Buy now for the future – Manchester’s population set to double in 10 years as house builders race to keep up

Buy now for the future – Manchester’s population set to double in 10 years as house builders race to keep up

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Manchester’s population to grow from 7 million to 15 million by 2025 (BNY Mellon)
  • Manchester city centre is number 1 UK property hotspot for next 10 years (HouseSimple)
  • Victoria Station expansion to allow 700 more trains per day by 2019 (BDP)
  • X1 The Plaza at Eastbank to provide homes worthy of the Northern Powerhouse (Surrenden Invest)

The Manchester 2025 vision freshly set out by global investment firm BNY Mellon projects an exciting, prosperous future for the city at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse. The city is likely to attract ‘significant investment’ over the coming decade, as well as creating more than 5,000 new jobs per year, according to the detailed report.

One of the most fascinating points of Manchester 2025 is its population prediction. The report states that Manchester’s travel to work population will increase from the current 7 million residents to 15 million in 2025 – that’s a doubling of the population in just ten years.

The astonishing figure would place huge pressure on the city’s resources. While road and rail link improvements are already well underway – they are some of the reasons behind the projected growth – Manchester will need to build a large number of houses in order to welcome so many new residents.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, comments,

“Manchester is a modern, thriving city and the Northern Powerhouse initiative has focussed a lot of attention on it. It is already a great city in terms of transport links and the modern railway revolution that is currently taking place there is going to be a game-changer in terms of improving access. The population projection, though an incredible figure, is definitely realistic once you look at everything that is already underway or that is planned for Manchester over the next ten years.”

Those plans include the expansion of Victoria Station to allow 700 extra trains to run per day by 2019 according to architects BDP – a yearly passenger capacity increase of 44 million. Manchester’s Oxford Road, Ordsall Chord and Piccadilly are also on track to be substantially upgraded.

Manchester Airport is also on the list of beneficiaries when it comes to expansion, with a £1 billion plan to add more than 10 million passengers in a just one decade. The airport expansion is said to be the biggest single construction project ever to take place in the Greater Manchester area.

With such large-scale development in the pipeline and a booming population, Manchester needs to race to provide sufficient housing as the coming decade unfolds. According to HouseSimple, Manchester city centre is the number one property hotspot in the UK for the next ten years. The average house price there is currently £155,029, compared to a national average of £204,674, revealing substantial scope for rises as the population increases so swiftly.

“Remember, too, that these new urban dwellers are going to have pretty high standards when it comes to housing,” continues Surrenden Invest’s Jonathan Stephens.

“The young professionals flocking to the city are going to want well-located, high spec homes with plenty of amenities like secure parking and on-site gyms. If Manchester is serious about being the centre of the Northern Powerhouse then its property sector needs to be building homes that are worthy of that position.”

X1 The Plaza at Eastbank perfectly embodies the quality of housing that Manchester needs to be building. Consisting of 196 one, two and three bedroom apartments, along with 11 penthouses and seven townhouses, the development is within walking distance of the city centre. It is also ideally positioned for access to Manchester Piccadilly Station and Manchester Airport, providing a host of easy local, national and international travel options. The building also features 102 private, secure parking spaces and an on-site gym for residents’ exclusive use. Prices range from £124,000 to £180,000, with 6% assured net return.

UK investors with an eye for buying now for the future are expected to take a huge interest in Manchester over the coming years. Nor is investment limited to those from the UK. David Cameron has recently been selling the Northern Powerhouse to the US in order to encourage investment from across the Atlantic, in much the same way that George Osborne has previously pitched the concept to China.

As the BNY Mellon Manchester 2025 vision becomes reality and global attention increasingly focuses on the city, all signs are that residential real estate investors in Manchester are set to have a very happy ten years ahead of them.

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

Ten reasons millionaires buy their millionaire homes in Wentworth

Ten reasons millionaires buy their millionaire homes in Wentworth

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Average house price in past year £7,161,042 (Barton Wyatt)
  • 715,000 millionaires in the UK (Barclays Wealth)
  • Barton Wyatt predict further rises in house prices in their area

It is no longer uncommon to be a millionaire.  Barclays Wealth conducted a survey that suggests there are 715,000 millionaires in the UK – one in every 65 adults. They predict that in another ten years there will be almost 800,000 millionaires living on these shores.

