New homes with period charms (From York Press)

New homes with period charms

12:04pm Thursday 19th January 2012

Brian Page admires a series of highly contemporary homes created from a period past.

HERE’S a question. When is a new home not a new home?

That’s a thought that sprang to mind as, on a brilliantly bright frosty morning, we looked out at the colonial-styled frontage of a series of four townhouses on Heslington Lane, Fulford.

These are homes that are beautiful to look at, high and handsome and immaculately presented in period home style.

Which, technically speaking, is what they are… the properties were once a pair of fine Edwardian semidetached properties before being combined into one big guest house.

But that was then and this is now and once you are through the front doors these are effectively new homes with period charms, yes, but with contemporary styling and comfort throughout.

For instance, the kitchen/family/breakfast room of the end property of the three still available is decidedly modern Millie.

It is a fantastic open plan space with a kitchen area, a dining area and a sitting area – and a wonderful floor to ceiling window arrangement including French doors opening onto the rear garden.

There is an air of luxury about the fittings, too, with a range of attractive floor and wall units and worktops, a five-ring hob and builtin double oven, fridge, freezer and dishwasher.

“I thought you would like this room,” says Ben Hudson, of marketing agents Hudson Moody.

Well, he was right. It’s simply marvellous.

“And we’ve come on a good day,”

Ben adds as we walk through to the sitting room at the front of the house. Indeed, a good day – because sunshine is dancing in through the big windows to the front of the house.

That stylish and spacious feel is continued on the first floor where there is a master bedroom with an en suite shower room and two further bedrooms and a house bathroom.

There is then an atmospheric fourth bedroom on the second floor – it has its own en suite and from the windows you can see across the rooftops to York and the Minster in the distance.

A great room for visiting guests or all-year-round teenagers… Next, we visit next door, one of two inner town houses available.

Here, too, the team from York-based company Bentley Development, which has masterminded the project, have created a super modern style with a nod towards period pieces.

There is another smart open plan dining kitchen, again well-fitted and styled, and with bi-folding doors leading from the dining area onto a patio and the garden beyond.

The highlight of this house, for me at least, is the master bedroom to the front of the house. It is a super room with a contemporary en suite with walk-in shower and lots of space and with French doors opening out onto a veranda balcony.

As we step outside the sun is melting away the frost. The large lawns and gravelled driveway behind the project’s electronic gates are sparkling. Across from us a series of mature trees are waving.

It’s a beautiful setting.

“An ideal place to drink your morning coffee and read the papers,” Ben says, reading my mind.

There are two further bedrooms and a bathroom to the first floor here and, as with the previous example, a fourth bedroom and en suite to the top floor.

“The beauty of these houses,” Ben says, “is that they have lots of character that comes from their period past, but they have all the modern amenities that people want these days.”

Including, we should add, an energy efficiency rating that our Edwardian ancestors could only dream of – the houses have solar panels, double glazing and the latest innovative insulation techniques.

They also come not only with gardens and patio areas but double garages located in a separate block.

What’s more there is still the chance for buyers to choose to add their own touches including a choice of flooring for the kitchen/family rooms and of fireplaces for the living rooms.

The homes are well situated for all the amenities including some good pubs and excellent shops in Fulford, which is a five-minute walk away.

They are also very handy for the city centre and for the A64 and commuting routes.

“The best of all worlds,” says Ben.

And, I think, that pretty much answers our opening question.

The homes, on Heslington Lane, Fulford, are priced at £475,000 and £495,000.

Interested parties should contact marketing agents Hudson Moody on 01904 650650.