In the recent years, there has been a steady increase of Asian as well as other international investors buying up properties in commuter towns outside of London where they can source for properties with lower entry points whilst still being able to enjoy healthy yields and capital growth.
Many avid Harry Potter Asian fans who travels to the UK for leisure would have visited London as well as Watford where a dedicated tour service of the Warner Bros studio runs from Watford Junction. Located just 27km from London and functioning as a transport hub to the Midlands and northern England, Watford’s location puts it at the heart of one of the most vibrant regions in Europe.
Watford is easily reached from all of London’s major international airports, it is the first major stop on the West Coast Mainline from London to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, it is located close to the intersection of the M1 and M25 motorways, and it benefits from London Underground and Overground services. Its direct access of being just 15 minutes by train from London Euston station offers global business opportunities without the stress and cost of being in the capital. Watford, the largest town in Hertfordshire, is perfectly placed to access central London yet benefits from the breath-taking countryside on the doorstep.
The wider county offerings are plentiful, with Hertfordshire’s rich history boasting more than 300 listed buildings, eight Michelin-rated restaurants, golf courses, Cassiobury Park and the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, meaning residents will benefit from the best of town and country living.
As London expands, places like Watford are transcending commuter town status, developing into a dynamic business hub. Multi-national companies such as TJX who houses TK Maxx and Homesense brands has based their European headquarters in Watford over the last 20 years with over 1,600 staff, alongside other major companies such as Ralph Lauren, KPMG, PwC, Camelot, Hilton Worldwide, Beko and etc.
Watford which is currently undergoing significant change in the form of a GBP1.5 billion regeneration, has started to attract swathes of new buyers, especially post pandemic. Homes in Watford have seen strong demand from those moving out of the capital, with 30% of people moving to the area originating from London. This desirable market with strong house price growth is proving to be a popular destination for young professionals, to whom the mix of countryside, good town center amenities and proximity to the London City also appeals.
Meeting this demand, Regal London renowned for delivering exceptional, high-quality homes and facilities across the capital – is launching its latest collection of apartments in the commuter hotspot exclusively with RBC in Malaysia.
The Clarendon, set to be one of the tallest residential towers in Watford, is an exclusive collection of new-build properties which will coincide with the £1.5 billion investment of the town’s regeneration over the next 10 years, of that £10 million has already been spent in upgrading the Clarendon Road which has since completed, making Clarendon Road the most welcoming statement road when one arrives in Watford.
Boasting a new, premium town centre address, The Clarendon will be an exquisite collection of 168 private residences comprising a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and penthouses, boasting a fully inclusive, premium specification. These thoughtfully designed homes will be created using a selection of high- quality materials, appliances, and playful colour palettes to reflect and cater for modern living.
The first of their kind in the area, the apartments will feature a video entry smart panel, with engineered oak flooring throughout the hallway, living and dining areas and high-quality fitted carpet in the bedrooms. Kitchens will be contemporary in style, featuring quartz stone worktops and fully integrated Smeg appliances, whilst principal bedrooms will include fitted wardrobes, offering a luxurious lifestyle for those looking to buy here.
What’s more, the development will feature an impressive range of private residents’ facilities including two impressive sky gardens located on the 7th and 25th floors, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, cinema, as well as a café, 24-hour concierge service and secure underground parking. These facilities, reminiscent of the world’s finest five-star hotels, are unlike anything else on the Watford market. In addition, up to 130,000sqft of Grade A commercial space will be included as part of the wider development, bringing fantastic employment opportunities to the area.
Apart from all the economic growth happening in Watford, it is also renowned for its proximity to world-class education. Centred within a Golden Triangle between Oxford, Cambridge and London, residents are within easy access to some of the finest universities in the world including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, University College London, King’s College London, in addition to the nearby high performing primary and secondary schools.
With all that it is offering, it is no wonder that Watford is seeing unprecedented demand locally as well as internationally. Prices for the apartments starts from only £325,000 for a studio apartment, a great entry point for Malaysian investors looking for an affordable investment backed by a solid rental market and capital gains to come.
HAYDON
Moving back into the London City, demand from the more discerning investors continues to maintain sales momentum. There have been quite a few new London developments being marketed in Asia in recent times especially now that London is back into full swing but there have not been many which is as primely located as The Haydon, in Aldgate.
The limited supply of new properties in the Square Mile meant an evergreen demand where international investors seek to find the best value project where they can easily find tenants who prefers to live in the City, and be walking to work daily instead of doing longer commutes on the trains.
The Square Mile (London’s first CBD), is not only a global and economic business hub, but its eclectic and ever-growing lifestyle offering puts it at the forefront of the capital’s social scene from Michelin-starred dining to world-renowned private members’ club including The Ned, all within walking distance of the Haydon.
A shopper’s paradise, the City is home to retail destinations including the iconic Royal Exchange, which houses global brands such as Hermés, Montblanc, Fortnum & Mason, Boodles, Bremont and Tiffany & Co. Residents of The Haydon will also enjoy easy access to London’s wider shopping scene, from the boutiques of Old Bond Street to the independents of Old Spitalfields Market.
At the upcoming launch by RBC in Malaysia on the 10th & 11th September, The Haydon will be showcased alongside The Clarendon where Malaysian investors will be able to choose which development suits their investment portfolio best.
The Haydon is a mere 2 minute’s walk from Aldgate’s Underground Station, as well as the newly Elizabeth Line from Liverpool Street Station. There are a total of 7 train lines available all within the 15 minutes walk radius, making it one of the most brilliantly connected development in the heart of London City. The 7 train lines includes the Circle, Metropolitan, District, Hammersmith, Central, Cs2, Overground and the latest Elizabeth Line. Reaching Bond Street will only take 17 minutes, and 40 minutes to Heathrow Airport.
As an educated hub drawing students from all over the world, Haydon is also at the doorstep of top performing universities, including King’s College London, SOAS, Imperial College and University College London while for younger students, the City is home to prestigious institutions including St Paul’s Cathedral School, City of London School for Boys and City of London School for Girls.
Set within a secluded landscaped courtyard, The Haydon establishes a contemporary new landmark for the City of London. International architecture practice, ACME, has taken a fresh approach to the project with a distinctive stepped design, which ensures not only a unique identity for the building, but also maximizes privacy, space and light within each apartment.
The range of 87 units of studio, one, two, three-bedroom apartments and penthouses seamlessly blend style and comfort, with generous open plan spaces and an unrivalled specification throughout. Residents also enjoy an impressive suite of amenities, including gym with spa pool, dedicated yoga room and fitness studio, and a state-of-the-art private cinema. Furthermore, beautifully landscaped gardens and an extensive 11th floor residents’ terrace provides residents with an urban oasis above the City. Prices start from £625,000 for a studio apartment at The Haydon.
For further information on both projects, please contact Shelvin Tan at 012 285 7618. The Regal London & Watford collection showcase will be launching for the first time in Malaysia held at The Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur on 10th & 11th September exclusively with RBC Malaysia. Both projects will offer easy payment schemes, financing options and completes in 2024.