House building accelerates at Wembley Park, with ceremony to celebrate dual success

House building accelerates at Wembley Park, with ceremony to celebrate dual success

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Topping out ceremony at Emerald Gardens, where sales have reached 90%
  • GLA Deputy Mayor for Housing supports acceleration of London home building
  • Wembley Park is London’s latest lifestyle destination

Wembley Park has undergone significant revitalisation in recent years. While retaining the area’s rich heritage, developer Quintain has considerately added a range of stylish accommodation options, along with the fantastic LDO shopping experience, to turn Wembley Park into one of London’s hottest lifestyle locations.

Now, this exciting part of North West London has reached a significant milestone in its development of mid-mainstream housing, marked by a well-attended topping out and ground breaking ceremony on 29th July 2015.

Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property at the Greater London Authority, Richard Blakeway, was the guest of honour, extolling the importance of accelerating homebuilding in London, of which Wembley Park is a shining example.

James Saunders, COO of Quintain, who also attended the event comments,

“It has been wonderful to take time to celebrate the topping out of Emerald Gardens. This is a significant step in speeding up the supply of new homes for Londoners and in building a Wembley Park that is a joy for people to live in now and for future generations.”

The topping out of Emerald Gardens, Quintain’s current residential offering at North West Village, Wembley Park, comes as sales figures for the development hit the 90% mark.  Inspired by London’s famous garden squares, Emerald Gardens consists of 475 apartments spread across seven buildings, set in almost an acre of landscaped grounds. Most have their own private outdoor space, with the contemporary design providing a range of balcony or terraced options.

The studio, one, two and three bedroom homes at Emerald Gardens combine the elegance of London living with a host of practical amenities such as a 24 hour concierge and security service, a gym, a private cinema and a residents’ club room.

Mike Higgins, Director of Sisk, Emerald Gardens’ appointed contractor, comments,

“Sisk are delighted to be involved in the construction of Emerald Gardens, which maintains our ongoing strategic partnership with Quintain over the last 10 years, driving forward the provision of stylish, contemporary new homes for Londoners at Wembley Park.”

The blending of new architecture with the existing grace of Wembley Park, as demonstrated so perfectly by Emerald Gardens, has been one of the successes of the development to date. Buildings have been carefully designed to appeal both to current Wembley Park residents and to those attracted to the area by the superb lifestyle it offers.

Not only did the 29th July ceremony celebrate the topping out of Emerald Gardens, but it also marked the ground breaking milestone for the development’s exciting second phase, Alto Apartments: 19 floors of contemporary, mid-market homes. The first phase, Pienna Apartments, will comprise 133 stylish homes, reaching up to 19 storeys, priced from £355,000 and launching in September 2015.

For further details, visit http://www.northwestvillage.com/ or call the Savills Sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

School’s out for summer…Collegiate keep the student lifestyle going with new Summer Lets

School’s out for summer…Collegiate keep the student lifestyle going with new Summer Lets

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Collegiate AC provide Summer Lets in 6 different locations across the UK, including London the world’s most popular capital in 2015
  • Collegiate AC accommodation is available during the summer months for all students, not just current residents
  • Rates starting from just £140 a week

With lecture halls and common rooms having closed their doors for the summer holiday, the majority of students will be saying goodbye to their university family and moving back home. However, an alternative option is now available, a way of continuing the student lifestyle into the summer season and making the most of the holidays.

As the leading provider of luxury student properties in the UK, Collegiate AC are offering Summer Lets, with a selection of their accommodation available for the summer break.

With 11 properties located across 6 different UK citiesrticipating, Collegiate AC residents have the chance to stay in their accommodation or take advantage of the opportunity to visit an entirely different city for the summer. The scheme also provides students, who are not currently Collegiate AC residents, the chance to upgrade their summer experience with a taste of luxury living.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, explains further,

“We have certainly noticed a rise in demand for Summer Lets this year, whether students have enrolled on a summer course, organised a work placement, are attending a festival or simply visiting friends and family. Collegiate AC accommodation offers current residents a sense of familiarity during the summer break, as well as allowing students who have not yet stayed with us to experience the benefits of the outstanding facilities featured in our properties.”

