SQUARE IS A HAVEN FOR CITY CENTRE LIVING , Sept 2007

The new residents of Nottingham’s Lace Market Square are settling well into city life, and have almost everything they need right on the doorstep.

According to a recent City Centre Living Survey conducted by the University of Nottingham, the main attraction of the city centre is the convenience of being close to work, shops and leisure facilties.  Judging by how quickly the 46 apartments at Lace Market Square are being snapped up this research is certainly turning out to be true for this Nottingham development.

Lace Market Square is a showcase for Nottingham, combining a beautiful landscaped European square, apartments and quality bar and restaurant facilities.   At the centre of the development is an 11,000 square foot public piazza designed by award winning Nottingham art and landscape duo Wolfgang & Heron who have created the Lace Market’s first continental-style space.

The new square is positioned between New College’s splendid Adams Building, Fletchergate, Warsar Gate and St Mary’s Gate - and construction of this exciting new project is almost complete.

Most of the apartments at Lace Market Square were sold off plan, and they include one and two bedrooms, with one and two bathrooms as well as a penthouse and secure underground parking.   Only eight of the apartments have yet to be sold.

Lace Market Square is so close to the city’s shops, restaurants and services that there is no need to get into a car to go anywhere (although the apartments do have their own secure underground parking spaces and cycle parking too). 

Everything the smart city dweller could need is within a five-minute walk of the apartments.  There are literally dozens of restaurants that can be reached within a short walk, closest is Château Ali, literally opposite the apartments on Warsergate – but for those who prefer chopsticks to cassoulet, Opium is just up the road.   On the other side of Lace Market Square there is a veritable feast of bars, pubs to suit every taste – from the pub atmosphere of the Keans’ Head in St Mary’s Gate, to the exclusive Merchants on High Pavement, and the trendy Skin and Bluu bars in Broadway. 

Being at the heart of the city is certainly what many new Lace Market Square residents have said what the key factor in purchasing.  One commented,  “I didn’t really look at any other developments, Lace Market Square appealed because of the price, it’s position in the older part of Nottingham, its proximity to shops and nightlife and the tram stop, secure parking and the square itself.”

Another resident who has moved all the way from Plymouth said: “The location of Lace Market Square was pivotal in my decision about where I was going to live, it is so convenient.  The idea of the square sounded quite appealing because it is a bit different – and I guess that made it stand out from other schemes.”

The size of Lace Market Square also seems to be a big draw for purchasers, with only 46 apartments in total, it is smaller and more compact than many other schemes in the city, giving it a more intimate feel. The City Centre Living Survey finding found that most people felt that living in the city centre lacked a community spirit, but the unique nature of Lace Market Square is an exception.
                                                                                                        
According to Savills, the sole selling agent for Lace Market Square, purchasers have been attracted to the development because of the piazza itself, the size, as well as the type of people buying the apartments.

Jane Peak, from Savills’ New Homes Department added: “A number of people commented on how great it was to find a small development within the city centre, and that it looked like it would have a real community feel.  This has attracted purchasers who are in the main owner occupiers, professional people who work in Nottingham or want a city base who want a small intimate scheme as their home. 

“Nottingham offers a great deal in terms of employment opportunities, good salaries and quality of life, and schemes such as Lace Market Square provide the perfect base for those wanting an exclusive development combined with city chic outside of London and other major cities such as Manchester and Leeds. The innovative design has really made it stand out on its own and offer something truly unique to Nottingham.”

The remaining two-bedroom apartments range from £160,000-£180,000, available with one and two-bathrooms, all with secure allocated parking underground as well as secure cycle parking.

Potential purchasers eager to snap up the last few apartments should contact the sole selling agents, Savills on 0115 934 8020 for further details, or visit www.lacemarketsquare.co.uk

For further PR information contact Kathryn Greenwood at Eden PR on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950 9175 or email Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk