Downsizers in the big city – why Wembley Park is the place to be for those who want more for less

Downsizers in the big city – why Wembley Park is the place to be for those who want more for less

United Kingdom
  • Downsizers welcomed into one of London’s newest and most exciting neighbourhoods
  • Wembley Park is the ideal place to live, work and play for buyers who want stylish homes
  • Downsizers at Wembley Park enjoy great local facilities and fantastic transport connections

There are many reasons for downsizing your home, from ‘empty nesters’ whose children have grown up and left, to those who simply want fewer rooms to clean and a reduction in their household bills and mortgage cost. A study by Key Retirement Solutions has found that one in five of those aged 55 and above would like to downsize, with the average person looking to raise £78,000 of equity by doing so. Helping their offspring get together a deposit for a home of their own was a key reason for downsizing.

Whatever the reason, the convenience of the new Alto Apartments at Wembley Park, north west London, is the perfect choice for those looking to downsize within, or move to London, whilst maintaining an active lifestyle, busy social life and great transport connections. The apartments come with a 24-hour concierge service and on-site gym – perfect for those looking for a property that offers the added benefits of life in the big city.

Paul Hogarth, Head of Residential Sales for Quintain, the developer behind the contemporary one, two and three bedroom apartments at Wembley Park, comments:

“Downsizing can be a very liberating experience. It’s a chance to clear out clutter and enjoy a neater, more stylish home in a great location. Those looking to downsize who view our Alto show homes are pleasantly surprised by the space and superb quality of our homes and the surrounding area. We have also included generous cupboard space inside the apartments, as well as additional basement space where residents can access private storage for non-everyday items, stored securely for their peace of mind.”

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that 13.2% of the population of the London Borough of Brent (where Wembley Park is located) is aged over 65. Projections indicate that the figure will rise to 32.8% by 2024. The rapid increase is likely to lead to increased demand from those who are keen to remain in the capital but looking for a smaller home in which to do so.

Quintain’s emphasis on building homes for real Londoners at Wembley Park means that those who buy at the site can pick up the perfect property surrounded by an established community, including LDO, with 50 shops, 20 restaurants and cafés and a nine screen Cineworld, making it the perfect place for shopping, eating and relaxing. There’s also The SSE Arena, Wembley and Wembley Stadium for entertainment and plenty of local running clubs, sports teams and nautical activities at the nearby Brent Reservoir for keeping fit. As if that wasn’t enough, the beauty of the Oxfordshire countryside is easily accessible by train, for those looking to spend their weekends outside of London.

Downsizers at Wembley Park not only have a lively local scene to enjoy, but can also pop into central London with ease thanks to the area’s excellent transport connections. Two Overground stations and three Tube lines (Jubilee, Metropolitan and Bakerloo) open up London through exceptionally quick journeys: Marylebone in 9 minutes; Baker Street in 12; Bond Street and Kings Cross in 19; Clapham Junction in 22; and London Bridge in 25.

When it comes to outside space, owners can enjoy not only their own balcony or terrace (almost all apartments have outside space in one of these forms), but also the attractively landscaped water courtyard and gardens. It’s the perfect way to enjoy being outdoors without the hassle and expense of maintaining a garden. While others are weeding, mowing and maintaining garden furniture, those living at Alto Apartments can relax and enjoy being at the heart of so much greenery within London.

Available to purchase from £450,000, Alto Apartments provide downsizers with a cost effective means of relocating to a superb community in an exciting new neighbourhood for London.

For more information on Alto Apartments, visit www.alto-apartments.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

 

Notes to Editors

About Wembley Park New Homes @WembleyPark

Wembley Park is the development by Quintain which is transforming the 85-acre (34 hectare) area around Wembley Stadium and The SSE Arena, bringing new shopping, leisure facilities, homes and public spaces to create a major new destination and neighbourhood for London.

Alto Apartments is the current phase of Wembley Park. Alto’s striking towers set a new benchmark for sophisticated urban living, reaching 19 storeys high and offering stylish one, two and three bedroom apartments. Most apartments have their own private outdoor space or a balcony and are finished to the highest specifications, with designer kitchens, bespoke bathrooms and generous living and storage space.

