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 – building in Winkleigh, Devon - 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.

Redrow currently has a choice of homes at its Winkleigh Cross development in the pretty Devon village of Winkleigh with accommodation arranged over three floors. These include designs known as the Ribble, Ouse and Walkham, all of which boast four bedrooms, en suite bathroom to the master bedroom and are luxuriously designed with space and comfort in mind.

In each of these homes, the normally redundant roof space has been cleverly converted to create extra valuable living accommodation. In the case of the Ribble, this area features a sumptuous master bedroom with en-suite shower room, whilst the Ouse and Walkham each have two bedrooms ‘in the roof’, either of which could also be used as a home office, gym, playroom or hobbies room.

With a choice of contemporary open-plan living with the Ouse house type, or the luxury of a separate dining room with the Ribble and Walkham homes, homebuyers really are spoilt for choice at Winkleigh Cross.

Current prices at Winkleigh Cross are from £194,995 for a two-storey, three-bedroom semi, whilst Ouse, Ribble and Walkham designs are priced from £234,995 to £313,995.

As an extra incentive for quick completion, on selected plots Redrow will pay a two-year mortgage subsidy (£500 per calendar month) or potentially take the would-be customer’s existing property in part-exchange.

Winkleigh Cross is a beautiful development of 51 two, three and four-bedroom homes. Set amongst the striking views of seemingly endless countryside and beautiful woodland, it boasts easy access to the village centre which provides amenities such as a post office, primary schools, pubs and cafes all within easy reach.

The towns of Crediton, Torrington and Okehampton are all less than 15 miles away and boast theatres, traditional markets and leisure centres. Dartmoor National Park is less than 15 miles from Winkleigh and the coast can be reached in just over an hour.

Winkleigh benefits from easy road links to the A386 and the A377 leading to Exeter, Barnstaple and the M5 to Weston-Super-Mare and beyond. Okehampton Railway station runs regular trains to Exeter and links to the main city lines.

To find out more about three storey living with Redrow at Winkleigh Cross call 0845 676 0323.