Kaleidoscope

04-Jun-2010

Kaleidoscope Proves Popular with Investors

Investing in property for the rental return alone is an increasingly attractive option, especially at Kaleidoscope in Cambridge, according to local estate agent, Bidwells. With rental yields of over 5% being achieved by savvy landlords, Crest Nicholson has noticed a rise in the number of investors looking to buy the one and two bedroom apartments available at the popular city-centre development.

Andrew Tucker, an Associate at Bidwells Property Consultants in Cambridge, comments: “Investors may think that they are buying into a weak market, but as Kaleidoscope demonstrates, rental yields are on the increase and buy-to-let investors have a great opportunity to capitalise on the increasing demand for city-centre apartments in Cambridge. Developments such as Kaleidoscope are proving exceptionally popular, as they offer the perfect combination of a top quality product in a prime location, and are also available at an affordable price.”

Andrew continues: “The apartments at Kaleidoscope are attracting all different kinds of tenants, particularly young professionals, many of whom work in the city centre or at the hospital and even those that commute into London. The development’s position to the south of the city centre means the development is perfectly situated for all of the different transport links. This is a huge draw for tenants, combined with the quality of the apartments on offer. Investors have caught onto this combination and their investments are certainly rewarding them. We have recently received a huge number of enquiries from prospective buy-to-let purchasers who have become aware of Kaleidoscope’s prominence as one of the leading opportunities for investors in the city.”

Kaleidoscope boasts a sophisticated range of 408 properties in total. Comprising a stylish range of one and two bedroom apartments, which are perfect for sharers, the development has been meticulously master-planned to create a lively community with a strong sense of place. Combining a sleek, modern exterior with a stylish, contemporary interior, homes at Kaleidoscope will, when complete, be dispersed across 11 architecturally unique buildings and landscaped areas that will be linked by a sequence of shared spaces.

Annette Cole, Sales and Marketing Director at Crest Nicholson Eastern, comments: “Kaleidoscope is proving extremely popular with investors and we’re expecting this to continue as market conditions improve and more people get to hear about the development. There is no shortage of tenants looking to move into the development as they are attracted by its proximity to the city centre, the convenient commute into London, as well as the fact that there is plenty of open countryside moments away from the development.”

Cambridge has excellent travel links; Cambridge railway station provides a non-stop service to London Kings Cross in just 45 minutes, rivalling Oxford’s journey time of 56 minutes into London Paddington. Alternatively, the M11 is just six miles away providing a swift route to Stansted Airport and the motorway network beyond.

Prices at Kaleidoscope start from £265,000 for a two bedroom apartment. For further information please contact the marketing suite on 0870 757 8186 or visit www.kaleidoscopecambridge.com

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07-May-2010

Off-plan sales surge at Crest Nicholson's Kaleidoscope

Crest Nicholson’s iconic Cambridge development Kaleidoscope has continued its popularity with house buyers, with a high volume of recent off-plan sales meaning that the latest phase of homes is now over 50% sold. The Sepia Building, which provides an attractive collection of highly contemporary one and two bedroom apartments, was unveiled at Kaleidoscope in October to strong demand from purchasers looking for high quality and affordable housing in the city centre.

Commenting on the development’s success, Annette Cole, Sales and Marketing Director at Crest Nicholson (Eastern) said: “The fact that the apartments at Kaleidoscope are selling so well off-plan is testament to the development’s quality, its excellent location and striking contemporary design. We have seen increasing numbers of purchasers looking to buy off-plan recently, which is a good indication that confidence is really returning to the local market, especially at developments like Kaleidoscope that has so much going for it.”

Annette adds: “To date the development has appealed to a variety of different types of purchasers, particularly young professionals and those looking to buy for investment. Given the high specification and location of the apartments, homebuyers know that they are getting good value for money and investors know that it is a quality product in a sought after location that will continually entice tenants. It sits in one of the most desirable areas of the city, within easy walking distance of the historic city centre, with the station and university close by, and therefore it is particularly appealing to homeowners who depend on reliable public transport links.”

Ideal for those looking to make the most out of this historic university city, the inspirational Kaleidoscope development; one of the most desirable addresses in Cambridge, boasts a sophisticated range of 408 properties in total. A significant number of secured sales are repeat purchases from those that have already invested or rented at earlier phases of the development and are now keen to maximise on the opportunities represented by this latest phase.

David Bentley, Head of Cambridge new homes for Bidwells Estate Agents, comments: “We have seen a rise in the number of property investors and cash rich buyers coming back to the market in Cambridge. Developments such as Kaleidoscope are proving extremely popular, as they offer a top quality product in a prime location. There is a shortage of similar stock on the market at the moment which is starting to drive prices higher so would-be investors should capitalise now before prices rise much further.”

The development has been cleverly master-planned to create a lively community with a strong sense of place. Designed by award-winning architects Proctor and Matthews, whose other work includes the Greenwich Millennium Village, the development incorporates traditional, locally sourced materials with the architecture imaginatively using feature panels in a variety of colours. Combining a sleek, modern exterior with a classic and stylish interior, homes at Kaleidoscope will, when complete, be dispersed across 11 architecturally unique buildings and landscaped areas that will be linked by a sequence of shared spaces.

Cambridge boasts excellent travel links; Cambridge railway station is just five minutes from the scheme and provides a non-stop service to London Kings Cross in just 45 minutes. Alternatively, the M11 is just six miles away providing a swift route to Stansted Airport and the motorway network beyond.

Prices at Kaleidoscope start at a guide price of £240,000 for a one bedroom apartment. For further information please contact the marketing suite on 0870 757 8186 or visit www.kaleidoscopecambridge.com.

-ENDS-

For further press information please contact Grayling:
Kathryn Morgan T: 0207 025 7545
E: kathryn.morgan@grayling.com
Phoebe Campbell T: 020 7478 7812
E: phoebe.campbell@grayling.com

Notes to Editors:
Crest Nicholson is a leading developer of sustainable communities whose mission is to meet customers’ expectations through the provision of environmentally sensitive and well-built developments. Dedicated to excellence in design and construction, to providing high quality locations and to customer service, each scheme has, as its main focus, the potential to generate a true community spirit through the incorporation of distinctive residential areas alongside open space. Visit www.crestnicholson.com.

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