The final phase of Emerald Gardens is also currently for sale. Set in nearly an acre of landscaped gardens, the 475 one, two and three bedroom apartments are spread across seven buildings. The development includes a gym (opening autumn 2016), 24-hour concierge, private cinema and residents’ club room. The majority of apartments enjoy their own private patio, balcony or terrace.

Wembley Park Boulevard and Arena Square are some of the new public spaces open for visitors and residents to enjoy, along with a new all-weather playpark.

Wembley Park is extremely well connected with two overland train stations (nine minutes to Marylebone), two tube stations (20 minutes to the West End) and excellent road links to motorways including the M1, M40 and M25. There are also over 3,000 on-site parking spaces.

For further details, visit:

  • Alto Apartments: alto-apartments.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.
  • Emerald Gardens: northwestvillage.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

www.wembleypark.com

Wembley Park: London’s newest round-the-clock all-round destination

Wembley Park: London’s newest round-the-clock all-round destination

United Kingdom ,
  • Night Tube service to begin in the Autumn
  • 1,300 new residents and 2,000 students now living in Wembley Park
  • Friday and Saturday night Tube passenger numbers up 70% since 2000

With the introduction of the Night Tube service, Wembley Park is on track to become one of London’s best connected 24-hour neighbourhoods.

Some 1,300 new residents and 2,000 students now live in the area, a number set to rise considerably over the next few years, many of whom fall into the lively millennials age range.

The buzzing district provides the “work hard, play hard” generation with the perfect life balance, thanks to an array of late-night shopping and dining options at London Designer Outlet as well as music and sports events at venues across Wembley Park.

Demand for a Night Tube service has soared over recent years, with passenger numbers on Friday and Saturday nights up by around 70 per cent since 2000. Trains will run every 10 minutes on average across the entire Jubilee line.

Developer Quintain’s COO, James Saunders says: “The plethora of rail and road connections, including the much anticipated Night Tube, mean the area is well connected for those returning home late from central London to Wembley. It will be especially welcomed by our residents who work in Canary Wharf, go for an evening out in the West End and return home to Wembley Park late in the evening.”

Equally, those travelling into the neighbourhood for a gig at The SSE Arena, Wembley, or a match at Wembley Stadium will never have to dash for the crowded last tube home again. In addition the thriving Wembley Park entertainment and restaurant scene is already attracting new visitors to an upcoming corner of London that’s full of surprises.

James Saunders continues: “We’ve designed Wembley Park to be the ideal urban lifestyle location. For the daylight hours the thriving area is packed with shops, green spaces and community venues. After dark there are many bars and restaurants open late.”

In response to the increased demand from those wishing to live at Wembley Park, apartments are available to buy off-plan and to enjoy a 24-hour concierge service, a residents’ gym and spa treatment rooms as well as private and public landscaped gardens. The apartments are located just five minutes’ walk from Wembley Park station affording you access to the west end in less than 20 minutes.

Tipi, the lifestyle-focussed rental operator at Wembley Park opened in March 2016 with 141 brand new 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments, the rental offer includes all utility bills and 40 Mb/s broadband, secure underground parking and spacious social spaces. As the apartments are owned and professionally managed by the on-site team there are no agents’ fees to pay.

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

Notes to Editors

About Wembley Park New Homes @WembleyPark /About Alto @WembleyParkHome

Wembley Park is the development by Quintain which is transforming the 85-acre (34 hectare) area around Wembley Stadium and The SSE Arena, bringing new shopping, leisure facilities, homes and public spaces to create a major new destination and neighbourhood for London.

Alto Apartments is the current phase of Wembley Park. Alto’s striking towers set a new benchmark for sophisticated urban living, reaching 19 storeys high and offering stylish one, two and three bedroom apartments. Most apartments have their own private outdoor space or a balcony and are finished to the highest specifications, with designer kitchens, bespoke bathrooms and generous living and storage space.

The final phase of Emerald Gardens is also currently for sale. Set in nearly an acre of landscaped gardens, the 475 one, two and three bedroom apartments are spread across seven buildings. The development includes a gym (opening summer 2016), 24-hour concierge, private cinema and residents’ club room. The majority of apartments enjoy their own private patio, balcony or terrace. The first completions are due in May 2016.

