Houses For Sale St Albans – Gabriel Square

Houses For Sale St Albans – Gabriel Square

This is my post about houses for sale St Albans – Gabriel Square. If you can’t view the full post and video please click here.

 

Houses For Sale St Albans

As you know, I absolutely love snooping around houses, so when Meyer Homes invited me to make some videos about their new multi award-winning development in St Albans, I was straight on a train!

Gabriel Square is all complete now, and the homes are flying off the shelf, so if you are looking currently this is not one to rest on your laurels about.

There is so much to Gabriel Square as well that I couldn’t fit it all into one neat video. So I’ll be releasing a number of videos over the next few weeks, focussing on different aspects of the development.

The family house-hunter

As a mum, I can’t help but judge a place on how well it would suit a family so whilst they have apartments, I was keen to see one of the 4 bedroom townhouses.

These are arranged over four floors, and the interiors are very cleverly designed by Conran + Partners to maximise space. So you get really decent sized rooms, but what impressed me in particular was the amount of living areas they come with.

You enter at ground level, where you have two reception rooms. These days it’s all about the separate lounge! Some might call a second living room a ‘snug’, but these are both so spacious it doesn’t feel like an appropriate label. Let’s face it, it’s hard enough to coordinate your viewing schedule with your partner, but throw in kids and that ‘escape from Peppa pig area’ becomes a must.

‘Designer’ homes

One of my favourite Conran features are the oversized doorways, which opens up the entire floor, giving it an open-plan feel, but with the option to shut yourself away when necessary.

Space is definitely something you’re not lacking when you go down a level to the Poggenpohl kitchen. This easily fits a decent family table or you can opt for a mobile island.

The handleless kitchen is a unique design, so you wouldn’t be able to buy it off the shelf.  Look out for the Conran touches, like the lack of side panel next to the bifold doors continuing the flow from the garden to the kitchen.

 

 

Outdoor living 

Oh yes there is a lawned garden (something that most Londoners daren’t even dream of having these days). But there is also a roof terrace with the most incredible view across the square and rooftops of St Albans.

I know the garden is great for the kids, but I just fell in love with the roof terrace. For me it felt like an uber cool chill-out space, where I could escape and pretend I’m on holiday!

You also have a balcony off one of the bedrooms, so you really are spoilt for choice in this department.

Charmingly child-friendly

We’re talking thoroughly modern living here with smart home control. Amazing how precious those extra minutes this saves can be!

It may all sound a bit too swanky to have kids running riot, but actually it’s more a case of feeling relaxed in the knowledge that the high end fixtures and fittings will stay looking…erm high end for longer!

In the bathrooms you have the most deliciously tactile finishes, all in keeping with the ‘natural’ feel of the development, with a palette to match.

You can touch this…

It’s an entirely touchy feely place in fact. The Benson + Forsyth unique architecture intriguingly reminds you of a grand Georgian terrace, yet is throughly modern at closer inspection.

The traditional French limestone facade works well with the backdrop of the historical architecture of St Albans, but also gives Gabriel Square an air of holiday destination. I’ve been there on the cloudiest of days and it still felt light and bright.

Now I’m going to come clean and admit I’m not always the biggest fan of modern sculptures (sorry). Award-winning David Harber has won me over with his piece The Torus though, which sits proudly in the centre. It’s such an awesome point of interest reflecting the beautiful surroundings in its weird and wonderful way.

Coming together

I did find myself envying the residents. The central square is grassy, but with social areas including low tables, and a massive stone table.

I just love the sense of community this area must give the neighbours. There’s even a natural play area, which my toddler Bonnie absolutely adored. You can totally relax as well as the square is car free. There is the luxury of a secure underground parking area though.

Commuter’s treasure

‘Relaxation’ is a word that kept coming to mind when I was there. St Albans is such a commuter’s treasure. A fantastically busy and well-equipped city, but with a village vibe. So you have everything on your doorstep, but when you’re in Gabriel Square itself, it feels like a little oasis of calm.

I timed it and you’re approximately a 3 minute and 17 second walk (in heels!!!) from the main St Albans City train station. From here you can get into London in less than half an hour.

Home envy

Am I jealous? Yes I am! But I’m also excited for those living there already, and their neighbours to be. Gabriel Square genuinely feels like an antidote to this very fast-paced, often anti-social world  we live in.

You can book a viewing online or by calling 01727 226 881.

I always want to hear your thoughts so please do comment below, whether you’re looking for houses for sale St Albans or not. I’d also love to hear from current residents. If you do buy a place there drop me a line so I can piggy back off your excitement!

Also keep checking back here at ‘Houses For Sale St Albans – Gabriel Square’ for new videos as they trickle out over the next month or so. I’ll let you know via social media when these are posted.

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