Figures released last month reveal that London is the world’s most popular capital, with 18.82 million visitors expected to make overnight trips this year. With accommodation available, Collegiate AC residents are also flocking to London to spend the summer there and Halsmere Studios, located in the heart of South London, provides the perfect base for those looking to discover the capital.

Spanning one period property and one modern building, the studios are spacious and well designed with comfortable furnishings. The property includes a range of features, such as secure bike storage, high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi throughout and a private garden and BBQ area to make the most of the British sunshine.

As well as London, other locations are becoming increasingly popular with students, from those looking to experience Edinburgh’s celebrated Fringe festival to those heading towards the coast for MTV ‘crashes’ Plymouth. Collegiate AC’s Summer Lets are available in ideal summer destinations to all students, even those that are not currently Collegiate AC residents, with prices starting from just £140 a week.

Situated close to Plymouth city centre, and less than 40 minutes from Cornwall’s stunning coastline, St Augustine’s House is another Collegiate AC property, perfect for a summer retreat. With much larger than average student rooms, the range of contemporary studio, one and two bedroomed apartments all have high-gloss kitchens, individual en-suite facilities, flat-screen TVs, double beds and generous study and storage space. Additional facilities include a private gym, bike storage and a fantastic roof terrace perfect for enjoying long summer evenings.

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

Ask the experts: How to get more from your Wembley Park rental property

Ask the experts: How to get more from your Wembley Park rental property

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Over 70% of private landlords opt to use Wembley Park Residential
  • 4 out of 5 tenants look for furnished apartments
  • Redecorate and replace every 5-7 years

When it comes to Wembley Park, nobody knows the residential rental market like Lettings Manager Ashley Payne and his team at Wembley Park Residential. Established in 2008 as a subsidiary of British-based developer, Quintain, the team has completed over 500 lets across Forum House and Quadrant Court, two of the core residential offerings of the significant revitalization project taking place at Wembley Park, and is now managing lettings at the current phase, Emerald Gardens.

“We provide a trusted and reliable service that over 70% of private landlords at Wembley Park prefer to use,” explains Ashley. “We take pride in our profession. All our staff are fully trained by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and hold a range of professional qualifications. Our documents are produced by a specialist legal firm and we have a dedicated onsite manager to handle all aspects of property maintenance. We cover all the angles so that landlords and tenants alike can feel relaxed and reassured when using our service.”

With more than 25 years’ combined experience letting and managing residential property across London, the team knows just how to maximize a rental property’s value. Ashley shares his insights into how to get more from your Wembley Park rental property:

1. Find the best tenant

Having a successful rental property relies on your tenants paying their rent on time and wanting to stay in the property for an extensive period. At Wembley Park, along with advertising online (in particular with the ever popular Rightmove), we also have tenants who upsize and downsize within the buildings and who recommend their family and friends to our services.  We also benefit from site signage advertising our services. Altogether, this gives us a healthy database of applicants old and new who are interested in renting apartments in Wembley Park, so we know precisely what prospective tenants are looking for from their rental property. Knowing Wembley Park inside out means that we can pair each apartment with the perfect tenant, thus encouraging longer stays by having happier tenants.

2. Think about the furniture

Four out of five tenants are looking for a furnished apartment so modern furnishings that suit the quality finish of the apartment are essential. Plan to purchase (as a minimum) a sofa, dining table with chairs, TV stand and coffee table for the living room, double bed, headboard, mattress, chest of drawers, bedside tables and freestanding wardrobe (if a built-in wardrobe is not in place).

3. Choose the best management company

Using a management company such as Wembley Park Residential, which is actually based on site and knows the properties inside and out, is a smart move for landlords. It means the team is perfectly positioned to manage the apartment compared to an offsite company, which may not be so intricately familiar with elements of the development such as the heating system or the ventilation.

Wembley Park Residential undertakes inspections every six months on behalf of private owners, at no extra cost. This means we can let owners know if any changes are required and ensure that tenants are happy in their homes.

4. Know how to price correctly

Pricing your rental property correctly is essential. If the rent is too low, you will miss out on income. If it’s too high, you may struggle to find a tenant and end up with a void period. With over 500 lettings already successfully completed on site over the past seven years, and being highly aware of current market conditions, we have a wealth of knowledge to drawn upon when it comes to setting rents, whether for a studio, one, two or three bedroom apartment.