Wembley Park Boulevard and Arena Square are some of the new public spaces open for visitors and residents to enjoy, along with a new all-weather playpark.

Wembley Park is extremely well connected with two overland train stations (nine minutes to Marylebone), two tube stations (20 minutes to the West End) and excellent road links to motorways including the M1, M40 and M25. There are also over 3,000 on-site parking spaces.

For further details, visit:

About Tipi @TipiLondon

Tipi, the all-inclusive professional rental service, is a subsidiary of Quintain, the London focussed property development specialist and the team behind Wembley Park. Tipi is a ‘Build to Rent’ or Private Rental Sector (PRS) management company which builds, manages and leases contemporary apartments to customers without charging agents’ fees. Unique to Tipi is that Quintain owns and operates the wider Wembley Park estate which ensures the environment surrounding the apartments is safe, controlled, clean and well connected.

Tipi’s first PRS buildings, Montana & Dakota offer brand new 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments with rents inclusive of all utility bills and superfast broadband. Most apartments boast a balcony and all benefit from access to an acre of private gardens. 24 hour concierge and night security meet customers’ everyday needs and additional services can be added to tenancy agreements such as secure underground parking, cleaning, laundry and dry cleaning services.

Two lounges are available for Montana & Dakota residents to use and include superfast 100 Mb/s broadband, Sky TV and Sky Sports and later this year a gym and cinema room will open within the building. Apartments are available to rent and move in immediately.

For more information on Tipi or to book a viewing, visit www.tipi.london or call 020 3151 1927.

Newly launched show apartment reveals Wembley Park’s residential jewel

Newly launched show apartment reveals Wembley Park’s residential jewel

United Kingdom
  • Emerald Gardens located just 12 minutes from central London
  • Stylish apartments surrounding nearly 1 acre of landscaped gardens
  • Last few homes available, with prices from £399k

The newly launched on-site show apartment of Emerald Gardens at Wembley Park is showing just how stylish life in London can be. The show home is providing prospective buyers with the opportunity to be among the first to visit the site and steal a glimpse of the Emerald Gardens development in situ.

Officially opened by Quintain on Saturday 23 April, the new show apartment forms part of the Emerald Gardens phase of the major redevelopment that has been taking place at Wembley Park and which is creating one of London’s most attractive and desirable new neighbourhoods.

Emerald Gardens offers 284 private apartments spread across seven stunning buildings of up to six storeys and surrounded by nearly an acre of landscaped gardens. Many apartments enjoy views over the gardens or of the iconic Wembley Stadium* arch. The development has proven so popular that just 11 apartments remain available for sale.

The majority of the apartments at Emerald Gardens have their own private patio, balcony or terrace. The development includes a gym (opening autumn 2016), private cinema room and residents’ club room, as well as benefitting from a 24 hour concierge.

The newly launched show apartment offers the perfect introduction to life at Emerald Gardens. From the well-appointed exterior space to the delightfully spacious interior, the show home gives a true flavour of the style in which one can live at Wembley Park.

Paul Hogarth, Head of Residential Sales at Quintain, comments,

“We are really excited to be able to present such high quality residential accommodation in such a well-connected London location. The Emerald Gardens show apartment is our chance to let all those interested in living at Wembley Park see the standard of accommodation that the development affords. With the vast expanse of greenery running through the centre of the buildings, Emerald Gardens really does offer something unique to those living and working in the capital, which has certainly been reflected in how fast the apartments are being snapped up!”

Demand has been so strong that there are now less than a dozen apartments still available, making this the very last chance for buyers to purchase their dream home at Emerald Gardens.

Ideal for everyone from first time buyers to families looking for a welcoming community, Emerald Gardens is just 12 minutes on the Underground from central London and boasts a wide range of amenities in the local area, from weekly food markets and buzzing coffee shops to the extensive London Designer Outlet shopping and Cineworld cinema complex.

Those touring the new show apartment will note the care that has gone into the design, with careful planning ensuring that residents have a calm, open plan home that is perfect for contemporary London life.

Prices at Emerald Gardens start at £399,000. Buyers can move in from May 2016. Show apartment viewings are available on Saturdays at 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm, by appointment only with Savills.