In 2010, last time Barclays Wealth carried out their study, there were 40% fewer millionaires. The report surmised that booming house prices, bonus payments and good returns in equity markets had all had a hand to play in the rise.

Needless to say the economic powerhouse remains as London and the South East but areas outside of this have boomed too – nearly half of the ‘new’ millionaires created since 2010 live outside the southern money bubble.

The first village in the UK to have an average house price of over a million in June 2013 was Virginia Water according to Zoopla at the time, when the average house price scraped over £1,00,000. Today that has not changed significantly – Zoopla figures state £1,122,082 is the average price paid for a property in the area, representing a 5.5% increase over the past year.

Local estate agency Barton Wyatt has been in Virginia Water for 50 years and the Wyatt brothers who run this exclusive agency are no strangers to millionaires. Indeed, the average house price sale for Barton Wyatt in the past year sits at an eye watering £2,879,032.

James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt, comments:

“It has been fascinating watching Virginia Water – which encompasses the elite Wentworth – over the past 50 years. House prices have always been high here. The area has attracted kings, queens, celebrities and superstars over the years, which has in itself encouraged the inflow of further wealthy families.

“I predict that house prices in Virginia Water will continue to rise over the next ten years by something like 60%. The houses that are being built on Wentworth to replace others that have been demol

demolished are often colossal. These homes are being bought by international buyers very discreetly as an alternative to buying in overpriced London”

And why is Virginia Water and Wentworth a top spot for the jetset looking for a peaceful home in the UK?

Here are Barton Wyatt’s top ten reasons why their village has it all:

  1. Covenants – the covenants in Wentworth have restricted owners and developers alike from taking down houses and in-filling with lots of homes. One plot has to remain one plot and this has secured exclusivity and driven the prices up.
  2. Golf – the Wentworth Club has attracted top golfers for decades. Since its inception in the 1920’s Wentworth has been famed for its interesting fairways discreetly lined with large homes, which are tucked behind deep foliage. Golfers peer at the homes and owners often have good views of the course from raised vantage points.
  3. The PGA tournament – this has kept Virginia Water and Wentworth in the limelight. Wonderful TV footage of lush greens, huge conifers and enormous houses with top flight golfers vying for the number one spot has assured fame for the area.
  4. The Wentworth Club – is far from all about golf. 13 tennis courts feature a combination of surfaces for optimum seasonal playing conditions including: all weather, artificial clay and acrylic – nine of which are also floodlit. A fabulous multi gym, indoor pool and very large outside pool all add to the mix. Whether you want swimming lessons for the children, a personal trainer or just to make new friends the Wentworth Club is likely to be on the agenda for any family living nearby.
  5. Polo – There is something extremely classy about hanging out with people who do or know about Polo. They are generally extremely rich and/or very beautiful – all of which goes down very well in VW.  Guards Polo is now the largest polo club in Europe and sits within Windsor Great Park .  The Club is set in the outstanding natural surroundings of Smith’s Lawn, which is thought to have been named after a game keeper at the time of the Restoration in the 17th century and is just a short walk from the lake at Virginia Water.
  6. Virginia Water Lake – the lake was first dammed and flooded in 1753. Until the creation of the great reservoirs, it was the largest man-made body of water in the British Isles. This is a beautiful spot and wonderful to have on the doorstep. The circuit around the lake is about 4.5 miles, half paved and the other half a “natural” path, which provides easy walking conditions even with a pram or pushchair.
  7. Getting to London – easily achieved in under an hour. Trains run regularly to Waterloo and you could be at your desk in little over an hour – or of course shopping at Selfridges or Harrods.
  8. Transport Links – Heathrow airport is just 10 minutes away – essential for most residents who have homes and businesses in other parts of the world. Virginia Water sits close to the M3, M25 and M4, so getting around the UK is easy too.
  9. Schools – Some of the UK’s finest public schools are within easy reach of Virginia Water: Eton, Wellington and St Georges are popular. For international students there is a choice of two international schools tutoring the International Baccalaureate alongside the British education system.
  10. People like us – Virginia Water/Wentworth is a wealthy village – it attracts wealthy people and you know your neighbours’ children will go to the same schools, go to pony camp together and eventually as they grow – date each other. Your neighbours will have nice cars, well-kept homes and gardens and have similar values to yours. You will meet at drinks parties, go to restaurants and bump into them in the village. They will be like you and this is why they live here – because they are People like us.