5. Be the best landlord you can be

Being a good landlord is about more than just buying a property and renting it out. You can maximize your tenant’s happiness by always responding to queries quickly and ensuring that any repairs are carried out swiftly. Use contractors who are familiar with the development and have been tried and tested.

6. Keep the property refreshed

Remember that rental properties require repainting and recarpeting from time to time, as well as needing their white goods, soft furnishings and other items replaced. We recommend refreshing a property every five to seven years as a minimum. Your tenant will appreciate the commitment to keeping their home looking tiptop and will likely be happy to stay there longer.

With Wembley Park making headlines as one of London’s most desirable lifestyle destinations, accommodation is highly sought after. Tenants can enjoy an onsite, 24 hour concierge, pre-wired fibre optic to all apartments, videophone entry systems, an Envac recycling waste management system and secure underground parking, as well as a location on the doorstep of a huge range of local amenities, from fitness centres to designer shopping and eating at LDO and endless entertainment options at The SSE Arena, Wembley.

Price of apartments at Emerald Gardens, the current residential offering under construction at Wembley Park, start at £366,000. Estimated rents are from £288 per week for a studio, £312 pw for a one bedroom apartment and £390 pw for a two bedroom. For further details, visit http://www.northwestvillage.com/, call the Savills Sales team on +44 20 3151 8601 or call Wembley Park Residential on 0845 201 1205.

Happy Londoners move to green spaces for long-term health benefits

Happy Londoners move to green spaces for long-term health benefits

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Relocating to a green space improves mental health (University of Exeter)
  • Quintain to create London’s newest garden square – Elvin Square Gardens
  • Emerald Gardens provides contemporary apartments in nearly an acre of gardens
  • Mayor of London looks to ‘lifetime neighbourhoods’ to meet Londoners’ needs

Londoners know that summer in the capital is about being outdoors: taking early morning exercise, long evenings in the parks and weekend picnics and barbecues with friends, making the most of the city’s green spaces. Now it seems that the Mayor’s office is also supporting Londoners’ love of the great outdoors as witnessed in the recent publication of its guidance for planners on meeting the social needs of Londoners.

The Social Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Guidance focuses on ensuring that London has the schools, hospitals and places of worship that its needs for its growing population. But the guidance also considers the wellbeing of Londoners in terms of access to open spaces, with a view to ‘creating places people can live their whole lives.’

It is an ethos that is much in evidence in the massive revitalisation project led by British-developer Quintain in Wembley Park. The North West Village residential development will include the creation of a brand new London square, Elvin Square Gardens, a public space in the heart of urban Wembley for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. It is part of a master plan that is transforming Wembley Park from the home of concerts and sporting events into a destination in which to live in its own right.

But it’s not just the public areas of Wembley Park that are in keeping with the Mayor’s vision of ‘lifetime neighbourhoods.’ The apartments under construction at Emerald Gardens, the current phase of North West Village, are set within almost an acre of tranquil gardens, providing residents with lush green spaces to relax and enjoy year round.

A private courtyard water garden is also incorporated into the progressive layout. The design is rare for a development so close to central London but the inclusion of green space was an essential element as Quintain’s Head of Residential Sales, Paul Hogarth, explains,

“We know how much Londoners love to spend time outdoors so it was clear from the outset that the design of North West Village had to include dedicated green spaces for our residents to enjoy. At Emerald Gardens, we have also ensured that almost every apartment has its own balcony or terrace, for fantastic urban living.

“With Elvin Square Gardens, we have gone one step further and created a new garden square for all those who live in or visit Wembley Park to experience. The design honours the area’s heritage; Wembley Park was well-known as a recreational destination filled with large, green open spaces and tree-lined boulevards, and we have strived to bring this historic identity back to this part of North West London.“

Elisabetta Barone, who purchased a three bedroom apartment in Forum House in Wembley Park in 2009 is delighted with the green spaces available in the area. She remarks on how child-friendly Wembley Park is, with her daughter often playing with the other residents’ children in the gated courtyard in Forum House, as well as the main children’s playground.

Studies have shown that for adults as well as children, access to green space impacts positively on mental health, with the latest research from the University of Exeter Medical School finding that relocating to a greener area in a town or city has an immediate and long-term beneficial effect on an individual’s mental state. Londoners looking to improve their health and wellbeing by moving to a greener area can snap up one of the few remaining apartments at Emerald Gardens for a starting price of £366,000.