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

About Wembley Park @WembleyPark

Wembley Park is the development by Quintain which is transforming the 85-acre (34 hectare) area around Wembley Stadium and The SSE Arena, bringing new shopping, leisure facilities, homes and public spaces to create a major new destination and neighbourhood for London.

www.wembleypark.com

About Wembley Park New Homes @WembleyParkHome

The final phase of Emerald Gardens is now for sale. Set in nearly an acre of landscaped gardens, the 475 one, two and three bedroom apartments are spread across seven buildings. The development includes a gym (opening summer 2016), 24-hour concierge, private cinema and residents’ club room. The majority of apartments enjoy their own private patio, balcony or terrace. The first completions are due from May 2016.

Wembley Park Boulevard and Arena Square are some of the new public spaces open for visitors and residents to enjoy, along with a new all-weather playpark.

Wembley Park is extremely well connected with two overland train stations (nine minutes to Marylebone), two tube stations (20 minutes to the West End) and excellent road links to motorways including the M1, M40 and M25. There are also over 3,000 on-site parking spaces.

For further details, visit:

Emerald Gardens: www.northwestvillage.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

Broadband wars – make sure you’re not caught in the slow lane

Broadband wars – make sure you’re not caught in the slow lane

United Kingdom
  • Wembley Park is the ONLY development in London that has FIBRE OPTIC CABLE running into each and every apartment
  • Wembley Park among the fastest domestically connected area in the UK
  • More than 500 homes in Wembley can already receive 100mb up and download speeds
  • 34% of the UK still making do with sub 5Mbps speeds, while 23% make do with less than 3Mbps (uSwitch)

Wembley Park, located in North West London, is leading the UK in domestic broadband connectivity.  In the Quintain developed residential apartments at the heart of Wembley Park, residents can have 100Mbps up and download speeds delivered by Velocity 1 from the day they move in.

Since 2008, happy home owners and tenants alike have been enjoying  instantaneous web page downloads and access to HD films 24/7. It makes the new homes at Wembley Park among the fastest domestically connected area in the UK.

This has been achieved by running fibre cabling into every single apartment that it builds.  Other providers install fibre to the basement and then run copper cables into apartments.  Not so for Quintain who have gone one step further and pre-installed fibre from the Wembley Park based ISP directly into each of their homes – meaning that residents have access to this amazingly fast speed from the moment they step inside their new home.

Wembley Park resident Carrie Webster said: “Moving into a flat with Velocity1 broadband already wired in was great. This kind of speed is brilliant as well. I can stream films and surf the net at the same time and never worry about the connection dropping out.”

A recent uSwitch survey named the fastest UK street for broadband as Sandy Lane in Cannock, Staffordshire at 72Mbps and the slowest on Williamson Road in Romney Marsh, Kent at 0.54Mbps.

In the age of digital communication, people looking for a new home expect high speed internet but buyers should be very cautious before rushing to secure a deal as the internet is rife with stories of home owners being promised one thing and delivered another by broadband suppliers.

The market leading broadband speed from Velocity1 also positions Wembley Park to become a location for hi-tech businesses and financial companies dealing with large data volumes– as well as making it an attractive option for homemakers and homeworkers.

Tech companies and start-ups that have moved into the area have been delighted with the fast broadband connection available.

Ben Fillmore, MD of E-House, a tech-driven property company, said:

“Here [at Wembley Park] we can have a 100mb dedicated line, with the same upload and download speed, it’s enabled us to change our IT infrastructure to maximise new technology – including working in the cloud – which means we can really lead the market. We moved to Wembley Park quite recently and our staff love the community feel and facilities available here so it’s been a very positive move for us.”

Phillip Clapperton, of Velocity 1 which is providing the dedicated high speed broadband to the area, said: “It’s ideal for tech companies to be based here, but there is also an incredible benefit domestically. How many homes in the UK can get genuine 1gb broadband? At Wembley Park dozens of homes are currently being sold and all of them will have access to speeds from 100 mbs to 1gb.”

James Saunders, Chief Operating Officer of Quintain, the developer behind the revitalisation of Wembley Park said:

“From the outset we built a world-class fibre optic network into the infrastructure at Wembley Park. It’s fast becoming an essential utility for a wide range of businesses and residents. It powers high speed office internet, home working, free Wi-Fi across the site, broadband for our growing student population and even connectivity for mass online gaming events at the SSE Arena.”

