Shanly Homes has built many homes in and around Maidenhead over its 50+ year history, and it is as busy as ever today with a couple of developments right now as the Berkshire town benefits from major regeneration.
Right in the heart of it on the High Street is Waterside Quarter, located adjacent to York Stream, one of a system of historic canals in the town which are currently undergoing restoration. In the 1950s the site became well-known when glamorous actress Diana Dors – who lived in nearby village Bray – opened a coffee bar called Le Toucan, which became a ‘go-to’ place for trendy teenagers.
This is a collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments which has already seen considerable interest and sales. The homes are set out over three buildings, given Italian names – Rialto, Paradiso and Tre Archi – inspired by the accessible water. Each building has a commercial ground floor with established premises for bar/restaurant Coppa Club and artisan bakery Bakedd. A premium brand is anticipated for the third building.
Italian stone forms part of the exterior design and there’s a contemporary look inside and out, with open-plan living spaces with large windows for natural light and many having private outdoor space, which has become quite a priority for buyers, with value underlined by lockdown and working from home. Underfloor heating not only ensures a comfortable temperature – with no radiators or heaters the walls are clean to maximise space and flexibility in room layout.
Buyers also get a fully fitted kitchen with wood-grained gloss cabinets, stone surfaces and high-end Siemens appliances with an induction hob, integrated microwave, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washer-dryer. Household bills are likely to be much lower than average due to the use of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system at this development.
Features for residents to use include secure video entry system, the gated underground parking with car charging points, cycle storage and a concierge service. Rialto also has a communal rooftop garden.
A show home is available to view by appointment at Waterside Quarter. It is the largest two-bedroom unit in the block at 939 sq ft, with a sizeable, south-facing private terrace, and has been fully fitted and decorated.
In Paradiso, two-bedroom apartments are available from £375,000 to £450,000; in Rialto, one-bedroom properties start at £300,000 and two-bedroom homes are priced from £435,000.
Elmwood Gate is a second current Shanly Homes development in Maidenhead, located on Oldfield Road and within an easy walk, cycle or drive into the town centre. It’s a collection of 59 one- and two-bedroom apartments which are just a few minutes’ walk from the Thames, with splendid views along the river and across to neighbouring Taplow.
The specification of these homes is a little different from that at Waterside Quarter, with Zanussi kitchen appliances, laminate kitchen worktops and Ideal Standard sanitaryware, but there are similarities such as underfloor heating and fitted wardrobes to master and second bedrooms – not often ‘standard’ in new homes. Most properties here have their own balcony.
There’s plenty of off-street parking too, with one space per unit and extra visitor spaces.
Aside from the river, Elmwood Gate is also close to a number of
Prices at Elmwood Gate currently range from £285,000 to £415,000.
As with Waterside Quarter, selected properties qualify for the new Help to Buy scheme, open to first-time buyers and requiring a deposit of just 5%.
Regeneration and Maidenhead’s popularity as a place to live are going hand-in-hand. There are plans to upgrade the shopping centre and the town already has a brand new leisure centre with pools, gyms, conference room, facilities for many sports and a day nursery. There are plenty of open spaces too, and the town’s football team is in the National League and has a stadium close to the town centre and station.
Maidenhead station is a 12-minute walk from Waterside Quarter and 16 minutes from Elmwood Gate. When the long-expected Crossrail/Elizabeth Line service begins, frequency and journey times into and through London will dramatically improve, whether for work or pleasure, with Paddington 19 minutes away. The M4 and M40 are both only a few minutes’ drive away, Heathrow Airport about a 25-minute drive.
For gourmets, there are some exceptional places in nearby Bray, Taplow and Marlow from the likes of Heston Blumenthal, the Roux brothers and Tom Kerridge. The River Thames and beautiful countryside are on the doorstep.
Find out more about Waterside Quarter and Elmwood Gate at www.shanlyhomes.com.
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