Race For Space

13.08.21

Last weekend, St Edward launched Woodland Edge, a collection of just 22 four-bedroom houses at Green Park Village, its sought-after community-centric development in Reading. Abode2 explored the development to see if it offers a solution for those buyers caught up in the modern day ‘race for space’.

The homes tick all the boxes for families looking to upsize; they are the largest houses currently available at Green Park Village, boasting 1,533 square foot of flexible living space and a private garden as well as benefitting from easy access to the surrounding green space and a beautiful lake at the heart of the development.

Mike Shearn, Chief Operating Officer at Haslams Estate Agents, comments: “Demand for homes in Reading has soared since 2020. We’re seeing that many families buying in the town have joined the ‘race for space’ in the wake of the pandemic, seeking homes with plenty of outside space and at least four bedrooms to cater to changing work/life patterns. These homes are being snapped up as soon as they come to market.”

The houses at Woodland Edge feature Green Park Village’s signature New England architectural style; its colour palette of slate blue, olive and light grey external elevations beautifully complements the surrounding green landscapes.

The living space has been thoughtfully designed across three floors and each house has been planned to ensure flexible family living. On the ground floor, an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area provides a sociable space in which families can dine, unwind and entertain. Bi-fold doors open out to a spacious private garden. Also on the ground floor is a family ‘snug’ room, which could work perfectly as a children’s play room or just another place in which to relax.

Located on the first floor is a formal living room which opens onto a spacious balcony overlooking the pretty streetscape, as well as the main bedroom which benefits from its own dressing room and en suite shower room. The second floor comprises three further bedrooms, one of which could be easily used as a study for those working from home, as well as a family bathroom. Every property also benefits a private garage and off-street parking.

Green Park Village, with its abundance of green space and on-site facilities, is well suited for families seeking a friendly, sociable community. Upcoming facilities will include a children’s play area, contemporary market square and even a train station (services to Reading in six minutes). There are many cycle paths, trails and woodland walks that make it easy to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. These amenities are further enhanced by Green Park Business Park, a nearby business community set in landscaped parkland, which provides restaurants, shops, cafés, a gym and a nursery.

Families with children will appreciate the on-site primary school which opened last year, as well as the range of excellent nearby state and private schools in the area. Two of the UK’s top-performing selective secondary schools - Reading School for Boys and Kendrick School for Girls - are close by and for higher education, the top-ranking University of Reading is just three miles away.

Reading is a dynamic modern town that has been transformed over the past decade through extensive investment. It is renowned as an excellent retail and entertainment destination and one of the UK’s top technical hubs for IT, telecoms and digital businesses. It is home to leading brands including Microsoft, Huawei, PepsiCo and Prudential, providing a strong employment market.

Even before the new station opens at Green Park Village, travelling to London from Reading is very easy with trains taking less than half an hour to reach London Paddington. When Crossrail opens it will take 53 minutes to reach Bond Street and just over an hour to reach Canary Wharf. Road links are equally convenient; the M4 motorway is around a mile away and leads directly into West London.

Prices start from £705,000 for a four-bedroom house at Woodland Edge.