Construction has started on the transformational development of 170 new homes at the former Swinden Technology Centre in Rotherham. Housing developer, Keepmoat Homes is delivering the regeneration scheme in partnership with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The plans include the conversion of Lodge House, Swinden House, Sitwell House, and the former
Whole Life Carbon Roadmap from the UK Green Building Council highlights the growing need to quickly close the policy gap on net zero homes and embodied carbon Only with urgent measures and intervention can the UK deliver on its interim target to cut 78% of emissions by 2035, an essential
A challenging and high-quality installation of three new warm roofs on the plant rooms of the Hatfield Tunnel in Hertfordshire saw Itech Roofworks – working in association with BMI Icopal – shortlisted in the Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing category in the National Federation of Roofing Contractors’ 2021 UK Roofing Awards.
Butor1.hu, one of the largest online furniture stores in Hungary, and Karzol-Trans logistic company are the latest tenants of HelloParks Maglód’s 46,000 sq m warehouse which is the first phase of the logistics megapark. Lithuanian-based Butor1 (Furniture1), which has shown significant growth in recent years, is establishing a distribution centre
As the COP 26 conference focusses on decarbonizing transportation, SAINT-GOBAIN UK & IRELAND, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and distributors of building solutions has announced the signing of a new partnership with ROLEC, one of the UK’s leading charging manufacturers, to support the delivery of a 1,000 charger point
Office workers at Edward Street Quarter in Brighton can look forward to being more alert, productive and healthier after the development received special accreditation for its design, that is set to deliver exceptional indoor air quality. Brighton’s newest neighbourhood achieved gold certification, based on aspects of design that ensure the
Bathroom specialist Aqualisa has announced an additional series within its premium Midas™ 220 mixer shower collection, featuring an elegant black metal finish. The Midas 220 in Black makes a bold, contemporary statement, and satisfies the growing consumer demand for black bathroom products and accessories. Manufactured to exceptional standards, the Midas 220 in Black shower
Fresh from allegations that Whitehall officials are blocking Boris Johnson’s hydrogen plans, it now appears that officials are planning to embarrass the Prime Minister by adopting the much ridiculed industrial policy that gave the EU “milk lakes” and “butter mountains”. Hidden in the detail of the recently published Heat and
Clarion Housing Group celebrated the handover of 25 new one and two bedroom affordable homes at Pembroke House in Camberley, Surrey at an official event, alongside Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Sarah Jane Croke and local dignitaries. Constructed by Berkeley in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council, the new affordable
Real estate developer Kronos Homes has spent the past two years raising the bar for resort living in the Western Algarve at luxury resort, Palmares Ocean Living & Golf. Now, the company has revealed the resort’s latest addition: a magnificent brand-new villa designed by RCR Arquitectes. The villa is the first of eight
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Construction has started on the transformational development of 170 new homes at the former Swinden Technology Centre in Rotherham. Housing developer, Keepmoat Homes is delivering the regeneration scheme in partnership with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The plans include the conversion of Lodge House, Swinden House, Sitwell House, and the former Stable Building into high quality apartments. Two – four-bedroom houses will also be delivered onto the site, and a proportion of the homes will be available for affordable housing with Auxesia Homes. The top 10 national homebuilder has also confirmed the development will preserve any mature trees at the site. As part of their commitment to the local community, Keepmoat Homes has pledged to support local people and help generate opportunities in training and employment through the use of sub-contractors, work placements and educational visits to the site, which will be delivered throughout the lifetime of the project. Daniel Crew, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: “We are very excited to have started work on our Moorgate Boulevard development in Rotherham, in partnership with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Auxesia Homes. We have a strong track record of delivering new houses across the country, particularly on brownfield land such as this and strive to ensure the heritage at the site is preserved. “This development means more to us than just delivering quality homes to the area. Being our first site in Rotherham for over a decade, we’re driven to make a big impact to the local community and deliver real value to real people, whether that’s through training and career opportunities or supporting local community groups. We are confident that the development will benefit not only the area, but the lives of those who choose to live there.” Keepmoat Homes completed the purchase of the site from Tata Steel in October 2021 for an undisclosed sum. Harris Lamb acted as agents on their behalf. Work at the development is expected to take four years to complete, with the first homes becoming available to purchase late Summer 2022.
