Preaching to the converted

By Andrea Watson
Posted: 2008/02/11

HEAVEN only knows what the Franciscan Sisters, founded in 1884 and devoted to serving the poor and needy, would make of the conversion of their former chapel at Mill Hill into luxury apartme

But the upkeep of the North London chapel relative to its land value made a sale inevitable.

Now, the Gothic-style building commissioned in 1888 is a monument to mammon - and the poor and needy of the area will find access barred by remote-control gates and CCTV.

The conversion by Cavendish and Gloucester into four homes has retained many of the building's striking architectural features, including stonework carved by master craftsman, high-vaulted timber ceilings and stained-glass panels.

The properties boast oak joinery, contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, intelligent lighting and audio-systems and underfloor heating.

The one remaining three-bed property, The Atrium, provides nearly 4,000sq ft of living space over three floors. It has its own garden, terrace area and remote-control car turntable.

The original entrance doors lead into a glazed atrium hallway. At the rear, a barrel-vaulted ceiling combines the dining room, breakfast area, kitchen and utility room. The kitchen, by Pedini, comes with a comprehensive range of Miele appliances. The property is on the market at £2.3m.

A stately home address is increasingly an option for people as more and more country estates go under the hammer. Such is the future of Swaylands, a former historic society house standing in 50 acres on the outskirts of Penshurst, Kent, which has been transformed into 28 luxury apartment with new-build additions.

Dating to 1842, the house has had an impressive list of owners and was rarely out of the society pages with its great parties and functions. Now, it has been restored to reflect its former glory and give new owners a taste of the high life.

Oakdene Homes sales and marketing director. Ann Fulker, said: "Living at Swaylands offers residents the very best of country life within commuting distance of London."

The homes have been built to the highest specifications, with kitchens boasting granite work surfaces, wine coolers and built-in appliances.


Outdoor facilities include a tennis court, lake, listed rockery and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Nearby Penshurst is a quintessential English village with a cricket ground, olde worlde tearooms and traditional pubs. Trains to London Bridge take less than an hour.

Prices start at £499,950 for a two-bedroom converted apartment.
 
Residential development Grand Ocean, at Saltdean, on the outskirts of Brighton, in East Sussex, started life as the Ocean Hotel in the 1930s.

Once owned by Sir Billy Butlin, it became a well-known honeymoon destination in the 1950s. It is now a Grade II listed building being developed by Explore Living.
 
Ronald and Kathleen Bonson, of Eastbourne, who took the Brighton Belle from London in 1955 and spent a week at the Ocean Hotel, recently took a trip down memory lane to see what has become of the old place.

"We spent a fantastic time here, and on occasions would see Billy Butlin walking around the premises and attending the evening shows, " said Mr Bonson.

"After our honeymoon, we returned to Brighton every year to visit the seaside." Mrs Bonson said: "I could not believe it when I went along to Grand Ocean. I was worried that the developers had bulldozed the old building to make way for a new one, but Explore Living has taken care to ensure that the main building is returned to its former glory."

Once complete, Grand Ocean will provide 279 apartments and penthouses, many with sea views.

Besides providing refurbished apartments in the main building, Explore Living will integrate a series of new-build apartment blocks.

Features will include historic communal gardens, passenger lifts and underground parking.

While the exterior will retain its Art Deco look, the interior will be modern. All bedrooms capitalise on the use of natural light and master bedrooms feature fitted mirrored wardrobes.

Hi-spec, ergonomic kitchens are designed to maximise storage space, including concealed sockets, deep work surfaces and integrated energy-efficient appliances.

Living areas are spacious and come with pre-wiring for sky+, HDTV and provision for a wall-mounted flat screen TV.

Prices start from £219,995.

INFORMATION:
The Atrium, Mill Hill: 020 8446 4216 .

Swaylands: 01737 249393/ www. swaylands. co. uk .

Grand Ocean: 0845 8739054/ www. grandocean. co. uk/ www. grandoceanpodcast. co. uk