A new public square for north London
New homes in West Hampstead will be inspired by Bauhaus architecture and contemporary design
ACCORDING to rock legend, The Rolling Stones wrote their first song while locked in a West Hampstead flat in 1964. The tale goes that, despite The Stones’ success, The Beatles were making more money because the talented rascals had the cheek to write their own songs. So Jagger, Richards et al were supposedly shut in a kitchen until they came out with Tell Me.
Another West Hampstead resident (who was more experienced at creating things from scratch) was Walter Gropius, the German-born architect who founded the Bauhaus School. Now a new development, West Hampstead SQ, is taking inspiration from the former resident’s ideas for the design of its new homes and public square.
“Gropius’ unrivalled design legacy is something we have remained conscious of while designing these homes,” says John Mulryan, managing director of developer Ballymore Group. “We have taken inspiration from his thinking, fused it with contemporary design and embraced a modern vigour.
“As with our developments like 21 Wapping Lane and Spitalfields, West Hampstead SQ remains considerate of the unique backdrop that this area provides; its existing community, its retail and commercial make up as well as its heritage.”
West Hampstead SQ will be a mixed-use, 0.9 hectare development comprising 198 one and two bedroom apartments, 5,000 sqft of office space, 2,600sqft of leisure space and a new public square featuring shops, restaurants and a food market. The entire site looks set to be finished in 2015.
Ballymore has hired a highly acclaimed design team to create the development’s luxurious aesthetic. International architects John Thompson & Partners, which has masterminded many of London’s up-and-coming riverside projects such as Fulham Reach and Putney Wharf, is on board alongside urban regeneration specialists WCEC. West Hampstead SQ’s gardens and landscaping will be designed by Spacehub – also behind the grounds of the Westfield Croydon shopping mall – and interiors will be designed by Woods Bagot.
Ballymore and its team aim to create “warm, generous spaces” and deck the kitchens and bathrooms out with high-end design features. These include marble worktops with vintage brass finishes as a nod to the quintessential English style most traditionally associated with West Hampstead. Some of the homes will also have balconies with decked areas and glass balustrades.
“The attraction of West Hampstead is its neighbourhood feel,” says Mulryan. “One that’s experienced from the moment you set foot outdoors.
“This feel-good quality is evident through the great mix of amenities available.”
Prices start at £405,000 and the first homes have been released. To book a viewing appointment, call Wendy Lane on 0800 4044 9595 or visit the website westhampsteadsq.com.