Buy the Best. UK’s Finest House, Apartment and Luxury Home named in prestigious What House? Awards 2011

In today’s marketplace the buyer is king, seeking the best possible property for their budget and now the finest house, apartment and luxury home in the UK have been named in the prestigious What House? Awards 2011.
Announced at the glittering award ceremony last week, the Best House gold accolade was bestowed upon St James Homes for Queens Acre, a brand new development of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and 4 and 5 bedroom houses set amidst the picturesque avenues of the leady Old Town of Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.

Located just over 30 minutes from London, the judges felt that Queens Acre, which is already over 80% sold, was “classical yet contemporary, perfectly embodying the modern family lifestyle and built to a high quality, luxurious specification.  At £465 per square foot, it represents very good value for money. This is an outstanding house – well designed and beautifully executed”.
Best Apartment was awarded to two worthy winners, developers Dandara for Portelet Bay, St Brelade on the Channel Island of Jersey and Octagon for Canford Heights in Poole, Dorset. Both affording stunning sea views, Dandara was commended by the judging panel for creating a scheme on magical Portelet Bay that would keep apprehensive local residents happy. The “cracking team” of architects, landscape architects, artists and interior designers created a “luxurious and original development [comprising 46 apartments and 7 houses] in a very special setting”.
The attention to detail such as dropping the road and installing a curved glass wall which ensure that views were not lost, was also noted by the judges as well flexibility regarding materials and finish which buyers could enjoy if purchasing at an early stage.
Equal Gold winner, Canford Heights is Octagon’s first Poole development adjoining the exclusive Parkstone Golf Club with sublime views across the harbour to Brownsea Island.  A gated community of 4 apartments and a penthouse priced from £2.15 million, Canford Heights was congratulated for achieving true luxury “simply through elegant design and the perfect location”.
Of note was the communal marbled entrance foyer “as high as the building featuring a bespoke chandelier” and the very latest Gaggenau and Miele appliances in the kitchen and Villeroy & Boch fittings in the bathroom.
Continuing their reputation as one of the finest developers, Octagon also received the Best Luxury House award at the ceremony for Mole Hill located in St George’s Hill in leafy Surrey. High praise indeed was bestowed by the judges with Octagon said to have “broken the mould with this striking modernist building with classical echoes.”
This truly exceptional house was described as sharp, smart and stylish and flooded with natural light. With twinkling lights embedded in the mosaic-lined steam room to the granite-clad terraces at each floor level, the judges said “they´ve literally thought of everything!”
A bespoke family home, Mole Hill comprises 5 bedroom suites, one of which on the lower floor is complete with curved aquarium and direct garden access. Security, entertainment, leisure and energy efficiency are top notch with underfloor heating, solar panels and a diesel generator in case of power cuts. The study boasts special ventilation for cigar smoke extraction, a humidor, fridge and coffee maker, while staff quarters include two bright double bedrooms and a Bulthaup kitchen with Miele and Gaggenau appliances.
The grounds at Mole Hill were also highly regarded by the judging panel with the steeply sloping, immaculate, south-facing gardens said to “not look out of place at nearby RHS Wisley”. As a final touch, the perfect contrast to the crisp architecture of Mole Hill was a 1,000-square-foot Banya (pine log cabin) with 150 year-old oak flooring and full outside kitchen.
To find out more about the Best House, Best Apartment and Luxury Home , as well a full list of What House? Award winners visit http://www.whathouse.co.uk/what-house-awards or download the new What House? App for iPhone and shortly iPad.

To register for details of the 2012 What House? Awards please contact Derek Smith. ds@globespanmedia.com. Tel: 020-7324-2800.
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Notes to Editors:
Rupert Bates, Editorial Director of What House? would like to thank the following What House? Awards 2011 sponsors:
  Whathouse.co.uk
  Roca
  Spicerhaart land & new homes
  Nolte Kitchens
  Hometrack
  Show House magazine
  Electrolux
  Premier Guarantee
  Johnson Tiles
  Laufen
  ScottishPower
  KLAS International