London: Live the high life

By Jane Slade
Posted: 2010/04/07

Exotic high-rise apartments destined to dominate London's skyline are not just for high flyers, reports JANE SLADE

IN JUST the same way that furnished flats have become luxury apartments, so blocks of flats have become exotic towers designed for high-rise city living that usually sell for high prices too.

However, with the Heron, London's first major residential development in the heart of the City in more than 30 years, high flyers can expect lots of glass, glitz and bling for a relatively modest £415,000, which is the starting price of a studio suite.

Unashamedly ritzy, the slender 284-apartment tower will stand next to the Barbican, within easy reach of five of London's Tube lines and soaring above a brand new Guildhall School of Music and Drama, which is forming part of the scheme.

The Heron is the brainchild of Gerald Ronson, chief executive of Heron International, renowned for its business and residential developments in major cities all over the UK and Europe.

Although Ronson is the business brains behind the scheme, the apartments themselves will have the delicate touch of his glamorous daughter Lisa, the company's marketing director. "We wanted them to have a glamorous and spacious feel so women as well as men would feel at home, " she says.

That's why you will find Jo Malone toiletries in the show suite bathroom and opulent fabrics on the soft furnishings and tasteful art on the walls. "There are several decorative packages to choose from, " Lisa explains, polishing every shiny and glassy surface that will be packed into the 36 floors.

So far interested buyers have been young professionals who work in the Square Mile and investors who see the apartments providing a lucrative rental income. Due for completion in 2013, residents will have membership to the Heron's private club with access to a bar with café dining, a screening room, gym and a roof garden.

Externally, the building will resemble a mosaic of opaque, black and dark grey glass and will stand above the Guildhall's new concert hall, 227-seat theatre and 126-seat auditorium.

Just down the road another architectural icon will soar 42 storeys above the Elephant and Castle. Esprit Apartments in the Strata Tower will be offering 51 one-bed and 47 two-bed apartments on a part-buy/part-rent basis to first-time buyers or key workers earning less than £60,000 a year. The Tower will be the tallest residential building in London and the first in the world to integrate wind turbines to reduce energy costs.

MORE INFORMATION:

The Heron: prices from £415,000 for one of the 138 studio suites; £499,000 for 63 one-beds; £799,000 for 46 two-beds. There are also 15 two- and three-beds, eight three-beds and 14 penthouses. Visit theheron.co.uk.

Sales agents: alanselby.co.uk, 0207 519 5900; kingsturge.com, 020 7993 7399.

Esprit Apartments: prices start from £52,500 for a 25 per cent share of a one-bed flat based on a full market value of £210,000 and £67,500 for a 25 per cent share of a two-bed flat worth £270,000. Visit familymosiacsales.co.uk or call 020 7089 1315.