For further details, visit http://www.northwestvillage.com/ or call the Savills Sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

AB Property Marketing appointed to represent original online estate agent, Urban.co.uk

AB Property Marketing appointed to represent original online estate agent, Urban.co.uk

by Charly United Kingdom
  • With 10 years’ experience, Urban.co.uk is the UK’s original online estate agent
  • co.uk has sold almost £100 million worth of UK property since foundation in 2005
  • Leading property PR agency ABPM appointed to promote Urban.co.uk’s outstanding service and expertise

Whether its grocery shopping, booking a holiday, paying monthly bills or using Google to resolve the most recent dinner table dispute, the online world has now become an integral part of our daily lives. With everything that is now accessible at the click of a mouse, why not take advantage of it when selling a property?

Although there remains a high street presence within the estate agent industry, their online counterpart is growing in strength with millions of property sales having now been completed via the internet. It has been predicted that by 2020, online estate agency could increase to 50% of the total market. Trusted online estate agent Urban.co.uk has thrived in the industry since its foundation 10 years ago, and over that past decade have facilitated the exchange of over £97,544,743 worth of properties across the country.

Joining forces back in 2005, after being inspired to create a professional, more cost effective and understandable alternative to the high street estate agent, Adam Male and Oliver Atkinson founded Urban.co.uk and pioneered the idea of the online estate agent. Both already successful professionals, they used their expert business knowledge and passion for property to create an innovative and dependable brand which The Sunday Times now rates as one of the top online estate agents in the UK.

Adam Male, Founder of Urban.co.uk, comments,

“Both Oliver and I had realised that there was a gap appearing within the market for estate agents that could offer both flexibility and a more cost efficient process. The online format negates the need for expensive fees, whilst still offering customers as much expert knowledge and advice as required.

“We are extremely proud of the Urban brand and believe that our site will continue to develop and evolve, leading the industry over the next decade. Everyone within our team is highly qualified, with credentials recognised by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), and happy to help with negotiating the best price for your property.”

Now in their 10th year, Urban.co.uk are continuing to provide a 5 star service to customers and build on their established reputation within the market. In order to remain at the forefront, Urban.co.uk have appointed leading property PR agency AB Property Marketing. Charlotte Ashton, MD of AB Property Marketing, comments,

“With Adam and Oliver’s savvy and inventive model, Urban.co.uk has shaped the online estate agency market, successfully creating a service that has been fully embraced by the UK population. We at AB Property Marketing are thrilled to be working with urban.co.uk as they continue to pioneer in the UK’s online housing market with their wealth of experience and expertise.”

Adam Male is available to provide an abundance of expert industry comment in relation to the UK sales and lettings market, including independent statistics, top tips and vendor advice, properties for sale / lease, case studies and interview-led discussions.

To find out more about urban.co.uk and the service they offer, please visit http://www.urban.co.uk

Tie the knot or buy some bricks? Which would you choose?

Tie the knot or buy some bricks? Which would you choose?

by Charly Portugal Spain United Kingdom , ,
  • Average UK wedding now costs £20,983 (You and Your Wedding)
  • 47% of women and 48% of men aged 20 will never marry (The Marriage Foundation)
  • Average UK first time buyer needs income of £41k, while average wage is £22k (KPMG)

You grow up, get married, buy a house and have 2.4 children. At least that’s how things used to work. These days an increasing number of young (and indeed not so young) couples are having to make a choice between their dream wedding day and their dream of owning their own home.

In the US, the average wedding (excluding the honeymoon) cost $31,213 in 2014 according to the Real Wedding Survey. In Ireland, couples now shell out €19,635 on their big day (Mrs2Be), while in the UK, You and Your Wedding has found that the bill now totals £20,983.

Of course, £20,000 won’t buy you a house in the UK, but it could make all the difference in obtaining a mortgage when used as a deposit. This is the take of the ING International Survey, published in June 2015, which examined whether couples were sacrificing their ‘big day’ in favour of home ownership.

The results speak for themselves: 60% of people across Europe were found to opt for spending on a house rather than on their wedding day. With home ownership becoming an increasingly unattainable goal and the cost of living rising faster than wages, betrothed couples seem to have a pragmatic mindset when it comes to matters of the heart.

