History of Lisbon

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has witnessed imperial riches, fires, plague, one of the most destructive and deadliest earthquakes in recorded human history, revolutions, coups, Europe’s longest dictatorships and one of the most severe financial crisis’ since the Great Depression. But the city soldiers on, strangely emerging from each crisis better and more beautiful than before.

Lisbon’s strategic geographical position at the mouth of the River Tagus, the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula helped the city evolve into what it is now. The spacious and sheltered natural harbour made the city an important seaport between the Mediterranean Sea and northern Europe; Lisbon has subsequently enjoyed the commercial advantages of its proximity to southern and western Europe as well to sub-Saharan Africa and North and South America.

After the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, which destroyed much of the city. The Chief Minster at the time Marques de Pombal, immediately began rebuilding the city in a simple, cheap and earthquake-proof style which created today’s formal grid around the Baixa area of the city. During the early 20^th century, Portugal was in amidst of Europe’s longest dictatorship, which has become known as the Revolution of the Carnations, which ended in 1974.

Lisbon was reincarnated again, when Portugal joined the European Community in 1986, which paved the way the for major redevelopment and investment in the city. Although the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 stalled many of the development projects Lisbon began the flourish again in the late 2010’s with many of the major redevelopment projects restarting again, namely the continued expansion of the Metro and the new multimillion-Euro cruise ship terminal.

Living in Lisbon

 With 270 days of sunshine a year, a laid-back lifestyle based around the sea, and a city centre bustling with restaurant, shops and art makes it easy to understand why Lisbon has been ranked as top European travel and investment destination multiple times over the past few years.

The city has been long seen as a picturesque and affordable city by many, it has only been in the past few years that the Lisbon has started to move away from its conservative roots to deliver a trendy vibe of its. This transition can be attributed to the influx of young creatives and entrepreneurs moving into the city due to the affordable rents, thriving café and bar culture and the growing career opportunities.

Lisbon benefits from a wide-ranging transport system which includes the Lisbon Metro, the Lisbon tramway and an extensive bus and rail network – making getting around the city super convenient and easy.

Moving to Lisbon

Lisbon is a picturesque city full of beautiful streets, cosy venues and various cultural finds across the city. In Lisbon, history blends with modernity and a century-old landmark may sit side by side – each street has a story to tell and each corner reveals a different secret.

Our first development completions in Lisbon are due over the coming months. With our first development Bela Vista due to complete in September 2020 and completions at The Carvalho due shortly afterwards. If you would like to find out more about moving to Lisbon and the properties, we have available, please complete the contact form below.

History of Vauxhall and Nine Elms

Up until the late 20^th century Vauxhall was predominately manual workers’ home and business premises for the London and South Western railway development and also housed the former water supply works for the locale.  During World War II, Vauxhall and the surrounding areas sustained severe bomb damage due the its proximity to the River Thames as well as the area’s industrial sites. This has since paved way for major redevelopment conversions in around Vauxhall.

Nine Elms’ history can be traced back to 1645, when the area first took on the name Nine Elms from a row of elm trees bordering the main road into the area. In 1838, Nine Elms Railway station opened and became the first London terminus for the London and South Western Railway line. It was at the time when the area was often described as “a low swampy district occasionally overflowed by the Thames” by those working on the railways. The station later became redundant when the line was extended to Waterloo and the site was then used as railway wagon and cabin works, until these building were later damaged during World War II and as a result were closed permanently. This site was the acquired and then become the home to the flower section of the New Covent Garden Market. Gasworks were established in Nine Elms back in 1853, close to the existing waterworks of the Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks company – this site then became the home to, the now iconic, Battersea Power Station in the early 20^th century.

Living in Vauxhall and Nine Elms

Since the announcement that the US Embassy will be relocating south of the river, both Vauxhall and Nine Elms have been at the forefront of a massive regeneration programme. This regeneration programme sometime referred to as VNEB, (Vauxhall, Nine Elms, Battersea Opportunity Area), sets out the vision for new homes, jobs, cultural quarter and a new linear park to bring life to this area of London.

The regeneration area spans 227 hectares of central London on the southern banks of the River Thames – it extends from Lambeth Bridge in the north, to Chelsea Bridge in the south, covering the Albert Embankment, Vauxhall and a large section of the north Battersea. It’s by far the largest regeneration schemes currently being undertaken in central London and encompasses on the last remaining industrial stretches of the South Bank.

