London positions itself as a global leader in the property market by delivering world-class, placemaking developments to entice investors.
Eastman Village, by Barratt London. Image: Barratt London
Placemaking provides people with a connection to the environment and the space in which they share. As new areas in cities are built and old neighbourhoods redeveloped, placemaking has provided an attractive draw to both locals and overseas buyers. London has been particularly strong in this area and continues to strive to put placemaking at the forefront of development initiatives.
With the UK government’s roadmap to recovery now in place after a year of on and off lockdowns, the property market has remained unexpectedly resilient throughout the pandemic. House prices have risen exponentially, with government initiatives designed to mitigate the economic impact spurring continued movement in the property market. The Office Budget for Responsibility (OBR) expects the UK economy to return to previous pre-pandemic levels by mid-2022, much swifter than was originally expected.
Verdant parks at Barratt London, Eastman Village. Image Barratt London.
According to Barratt London, one of the UK’s premier developers, placemaking will be the key to the capital’s successful bounce back. The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 has redefined the way people live and work, says Stuart Leslie, International Sales & Marketing Director at Barratt London. Stuart comments, “City-dwellers’ priorities and expectations have changed so it is more important than ever for housebuilders to focus on creating not just places to live, but destinations in their own right that cater to these needs. While prime central property in London remains in high demand, large-scale urban regeneration projects have caused a significant shift amongst international buyers in the past few months, with properties in London’s zones 2-5 proving very popular.
“With more people than ever working from home, movers expect more from their surroundings, whether that’s extra square footage, additional rooms, or access to fantastic facilities and green space in their immediate locality. London suburbs are flourishing, with people willing to move further away from the city centre in search of more space and improved quality of life. With regeneration well underway in areas such as Wembley, East Ham, and Acton, it is the thriving culture and opportunities these projects bring with them that will undoubtedly spark a property boom in these outer zones over the next decade.”
Harrow: Eastman Village
With its internationally renowned school, Harrow has attracted international attention for centuries. Today it’s not only the school that is bringing people to this part of northwest London, but its regeneration initiatives are also becoming a sizeable draw for potential homeowners and developers.
Image: Eastman Village
Eastman Village, by Barratt London, is a comprehensive scheme in Harrow designed by award-winning architect Pollard Thomas Edwards. Home to the Kodak Factory for 125 years, this impressive regeneration development will create a new leisure, business, and residential destination providing up to 2,000 homes in addition to restaurants, cafés, shops, and planned offices set around a landscaped park.
The development plays a pivotal role in the locality’s £1.75 billion (approx. US$2.44 billion) regeneration backed by Harrow Council, bringing huge growth to the area. Creating 3,000 new jobs, planned amenities include two new schools, a new health centre, an attractive new parkland, and improvements to the public realm.
Another condominium wing at Eastman Village by Barratt London. Image: Barratt London
Eastman Village will provide stylish apartments and family houses located a ten-minute walk to Harrow & Wealdstone station with quick commuter links to central London in just 13 minutes. Home to the prestigious 450-year-old Harrow School and a number of other excellent schools, the commuter hotspot is a popular choice for families.
Living room design at Eastman Village by Barratt London. Image: Barratt London
Preserving elements of the site’s industrial heritage, the homes are constructed predominantly in red brick to reference the original Kodak buildings, while subtle detailing links with the history of the site, giving it a strong sense of place. Properties provide spacious elegantly designed living accommodation offering residents the ultimate urban lifestyle. Each home features a garden, balcony, or terrace, many with sweeping city views.
For more information, please visit barrattlondon.com.
Coulsdon: Cane Hill Park
Boutique developer Haxted is transforming a collection of legacy buildings at Cane Hill Park, a 205-acre development in Coulsdon, south London. The historic buildings comprise a water tower, a chapel, and one wing of a hospital’s former administration building which was built in 1882. Cane Hill Park is surrounded by 173 acres of agricultural land, offering the best of both town and country living.