An example of two houses that are on the market and would suit ‘People like us!’

Windsor House, Woodland Road East                                   £6,950,000

Magnificent master bedroom suite with his and hers dressing rooms and bath/shower rooms, five further bedroom and bath/shower room suites, drawing room, dining room, study, family room, garden room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, three ground floor cloakrooms, gymnasium/staff accommodation over a triple garage, outdoor swimming pool, south facing gardens amounting to approximately one acre in all.

A stunning brand new Wentworth mansion house ready for immediate occupation and fully furnished if desired. Set in a wonderful south facing one acre plot in a highly desirable location within the Wentworth Estate, just a short walk from the picturesque village shops and mainline station, and approximately one mile from the world renowned Wentworth Golf and Country Club.

Wellington House, Wentworth                                                                £7,450,000

This virtually brand new residence was completed in 2011 to an exceptional style and quality in this superb location. The property offers in excess of 11,000 square foot of luxury!

The specification is of the highest order using individual and hand built craftsmanship. There is a superb entrance way which leads to a dining hall with casement doors onto the garden. The principle rooms lead off the main hall and there is a grand staircase to the first floor. Approached off the hall is the cloakroom, study, drawing room and magnificent kitchen/breakfast room which measures 45ft x 27ft. This room is equipped with a comprehensive bespoke range of hand painted wall and floor Shaker style cupboards with stone work surfaces and a good range of appliances including Wolf cooker, sub-zero American style fridge freezer etc.

For leisure there is a superb indoor pool, and sauna.

There is an annexe kitchen with a comprehensive range of cupboards and work surfaces for entertaining on a grand scale. The bathroom en-suites and cloakrooms all have Villeroy and Bosch sanitary ware. On the first floor, there are four bedroom suites, the master bedroom suite is truly sumptuous with a sitting room, dressing area and en-suite bathroom. There is also access to the balcony overlooking the beautiful south facing grounds. On the second floor, there are two further bedrooms, both en-suite and a large storeroom.

The property is in private and well screened grounds of approximately one acre with a southerly aspect and this view is enjoyed from the principal rooms of the house. French doors on the ground floor lead out onto a sizeable sun terrace which stretches the width of the property and provides excellent space for al fresco dining. The main part of the garden is made up of a well maintained area of lawn surrounded by a wealth of mature shrubs and beds. To the front of the property there are wrought iron electric gates with brick piers opening onto the large driveway which leads to the triple garage with staff flat above. There is ample parking for vehicles.

For more details contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk

Leading property PR agency AB Property Marketing celebrates 10 years at the top

Leading property PR agency AB Property Marketing celebrates 10 years at the top

by Charly United Kingdom World
  • AB Property Marketing celebrates 10 years at the top of its game
  • Property sector glams up and descends on Mayfair for glitzy reception
  • From Albania to Wembley Park, ABPM has promoted developments worldwide

The great and the good of the property sector descended on Mayfair last Thursday as property PR agency AB Property Marketing celebrated its 10th anniversary with a glitzy reception.

Staff, clients, journalists, editors, writers and many more came together to toast the agency’s success over the past decade. Founder and Managing Director, Charlotte Ashton, comments,

“After ten years of working with property clients in the UK and overseas, it is fantastic to look back and reflect upon the success that AB Property Marketing has achieved. We’ve supported clients across the world from Albanian to Wembley Park, to gain recognition for their developments, boosting their sales figures and helping them to achieve their goals.

“It’s both gratifying and a little humbling to realise how much we have achieved. I’m proud to have been a part of the sector for so long and to have such a great team to work with in order to support our clients. I’ve also made some life-long friends over the years – all told it’s been a fantastic decade!”

Guests hailed from across the UK and Europe, joining with the AB Property Marketing team to raise a glass of prosecco to toast the company’s birthday.

James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt estate agency, Surrey NAEA Chair and long-standing client of AB Property Marketing, observes,

“Many years into using ABPM and I’m still amazed at their drive, their top-drawer contacts, their inventive ideas and their wonderful sense of fun.”

As with all good things, the night had to come to an end eventually and Managing Director Charlotte is, as ever, firmly focused on the future. Thanking all those who attended, she comments,

“It’s been wonderful that people have come from so far to celebrate with us. I’d like to thank each and every person here tonight for their continued support; AB Property Marketing is very much a team effort and without you, we would not exist. The last decade has been amazing and I look forward to celebrating with you once again in 2025!”

