Finding a shared-ownership scheme flat with, a private garden in which to make the most of London’s springtime sun is a near impossibility, so the next best thing is a communal roof terrace. While traditional gardens can be found in a few affordable developments in the suburbs, roof terraces are increasingly becoming a fixture, particularly in the more central ones.
Roof terraces bring amazing views and much-needed outside space and greenery to the lives of the capital’s apartment-dwellers, and there are plenty of opportunities to buy in affordable schemes — where buyers purchase a percentage of a flat, rent¬ing out the rest at a subsidised rate — that have one. Below are the five best shared-ownership developments in London with roof terraces.
661 LONDON ROAD
This modern development, designed by award-winning architects Munkenbeck + Marshall, has a spacious, decked roof terrace with views over London and benches for residents to sit on and read, eat lunch or relax. The development, which is found in central Hounslow, comprises two square buildings linked by a glass corridor. A quarter-share of a one-bedroom flat starts at £40,750 (full market value £163,000), or £51,750 for two bedrooms (full market value £207,000). Only available to those living and working in Hounslow.
Notting Hill Housing (020 8357 4444, nottinghillhousing.org.uk)
BUCKLE’S YARD
This project, close to Stratford Tube, consists of 26 one and two-bedroom flats with a large roof terrace measuring over 60 sq m overlooking part of the Olympic site, The 02 dome and The Gherkin. Prices start from £50,000 for a 25 per cent share. The development is close to Stratford City the new retail centre that, when built, will be home to more than 200 shops, department stores, schools, cafes, hotels, bars, doctors’ surgeries and parks.
Genesis Homes (0800 883 0480, genesishomes.org.uk)
PAN PENINSULA
Possibly the best facilities in a shared-ownership scheme in London: this development, close to Canary Wharf Tube station, has a free gym, swimming pool, sauna, subsidised spa, restaurant, private cinema and even cocktail bar — and an attractive landscaped roof terrace with decking, trees and benches. Pan Peninsula is taller than London Eye, so the views from the terrace will be panoramic, looking over Canary Wharf, the Thames and beyond. In total there are 27 units available for shared ownership, with a 25 per cent share starting at £68,750. Service charge is £120 a month. Assettrust (0845 373 2424, assettrusthousing.com)
KINGSWAY SQUARE
The spectacular Grade H-Usted site of the former Westminster Kingsway Catering College in Battersea — where old boys include Jamie Oliver, Ainsley Harriott and Antony Worral Thompson — includes a paved roof terrace overlooking the Battersea Power Station and the whole of Wandsworth, with benches and potted plants for residents dotted about. For extra greenery, there’s the nearby 200-acre Battersea Park and also Clapham Park to the south. There will also be a concierge. Prices start from £53,317 for a 25 per cent share, based on a full market value of £213,268.
Genesis Homes (0800 883 0529, genesishomes.org.uk/ wandsworth)
WOODGRANGE ROAD
The large, sixth-floor roof garden of Woodgrange, a brand-new development close to Wanstead Park train station, in Newham, will have paving, grassy areas, trees, a sculpture and benches, plus views over London, including The Gherkin and Canary Wharf. In total there are 76 one-, two- and three-bedroom flats with prices starting at £59,500 for a 35 per cent share. There is a minimum income requirement of £20,999 for a single person or £23,832 for a couple. One Housing Group (0800 234 6242, onehousinggroup.co.uk)
Jessie Hewitson, London Lite Friday, 27 March 2009