Countryside Properties Launches Stylish iBuilding in Croydon, London

June 5, 2009 - PRLog -- Award-winning developer Countryside Properties launched a collection of 58 stylish new i and 2 bedroom apartments, in its iBuilding, in Croydon this week. The http://www.iBuildingCroydon.co.uk  is located at the heart of Croydon's flourishing urban centre, less than half a mile from West Croydon station with its direct links to London Victoria in under half an hour.

The spacious apartments offer excellent value with prices, for purchasers able to take advantage of Countryside Properties' Shared Equity scheme, starting at £99,950 for one bedroom and £119,950 for two bedrooms. Under the scheme 100 per cent ownership is available for 75 per cent of the price. After 10 years, or when the purchaser sells the apartment, the 25 per cent balance of its market value at that time is then paid back.

The iBuilding minimises its environmental impact with low energy lighting, a highly efficient gas-fired condensing boilers, CFC- and HCFC-free insulation, and dual flush toilets to lower water usage. Recycling bins have been provided both internally and externally. Overall the iBuilding is expected to achieve a predicted EcoHomes rating of 'Excellent'.

A wide range of spacious apartments is designed to match purchasers' lifestyles. The iBuilding's contemporary, elegant design by architects, BPTW Design, features a sleek, stepped façade providing visual interest and texture. Extensive glazing together with wide entrances and corridors create a strong sense of space and light. Some of the two bedroom apartments feature en suite facilities, as well as glazed doors opening onto private terraces. The iBuilding includes a video entry stystem, a communal satellite TV link and communal cycle stores.

Croydon is rated as one of the towns in the UK where house prices are expected to recover relatively quickly. An estimated £3.5 billion of investment in scheduled in the next ten years, and the iBuilding is ideally positioned to benefit. Downstairs within the building there is expected to be a doctor or dental surgery. Just down the road is Tesco Express and Fitness First, which is fully equipped with a gym, spinning room and cardio theatre as well as a sauna, steam room and beauty room. There is easy access to the latest bars, shops and restaurants in and around the High Street. The Croydon Clocktower has a cinema, award-winning museum, gallery and library all under one roof, and the nearby Fairfield Halls arts centre includes a concert hall, theatre and gallery. The town's major shopping centres are less than a mile away. The Whitgift Centre is home to 140 shops, while the stylish new Centrale centre includes House of Fraser and Debenhams department stores, and the range of popular high street shops including French Connection, Zara and H&M. Here you will also find a choice of cafés and informal restaurants, from Italian to sushi.

As well as the convenient rail link to Victoria, the new East London line extension will also provide fast connections to London's Docklands from 2010. Croydon's excellent transport infrastructure also includes an extensive tram network and there is a wide range of bus services from the West Croydon transport hub. Road links, via the A23, provide good access to central London, the M25 and the M23 for Gatwick.

Further information is available from the iBuilding Marketing Suite which is located at 193 London Road, Croydon CR0 2RJ. Please telephone 020 8760 0112 or visit http://www.ibuildingcroydon.co.uk or http://www.countryside-properties.com.


Notes for editors:

The iBuilding is a joint venture development by Countryside Properties and Metropolitan Home Ownership in association with the Homes and Communities Agency.

Countryside Properties PLC is a leader in property development, the creation of sustainable communities and urban regeneration. The company's vision is to create places for people where they can enjoy a good quality of life.

The Group is widely recognised as a responsible developer which is totally committed to sustainable development and design and place making excellence. Countryside Properties holds more CABE Building for Life Standards than any other private developer and Accordia in Cambridge was the first ever housing development to receive architecture's premier award, the Stirling Prize 2008. Principal areas of operation are in London and the Thames Gateway, the South East, East and North West of England.

The Company, which was incorporated in 1958, is owned jointly by the Cherry family and Bank of Scotland, (part of Lloyds Banking Group) which is providing the Group with significant funding. Countryside Properties has an annual turnover in excess of £500m, employs some 620 people and 93% of our residential development is on brownfield and recycled urban land.

For further information visit www.countryside-properties.com and www.countryside-properties-corporate.com