Talking ‘bout the older generation: Kensington Row is the development that’s built for life
There’s plenty of debate how our healthcare system is going to cope with an ageing population, but less fuss is made about how housing is going to meet the challenge. We generally think the older generation has been blessed in the property department, but finding a place to downsize in central London isn’t as easy as it looks. Older properties often come with stairs and poor heating, while new build properties are full of confusing smart tech and flashy floor-to-ceiling windows.
A computer impression of the exterior
But Kensington Row, a regeneration project in the heart of the Royal Borough, aims to cater for residents from the cradle to the grave. It’s part of a wider £2bn Warwick Road masterplan that aims to regenerate seven and a half acres of land. Once complete in 2018, it’ll be home to 2,300 people. An extra care facility for older residents has been proposed by developer St Edward, part of the Berkeley Group, featuring open-plan, one-level living, with fully accessible bathroom and living areas. The developer plans to partner with a registered care provider to provide a number of extra communal facilities for senior residents, including a restaurant, library, lounge, health and wellbeing suite, swimming and hydrotherapy and a private garden.
The entrance lobby
The architecture is also of a classical disposition, in keeping with Kensington’s stature as a traditional residential area. “Our influence was the grand Regency squares which personify this part of London,” says David Ferns, director at design firm CID Interior. “We’ve designed the apartments in a way which brings this to life, while still conveying a sense of classic Englishness.”
This second phase sits on the site of a former Homebase warehouse and the 1960s Empress Telephone Exchange building. Its first new residents might attend Warwick Road Primary School, a 10-storey, 200-pupil capacity building that’s being built on site in partnership with the local council. For the 20-somethings and young professionals, there’s new launch Thomas Earle House, 82 one, two and three bedroom apartments ranging from 1,000-3,000sqft, with an on-site cinema and spa managed by Harrods Estates.
Architectural firm Squire and Partners – also responsible for high profile residential developments in Chelsea, Tower Bridge and Elephant & Castle – has designed a 12-storey building made from Portland Stone, which is used for many central London churches and government buildings, to blend in with the existing streetscape.
For further information please contact St Edward on 020 3411 3579 or visit www.kensingtonrow.co.uk.