound.

For further details visit www.easy-forex.com, email pr@easy-forex.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

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