City & Country Group a winner with first time buyers

City & Country Group has picked up a host of prestigious national awards for its Old Saint Michaels development in Braintree, Essex.

The conservation and restoration specialist who focuses on transforming neglected historic buildings into modern, high-quality homes has received accolades at both the Evening Standard New Home Awards and the First-Time Buyers Magazine Awards.

The London Evening Standard New Homes Awards, now in their 19th year declared Old Saint Michaels the winner in the catergory of Best New Starter Home. The development has also been recognised in the catergory of Best Renovation, receiving a Special Commendation award.

Judged by readers, the awards recognise, celebrate and reward excellence in the home building industry. Homes impressed thanks to the juxtoposition of “architecturally superb” period features and “country cool” high quality, contemporary design interiors.

Helen Moore, Managing Director, City & County Residential, said: “Last year we won a number of awards for The Galleries in Brentwood and I am delighted to continue that tradition of winning accolades at the London Evening Standard New Home Awards with Old Saint Michaels.

“As with all of City & Country’s developments this is a great example of how we can fuse the architecture of the past, in this case Victorian, with the best of contemporary design. We find that the combination of traditional craftsmanship and high-quality, modern specifications, attracts first-time buyers looking for a beautiful starter home with a difference.”

Meanwhile at the First Time Buyers Magazine Awards, Old Saint Michaels was not only declared the Best Overall Submission at the inaugural awards ceremony but was also highly commended in the catergory of Most Innovative Development of an Existing Property.

Helen Moore who was on hand to collect the awards from TV property expert Phil Spencer said: “This recognition is a huge credit to our team. I know we all feel that it is a great privilege to be able to rescue and revitalise some the country’s heritage buildings by turning them into sought-after properties and thereby securing their future."

The development of the Victorian Grade II Listed former St Michael’s Hospital comprises 79 homes set in formal landscaped gardens. It includes one, two and three bedroom apartments and houses that incorporate many unique features, including vaulted ceilings with original beams, parquet flooring and large original windows which have been preserved to make each property individual.

City & Country Group has an outstanding reputation as ‘best in class’ for sensitive restoration and regeneration. The company undertakes detailed conservation and restoration of heritage buildings.

Old Saint Michaels is located on Rayne Road, near Braintree town centre and railway station. Trains from Braintree station to London Liverpool Street run regularly and take about an hour.

Prices for apartments start from £142,500 for a one bedroom to £172,500 for a two bedroom. One bedroom houses start from £135,000 and two bedroom houses start from £199,500. For further information, contact the City & Country Group sales suite which is open daily from 10am to 5pm.