London Property South April 2018 by TypeStart Ltd

LONDON PROPERTY

HOUSE & HOME

APRIL 2018

STAGING ASALE

Make every viewing count

GREEN SHOOTS

Market confidence warms up

South London scoops! Four hotspots make the latest top ten South Cover.indd 1

COUNTRY from page 101

22/03/2018 13:22

A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION We pride ourselves on exceptional service and unrivalled market knowledge, with a global network of 418 offices across 60 countries that can showcase your property to the widest possible audience. To arrange for a free market appraisal, please call us on 020 3641 5936 or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/battersea

Guide price: £1,150,000

Heath Road, Battersea SW11 A charming Victorian house with over 1,200 sq. ft on Heath Road, just on the edge of the sought after Diamond Conservation Area. Master suite, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom, w/c, reception room, kitchen, garden. EPC: E. Approximately 113 sq m (1,216 sq ft). battersea@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 5936

@KF_SWLondon KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £1,100,000

Lurline Gardens, Battersea SW11 A very spacious maisonette situated moments from Battersea Park and a short walk from the River Thames. 3/4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1/2 reception rooms, kitchen. EPC: D. Approximately 141 sq m (1,518 sq ft). battersea@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 5936

KF LPR South RUNNING ORDER.indd 1

PRS April Issue 2018

21/03/2018 13:35 14/03/2018 14:15:01

MOVE. Faster. Sell with Knight Frank. Our understanding of the everchanging market enables us to price your property accurately, so you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving. Call us today to arrange your free market appraisal. KnightFrank.co.uk/clapham clapham@knightfrank.com 020 8022 6116 Guide price: £2,395,000

Trouville Road, Clapham SW4 An exceptional Victorian house with a beautiful south facing garden in the heart of Abbeville Village. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room, utility room, guest cloakroom, garden, off street parking. EPC: F. Approximately 258 sq m (2,777 sq ft). clapham@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8022 6116

@KF_SWLondon KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £1,475,000

Floris Place, Clapham SW4 A superb terrace house with off street parking set within in a private, gated mews in Clapham Old Town. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room, guest cloakroom, garden, off street parking. EPC: C. Approximately 162.4 sq m (1,748 sq ft). clapham@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8022 6116

KF LPR South RUNNING ORDER.indd 2

Property Review South Sales - April 2018 SALES

21/03/2018 13:35 14/03/2018 14:28:57

0626 PR SOUTH (April).qxp_Layout 1 13/03/2018 17:03 Page 1

LONDON PROPERTY

PUBLISHING Publishing Director Alison Hurcombe 07718 982736, ahurcombe@londonpropertysouth.co.uk

Your Local Letting & Management Specialist

EDITOR Jane Stevens, a journalist who has worked for many national and regional magazines, has been a stylist, writer and editor covering a diverse range of subjects including fashion, food, travel, interiors and property. jstevens@londonpropertysouth.co.uk DESIGN & PRODUCTION TypeStart Dan Thompson 01536 418181, southpr@typestart.co.uk www.typestart.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS info@londonpropertysouth.co.uk HEAD OFFICE The Studio, 370 Old York Road, London SW18 1SP CONTRIBUTORS Jenny Knight is an award-winning journalist, specialising in property and education. During her long career she has written news and features for nearly every national paper. Duncan Farmer is an experienced journalist specialising in finance, business and property. Duncan writes for a wide range of newspapers including the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday. See his Finance report.

London Property South is a monthly magazine distributed to AB homes in: Battersea, Wandsworth, Earlsfield, Southfields, Streatham, Clapham, Balham, Tooting, Kennington, Putney, Wimbledon, Coombe Hill, Barnes, Dulwich Village, East/ West Dulwich, Camberwell, Herne Hill, as well as being available from leading South London and Country estate agents. Distribution by Regal. Copyright @ 2015 London Property South. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Materials are accepted on the understanding that no liability is incurred for safe custody. All prices are correct at time of going to press, but are subject to change. London Property South cannot be responsible for unsolicited material.

ONTHE COVER Marketed by Circa London Lettings (www.circalondon.com) Photography by Tom Wright www.penguinseggphoto.com

Letting and managing properties locally since 1993 Balham:

Battersea:

80 Balham High Rd Balham SW12 9AG

134 Northcote Rd Battersea SW11 6QZ

020 8675 5050

020 7978 4404

Visit our website to see the reviews

Contact_This Issue.indd 1

22/03/2018 11:29

INSTA GALLERY

Atheldene Road SW18 £400 per week

A bright and spacious split level flat close to Earlsfield mainline station. The flat has a large reception room, a kitchen breakfast room, two double bedrooms, one ensuite bathroom, one shower room and a small patio garden. EPC-D

AND THE SOUTH LONDON WINNERS ARE... BERMONDSEY! FURZEDOWN! HERNE HILL! AND RICHMOND! We are spoilt for choice! #sosouth #bestplacetolive #southlondon #move

Falcon Brook Mansions SW17 £390 per week

A beautifully presented two bedroom flat close to Balham tube and mainline station. The flat benefits from a large reception room, kitchen with dining area, two double bedrooms, one modern bathroom and one parking space. EPC-B

hurhoods - Yout -be hot neighbo k -to ec on Ch so of or ct ns fa Sig chain and the coﬀee est issue, lat e th Renovations in t igh t by Jenny Kn er out Home Fron ood the manag Alexandra Attw to m ks ha ea at sp tre e as sh otspot #s in Streatham #h enovation at Winkworth s #waitrose #r op sh ee oﬀ #c g in m co nd pa #u outhlondon #investment #s

Montholme Road, SW11 £365 per week

A recently modernised one bedroom flat close to Northcote Road. The flat comprises of a large bright open plan kitchen reception room with bi folding doors to a patio garden, one double bedroom, a cloakroom, and an ensuite shower room. EPC-C

For advice on letting your property please contact your local office: Clapham:

Earlsfield:

1 The Polygon Clapham Common SW4 0JG

370 Garratt Lane Earlsfield SW18 4ES

020 7720 5588

020 8879 6205

www.PalaceGateLettings.com

When will the nightmare end!? #tooting #thameswater #closures

@LondonPropertySouth 5

Contact_This Issue.indd 2

22/03/2018 11:29

WORLDWIDE REMOVALS UK Residential, European & International Moving

Abels. Moving your world.

• UK Residential Removals • Worldwide Relocations • Weekly European Removals • Storage Services • Antiques, Fine Art Packing, Storing & Moving • Car Transportation & Storage • Office & Commercial Moving Telephone: 020 3797 2690 E-Mail: enquiries@abels.co.uk

6 Child_Piano 300x230mm MASTER.indd 1 Abels FP.indd 1

Memb No: A001

FS 23942

198656

www.abels.co.uk 12/03/2018 21/03/2018 14:48 13:28

Inside

APRIL 2018

34 NEWS & VIEWS 8

Home Front. Having a Blue Plaque could have an effect on your home’s desirability, suggests Jenny Knight Kitchen Glory. A spacious, light-filled, contemporary kitchen in Balham The Word. Mark Hustwit sees buyer confidence warming up with Spring Heads-up. South west living gets the thumbs up, a new view for Battersea and green shoots Word on the Street. Will the market blossom in the Spring? Living at the Riverside. An overview of the capital’s fastest changing market On Reflection. Darren Baker of Lauristons gives his market overview

@LPropertySouth Follow us in Twitter to get the heads up on everything property!

21 98

40 Ask the Expert. Jane Robathan considers whether staged homes sell faster 48 Money Matters. Duncan Farmer looks at the different ways women deal with investments 50 Secret Agent. Alex Philo of Marsh & Parsons revealed 50 Events – 5 of the best things to do around SOUTH

HOME

24 The Trend. Looking good 25 Home Hot List. The ups and downs 26 Design Inspiration. Online boutique Lime Lace 28 The Project. A unique house rescued from vandals

@LondonPropertySouth See our brilliant instagram page for a pick of the best posts from South London

ON THE MARKET

22 Home Compare. Modern homes 31 EXCLUSIVE. Three properties set to impress 42 NEW HOMES. Spotlight on new home experts at Robert Holmes 58 South West London. Desirable houses in Between the Commons and Putney 62 South West London. Desirable homes in Wimbledon and Battersea 63 Robert Holmes Wimbledon. A Wimbledon Common mansion 67 Robert Holmes Coombe. A cleverly designed family home on Coombeside 91 South East London. Family homes in Dulwich and Herne Hill

Facebook.com/ LondonPropertySouth Like us on Facebook and follow our property news, views and inspiration for homes and modern living

98 Lettings Lowdown. Marc Wiehe, Winkworth, looks at influences on the market 100 Luxe Lettings. Two impressive lets in Wimbledon

COUNTRY

102 Luxury apartments in a parkland setting in Cobham 106 A gorgeous Georgian house in the heart of Northampton’s cultural quarter

FINALLY

113 Last Word. Oliver Cooper of Knight Frank Wimbledon has the final say

www.londonpropertysouth.co.uk Missed a copy of the magazine? Keep up to date with South London’s Prime property on the London Property South website

Contents.indd 1

22/03/2018 11:28

HOME FRONT A little blue plaque on the side of a house doesn’t just add snob-value, but according to estate agents it will make the house easier to sell and may even boost its price, ﬁnds Jenny Knight

here are now more than 900 blue plaques across London honouring the places where famous men or women who have lived or worked. A survey by English Heritage, which runs the scheme, found that 78 per cent of estate agents believe a plaque helps a property sell. However, a survey by Knight Frank found that it is blue plaque homes with literary connections that bring in

higher prices compared with plaques linked to other professions. Knight Frank analysed data from English Heritage and found the total sale value of homes in London with blue plaques connected to literary figures is worth more than £91m. Westminster, Camden and Kensington & Chelsea are the top three boroughs for blue plaques but

South London also has its fair share. Clapham Common Northside, for example, has a record six plaques including one for novelist Graham Greene, beaten only by Cheyne Walk in Chelsea with 10 plaques. Other famous south Londoners commemorated in this way are anti-slavery campaigner, William Wilberforce, in Broomwood Road, Battersea; politician David Lloyd George, in Routh Road, Wandsworth; Sir Harry Lauder, music hall giant in Longley Road, Tooting and war heroine Violetta Szabo, Burnley Road, Stockwell. It can be fun and possibly worthwhile to investigate the history of your home. Websites such as nationalarchives.gov.uk can make the job easier. If your home was once lived in by a famous person contact plaques@english-heritage.org.uk, briefly outlining your idea. If the person has already been turned down, they won’t be reconsidered for another ten years. At least 20 years must have passed since the death of the famous person, so it’s not possible to put yourself up for the honour! Other schemes are run by the Heritage Foundation to commemorate entertainment giants and the Nubian Jak Community Trust for prominent historical black people. Southwark Council put up a plaque in, Peckham Park Road, to commemorate the childhood home of footballer Rio Ferdinand, who grew up on the Friary Estate. In Exeter there is a plaque honouring Mary the carrier pigeon who flew secret messages from France during the Second World War.

