We speak exclusively to Mark Parker, managing director of Redrow North London, about how the company is playing a major role in transforming Colindale with thousands of new homes and a host of new shops and amenities.
Hi Mark, please tell us a little about yourself and Redrow.
Previously the MD of Telford Homes, a specialist North and East London housebuilder, I joined Redrow in 2015 to open the North London division and establish our presence in the region by launching Colindale Gardens.
Redrow was established in 1974 and today is one of the most acclaimed property developers in the UK, building over 5,400 premium-quality family homes a year in prime locations across England and Wales. Since the North London division’s inception, we have grown our team from five to 64 members of staff, this includes directors right through to apprentices.
The project you're working on in Colindale is huge – can you tell us what the overall development will offer?
Colindale Gardens is substantially regenerating Colindale by delivering homes for an estimated 6,000 people whilst also upgrading Colindale tube station and bringing a wide array of amenities to the area.
When complete, the 47-acre scheme will offer 2,900 new homes along with a wide array of shops, restaurants, cafés as well as an onsite residents’ gym and a 24-hour concierge. Most impressively, we are also incorporating nine acres of green open space into this new neighbourhood, these will include parklands, fruit orchards, sports pitches and play parks. A new three-form entry primary school and new health facilities will also help cater for new families within Colindale Gardens as well those in the surrounding areas.
What phases are you currently working on and what kind of properties are for sale there?
Our latest release of homes is based within the Family Quarter of the site. This includes a selection of contemporary one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as 30 new houses known as The Villas. The Villas are set across three storeys and offer fantastic open-plan living, which is perfect for young families who are priced out of central London. Each home within the Family Quarter also offers outdoor space, The Villas have generous rear gardens and the apartments feature balconies and terraces. Prices start at £375,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £725,000 for a three-bedroom house.
Are there aspects of standard specification and buyer options that you're particularly proud of?
Yes, we are particularly proud of the extensive choice we provide our customers with as well as the high specification and branded appliances we incorporate into all of our homes at Colindale Gardens. As an example, each kitchen is custom designed as we offer our buyers the choice of three colour schemes for the worktops and kitchen units at no additional cost, whilst Siemens appliances are also incorporated throughout. Our clients really appreciate this as it gives them the option to include their own personal touches in their home. Every home also has contemporary bathrooms finished with porcelain tiles and bespoke vanity cabinets, whilst discreet underlighting adds a touch of luxury.
Our specification is highly competitive and we offer our customers the option to further enhance it by adding additional tiling and wood flooring, Silestone worktops and additional built-in wardrobes.
Colindale is undergoing major changes - what does it offer now and what plans are in place for this part of London?
Colindale has seen a huge amount of regeneration over the last 10 years and our £1bn regeneration project at Colindale Gardens will continue to build on this. The area offers good value homes with excellent connections into central London in under half-an-hour and is the perfect location for first time buyers and young families who find themselves priced out of living a few stops closer to central London.
Colindale Gardens is set to become the new town centre for Colindale, as we are bringing huge amounts of retail space to the area. These eateries, shops, health services and supermarkets will be positioned opposite the station, which is where our current marketing suite sits, so will be easily accessible not only to residents but also the surrounding community. We are also substantially upgrading Colindale tube station and new bus stops will be incorporated throughout the site.
Is interest in Redrow's new homes here equally popular for local residents as well as those moving in from elsewhere?
We have had a huge amount of interest from local buyers, with over 45% of our current purchasers based in the UK currently living within a five-mile radius of Colindale Gardens. These buyers appreciate the quick journey times into central London and the more they can get for their money here in comparison to the surrounding areas.
How does the scheme differ to others being built in Colindale?
Colindale has a number of new build offerings, however we believe that Colindale Gardens has been designed to be more than just a new housing development. Not only are we bringing new commercial space to the area but we will also be providing an abundance of green space. With over nine acres of public open space, Colindale Gardens is the only development in this part of London with such a green offering. Each home also enjoys private outdoor space, whether this is in the form of a garden, balcony or terrace.
We also offer travel incentives for every purchaser with a car club and cycle vouchers available on completion, these aspects are all part of our wellbeing strategy which is focused on improving the health and lifestyle of our residents. Residents at Colindale Gardens will also benefit from a 24-hour concierge service and high-quality, residents-only gym.
What are the next steps for this development?
Over the coming months we’ll see more people moving in as buyers have just completed on the first phase of homes. The first few acres of greenery will also become available for residents to enjoy as the landscaping opens up more areas of the site.
How can potential purchasers find out more about it?
Please visit our marketing suite which is now open seven days a week and can be found on Colindale Avenue, opposite Colindale tube station. Alternatively, customers can find out more online at www.colindalegardens.com or call our sales team on 0203 8113 734.