Barratt unveils luxury apartments in Edwardian WC1

Barratt is transforming a row of Edwardian mansion buildings in Bloomsbury, London WC1, into a stunning development of luxury two-bedroom apartments.

Almost half of the apartments available for sale at the development, called Bloomsbury Terrace, have been snapped up months ahead of the building programme - at prices starting from around £700,000.

Quietly located in Huntley Street, Bloomsbury, the stylish six-storey buildings were built shortly before World War I, originally as accommodation for police officers.

They later became staff quarters for nurses at University College Hospital, but have stood empty and in disrepair for over ten years.

Barratt is developing the site in partnership with English Partnerships (EP), the Government regeneration agency. As well as providing 33 apartments for open market sale, Bloomsbury Terrace will also include 20 homes for key workers as part of EP's London Wide Initiative.

Barratt East London managing director Alastair Baird said: "It has taken over a year to bring this development to the point of starting, and it's fair to say that the central London property market has been absolutely buzzing with anticipation from the outset.

"Opportunities like this are incredibly rare in WC1, especially in this beautiful residential area on the Bloomsbury-Fitzrovia cusp. So it's hardly surprising we've had well over 100 serious inquiries and at our first preview, held at a local hotel, almost a quarter of the apartments available for sale were reserved."

A sales office and show apartment are now open and first occupations are expected around summer 2008.

Bloomsbury Terrace will retain the distinctively Edwardian elevations of the blocks while remodeling and transforming the interior into stunning, high-specification luxury apartments for the 21st Century.

All homes will have two bedrooms, fully-fitted designer kitchens, complete with integrated appliances, and family and en suite bathrooms, plus balconies (or terraces on the lower ground floor). Lifts will serve all floors and there will be a daytime concierge service.

Limited private parking - a rare and valuable commodity in this part of London - will be provided at additional cost. It will be located behind the apartments, accessed from Huntley Street through a ‘carriage arch' through the building.

Bloomsbury Terrace is in WC1, at the very heart of central London. Many of the capital's finest shopping, leisure and transport amenities are on the doorstep.

Prices at Bloomsbury Terrace currently range from £699,000 to £1 million. Visit Barratthomes.co.uk for more information.