Whole Life Carbon Roadmap from the UK Green Building Council highlights the growing need to quickly close the policy gap on net zero homes and embodied carbon Only with urgent measures and intervention can the UK deliver on its interim target to cut 78% of emissions by 2035, an essential milestone in the nation’s transition to Net Zero by 2050 With homes responsible for 16% of total UK carbon emissions, Government must immediately bring forward a national retrofit programme to unlock significant carbon savings, as well as deliver high-quality and cheaper to heat homes for people The Roadmap is the first quantification of the carbon reductions required each year from buildings and infrastructure if the UK is to be net zero by 2050 A transformative shift in industry practices is required and so action plans are provided for 14 key stakeholder groups As global leaders convene at COP26 to discuss the role of the built environment in addressing climate change, the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched a Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the UK Built Environment (The Roadmap) detailing the necessary actions government and industry must take to achieve net zero across the sector. The built environment is directly responsible for 25% of the total UK carbon footprint, and therefore has a critical role to play in the national transition to Net Zero. Co-created by industry with over 100 organisations contributing, the Roadmap provides a shared vision and set of actions for achieving a net zero UK built environment by 2050, in relation to construction, operation and demolition of buildings and infrastructure. The Roadmap quantifies, for the first time, the specific emission reductions across sub-sectors of the built environment that will need to take place year-on-year to meet the 2050 deadline. The analysis includes not only domestic emissions, but emissions related to the consumption of imported construction products and materials. The Roadmap establishes a net zero emissions budget and trajectory to 2050, consistent with wider UK carbon targets and budgets as set-out by the Climate Change Committee (CCC), enabling government and the UK built environment to benchmark progress over the coming years and decades. Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive at UKGBC said: “After all the talk, it’s time for action. The UK Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy is a step in the right direction but fails to address several key priorities that this analysis clearly demonstrates are non-negotiable to achieving a net-zero carbon built environment by 2050. The Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap pulls together disparate strands of recent policy and action into one coherent pathway, with clear recommendations for National Government and Local Authorities, as well as the private sector and the wider industry. We urge policy-makers and industry to embed these recommendations into policies and strategies to make good on the promises and commitments of COP26.” The Roadmap sets out policy recommendations for central and local governments to help drive and enable the transition needed to decarbonise the sector. These go beyond the recently published UK Government Heat & Buildings strategy and cover existing homes, existing non-domestic buildings and new buildings as well as for the infrastructure which connects our buildings and industry. The recommendations include: 1) Nation-wide retrofitting of existing homes. Establish an immediate national programme of “fabric first” home retrofit to make homes efficient, warm, and transition away from fossil fuel heating. Bring forward the cut-off date for the sale of gas and oil boilers to 2030. Reform EPCs and introduce minimum EPC ratings for homes at point of sale by 2028. Remove VAT on energy efficient retrofit building works and introduce variable stamp duty linked to energy performance. Introduce direct government retrofit grants for low-income households. 2) Energy performance disclosure for non-domestic buildings. Introduce mandatory in-use energy disclosure for non-domestic buildings. Accelerate the roll-out of energy performance rating schemes across non-domestic sectors, followed by minimum standards and fiscal incentives. 3) Adoption of a design for performance approach to new buildings. Reform building regulations to introduce Energy Usage Intensity (kWh/m2/yr) targets for new buildings from 2025.Alongside low carbon heating for all new buildings from 2025, introduce space heating demand limits (kWh/m2/yr), measures to limit peak demand, and minimum standards for currently unregulated key appliances. 