The location of Vauxhall and Nine Elms, for one, is hard to beat – near the Thames, opposite the Tate Britain, and within walking distance of Pimlico, Victoria, Westminster and Waterloo, it’s certainly in the busy urban heart of the capital.

The area also benefits from excellent transport links, which just adds to its appeal. Not only is Vauxhall train station served by National Rail and a tube station on the Victoria Line, Vauxhall is home to one of the largest bus stations in London. As for commuting, residents will be able to get to Oxford Circus in just 6 minutes via the Victoria Line, London Waterloo within 4 minutes and Clapham Junction within 5 minutes. The area’s already extensive transport links are set to be improved further with the completion of the Northern Line extension from Kennington to Battersea Power Station – creating two new stations, Battersea Power Station an Nine Elms, which is due to open Autumn 2021.

Moving to Vauxhall and Nine Elms

Residents of Vauxhall and Nine Elms will not only benefit from the excellent transport links and the unbeatable London location, but will also be apart of a thriving cultural scene which the area has to offer. With a plethora of local bars, cafes and restaurants, residents will be spoilt for choice – it’s clear to see why so many are now making a home in Vauxhall and Nine Elms.

Are you looking to move to Vauxhall and Nine Elms? We can help, as we have several schemes currently available in Vauxhall and Nine Elms including the recently completed Keybridge House. Find out more by registering your details with us today.

History of Birmingham

Birmingham’s history can be traced back to the 7th century, as a small Anglo-Saxon hamlet on the edge of the Forest of Arden which has since been transformed into the city, we know today over the past 1,400 years. A mixture of immigration, innovation and civic pride, helped to bring about major social and economic reforms, as well as the kick-started the Industrial Revolution in the city – which then subsequently inspiring the growth of similar cities across the world.

By the 20^th century, the city had become the metropolitan hub of the UK’s manufacturing and automotive industries, after earning itself the reputation as a city of canals, and then of cars. Since the start the of 21^st century, Birmingham lays at the heart of a major post-industrial metropolis surrounded by significant educational, manufacturing, shopping, sporting and conferencing facilities.

Living in Birmingham

Birmingham is a city of 1.1 million people – and is expected to increase by a further 171,000 by 2039. The sheer range of employment opportunities on offer clearly provides a major pull fact; with many leading national and international businesses including HSBC, Deutsche Bank and HM Revenue and Customs, looking to relocate or increase staff numbers in the city.

Birmingham is also at the forefront of Europe’s largest infrastructure project, HS2 – which is scheduled to arrive in the city by 2033. Once complete HS2 will form a new backbone of the UK’s rail network, connecting eight out of ten of the largest cities in the UK, whilst simultaneously reducing journey times across the network. Journey times between Birmingham and London will be reduced to mere 49 minute once complete, unleashing the city’s potential further and creating a more accessible rental market for many professionals

Being the second city in the UK, Birmingham has so much to offer its residents, from world-class educational facilities to a thriving shopping sector to an extensive array of theatres, museums and galleries and booming cultural scene. And for those sporting fans, Birmingham is home to two professional football teams, Birmingham City and Aston Villa and for those avid cricket fans Edgbaston is located with the city and hosts matches at both test and county level.

Partly, due its central location Birmingham is a major transport hub on the motorway, rail, and canal network. The city is also home to the West Midlands Metro – light-rail tram system.

The city’s rail network connects the city with many of UK’s major cities including: London (Euston and Marylebone stations), Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, Nottingham, Leicester and Newcastle. The city also benefits from a local rail service, which serves towns within the West Midlands region such as Bromsgrove, Redditch, Lichfield, Wolverhampton, and Walsall. Like other cities in the north of England such as Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham – Birmingham boasts a light-rail tram network called the West Midlands Metro connecting the city to Wolverhampton.

Birmingham Airport is located just over 8 miles from the city centre, with regular international flights to some of Europe’s most popular destinations and further afield destinations including Dubai, and Doha.

Moving to Birmingham

Like many cities, Birmingham has truly embraced modern and cosmopolitan living in a big way, with plenty of housing options available. It’s very clear to see why people are moving to the city and calling it home. At Complete, we have a selection of developments located in Birmingham, including The Curve, The Curve II and soon to complete Bishton Fletcher Building, with a selection of apartments available to rent. Find out more about these development by registering your details with us today.

