It’s official – three-storey owners are living the high life

Thu, Apr 26th 2007, 11:00

With three-storey living on the rise, one major new homes developer decided to investigate the reasons for its popularity – with uplifting results.

National house builder Redrow – active across South Wales - commissioned a survey of 1,000 customers living in both two and three-storey homes, and the results show some compelling reasons for choosing height over width when moving house.

According to the study almost two thirds of three-storey converts would rather keep their extra floor than move into a two-storey home.

Although most of the three-storey buyers didn’t specifically look for a home with three floors, the choice clearly paid off – as over two thirds of people questioned have found the extra floor useful, with most buyers using it for extra bedrooms.

It’s also likely that those enjoying elevated living have had the odd envious look from their neighbours, as nearly 75% of people living in a traditional two-storey home said they were attracted to the idea of adding an extra floor to their living space.

Three-storey homes have become increasingly common throughout the UK as government planning guidelines promote the need for developers to be economic with their land – which means utilising upward, instead of outward space.
 

Modern life has also had an impact on the type of housing we need. Families are now less conventional, with a rise in step-families and more unusual living arrangements. Friends also frequently buy together in order to get on the property ladder. These changes mean the demand for a flexible type of living space is higher than ever.

Simon Bennett, group marketing director for Redrow, explains the appeal: “We’ve always known the advantages that three-storey homes can offer, but hearing the reasons directly from our own customers – those who are actually experiencing it for themselves - confirms this for us.

“Whilst three-storey living was popular back in Victorian times, living spread over three floors today is a contemporary solution to modern day life, and we’ve found that buyers at all stages of the property buying ladder appreciate its appeal – from young families right through to ‘empty nesters’.”

Buyers also highlighted many reasons why three-storey property is now coveted, including an increased level of privacy offered by first floor living areas as well as the fact that it gives home owners the option to be creative and flexible with their internal layout. The extra stairs in this type of property also have an added bonus – with several owners saying it helped keep them fit!

Those who have bought a three-storey home from Redrow have used their extra floor space in various ways. Many have used the opportunity to give teenagers and older children their own space and independence, which can be difficult to do in the traditional two-storey home. And people who work from home have also benefited, as a home office can be tucked away on the top floor, separating ‘home’ and ‘work’ lives.

One thing that both two and three-storey owners agreed on was the value for money this property design offers, with the majority of each group believing that three-storey buyers get more for their money.

Several of Redrow’s developments in South Wales feature three-storey homes that will be ready for occupation in early summer. These include:

Cwm Calon, Ystrad Mynach, near Caerphilly: This sought-after development offers plenty of choice for those keen to sample three-storey living. From a three-bedroom Malham townhouse, at £182,950, to a large and luxurious five-bedroom detached Webburn with two bedrooms and a bathroom in its roof space, home buyers can experience the space and versatility of this modern way of living. The Webburn is priced from £309,950.

Cwm Calon also features Neale and Teign townhouses from £184,950 and £224,950 respectively. The Neale has a living room and kitchen/dining area on the ground floor with another lounge on the first floor, together with the master bedroom and en-suite shower room. The top floor features three further bedrooms and the family bathroom. For a limited period only, selected Neales are being offered with £500 per month towards the mortgage for two years. Info: 0845 676 0300.

Three Oaks, Aberdare:  Redrow’s three-storey, four-bedroom Neale townhouse at £176,950 and the four-bedroom detached Ouse at £204,950 both offer great value for money. In the Ouse, Redrow has converted the roof space to create an extra floor of living space. This area houses two bedrooms, either of which could find alternative us as a study, home gym, hobbies room or playroom for the kids. For a limited period only on selected plots, Redrow is offering £500 per calendar month towards the mortgage for one year. Info: 0845 676 0309.

Gelli Dawel, Merthyr Tydfil:  Three-storey living here comes in the guise of the Neale townhouse, detached Ouse or the three-bedroom terraced Malham, from £179,995. The latter includes an integral garage on the ground floor, together with the fitted kitchen/dining area with adjoining family room, plus cloakroom/wc. The living room is on the first floor with French doors to a Juliet balcony overlooking the back garden. Bedroom three (perhaps ideal as a study) and a family bathroom are also on this level, with the master bedroom and en-suite shower room, plus bedroom two, on the floor above.  Extra incentives in the short term on selected plots include stamp duty paid and fitted carpets throughout the house. Info: 0845 676 0317.
 

Alexandra Gate, Newport:  The three-storey, four-bedroom Teign town house is available at this sought-after riverside development on the banks of the River Usk. The Teign is currently priced from £279,995 and includes a detached single garage. The ground floor contains an open plan kitchen and family/dining room, while the lounge and master bedroom with en-suite are on the first floor. This leaves the whole of the top floor as potentially a ‘self-contained’ area for the children or for guests. Info: 0845 676 0318.

Cae Ffwrnais, Ebbw Vale:  The four-bedroom Neale and three-bedroom Malham townhouses are both available here with prices from £181,995 and £174,995 respectively. For those in a position to move quickly, Redrow is offering to pay the stamp duty and to include fitted carpets throughout the home. Info: 0845 676 0315.

Tir Lan, Brackla, Bridgend: People purchasing a three-storey home here for legal completion before the end of June may be able to take advantage of a mortgage subsidy of £500 per calendar month for two years. The development includes Malham and Teign townhouses from £188,950 and £209,950 respectively. Info: 0845 676 0303.

Coed Castell, Brackla: The village of Brackla, close to Bridgend, is also the venue for Coed Castell, which has various properties with spacious accommodation arranged over three floors. They include the Lambourne terrace from £185,950 and the four-bedroom detached Ouse at £214,950, both of which feature ‘rooms in the roof’. Info: 0845 676 0304.

Dôl Gorwel, North Cornelly: A price tag of £169,950 is attached to the three-bedroom Malham townhouse at this sought-after development, just a short distance from the charming seaside resort of Porthcawl. It has an integral single garage, first floor living room and a master bedroom with en-suite shower room on the top floor. Info: 0845 676 0312.

Penrhiw, Oakdale: The four-bedroom detached Ouse, from £224,950, has two bedrooms in its roof space – a flexible area that would make a great ‘hideaway’ for the kids or could be used as a home office or hobbies room. The property also has a single garage and en-suite to master bedroom. Info: 0845 676 0307.

For general information about Redrow and its homes call 0845 676 0500.