Page 24 - Redbrik: Lifestyle Magazine Autumn and Winter 2018

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VERTICAL LIVING IS ON THE RISE
A new era is dawning in apartment living. Twenty years ago privately owned apartments were often seen as a temporary solution generally aimed at first time buyers or single, city dwellers. However, with low density housing becoming less sustainable
on our increasingly crowded island, buyers at all stages of life are switching on to the benefits of vertical living.
Apartments are increasingly popular with older people who may be downsizing from large family homes.
A study by property consultants Strutt and Parker showed that what newly retired people want in terms of buying a home are modern properties, ideally on one level, in an urban or semi urban area offering spacious entertaining areas and opportunities to socialise. A well proportioned flat typically delivers many of these things, with the added benefit of better security and lower maintenance costs.
Jen Beal, New Homes Manager at Redbrik agrees; “We’ve definitely seen a shift in the type of people considering apartments, both to buy and to rent. Apartments offer a great ‘lock up and leave’ option for those who work away regularly or travel a lot.”
“We have noticed that those wanting to buy an apartment have much
"Apartments offer a great ‘lock up and leave’ option for
those who work away regularly or travel a lot."
higher expectations of how they want the space to work for them. In new builds in particular high- quality fixtures and fittings, spacious living areas and both private and communal outdoor spaces are important.”
Jen cites Chesterfield’s Maple Court development, recently sold by Redbrik, as a great example of a new style of apartment living; “The apartments are really spacious with high ceilings and have made use of the original fabric of the building to add character. The outdoor spaces are well thought out and inside
there is lots of potential for buyers to personalise their flat. These properties sold out in just a few weeks.”
Property developers are aware of the appeal of apartment life to different demographics and are now building accordingly. Some of the best ideas for apartments which are designed with the needs of residents in mind come from high density cities such
as New York and Sydney. Manhattan based business start-up WeWork is testing new styles of apartment block offering fully connected, private living areas together with communal eating and chill out areas designed to bring residents together socially.
The floors are laid out in such a way that there is always a common area – a media room that’s also used
for community yoga classes, for example, or a laundry room decked out with a pool table to encourage social interaction.
With over a fifth of the UK population saying they ‘often or always’ feel lonely and research showing that loneliness can be a bigger health issue than smoking, maybe we should be seriously considering how apartment living can lead to a brighter future for everyone.
Why not take a look at some of these fantastic apartments currently for sale with Redbrik? Our new homes team would be happy to discuss these with you or arrange a viewing, get in touch on Sheffeld: 0114 299 4144 or Chesterfield 01246 889 222.
1. Ridgemount, located in the leafy Ranmoor conservation area of Sheffeld, offers luxurious three and four bed new build apartments designed with discerning customers in mind. The apartments are ideally located just a few minutes’ walk from amenities at Ranmoor and offer high specification interiors, allocated parking and a communal roof terrace with stunning views. From £485,000.
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LIVING IN THE SKY