4) Whole life carbon measurements and agreed limits. Introduce the regulation of embodied carbon for new buildings and major refurbishments Support and invest in industrial decarbonisation of key construction material supply chains Use planning reforms to prioritise reuse of existing buildings and assets 5) National infrastructure investment based on the net emissions impact. Establish a National Infrastructure Integrator with full oversight of carbon impacts Nigel Topping, COP26 High Level Climate Action Champion, commented: “As we start a critical decade for climate action, the United Kingdom can and should take a leadership role. This report epitomises leadership and establishes that the UK built environment has a comprehensive and rigorous plan for abating its emissions across the construction, operation, and demolition of buildings and infrastructure. I invite you all to use this Roadmap for delivering a net zero future.” The Roadmap was co-created by the industry through a project Steering Group and four Task Groups with over 100 organisations contributing. Many of the recommendations align with existing industry initiatives such as Construct Zero from the Construction Leadership Council, and the Construction Industry Council’s Climate Action Plan as well as those contained in the recently published Scottish Government Heat & Buildings strategy. In some cases, the recommendations build on existing Government policy initiatives to facilitate adoption of further proposals and timelines. UKGBC is one of several European GBCs developing national whole life carbon roadmaps under the #BuildingLife project and The Roadmap was made possible thanks to the support of Laudes Foundation and Ikea Foundation. The report is launched today at 11.30 in the UK Government Pavilion in the Blue Zone at COP26. Here is the video to view the launch:
A challenging and high-quality installation of three new warm roofs on the plant rooms of the Hatfield Tunnel in Hertfordshire saw Itech Roofworks – working in association with BMI Icopal – shortlisted in the Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing category in the National Federation of Roofing Contractors’ 2021 UK Roofing Awards. The awards were staged on November 5th 2021. Part of a scheme to upgrade the services for the 1,200m-long Hatfield Tunnel in Hertfordshire, which carries the A1(M) beneath the Galleria Shopping Centre, Itech was able – by meeting stringent installation and quality standards – to achieve a 20-year system guarantee from BMI Icopal for the three new roofs. As well as reducing whole-life costs and disruption to road users, delivering this level of longevity also will also reduce carbon emissions over the lifetime of the tunnel. The overall project was to upgrade the air conditioning (AC) and mechanical and electrical plant for the tunnel, involving the demolition and reconfiguration of central risers, extracts and tunnel services. As part of the upgrade, the failing flat roofs of the north, central and south plant rooms had to be stripped and re-roofed. Itech Roofworks was contracted by CBS, a Tier 2 Infrastructure company, to undertake the £250,000 project, comprising 1,750m2 of roofs. CBS’s client was highway maintenance consortium Connect Plus Services. Having stripped the failed roofing material from the concrete deck, Itech applied Siplast Primer followed by a bituminous carrier membrane. Next came the insulation, 30mm Thermazone Roofboard, which has a low thermal conductivity of just 0.24W/mK, followed by BMI Icopal SA Primer and Pyrobar Carrier Membrane. Itech then installed the full BMI Sealoflex Prima System: Sealoflex Prima 2-Part Primer, then a base coat of Sealoflex Prima Waterproofing Coating with Sealoflex Prima Reinforcing Fabric (embedded in the base coat), followed by a topcoat of Sealoflex Waterproof Coating. Anti-skid walkways were created for future maintenance purposes. BMI Sealoflex Prima benefits from accelerated curing, allowing it to be used at lower temperatures. Completely cold-applied, solvent-free and with no unpleasant odours make it more user-friendly for the installer. From an installation perspective, each of the three flat roofs posed their own challenges but common amongst them was the need to address the complexities posed by the upstands, vents and hatches that are typical features of a plant room. Making these waterproof involved detailed and accurate work on both the vertical and horizontal plane. The roofs also feature very slim gullies and any works had to make sure that the narrow apertures of the gullies were not closed or blocked by extraneous material. Overflows were installed to each roof. In planning the works, it was important to minimise the risk of disruption to the tunnel’s users. There were limited and separate windows – four weeks for each roof – in which Itech could carry out the roofing works which had to coincide with the stripping and renewing of the AC equipment and the other plant. Itech installed temporary roofs over each of the plant rooms so that both their operatives and those working inside the plant room could work productively whatever the weather. With limited space for storage of materials, just-in-time deliveries had to be carefully scheduled to meet the programme of works.