For all your property marketing and public relations needs, contact AB Property Marketing on +44 845 054 7524 or visit www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk

Live, work and play at Wembley Park

Live, work and play at Wembley Park

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Revitalised Wembley Park drawing in visitors and residents alike
  • Developer Quintain creating a community as well as a skyline
  • Pienna Apartments available from just £375,000

Wembley Park is rapidly becoming one of London’s most desirable residential districts. Extensive revitalization by London-based property developer Quintain has given the area a brand new lease of life with Londoners flocking to live, work and play in Wembley Park.

Quintain’s COO James Saunders comments,

“When we began redeveloping Wembley Park we knew that this was going to be a huge project. It’s about so much more than just constructing buildings – it is about creating a community, a place where people want to spend their time. Of course, it’s also about building beautiful residences that enhance the skyline of this world-class city.”

Wembley Park has long been a popular destination for day visitors, thanks to its sporting and music venues, but adding soul to the area and developing it into somewhere that Londoners would want to spend their evening and leisure time was an ambitious undertaking. The goal has been to create a community where people want to live, work and play and that is precisely what Quintain is achieving.

Helen Chan purchased a studio apartment in Wembley Park’s Forum House when it launched. She also owns a shop with a long lease in London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park’s shopping and leisure complex.

Helen bought the apartment as an investment to rent out and has been delighted with the purchase. She lets it via Wembley Park Residential, Quintain’s dedicated letting team subsidiary. The team has already completed more than 500 lets across the Quadrant Court and Forum House buildings. To date, Helen hasn’t had a single void period for her apartment.

When London Designer Outlet launched, Helen purchased a unit in order to open bubble tea outlet Chaboba. Serving a handful of selected Asian fast food dishes, as well as the popular Taiwanese bubble tea, Chaboba is thriving and Helen is thrilled that she opted for both a commercial and a residential investment in Wembley Park.

The area’s combined appeal is precisely what Quintain has been so keen to achieve. Wembley Park has been transformed from a destination just to visit into a bustling community that is attracting permanent residents and workers from across London and beyond. With excellent transport facilities and local amenities ranging from top restaurants to cultural attractions and retail outlets, Wembley Park really does have everything one could wish for.

Those seeking a home in the fantastic new Wembley Park can purchase a one bedroom apartment from £375,000 or a two bed from £495,000 at the recently launched Pienna Apartments, which form part of Quintain’s Alto Apartments. On-site benefits include a 24-hour concierge service and residents-only gym complete with studio room and spa treatment rooms. As well as stylish, contemporary interiors, most apartments also enjoy their own private outdoor space or balcony.

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

Property porn available on the High Street 24/7 at the touch of a button

Property porn available on the High Street 24/7 at the touch of a button

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Ingenious touch pad window installed in Barton Wyatt’s High Street office
  • Intelligent 60-inch screen able to capture client details 24/7
  • Barton Wyatt has welcomed a steady stream of house hunters viewing multi-million pound pads

Luxury Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt is frequently ahead of the technology game – Partner brothers James and Rupert Wyatt were the first Surrey NAEA members to have an Apple and Android app, the first local agent to outsource telephone answering in busy periods and the first to utilize video books as 21st century property particulars.

Now Barton Wyatt have taken their love of new technology to the next level by installing an ‘intelligent’ window in their High Street office display.

This incredible, 60-inch touch screen is embedded into the office window and acts exactly like an enormous tablet. Passers-by are able to search for new homes to buy and rent, registering their details 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The quintessentially English village of Virginia Water, which could be considered a sleepy hollow by some, has been highly entertained by the equipment.

Jaqueline Chambers from Wentworth Patisserie, which is next door to Barton Wyatt;

“Trust the Barton Wyatt boys to come up with such a brilliant device! Several of my customers have mentioned it, you could call it the talk of the town.”

James Wyatt comments:

“I’ve always loved ingenious devices and this is definitely a brilliant new tool for selling homes and connecting with our clients. The touch screen is high resolution, the screen can even be seen in bright sunlight and it’s incredibly easy to use. Prospective buyers who arrive home from work in London can browse our stock, tell us they want a valuation or just ask us to give them a call even when the office is closed.

