News

With one in 20 long-term couples now living in different properties* due to the cost of buying a home together, an increasing number are finding themselves having to stay put in their respective family residences in order to save for a mortgage deposit. For Loretta Carr and Andrew Lobo, who are both 26, and met at the University of Southampton seven years ago, they knew that moving back in with the parents would speed up their buying potential, and allow them to commit to sharing their first, period home in Brentwood together.

Next weekend (9th and 10th October) will see the launch onto the market of one of the UK’s grandest country estates, Grade I Listed Balls Park, which is being restored and sensitively converted by award-winning restoration and conservation specialist, City & Country Group. Located on the outskirts of Hertford, the famous 17th century mansion, built circa 1648, and the Grade II listed Coach House and Stables, built in 1902, are currently being transformed into 40 breathtaking apartments, which will blend with and enhance the original fabric of the buildings.

City & Country Group, the award-winning restoration and conservation specialist, has been selected to renovate one of the most important buildings of the Battle of Britain and the Second World War – RAF Bentley Priory in Stanmore.

Award-winning restoration and conservation expert City & Country Group has appointed Jonathan Davies as Finance Director of its residential development business. Working closely with Andy Sargeant, the Group’s Corporate Director, Jonathan has assumed day-to-day responsibility for the financial management of the business and will be based at the company’s Head Office in Stansted.  This is the second Board-level appointment to be made in only a month, following the recruitment of Dave Bahra as Construction Director in August.

Award-winning developer City & Country Group has unveiled the next phase of its popular scheme, The Galleries; a stunning converted hospital in Brentwood. Last week saw the release of Kendall Court, which comprises of 13 select apartments, each with its own distinctive period features, and many offering far-reaching views over the skyline of London. With interest levels already high and two reservations secured at the launch alone, the latest collection of striking apartments are expected to prove popular amongst those who may have missed out before.

With retired people forming the country’s fastest growing demographic group*, a growing band of downsizers are looking for the ultimate senior persons idyll. However, according to research from Knight Frank, the property needs of older occupiers are changing, now that they can look forward to leading longer, healthier and more active lives*.

Joan Tytler (80), is just one of a growing number of retired homeowners, whose top requirements when it came to downsizing from her three-bedroom house in Loughton were; being close to family and friends, and within easy reach from the local shops.

City & Country Group’s landmark Grade II listed Brentwood development, The Galleries, has continued its popularity with house buyers, with a high volume of recent sales meaning that one of the latest phases of homes is now almost 70% sold. The Clock Tower, which comprises a collection of strikingly unique one and two bedroom duplex apartments, was unveiled at The Galleries in May to strong demand from purchasers looking for unusual living spaces in the popular commuter town.

With increasing numbers of people going freelance and many others discovering the advantages of working from home from time to time, there is a growing trend of apartments that are suited to working from home coming onto the market, that have been specifically designed to complement this fashionable lifestyle. At Old Saint Michaels in Braintree, conservation and restoration expert City & Country Group has responded to demand, and designed a bespoke new home, which not only has design features and room layouts that make it ideal for home working, but has seamlessly fused distinctive historic architecture, with contemporary interior design

With David Cameron urging Britons to celebrate their heritage and take more pride in the country’s landscape and history to help rebuild the UK’s economy and encourage tourism; those who work in the sector are welcoming this attitude shift. Conservation and restoration experts City & Country Group, who fight to save architectural treasures across the south east of England and transform them into modern, high quality homes, whilst enhancing the experience of public access, are amongst those who see the abandonment of the “Cool Britannia” image, in favour of a focus on “heritage” as a step in the right direction.

Award-winning restoration and conservation expert City & Country Group has appointed Dave Bahra as Construction Director of its residential development and investment business. Dave has assumed responsibility for the programming and delivery of projects, quality control and customer service. Dave is one of a number of new appointments made this year, with City & Country Group recognising the value that fresh new perspectives and complimentary skills will bring to the Group as part of its growth strategy.

What was once a dark and self-contained convalescent hospital, designed in medieval Gothic style, has been transformed by City & Country Group into The Galleries; a landmark residential development, where light and energy now flow. Situated on the outskirts of Brentwood, City & Country Group has taken painstaking care to work with the unusual angles and proportions of the buildings, to design a striking collection of light-filled apartments, which each boast their own distinctive architectural features.