Butor1.hu, one of the largest online furniture stores in Hungary, and Karzol-Trans logistic company are the latest tenants of HelloParks Maglód’s 46,000 sq m warehouse which is the first phase of the logistics megapark. Lithuanian-based Butor1 (Furniture1), which has shown significant growth in recent years, is establishing a distribution centre supporting 8 countries from the 5,000 sq m warehouse space, while Karzol-Trans Kft. set the goal of centralizing its services and increasing their capacity by 50% on the 6,400 sq m lease. A new chapter begins for Furniture1, the Lithuanian based furniture retailer, and the 100% Hungarian-owned Karzol-Trans Kft., which deals with international transport and dynamically developing warehousing services, as they have decided to move to Maglód. The fastest-growing industrial area of the eastern agglomeration of Budapest is an ideal location for production companies and logistics service providers. The companies were able to move in to HelloParks Maglód’s first, 46,000 sq m asset that is soon to receive one of the highest BREEAM certification, just over six months after the construction works have started in the vicinity of the capital of Hungary, close to the M0 ring road, near the M4 and M5 highways, and Liszt Ferenc International Airport. Furniture1, one of Hungary’s largest online furniture stores started operating as a start-up in Lithuania in 2006, now the company is present in 10 countries. It has been operating in Hungary since 2015 as Butor1.hu. The new 5,000 sq m distribution centre in Maglód is one of the largest logistics investments of the company, where it establishes a facility supporting 8 countries. For the company, which mostly uses bulk and rack storage, HelloParks Maglód was a clear choice primarily due to its excellent location and unrivalled rental conditions. “Our company has reached an important milestone with the investment in Maglód. We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with such a flexible company, which offers excellent conditions and the best value for our money, such as HelloParks. It is also a great pleasure that environmental awareness and sustainable operation are just as paramount to HelloParks, as they are to us!” said Ferenc Balsai, Country Manager of Furnitue1.eu. The Hungarian-owned Karzol-Trans has been dealing with logistics and related services for more than 25 years, and currently has its own 5,000 sq m warehouse in neighbouring Ecser. With the new 6,400 sq m lease, the company will be able to centralize its fragmented service locations, and among other things, extending their warehouse management software to the operations of the new lease, will help them increase their current capacity by more than 50%. “HelloParks Maglód, which is located 5 minutes away from our site, was chosen due to the extraordinary features of the area, the proximity of the airport and the highway. This allows us to outsource the operation for our dedicated customers as close as possible, which is extremely important for a smooth business. Together with HelloParks, we have developed a shelving system in the new facility for more space saving storage of pallet goods, and we implemented new security and IT investments in line with our customers’ needs” said Zoltán Joós Jr. Managing Director of Karzol Logisztika Kft. “Hello Furniture1, Hello Karzol-Trans! It is a great pleasure for us that such well-known companies with international network have chosen HelloParks Maglód as their logistics centre. We hope that we can be partners in supporting their future growth, as nearly 200,000 sq m of warehouse space development is possible in our park. We hope that our park will serve as a real home for their activities and future plans. We would like to thank them for the trust they have placed in us with excellent service, expert attitude and flexible cooperation!” said Rudolf Nemes, Chief Executive Officer of HelloParks. One of Hungary’s leading developers, Futureal Group’s member HelloParks intends to build a total of 193,000 sq m of warehouse, light industrial and office space on the Maglód site. Several buildings will be developed in the park with different sizes – depending on the needs of tenants – between 26,000 and 90,000 sq m. The minimum leasable area in the first facility is 3,200 sq m. For smaller tenants, the second building can offer premises of 500, 1,000 or 2,000 sq m. Similar to HelloParks Fót and HelloParks Páty, the HelloParks Maglód facilities will also meet one of the highest BREEAM sustainability standards, due to smart solutions that ensure energy efficiency and environmentally friendly operation. Drone video of HelloParks Maglod site is available on the following link:
As the COP 26 conference focusses on decarbonizing transportation, SAINT-GOBAIN UK & IRELAND, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and distributors of building solutions has announced the signing of a new partnership with ROLEC, one of the UK’s leading charging manufacturers, to support the delivery of a 1,000 charger point network across Saint-Gobain’s sites, offices and retail branches over the next 5 years. The agreement comes on top of Saint-Gobain’s recent commitment to move all of its 3,200 company cars to fully electric by the end of 2023 [or hybrid if only absolutely essential as a stepping stone to electric], investments in new Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil [HVO] HGV’s, which will reduce CO2 per mile by around 90% for its British Gypsum, Artex and some distribution brands and the roll out of electric Mechanical Handling Equipment. The 1,000 charging point network is in addition to Saint-Gobain’s commitment to install an electric car charging point fitted at 3,200 company car drivers’ homes where they are able to accommodate a charging point.
