QFB’s Bayswater development proves a big draw at London launch

A view of the Leinster Square Development in Bayswater, London. The development is a row of beautiful Victorian Grade II listed houses, complete with stucco-fronted facades and distinctive houndstooth tiles on the porch steps, that is being developed into five townhouses and six lateral apartments.

Denise Marray/Gulf Times Correspondent/London

Qatar First Bank’s high-end property development in Bayswater has attracted keen interest from international and UK buyers. The London promotional events follow the successful sales launch event in Doha in May.

Nos 7-12 Leinster Square is quite a find; a row of beautiful Victorian Grade II listed houses, complete with stucco-fronted facades and distinctive houndstooth tiles on the porch steps, that is being developed into five townhouses and six lateral apartments.

The development manager for the project is the Alchemi Group. Jonathan Whittle, head of sales, Alchemi, explained that in addition to the restoration and development work on the property, attention is also being paid to restoring the private garden overlooked by the houses on the square to its original splendour.

Speaking at the Leinster Square Garden Party launch, Whittle explained that a landscape expert has been engaged; the aim is to restore and enhance rather than change what is already a lovely garden with stately trees at the very heart of the square.

“We’re transforming the square; the residents are very pleased with what is going on around them because it is going to benefit them greatly, especially with regard to the value of their properties,” Whittle said.

Scott Strachan, director of Strategic Investments at QFB, explained the background to the project: “We started looking at the London market a few years back. We know that Qatari investors love visiting London, and property here has always been a good investment. We decided to marry the two, by partnering with Alchemi to develop this property, and another round the corner in Westbourne Grove.  The building was in a terrible state when we bought it in 2012 — we’ve had to gut the interior and are restoring it to its former glory.    We’ve had an amazing response from our clients to the opportunity to buy a home in this development.  They’re well-suited to Qatari buyers, as they are all three or four bedroom, family-sized homes.  Bayswater is undergoing a massive regeneration, and its proximity to Hyde Park and Mayfair has never been appreciated fully until recently.  Residents here can be in Bond Street or Harrods within 10 minutes, and the Heathrow express at Paddington is just round the corner.  Prices in neighbouring Notting Hill are much higher, so there is a huge opportunity to buy here and benefit from the surge in prices in this area, especially once Crossrail is finished.”  

Laura Marino, creative director and co-founder of Alchemi, is keen to retain the historical fabric of the houses and undertake a ‘sensitive restoration’.

“We’re doing lath and plaster renovation to all the ornate mouldings and cornicing and I’m doing Victorian woodwork and panelling,” she said. She added that all the lighting will be chandelier or ornate pendant aside from the bathrooms which will have modern recess lighting. The original stone stairs are being restored and the classic sash windows will be retained.

“To honour the Victorian heritage, Marino has chosen unique granites and marbles; there are soft blue and pink hues with a hint of sparkle. These delicate shades are offset in the kitchen with soft grey kitchen cabinets.”

Marino, a native of Connecticut, USA, who with her husband Charlie Baxter, co-founder and managing director of Alchemi Group, has made Bayswater her London home, gave a vivid description of the area: “You have a beautiful village atmosphere and at the same time all the conveniences of living in the city. You can pop outside your door and get taxis, buses or the tube and in addition to your private garden you have Kensington and Holland Park nearby. For food shopping you have your Sainsbury’s and Planet Organic  — it runs the whole gamut,” she said.