In conjunction with Armed Forces Day, this Saturday (26^th June) saw Battle of Britain airmen honoured with a commemorative plaque in a ceremony at Cocking Parish Church, near Midhurst, West Sussex. In dedication to the crew of a wartime Lancaster that crashed nearby killing five of its seven crew, relatives of those who lost their lives unveiled the plaque, which was funded by restoration and conservation experts, City & Country Group. The tribute was organised by Ken Rimell, a journalist and documentary filmmaker who is currently making a film about this aspect of WWII.

With experts warning that a sharp rise in capital gains tax could stagnate the housing market and reduce the number and quality of rental properties on offer*, a local estate agent in Suffolk is urging savvy investors to remember that gains tax depends on a rise in capital appreciation and long-term investment opportunities should still be considered.

Research from www.blood-pressure monitoring.org  has revealed that spending time in the garden can contribute to making us feel healthier, comfortable and relaxed, and that even looking at  nature can result in a fall in blood pressure within five minutes, and can lower stress hormones.  

With these health benefits coming from spending time in the garden, what could be better than living in an environment that offers beautiful communal gardens, without any of the upkeep?  The Galleries, a stunning converted hospital in Brentwood by City & Country Group offers a magnificent and fully maintained landscaped environment, and as such the development is proving popular with a wide variety of homebuyers.

On Saturday 19th June restoration specialist City & Country Group is holding a Garden Launch at Old St Michaels, its stunning conversion of a Victorian hospital in Braintree.  As well as offering a not-to-be missed opportunity to visit the show apartments and cottages, prospective purchasers will also be able to view the stunning landscaped courtyards..

Since 2008, award winning conservation and restoration expert City & Country Group has part-funded Essex County Council’s Traditional Building Skills courses, which teach builders and homeowners how to restore some of the country’s most treasured and iconic historic properties.

With skills and knowledge gaps affecting specialist workers and building professionals in the built heritage sector*, City & Country Group has pledged to fund the courses’ bursaries for a further two years, ensuring that vital the skills such as timber framing, flint walling, thatching and wrought ironwork are not forgotten.

Award-winning developer City & Country Group has unveiled the next phase of its distinguished scheme, The Galleries; a stunning converted hospital in Brentwood. This weekend (12^th and 13^th June) saw the first release of Brewster Court, which offers just five select apartments each with its own individual character.

City & Country Group has picked up a host of prestigious national awards for its Old Saint Michaels development in Braintree, Essex. The conservation and restoration specialist who focuses on transforming neglected historic buildings into modern, high-quality homes has received accolades at both the Evening Standard New Home Awards and the First-Time Buyers Magazine Awards. 

Award winning, restoration and conservation expert City & Country Group has bought the former MOD site in Caversfield, Bicester. The 23 acre site lies within a conservation area and includes a total of 17 Grade II listed buildings.

City & Country Group has appointed Helen Moore as Managing Director of their residential development and investment business from 1^st March.  Helen has assumed responsibility for the day-to-day running of the business and the leadership of the team with a focus on the Group’s ambitious growth objectives.

With 20 years experience in the business, Helen has built an enviable reputation for successful achievement and professionalism.

After 20 years’ service, restoring run down old buildings in Essex and converting them into fabulous new homes and offices, an award has been granted to local Brentwood construction site manager, Alan Paddick, who is affectionately known as Paddy.

An English Heritage poll of estate agents, has found that 82% believe that original features add value to a property.* This is the case for Karen and Mark Purcell who chose to put their savings in an apartment at Old Saint Michaels, a Victorian conversion in Braintree, Essex. The former workhouse restored by award-winning developer City & Country Group, comprises a number of apartments and mews cottages which are packed full of original features.

Government figures show that there were 67,000 domestic burglaries between April and June in 2009, which is a rise of 3%*. This increase, alongside the recent introduction of crime mapping systems and the growing popularity of internet sites such as UpMyStreet, is placing security high on buyers’ agendas.

A collection of duplex apartments which are tantamount to architectural works of art have been released at City & Country Group’s award winning conversion, The Galleries, in Brentwood. Each apartment is completely unique, but all of them incorporate striking architectural features, such as double height ceilings, sweeping staircases and dramatic curved walls.

A strong community around a property can result in higher house values, lower anxiety over crime and trust in others*, according to a leading social research institution. Some developers have recognised this and companies such as restoration specialist City & Country Group, have consistently placed a high value on creating homes which have strong communities.