Live/work apartments in West London

The continued rise in houses prices has meant many workers now face a long commute into work as they move further out of the city in search of better value for money property. Long commutes result in a stressed and less productive workforce, so many workers are choosing to work from home as a way to combat this.

The UK National Statistics Agency reports that in 2005, 3.1 million people in the UK worked from home compared to just 0.7 million people in 2000. According to Work Wise UK, a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for smarter working practices, working from home makes for employees that are happier, less stressed and more productive.

With this in mind, Berkeley Homes has launched ‘The Courtyard Apartments at West 3’, a collection of 15 live/work properties in Bromyard Avenue, Acton, W3. These one-bedroom apartments range in size from a generous 845 to 1,076 sq ft and offer workspace areas between 280 and 359 sq ft, which could easily accommodate a second bed if necessary.

The Courtyard Apartments are the latest phase of the highly successful West 3 London Apartments, which has seen the transformation of the former Ministry of Pensions Building. This impressive building, which was completed in 1922, is being given a new lease of life as it is converted into 350 studios, one and two and three bedroom apartments and two and three bedroom penthouses. Many of the original features of the building, designed by James G. West, the Principal Architect of Whitehall, have been retained, including dramatic entrance halls, wide staircases and high ceilings.

The apartments offer open-plan living for greater flexibility combined with a high quality specification. The kitchens offer understated, sophisticated features designed with clean geometric shapes. Fitted handleless units by Rational have been combined with full-height gloss and matt splashbacks, complementary work surfaces and square stainless steel sinks, taps and plinth lights, which gently illuminate the floor tiling.

The kitchens are completed by Kuppersbuch appliances. Bathrooms feature tumbled marble, chrome brassware and square white sanitaryware.

West 3 London Apartments boasts a Business Suite with conferencing and office facilities, making it ideal for purchasers of the live/work units who want to hold business meetings in a professional and slick environment. Incorporated in to a separate contemporary building and located adjacent to the scheme, this residents only hire service provides access to cutting edge conferencing and office facilities including full networking support for PC technology, a private hire dining/board room, kitchen and shower facilities.

According Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, Working from home provides a wealth of benefits for employees and employers.

“Home working allows workers to avoid time wasted on commuting and the stress of travelling on an overcrowded and congested transport system, giving a better work-life balance. Employers reap the reward of greater productivity. For example BT currently employs 64,000 flexible workers and 11,500 contracted full-time home workers. Where it has introduced smarter working practices such as home working, it has seen a 20% increase in productivity.”

Paul Vallone, Managing Director of Berkeley Homes (Central London) Ltd adds: “The Courtyard Apartments at West 3 meet the demand of purchasers for a flexible living space. They can be used for work during the day, but also benefit from having an extra large living area ensuring that the one-bedroom apartments have a ‘wow’ factor allowing purchasers to entertain in grand style.”

At the heart of the gated development lie four new landscaped courtyards that offer residents a retreat from hectic London living. Square flowerbeds planted with green shrubbery, stone benches and elegant trees nestle alongside topiary, ground level lighting and water features to create a geometric and contemporary outdoor space.

The courtyards are enclosed by apartments on three sides and by a glass passageway on the fourth side. The ground-floor apartments have direct outdoor access on to the raised decked terraces within the courtyard. The development also features a 24-hour concierge.

The Courtyard Apartments at West 3 are situated just a short walk from East Acton Underground Station on the Central line, which provides fast and efficient links in to the City and West End in less than 30 minutes.

Prices for the Courtyard Apartments start from £420,000. A number of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments also remain for sale in phase three and are priced from £235,000 for a studio apartment.

For further information on the current availability at West 3 London Apartments log on to Berkeleyhomes.co.uk.