©Grant Buchanan/Silverhub/REX/Shutterstock

hough Beatrix Potter grew up in west London, holidays were spent in Scotland and the Lake District where she developed a love of landscape, flora, and fauna which she observed and painted. She would send letters to young friends, illustrating them with quick sketches. Many of these were written to the children of her former governess Annie Carter Moore, particularly her eldest son Noel who was often ill. In 1893 Potter wrote a story for him about four little rabbits – Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter – which became The Tale of Peter Rabbit and the first of Beatrix Potter’s 23 children’s tales. It’s now the subject of an animated film voiced by an allstar cast. Annie Moore’s six bedroom home in Baskerville Road, Wandsworth is now on the market through Knight Frank, £4.24m.

HOMES

he kitchen of this stylishly refurbished house has been extended into the rear garden and benefits from bifold doors that open onto a south west facing terrace. The kitchen is spacious enough to allow for a large dining table and separate family seating area. Light floods in through the well-located roof lights and the kitchen is fitted with contemporary wall and base units and has a useful central island. Ramsden Road, SW12, £1,575,000, John Thorogood 020 7228 7474

KITCHENGLORY

Home Front.indd 1

21/03/2018 12:54

THE WORD Mark Hustwit, Senior Sales Manager Marsh & Parsons Brixton, sees buyer conﬁdence warming up with Spring

uyers have remained cautious since Brexit and last year’s election, and prices have stabilised as a result. Indeed, those still making a move have benefited from having more available properties to choose from, so motivated vendors adjusted prices accordingly. As we bid farewell to the winter months, it seems buyer confidence is also warming up and people are once again focusing on their property searches. Indeed, we saw a 10 per cent increase in buyers registered in Brixton from February to March, and I expect we’ll continue to see this interest grow throughout the year. Brixton is primarily a local market where people tend to stay and transition from renting, to put down more permanent roots and purchase their first homes. These first time buyers kept the Brixton market buoyant throughout 2017 and, in fact, some 60 per cent of buyers we matched to their new homes last year fell in to this category, with deposits often funded by the Bank of Mum and Dad. Similarly, more parents are purchasing a home for their children to rent from them, as investment yield is far higher than if the money remained in the bank, due to historically low interest rates for cash savers. Looking ahead for the rest of 2018, first time buyers will continue to support the market and up-sizers, capitalising on previous house price growth, will sustain larger house sales. For vendors motivated to sell, my advice would be to price sensibly rather than simply opting for the highest valuation; listen to agents who are experienced, know the local market and

OUTOF TOWNBUY...

Guide price £1.6m Byndon is an imposing, substantial, 1930s’ character home with 5 bedrooms and family friendly living space occupying a secluded 1.5 acre plot (with pool) within the desirable Lewes Road Conservation Area. Home to the current owners since 1985, the house has been meticulously maintained and extended while retaining the character features. There’s also an additional plot with potential for a separate building, subject to planning consent. Easy access to Brighton, Gatwick and the M25 and Hayward’s Heath station.

won’t overvalue your house just to get the business. Establishing the correct price at the outset is important, as initial market impact is crucial for getting buyers through the door, especially as, on average, it takes 15 viewings to sell a property. Additionally, Mansell McTaggart Haywards Heath overpriced properties will take longer to sell 01444 456431 and buyers can be wary of properties that have been reduced repeatedly. For buyers, borrowing money is certainly not going to get cheaper, so now is the time to buy. Following the government announcement that interest WC Wine and rates will increase sooner Charcuterie than expected, waiting Clapham Common South could result in higher Side, London SW4 7AA interest rates on your www.wcclapham.co.uk mortgage. What may seem like a Where? WC Wine and Charcuterie small increase is located underground, right next will cost door to Clapham Common tube thousands over station at the end of the High Street. an average 25What it’s like? It is an underground year mortgage wine bar in a former public water closet. – a 0.25 per Inside there is a cheerful and intimate cent increase atmosphere with live music played on equates to a Monday and Sunday. There is an £31,250 extra excellent selection of wine, craft beers in the lifetime and cocktails as well as cured meats of the loan. If and cheeses from around Europe you think you’ve and the UK. found your And the food? All the food is dream property, Alice Finch-Noyes authentically delicious but I would take the leap – the Negotiator, recommend one of the sharing likelihood is that Knight Frank platters, more specifically property prices are Clapham Lettings the cheese and only going to go one charcuterie board! way, up!

BEST BITES

Home Front.indd 2

21/03/2018 11:51

Compass House, Riverside West SW18 Stunning three bedroom flat in riverside development in Wandsworth An excellent direct river-front apartment in immaculate condition with stunning river views. Located within Riverside West, offering views both up river to Putney and down river to Battersea, the serene view can be appreciated from all 3 balconies, living room or bedrooms. This superb apartment offers generous accommodation and a very impressive reception room with a semi open plan kitchen. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen/reception, 3 balconies. EPC: C. Approximately 120 sq m (1,292 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 978 years remaining

Guide price: £1,135,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/riverside riverside@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5934

@KF_SWLondon KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/RVR180006

KF LPR South RUNNING ORDER.indd 3

PRS April 18 Riverside Sales

21/03/2018 13:35

15/03/2018 14:45:16

Mill Street, Shad Thames SE1 A converted mill house occupying the top three floors The property has been transformed into a sleek contemporary space, perfect for entertaining and well located in an exclusive area of the city close to London Bridge, Bermondsey and Tower Hill stations. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, atrium, 2 balconies, 2 terraces, smart glass. EPC: C. Approximately 232.3 sq m (2,500 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 122 years remaining

Guide price: £2,900,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/towerbridge towerbridge@knightfrank.com 020 7768 0807

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/TWB170211

KF LPR South RUNNING ORDER.indd 4

Property Review South April 2018

21/03/2018 13:36

14/03/2018 14:46:53

A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION We pride ourselves on exceptional service and unrivalled market knowledge, with a global network of 418 offices across 60 countries that can showcase your property to the widest possible audience. To arrange a free market appraisal, please call us on 020 7768 0994 or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/wandsworth

Guide price: £1,450,000

Burntwood Grange Road, Wandsworth SW18 A semi-detached house close to Wandsworth Common with off street parking, a south facing garden and a garage. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room, WC, south facing garden, garage, utility room. EPC: E. Approximately: 167.38 sq m (1,802 sq ft). wandsworth@knightfrank.com Office: 020 7768 0994

@KF_SWLondon KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £2,100,000

Ballingdon Road, Wandsworth SW11 A Victorian home of substantial proportions architecturally designed to create a stylish home, located between the commons. 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, WC, utility room, natural basement, garden, spa pool, wine cellar. EPC: C. Approximately 246 sq m (2,648 sq ft). wandsworth@knightfrank.com Office: 020 7768 0994

KF LPR South RUNNING ORDER.indd 5

SOUTH - April 2018

21/03/2018 13:36 14/03/2018 15:22:02

MOVE Faster. Sell with Knight Frank Our understanding of the ever-changing market enables us to price your property accurately, so you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving. Call us today on 020 8022 1358 to arrange your free market appraisal.

KnightFrank.com/wimbledon wimbledon@knightfrank.com

Guide price: £3,350,000

Convent Mews, Wimbledon SW19 A superb semi-detached townhouse finished to a very high specification. 5 bedrooms (3 en suite), family bathroom, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/family room, utility room, cinema, gym, sauna, cloakroom, garden, garage. EPC: B. Approximately 443.8 sq m (4,778 sq ft). wimbledon@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8022 1358

@KF_SWLondon KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £4,450,000

West Side Common, Wimbledon SW19 A beautiful 18th Century country house overlooking Wimbledon Common. 3/4 bedrooms (1 en suite), family bathroom, double reception room, kitchen, studio, integral garage, garden, off street parking. EPC: F. Approximately 323.4 sq m (3,482 sq ft). wimbledon@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8022 1358

KF LPR South RUNNING ORDER.indd 6

Property Review South April 2018 - Sales

21/03/2018 13:36 09/03/2018 12:51:14

FOUND. Your perfect tenant. Let with Knight Frank. We pride ourselves on exceptional service and unrivalled market knowledge. With a global network of 418 offices over 60 countries we can showcase your property to the widest possible audience. If you are considering renting your property this year, please contact us on 020 3641 7650 or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings.

