Family-first in and around Aberdeen
Developers are offering a wealth of choice in mid-sized commuter homes for workers within the gravity of the Granite City, discovers Kirsty Mcluckie
In the North-east, Aberdeen still has a gravitational pull for commuters, although many buyers are looking outside the city centre for more space at a more affordable price.
Housebuilders are responding to demand and switching their attention from the more expensive end of the market to much more family-friendly offerings.
Bancon Homes has just launched a show home at its exclusive Lochside of Leys development in Banchory.
Some 56 detached homes are being built, with three, four and fivebedrooms, in a peaceful woodland setting adjacent to a nature conservation site, but just minutes away from the town centre.
Jo Skinner, sales and marketing director at Bancon Homes, says: “Lochside of Leys is a very special development in a beautiful area, which is surrounded by peaceful countryside, woodland and wildlife.
“The showhome really does bring the outdoors in, using a woodland backdrop and shades of green to create a stylish and contemporary environment.
“We know visitors will be blown away by our Deeside Collection, which offers high-specification homes close to the amenities of Banchory and its top-rated schools.”
Prices at Lochside of Leys start at
£299,995 for a three-bedroomed Cairn house type.
Located on the edge of the Granite City, Kinion Place by Bancon Homes is also set against a backdrop of green fields between Newhills and Craibstone, close to the TECA events complex and perfectly positioned for access to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
The development offers a choice of two, three and four-bedroomed houses with prices from £244,995.
Countesswells is a new community taking shape to the west of the city, and Barratt Homes is offering three-bedroomed Coull housetypes which meet a variety of buyers’ needs – from professionals, young families and downsizers.
The house has a spacious living room at the front and the back of the house is taken up with an open-plan kitchen and dining space, with an adjoining utility area and WC. Doors from the kitchen area open out into a landscaped back garden.
On the first floor, buyers will find two large double bedrooms, a family-sized bathroom and a single bedroom, which would make the perfect kids’ room, workspace or games den.
Several Coull types are ready to move into now from £229,995, and incentives including free flooring, part-exchange and paid LBTT are on offer.
Barratt is also building in the city itself. Riverside Quarter homes at Bucksburn have great views from every window.
Davidson’s Point at Riverside Quarter represents the release of the development’s modern twobedroom apartments.
Available from just £169,995, each apartment comes with an ensuite, family bathroom and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining room.
The units – clad in brick in homage to the site’s paper mill heritage – also include a private terrace or balcony.
As well as proving popular among young professionals, couples and buy-to-let investor, the Davidson’s Point apartments are a great option for those looking to make their first move using Help to Buy.
Mike Cowie, sales and marketing director at Barratt North Scotland, says: “Riverside Quarter has excellent transport links for Dyce and city centre commuters, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors on your doorstep, thanks to its quality landscaping, riverside walks and community spaces.
Westburn Gardens is a part conversion, part new-build development by Barratt Homes of modern houses, renovated apartments and townhouses, 25 minutes walk from the city centre.
Unique two and three-bedroomed apartments are in the refurbished Westburn House, a former hospital with private courtyard spaces.
Westburn Gardens includes 245 new dwellings, including one, two and three-bedroomed apartments and two, three and four-bedroomed homes. Many of the apartments include balconies which give stunning views over the courtyards.
Prices at Kinion Place start from £249,995 for a three-bedroom Thistle semi-detached house.
Meanwhile, Cala Homes has
welcomed interested parties to view a second phase of homes at its Grandhome development in Bridge of Don
Mains of Grandhome comprises a contemporary mix of 116 three, four and five-bedroomed terraced, semidetached and detached homes.
The site offers hilltop views from a picturesque elevated setting, with future phases of the overall development to include community facilities, such as a school, parks and green space for recreational use, as well as retail and office space. Prices here begin at £299,950.
Cala has also unveiled apartments for the first time at its Craibstone Estate development to the northwest of Aberdeen.
The first release of one and twobedroomed apartments are now available, all of which have ensuite shower rooms, private parking for all homes and open-plan living spaces.
The apartments sit within a mature landscape of woodland walks, a walled garden and arboretum, six miles from the city centre.
Current prices for the apartments at Craibstone Estate start from £149,950.