Heathrow properties have potential to take off

Heathrow Terminal 5’s recent teething problems have rarely been out of the news - but can an investment in property near the landmark airport help your equity get off the ground more quickly than Heathrow’s passengers?

Leading global property adviser DTZ reports on the positives of living near a large international transport centre such as Heathrow Airport.

Mike Bickerton, Associate Director of DTZ, notes that there are various advantages to living near a major transportation hub: “The traditional perception of living near an airport is of aircrafts buzzing overhead. Our sales data suggests that the advantages of living and investing near airports far outweigh any noise problems that might occur. Opportunities for investors in particular are encouraging.”

Mike Bickerton continues: “People who travel a considerable amount for work, and second homeowners with properties abroad are consistently seeking property near airports. This affluent but time-poor group requires easy access to and from the airport and time-saving mod cons within their property.”

Airport workers and cabin crew also make up another key market, especially in the buy-to-let arena. Heathrow Airport employs over 68,000 people, many of whom need to live nearby. The provision of schemes geared towards mid-range or affordable buy-to-let properties is ideal for this group, and for those airport staff who want to have a permanent presence.

The closeness to major transport links of all kinds (road and rail as well as air) is a major selling point for property near airports. Heathrow Airport itself has three underground stations offering a fast tube service into northwest and Central London, and one national rail station, which in addition to suburban rail services, also offers two fast and frequent direct services into the heart of the City. The area’s road links are also unparalleled, offering easy access to the A4, A40, M4 and M25.

One example of a residential development that caters for these needs is The Heights, a collection of 83 contemporary one and two bedroom apartments located in the heart of Uxbridge, moments away from Uxbridge tube station. International travelers can benefit from the easy access to Heathrow via the Piccadilly Line. In addition, journey times from Uxbridge to Central London by tube average approximately 40 minutes.

A thriving metropolitan centre, Uxbridge benefits from a number of fashionable outlets, popular restaurants, bars and cafés and excellent leisure facilities. Apartments at The Heights feature stylish ALNO designer fitted kitchens with integrated stainless steel appliances. Many of the apartments enjoy balconies with spectacular views.

The College, in nearby Osterley is only five stops from Heathrow on the Piccadilly Line and caters for the busy executive with a distinctly ‘old meets new’ approach. The scheme is a residential conversion within a former Brunel University campus, less than two miles away from Heathrow Airport. The College is a restoration project being developed by The Jaspar Group, comprising 84 apartments including townhouses and one, two and three bedroom apartments, set within the Grade II listed Lancaster House and George Little House.

Mike Bickerton adds: “Investing in property near an airport attracts a buyer base looking to cut down travel times to their places of work, or to decrease the amount of unnecessary ground travel before they fly. Airport-side living is a lifestyle option that suits many of the increasingly busy international executives that come in ever greater numbers to major international business hubs like London, and propositions such as The Heights and The College cater for that growing audience.”

Prices at The College start from £280,000 for a one-bedroom apartment with allocated parking. Prices at The Heights start at £199,950. For further information visit DTZ.com.