High Demand for Housing Project

Part of the Watford Health Campus, and the larger West Watford regeneration project, Origin Housing’s new Intermediate Rent development, The Wrap, offers 164 one and two bedroom apartments, all ‘wrapped’ around Watford Football Club’s Vicarage Road Stadium. Firm believers in investing in cutting edge architecture for affordable homes, the housing association brought in the multi award winning architect Stephen Marshall to design the exterior of their latest development, The Wrap. Designed to assist potential first time buyers, who are saving up for a deposit to purchase their first home, and to provide accommodation for key workers, rentals at The Wrap start form £520 PCM for a one bedroom apartment. This is approximately 20 percent less than open market rentals.
Demand for the properties has been exceptionally high. Two show units and a marketing suite were opened in early June 2010. Over the opening weekend, Origin registered over 400 interested applicants. Tenants began to move into their new homes in July 2010, and by April 2011, all of the units had been allocated, which is well ahead of initial targets set. Due to the continued high level of interest it is anticipated that the remaining homes will be let and occupied by January 2011. Many of the Wrap’s residents work at the neighbouring Watford General Hospital, and there is a link walk way connecting the two sites.
Origin’s initial challenge was to have a building designed with was in keeping with the existing stadium, but would also be a highly desirable place to live. The building embraces the south end of the stand, and sports a slick white and anthracite exterior finish, with a combination of ‘Watford Red’ steel mesh and glass encased balconies. Inside, each home has been designed to maximise natural light, with generous floor to ceiling windows. Some of the apartments come with a contemporary open plan kitchen/living/dining area, while others have been specially designed to accommodate ‘sharers’. With flexible accommodation, these homes can be offer 1 bedroom and a living space, or two private bedrooms.
For further information, please contact the estates management service at The Wrap on 01923 230529 01923 230529 . Or visit www.originhousing.org.uk