If you would like to know more about property available at Wembley Park with these amazing broadband speeds talk to Savills on +44 20 3151 8601 or visit www.alto-apartments.com or http://www.northwestvillage.com/availability.  Homes are available to move into this year or next dependent on your requirements.

 

*Velocity 1 is one of the only businesses in the UK to offer true Fibre to the Premises and Fibre to the Home in a full end-to-end fibre optic solution. This enables faster speeds over greater distances and symmetrical services (same speed upload and download).  Velocity 1 ltd. is based in Wembley Park.

Can a cupboard lessen your anxiety, increase your focus and reduce your stress?

Can a cupboard lessen your anxiety, increase your focus and reduce your stress?

United Kingdom
  • Traditional storage principles given new life by developer Quintain
  • Clutter impairs a person’s ability to focus (Princeton University)
  • High density of household objects leads to spikes in stress levels (UCLA)

Mention tertiary storage these days and the majority of people will think you’re talking about computers. But the principles of storage are also important when it comes to building homes, as Paul Hogarth, Head of Residential Sales at developer Quintain, explains,

“I remember a lot of places I have lived where trying to store stuff was always a major hassle. Vinyl giving  way to CDs and then later the Cloud should have made our living rooms simpler, but even with technology’s advancements we still have too much stuff and constantly try to declutter. At Wembley Park we have taken our own lifestyles – and those of our purchasers – into account and tried to design a home that works for them using the principals of effective storage.

“We split the elements into three distinct aspects: primary, secondary and tertiary storage refer to the places a home needs to store items that are used on roughly a daily, weekly or occasional basis. So many modern homes have forgotten these principles, with storage space losing out to the desire for maximum profits.”

Hogarth’s point is most clearly demonstrated when one considers the built-in wardrobes, pantries, basements and other storage areas that homes used to have in such abundance. Contrast these with contemporary, purpose-built flats in busy urban areas, where developers have sacrificed storage space from every apartment in order to cram one or two extra homes into a building. Frequently, the modern apartments look cluttered and untidy – simply because the principles of storage have been forgotten.

Yet there is another way, as Quintain has demonstrated through its contemporary new homes in London’s Wembley Park. In Emerald Gardens storage has been built into the design of the building. Architects GRID have addressed primary storage needs (i.e. storage for items needed daily, such as shampoo, washing up liquid and shoes) through plentiful cupboard space in kitchens, niched shelving in shower cubicles or bathtub enclosures and recessed bathroom mirror cabinets.

Secondary storage needs (for items like vacuum cleaners, irons/ironing boards and spare bedding) have also been addressed, with generous cupboard spaces built into the hallway of each apartment. Meanwhile tertiary storage space (for occasional use items like suitcases) is available in the building’s basement, in the form of secure lockers for residents’ use.

Having a tidy home is about more than it just looking nice. Researchers at the Neuroscience Institute of Princeton University found that a cluttered environment reduces one’s ability to focus. Meanwhile, in a separate study, researchers from UCLA found that mothers’ stress hormones spiked during the part of the day when they were dealing with the clutter in their homes – there was a clear link between high cortisol levels and a high density of household objects.

In simple terms, when developers follow the three principles of storage, residents can look forward to greater focus, reduced stress, less anxiety and more relaxation.

Prices at Emerald Gardens start at £370,000 with first completions due spring 2016.

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

Last homes available at Emerald Gardens as Wembley Park proves a hit with Londoners

Last homes available at Emerald Gardens as Wembley Park proves a hit with Londoners

United Kingdom
  • Only 25 apartments remaining at Emerald Gardens
  • Brand new development just 12 minutes from central London by Tube
  • Part of the vibrant Wembley Park lifestyle destination
  • Outside space found to be one of most popular selling points

Developer Quintain is delighted with the popularity of its homes at Emerald Gardens, the latest new apartments to be delivered by the developer at London’s Wembley Park. The final allocation of apartments was released at the start of 2016 and Quintain has seen strong interest from owner-occupiers looking to purchase and move into their new homes within a matter of weeks. The first completions are expected in spring 2016.

