Loft style living for downsizers

Opting to move into something smaller is never an easy decision especially when you’ve lived happily in your family home for 23 years, so Stuart and Jenny Thame wanted to find somewhere very special indeed when they decided to move from Newbury into a smaller home.

They found the perfect solution at Berkeley Homes’ Royal Clarence Marina, in Portsmouth Harbour, where they have bought a three-bedroom show apartment at The Bakery. With a wonderful waterside setting, links to fascinating history and every facility they need close by, this gorgeous home is hard to beat.

Royal Clarence Marina was once part of a massive victualling yard which provided food and drink to the ships of the Royal Navy. Today, Berkeley Homes is transforming it into a stylish development of homes, with a range of restaurants, bars, shops and leisure facilities planned. The Bakery, which dates back to the early 19th century, is a beautiful Grade II listed building that has been converted with tremendous care into one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Stuart and Jenny chose Gosport as the ideal location from where they can easily visit their second home in Normandy. Choosing the house builder was equally straightforward, as Jenny explains: “I’ve always admired Berkeley Homes and so they were our first choice when looking to move. We were aware of their great reputation for producing an amazing standard of specification and finish; and this is certainly proved by the superb quality of our new home.”

Visiting Royal Clarence Marina, Stuart and Jenny “instantly fell in love” with the show home at The Bakery and were delighted to find that they could move in immediately; within six weeks they were living in their new home!

Moving away from family and friends is a big step, and Jenny was naturally apprehensive about the change. She comments: “It helped so much that the Berkeley staff were so professional and supportive. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they made our move as painless as possible.”

Stuart and Jenny have also been reassured by the friendliness of the other new home owners at Royal Clarence Marina. “We’ve settled in really well, considering we didn’t know anyone,” says Stuart. “Although it’s early days, everyone is very friendly and there’s already a real feeling of community.”

Stuart and Jenny’s home certainly makes a statement. Their loft-style apartment has plenty of character with timber beams and exposed brickwork. There are stunning views across the marina from both their large open plan living/kitchen area and bedroom, stretching to Gunwharf Quays beyond. “I adore the view. I could sit and stare out of the window all day!” laughs Jenny.

Although Royal Clarence Marina is very tranquil, Stuart and Jenny don’t have to go far to find all the shops and entertainment they need. Gunwharf Quays, with its lively buzzing atmosphere, is just a few minutes away by the new water taxi service. Jenny walks into town every day to do the shopping, and the couple are looking forward to the next phase of development at Royal Clarence Marina: “We’re very excited about the new commercial units that are being built. We’ve no doubt that when it’s all finished it will be of a very high standard,” says Stuart.

Perhaps the biggest seal of approval for Stuart and Jenny’s new home comes from their daughter Holly, a final year student at Cardiff University. “Holly thinks our home is superb and has already spent a lot of time here,” Jenny says. What more could proud parents want!

Prices at in The Bakery start from £239,995 for a two-bedroom apartment and from £379,995 for a three-bedroom apartment. There are no less than four new showcase apartments ready for immediate occupation at The Bakery and these can be viewed daily from 10am to 6pm.

For more information visit the website Royal-clarence-marina.co.uk for details, photographs and prices. Details of all developments by Berkeley Homes are shown on the website: Berkeleyhomes.co.uk.