If you’re looking for a new home why not go up in the world – and experience the benefits of three-storey living? More space and increased options for designing your home to suit your needs are some of the reasons these stylish properties are proving so appealing to both families and couples, according to developer Lovell Homes.
Prospective purchasers can explore the attractions offered by modern three-storey houses by visiting a brand-new view home – Lovell’s popular Aspen house type – which will be launched at high-profile Cardiff development, The Mill, Canton, west Cardiff, on the weekend of 12 and 13 August.
Lovell, which recently unveiled a new selection of three-storey homes at The Mill, Canton, says buyers are often surprised at the extra space offered by a town house compared with a two-storey home.
“It’s a design which works particularly well for families,” says Lovell Homes regional sales director Julie Bowen. “Buyers aren’t restricted by traditional room layouts, with many choosing to have a family room on the ground floor, next to the kitchen, so that becomes the hub of the home during the day. Having the bedrooms divided over two floors can also work well for parents with teenagers who are starting to want their independence, while two top-floor bedrooms allow very young children to be close to mum and dad.
“At the same time, three-storey living can be brilliant for people who work from home as it’s so easy to convert one of the rooms into a home office. The extensive accommodation – with two bathrooms and potential for two living rooms – also makes these properties the perfect choice for two friends teaming up to buy as there is plenty of room for each to have their own space.
“It all depends what suits you – the great thing about the Aspen three-storey house style is the versatility. You can arrange the space as you want it, and also adapt it as your needs change.”
A layout that works for both adults and little ones is why three-storey living is proving so successful for one busy family-of-five - Carl and Sally and their three children moved into a brand-new home very similar to the Aspen at one of Lovell’s developments in the South Wales and South West region in January 2016.
Creating a family room on the ground floor of their home has given the younger members of the family the perfect place to play with their toys, watch TV and do arts and crafts. “The kids do everything in there,” says Sally. “We’ve got a sofa in there, built-in storage for all their toys and they have a table and chairs so they can sit there and eat after school. As they get older, we’re planning to move in desks and computer equipment so it can be used for homework. The kitchen is also on the ground floor and has lots of space with plenty of room for us to sit there too and eat together – when the family all come over, there are ten of us round the table.”
The family bought their home off-plan, moving from a three-bedroom semi-detached house nearby. “Originally, we were going to go for a four-bedroom house at the development but when we looked closely at the three-bed, three-storey homes, they actually offered more floor space.”
Their home has other benefits too. With the family room on the ground floor, it frees up the first-floor living room as more of a ‘grown up’ space for Sally and her husband. She explains: “It’s about having some adult space for us. In our old house we only had the one lounge and that had all the toys in it. I would have to spend an hour tidying them away before we could sit down in the evening and relax – and then the kids would get them all out again the next day. That’s not to say we don’t all use the first-floor lounge but it tends to be more at the weekend when we might put a DVD on and have a cinema afternoon. We have a piano in the room too and the children enjoy singing while my husband plays. But during the week, the first-floor living room is more an adult room where we can chill out in the evening.
”Carl and Sally’s son, their youngest child, has now settled into the first-floor bedroom, while their two daughters are enjoying sharing the large second bedroom, which has room for both a double and single bed, two wardrobes and other storage, while still providing lots of floorspace for toys and games. When they were smaller, the two younger children shared the top-floor room, next to their parents. “It’s made perfect sense for us,” says Sally. “We could easily have gone for a four-bedroom house but if we had, we wouldn’t have had our play room downstairs and separate lounge upstairs. We all love living here.”
Homes currently available from Lovell at The Mill, Canton, include the three-bedroom, three-storey Aspen home which is one of the development’s largest properties. The ground-floor layout features a spacious kitchen with French doors leading to the garden, a welcoming hallway, downstairs cloakroom and separate dining room with feature window. With the kitchen large enough to fit a dining table, the dining room could work just as well as a family recreation room or home cinema. On the first floor is the large living room, the family bathroom and a third room which would make a fantastic bedroom or a spacious home office. The second floor offers two double bedrooms, including the master bedroom with en-suite facilities.
Prices for this attractive three-bedroom home, with parking, start from £295,000 – or £236,000 if purchased using a Help to Buy – Wales Equity Loan*. Other three-storey house types currently available at The Mill, Canton, include the three-bedroom Oak house style from £270,000 (or £216,000 after a Help to Buy – Wales Equity Loan). The Oak features a generously-proportioned kitchen / diner and living room on the ground floor and first floor comprising two bedrooms and study room. But the real wow factor resides at the top of the house where the dual-aspect master bedroom, with en-suite, spans the entire second floor.
Available on selected properties at The Mill, the Help to Buy – Wales Equity Loan enables purchasers to secure a brand-new home with as little as a five per cent deposit. (All homes at The Mill are also subject to an Estate Management service charge.)
Homebuyers can find out more about the Help to Buy – Wales Equity Loan scheme as well as get advice on mortgages by speaking to the Independent Financial Advisor who will be available on Saturday, 12 August, during the launch weekend for The Mill’s three-storey view home.
The show apartment and marketing suite are open seven days a week, from 10am to 5pm at The Mill, Canton, Cardiff CF11 8DH with the view home set to open from 12 August. Alternatively, to find out more, please contact the Lovell sales team on 02920 606 766 or go to www.themill-canton.co.uk