Paul Hogarth, Head of Residential Sales at Quintain, comments:

“Emerald Gardens has proven particularly popular with Londoners looking for contemporary homes in the capital. We are delighted to offer the final allocation of homes, launching in spring 2016, giving would-be residents a range of options, from tranquil apartments overlooking the courtyard and gardens, to stylish residences for those wanting a view of Wembley Stadium’s iconic arch along with the all buzz and excitement that Wembley Park has to offer.”

The final 25 apartments include studios, one and two bedroom homes. The differing sizes and aspects epitomise the level of choice that Quintain has sought to introduce at all stages of the development: Wembley Park offers something for everyone.

Not only are the apartments ideally positioned for access to central London (Baker Street is 12 minutes away on the Underground, Bond Street and King’s Cross 19 minutes), but they also enjoy an impressive setting within Wembley Park. The area is fast becoming London’s most sought after new district, with residential accommodation balanced perfectly by shopping and leisure facilities. The SSE Arena, Wembley Stadium* and the popular London Designer Outlet shopping centre, complete with nine screen cinema, mean that entertainment options abound.

Emerald Gardens is at the forefront Wembley Park’s accommodation offering. Almost an acre of landscaped greenery surrounds the modern apartments, bringing a green haven into the big city for residents’ enjoyment. The grounds benefit from architecturally designed landscaping, with peaceful areas including mature trees and a water feature, in a nod to Wembley Park’s green and leafy Victorian past.

The stylish homes at Emerald Gardens are available from £305,000 and benefit from a 24 hour concierge service, cinema room, club lounge and private gym (opening autumn 2016). Underground parking and, for residents at Cedar House, the option of additional secure storage space in the ground floor, are available at additional cost.

Quintain’s work at Wembley Park has spanned over a decade, breathing new life into the area and building a thriving community as well as homes, leisure facilities and other amenities. The chance to purchase one of the last remaining homes at Emerald Gardens is not expected to last for long, given the speed with which the apartments have been snapped up to date.

Quintain’s Paul Hogarth continues:

“The outside space has been one of the most popular features at Emerald Gardens. Nearly every apartment benefits from an outdoor area in the form of a balcony, patio or terrace. Then there are the extensive grounds, gardens and a water feature for the residents to enjoy, as well as a 13th level roof terrace for residents’ use that provides a spectacular vista of the Wembley skyline and iconic Wembley Stadium. However you like to enjoy the sunshine in London – running, eating al fresco or just relaxing with a book – Emerald Gardens provides the space to do so in style.”

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 are 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.

Living at Wembley Park – an evolution not a revolution

Living at Wembley Park – an evolution not a revolution

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.

Which came first, the roads or the roofs? Why infrastructure is increasingly being demanded before housing

Which came first, the roads or the roofs? Why infrastructure is increasingly being demanded before housing

United Kingdom
  • UK homebuyers frustrated by unfinished roads and lack of street lighting
  • Wembley Park demonstrates the value of providing infrastructure before housing
  • Pienna Apartments offer homes for Londoners from £415,000

Up and down the country there is an ongoing debate regarding new build residential sites, we know we need many more new homes but should the roads or the roofs come first?

Increasingly, buyers of new build homes are emphasising the importance of key infrastructure elements such as roads being in place before they purchase their property. Across the UK, buyers are complaining about lack of streetlights, hazardous incomplete pavements and unfinished roads that lead to flooding and other problems.

The issue is exacerbated by the current legislation. Councils can ask developers to enter into a Section 38 Agreement in order to ensure that roads are finished to an agreed standard, but they cannot force developers to do so, resulting in many buyers of new build homes ending up frustrated that their roads, pavements and streetlights sometimes remain unfinished years after they have purchased their new property.

At Wembley Park in north-west London, developer Quintain has turned the situation on its head. The massive revitalisation of Wembley Park will see some 5,000 new homes added to the area in total, several hundred of which have already been built, sold and are occupied.

Quintain’s COO, James Saunders, comments,

“One of the many unique features of Wembley Park is the fact that the area has an incredible infrastructure already in place, so we’ve got new build apartments going up while excellent transport connections and local facilities already exist. Of course, we’re adding to those facilities all the time, with beautiful gardens and even a brand new London Square, but Wembley Park is definitely a prime example of the benefits of infrastructure preceding housing.”