Originally constructed in approximately 1900, Ruststrasse 4 combines exquisite architecture with modern design and high-quality finishes throughout. The picturesque neighbourhood of Kleinzschocher offers residents ample amenities, public parks, and easy access to the city centre of Leipzig. Once complete in Q2 2020, Ruststrasse 4, will comprise seven apartments, three one-bedroom, three two bedroom and one three-bedroom apartments.

Given the nature of the development and its location in south western Leipzig, we are anticipating strong tenant interest in Ruststrasse 4. A mixture of young working professionals who are based in the city due to growing tech-start up market and students who are looking for accommodation within the city. There is an abundance of key employment nodes within easy reach of Ruststrasse 4, including Spinlab HHL Accelerator, Amazon, BMW, Porsche, DHL and Leipzig Heart Medical Centre.

Ruststrasse 4 is located on a quiet and beautiful street in the very appealing neighbourhood of Kleinzschocher. This is one of the greenest residential districts in Leipzig and home to the 700,000 square metre public park ‘Volkspark Kleinzschocher’ equipped with an outdoor swimming pool, and host to events such as the open-air cinema during the summer months.

The main shopping street of Dieskaustrasse is a 5-minute walk and provides all amenities such as supermarkets, coffee shops, gyms, and anything else residents would need on a daily basis. Furthermore, the closest tram station in a 3-minute walk away and enables access to the city centre in just over 15 minutes.

If you like to find out more about Ruststrasse 4 or would like to register your interest, please complete the below form.

Leipzig was once an industrial city experiencing economic stagnation and deserted by many of its residents after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Today, Leipzig is rising like a phoenix from the ashes to position itself for the future and the forefront of European cities

History of Leipzig

Leipzig’s history of being a trade city dates back to the Holy Roman Empire, as the city sits at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii – two important medieval trade routes.

Leipzig was once one of the major European centres of learning and culture with a large focus on music and publishing.  After the Second World War and during the period of the German Democratic Republic, Leipzig retained its title of being a major urban centre in East German, however the city’s cultural and economic importance declined.

Leipzig is home to Germany’s second oldest university, as well as six universities of applied sciences and 12 other higher education institutions. A close relationship between the research, technology and energy spheres provides Leipzig a competitive advantage both in Germany and beyond.

Living in Leipzig

Located just one hour from Berlin by train, the city is leveraging its strategic location at the heart of Europe. Strong transportation and logistics links and well-educated workforce are building on its industrial and manufacturing roots giving rise to several high-tech and high-growth firms and industries.

In the early 1990s the State of Saxony founded the Saxony Economic Development Corporation whose aim was to drive and increase investment into the region. Leipzig followed suit, creating ambitious plans to promote the city as an investment destination.

Leipzig is already beginning to reap the benefits of investing in and attracting these new, modern technologies to create a sustainable city for the future. Luring back its residents, attracting students, entrepreneurs and creatives, the city is evolving at a remarkable rate to rank among Germany – and Europe’s – most liveable cities.

Moving to Leipzig

Leipzig is a wonderful city and what makes it so extraordinary is the structure of the green belt that surrounds and intertwines the city; providing residents with plenty of possibilities for jogging, hiking, biking, rowing on rivers and canals. Ruststrasse 4, our first development due to complete in Leipzig, is in the picturesque neighbourhood of Kleinzschocher providing easy access to everything the city has to offer.

Register your details below to learn more about living in Leipzig.

Liverpool’s economy is booming, and the city is truly becoming the next Northern Powerhouse hotspot. People are drawn to living in Liverpool as it’s a vibrant city with unique attractions, exciting events, world-class sport offerings, and an unrivalled musical heritage.

History of Liverpool

Liverpool has an eclectic history which can be traced back to 1190. The first wet docks in Liverpool open in the early 18^th century which paved way for the town’s expansion to become a major city, which continued over the next two centuries. Liverpool not only has an illustrious maritime history thanks to its location on the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary, but is also well-known as the birthplace of The Beatles and a number of other bands that were part of musical history’s influential Merseybeat era. Home to two Premier League football clubs, Liverpool and Everton, and the annual Grand National horse race, other attractions in the city include China town – Liverpool is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe – and the Tate Liverpool.

