Vonder, the global lifestyle brand, has revealed its ‘all-in-one living’ concept with the opening of its latest flagship project, Vonder Wembley. Comprising 313 apartments with on-site amenities across over 160,000 sq ft of space, Vonder Wembley pioneers the all-inclusive living model of providing renters with everything they need for both their personal and professional lives. Located at 1 Olympic Way, next to Wembley Park Tube and just a few minutes’ walk from the renowned stadium, Vonder Wembley spans 15 floors and offers 174 studios, 121 one-bedroom apartments, and 18 three-bedroom apartments. The flats all come fully furnished with a contemporary stylish design for Vonder members – Vonderers – to enjoy. Taking urban living to a whole new level, Vonder Wembley also includes state-of-the-art amenities such as 73 co-working desks and three conference rooms, a 1,250 sq ft fitness studio, a yoga room, a 18-seat cinema, reception area with pool table, foosball, televisions and communal kitchens and bike storage. In addition, the 14th floor of Vonder Wembley presents a 18,000 sq ft exclusive members’ lounge that can accommodate up to 50 people. The lounge will host community and cultural events and provides spectacular panoramic views of the capital. Designed by Vonder’s in-house design team, the ‘all-in-one living’ spaces have been inspired by the building, its setting, and the lifestyles of the Vonderers. The bright colourways, reflect the vibrant nature of Wembley, and are complemented by designer furniture from a mixture of Scandinavian, British and Italian brands. Commenting on the scheme for Vonder Wembley, Tomer Bercoviz, CEO and Co-founder of Vonder, said: “’All-in-one living’ is a new concept that reflects the ever-changing lifestyles of younger renters. Hybrid working and a greater focus on achieving an optimum work-life balance means that people are looking for something that provides them with more for their money. Vonder Wembley is a direct response to the needs of young renters, providing them with high quality, well-designed and inspiring spaces in which they can live, work and socialise. All the communal spaces can be booked easily via our Vonder App, which also allows our members to interact with each other and enjoy additional value-added services. “The response from renters has been incredibly positive, with demand outstripping supply for the first phases of apartments available. Vonder Wembley demonstrates that by listening to renters, thinking creatively, and working with the right partners, a new and highly relevant approach can be delivered in such a competitive rental market as London.” This flagship development, Vonder Wembley, join Vonder’s existing London property schemes including Vonder Skies, Vonder Hill, Vonder Shoreditch, Vonder Village and many more, and will continue to strengthen the growth of Vonder’s international portfolio of over 30 locations spread across London, Berlin, Munich, Warsaw and Dubai. The company is also in active negotiations to increase its portfolio in the UK, the US and continental Europe as it rolls out the ‘all-in-one living’ concept.

Gresham House and ilke Homes have cause for celebration, as of 30th November the organisations officially broke ground at their first partnership zero carbon development at Hope Green in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. Delivered by ilke Homes and funded by Gresham House, via its evergreen UK limited partnership Gresham House Residential Secure Income LP (GH ReSI LP), the development at Hope Green is set to become one of the first and largest operational net zero carbon residential developments to be delivered in the country. Sales launch off plan in January 2022 and will be marketed by the sales and marketing team at SO Resi exclusively for shared ownership. Due to additional investment by Gresham House more than two-thirds of the properties at Hope Green will include innovative technology meaning the houses will generate enough energy to become operationally carbon neutral. Crucially, the boilers will be replaced with air source heat pumps, which require just a third of the energy of conventional heating systems. In addition, photovoltaic (PV) panels will be installed which will generate electricity to support the functionality of the home. Gresham House have worked with ilke Homes to build in other sustainable measures including highly insulated homes, efficient LED lighting, and water fittings. Alistair Wardell, Investment Director within Gresham House’s Housing team comments: “It is vital that corporations consider the long-term sustainability implications for delivering residential housing. This is particularly the case for the affordable housing sector, where more acute financial constraints generally preclude investment into greener living and technology. We are proud to be working in partnership with ilke Homes to deliver Hope Green, as the first of several pioneering residential developments in the pipeline for the partnership, which is seeking to break the mould while working towards a greener future. With most houses being upgraded to operational zero carbon, our investment at Hope Green is helping to create a genuinely affordable development for future homeowners alleviating fuel poverty issues whilst protecting the environment. “Gresham House’s aim to invest in better placemaking through sustainable innovation is supported by the ilke Homes’ fully modular construction method. The homes are built in a factory setting, which allows for greater build efficiencies with significantly less waste and reduced carbon emissions during the construction process. The speed of delivery to site, provides enhanced returns from the development and means the model can deliver much-needed housing at a rate closer to market demand.”

With household bills set to rise, there has never been a better time to buy an energy-efficient new-build home, says an Essex housebuilder. With experts forecasting that the ongoing gas and electricity supply crisis could see domestic fuel bills increase by hundreds of pounds a year, those looking to move could help reduce that financial hit on the family budget by choosing a new-build home. The energy savings that can be made by buying new have been known for a while. Research by the National House Building Council and Zero Carbon Hub in 2013 showed that a new-build four-bedroom detached home could save a family £1,400 per year in fuel bills as compared to a Victorian property of the same style – with a new home being up to 57 per cent cheaper to run. Jason Colmer, sales and marketing director for Vistry Eastern, which is currently building new homes in Saffron Walden and Frinton-on-Sea, said that energy efficiency improvements offered as standard by new-build properties are now a key draw for prospective customers considering a home purchase. “Our new homes offer double-glazed windows and doors, insulation in the walls, ground floor and loft and are fitted with modern energy-efficient boilers,” he said. “One of our new homes is, on average, 65 per cent more energy efficient and generates more than 60 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions than a similar Victorian property, according to the Home Builders Federation data. “Research has shown that new-build homes can offer substantial savings, even before the predicted hike in costs due to the current energy supply crisis. What people also get with a new home from Vistry Eastern is the peace of mind that comes with a 10-year National House Building Council guarantee and our own two-year customer service guarantee. “There has never been a better time for buyers to opt for a new-build home. Choosing a new home from Vistry Eastern makes sense on many levels, not least that in doing so a family could save hundreds of pounds every year on their gas or electricity bills.” Vistry Group was formed in 2020 by bringing together Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships. The Vistry Eastern region is currently building homes across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.