Sky high prices in St John’s Wood lead homebuyers elsewhere

The expensive prices of homes in St John’s Wood are leading buyers to seek alternative addresses to get more for their money. With average prices between 30 to 50 per cent cheaper, yet facilities better, people have started moving away from St John’s Wood NW8 to NW11 and the areas of Hampstead, Hampstead Garden Suburb and Finchley Road.

Trevor Abrahmsohn from Glentree Estates comments: “30 years ago before Brent Cross Shopping Centre was built, St John’s Wood was the first leafy suburb outside the Mecca of the West End, with its glittering array of shopping facilities. If you wanted to live in North West London proximity to the West End was crucial and St John’s Wood provided an excellent, yet expensive, place to live. Since then, Brent Cross Shopping Centre and the internet have transformed the living habits of North West Londoners to the extent that you can now buy anything you want in the area, rendering the obsession to be close to the West End obsolete.”

Trevor continues: “Hampstead, Hampstead Garden Suburb and Finchley Road are now strong contenders for those seeking an alternative to NW8 and are very much the happening place of today. These areas, which are nestled between the historic villages of Hampstead and Highgate, which have upped their game in terms of restaurants and boutiques, now offer residents many facilities locally, yet homes can be bought for at least half or a third of the prices you pay in St John’s Wood. Recently a client with a budget of circa £2 million was determined to buy an apartment in St John’s Wood but was appalled by the poor value the area offered. Instead, they bought a luxury apartment at West Heath Place, NW11, boarding Hampstead, which offered much more in terms of value and facilities.”

West Heath Place, by Albany Homes is a collection of 52 two, three and four-bedroom luxury apartments and penthouses, ideally located on Finchley Road, NW11. Close to a range of excellent schools, shops, parks and transport links.

Set within landscaped grounds and communal gardens, each apartment features either a terrace or balcony, some of which are over 1,000 sq ft, doubling living spaces. Homes on the higher levels offer spectacular panoramic views across London and residents can take advantage of the gated underground parking, concierge and gym. The development also features storage rooms, CCTV, video entry and refuse chutes to each floor.

Barry Angel, Managing Director, Albany Homes adds: “With St John’s Wood only five minutes down the road yet prices so much cheaper buyers are finding they can have the best of both worlds.”

The development is close to both Golders Hill Park and Hampstead Heath with its 800 acres of parkland, and to several entertainment hubs, including Hampstead and Highgate Villages. This trendy part of London has old streets bursting with boutiques, artisan shops, bars, cafés as well as fine restaurants offering gourmet delights, and is home to a host of celebrities.

West Heath Place features a striking contemporary exterior that has been built to complement traditional homes in the surrounding area. All of the apartments at West Heath Place feature high specifications throughout, with wood flooring to the entrance hall and living rooms, built-in custom wardrobes to the master bedroom and second bedrooms and, in a selection of apartments; fully fitted walk in wardrobes are provided to the dressing rooms.

First class transport links ensure West Heath Place is ideal for commuting with Golders Green tube station a short distance away making it just a 15 minute journey to King’s Cross St Pancras. The North Circular A406, M1 and M25 motorways provide direct access to greater and central London and the rest of the country, while Heathrow is just a 35 minute drive away.

Prices start from £795,000 for a two-bedroom apartment to £2.3 million for a four bedroom apartment or penthouse. For further information, visit westheathplace.com.