The stately facade of Cane Hill Park, Coulsdon, London. Image: Cane Hill Park.
Placemaking also plays a central role here. Richard Blakeway, London’s former Deputy Mayor for Housing and Land had previously said, “The transformation of this massive site into hundreds of new homes, new employment space, green areas, and health facilities is a superb example of how previously empty public land can be put to the best possible use.”
Developed on the site of a former psychiatric hospital, the last phase of the housing project will see the sensitive refurbishment of the three remaining legacy buildings which are all that survive the much larger Cane Hill Hospital complex. Part of the refurbishment includes a luxurious one-off luxury residence in a water tower worth over £2 million (approx. US$2.74 million)
The Administration Building Collection will provide 14 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The on-site chapel is also being converted at the centre of the new community and there are plans for co-working, exhibition, and communal spaces for residents in the pipeline.
The site of the former psychiatric hospital also has quite a history. Notable residents included family members of Charlie Chaplin, Michael Cane, and none other than David Bowie. In fact, David Bowie’s connection goes even deeper, with his album cover for “The Man Who Sold the World” having featured large parts of the 1882 hospital. Carlo Navato, Founder of Haxted, comments, “What is most impressive here is the strong sense of local history and the unique heritage of Cane Hill Park makes this one of our most exciting projects to date. The properties are a careful balance of modern design with traditional character as it was extremely important that we didn’t lose sight of the development’s rich past.”
Cane Hill Chapel Tower. Image: Cane Hill Park.
Residents of Cane Hill Park will be just a ten-minute walk from Coulsdon town centre with its wide variety of shops, restaurants, and facilities. It’s also ideal for those working in central London with convenient public transport from Coulsdon South train station which provides frequent services to London Bridge in 21 minutes, London Victoria in 28 minutes and to Croydon Town Centre in 6 minutes. There is also easy access to the M25 motorway which is just 10 minutes away by car.
For more information, please visit canehill.co.uk
East Ham: New Market Place
Another area of the capital that sees placemaking take centrestage is East Ham. Situated in the east London borough of Newham, East Ham is seeing a rejuvenated future thanks to new development with placemaking front and centre. One such project is New Market Place by Barratt London, which will consist of 277 apartments across a 1.9-acre site. Steeped in history, the development is set on the grounds of the former East Ham Market Hall, a local landmark serving the community for over 95 years.
New Market Place’s living room configuration of a studio apartment. Image: Barratt London.
Barratt London has collaborated with award-winning London architecture firm RMA to create a rich public space that links to the high street, transforming a currently under-utilised former market site into a vibrant development at the heart of the community. Having already benefitted from the major regeneration of east London following the 2012 Olympic Games, it is estimated that by 2025, around £22 billion (approx. US$30.77 billion) will have been invested in the borough.
In addition to the residential accommodation, the area will be given a new lease of life with 21,500 square feet of retail and restaurant space for the community to enjoy. Five of the six new retail units will create a shopping mall linking to the existing Kina House Market, which will be renovated to create a new retail destination. A sixth standalone retail unit will be located to the north of the site. As a nod to the local heritage, both the retail and residential buildings will embrace architecture sympathetic to its historic past. Apartments and houses will be centred around the sprawling retail arcade, which will include a range of vibrant new shops, cafés, and restaurants.
New Market Place at East Ham Market Hall. Image: Barratt London.
A wide range of high-quality apartments is on offer, with properties filled with space and light. Open-plan living areas feature floor-to-ceiling glazing allowing natural light to flood in, while kitchens are equipped with a full range of appliances and contemporary bathrooms provide stylish fittings and attractive tiling. All homes have their own private balcony or terrace. Each apartment will benefit from either a private balcony or outdoor space, while residents will also have access to the rooftop terrace area. New roads and walkways will be lined with luscious plants to soften the balance of new and old.
For more information, please visit barrattlondon.com.