Ray Withers, Chief Executive of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers, comments,

“The UK has a real problem in terms of lack of housing supply and that is one of the factors that has driven prices up in recent years. It’s meant a fantastic boom for the buy-to-let sector, as young professionals opt to rent in city locations during the early stages of their careers, but the age of first time buyers has gradually been pushed up and up as a side effect.”

Nationally, the average first time buyer in the UK is now 31 years old, according to The Sunday Times Money, while a KPMG report has found that they need an income of £41,000 – almost double the average UK wage of £22,000. With 100% mortgages a distant memory, buyers are increasingly having to choose between a life of wedded bliss and a roof of their own over their heads.

Some are considering a wedding overseas as a way to cut costs, but even in countries such as Spain, where the cost of living is lower than in the UK, nuptials can still be pricey. Bella Wedding reports the cost of a boutique hotel wedding for 60 guests in Spain as €18,000.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España comments,

“A wedding in the Spanish sunshine is a lovely idea and can be cheaper than getting married in the UK, but many couples are still having to chose between that and using their cash as a deposit. The reality is that pragmatism has to come before romance in many households these days. For couples in Spain, the ING survey showed that 70% would rather spend their money on a house than on their wedding day – higher than the European average of 60% and the UK average of 67%.”

The €18,000 cost of a Spanish wedding would serve well as a deposit on a seafront apartment at a development like La Recoleta III, on the Costa Blanca, or perhaps an exciting renovation project with two houses and land in neighbouring Portugal.

With couples increasingly preferring to opt for property ownership instead of a wedding day, it is understandable that the marriage rate in the UK is falling, though the statistics from The Marriage Foundation that 47% of women and 48% of men aged 20 will never marry really do throw the issue into stark relief. Until the UK starts building homes at a faster rate, it’s a trend that looks set to continue, with the number of cohabiting couples increasing with each generation. Still, at least they will be cohabiting in homes that they own.

For more information please contact:

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

Taylor Wimpey España: +44 08000 121 020 or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Ideal Homes Portugal: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434 or www.idealhomesportugal.com.

House prices rise like a phoenix from The Ashes

House prices rise like a phoenix from The Ashes

by Kate United Kingdom
  • The Ashes start in the UK on 8th July, pitting England against Australia for the 69th time
  • co.uk releases new data that shows the rise in property prices close to famous cricket grounds since the last time The Ashes were in the UK
  • Lords is top cricket location, with 18.57% growth in 2 years; Trent Bridge top outside of London, with 8.9% price rise

With temperatures rising and the sound of leather on willow filling the air, the cricket season is in full swing, heralding British summertime. And nothing marks the season more decidedly than the start of The Ashes. With England pitted against the Australians for the 69th series since the very first in 1883, this year’s Tests which will take place on English soil, will prove particularly eye-opening, with the home nation just one series behind Australia’s 32 victories.

Yet, this year, it is not just for the sport that eyes will be turning to the famous grounds that will play host to the Tests, up and down the country, savvy buyers are looking to these locations for shrewd property purchases.

Urban.co.uk, the UK’s original online estate agent, has released new data that reveals the impressive rises in house prices of properties in close proximity to the country’s famous cricket grounds, registering striking growth since the last time The Ashes were in the UK.

For those with cash to splash, ‘unbeaten’ Lords is the top location in which to buy property for price growth, according to Urban.co.uk, with an 18.57% growth in average house prices in the vicinity since July 2013. An average house in this part of London’s St John’s Wood was then £1,145,449, whilst today it registers at a heady £1,358,096.

Coming in a close second, as another location having had ‘a good innings’ in the past two years is South London’s Kennington, home to the Oval where the final Test of the series is traditionally played. Here, average property prices have risen some 17.22%, from a figure of £471,449 in July 2013 to £552,628 in July 2015.

A true phoenix rising from The Ashes, Trent Bridge is the top cricket location outside of the capital in terms of recent house price growth, with properties today on average £221,216, compared to £203,131, an increase of 8.9% since the last time series was played on British soil.

Another location that has not been ‘run out’ of the rankings is that surrounding Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, where today’s average property is 8.34% higher than in 2013, a still-affordable £189,335 compared to £174,759 two years previous.