The SSE Arena, Wembley (with a capacity of 12,500) and Wembley Stadium* (with a capacity of 90,000), have together ensured that Wembley Park is an area that is already more than fit for purpose when it comes to its transportation infrastructure. It means that whilst technically in Zone 4, residents can travel in to central London and out to the shires incredibly quickly. On event days, 100 trains per hour run through the three Wembley stations that service the stadium.

Wembley Park also offers an excellent array of shops, schools and restaurants, as well as its impressive transport credentials. London Designer Outlet draws in shoppers and diners from across London and the surrounding areas, while local residents and workers delight in the weekly gourmet food market.

In the heart of such excellent and established infrastructure, the homes for Londoners that are springing up have been understandably popular. At the beautiful Pienna Apartments building, which is part of Alto Apartments, one bedroom apartments are available from £415,000 and two bedrooms from £550,000. Almost every apartment enjoys its own private outdoor space or balcony, while a residents-only courtyard garden offers a further means of enjoying the great outdoors. An on-site gym with spa treatment rooms, a concierge service and car club membership are all included in the price.

Wembley Park epitomises the benefits of taking a proactive approach to development and ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to provide home owners with true satisfaction from the moment they move in.

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

 

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

Wembley Park looks great inside and out as Alto Apartments’ interior designers share their vision

Wembley Park looks great inside and out as Alto Apartments’ interior designers share their vision

United Kingdom
  • Mid-market homes for Londoners available from £375k (Alto Apartments)
  • Inside-out flow brings light and life to apartments and communal areas by Alto’s Interior Designers (FLINT)
  • Furniture packs put stylish interior decor into the hands of every buyer (David Phillips)

Wembley Park is fast earning a reputation as one of London’s most desirable residential districts. The transformation underway by developer Quintain has brought the area alive with contemporary apartments, fashionable retail outlets, top restaurants, funky bars, street food stalls and more. Nor does the area just look good on the outside. Quintain’s COO James Saunders comments,

“When you take on a project the size of Wembley Park, every single detail counts. There are so many factors involved in creating a place where people can feel a true sense of community. It’s hard work and requires great attention to detail but as each stage of the revitalization plan is reached it’s exciting to see another part of the community taking shape.”

The recent launch of Alto Apartments marked a key milestone in the Wembley Park transformation and provided the opportunity for Quintain to display just how much vision has gone into the work being undertaken.

The Alto show apartments are simply stunning, astounding buyers by demonstrating just how much you can get for a mid-market price tag in such a well-connected part of the capital (prices at the Pienna Apartments building start at £375,000 for a one bedroom apartment and £495,000 for a two bed).

The interior design for Alto, by FLINT, places emphasis on the importance of an open plan layout, focusing on the flow of space, orientation, light and a palette of high quality materials. FLINT also designed the concierge super lobby, an impressive, double-height space that opens up to reveal superbly landscaped gardens beyond, creating the feeling of a modern boutique hotel. The drama of the main entrance is enhanced by the presence of a long monolithic reception desk clad in dark stone, while a sculptural spiral stair leads up to a galleried mezzanine area.

Vesna Aksentijevic, of Interior Designers FLINT, comments,

“Our design strategy was to create complete synergy between the exterior and interior of Alto Apartments. We established an early collaborative relationship with both Quintain and the architects, Flanagan Lawrence, and this resulted in a real sense of spatial integrity and coherence. The apartments are designed from the inside out, with spatial and functional needs influencing the external form of the building. Clean, rational apartment layouts were developed together with the façade to create high quality interior space, maximising on daylight via large and expansive balconies that offer stunning views across London.”

Buyers at Alto Apartments can personalise their space choosing from a darker or lighter palette of materials and finishes from a subtle range of interchangeable colour tones selected by FLINT.

Kitchens feature durable finishes and are both practical and minimal in style; bedroom wardrobes echo the overall colour palette and bathrooms exude tranquillity with surfaces of soft ceramic and glass, creating a sense of luxury and calm.

Buyers also have the opportunity to purchase a furniture pack from David Phillips as part of their reservation and many of those who have viewed the show apartments are planning to do just that.