“We’ve only had the intelligent screen in situ for four weeks and have already had a great deal of activity. It’s proving incredibly popular.”

So if you’re passing by Barton Wyatt’s window on Virginia Water High Street, why not give it a try?

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

London’s newest Housing Zones in the crosshairs for property investors

London’s newest Housing Zones in the crosshairs for property investors

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Ilford town centre designated as new London Housing Zone (GLA)
  • Ilford property values rise 24.53% in 5 years (Zoopla)
  • Housing Zones driving investor interest in London (Surrenden Invest)

London’s Housing Zones are areas that have been identified as part of the Mayor’s Housing Strategy as locations that are in desperate need of new housing and which have high development potential. The Housing Zones have created a new way to speed up house building in the capital. They have also acted as a magnet for property investors keen to be part of London’s rapidly evolving future.

According to data presented by BBC Inside Out, London needed more than 250,000 new homes built from 2011-2014, yet actual build numbers languished almost 100,000 units below that target. It’s a disparity that Londoners are all too familiar with and is one of the reasons that prices in the capital have risen to steeply. The situation is such that Rightmove predicts that the average London home could reach a price tag of £1 million by 2020.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, observes,

“London’s Housing Zones have been designed to speed up the rate at which new property is built and brought to market. The city’s housing crisis needs urgent attention and this is one way in which the Mayor’s Office is seeking to help alleviate the situation. It’s a smart move that looks set to benefit Londoners in each of the designated zones. At the same time, it has captured the attention of investors by flagging up areas with outstanding potential.”

Ilford, in the borough of Redbridge, is a great example of one such area. Already a well-resourced, family-focused area packed with shops and restaurants, Ilford town centre is set to benefit hugely from its new Housing Zone status. New homes will see up to 4,000 construction jobs created, with Helen Coomb, Redbridge Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Planning Councillor, commenting,

“Receiving this funding is great news for Redbridge and will allow us to deliver much needed housing in the area. This level of investment from the GLA will bring improved transport along with the arrival of Crossrail and new jobs will boost the local economy and provide great new facilities for our community.”

Plans for those facilities have already reached a value of £1 billion, including work to improve Crossrail stations such as Seven Kings and Ilford, street improvements, the enhancement of open spaces and town centre regeneration work.

Ilford is certainly an area that is welcoming new development. Property values there have risen by 5.71% in the last year, according to Zoopla, and by 24.53% in the past five years, as the lack of new housing and the Crossrail effect in this popular location have served to impact on the market. Of all the areas set to benefit from Crossrail, Jones Lang LaSalle has projected that Ilford will lead the way in terms of price growth.

All of this is great news for those investing in the housing schemes that are being developed. One of the latest in Ilford is Horizon Ilford, a mixed use building including studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments. The sustainable design includes green ‘living’ walls, photovoltaic cells on the upper levels, rainwater harvesting and a centralised heating system that combined with smart design will ensure that less heat escapes from the building, lowering energy consumption and reducing residents’ energy bills. It’s being hailed as a sustainable building for a sustainable community.

Just a short walk (5-7 minutes) from Seven Kings station and a slightly longer stroll (10-12 minutes) from Ilford station, Horizon Ilford is certainly well within the Crossrail catchment area. It’s also ideally located for good local schools, shops and restaurants. Investment will include a 15% down payment, with the balance due on completion some two years from now.

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

Zone 4 – it’s closer than you think!

Zone 4 – it’s closer than you think!

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Wembley Park in zone 4 ‘closer’ to Central London than many zone 3 locations
  • London Marylebone in just 9 minutes and the West End in 19
  • Heathrow and London City airports reachable within 45 minutes

London’s transport infrastructure is a curious thing. Broadly banded into six zones, radiating outward from the central zone 1, it is a quirk of the system that due to the varying speeds of overland train and Tube lines, zone 4 locations such as Wembley Park can often be ‘closer’ to the city centre than many of those in zone 3.

With three train stations, three Underground lines, the over-ground network and two National Rail lines, Wembley Park is certainly extremely well connected. James Saunders, COO of Quintain, the company behind Wembley Park’s substantial revitalisation, comments,

“One of Wembley Park’s many attractions is its connectivity. As well as being a fantastic lifestyle destination in its own right, the West End is just 19 minutes away, providing residents with access to world-class theatres, shops and restaurants. With over-ground trains, the Metropolitan line, Bakerloo line and Jubilee line to choose from, residents are spoiled for choice when it comes to transportation options.

