Eye-catching Elephant & Castle apartments win affordable homes award » Housing » 24dash.com

Eye-catching design in an affordable central London location has proved a winning combination for south-east housing association, AmicusHorizon and its shared ownership specialist, Shared Horizons.

Oyster Court in Elephant and Castle won the Evening Standard New Homes Design Awards for best affordable homes development, announced on July 30.

The development, which was finished in September 2007, has proved popular with city buyers, with all 26 units sold within three months of opening.

The New Homes Design Awards recognise excellence in housing which single London out as a leader in the global property market. Judges were looking for creative design and style, combined with eco-friendly innovation and value for money.
Situated in the regeneration hub of Elephant and Castle, Oyster Court offers those on lower incomes the opportunity to buy into city centre living.

Each of the affordable properties was built with key workers, local families and those on limited incomes in mind. Prices started from £221,000 for a one bed apartment and all properties were available on a shared ownership basis, with a low level of rent, reducing the monthly property costs significantly.

The development’s award-winning design is reflected in its large balconies and terraces, designer space saving kitchens and fully tiled pod bathrooms.

Shared Horizons’ efforts to publicise Oyster Court to existing local residents paid off, with several properties sold to residents from Southwark Council’s  Heygate estate, due to be demolished in 2009/2010.

Darryl Godwin, Director of Shared Horizons said: “This award is fantastic news for Shared Horizons. AmicusHorizon and Shared Horizons are committed to providing a wide range of affordable and well-designed housing across London and the south east.

”We invested special effort into promoting the development to residents of the Heygate estate, which lies close to the new development. This paid off, with several properties sold to council tenants. Oyster Court shows that affordable London homes can lead the way in cutting edge design and innovation.”

For more information on Shared Horizons, contact 0208 726 8839 or email sales@sharedhorizons.org.uk