New homes in London near outdoor space: new flats for sale at Fulham's former gasworks site overlooking six acres of public space
De-urbanisation has become a discussion point during the Covid-19 crisis and encouraged some Londoners to shift their focus to a greener, healthy countryside home.
But for many more, city living comes first. And for them, developers are determined to show that through intelligent design, health and wellbeing can flourish in urban settings.
According to the United Nations, 83 per cent of the UK population lives in cities.
London architect Sir Terry Farrell talks persuasively about weaving nature into the fabric of the city and creating vital outside “amenity” space wherever possible: “Most London developments do not benefit from an adjacent park so the challenge is to create a green external environment for residents, whether at ground level or higher up the building.”
Certainly balconies are becoming a defining feature of showpiece global architecture.
In Singapore, cascading, extravagantly shaped and sized balconies characterise a building's sculptural form, in a country that has embraced "biophilic" design - homes that incorporate nature in the form of daylight, fresh air, plants and water.
Meanwhile, its "City in a Garden" ambition has already seen the proportion of the island covered by trees jump from 36 per cent to 48 per cent, and a 300-kilometre “park connector network” includes elevated walkways that pass through lush forests and sanctuaries.
It should be noted that London has more green space than most world cities, with eight Royal Parks, heaths and commons, 600 traditional garden squares, public parks, nature reserves and well-kept inner-city community spaces.
Acres of open space by the river in SW6
It will have 1,843 flats, some with vast roof terraces, in three distinct “character areas” overlooking six acres of public open space.
Beaumont, the first phase, has 345 flats, private courtyard gardens and, beneath a glazed roof, an underground complex of residents’ spa with swimming pool, gym, fitness studios and treatment rooms, plus two private cinemas, private dining rooms, a club lounge and virtual golf.
A competition will decide the redesign of a listed Victorian gasholder at the centre of the development.
Homes within the framework, as at King's Cross, have been ruled out by planners, who favour a community or leisure use.
Prices start at £790,000. Studios with 10ft ceilings and their own front door to the street are likely to be popular. Call 020 3004 4112 to fix a visit to the marketing suite and show home.