“From a work perspective, Wembley Park residents can reach London Marylebone in 9 minutes, Baker Street in 12 minutes and Bond Street and Kings Cross in 19 minutes. London Bridge is just 25 minutes away and Canary Wharf can be reached in 32. And of course from September there is the added advantage of the Jubilee line running round-the-clock on Fridays and Saturdays to suit London’s 24 hour lifestyle.”

The area also benefits from excellent road connections, with easy access to the M1, M40, M25 and A406 and the planning of Wembley Park includes 3,000 parking spaces on site (residents’ secure underground parking spaces available at additional cost).

As well as swift access to Central London, Wembley Park is also well positioned for a range of other national and international destinations. It is possible to reach both Heathrow and London City airports within 45 minutes by train. Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports are just a little further away, at 65, 71 and 77 minutes by rail respectively, according to Transport for London. All five airports can also be reached even more swiftly by road.

“Whether you want to head into London daily for work, or jet off around the world for your holidays, it’s easy to do from Wembley Park,” continues James Saunders. “Many of those who have bought apartments here are delighted at just how well connected the area is.”

Nagesh and Jayasri Duvvuri are two of those to benefit from Wembley Park’s excellent location. The couple moved to the area from Reading with their son in order to be closer to Jayasri’s work. Her commute from Reading to Canary Wharf was just too much of a chore and so the family looked at parts of London to relocate to. They dismissed living in Canary Wharf itself, then Harrow, then Sudbury. Then they came across Forum House in Wembley Park. The family fell in love with both the location and the property. The selection of excellent local primary schools sealed the deal.

Quintain’s current residential offering at Wembley Park is the stylish, contemporary apartments of Alto Apartments. The one, two and three bedroom residences are ideal for those who want to get the most out of London, whether they are enjoying their local area or travelling to another part of the capital. Prices start at £375,000 for a one bedroom home, with show apartments launching on 10/09/15 – book your place now at www.alto-apartments.com.

For further details, visit www.alto-apartments.com or call the Savills Sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

Wembley Park architects reveal the secrets to creating one of London’s most stylish skylines

Wembley Park architects reveal the secrets to creating one of London’s most stylish skylines

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Alto Apartments at Wembley Park launched on 10th September 2015
  • Emphasis is on views of the iconic landscape and sustainable outdoor space
  • Design complements Wembley Park’s history while leading its future

Award-winning architects Flanagan Lawrence have revealed some rare and fascinating insights into what it takes to design the skyline in one of London’s most iconic areas. Following the launch of Alto Apartments on 10th September 2015, Chris Kallan Flanagan Lawrence’s Associate Director, has shared the firm’s vision behind the delightfully contemporary development. He explains,

“Creating a residential development in the middle of Wembley Park, which has already seen significant revitalization work, was an interesting and exciting challenge. There are a number of local landmarks to consider, as well as stunning views over London and we really wanted to maximize that backdrop.”

That meant designing apartments with deep terraces that would showcase the beauty of London’s skyline. The clean, crisp, modernist design takes inspiration from the striking Brent Civic Centre and The SSE Arena, Wembley, in terms of both form and materials.

“In an area like Wembley Park,” continues Kallan, “it’s a question of working within the existing framework to blend with the location’s history while at the same time pushing the boundaries of creativity in design to inform the area’s future.”

The result is the four residential buildings that comprise Alto Apartments. The towers sit harmoniously within the local landscape, their stepped tiers and symmetrical lines setting the tone for the development. The considered approach is demonstrated through numerous elements, including the delightful residents’ garden situated at the heart of the buildings, where landscaped gardens mark a visual procession that connects to the Paul Daisley Gardens. Careful consideration has also been given to the relevance of the North/South axis, with sunlight hours maximized for those enjoying the gardens, as well as the individual apartments.

The design of Alto Apartments began back in March 2014 when Flanagan Lawrence was appointed by Wembley Park developer, Quintain. It is the second time that the two companies have collaborated on such a large-scale project.

Quintain’s COO James Saunders has been delighted with the outcome of the partnership, commenting,

“The thoughtful design behind Alto Apartments has resulted in a new level of contemporary homes for Londoners. As you enter the buildings, the lobby is reminiscent of a modern boutique hotel, complete with 24-hour concierge. It’s a look and a feel that fits beautifully with what our customers are demanding, both inside and out.”

