THE PRIORITIES THEY ARE A-CHANGING...
GREEN SPACES AND DEDICATED WORK AREAS ARE THE NEW FOCUS FOR BUYERS, SAYS ANDREA DEAN
LIVING through the lockdowns has made us appreciate our homes all the more – and changed our priorities when buying. Proximity to a station becomes less important if we’re only commuting part-time, but a dedicated work area is now a must-have for many, as is outside space.
A survey by Share To Buy and Peabody has highlighted that 50 per cent of first-time buyers are even keener to purchase than before the pandemic, and that they now value local parks and other green spaces, room to WFH and a private balcony or terrace more than being close to public transport.
As well as providing an affordable way on to the housing ladder, shared ownership can give you everything on your home-buying wish-list, as these amazing homes demonstrate.
WFH WONDERS
Stuck for ideas on how to incorporate an office into your home? Then visit Beam Park near Rainham where L&Q is showcasing how you can use the second bedroom as a flexible live/work space by decking it out with a stylish desk and a daybed/sofa.
Two-bedroom apartments start from £83,750 for a 25 per cent share of £335,000, lqhomes.com.
At Peabody’s Valley House (1) in Greenwich, all the one, two and three-bed apartments can easily accommodate a home working area – whether in the bedroom, living room or spare room.
Prices start from £101,125 for a 25 per cent share of £405,000, peabodysales.co.uk.
Selected apartments at Newlon’s Hale Works (2) in Tottenham Hale include office space and, for a change of scenery, you can always shift yourself and your laptop to one of the work stations in the lobby or the 11th floor sky lounge – though it’s hard not to be distracted by the views.
One and two-beds start from £92,500 for a 25 per cent share of £370,000, haleliving.london/building/hale-works.
Oaklands Rise (3), from Notting Hill Genesis, is at the centre of the £26billion Old Oak and Park Royal regeneration. There will be a dedicated concierge service so you won’t be interrupted by deliveries, and a residents-only work hub.
Two-bed apartments are from £108,250 for 25 per cent of £433,000, nhgsales.com.
AWESOME OUTSIDE SPACE
While balconies, terraces, communal gardens and roof terraces are fairly commonplace, some shared ownership developers have gone above and beyond in their provision of al fresco areas. Each of the studio, one and two-bed apartments at Ascot House (4) in Staines-upon-Thames, from
Latimer by Clarion Housing, comes complete with a spacious balcony, and residents have use of lush communal gardens and a roof terrace with views of Windsor Castle. Prices are from £76,250 for a 25 per cent share of a studio apartment priced at £305,000, ascothousestaines.co.uk. Landscaped green spaces and generously sized balconies can also be found at the same housing association’s Windsor Apartments (5) at Prince of Wales Drive in Battersea, which will have direct pedestrian access to neighbouring Battersea Park. One- and two-beds are from £156,250 for a 25 per cent share of £625,000, windsorapartments-sw11.co.uk.
For impressive river views, head to Peabody’s Pontoon Reach (6) in Royal Docks, as it features a spectacular rooftop garden gazing out over the Thames. The one and two-bed homes all have a private balcony or terrace, from £105,750 for 30 per cent of £352,500, peabodysales.co.uk.
Part of East London’s biggest regeneration project since the Olympics, Leaside Lock (7) in Bromley-by-Bow, from Guinness Homes, is located next to another river – the Lea – and includes a courtyard garden and riverside park. One and two-bed apartments are from £83,150 for a 25 per cent share of £332,500, leasidelock.com.
PET-FRIENDLY PADS
If you’re one of the 3.2million households who’ve acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic – or can’t wait to get one – make sure you pick a development that welcomes your furry friend with open arms. There are plenty of places to walk the dog close to L&Q at Ridgeway Views (8) in green and leafy Mill Hill where one and two-bed apartments start at £83,750 for 25 per cent of £335,000, lqhomes.com. And Acton Works in Park Royal (9) is set around communal gardens and a short walk from a park.
One, two and three-bed apartments are from £85,000 for a 25 per cent share of £340,000, networkhomessales.co.uk.