Evening Standard: "After the Games, all this will belong to guinea pigs"

Link to Evening Standard

"Forget Poundbury. A tramp round the monumental Olympic village on Monday in chill sunshine allowed time to reflect that here, covering 67 acres, stands a 3.2-million-square-foot laboratory the size of St James's Park. A place where 6000 humans will fill 2800 homes by late 2014, to begin the biggest experiment in mixed-community living ever conducted in Britain.

"... Could the East Village become a mixed-use template to build mixed communities where the property owner rents rather than sells, just as is normal with office blocks? Sceptics say not. The £825 million the taxpayer has received for 2800 homes and land is at least £200 million less than it cost to build the village and all its infrastructure.

Genesis Greener Properties on sale

"Genesis has unveiled a collection of new homes at New Hendon Village in Barnet, which tick all the right boxes when it comes to living in a ‘greener’ home. A recent survey by the Energy Saving Trust states ‘carbon appeal’ is attracting homebuyers to properties with 53% of householders willing to pay up to an extra £3,350 for a home with greener features.

"In today’s economic climate, making energy saving improvements to your home will eventually reduce the bills, but by buying a new ‘EcoHome’ rated home at New Hendon Village, all those features and more are already included.*

"Even more of a plus for homebuyers, New Hendon Village is green on the outside too, with apartments overlooking Heybourne Park, which opened earlier this year. The swathe of green open space sits at the heart of the development providing an ideal place to relax and unwind, all year round. Fryent Country Park [in Brent] is also on the doorstep, comprising 250 acres of undulating countryside, conserved woodland, hay meadows, and ponds.

"The apartments themselves are set within an attractive array of buildings featuring private galvanised and painted metal balconies with thermowood timber decking or a terrace and views of the newly reformed parkland.

"All the apartments boast the same high-spec finish with sleek modern kitchens featuring solid granite worktops, ‘Roman Cherry’ units complete with stainless steel oven, hob and integrated extractor fan. Bathrooms and ensuites have chrome fittings, heated towel rails and recessed downlighters. For peace of mind, each apartment has an audio/video entry system.

"New Hendon Village is part of Barnet’s ongoing regeneration, with excellent retail, social and transport facilities helping to make this part of north London the place to live in the capital. New cafes, restaurants and bars are creating a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

"Colindale and Hendon have a good selection of eateries and shops, ideal for everyday needs, while Brent Cross [and its] Shopping Centre is the perfect place to go for that something extra, with a large Fenwicks and John Lewis, and fashion stores such as Banana Republic, Levi, Topshop, LK Bennett and Hobbs.

"New Hendon Village is near Colindale Underground Station, which offers Northern Line services to Brent Cross in five minutes, Hampstead in 12 minutes, Camden Town in 19 minutes and London Bridge in a little over half an hour.

"Prices for apartments start from £190,000. For further information, visit genesishomes.org.uk.

* EcoHomes is an authoritative credential for new home developments. Genesis is pleased to announce their homes have been awarded ‘Very Good’. [Very good.]