Paddington’s proposed stunning new skyscraper and the transformation of Acton are two areas of West London which are undergoing major redevelopment – to the extent they will have a huge impact on how London looks in future years. They are certainly two massive projects we feel are worth featuring in this blog post. Read on to find out more about both:
Take a look at the plans and you’ll agree it looks like a big blue marrow with its inky terracotta cladding, white ridges and curved profile (although some planners have christened it ‘The Cucumber’). No doubt it will be known by either name eventually…anyhow, Paddington’s latest proposed new housing development is a 42-storey skyscraper, sure to change the face of that famous landscape forever.
Sitting in Zone 1 and with the address of 1 Merchant Square, its location sounds good too. And, thanks to recent approval by Westminster council, it’s all set to go ahead. Together with a smaller tower – a mere 21 storeys – it will create 426 new apartments, retail outlets and a sky bar. The developers are confident restaurants and cafes will want to move in to the area too. A total of six buildings make up the Merchant Square scheme. The ‘Marrow’ was actually given outline planning consent seven years ago but it’s only now that it’s about to go ahead, having received final planning consent earlier this spring.
Around 84 two-bedroom waterfront apartments at No. 3 Canalside Walk are currently on sale with the owners expected to move in next year.
First time buyers should act now in Acton
Moving outwards from Central London, to zones two and three, developers say a large new development at Acton is proving a big hit with first time buyers in particular. The reason for the interest from ‘property newbies’ is because some of the one-bedroom flats at Acton Gardens are being offered for sale with stamp duty and legal fees paid as part of the sale. Not only that, but the government’s flagship Help to Buy scheme is also available on selected properties, meaning there’s no need to save up for a huge deposit. The starting price for the flats is £410,000.
The apartments are part of a massive £26 billion regeneration of Acton, where not just council estates will be regenerated, but also retail outlets and council buildings. One of the biggest regeneration initiatives will be at the 52-acre South Acton Estate (now known as Acton Gardens). It’s expected that once the 1800 existing homes are knocked down and replaced with 2500 New Builds, there will eventually be homes for around 8000 residents here.
Around 50 per cent of the homes have already been built or currently under construction. Half of the properties will come under the ‘affordable’ banner, meaning they will be either earmarked for social rent, market rent or shared ownership. This site alone is costing around £600 million and is a joint venture between Ealing council, housing association L&Q and housebuilder Countryside Properties.
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