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

Tue, Jul 31st 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 – currently building at Eastfields, in Bridlington - 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 builds around 5,000 new homes annually across England, Scotland and Wales. These encompass everything from Redrow’s affordable first time buyer Debut product to contemporary city centre apartments schemes, traditional family housing and refurbishment of Grade II listed buildings to create modern homes with original period features.

Redrow’s Eastfields development in Bridlington features a selection of three-storey townhouses, including the three-bedroom Malham and four-bedroom Neale.

 

The latter, priced from £151,995, has its main lounge and master bedroom with en-suite on the first floor and the remaining bedrooms and family bathroom on the floor above, making it truly flexible for those with older children, different generations of the same family sharing a home or those who like to give their guests extra privacy.

There’s an extra living room area on the ground floor, together with the fitted kitchen / dining room, which has patio doors onto the garden. The Neale also has a detached single garage.

The three-bedroom Malham is another versatile home. Bedroom three, on the first floor, would be ideal as a home study for those who don’t need the extra bedroom accommodation, while having the lounge on the first floor to the rear of the house – with French windows and a Juliet balcony overlooking the garden – makes for extra privacy and a pleasant outlook. It’s priced from £149,995 at Eastfields and also includes an integral garage.

Located off Brett Street, Redrow’s Eastfields venture is proving popular with buyers and investors alike, who enjoy the great location next to the lively Old Town area, as well as the tranquillity offered by the coastline’s natural surroundings.

For further information visit the development and view its furnished show homes, call 01262 403009 or log onto: www.redrow.co.uk/houses/view_by_development/71.