Successful ‘take-off’ for new homes

Sales of luxury homes on the former site of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) headquarters in Farnborough got off to a flying start at the launch event. More than 100 people sipped champagne and tucked into canapés’ as 32 converted apartments went on sale at Redrow’s Farnborough Central development, in the Hampshire town.

Seven of the contemporary apartments have already been reserved to the delight of Redrow Homes’ (Southern) area sales manager Tina Chalk.

Tina said: “We had a great turnout at the launch event, which shows the level of interest in this unique development. Visitors were able to view a DVD about the history of the site and were also able to view a scale model and plans of the development.

“Six reservations were made at the launch and one the following day so we’re expecting the remaining apartments to fly out of the door. The converted buildings have great historical significance, and that obviously appeals to people looking for something a bit different from their new home.”

The one and two-bedroom apartments have been designed with a contemporary edge. They all have fully integrated kitchens, with Electrolux and Zanussi appliances, and the bathrooms come with fitted furniture, down lighters and chrome heated towel rails.

The12-acre development, Farnborough Central, will eventually feature a mix of 85 refurbished apartments, in existing buildings of historic interest, plus 194 new-build apartments and 54 new townhouses that will be sympathetically designed with art deco and modernist influences.

The wider site formerly comprised the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) and continues to be the home for the world famous Farnborough Aerodrome and the biennial Farnborough International Airshow, which attracts around 300,000 visitors every two years and celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2008.

IQ Farnborough, next to the residential area, is one of the largest business development sites in the south east of England, with planning consent granted for 1.67 million square feet of business space. As well as over 200,000 sq ft of built office space it also includes a café, crèche, heritage centre and a four-star hotel, with leisure complex, due to open in autumn 2008.

Redrow’s homes will be adjacent to the ‘heritage quarter’ and alongside two of the most interesting aeronautical legacies of the former RAE – a pair of Grade 1 listed wind tunnel buildings. The largest, a 24 ft wind tunnel, was used to test full-sized aircraft prototypes, while the transonic wind tunnel was used to test aircraft including Concorde. These buildings are being retained and restored by Segro (Slough Estates Group), who are developing commercial property nearby.

Prices at Farnborough Central start from £185,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. For more information on the properties available would-be home owners can log on to Farnboroughcentral.redrow.co.uk.