Ordinarily when a new block of flats is being launched, the penthouse is the prime location, with sky high prices to match its sky high position.
But at Vantage Point, a new block of apartments to rent developed by Essential Living on the site of the old Archway Tower, the penthouse will be set aside as a residents’ social area with pizza ovens and a media room, which will be free for the residents to use.
Paul Glass, lettings manager at Day Morris, said: “To rent a flat and get a penthouse with it is unique and the views up there are phenomenal – it’s in the St Paul’s corridor so nothing can be built that interrupts the view to St Paul’s.
“There’ll be events all the time for the residents: wine tastings, sushi nights, galleries will have artists exhibiting and people can buy works for their flats if they want.”
There is also a private dining room with kitchen, which can be hired out for private use by residents and a games and activities room on the top floors, while the first floor offers a communal library and meeting room.
Other distinctive features of the build to rent development include five interior design packages for new residents to choose between and membership to Zip Car.
Essential Living, the developer and management company, also don’t charge agency fees or renewal fees and say they return one week’s worth of deposit for each year tenants renew, with contracts ranging between one and three years.
Flats in the 17-storey development don’t come cheap with prices for the apartments released so far starting at £375pw (£1,625pcm) for a studio, including all utilities except council tax and TV licence, and going up to £850pw for a two-bedroom flat.
“They’re not the cheapest properties for the area but because of the connections, there are people who would prefer to live in something of that quality with those facilities for the price,” says Glass.
“So far interest has predominantly come from City couples and some smaller families in the two-beds.
“The developer hasn’t had to build any affordable housing because they’re not selling anything.”
Further units in the building are being released for interested tenants on September 1 through Day Morris and Hamptons International.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here