Guide price: £365 per week

Copse Hill, Wimbledon SW20 A stunning, brand new apartment within this exclusive development in West Wimbledon. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open plan reception room/kitchen with dining area, private terrace, communal gardens, gym, library and underground parking. EPC: B. Approximately 89.2 sq m (960 sq ft). wimbledonlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 7650

All potential tenants should be advised that as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

@KF_SWLondon KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £1,154 per week

Victoria Drive, Wimbledon SW19 A fantastic detached family house in Wimbledon, well located for the common. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, excellent kitchen with dining area, private garden and off street parking. EPC: E. Approximately 228 sq m (2,454 sq ft). wimbledonlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 7650

KF LPR South RUNNING ORDER.indd 7

Property Review South - April 2018 - Lettings

21/03/2018 13:36 14/03/2018 15:23:38

SA Corporate.indd 1

22/03/2018 08:51

The best properties on your doorstep

Imposing Victorian house overlooking Clapham Common, SW4 Reception room, drawing room, playroom, master bedroom with en suite and dressing room, 4 further double bedrooms, 3 futher shower/bathrooms, cloakroom, utility room, roof terrace, south west facing garden, 315 sq m (3,390 sq ft), EPC=E

Guide ÂŁ3.275 million | Freehold

Charming cottage in the Shaftesbury Estate on Ashbury Road, SW11 Double reception room with log burner, kitchen with dining area, 2 large bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, substantial family bathroom, south facing garden, 89 sq m (959 sq ft), EPC=D

Guide ÂŁ850,000 | Freehold

Talk to us today Adam Dryden-Peck Savills Battersea Park 020 3402 1900 adpeck@savills.com

Drew Zendra Savills Northcote Road 020 3428 2222 dzendra@savills.com

Jasper Colliver Savills Wandsworth 020 8877 1222 jcolliver@savills.com

savills.co.uk 16

Savills London Output.indd 1

21/03/2018 13:24

Savills Northcote Road

020 3430 6900

Savills Battersea Park

020 3402 1900

Wonderful family house on Barmouth Road, SW18 Reception room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom, 5 further bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, cloakroom, utility room, south west facing garden, 200 sq m (2,163 sq ft), EPC=E

Guide ÂŁ1.35 million | Freehold

Stunning split level apartment on Barnard Mews, SW11 Reception room, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 double bedrooms (1 en suite), family bathroom, patio garden, communal gardens, private parking space, 83 sq m (890 sq ft), EPC=C

Guide ÂŁ799,950 | Leasehold Approximately 106 years remaining

what can we do for you?

Savills London Output.indd 2

21/03/2018 13:25

HEADS-UP HIGH ACHIEVER

Robert Holmes & Company’s support for Alexandra Nemeth has so far helped her complete six of the climbs in her extreme quest, begun in 2014, to conquer the 7 Summits. Alexandra is currently training to attempt to climb number 7 with Mt Everest in April and May. She says: “I am very fortunate to have the support of wonderful local companies, including Robert Holmes. I have made friends with their teams who send me good luck messages before and during an expedition. After my parents, they are the first who know about my summits as well!” See more at www.alexfineartphotography.com or Instagram alex7summits

Ann Benson

Jenna Hollins

Camilla Harris

George Smith

Charlotte Heath

Louie Palmer

Caroline Kennaway

Victoria Ball

ONTHEUP

The Savills’ south west London team have been enjoying promotions, which sees one person move up to director level, two people to associate director level and five become associates. Locally, Caroline Kennaway from Clapham becomes a director, Charlotte Heath from East Sheen an associate director, Camilla Harris from Wandsworth an associate, with Jenna Hollins and Louie Palmer from Battersea Park also associates. Robin Chatwin, head of Savills south west London residential, said: “I would like to congratulate all eight of these individuals on their very well deserved promotions. They have all consistently delivered an excellent performance and contributed to both the success of their teams and the wider south west London region.”

ONYOUR BIKES Southwark Council has welcomed two dockless bike providers, ofo and Mobike, into the borough, to help boost cycling and improve road safety. A number of Quietways – peaceful cycle routes away from busy traffic and big roads – have been opened and people returning to cycling after a break can go on a council cycle training scheme. Southwark wants to help improve London’s air quality and hopes the dockless bikes will make it easier for people to cycle to the shops, library or parks.

NEWVIEW The promontory just east of Albert Bridge has been transformed into an attractive landscaped garden, brought to life by renowned designer and landscape architect David Keary of Keary Design Associates. The promontory is a piece of embankment that juts out 12 metres into the Thames and has been closed to the public for many decades. It is now a landmark feature of the park, offering seating and unrivalled views of the Thames and, in particular, of Albert Bridge. The promontory is one of several areas in Battersea Park to benefit from investment worth £840,000.

Heads Up.indd 1

21/03/2018 15:43

BRIXTONJOBS Ambitious plans to convert a former council office block into a business hub have been outlined to help meet Lambeth’s need for workspace and create the potential for around 500 new jobs in Brixton town centre. The 11-storey red brick 1970s’ International House, sits on Canterbury Crescent, just behind Brixton Road. It is currently being used as offices by around 600 council staff, who mainly work in Lambeth council’s Children and Young People’s Services. But with the council’s rationalisation of its office buildings from 14 to two to save £4.5million a year, council staff will be moving in the spring to the new Civic Centre building on nearby Town Hall Parade. Once International House is vacant, it is hoped to rent it to a specialist workspace operator for five years.

YIPEE!

NEWLEAVES

Most of Wandsworth’s council tax will be frozen to keep the average bill the lowest in the country, according to council leader Cllr Ravi Govindia. He has also announced a £10 million boost to deliver neighbourhood improvement plans based on parks, roads and libraries. Wandsworth is also commissioning two studies to look at growing the arts and cultural scene and how to bring more creative industries to support regeneration in Nine Elms and elsewhere. Another £150 million will go on building 1,000 new homes for people living and working in the borough, 60 per cent to be targeted at those on average or below averages salaries. Despite the main freeze on council tax, Wandsworth will pass on the Government’s two per cent adult social care levy to help the vulnerable.

Some 664 new trees have been planted this winter in every district of Wandsworth as part of a drive to plant more than 1,100 new trees in residential streets, housing estates and parks.

LEARNING CURVE A new south Wimbledon school called Harris Wimbledon will open in September. This year a record number of students applied for a place at one of Merton’s secondary schools, which are the best for progress in the country and are all rated ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Good’. Harris Wimbledon will open at the former Merton Adult Education Centre on Whatley Avenue taking in 120 pupils in September and a further 180 the following academic year before moving to its permanent, purpose built site on High Path in 2020. The site of the new school is currently occupied by High Path Resource Centre, as well as Elim Church. The church agreed to swap their land on High Path for Merton Hall on Kingston Road, owned by the council.

LOVEDLOCATIONS South London gets the thumbs up in the latest Sunday Times Best Places To Live list. Four of the top ten neighbourhoods in London are south of the river – Bermondsey (top spot), Furzedown, Herne Hill and Richmond.

WORD ON THE STREET Will the market blossom in the Spring? AUSTIN THOROGOOD JOHN THOROGOOD Transition to a new season is about more than just a change in the weather – it’s about new attitude and new energy too! Spring, in particular, feels like a chance to take on life with a fresh, positive approach and this traditionally pervades the property market too. This year Spring officially starts on March 20th so has it all kicked off already? Well, yes and no. We are in unpredictable times – Winter brought some early encouragement to the market (and some late snow). And while Spring’s “bounce” will surely outlive the blossom, a good sale will depend on how accurately priced your property is and how good your agent is at finding the right buyer.

KRIS ERICSSON KNIGHT FRANK Traditionally Spring has always been the time of year when the market bounces back into action, the cold dark winter months are now behind us and buyers and sellers are eager to get out and start planning their next house move. This year is all about realistic expectations, pricing is unlikely to move much this year. Knight Frank forecast a fall in overall values of 0.5% in 2018, but where properties are priced accurately to reflect the current market conditions, we have witnessed some incredible sales take place, in some cases even setting new records in a particular building or street.

Heads Up.indd 2

21/03/2018 15:43

Two negotiators at Knight Frank Riverside give their personal reﬂections on Thamesside homes... MARK LEE The river is a special place to work because of the emotion a view of the river brings to a property. I don’t believe there is a better feeling than sitting by the window or on the balcony, with the sun shining, and enjoying a very pleasant and tranquil view, or one of hustle and bustle, depending on where you are. Uploading a picture to Instagram is sure to attract feelings of envy from everyone. Riverside developments are going from strength to strength with onsite amenities, with each new development outdoing the last. For anyone looking to live a convenient or jet-set lifestyle, luxury riverside apartments are some of the best the market can offer. To me, the wonderful property in Albion Riverside, pictured, exemplifies what a luxury riverside apartment should feel like.

ROBERT GALLOWAY The calmness of the river is in contrast to the bustle of the streets of the capital. The river offers an oasis-like escape away from the congestion that has become synonymous with modern day life in central London, but with the benefits associated with living in one of the most visited cities in the world. My favourite property we are currently marketing is a unique 7,000 sq ft duplex apartment situated in Clink Wharf, Southbank. Clink Wharf celebrates the diversity of river-fronted property. In steep contrast to the modern skyscrapers with their luxurious on site amenities, Clink Wharf is an incredible converted warehouse with an abundance of period features and stunning views of iconic landmarks of the capital. Throw in five bedrooms across two floors, a gym, wine storage and two parking spaces and you have a special space to suit a variety of users.