Interior designer Stacey Winn, Head of Design at David Phillips who furnished the Alto show homes, reveals that much of the inspiration for their look and feel came from their being in such an iconic location. She explains,

“The location and architecture of the building were a great source of inspiration when it came to the interior of the apartments. It was important to echo the building’s contemporary design in the internal finish. Each of the show apartments features high-end furnishings to complement the modern, aspirational lifestyle that Alto offers and the ample space in them was very inspiring in terms of furnishing a flexible space for living and entertaining.”

The Alto show apartment interiors colour palette and lighting were inspired by key themes dominating this year’s Milan interiors fair, with textiles featuring menthol greens, burnt terracotta and nude pink. The furniture designs are timeless and contemporary, featuring block colours as opposed to decorative patterns. The apartments feel minimalist yet hospitable, with relaxation space flowing into tranquil bedrooms. Defined dining and terrace areas make it easy to imagine long, relaxed dinners with friends as well as a quiet night spent sipping wine and watching a movie, or admiring the incredible views over London.

Stacey continues,

“Instructing David Phillips to furnish your property ensures that each room is maximised in terms of functionality and your property is presented in line with the integrity of the building and the lifestyle that it offers. A professionally furnished property can make such a difference in terms of how relaxed you feel in your home – it’s really quite incredible.

“Our furnishing collections for Alto feature contemporary and design led products at accessible price points. All products are designed for modern day living: they are practical in shape, finish and durability. The result is a stylish home with a true sense of warmth and individuality.”

The furnishings echo the practical yet stylish approach taken to features throughout the apartments.

The result is a collection of wonderfully stylish, contemporary 1,2 & 3 bedroom homes for Londoners at mid-market prices, all within 12 minutes of the West End.

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

Star players roar into Wembley Park this autumn as NFL fever grips London

Star players roar into Wembley Park this autumn as NFL fever grips London

United Kingdom
  • Wembley Park chosen to host 3 NFL International Series games
  • Londoners to take over Regent Street as part of NFL celebrations
  • New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs draw in the crowds

London is awash with global sporting events and nowhere is the excitement more palpable than Wembley Park. Not only is the area hosting Rugby World Cup 2015 matches but some of the US’s hottest National Football League (NFL) teams have descended on Wembley Park once more this October and November.

The NFL is the most popular sports league in the States, generating an eye-watering USD $7.24 billion in revenue during 2014, most of which from television deals. Not happy with simply conquering US sports’ fans hearts, the NFL International Series takes some of the league’s star teams around the globe each year. This autumn, three matches will be played in Wembley Park: Jets-Dolphins, Bills-Jaguars and Lions-Chiefs.

The NFL’s arrival in London causes a considerable sensation each year. In 2013 and 2014, Regent Street hosted a traffic-free street party to celebrate, with thousands of fans flocking to London to join in the celebrations and take part in the festivities. This year, the massive NFL fan festival will once more take place, with the crowds going wild for the US’s biggest sporting stars.

Over in Wembley Park, where NFL teams have visited several times before, residents and local workers are excited about the three huge matches. James Saunders, COO of Quintain, the developer behind the regeneration of Wembley Park over the past decade, comments,

“The NFL’s visit to London is always a really exciting time for Wembley. Famous for decades for sports and music events, Wembley has hosted the NFL International Series for the last 10 years. With NFL community outreach programmes, cheer leader demonstrations in London Designer Outlet and in store promotions, the whole Wembley Park comes to life at these special weekends.”

As the redevelopment work has breathed new life into Wembley Park, the area is now known as much more than just an entertainment destination. Nowadays, Wembley Park attracts visitors from across London and the Home Counties to the thriving London Designer Outlet, as well as being home to some of the city’s most stylish and sought-after apartments. It’s an area packed with green spaces, with a welcoming, family atmosphere.

Those looking for a home at the heart of London’s NFL action this year are invited to visit the show apartments at the just launched Alto Apartments. One of the most popular buildings at Alto, Pienna Apartments offers 133 one, two and three bedrooms homes, set around a private, residents-only courtyard garden. The building also boasts a gym (including studio and spa treatment rooms) and a 24 hour concierge. Most apartments boast their own private balcony or outdoor space and residents of the upper floors can even enjoy views of the famous Wembley arch.

Prices at Pienna Apartments start at £375,000 for a one bedroom home and £495,000 for two bedrooms.

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