This was our most ambitious investment at the time. We had been tenants under our own brand in part of the building since 1992 when it became the second branch of our estate agency. It was a mixed use three storey 1960s corner building with its own 12 space car park, in a prime part of High Road, Loughton adjacent to what was to become Marks and Spencer’s food hall. It offered 4 studio apartments on the third floor and a suite of offices on the second. On the Ground floor a furniture shop occupied the larger 2,000 sqft unit and our estate agency the small corner unit and some upstairs offices.
We were made aware around 2002 that the freehold was being marketed and took the huge decision to acquire. A number of purchasers were reluctant to commit at the time because one of the studio had been sold. However, we took the long view that it was good investment and managed to acquire the missing studio apartment with in a few months, thus securing the entire freehold.
Post Covid we decided to complete our overhaul of our 1960s building starting with an impressive aluminium clad exterior in accordance with post Grenfell Tower new regulations. By enhancing the fascia of this prominent building we have helped raise the prestige of the businesses that now occupy the ground and first floor, Elliott James – Prime Residential with a suite of offices and business lounge and a quality butcher brand, Ginger Pig. The previous 4 studio apartments are now 3 x generous 1 bedroom quality rental apartments with 2 luxury penthouse one bedroom apartments on the roof with wrap-around balconies and stunning views over Loughton.