LIVINGAT THERIVERSIDE The River Thames in central London is one of the fastest changing residential markets in the capital oﬀering a wide range of modern, lifestyle developments and traditional homes and ﬂats alongside extremely varied areas ARCHITECTURE AND PROPERTY Once London’s commercial artery, living on the Thames was strongly associated with trade, industry and as a means to make a living. Significant redevelopment over the last 30 years has seen glittering new developments inhabit old warehouses and industrial depots, paving the way for a new style of London riverside living. Apartments with river views are now considered the paragon on London luxury and lifestyle. OVERVIEW As the river winds through London, it stretches through some of the city’s most sought-after, or most interesting areas. Incorporating many of London’s world famous landmarks, cultural destinations and places of interest. The river is also home to shops, cafés, world-renowned restaurants, art galleries, theatres with the Thames Clipper linking it all together. As the river runs east to the sea and approaches Fulham, Wandsworth and Battersea, sprawling new developments

rise from the banks of the Thames, offering modern lifestyle developments revitalising defunct power stations at Sands End and Battersea Park into energy efficient mega developments, with every available amenity. Winding towards London’s centre, The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben afford some of the finest views from residential riverside property in London. Opposite, there is the London Eye, with its everchanging light show, which emblazons London’s riverside living by night. Further east, the river flows through historic Southbank and The Globe. As Wapping follows Southbank – an echo of London’s trading empire where goods arrived and departed the banks of the Thames in ships to England’s empire – now converted loft style apartments illuminate the Thames. Further east to Shad Thames, Limehouse and then on to the financial hub Canary Wharf with its gleaming skyscrapers, a power house of global trading and commerce.

KF Riverside DPS.indd 1

21/03/2018 11:46

ALBION RIVERSIDE £2,300,000 Completely renovated to the highest specification, this stylish, contemporary flat, with views of the river and Chelsea Embankment is one of the most desirable flats available on the river. With two large bedrooms and two luxurious bathrooms, this flat offers the latest specifications available in riverside flats with one of the most sought after locations. On site amenities in this landmark riverside development, designed by Foster and Partners for Hutchison Whampoa Property, include 24hour concierge, secure underground car park, residents’ gym and swimming pool.

CLINK WHARF GUIDE PRICE £10M An absolutely sensational, 7,051 sq ft, New York loft style property offering truly unique accommodation in the heart of Borough market. Characterful features abound, in the form of exposed bricks, thick wooden beams, wooden flooring and bespoke doors and joinery. Each room enjoys its own personality and offers spectacular views of the city and surrounding areas. This fabulous property also benefits from a 800 sq ft terrace and parking for two cars.

KF Riverside DPS.indd 2

21/03/2018 11:46

FU_Advert narrow.qxp_2 20/03/2018 14:43 Page 1

FAIRLY EFFORTLESS

HOMECOMPARE

21 Battersea Square SW11 3RA telephone 020 7771 7100

MODERNHOMES

email battersea@first-union.co.uk

£815,000

THESMOKE

Located behind a high garden wall and on the site of a former 1882 coach house, this unique, architect-designed, threebedroom house on three levels has a bright, ground floor, open-plan living space with original spectacular roof lantern, and more living space on the floor below. The master suite, accesses the rear patio garden. Near the centre of Forest Hill. www.themodernhouse.com

£600,000

THEBURBS

A generously proportioned, well maintained Span house with three bedrooms (with vaulted ceilings) and a new Alno kitchen. The main reception room is double aspect overlooking the landscaped garden with a detached garden office building. Walton on Thames station is a mile away. Martin Flashman 01932 688951

£695,000

370 Old York Road SW18 1SP telephone 020 8480 4444 email wandsworth@first-union.co.uk

Thank you for dealing with the sale of my property so efficiently. The whole process seemed fairly effortless. I really appreciated your prompt responses. S.K. March 18

THESTICKS

Just a 15-minute walk to Hitchin (with good rail links), this secluded lakeside home, newly clad in cedar, is flooded with light and has views over the water. An open tread staircase, exposed brick, timber beams and cladding, engineered oak floors and an open log fireplace are superb features. There’s an expansive master bedroom on the first floor and two more below. www.themodernhouse.com

BAT TERSEA AND WANDSWORTH first-union.co.uk

Home Compare.indd 1

22/03/2018 08:53

HOME

Home & Garden.indd 1

21/03/2018 15:48

THE TREND

Chelsea mirror, £1,400 blackbird-london.com

Looking good

Eichholtz Le Sereno Mirror, £890 sweetpeaandwillow.com

Galvanised metal mirror with shelf, £67.50 thefarthing.co.uk

IT’S THRIFTY

IT’S RITZY Jade mirror, £2,520 oficinainglesa.com

Mogg-O’solemio mirrors, £250 gomodern.co.uk

Brass effect mirror, £14 diy.com

Double Circle mirrors, £149.99 very.co.uk

IT’S FUNKY New Perspective Wall Mirror, £292 chaplins.co.uk

Normann Copenhagen Flip Steel Mirror, £84.75 black-by-design.co.uk

Home & Garden.indd 2

21/03/2018 15:49

HOME HOTLIST UP >>ON DISPLAY A spray is as good as a bunch when it comes to indoor flowers. Try a sprig of green in an interesting glass bottle – or several! See the Aesop shop in Covent Garden. Artificial Areca Palm Spray, £19.95, audenza.com

>>GOOD NIGHTS Surveys say we are sleep poor so bedrooms are becoming sanctuaries with clothes and clutter – anything but the bed – banished to a spare room

>>HANG ON Designs that light up your floors need a show of their own. They’ve gone from horizontal to vertical. Voila! Wall art. Ambar rug, Rug’Society

>>ROSY FUTURE Pink is the new grey (apparently). It’s a neutral in its own right but a warm one. Go for blush which is a good match for now’s dark interiors

>>STORE CRAZY It’s clear we’re happy to pay for someone else to store our belongings rather than sort and shift. It even stops people moving home!

>>BIG FREEZE Americans do like to supersize but do we need their huge fridge freezers crowding out our kitchens. Bring back larders – some foodstuffs don’t enjoy the cold!

>>SHAPE UP A certain well known interior designer is responsible for the silly ‘karate’ cushion trend (ie displayed deliberately ‘bashed’ in the middle). Hotels and show homes you are guilty!

>>COMING CLEAN So many new homes with so many gleaming new bathrooms – even at the expense of outdoor space! OK if you can get the staff!

DOWN By Jane Stevens

ONLINE HOME INTERIOR BOUTIQUE Specialising in unique wallpapers, lighting, art & home accessories 01423 900522 WWW.LIMELACE.CO.UK 25

Home & Garden.indd 3

21/03/2018 15:49

INSPIRED INTERIORS Online boutique Lime Lace was born to address the lack of individualism on the high street. Lara Cory talks to it’s founder Samantha King

ime Lace realised that customers were looking for something unique and personal to them so set about building a website full of all those quirky, hard-to-find items, making it easy to buy products that really stand out. It feels like playing it safe has become less popular with interiors lately. Lately there is a shift towards colour and boldness of form. Is beige gone for good? Neutral colours are a safe and easy choice for interiors but bold colours are set to be on trend for 2018. Think emerald greens, rich blues and striking violets; but like all trends, these expressions are cyclical and personal. Bold and bright is not for everyone and there is always a place for soft and calming neutral colours. What is the secret to interiors with flair and eccentricity? How can someone dip their toe in the water when it comes to decorating with more colour, texture and personality? Your home is an expression of you, whether you’re calm and laid back, eccentric or outgoing and full of life. The building’s structure/layout will determine the overall look and feel. If you move house, it can be the ideal opportunity to try new things. Be experimental; a chair that you have in your bedroom might look perfect in your hall. The side table that’s sat next to your sofa for all those years could look great sprayed gold and

reused as a plant table. Use Pinterest to collect interior images that you can recreate in your own home, and remember painting a room is not permanent. If you decide you really don’t like the new colour, you can always paint over it. More timid decorators can experiment with coloured cushions, throws, plant pots and candles to inject your home with a certain colour. Live with it for a month and see how it feels. Which designers do you love for their bold style? We only sell products that we love and know our customers will love; that’s the joy of being an independent business. All our designers are unique in their own way. We like the eccentric style of Mind The Gap who create eye-catching wallpapers and lamp shades, the exquisite statement designs which highlight female empowerment by Age of Reason studios, the minimalist metallic wallpapers by Erica Wakerly, the bold British designs by Mineheart. We love supporting emerging designers under the umbrella of Graduate Collection for fine wallpapers, cushions and ceramics. What themes/colours can you see on the horizon for 2018 interior trends? Mixing metallics – don’t just stick with one metal in a room. For this shining trend, pair chrome or gold with brass, copper and rose gold to create a contemporary look. Industrial

Trend – still strong for 2018, think exposed brick wallpapers, concrete furniture and steel lighting. Global influence – combine handcrafted textiles, jungle themed cushions and wallpapers, faux and real plants and earthy tones on walls and furniture. What are your top 5 pieces in the shop right now and why do you love them?

1 2

Metallic Lets Rock Hand Candle, £22.95. Combines metallic with expression

Roest Vertical Pendant Light by Karven, starting from £185. Gorgeous industrial style lighting with rust finish

3 4

Red hot lips cushion, £55. Feminist inspired cushion

Metallic Herringbone Wallpaper, £450. Wallpaper which combines the metallic and ethnic trend!

Brooklyn Vintage Antique Ribbed Glass Retro Funnel Wall Sconce (Industville – The Althorp), £79 The ribbed glass shade and vintage holder makes it the perfect way to tap into the increasingly popular industrial trend whilst maintaining a sense of grandeur. LIMELACE.CO.UK

Lime Lace FP.indd 1

21/03/2018 11:45

Organic cotton towels, from £8. Tumbler, £12; Soap Dispenser, £16; Soap dish, £12 and Bath Mat, from £20

SOSOUTH

ohn Lewis’ POSITIVE PATTERNS is an exclusive collaboration with well-being brand PATTERNITY in the first-ever collection spanning Home and Fashion. The store’s in-house team worked closely with PATTERNITY duo Anna Murray and Grace Winteringham to create a powerful collection which reflects the pattern of our lives and how it is shaped by the objects we use, the places we visit and spaces we live in. The collaboration celebrates the fundamental shapes and textures of life, encouraging patterns for positive living – to encourage people to slow down, be more mindful and appreciate the world. The 45-piece home range, featuring PATTERNITY’s bold graphic patterns and positive mantras, includes cushions, rugs, home fragrance, towels, bedding, rugs, and bathroom accessories. It’s use of the signature Ripple, Ritual, and Reflect patterns brings a bold aesthetic to beautifully-made everyday items made from materials including 100 per cent organic cotton. Prices start at £12 for a soap dispenser up to £150 for a rug. The 100 plus piece collection (45 home pieces) will be available at John Lewis in Oxford Street and Kingston.