Not one to be ‘stumped’, properties in the vicinity of Headingly in Leeds, West Yorkshire are still ‘bowling over’ buyers looking for a smart property move. Here when The Ashes were last on home turf, an average property was priced at £191,611 and today the same is revealed as £206,127, a growth of 7.58%.

Adam Male, Founder of Urban.co.uk who have released the findings, an online estate agent with 10-years’ experience in both lettings and sales, explains more about the reasons behind these impressive price hikes,

“Cricket is undeniably the quintessentially British sport, with its long tradition, historic significance and rich terminology appealing to our eccentricity and sporting prowess. Yet it is now also clear that the sport, and key ground locations especially, are today also appealing to savvy property buyers.

Recent years have shown that being in close proximity to cricket grounds can boost property values and rental prices. Whether it is purchasing a property that is perfectly situated for a home-grown cricket fan, others are cleverly buying to rent out their properties to such sport lovers instead. Some astute buyers are capitalising on short-term rentals aimed at avid fans when large tournaments are running, by moving out and cashing in. Recent figures confirm this, showing a healthy and steady growth across such locations throughout the UK, with even more extreme price increases in central London cricketing areas, since The Ashes were last here. It looks like we are the nation to back this summer – in more ways than one!”

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

Salubrious Sunningdale – where the homes and the golf are top of the range

Salubrious Sunningdale – where the homes and the golf are top of the range

by Charly United Kingdom
  • The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex is due to play out in July 2015
  • Tournament will be played over the historic Old Course for the first time since 2009, with many legends of the game set to compete
  • Barton Wyatt launching 10 luxury new apartments in Sunningdale with developer Halebourne Group.

Sunningdale is a large, quintessentially English village located in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire. Dotted with leafy lanes and large detached houses hiding behind foliage and gates it is just 24 miles west of London with a train station and direct link into London Waterloo, Due to its prime location, Sunningdale is a top spot for London commuters and is also favoured by international businessmen and women who need fast access to the UK’s airports.

Sunningdale has been home to many familiar names over the years – Dame Agatha Christie lived in Scotswood, a house on Devenish Avenue, which has now been transformed into luxury apartments. Other famous residents have included Gary Lineker, British pop group Five Star, Chesney Hawkes, Brian Blessed, Diana Dors and Billy Ocean.

The village is well known for its palatial properties including the Grade-II listed art deco mansion, Charters. Built in 1938 for industrialist Frank Parkinson, the house welcomed guests including Winston Churchill and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor before changing use, becoming a corporate headquarters and now a luxury apartment and spa complex.

Other notable properties include Coworth House, the late 18th century home of Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, which was later occupied by the Secretary of State for War in the early 20th century as well as the British Ambassador to France. It is now the popular Coworth Park Hotel.

In addition to its property heritage, Sunningdale is best known for its golf courses.

Sunningdale Golf Club was founded by two brothers in 1900 and is home to two 18-hole courses.  The Old Course was designed by Willie Park Jr and the New Course by Harry Colt. Sunningdale has hosted many prestigious tournaments including the British Masters, the Walker Cup, the Women’s British Open and the Senior Open Championship.

Sunningdale is also home to a second highly acclaimed club: Sunningdale Ladies. With a course also designed by Harry Colt, the club offers players a smaller but perfectly proportioned course. The patron is HRH The Duke of York and this land was once part of Windsor Forest.

July 23rd – 26th sees the return of the Senior Open Championship to Sunningdale Golf Club and with it a host of golfing greats who are all raving about being back in Berkshire for this competition.

Wales’ greatest ever golfer Ian Woosnam, former Masters Champion and world number one, says:

“It’s a course that I always love to play and I think it’s great for the Senior Open to go there. The crowds are going to be magnificent. Noone can complain because it’s such a lovely old golf course. It’s the sort of golf course, with the heather and everything, that you’ve got to keep it on the fairway, but it’s not a long golf course. You have to use the right clubs off the tee and they are very small greens so you have to be accurate as well.”

Golfer Sam Torrance also knows Sunningdale’s Old Course inside out, as a long-time member of the club.

“I love the golf course,” said Torrance. “I’ve been there for the last 44 years – I was assistant pro there in 1971 so there’s not a blade of grass that I’m not familiar with. I can’t wait to get out there.”