Inside the individual apartments, the meticulous design flows beautifully. Full height windows maximize the light that floods into the spacious, open plan living/kitchen/dining area. Generously sized balconies add a delightful outdoor element to the living space. Storage cupboards have been provided to enable residents to keep their apartments looking wonderfully elegant and uncluttered. Even the appliances are in keeping with the tone – there is a heated wall for towels in the bathroom and the kitchen features Siemens appliances.

Those keen to discover for themselves the mastery behind Quintain’s latest residential offering are invited to visit the new show apartments, open from 10th September 2015. Showcasing the carefully considered layout and high quality internal finish available at the new Alto Apartments, where one bedroom properties are available from £375,000 and two beds from £495,000, book your place at the launch now by visiting www.alto-apartments.com or calling the onsite Savills Sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

In the dock: Why Liverpool’s Albert Dock is giving London’s Royal Albert Dock a run for its money

In the dock: Why Liverpool’s Albert Dock is giving London’s Royal Albert Dock a run for its money

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Albert Dock visitor numbers up 21% in Q1 2015 (Albert Dock Liverpool)
  • Average North West property is £375k cheaper than average London property (Land Registry)
  • Liverpool docklands buy-to-let property available from just £109,950 (Surrenden Invest)

Liverpool and London’s dockland areas have much in common. Both played an important role in England’s shipping and mercantile history and suffered a decline as their commercial viability waned over the years. Now, both areas have been reinvented as attractive locations to live, work and play. But which has the edge?

According to Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, it is Liverpool’s Albert Dock that is turning investors’ heads these days.

“London’s Royal Albert Dock is undoubtedly a great place to live and to invest, but when it comes to residential property, Albert Dock in Liverpool is definitely the place to be right now. Unlike London, prices there are still fantastically low – well below the UK average, in fact – and offer huge scope for capital gain. Liverpool’s population is booming and tenant demand is high, with low void periods and high yields making the Northern Docklands a seriously exciting investment prospect.”

After lying derelict for nearly a decade, redevelopment work began at Albert Dock in 1982, with the official reopening in 1984. Some 30 years on art galleries, museums, swanky bars and funky independent shops sit alongside high-end new homes at Liverpool’s Docklands, backed by the stunning waterfront setting.

The Terrace at The Quarter, due for completion in Q4 2016, is the fourth phase in the award-winning ‘The Quarter.’ Just five minutes’ walk from Albert Dock, the development will offer 110 luxurious one and two bedroom apartments. The contemporary homes will be complemented by an onsite gymnasium and investors can look forward to strong capital growth and 6% p.a. assured for three years.

Tenant demand for such accommodation is strong and growing. According to the Office for National Statistics, Liverpool’s population is younger than the country’s average, with 42.3% of inhabitants under the age of 30 (compared with 37.4% nationally). These dynamic youngsters are enjoying the city’s booming professions, which include pharmaceuticals and bio-science, law, finance and wealth management, as well a booming knowledge economy thanks to new media and computer game development.

Those living in the Northern Docklands can also delight in the appeals of their area – Albert Dock attracted more than a million visitors during Q1 2015, according to official figures from Albert Dock Liverpool. Tate Liverpool and The Beatles Story were two of the most popular attractions, while the inaugural Albert Dock Rum Festival also played its part.

While in London such opportunities also abound and generate strong demand from tenants, it is the low price point of Liverpool’s residential property that is proving so attractive to investors in buy-to-let accommodation. According to data from the Land Registry House Price Index issued in August 2015, the average price of a house in England and Wales is £183,861. Prices in London are well above this, with an average price of £488,782, yet in the North West the average price is just £114,064.

Such disparity makes the Liverpool docklands incredibly affordable for buy-to-let investors, compared to its London counterpart. Investors looking to be part of the Albert Dock’s bright future can purchase residential buy-to-let accommodation at The Terrace at The Quarter through Surrenden Invest from £109,950.