ZENITH Dry Cleaners & Launderers EST. 1982

Quality clothes deserve quality care Silk • Satin • Sequins Beading Ball Gowns • Wedding Gowns Home Furnishings Recommended Dry Cleaners by some of the top recognised Bridal makers Ample parking at the corner of Pirbright Road 203 Replingham Road SW18 www.zenithdrycleaners.co.uk

020 8874 8651 Ritual Reflect runner, £50. Ritual Reflect weave cushion, £30

Home & Garden.indd 4

21/03/2018 15:51

SAVEDFROM THEVANDALS The once-loved, Victorian, Swiss chalet-style house was in a sorry state when Gareth and Hannah Collett a decided to save it from destruction

he house, which from the outside looks like a fairytale Gingerbread house, had been vandalised over the years it had stood empty. Gareth says: “I was taken by the desire to bring it back to life. It was in such a state. The lead from the roof had been stolen and water had flooded in warping the floors. The windows had been smashed. “It took six months with a builder friend to get the house in a liveable state. It wouldn’t have been possible to move in immediately.” Gareth and Hannah moved in full time in 2008. Then two years ago they had plans drawn up to double the size of the house and to beautify the less attractive rear of the house. He says: “Ben from Neu architects drew up plans to make the back of the house mirror the hand-carved wooden gable at the front and to add a slate lined box at the side. We also reconfigured the upstairs and created a big hallway. Upstairs there is no attic and the ceilings reach up to the apex, so that everywhere is spacious and full of light.”

The house now has a generous entrance hall leading through to a kitchen/dining room, which includes underfloor heating, a fabulous island unit and excellent storage. Bifold doors lead through to the terrace outside. The ground floor also has a well-proportioned family/ reception room and a charming study/music room. There is also a downstairs bedroom (with direct access to the terrace) with en suite shower room. On the first floor vaulted ceilings enhance the sense of light and space. The original roof, that featured rectangular slate tiles interspersed with hand-cut round tiles, was replicated so that the house looks as elegant as it did when first erected. Surprisingly, for such a unique house, it is not listed – although it was the only house mentioned for its historical and architectural importance when the Brockwell Park conservation plan was drawn up. The detached house now has four bedrooms and a study, two bathrooms and two reception rooms, with every modern comfort as well as wonderful original architecture. There is also an exceptional garden with a large terrace leading to timber steps that go up to a

“It took six months with a builder friend to get the house in a liveable state. It wouldn’t have been possible to move in immediately.”

Home & Garden.indd 5

21/03/2018 15:51

THE

PROJECT BEFORE

striking Japanese-style tiered garden, with sensational views over the house and into Brockwell Park opposite. It was the ideal family home for the Colletts and their two children, now four and one. The house was ideally situated for Gareth to get into Oxford Circus for his job as live editor of the BBC’s One Show. Now he is head of development for BBC studios, based at White City and plans to move nearer the office. Norwood Road, Herne Hill, SE24, £1.5m Knight Frank 0203 813 7437

GETTHELOOK... >>ARCHITECTS Ben from Neu Architects >>BUILDING FIRM Mark from Get Turner >>APPLIANCES Miele >>FLOORS White polished Oak – Castlewood floors

Bloomsbury rug, £495 habitat.co.uk Parker bench, £350 habitat.co.uk WORDS: JENNY KNIGHT

Home & Garden.indd 6

22/03/2018 08:47

Matching people to homes 020 8299 3021 | roybrooks.co.uk

GROVE LANE, SE5

POA

This particularly elegant Grade II listed Georgian home has five double bedrooms, enchanting living space, period features, a south westerly garden and a rear double garage. Denmark Hill station is a seven-minute walk for Zone 2 trains and London Overground services.

Roy Brooks FPx3.indd 1

For sales, please call Felicity, Stacy, Elaine or Wallace 21/03/2018 13:31

EXCLUSIVE

Exclusive.indd 1

21/03/2018 15:47

Exclusive.indd 2

21/03/2018 15:47

HEAVENLY HEAVER This spectacular double-fronted, period home with seven bedrooms and three bathrooms, also has a beautiful 67-foot garden with a lap pool

he handsome house is set back from the road behind a beautifully landscaped front garden with ornate iron railings. It retains many original features including the front door with stained glass and the wide entrance hall with tessellated tile flooring. Downstairs there are two reception rooms, a kitchen/ dining/living room and a utility room. There is also a wine cellar and a study or playroom at the rear that flows into the cleverly designed kitchen – which is a multi-purpose living space with full height panoramic windows and two sets of bifolding glass doors. The entertaining space extends onto a large paved terrace overlooking the landscaped garden. The property also benefits from a downstairs cloakroom and a second

front door allowing street access directly to the kitchen. Upstairs, a fantastic master suite is located across one side of the first floor with a fully fitted dressing room and a luxurious en suite bathroom with a separate glass rain shower. There are two more double bedrooms and a stylish bathroom on this level. On the top floor, there are another four double bedrooms, two with built-in cupboards and a contemporary family bathroom. Useful storage space is also available under the eaves. Veronica Road is within the sought after conservation area of the Heaver Estate with shops and restaurants within easy reach, as well as transport links.

‘Within the sought after conservation area of the Heaver Estate’

Veronica Road, Wandsworth, SW17, Knight Frank 020 8682 7777

Exclusive.indd 3

21/03/2018 15:47

SECLUDED SPOT Manton House is a substantial and handsome family home set in a prestigious and secluded conservation area, with the backdrop of the Royal Wimbledon Golf Course providing a wonderful semi-rural setting

onstructed in 1924, as the home of a former admiral with a penchant for painting, the house has many original features, including the vaulted beamed hall overlooked by the gallery and pulpit, and exudes character. The property also offers well-presented, versatile family accommodation. On the ground floor there’s a drawing room, sitting room and modern family kitchen as well as a study. The first floor features an expansive master suite with dressing room and bathroom plus two further double bedrooms and bathrooms. On the next floor there are two more bedrooms with a bathroom and steam room as well as a games room. The exceptional outside space includes a substantial deck and separate large terrace overlook the beautifully landscaped gardens, lawns and swimming pool area. Outside there’s a wine cellar beneath the terrace with storage for around 1,500 bottles lies and a heated swimming pool with an adjacent pool house providing changing rooms, WC and shower and kitchen facilities. The gardens are floodlit and a ‘secret’ garden area provides a peaceful haven.

A separate guest/staff annexe stands on the site of the former double garage and has a bedsitting room with kitchen area and bathroom. The driveway has parking for numerous cars and there is plenty of space to the eastern side of the house to build a garage, if required (subject to planning permission). Drax Avenue is a private road within a peaceful conservation area about a mile from Wimbledon Village with its shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafés and bars. Many good schools are nearby including King’s College School for boys, The Study and Wimbledon High School, both for girls, the Rowans and Wimbledon Common Preparatory School. Sports enthusiasts are well catered for with golf, tennis and fitness clubs nearby and riding stables in Wimbledon Village. Central London is easily accessible by car or train – regular trains to Waterloo take 12-15 minutes and from there to Canary Wharf via The Jubilee link. Drax Avenue, Wimbledon SW20, £6,250,000, Robert Holmes & Company 020 8947 9833

Exclusive.indd 4

21/03/2018 15:47

Exclusive.indd 5

21/03/2018 15:47

HUGE OPPORTUNITY A stunning period house with seven bedrooms – together with a two-bedroom annex – that would be ideal for letting during Wimbledon fortnight

he main family home is on the slopes of Wimbledon Hill, close to the village. It offers almost 5,000 sq ft of living space. The house, which is semi-detached and arranged over five floors, has four reception rooms and off street parking. There would be potential to extend subject to planning consent. Currently the annex is a fully usable property with a large reception room and two bedrooms on the first floor, both with en suites, and suitable for letting. Both Willington Independent School for boys and Wimbledon High Girls’ School are a short walk from the property, whilst Donhead, Wimbledon Common Prep and

King’s College are all within a five minute drive. Lake Road is less than a quarter of a mile from Wimbledon town centre, providing quick access to the main line train and District Line station. Wimbledon Park, with playgrounds, tennis courts, boating lake and golf course is within a 10-minute walk. Wimbledon Village offers a range of boutique shops, independent restaurants and bars, as well as access to Wimbledon Common; a fantastic area for walks, cycling and horse riding with pretty local pubs nearby.

‘Less than a quarter of a mile from Wimbledon town centre’

Lake Road, Wimbledon, SW19, £3,950,000, Lauristons 020 8946 9468

Exclusive.indd 6

21/03/2018 15:47

Exclusive.indd 7

21/03/2018 15:48

Opening doors for buyers A property search service Save time, by finding your ideal home without spending weeks or months on fruitless searches using Esmond’s 17 years at Knight Frank experience selling top-level homes. Access to off market homes, thanks to Esmond’s prodigious contacts in the property industry.

Save money, by using his expert knowledge of the best price to offer. Maintain discretion, by keeping details of your search confidential.

