London calling

With London prices being forced upwards by the Olympic Factor, good value is becoming harder to secure in the investment capital of the world! However, a shrewd eye for value, in those even remotely familiar with London, will recognise the city’s largest borough as an increasingly attractive alternative to the central metropolitan area, where returns and capital gain potential are being constantly squeezed by a ‘frenzy’ of international investment activity.   Irish owned International development company Howard Holdings, whose UK headquarters is based in Croydon, are developing The Exchange, which is situated in the towns Cultural Quarter, as part of a planned new dimension of central Croydon’s £2 billion regeneration programme. The residential element will comprise just 66 apartments of which a limited number only will be sold to investors, thus reducing the number available to rent. Dublin based Investment Specialists, Christies Estates have a limited selection of one and two bedroom apartments available exclusively off-plan with prices from Stg £215,000.             This prime site is very much ‘urban central’ being within a few minutes walk of the retail epicentre and all of the major transport connections. The Exchange Apartments will benefit from being adjacent the town’s new piazza in the heart of the ‘cultural quarter’ near the historic Surrey Street Market, which has a royal charter since the mid 1300’s.             Richard O’Sullivan MIAVI, Director of Christies Estates says ‘We believe the location of ‘The Exchange’ development to be the best in Croydon and the apartments the ideal type of letting properties which will appeal to the professional sector generating consistent rental income with minimal void periods. The specification of these apartments is ‘raising the bar’ and standards in Croydon and the loft style design makes them an unique option in the local market’.             It is worth noting that UK residential property is recognised within Irish Self Administered Pension schemes. Christies Estates have been sourcing and offering excellent UK investment options to Irish investors sine the mid 1990s and can be contacted at (01) 6670099 or freephone 1800465 465 sales@christiesestates.com or www.christiesestates.com .