London developer Mount Anvil’s Barnsbury Place development in Islington has won the top accolade for the best conversion in the 2011 London Evening Standard New Homes Awards.
Barnsbury Place, a mix of newbuild and conversion of Edwardian school buildings, won first prize in the large developer category. The Evening Standard described it as: “A unanimous choice, with all the reader judges saying they would like to live there. It is an attractive development of houses and apartments that has been built on the site of an Edwardian school, with many of the original features retained, including tiles, stairs and the carved “boys” and “girls” entrance signs.”
The London Evening Standard New Homes Awards, now in their 20th year, celebrate the highest standards of skill, design and craftsmanship in today’s new homes. Entries were judged by a panel of industry experts and 20 Evening Standard readers with an interest in homes and property.
Award winners were announced at a glittering ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel. The awards cover ten categories and recognise excellence across the housing spectrum – from first-time buyer flats to millionaires’ mansions.
Barnsbury Place comprises nine new-build townhouses which reflect the vernacular of early Victorian villas in the surrounding streets, 80 converted apartments in the former school buildings, many with dramatic ceiling heights, windows and period detail in stylish juxtaposition with contemporary interior design, plus 15 new build apartments. The high quality bathroom design of the units by Suna Interior Design also won gold at the recent KBB Bathrooms awards.
Killian Hurley, Chief Executive of Mount Anvil, said: “This is an outstanding accolade from the London Evening Standard, recognising Mount Anvil’s absolute commitment to design and quality. The unanimous decision and comments by the reader judges that they would like to live there is an excellent endorsement of our approach. Our buyers agree – we sold out in just over a year and Barnsbury Place was recognised as the best selling scheme in Islington in 2010.”
Mount Anvil is now developing Highbury Park, in Islington, a three acre site with 143 homes. This includes the retention of Loxford House, a Victorian building which will be converted into apartments, set within mature landscaped gardens. The development will feature a mix of 18 new-build town houses, many with large gardens up to 100 ft long, and 125 apartments. Following the excellent standard of the interiors at Barnsbury Place, Mount Anvil is again working with Suna Interior Design at Highbury Park. There will also be a nursery on the site. Pre-commencement work has started and the completed development is expected to be delivered by the end of 2012.