“Esmond has provided invaluable advice throughout the process from initiation of our property search to completion of our (off-market) purchase. His personal credibility and extensive knowledge of pricing, location and process ensured a smoother path than we would have been able to achieve alone. We would wholeheartedly recommend Esmond” AB & BB, Wandsworth

Get his advice on all stages of the process, from finding a property to ensuring a stress-free completion.

STUNNING SINGLE STOREY T

his beautifully presented four-bedroom bungalow is ideally placed for the delights of Dulwich Village, Dulwich Park, Belair Park and Dulwich College. The bungalow has an expansive reception room in retro style with a sleek eat-in modern kitchen with integrated appliances. The dining space gives views onto the lovely private garden. The property also boasts a stylish master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and built in wardrobes, as well as a further three light and spacious bedrooms. There is another shower room and a separate WC. There is off-street parking and a garage. As well as its own leafy garden – laid mostly to lawn – the bungalow is surrounded by green spaces and is also close to local amenities and nestled between a golf course, sports grounds, woods, parks and nature reserves. The nearest transport facilities are Sydenham Hill Railway Station and Brixton Underground Station. Trendy Dulwich Village has its own art gallery, a bookshop, cafés, restaurants and pubs. The recently opened Dulwich Picture house means the latest films can be viewed without schlepping up to town. Tollgate Drive, Dulwich Village, SE21, £1,500 per week, Foxtons, Dulwich 020 8613 6200

Call 07551 740312 or visit www.esmondelliot.com

ESMOND ELLIOT 38

Esmond Elliot HP.indd 1

PROPERTY CONSULTANCY LTD

22/03/2018 12:38

ONREFLECTION By Darren Baker, Director, Lauristons

Understanding buyers and sellers needs is key to delivering results for our customers

t the start of any new year, we often hope for a good start with higher numbers of buyers and sellers to deal with than we finished the previous year, but never really know what is ahead of us until we start to get towards Spring. So far in 2018, despite the government’s continued interference in the property market creating falling transaction numbers through costly stamp duty reforms, removal of income tax relief for landlords, added compliance responsibilities for landlords and agents and the upcoming tenant fee ban, we have had a much more positive start to this year than in 2017. By focusing our time and attention with customers with a tangible motivation to move, we are achieving more success for our vendors than some competitors reliant purely on inbound enquiries have been able to. Understanding the buyers’ motivations are key; purchasers moving to relocate into a specific school catchment, for a new job, to accommodate a growing family or because the children have now moved on to their own home, all have a real need to find a home to

suit them. Because these purchasers are looking for a home rather than a short-term investment vehicle, annual fluctuations in the value of property become less important to them than finding somewhere that meets their needs. As rents increase over the course of the year when landlords seek to recover income lost to the government’s changes, this will push more new purchasers to enter the market as they continue to take advantage of low interest rates in an increasingly competitive market for lenders. There is unlikely to be a marked increase in the supply of property in the market and so this increase in demand could even serve to push values higher over the course of the year. At Lauristons, we continue to see a market in 2018 that is full of opportunity. By focusing on understanding our buyers and sellers needs, we can tailor our innovative approach and comprehensive marketing to ensure that, irrespective of fluctuations in supply and demand over the course of the year, our teams continue to deliver results for our customers and keep them moving.

‘’At Lauristons, we continue to see a market in 2018 that is full of opportunity”

FAMILY FRIENDLY Architect-designed and built in 2008 in a sought-after residential road, this stunning eco-efficient detached family home is arranged over a series of split levels, making the accommodation flexible to suit most families. The property is accessed by gates for parking and pedestrian access and offers superb accommodation with five bedrooms, two separate receptions and four bathrooms. The rear patio garden is a sun trap. Pelham Road is just a short stroll from Wimbledon town centre with it’s wide range of shops, bars and restaurants as well as Wimbledon station with it’s regular services into London and the District Line. Pelham Road, Wimbledon SW19, £1,800,000, Lauristons Wimbledon 020 8946 9468

SW.indd 1

22/03/2018 08:55

Q&A ASKTHEEXPERT

Do homes that are staged sell faster? Jane Robathan, Marketing Manager Roy Brooks

y vamping up your home’s best bits, you’ll sell it faster and for more. If buyers see problems, they won’t be as motivated. Problems include smells, lack of space, not light enough and lots of repairs. You can prepare your property quickly and easily for sale, here’s our advice:

2. 3.

6. 7.

8. 9.

First impressions count. Clean or repaint your front door. Tidy your front garden, move your bins, sweep your path. Clean your hallway, tidy away shoes and coats and make sure you hall feels welcoming, airy and bright. If you’ve a dark hallway, put up a large mirror. Clean everything. Clean your windows inside and out, your floors, walls, shelves, bookcases – everything. Replace mouldy bathroom/kitchen sealant and clean tile grout. Repair all the little things that need attention: leaky taps, dripping gutters, holes in walls, chipped tiles, broken light fixtures, wonky door knobs and carpet stains can all be put right. Declutter. Clear our your paperwork, piles of clothes and rid yourself of any unwanted or unused items. If space is tight, store things in good-looking boxes that can be put under beds or on top of wardrobes or ask a friend if they could store things for you. Clear out cupboards (viewers will open them) so things are neatly put away, with space to spare! It’s very important your home looks big enough to live in. Try to keep kitchen worktops as clear as possible. If your kitchen is tired, you can replace unit doors very cheaply in IKEA or by getting a carpenter to cut MDF to size and paint it. If you can, repaint the interior – you don’t have to use professional decorators. Choose white, light grey or an off-white. Now is not the time to experiment with orange. Eliminate bad smells. If your drain smells dodgy, use drain cleaner or baking soda overnight to clean it up. Make sure teenager’s rooms don’t have rotting food left in them and empty the kitchen bin before viewings. If any part of the property is a little dark, use mirrors or floor lamps to brighten them up. Plant a few fresh, colourful plants in the garden. Cut the grass, prune where necessary, tidy borders, clean the patio and leave (clean) garden furniture out.

ONEBED WONDER T

his impossibly lovely house has one large, double aspect bedroom, open plan living space and a discreet (and very pretty) decked garden. It’s behind attractive iron gates at the station-end of Hollydale Road. A far more attractive proposition than a flat, it is entirely private, very secure and beautifully turned out. Walk to Nunhead station in under three minutes for Zone 2 trains to Victoria, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras. Queen’s Road station (also Zone 2) is a tenminute walk for London Bridge trains and London Overground services to Canada Water, Shoreditch, Hoxton, Dalston Junction and Highbury & Islington. Evelina Road is Nunhead’s high street and just around the corner. The (excellent) independent shops include a delicatessen, butcher, fishmonger, bakery, chemist, bicycle shop and craft beer bar. The Old Nun’s Head is a great local pub with an open fire, there’s also a sourdough pizzeria and a couple of very good cafés. Nearby Peckham is buzzing with creative eateries, cocktail bars and artists’ studios and has a cinema, supermarket and several high street chains. Walk across beautiful Peckham Rye Park for East Dulwich or up nearby Telegraph Hill for the views. Hollydale Road, SE15, £450,000. Roy Brooks 020 3206 3063

Ask Q&A.indd 1

21/03/2018 11:55

NEW HOMES

New Homes.indd 1

22/03/2018 10:41

NEW HOMES SPOTLIGHT Focusing on Robert Holmes’ friendly and efficient New Homes Team JOHN KHAJE’NOURI John Khaje’ Nouri ANAEA has been with the Company since 1992, having worked previously in Central London. He has an extensive knowledge of local property markets and is able to offer strategic investment advice and specialist sales and marketing, particularly of prime and super prime properties within the areas of Wimbledon and Coombe. John has lived in the Wimbledon area since 1970 and moved to Coombe Hill 15 years ago. He is married with four children who have all attended local schools, colleges and universities. John is also on a number of local advisory boards including Coombe Hill Roads Association, Wimbledon Village Business Association and various charities. NICK HOLMES Nick joined Robert Holmes to inject fresh ideas and help grow the New Homes department of Robert Holmes as well as to introduce technology into the wide business and to grow its clients base. Nick has always focused on client relationships and sales, previously building up his own gallery in Chelsea, where he had a loyal following of customers and artists. Away from the office he is a keen competitor in triathlons.

MONTEM SQUARE An exquisite collection of seven grand houses located in Wimbledon Village. The houses offer a sumptuously spacious layout and are beautifully designed to complement the village’s heritage. Each property has six bedrooms, artfully arranged to maximise space and to create impressive proportions across all floors. Montem Square is in the heart of Wimbledon Village. Montem Square, Wimbledon SW19, from £4.65m, Robert Holmes & Company 0208 947 9833

A DEDICATED NEW HOMES DEPARTMENT Having worked for many years with local developers and private individuals wishing to build their own brand new homes, Robert Holmes has brought together its collective expertise, creating a dedicated New Homes department. There is increasing demand from purchasers for new-build properties reflecting the current appetite for luxury, contemporary living, and our new homes department is going from strength to strength. We are currently marketing more than 40 brand new properties for sale which range from a clutch of prestigious one-off projects to small developments, plus a number of sites available for either single or multi-dwelling development. Company directors John Khaje’ Nouri and Nick Holmes are handling all development opportunities and will continue to provide bespoke advice at every step of the development process from planning to completion, backed up by their in-depth familiarity with the local market, highly effective negotiation skills and a top tier quality professional network.

