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At last there is some good news for the UK property market, and especially for Great Homes Limited, the multi-award winning company behind Highlands in Gidea Park, Romford in Essex.
Amid the difficulties of the property market generally, the results of the Daily Mail UK Property Awards 2008 have come as a vote of confidence. These awards are linked to the world’s largest property competition and a number of this year’s UK winners will be chosen to represent the UK at the finals in the USA this November. The Great Homes team is hopeful that it will have the privilege of waving the flag for Essex developers in the USA.
Great Homes, based in Chafford Hundred, Essex, has won an award for Highlands, a collection of one and two bedroom apartment homes for buyers of 60 years and over, in the Best Retirement Development category. The award will be presented at a glittering gala dinner to be held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on October 31.
“We are delighted to have won this award, and especially to have been recognised in the Daily Mail UK Property Awards for the high quality of development that we strive to achieve,” says David Sparks, managing director of Great Homes.
A high specification development, Highlands stands on what was once part of the Gidea Hall estate owned by local Member of Parliament Major Sir Herbert Rapheal who instigated an ‘Exhibition of Houses and Cottages’ in 1909. The result, now known as the Romford Garden Suburb of Gidea Park, was applauded throughout the country as being a showcase of the foremost Arts and Crafts architectural style of the day. Highlands was designed to blend sympathetically with the many houses that still exist from the period.
Inside, Highlands incorporates energy efficient systems designed to ensure warmth, low cost and reduce the impact on the environment, along with state-of-the-art safety and security features, and the creation of a luxurious five-star hotel feel for its residents. The first residents moved in just a week or so ago.
Having been given this high recommendation for Highlands from the judges, Great Homes is now entitled to display the Daily Mail UK Property Awards 2008 logo with pride. This symbol of excellence will be recognised and appreciated by the public who are becoming increasingly well informed and discerning about the properties they seek to buy.
Entries were judged by a panel of independent professionals, chaired by Eric Pickles, British Shadow Secretary of State. Their collective knowledge of the property industry is second to none. Among them were Helen Shield, editor-in-chief of International Homes magazine, Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents and Phil Spencer, property expert and presenter of Channel 4’s Location and Relocation TV shows.
Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of the National House Building Council, 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.
In all, there were 21 different categories. Up to two of the most outstanding entries in each category have already been awarded a four-star award, while a five-star has been awarded to the best overall entry. However, winners will not know how many stars they have achieved until the gala dinner. Every five-star winner’s entry will then be re-examined to determine who is to go forward for the ultimate World’s Best Award. These outstanding international accolades will be announced at a grand presentation dinner in America on November 10th.
“It is an exciting time,” adds Mr Sparks. “Not only are we welcoming the first residents to their new homes at Highlands, but now we can say they are moving into an award-winning development. They are as delighted as we are. ”
For further information on Highlands contact the selling agent Porter Glenny on 01708 725000 or visit the Great Homes Limited website: www.greathomes.co.uk. |