Torrance’s compatriot Colin Montgomerie is also thinking ahead to late July and what lies in store on the Old Course at the iconic Surrey venue:

“My first competitive round at Sunningdale was in 1987, which was the Walker Cup. Ever since I first played it I’ve loved the place and I’ve always said it’s a gorgeous place to be, not just to play golf but to walk round.”

With accolades such as this it is hardly surprising that Sunningdale, and in particular those houses that back onto the courses, are in such high demand.

James Wyatt, Partner of local estate agency Barton Wyatt, says:

“Finding homes in Sunningdale can be difficult. They just don’t come onto the market very often. Particularly the houses that adjoin the courses – these are highly valuable and prized by their owners.”

A local developer, Halebourne Group, is shortly to complete a stunning mansion that will launch as 10 new luxury apartments. Coming to the market at approximately £2-3 million for the two and three bedroom homes and two magnificent penthouses. James Wyatt continues:

“This majestic house is situated opposite the world famous Sunningdale golf course and will be the most fabulous opportunity for keen golfers to own their own tee-side seat at Sunningdale. We anticipate that these homes will be highly sought after by locals who are looking to downsize but remain in the area that they know and love.”

If you are looking for a slice of golfing action and would like more details on these apartments or other properties in the area contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

 

The Ridge, Sunningdale                                                Anticipated launch price from £2,000,000

This stunning development will offer mansion block apartments in an exclusive setting.  Each luxury apartment has secure basement parking, outside terraces and a superb interior specification. They will be available from spring 2016.

 

Editor’s notes:

An extract from “Golf Courses of the British Isles” by Bernard Darwin, describing a round at Sunningdale and published in 1910:

It was a long course, really a fearfully long course for an ordinary mortal.

And later:

If we have not been too frequently up to our necks in untrodden heather, nay, even if we have, we ought to have enjoyed ourselves immensely.

We’re on our way to Wembley… but how will we get there?

We’re on our way to Wembley… but how will we get there?

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Wembley Park provides “zone 4 living, but with zone 2 transport connections” (Quintain)
  • Wembley Central Crossrail station a key part of area’s revitalization (Brent Council)
  • Residents set to benefit from Wembley’s new transport proposals

Wembley has a reputation as one of the most well connected places in London. Paul Hogarth, Head of Residential Sales at British-based developer, Quintain, recently described the Wembley Park area as, “zone 4 living, but with zone 2 transport connections.”

Thanks to the presence of The SSE Arena, Wembley, London Designer Outlet and Wembley connected by EE*, the area is experienced in managing flows of people quickly and efficiently through its transportation network.

And this is not just positive news for those visiting this exciting part of North West London but also for those who live and work in the area. Wembley Park residents enjoy superior connectivity provided by the Bakerloo, Jubilee and Metropolitan Underground lines (Baker Street in 13 mins), as well as a host of overground rail (London Marylebone in 9 minutes) and bus route options. The A406 means that even those who prefer to get around London by car have an established route into and out of Wembley Park.

While Wembley Park’s existing connections already make it one of London’s most accessible destinations, property buyers in the area have their eyes firmly on future plans so far as the transportation is concerned. Paul Hogarth, Head of Residential Sales at Quintain, the main driving force behind the regeneration of Wembley Park, comments,

“Varied and reliable transport links are essential to London residents and Wembley Park is in the fortunate position to be presented with not one but four potential new transportation systems over the coming years. There’s no way to know if all four will get the green light but certainly any new transport connections will bring great benefit to Wembley Park and its residents.”

Residents of Emerald Gardens, the current phase of contemporary apartments (delivered complete with secure underground parking in 2016 and available from £366,000) at North West Village, a significant scheme of more than 1,000 high quality new homes, private gardens, parks and outstanding facilities by Quintain, are just one group who will benefit from future transportation developments in Wembley Park.

Indeed buyers of the studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments will not only be eagerly anticipating the start of the Night Tube, set to operate the full length of the Jubilee Line, including Wembley Park station, 24 hours a day on Friday and Saturdays from 12th September 2015 but also be keeping a close eye on plans for a Wembley Central Crossrail station, which is a key component of Brent Council’s backing for the Mayor of London’s regeneration plans for Old Oak and Park Royal.

