Latest News

August 2009

Virginia Galleries Apartments Big Hit With Buyers

Buyers have been rushing to snap up luxury apartments at a new, upmarket boutique development in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City.

Seventeen of the properties in Virginia Galleries have been sold in the six weeks since the launch by Credential Homes, defying the credit crunch.

The gated development of 37 stylish one and two bedroom apartments is at the heart of plans to transform the area, which was home to the offices of Glasgow’s tobacco merchants, into the city’s very own Covent Garden.

Jonathan Law of developer Credential Homes said: "Launching a property development in the current climate is challenging but we were determined that the quality of the properties and location would speak for themselves and we avoided offering gimmicky incentives, which I think buyers perceive are included in the price anyway.

"Instead we priced the apartments as competitively as we could, offering one bedroom properties for just £115,000, which is fantastic value for money in one of the city’s most sought after areas.

"Everyone who has viewed our stunning two bedroom show apartment has fallen in love with it, and the whole idea of being at the heart of Glasgow’s café society, with the city’s most exciting art galleries, live music venues, restaurants, bars and boutiques right on the doorstep."

The apartments enjoy a high level of specification and have been thoughtfully designed to make the most of space, aspect and natural light. Many of the apartments benefit from striking full width glazing that floors the contemporary open plan layout with light.

Stylish kitchens from Wrightons with complimentary glass splash backs are fully fitted with a range of integrated appliances including a fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer. Bath and shower rooms all feature quality white suites, chrome taps and thermostatic showers.

Most importantly of all they capture the best of city living, with the majority of apartments featuring precious balconies or terraces with hardwood timber decking.

Properties on offer range from one bedroom apartments with open plan living areas and kitchens to larger two bedroom homes with a dressing area off the master bedroom and en-suite shower-room. Apartments currently available range in price from £125,000 to £230,000.

Virginia Galleries is set within a gate cobbled wynd, complete with courtyard, which will form part of a larger development spearheaded by Credential which will transform the last remaining section of the Merchant’s Trail into a vibrant shopping and leisure area.

Accommodating boutique shops, a small department store, restaurants and cafes, the development will create a golden shopping triangle by linking the shopping areas around Princes Square and Candleriggs.

The stylish two bed apartment showhome and the remaining apartments are available for viewing by appointment through either Countrywide on 0141 552 1400 or Slater Hogg on 0141 552 8599, or visit www.credentiialhomes.com for more information.

Credential Homes has purchased a farm steading in Hermiston Village which will be the company’s first residential development in the capital.

A former farm steading, the award winning company is set to seek planning consent to transform the traditional stone buildings at Hermiston Farm in Edinburgh into eight distinct properties as well as upgrading an existing cottage. Retaining their original charm and period identity, the properties will vary in size and style and will all have three bedrooms.

The existing picture postcard cottage comprises three bedrooms and two public rooms as well as an extensive kitchen and bathroom, and a terrific rear garden.

Commenting on the development Jonathon Law, Director at Credential Residential, said: "A rare opportunity is a phrase often coined within the residential industry but what we will be offering at Hermiston Village truly is a one-off. The properties are strikingly attractive and are complimented even further by the backdrop of the beautiful location.

 "We’re very excited to be launching in Edinburgh with such a notable development."

 Only five miles from the city centre, Hermiston is one of Edinburgh’s most popular suburbs appealing to buyers due to its surrounding open countryside, including the Union Canal which runs close by. Offering the best of both worlds with rural charm and city centre amenities, easy access to the Edinburgh centre is granted by road and transport links whilst Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club is only two miles away as are both Heriot Watt University and RBS Headquarters.

Jonathan added: "Local facilities also include Hermiston Gate Retail Park, as well as South Gyle so there’s an abundance of retail outlets on the doorstep as well as access to good schools, and social venues."

Further information is available by contacting Savills Edinburgh office on 0131 247 3700.

Househunters in search of that elusive combination of stunning architecture, a prestigious address and impressive design will be delighted by the latest offerings from Credential Homes.

Set in the most sought after locales of Glasgow, the developer’s latest projects, One Belhaven Terrace in the heart of the cosmopolitan West End and The Library located in the trendy Merchant City, have transformed impressive landmark period buildings into a beautiful collection of unique apartments.

Designed in 1870 by James Thomson, One Belhaven Terrace typifies the classic style of the West End, from its impressive entrance with feature cornicing to its expansive views over Kirklee Terrace and The Botanic Gardens. Five magnificent apartments have been formed within the Victorian townhouse and a coach house, which is situated to the rear of the townhouse building, will hold one further apartment featuring a stunning lounge together with two en suite bedrooms and a large dining kitchen.

Sympathetically restored, One Belhaven Terrace retains many of its original period features such as the hand carved oak panels, Corinthian pillars, and beautiful wrought iron staircases.

Jonathan Law of Credential Homes said, "One Belhaven Terrace is a truly elegant building with tremendous character and original features. Its location in the heart of the West End will also make it highly desirable for those seeking the lifestyle this affluent location offers.

"The Coach House to the rear is truly stunning. Bigger than most modern houses it is a rare opportunity to have a private garden and parking space so close to all that the Bohemian West End has to offer."

Reflecting the grandeur of the façade, all six properties feature two bedrooms and are individually designed, each with its own unique characteristics such as the in-built plasma TV in the kitchen of the ground floor apartment. Contemporary styling has been introduced elegantly to complement the opulence of the remarkable building with a naturally high specification featuring throughout.

Designer, state-of-the-art kitchens incorporating Corian worktops and AEG appliances will delight enthusiastic chefs whilst contemporary bathroom suites designed by Scope Bathrooms with tiling by Porcelanosa and Hansgrohe taps and showers present a beautiful spa-like haven.

The Coach House and Lower Ground Floor apartment both benefit from a private parking space and a private garden area set peacefully to the rear of the townhouse.

Prices at Belhaven Terrace start from £325,000.

Following a £1m investment by the award winning developer, the 19^{th Stirling Library in the thriving Merchant City has been restored to its former glory and converted into five bespoke apartments, named simply The Library, with one property remaining for sale.}

A stunning penthouse duplex apartment with two bedrooms and three bathrooms this beautiful home presents buyers with the rare opportunity to purchase a historic piece of Glasgow from an era when the city was coming of age. Again, retaining original features such as attractive cornicing and stunning ceiling cupolas, the interiors are breathtaking. Contemporary finishes complement the honey-coloured sandstone façade with classic styling creating a highly desirable space to live within one of the most cosmopolitan areas of Glasgow. The penthouse is available to the market for £279,000.

Jonathan Law commented: "The Library, which was built in 1864, embodies the excellence of traditional world-acclaimed Glasgow architecture coupled with a subtle blend of progressive interiors. We have endeavoured to maintain as much of the original design as possible and have preserved the splendour of this illustrious building to such acclaim that all but one property has been sold already."