Buyer gets ‘dream start’ at Great West Quarter

When South African Peet Venter attended a sales evening at Great West Quarter by Barratt West London in Brentford, he didn’t expect to return home with an apartment.

Previously renting in Ealing, Peet had no plans to purchase a property until he discovered Great West Quarter. He came across Barratt West London’s flagship development thanks to his job as a lettings manager for an estate agency.

While visiting, mainly out of professional interest, Peet snapped up a one bedroom apartment with a bonus room in the sympathetically restored Grade II Listed Wallis House.

Peet says: “As soon as I saw the development and Wallis House in particular, I knew instantly that I wanted to live here. Through my job I see a great number of new and ‘second hand’ homes and Great West Quarter really stands head and shoulders above many of the schemes currently on the market.

“Wallis House is a stunning building, both inside and out. It has been converted brilliantly and is finished to an exceptionally high standard. There is even a concierge and a gym on site. Although these are great, I would have bought here whether there were these services or not as the building and apartment are so fantastic.”

Built in 1936, Wallis House is one of only three remaining original Art Deco buildings on the Great West Road, once known as ‘The Golden Mile’. The new two-storey glazed reception has been designed as a contemporary interpretation of the building’s Art Deco heritage and provides a striking entrance to the building.

Peet continues: “I really hadn’t considered buying at all; even with the dip in property prices I had thought buying was beyond my means. Through Barratt’s Dream Start scheme however, I was able to purchase the apartment for just 75 per cent of the £210,000 asking price and Barratt paid the other 25 per cent as an interest fee loan, which is deferred for up to 10 years. As a result, I was able to buy my home for just £157,500. Without this initiative, I could never have done it.

“As well as the building being fantastic, the location is also perfect for me. Although I didn’t know Brentford very well, I have always spent a lot of time in nearby Chiswick so Great West Quarter’s situation is great. It only takes me around five minutes to drive to work – a rarity in London!

“I really love living here,” concludes Peet. “I really look forward to coming back here at the end of a long day.”

Barratt’s Dream Start scheme is not shared ownership – it’s the buyer’s home and they own 100 per cent of it, but they only pay 75 per cent of the purchase price now. The repayment of the 25 per cent is at the market value at the point of resale, transfer, or the end of the 10 year period, whether this is more or less than the original purchase price. Some lenders will even accept Barratt’s 25 per cent share as the deposit – meaning that purchasers won’t need a deposit of their own.

When complete, Great West Quarter will provide 773 studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including both private and affordable homes, shops, restaurants, a bar, a health club, an art gallery, a crèche, a hotel and serviced apartments.

There will be a central piazza, extending to over an acre, which has been designed as a venue for public events and, together with courtyards and play areas, will create a focal point for community activities. The landscaping will include a green corridor for wildlife, while bat and bird boxes constructed on the site will enhance natural biodiversity.

Beecham House and Firestone have just been released at Great West Quarter and provide the development’s first newly built homes.

Beecham House comprises 27 studio, one and two bedroom apartments. Studios are available from £201,000, one bedroom apartments from £232,000 and two bedroom apartments from £343,000.

Firestone consists of 30 one and two bedroom apartments. Prices for one bedroom apartments start from £252,500 and two bedroom apartments start from £298,000.

All homes at Wallis House are now sold.

For further information, visit the marketing suite at Great West Quarter off Great West Road, Brentford, open daily from 10am to 6pm, or visit gwq.uk.com. Alternatively, information on all Barratt developments is available from barratthomes.co.uk.