Also under consideration for the Wembley area is London Mayor Boris Johnson’s R25 rail network. Blueprints are currently being drawn up for the orbital, metro-style railway, linking the inner suburbs. The ambitious project is part of the Mayor’s London Infrastructure 2050 plan, which has been created with a view to ensuring the capital’s continued success as a global destination, with investment of up to £1.3 trillion.

Other potential infrastructure developments include the West London Orbital (an addition to the current Underground network), which was first proposed in 2008 by the West London Business chamber of commerce group, and an orbital FastBus network. Though neither system is actively being taken forward at present, they demonstrate the potential that the area holds for additional connectivity, once Crossrail and the R25 rail network have been fully explored.

It remains to be seen which of the proposed schemes will win favour with planners and funders over the years ahead but as of today Wembley Park residents can still enjoy the excellent rail and road connections which have been catalysed by the new stadium, the revitalization of The SSE Arena, Wembley and creation of London Designer Outlet.

For further details, visit http://www.northwestvillage.com/ or call the team on 020 3151 8601.

 

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

 

Notes to editors

Established in 1992, Quintain is a London investment and development specialist, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Quintain seeks to create outstanding returns through investment in and development of property in London.

North West Village, located in NW London, is the new residential offering from Quintain and an integral element of their impressive Wembley Park master plan.

Emerald Gardens is the current phase of North West Village, a community of over 1,000 new homes, with local shops, restaurants and leisure spaces to add to the already exhilarating location that is Wembley Park. The one, two and three bedroom homes, the majority of which have private balconies or terraces, are set around an acre of private, landscaped courtyard gardens. Emerald Gardens also benefits from a gym, cinema room and 24 hour concierge.

Developed in conjunction with Keystone, a subsidiary of Keystone Group Holding AG, a Swiss real estate and private equity family office, Emerald Gardens is under construction and due for completion in 2016.

For further details, visit http://www.northwestvillage.com/ or call the team on +44 20 3151 8601.

Londoners seek refuge in Brighton for the perfect work/life balance

Londoners seek refuge in Brighton for the perfect work/life balance

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Record 250k Londoners moving out of the capital each year (ONS)
  • Brighton 2nd in top 20 London commuter hotspots (Savills)
  • New park-side apartments in Brighton from £330k (Property Frontiers)

It’s commonly accepted that a good work/life balance is a key component of a happy life. So what do you do if you work in London but want a better quality of life than living in the big smoke can provide? Simple: you move to Brighton.

Londoners are leaving the capital in record numbers. Data from the Office for National Statistics has shown that around 250,000 per year are moving away from the city, with more affordable homes and proximity to good schools high up on the list of reasons for living.

Many of those leaving London intend to commute into the city for work from their new home, so a new report from Savills has examined the 20 top towns with good-value homes within an hour’s reach of London. Reading took the top spot, but Brighton came a close second, with its iconic seafront, liberal culture and bustling shopping streets giving jaded Londoners a new lease of life.

Ray Withers, Chief Executive of leading property investment specialists Property Frontiers, comments on the development,

“Life in London can be fabulous, but we’ve found a growing number of young professionals who want to combine a London salary with a home life that offers more than the big city can. Tenants are demanding luxury apartments with easy access to the sea and the green spaces of the South of England, with London less than an hour away by train.”

Brighton provides all this and more. It is renowned for being a welcoming and liberal place and has previously been voted the ‘UK’s coolest city.’ It is a city of firsts, having been the location of the UK’s first Green MP, first nudist beach and first same sex marriage. In the summer, its beaches and parks provide the perfect location for a picnic, a game of Frisbee or simply a snooze in the sun, while for those winter days it boasts the oldest working cinema in Europe, more restaurants per head than any UK city other than London and excellent shopping in the twisting maze of independent stores that make up the Lanes.

With so much to offer in its own right, as well as quick and easy access to London, Brighton truly does provide the best of both worlds. Demand for rental property there is fierce, creating an ideal environment for buy-to-let investors. Opposite the natural beauty of Preston Park, the Park View Apartments offer spacious, two bedroom/two bathroom apartments in a contemporary, boutique building that fits perfectly with the local environment. Executive tenants and young professionals will feel right at home with recessed LED lighting, under-floor heating and high gloss kitchens. Prices range from £330,000 to £420,000, with up to 4.7% yield expected.

For further details, visit www.propertyfrontiers.com or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.