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The team at Great Homes is celebrating this week as Highlands in Gidea Park, Romford, was awarded four stars and officially named one of the Best Retirement Development in Essex at a glittering ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Friday, October 31.
Eric Pickles, British Shadow Secretary of State and chairman of the Daily Mail UK Property Awards 2008 judging panel, presented David Sparks and Chris Lineham, directors of Chafford Hundred-based Great Homes Limited, with the coveted accolade. It follows in the success of the company’s previous retirement developments, Sandringham Court in Hadleigh, which won Best Essex Development in 2005, and Windsor Court in Ashford, the winner of the Best Retirement Development Kent category in 2007.
“We are thrilled to have won in the Daily Mail UK Property Awards for a third time and for our three consecutive retirement developments,” says Mr Sparks. “Highlands has been a special project for us. The building’s design was based on the Arts and Crafts architectural styling that is a key feature of Gidea Park and for this we consulted with specialist conservation and heritage advisors.
“We also designed Highlands to the Code for Sustainable Homes standard with many energy efficient features for warmth, low cost and to have as little impact as possible on the environment. We are delighted and honoured that these measures were recognised by experts in the property world.”
Entries were judged by a panel of independent professionals. Along with Mr Pickles, the panel comprised Helen Shield, editor-in-chief of International Homes magazine, Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents, Phil Spencer, property expert and presenter of Channel 4’s Location and Relocation TV shows, and Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of the National House Building Council.
They were joined by Christopher Hall, the past president National Association of Estate Agents, designer Gillian Farr from Laura Ashley and Thijis Staff from the International Consortium of Real Estate Agents Association (ICREA) were also on the judging panel. The line-up was completed by Alejandro Escurdero from SIMA, Kirkor Ajderhanyan of the French Real Estate Federation (FNAIM) and Jonathan Price, FIABCI, along with Hans-Ulrich Berendes, FIABCI, Graham Norwood of the Daily Mail, property writer David Hoppit, Jill Keene, the editor of International Homes magazine, Diana Yakely, the chairman British Interior Design Association and Tad Zurlinden from the Association of Relocation Professionals.
Great Homes Limited competed with some of the finest property developers in the country. In all, there were 21 different categories, including the Best Retirement Development category. Great Homes learned of its success a few weeks ago, but not how many stars it had been awarded. This result was saved for the gala evening. Great Homes won four stars, making Highlands one of the best such developments in Essex.
Highlands, which offers a collection of 23 one and two bedroom retirement apartments exclusively for buyers of 60 years and over, has already become a landmark building along Main Road in Gidea Park. It was officially opened by the Mayor of Havering, Cllr John Clark, a few weeks ago. “Highlands is an impressive development and retirement apartments of this standard will be an undoubtable asset to the area. I can see why the development had already won an award,” said Cllr Clark at the opening ceremony.
Among its features are a beautiful cream and gold interior designed residents’ lounge, library and landscaped gardens, plus state-of-the-art safety and security features that include a CCTV entryphone system, alarms to all ground floor apartments, an integrated fire alarm system and a gated entrance. A house manager and 24-hour emergency careline support are provided for residents’ complete peace of mind.
Each apartment affords a good layout and a high specification. Kitchens, for instance, come complete with a ‘peach skin’ effect wooden finish to the cupboards, quartz stone worktops and a range of integrated Bosch appliances that include a washer/dryer, fridge and freezer, oven, combination microwave, hob and extractor. Bathrooms, similarly, are presented with elegant suites, vanity furniture, heated towel rail and contemporary tiling. All apartments feature a shower, and some have ensuites to the master bedroom too.
The award-winning Highlands offers a fresh approach to retirement living. For further information visit the show suite which is open every Friday to Monday from 10am to 5pm, contact sales agent Porter Glenny on 01708 725000 or visit Great Homes Limited’s website www.greathomes.co.uk. |
