April 30, 2018
The mid-market rentals will have no admin fees, Wi-Fi included and contracts of up to three years available.
Grainger plc, the UK’s largest residential landlord, topped out its Hawkins Lane Apartments and Georges Wharf Apartments at the Finzels Reach development in the city centre on Thursday afternoon.
The 194-home build-to-rent scheme being developed by Cubex will be one of the first of its kind to open in Bristol. A mix of studios, one and two-beds will be available, spread over the two neighbouring blocks.
The high-quality rental housing is being targeted at the mid-market to provide housing for a wide range of people already living and working in Bristol.
Unlike traditional letting agents, professional landlord Grainger plc will not be charging any administration or renewal fees and will offer flexible, long-term tenancies of up to three years.
The award-winning company says it wants to transform renting from being a tenure of last resort into a genuine alternative to homeownership that is good value for money.
Rental prices haven’t been released yet for the apartments which should be ready by early 2019. But we do know Grainger has an affordable track record and the rate will include superfast fibre optic broadband that residents can access from day one.
All tenants of Hawkins Lane and Georges Wharf Apartments will also have access to a range of contemporary shared spaces, including a 500 sq. ft. sky lounge, complete with a dining space and kitchen, which residents will also have the option to book out exclusively for entertaining friends.
Nearly a quarter of Bristolians rent privately and numbers are only expected to go up, according to Bristol City Council. And clusters of professionally-managed homes designed specifically for renters is one of the fastest-growing areas of the housing market.
Councillor Paul Smith, cabinet member for housing and communities at Bristol City Council, performed the topping out ceremony.
“Bristol needs a mixture of different types of housing and professionally-managed, quality rental homes of the type Grainger will be providing at Finzels Reach are a key part of this and are important to the city’s long-term growth and prosperity,” he said.
Finzels Reach is a mixed-use regeneration project by Bristol-based developer Cubex and is one of the largest such ventures in the South West. Willmott Dixon, one of the UK’s top construction firms, is building the homes for Grainger.
The site was once the heart of medieval Bristol before becoming home to a sugar refinery and then a brewery.
The Finzels Reach development blends its historic buildings with contemporary construction, including a hotel, offices and housing, alongside retail and leisure facilities. The new winding pedestrian bridge connects it to Castle Park and the Bristol shopping quarter.
Helen Gordon, chief executive of Grainger plc, said: “With Hawkins Lane and Georges Wharf Apartments we are aiming to deliver high quality homes for rent in a great location with good customer service, designed to attract people who will want to rent with Grainger for the long term.”
Author: Elise Britten
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