Office workers at Edward Street Quarter in Brighton can look forward to being more alert, productive and healthier after the development received special accreditation for its design, that is set to deliver exceptional indoor air quality. Brighton’s newest neighbourhood achieved gold certification, based on aspects of design that ensure the development continuously delivers healthy indoor spaces, courtesy of global indoor air-quality body AirRated. Better ventilation reduces the risk of transmitting bacteria and viruses between people, helping to cut down infection rates of colds, flu and Covid-19. Steve Eccles, Project Director at First Base, said: “This accreditation for the quality of the indoor air is fantastic news for our future occupiers who will benefit from increased energy levels and a healthier environment. “Wellbeing is a huge priority for employees and business leaders. We’re confident that our clean-air status will be a big draw for the forward-thinking companies that decide to make Edward Street Quarter their home.” Francesca Brady, CEO, AirRated said: “For office workers, lots of factors can combine to have a significant effect on their health and productivity. Lower levels of CO2, achieved through better ventilation, improve performance. “In fact, 1,000ppm of CO2, which is common in buildings, can have the same impact on cognitive function as two pints of beer.” Some of the benefits of clean-air offices include fewer allergens, such as pollen. Particles which can cause asthma to flare up, such as dust and cleaning agents, are significantly reduced as well. The quality of the finishes – paints, flooring and soft furnishings – were taken into consideration, as was the quality of the build and the surrounding pedestrianised areas. Edward Street Quarter uses a triple stage particle filter system which reduces the amount of dust drawn into the building from sources such as traffic. A comfortable temperature will be maintained all year round, while dehumidification and humidification techniques will help people to maintain good health. Edward Street Quarter also uses paint to absorb CO2 – 45 litres of which, in the drying process, will absorb as much as one adult tree could in 12 months. The development will include 125,000 square feet of flexible office space, 168 apartments, cafés, retail spaces and leisure facilities. For more information visit: https://edwardstreetquarter.com/
Bathroom specialist Aqualisa has announced an additional series within its premium Midas™ 220 mixer shower collection, featuring an elegant black metal finish. The Midas 220 in Black makes a bold, contemporary statement, and satisfies the growing consumer demand for black bathroom products and accessories. Manufactured to exceptional standards, the Midas 220 in Black shower series from Aqualisa is equipped with a thermostatic brass body and brass handles, and each model complies with Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) criteria for quality. Three options are available in the Midas 220 in Black line-up: • MD220S.MB – Single outlet bar mixer shower with adjustable shower head• MD220SC.MB – Dual outlet shower column mixer with 245mm drencher and adjustable head• MD220BSM.MB – Bath shower mixer with adjustable shower head Midas 220 in Black: Single OutletThe high-performance single outlet Midas 220 in Black provides a consistently safe and satisfying shower experience. Built from brass, this fully thermostatic valve with cool touch surface technology offers a five spray mode handset that can be easily adjusted to numerous heights and angles. Midas 220 in Black: Dual OutletA versatile choice, this brass, wall-mounted exposed bar valve with cool touch surface technology includes an integrated diverter for a conventional adjustable handset shower, or an exhilarating overhead drencher shower from a generous 245mm fixed deluge head. This model incorporates a telescopic rail for extra installation flexibility, making it suitable for a variety of showering spaces. Midas 220 in Black: Bath Shower MixerThis space-saving option provides the perfect combination of shower and bath fill for a flexible family bathroom experience. The quality engineered, brass deck-mounted valve delivers excellent flow rates to fill the bath quickly, as well as ensuring a powerful and invigorating shower – all with the safety assurance of thermostatically-controlled temperature and cool touch surface technology. The 24mm five mode handset included with each shower has been designed to be effortless to maintain, with rub-clean jets. An easy fit bracket is included with each product. “The black brassware colourway has never been as popular as it is now. Offering high-calibre performance combined with bold and distinctive styling, the Midas 220 in Black blends an iconic and trusted design with refined, on-trend styling for the modern home environment. With three stunning choices, this new collection makes an immediate impact, as well as offering the versatility to accommodate an array of different bathroom spaces, configurations and sizes,” said Tim Creedon, sales director at Aqualisa.
Fresh from allegations that Whitehall officials are blocking Boris Johnson’s hydrogen plans, it now appears that officials are planning to embarrass the Prime Minister by adopting the much ridiculed industrial policy that gave the EU “milk lakes” and “butter mountains”. Hidden in the detail of the recently published Heat and Buildings Strategy, officials at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) are plotting to force British heating appliance manufacturers to make heat pumps, regardless of whether the public want to buy them or not. Under what is known as the “market mechanism” current boiler manufacturers will be told by Whitehall officials how many heat pumps they need to make or risk being heavily fined if they don’t obey the instruction. Similar policies adopted by the EU in the past, led to excess supply over demand and the obscene creation of wine lakes and butter mountains. “This is the most un-Conservative industrial policy I have ever seen. To force successful British businesses to make what Whitehall officials want, rather than what consumers want, is an extraordinary degree of state-meddling,” said Mike Foster CEO of Energy and Utilities Alliance. “If consumers want heat pumps, then these manufacturing businesses will make and sell them. But to be fined for not selling something the public currently don’t want is bizarre, more so when Cabinet Minsters accept that heat pumps aren’t yet ready for the mass market. It is almost as if Whitehall officials are deliberately trying to embarrass the Prime Minister by using the tactics he has previously derided the EU for using. It’s the Revenge of the Remainers within BEIS.” “But the most disturbing aspect of this policy is the sheer lack of understanding in how markets work. If the Government want heat pumps installed, it needs to make them more attractive to consumers. According to the PM, they cost ‘ten grand a pop,’ well beyond the reach of most. People can’t afford them. Without consumer demand, business won’t supply products for fear of creating a mountain of unsold heat pumps filling warehouses across the land, all because Whitehall thinks it knows best,” Mike concluded.