New Homes.indd 2

22/03/2018 10:41

WELCOMEIN

ADORABLE ISABELLA

sabella House is a picture perfect six-bedroom family home with grand classical proportions and generous ceiling heights. The spacious, double-fronted, detached property is a brand new creation from multi-award winning Richstone Properties. The exterior materials, including handfinished bricks, lime mortar pointing and stonework mouldings for the window and door surrounds have been chosen to complement the surrounding Victorian villa architecture. The company wish to retain this special property within their portfolio, so it is available to rent. It will be the dream home for a large and busy family seeking plenty of contemporary and luxurious living space behind a Victorian style facade. Richstone hallmarks such as their custom made solid oak spiral central staircase with vast oval skylight overhead, handcrafted kitchen, bespoke bedroom and study cabinetry, purpose-built entertainment suite and self-contained staff accommodation with adjacent boot room are all part of the offer. The addition of a second kitchen/utility room, walk-in temperature controlled wine cellar, French doors opening from both kitchen and main reception rooms onto the private mature landscaped rear gardens, will make grand entertaining an effortless pleasure.

A ground floor reception room with antique stone fireplace is flooded with natural light from two full height bay windows and joins the 800 sq ft kitchen/ family room with its impressive super-sized glass roof light. The hand-built kitchen incorporates Miele appliances, a powerful Wolf range, the essential breakfast bar island, and leading off is a large walk through pantry, creating a discreet back route into the formal dining room. Spanning the width of the first floor, the grand master suite includes a sitting area, large walk-in dressing room, en suite bathroom with stand-alone bath, walk-in shower and dual sinks. A second double bedroom suite completes the first floor accommodation, with three additional double bedrooms and two bathrooms located on the second floor. Underfloor heating, roof solar panels, wireless audio system coring, custom lighting designs and fittings give the finishes touches. Situated within the Richmond Hill Conservation area, Isabella House is a short walk from the hilltop village enclave of small independent shops on Friar Stiles Road, as well as being within walking distance of Richmond town centre.

Ram Quarter in Wandsworth has passed an important development milestone as it nears completion and welcomes its first residents. Representatives from the Chinese Embassy, Wandsworth Council and other development partners helped Greenland Group UK celebrate the cutting of a ceremonial ribbon followed by a tour of the newly-completed show flats. Sales agents Savills and JLL also attended. Taotao Song, Managing Director, Greenland Group UK said: “Today moves us one-step closer to this new, exciting mixed-use scheme becoming a reality. Ram Quarter is a site of great historical significance, as the location of Britain’s longest running brewery. Beer has been brewed continuously on this site for almost five centuries, and we plan to celebrate this heritage, working closely with the London Borough of Wandsworth.” Residential completions started in the first week of March, and the first residents later moved in. Of the 312 apartments so far released in Phase One, more than 90 per cent are sold, with prices starting at £480,000. The new path along the River Wandle, which runs the length of the development, has now opened to the public. The £600 million scheme will be celebrate the area’s rich history, and provide a new quarter for Wandsworth, providing homes, shops, restaurants and a heritage centre. www.theramquarter.com

Isabella House, Mount Ararat Road, Richmond, TW10, £30,000 pcm, www. richstoneproperties.co.uk, 020 8878 5333

2 beds, 3 baths

Prices from £725,000

Putney Bridge Road, SW15 Contact the new homes specialists on 020 8879 9099 www.lauristons.com

New Homes.indd 3

22/03/2018 11:12

View

Octagon OUTPUT.indd 1

21/03/2018 15:31

Nine grandly proportioned townhouses with stunning Georgian facades, Octagon’s latest London launch incorporates the highest specification and finishes as befitting the developer’s name. Offering views towards the River Thames and Barnes Wetland Centre from private roof terraces and balconies, these unique new homes range between 4,375 – 6,150 sq ft. With 4/5 bedrooms, an impressive kitchen/breakfast room and 4 formal reception rooms across 5 storeys, the lower ground floor is dedicated to leisure - including a gym, cinema/TV den and a covered courtyard garden. Each property features a private west backing walled garden with rear pedestrian access to the Thames towpath. Located within the Bishop’s Park Conservation Area, Bishops Row is just a short walk from Fulham’s vibrant centre, tube stations, bus services, and an excellent choice of local schooling.

GUIDE PRICES From £4.995m

Views from rooftop terraces

BISHOPS ROW STEVENAGE ROAD, FULHAM, LONDON SW6 6PB

SHOWHOUSE OPEN THURSDAY TO MONDAY 10AM – 4PM OR BY APPOINTMENT

020 7731 7100

020 8481 7500 | OCTAGON.CO.UK

Octagon OUTPUT.indd 2

21/03/2018 15:31

LOFT-STYLELIVING J

ust two homes remain within The Metalworks development in South London, the beautifully refurbished metalworks factory once used by Arts & Crafts pioneer William Bainbridge Reynolds. Paying homage to the site’s extensive history, a Heritage Foundation Blue Plaque for Bainbridge Reynolds, creator of the Kitchener chapel gates at St Paul’s Cathedral and, arguably the most notable historic metalworker of all time, is mounted in the gated courtyard. Other reminders of a past life are the reclaimed antique metalworks cart tracks set in the central paving and a sundial – a modern interpretation of the acclaimed metal-worker’s 1898 clock in St Cuthbert’s church. Offering 24 light-filled, loft-style apartments set around a private gated cobbled courtyard and garden in the highly covetable location, the development originally sold out within a record two weeks last summer, with two

of the properties returning onto the market this week. This gives an exclusive, final opportunity for potential purchasers to buy at this exceptional new development. Styled and specified by The Malins Group’s in-house Design Studio, the industrial, New York-style features are evident – black and copper pendant lighting, bespoke black matt handle-less kitchen units and distressed copper splashbacks and sinks add to the contemporary finish. On the east side of Clapham Old Town, The Metalworks is ideally placed for commuters, with Clapham Common tube station just a five-minute walk away. The two available units are a ground floor, 1 bedroom apartment for £460,000, and a first floor studio for £435,000. Available through Hamptons 020 3369 4374 and Rampton Baseley 020 7228 5111

100PUTNEYCOMMON Set on the site of the former Putney Hospital, built in 1912, Henry Chester Building is a collection of 24 exceptional one, two and three bedroom apartments. The Durkan development pays tribute to its original 20th century architecture with attractive Art Deco facades and large airy rooms filled with natural light. Overlooking acres of beautiful open common land, each apartment comes with the best contemporary specifications, including luxury kitchens and stone work surfaces, underfloor heating, a private balcony or terrace and Kartell by Laufen sanitaryware in all bathrooms. Philip Tibble, Associate Director at Featherstone Leigh comments, “Putney always attracts a wide range of buyers, from families and commuting couples to down-sizers and first time buyers. These new apartments have it all; proximity to the River Thames, surrounding open spaces of the protected common, and they are within steps of a first class architect-designed primary free school.” Prices from £545,000. Stamp duty paid on remaining two bedroom apartments. To view the show apartment contact Featherstone Leigh Sheen 020 8876 4567 www. featherstoneleigh.co.uk

New Homes.indd 4

22/03/2018 10:43

WhatHouse OUTPUT.indd 1

21/03/2018 15:33

MONEYTIP

ricing on two-year, fixed-rate mortgages is at its highest level since 2016, according to data from Moneyfacts, as lenders raise rates ahead of an expected hike in Bank of England base rate. Swap rates, the rate lenders pay to borrow money from each other, have eased recently but the long-term trend is still upwards. Two-year money is up a third since Christmas and five-year Swaps have jumped by a quarter over the same timeframe. While lenders have been prepared to absorb higher funding costs to an extent in order to be competitive and attract business, most of them have now re-priced. No lender wants to be left with the most competitive rate on the market, and be swamped with business, which would affect service levels. However, there is no need for borrowers to panic, with a number of competitive five-year and two-year fixed rates still out there. Some borrowers are opting for longer term fixes given that the general trend of interest rates looks to be upwards. The number of borrowers remortgaging is high as people take advantage of low mortgage rates while they are still available.

MONEY MATTERS

GARETH LOWMAN SPF PRIVATE CLIENTS

1.29%

FIXEDUP

1900

The rate on Atom Bank’s five-year fixed-rate mortgage

n the next six weeks or so we will learn whether, as widely predicted, the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee will add another quarter or half point to its interest rate. Although all expectations are that there will be rise in May and probably another one in November, there remain many good fixed-rate deals out there. Yorkshire building society, for example, has a two-year rate of 1.24 per cent and HSBC’s best offer is 1.32 per cent. If you are looking for longerterm security HSBC again has a low offer – 1.71 per cent for five years compared with 1.84 per cent from Yorkshire building society. All loans are for borrowers with at least a 35 per cent deposit.

The number of properties repossessed in the last quarter of 2017

NUMBERCRUNCHING

75,500 13,500 The number of properties repossessed in 1991

The number of Help to Buy loans for first time buyers maturing this month

BESTBUYMORTGAGES

Fixed Rates

Lender

Rate

Until

Reversionary Rate

APR

Max. LTV

HLC

ERC

Product Fee

Exit Fee

Notes

Sainsbury’s Bank

1.24%

3/31/2020

4.24%

3.7%

60%

n/a

2%/1% until 31/03/20. 10% overpayments p.a. without penalty

£745 Product Fee

£100

Mx £1m. Free Valuation. Free legals for remortgages.

Post Office

1.33%

4/30/2020

4.74%

4.2%

75%

n/a

3%/2% until 30/04/20. 10% overpayments p.a. without penalty

£995 Product Fee

£195

Mx £1m

HSBC

1.74%

5/31/2023

3.94%

3.2%

65%

n/a

5/4/3/2/1% until 31/05/23. 10% overpayments p.a. without penalty

£99 Booking Fee £900 Product Fee

Mx £5m. Free Valuation. Free legals for remortgages.

