Film Buff Buys In Filmworks
After a three-and-a-half-year search, 36-year-old motion capture professional Glenn Kelly landed his dream first home at the new art-deco inspired Filmworks development in Ealing.
Glenn says: “I’m originally from Hertford but lived in Australia for half my life. I decided to move back to the UK in 2010 and found myself living in West London and working at Ealing Film Studios. We film motion capture for movies such as Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, Men in Black: International and Spiderman: Far from Home so it’s a really cool gig. Convenience is very important to me and Filmworks is a short walk from the Studios. It’s also well connected to central London and the home was ready to move into which took a lot of pressure off things.”
Filmworks, a new 209-home community being delivered by St George in Ealing, is set around a vibrant new public piazza with an array of shops, restaurants and bars. As the site of the historic Forum Theatre, Filmworks celebrates Ealing’s cinematic history with careful restoration of the cinema’s historic art deco frontage, which was originally designed by John Stanley Beard – an English architect known for designing cinemas in and around London. Due care was taken to carefully repair the existing faience blocks and redecorate the eight iconic colonnades to create a grand entrance.
Glenn purchased a Manhattan home in Bogart House at Filmworks and adjacent to the building will also be an eight-screen cinema with over 1,000 seats, making it the largest Picturehouse cinema outside the West End.
“The cinematic history of the site is interesting to me as I work in film and TV. After lockdown it’s so important that people go back to the cinema, so it’s exciting that a Picturehouse will be opening just next door to me”, says Glenn.
Glenn purchased his new home through the discount market sale (DMS) initiative, launched in partnership with the London Borough of Ealing – a scheme available exclusively to those currently living or working in London. Residents pay a percentage of the open market value of the apartment while maintaining full ownership of the property. When the owner sells the property, it must be sold with the same criteria and at the same market value percentage as at the time of purchase.
Commenting on the scheme, Glenn says: “I was looking for a home in West London and had actually overlooked Ealing because I thought I wouldn’t be able to afford a property there on my own. Yet, when I spoke with St George about their DMS homes I went to view the show homes that day. The chance to buy such a great property at an affordable price was too good to pass on, so I put a deposit down on the same day.
“I live alone so getting a mortgage in Zone 3 would have been near enough impossible without the scheme.”
Adjacent to Filmworks is the renovated Grade I listed Pitzhanger Manor, the former home of renowned British architect Sir John Soane. Pitzhanger Manor sits within Walpole Park, a beautifully landscaped original parkland which is one of the finest green spaces in Ealing and includes the serpentine lake, a walled kitchen garden and a pond with fountains.
“Ealing has everything you need. My favourite coffee shop is just across the road from my new home and there’s so much green space. It’s also only 11 minutes from Paddington so even if I was working in central London the location is still ideal”, comments Glenn.
The development is also just moments from Dickens Yard, a neighbouring development by St George comprising 700 homes, public spaces and a range of high-end retail outlets, wellness offerings and restaurants, including BrewDog, No 17 Dickens Yard, GAIL’s Bakery, Gymbox, Leon Beauty and independent greengrocer Reineta.
Filmworks evolving neighbourhood is playing a significant role in the wider regeneration of Ealing ahead of the arrival of the Elizabeth Line at Ealing Broadway station. Once open, the new station will mean residents can travel to Bond Street in 11 minutes, Liverpool Street in 18 minutes and Canary Wharf in 25 minutes.
St George, in partnership with the London Borough of Ealing, has recently launched 30 new Manhattan homes in Hawkins House at Filmworks, available exclusively for those currently living or working in London. St George will be hosting an open day on 3 October and an open evening on 7 October at Filmworks and encourages anyone interested in finding more about the homes and Discount Market Scheme to get in touch and arrange a viewing of the new show homes.
These homes are available at a discount below market value, with prices starting from £302,188 with an equity share from 62.9%. Purchasers pay a sum at a percentage of the open market value of the apartment whilst retaining full ownership of the property.
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