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

Rugby Ranking: New data reveals the property winners and losers of the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Rugby Ranking: New data reveals the property winners and losers of the 2015 Rugby World Cup

by Kate United Kingdom
  • 13 locations across England and Wales will play host to the 2015 Rugby World Cup
  • co.uk releases new ‘Rugby Ranking’ revealing which venues have registered greatest property price growth in last 5 years
  • The Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford takes top spot with 35.6% increase, followed by Twickenham Stadium with 28.6%

The 2015 Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday 18th September at Twickenham, with home nation England taking on Fiji in the first head-to-head of the tournament that will run for the next six weeks.

Yet it is not just the rugby that is drawing the crowds to these 13 key sporting locations around England and Wales. New ‘Rugby Ranking’ data released by Urban.co.uk, the UK’s original online estate agent, reveals how each location rates in terms of its property price growth in recent years – and the results certainly make for interesting reading.

Whilst Twickenham Stadium will be the venue for the exciting climax of the sporting tournament on 31st October, it is not the location that takes the trophy for the greatest price growth in the last five years. The ultimate prize is awarded to The Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford which has seen outstanding property value growth of 35.6%, taking 2010’s average value of £310,863 to £421,542 today.

England’s home ground of Twickenham Stadium is however home to the most expensive property, with today’s average value standing at £557,305, an impressive 28.6% higher than five years previous and ensuring the location takes 2nd place in the Urban.co.uk Rugby Ranking.

Following very closely behind with an average 28.3% growth in property prices and taking 3rd place is the area directly around Wembley Stadium, whose average house price in 2010 stood at £324,921, whereas today it is a massive £417,013.

Another location with over 20% growth is that within the near vicinity of Brighton Community Centre in Sussex, where today’s average property price stands at £386,296, 22.3% up on 2010’s £315,948. Taking 5th place in the Rugby Ranking is Stadium MK (Milton Keynes), the top rugby location outside of the south-east for property price growth, witnessing a 19.1% increase in the past five years, taking 2010’s average of £177,143 to £210,936 today.

Next in line is Leicester City Stadium, the venue that will play host to Argentina versus Tonga on 4th October. Here house prices have grown by 12.6% in the past five years (from £182,911 to £206,042), ensuring that the location stands at 6th place. Following this venue in the location listing is Manchester City Stadium at 7th place, whose average house prices have increased by 11.8% (from £101,079 to £112,966).

The only Welsh location playing host to the Rugby World Cup is the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff and it is this stadium that takes 8th place in the Rugby Ranking. Here, 11.2% property price growth has been seen over the past five years, with 2010’s £160,133 standing at £178,144 today.

Following closely behind is the only south-west 2015 World Cup venue, Exeter’s Sandy Park, having registered 11.1% price growth since 2010’s £225,325. Today’s average value of £250,273 places Devon’s key stadium in 9th place.

Standing at 10th place in the Rugby Ranking is the north-east’s St James’ Park, situated in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and registering 9.7% growth from 2010 to 2015. Five years ago the average property in the vicinity was priced at £145,899, whereas today it is an impressive £160,077. Falling behind this location is Kings Holm Stadium, Gloucester, where the second match of the 2015 tournament will take place. Here average property prices, according to Urban.co.uk, stand at £148,287, 9.5% up on 2010’s £135,395.

Whilst all of the locations have seen property price growth in the past five years, the final two stadium locations of the 2015 Rugby World Cup have done less well. In 12th place, Leeds’ Elland Road saw an average property value of £86,626 in 2010, with today’s average of £94,742 totting up a 9.4% growth.

Taking the final place is the Urban.co.uk Rugby Ranking is Birmingham’s Villa Park, with the lowest property price growth off all Rugby World Cup venues over the last five years, with just 8.3% growth, taking average prices from £96,493 in 2010 to £104,518 today.

Commenting on this enlightening new data, Adam Male, Founder of Urban.co.uk an online estate agent with 10-years’ experience in both lettings and sales, gives his take on their Rugby Ranking,

“It is clear that being close to a UK rugby venue can have an effect on house prices but it is interesting to see how much this can vary across the country. Whilst the affluent south-east is known to have seen rapid property price growth in recent times, other areas across the UK, such as Milton Keynes and Leicester, appear to have also witnessed impressive increases in the past five years when you look close to the key stadium locations.

“With the 2015 Rugby World Cup on the doorstep of these locations, this will ensure that these 13 important sporting locations are the focus of attention worldwide. It remains to be seen what further effect this will have on their house prices of the future and we will watch with interest.”

For more information, visit Urban.co.uk or call 0800 6899955.