One of the properties that we featured in this series last week – Embassy Court – is a listed block of purpose-built flats.
This week, we’re focussing on three, listed tower block flats that are currently up for sale. Tower blocks often get a bad press; back in the post-war years when they were a new idea for high-density, affordable housing. Many of these developments were ill thought out and badly constructed. A fair few have long since been demolished.
However, there are a few tower blocks built during that period that have become highly desirable addresses. Trellick Tower in London is probably one of the most famous. Park Hill flats in Sheffield have recently undergone a regeneration phase by Urban Splash.
Unlike most other residential houses, flats are usually sold as leasehold properties and incur fees such as maintenance and service charges and ground rent. If you’re interested in buying one of these homes – carefully research the length of the lease and what these costs will add to your monthly outlay.
Offers over £58,000 – 39 Seamount Court, Aberdeen AB25 1DQ
• Immaculate maisonette
• 2 Double Bedrooms
• Lovely City Views
• Central Location
• Sold As Furnished
Seamount Court contains 126 maisonette flats laid out on a crossover section: flats are entered on the ground floor at either the bedroom or living area and cross up and over to the bedroom or living area providing a dual aspect on two levels.
These buildings were designed and built in a selected redevelopment area and were part of a comprehensive building programme that was initiated by the City of Aberdeen Housing Committee to re-house residents into modern, healthy homes throughout the city centre. The Gallowgate development (including Seamount Court and Porthill Court) is the second of a total of five inner city housing developments ranging in date from 1959 to 1978.
£220,000 – Long Henry Street, South Street, Park Hill S2 5AW
• Triple aspect
• Two bedrooms
• Open plan lounge / dining
• Full length balcony plus Juliette balcony
• City views
• Amazing design
• Listed building
• Lift to all floors
• Communal green areas
• Walk over to the city
The apartment entrance is on the 9th floor
Leasehold: 235 years left
Annual service charge: £1,908
Forming part of the first phase of the Grade-II listed Park Hill renovation is this wonderful two bedroom City view apartment. Originally built between 1957 and1961 to a design by Jack Lynn and Ivor Smith under the supervision of John Lewis Wormersley, the flats have been the subject of an extensive refurbishment project, shortlisted for the 2013 RIBA Stirling Prize.
Externally, colourful anodised aluminium panels replicate the coloured brick tones of the original façade and reflect the ‘streets in the sky’ heritage. Internal accommodation combines aluminium-framed floor-to-ceiling glazing with engineered oak flooring and exposed concrete structural elements faithful to it’s original Brutalist heritage.
£625,000 – Trellick Tower, 5 Golborn Road, North Kensington, London W10 5PA
Leasehold: 88 years left
Annual ground rent: £10 (2022)
• 2 bedroom flat in this famous iconic building
• Designed by eminent architect Erno Goldfinger
• Amazing views
• Large balcony
• Spacious accommodation
• Close to amenities
• Near the fashionable Golborne and Portobello Roads
This excellent 2 bedroom flat is set within a sought-after purpose-built block with porter and lift and benefits from a balcony, spacious kitchen and reception room and two double bedrooms.