Clarion Housing Group celebrated the handover of 25 new one and two bedroom affordable homes at Pembroke House in Camberley, Surrey at an official event, alongside Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Sarah Jane Croke and local dignitaries. Constructed by Berkeley in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council, the new affordable apartments in Pembroke House will be sold by Clarion to eligible shared ownership buyers in and around the local area. “It was a great honour to open these new homes. Camberley is a great place to live and I’m proud that Surrey Heath Borough Council is able to deliver one of the few 100% affordable housing developments in the area,” comments Mayor of Surrey Heath Borough Council, Cllr Sarah Jane Croke. The affordable homes offer a range of layouts, set in an attractively designed three-storey apartment block in Camberley. Combining the very best of traditional and modern living, each home is built to the very high standards for which Berkeley is renowned, offering fresh, contemporary interiors, fitted kitchens and dedicated car parking. Residents at Pembroke House will be well situated to benefit from the variety of regeneration improvements taking place in Camberley. The Square shopping centre, just a 22 minute walk away, is being updated as part of the town’s regeneration plans into a brand new leisure and entertainment destination, containing around 100 shops and cafes. Alongside this, Camberley’s High Street has been awarded a £3.5 million grant to improve the roads and pavements, as well as the installation of public art, walkways and public seating within the town. Residents are also set to benefit from a brand new multi-million pound leisure centre, which will include wellness facilities such as a swimming pool, climbing wall and gym. “As house prices and private rents increase, affordable housing is vital as it means more people can afford to buy their own home who otherwise would be priced out of renting or buying on the open market. This is an excellent development and I am sure the new residents will be happy living here for many years to come,” said Cllr Adrian Page, portfolio holder for Planning and People at Surrey Heath Borough Council. Ideally situated to the south of Camberley, Pembroke House is conveniently well-connected. Camberley town centre is just over 1 mile away, offering a wide range of shops and amenities. Rail connections are second to none from Camberley station, with rail links into Central London in just over an hour, and Ascot in 12 minutes. Guildford, Farnborough, Winchester and Southampton are all within easy reach by road.
Real estate developer Kronos Homes has spent the past two years raising the bar for resort living in the Western Algarve at luxury resort, Palmares Ocean Living & Golf. Now, the company has revealed the resort’s latest addition: a magnificent brand-new villa designed by RCR Arquitectes. The villa is the first of eight impressive homes designed by RCR Arquitectes, who scooped the industry’s most prestigious international accolade in 2017, the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Nestled between the Alvor Estuary and the bay of Lagos, Palmares enjoys a stunning scenic setting. The resort’s low-density construction is undertaken in harmony with the surrounding natural environment, meaning that each villa delivers premium views. Palmares’ villas have been designed to match the resort’s beach and golf lifestyle perfectly. They are within walking distance of all resort facilities, including the 27-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, the spectacular, RCR-designed award-winning Clubhouse that serves as the hub of the resort community and the new fine dining restaurant, Al Sud. At the same time as providing easy access to the Palmares facilities, the villas also deliver a delightfully private lifestyle that flows beautifully from indoors to out and back again, thanks to their thoughtful design. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom villa occupies a superb 2,200 square metre plot overlooking the golf course and Bay of Lagos and boasts a total construction area of 490 square metres. The villa also affords eight terraces including one for each bedroom, and a private swimming pool set at the centre of the building. The terraces include a mixture of covered and uncovered spaces, working seamlessly with the natural landscape to create a fusion between the home and nature – bringing the outside in effortlessly. Palmares has attracted not only national clients but also an international clientele, with the resort’s ocean view apartments snapped up by Portuguese, British, German, Dutch, Belgian, Swiss and American buyers. In addition to its exceptional golfing facilities, Palmares opened the doors of its brand-new fine dining restaurant, Al Sud, earlier this year. Home to Michelin-starred Executive Chef Louis Anjos, the restaurant complements the resort’s already-impressive leisure facilities and has been fully booked since opening. The new villas at Palmares Ocean Living & Golf are part of a masterplan of 460 homes (103 villas, 357 apartments), which will also see the addition of a second five-star hotel (complementing the existing boutique 20-room five-star hotel) and a pool and wellness facilities.