TSB Bank

2.34%

4/30/2028

3.99%

3.0%

60%

n/a

6/6/6/6/6/5/4/3/2/1% until 30/04/28. 5% overpayments p.a. without penalty

£995 Product Fee

Purchase Only. Remortgage (Free Valuation & Legals) @ 2.39%

Source: SPF Private Clients

Money.indd 1

21/03/2018 11:47

MINDTHEGAP Duncan Farmer looks at the diﬀerent way women deal with investments

n the latter half of last year and the first months of this year the news has been dominated by issues affecting women – the gender pay gap and the harassment (and worse) that many face are just two topics to have generated huge comment. The end of the old tax year and the start of the new one is traditionally the time that people invest any spare cash in an individual savings account, and figures show that there is also a gender savings gap. Women take out more ISAs than men, but they tend to put their savings in cash ISAs, which pay a guaranteed but unexciting rate of return, whereas men put theirs in stocks and shares, which have a higher risk but potentially a higher return. In the mortgage arena, where women make up more than a quarter of all loans, women are also more solid and are far less likely, according to statistics, to fall into arrears or to have their home repossessed. However, life for female applicants is not easy. According to research in the US two

years ago, lenders were charging women a higher rate of interest than men even though female borrowers were a far safer bet. One of the unspoken concerns of lenders is that a woman’s income is likely fall should she decide to start a family. Under the Equality Act, however, they are not allowed to ask such questions. Instead, generally, one of the questions on mortgage application forms asks whether an applicant could foresee a change in their circumstances over the next five years. If you are pregnant, or if you are planning to get pregnant in the near future, you should answer this question honestly, but there is a fair chance that it will have an adverse effect on your application as a lender will consider your income while you are on maternity leave rather than your usual salary. The penalty for lying on an application form is, in theory, that the lender could repossess your home, but if, as most women do, you keep up the repayments that scenario is extremely unlikely, so keeping mum may be your best option.

he number of borrowers in arrears on their mortgage rose slightly according to the latest from UK Finance, the umbrella group for the financial services industry, but the overall number is still comfortably under 100,000. The number of properties repossessed is a small fraction of that – at about 2,000, although behind the statistics will be harrowing stories of people losing their home because of, probably, unforeseen financial tragedy. The advice from UK Finance is simple: “We expect the vast majority of mortgage borrowers to continue to manage their finances successfully but they should continue to keep their plans under review. Any customer who thinks they may experience payment difficulty should always speak to their lender at the earliest opportunity. Lenders remain committed to working with borrowers to keep them in their home wherever possible, and possession continues to be the last resort.”

Variable Rates Lender

Rate

Until

Rev. Rate

APR

Max. LTV

HLC

ERC

Product Fee

Exit Fee

Notes

HSBC Bank

1.24%

Tracker over base for 24 months

3.94%

3.5%

65%

n/a

None

£99 Booking Fee £900 Product Fee

Mx £5m. Free valuation. Free Legals for remortgages

HSBC Bank

1.34%

Tracker over base for 24 months

3.94%

3.6%

75%

n/a

None

£99 Booking Fee £900 Product Fee

Mx £2m. Free valuation. Free Legals for remortgages

Coventry BS

1.64%

Variable rate for term

n/a

1.7%

50%

n/a

None

£999 Product Fee

£125

Mx £1m. Free Valuation. Free legals for remortgages.

HSBC Bank

1.39%

Tracker over base for 24 months

3.94%

3.8%

85%

n/a

None

£99 Booking Fee £900 Product Fee

Mx £400k. Free valuation. Free Legals for remortgages

Money.indd 2

21/03/2018 11:47

FIVEOF THEBEST 1

EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

LINDT GOLD BUNNY HUNT Hampton Court Palace

EASTER EGG HUNT Battersea Park Zoo Fri 30 Mar-Mon 2 Apr

A BIG DAY OUT WITH PETER RABBIT Kew Gardens Fri 30 Mar-Sun 15 Apr

Join Peter Rabbit and his gang of furry friends to celebrate Easter. Take a trip to Mr McGregor’s shed to see how he grows his plants, join a workshop to make your own bunny ears or storytelling sessions and try Peter Rabbit fancy dress. There’s also a monster veggie growing class for adults and explore Kew’s own kitchen garden to explore. www.kew.org

MUCH ADO ABOUT PUFFIN Polka Theatre, Wimbledon Wed 4 Apr-Sun 15 Apr

You’re never alone with a puffin – or at least, that’s what the lonely fisherman in this story discovers. It’s a tale of stormy seas, friendship, and discovering the unknown, told by Open Attic Theatre using ingenious design and a very feathery puppet. www.polkatheatre.com

Position Senior Sales Manager Where do you live? West Horsley in Surrey.

Not a run-of-the-mill garden Easter egg hunt, head to Battersea Park Zoo to find the brightly coloured eggs hidden in and around the capuchin monkeys, donkeys and meerkats. If you manage to spot all the eggs, you’ll win a prize! www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk

Estate Agent Marsh & Parsons, Clapham Old Town

Mon 26 Mar-Sun 15 Apr

The Lindt Gold Bunnies return to Hampton Court Palace this Easter, hiding in the palace and gardens. With new stories exploring Hampton Court’s chocolate-related history to be discovered with every bunny found, there’ll be the chance to claim a delicious chocolate prize. www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace

Name Alex Philo

FEAST OF ST GEORGE Trafalgar Square Sat 21 Apr, noon-6pm

Wave a flag, enjoy tea, cake and great entertainment, all in the surrounds of Trafalgar Square. Expect lots of varied live music – including a 25-piece brass band, art workshops for children, roaming entertainers and pearly kings and queens plus lots of food stalls. www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/ event/8726328-feast-of-st-georgein-trafalgar-square

What and where was your first London home?

A two-bedroom maisonette in Du Cane Court, Balham – a great location!

Favourite open space in London?

Richmond Park is probably my favourite due to its size and space. It really feels like an oasis of tranquillity, whilst being so close to central London.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Bringing up my two wonderful boys.

Tell us something that would surprise people about you. I have a degree in Chemistry.

Aside from property what’s your most expensive purchase? Like most, it’s got to be my car.

Favourite book, film or album now?

My favourite book at the moment is an old Wilbur Smith one called River God. It’s part of his Egyptian series and is about the life of a eunuch slave named Taita – it’s excellent!

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Call it cliché, but I wanted to be a professional footballer.

What three things would take to a desert island? My original Apple iPod as it has about 3,000 songs from the early 2000s on it, River God by Wilbur Smith and a photo of my family.

What is your most treasured possession? My road bike.

What is top of your bucket list? To cycle up the famous Mont Ventoux in France.

Who would you like to stuck in a lift with? Professor Brian Cox – the conversation would certainly make the time pass quickly.

What is your guiltiest pleasure? Baking bread and cakes…and then eating them!

50 Events_SA.indd 1

21/03/2018 12:56

Lake Road, Wimbledon SW19

Guide Price: £3,950,000 Freehold

This stunning period home is situated on the slopes of Wimbledon Hill, close to Wimbledon Village, offering almost 5000 square feet of accommodation in the main house, plus a 1300 square feet annex and potential to extend (subject to planning permission). Both Willington Independent School for boys and Wimbledon High Girls’ School are a short walk from the property whilst Donhead, Wimbledon Common Prep and King’s College are all within a 5 minute drive. Lake Road is conveniently located less than a 1/4 mile from Wimbledon town centre, providing quick access to the main line train and District Line station. Wimbledon Park is within a 10 minute walk and provides playgrounds, tennis courts, a boating lake, golf course and sports field. EPC EER F.

Wimbledon Sales: 020 8946 9468

Lauristons_APR18_x7.indd 1

21/03/2018 13:13

Balham Balham 020 020 8772 8772 9373 9373 balham@lauristons.com balham@lauristons.com

Battersea Battersea 020 020 7978 7978 5800 5800 battersea@lauristons.com battersea@lauristons.com

Kennington Kennington 020 020 7385 7385 2296 2296 kennington@lauristons.com kennington@lauristons.com

Land Land 020 020 8943 8943 2211 2211 land@lauristons.com land@lauristons.com

New New Homes Homes 020 020 8879 8879 9099 9099 newhomes@lauristons.com newhomes@lauristons.com

Putney Putney 020 020 8780 8780 8780 8780 putney@lauristons.com putney@lauristons.com

Wandsworth Wandsworth 020 020 8417 8417 8054 8054 wandsworth@lauristons.com wandsworth@lauristons.com

Wimbledon Wimbledon 020 020 8946 8946 9468 9468 wimbledon@lauristons.com wimbledon@lauristons.com

Rogers Road, Tooting SW17

Asking Price ÂŁ925,000 Freehold

Simply stunning five bedroom refurbished and extended semi-detached Edwardian family home in this popular Tooting street, moments away from Tooting Broadway with the bustling night food markets and the shops, bars and restaurants. The property has been stripped back to the brick work and meticulously redesigned and features a fantastic kitchen, dining, family room with bi-folding doors out to a good size private garden. Upstairs there are three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor and then on the top floor a further two bedrooms and bathroom. Transport options are found at Tooting Broadway for the Northern Line in to central London or numerous buses on Garratt Lane or Tooting High Street. EPC EER D.

Balham Sales: 020 8772 9373

www.lauristons.com www.lauristons.com

Lauristons_APR18_x7.indd 2

21/03/2018 13:15

Kersfield Road, Putney SW15

Guide Price: ÂŁ725,000 Leasehold + Share of Freehold

This stunning split level three bedroom apartment situated in a popular leafy location within a private purpose built development just off Putney Hill, benefits from a share of the freehold and a single garage. There are three large double bedrooms all with built in wardrobes, the master having its own dressing room, and a stylish kitchen with integrated appliances. Putney High Street with its variety of popular shops, bars and restaurants is close by and both East Putney Mainline station and East Putney Station (District Line) are both within 0.7m. In addition, the A3 and bus routes are easily accessible from the property. Putney heath with its green open spaces is also just a short walk away. EPC EER D.

Putney Sales: 020 8780 8780

Lauristons_APR18_x7.indd 3