Living in Liverpool

Since the mid-nineties a general economic and civic revival has been underway in Liverpool, which has led to Liverpool’s economy is growing faster than the national average. In 2008 Liverpool ONE was completed, the £1-billion mixed-use project which significantly transformed the city centre into a world-leading retail offering.

A number of regeneration projects particularly in North Liverpool are revitalising the city, providing new opportunities for further economic growth and investment, such as Liverpool Waters, a 30-year-strategy and a £5 billion masterplan to transform Liverpool’s northern docks into a high quality waterfront quarter of residential, commercial and leisure space. Our latest project Quay Central is a part of the Liverpool Waters masterplan and is the first residential development to complete. The developer of Quay Central, Romal Capital, is creating a new open plan area within Quay Central which they’ve called ‘Little Amsterdam’. This area will include a waterfront park for both locals and residents to enjoy

The digital and creative industries have come to the fore in the vibrant Baltic Triangle, a former industrial area. Various regeneration projects are underway in this fast-growing and evolving part of the city with Creative Campus, a flexible, creative space; Cains Brewery Village, a 1 million square foot, £150 million leisure and retail development with brewery, boutique hotel, shops and food hall.

The lively, cosmopolitan city is well connected by road, rail, sea and air, with international flights into the city’s John Lennon Airport and nearby Manchester Airport where direct flights connect the northwest of England with major cities around the world, including New York, Toronto, Hong Kong, Beijing and many more.

Moving to Liverpool

Liverpool has maintained a lot of its architectural heritage while the recent regeneration in the area has generated interest in new and contemporary properties. Liverpool has so much to offer its residents and you can easily see why people are moving to the city and calling it home.

Are you moving to Liverpool or looking for a new home or a property investment in this vibrant city? We can help, we have a number of schemes currently live in Liverpool including The Levels and the recently completed Quay Central. Find out more by registering your details with us today.

Hackbridge is a leafy suburb in the London Borough of Sutton, offering all the benefits of proximity to the capital yet close by to expansive parks. This combined with the distinctive town centres Hackbridge offers residents a peaceful but vibrant lifestyle.  

Where is Hackbridge located?

Hackbridge is in the London Borough of Sutton, approximately two miles north-east of Sutton itself and is just under nine miles from central London. Nestled between the banks of the River Wandle and Beddington Park, Hackbridge provides residents with the best of both worlds, connectivity to central London and other key local employment nodes such as Sutton, Croydon, Wimbledon and also being located in one of the capital’s greenest boroughs with 89 parks and green spaces within its boundaries.

The London Borough of Sutton is in south London and forms part of ‘Outer London’. It borders the London Borough of Croydon to the east, the London Borough of Merton to the north, and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames to the north-west; it also borders the Surrey boroughs of Epsom and Ewell, and Reigate and Banstead to the west and south respectively.

Living in Hackbridge

Hackbridge is better known for being home to the ground-breaking Beddington Zero Energy Development. Better known to locals as BedZED, this eco-friendly residential community features solar panels and other carbon-neutral sustainability features such as re-usable rainwater channels. Alongside the ambitions to become the UK’s most sustainable suburb, Hackbridge is currently amidst several major redevelopment schemes which are set to change to transform this leafy suburb into a new residential destination in Sutton.

Residents of Hackbridge not only have one of the largest green spaces in the borough, Beddington Park, right on their doorstep, but they benefit from excellent transport links. Hackbridge railway station provides regular train services into London Victoria, Clapham Junction, London Blackfriars, Farringdon, Wimbledon, Sutton and further afield destinations such as St Albans and Luton. There are also several London bus routes serving Hackbridge and other destinations such as Tooting, Morden and Carshalton.  

Moving to Hackbridge

The rental and sales market in Hackbridge is on the up, largely due to the various regeneration schemes on-going in the area. House prices in Sutton over the past five years have increased by 24.06%, according to the latest house price figures from Zoopla[1] and this trend is set to continue. The demand for rental properties in Hackbridge been driven and supported by several key local employers being within easy access of Hackbridge, such as the Royal Marsden Hospital, St Helier’s Hospital, as well as the excellent connectivity to central London.

If you are interested into moving to Hackbridge, River Wandle Apartments would be ideal, as this new development is due to complete in Summer 2020. Alternatively, we do have two large residential developments in Sutton Town Centre, Charlotte House and Tavernelle House, with apartments available to rent. Contact our London office on +44(0)20 35519900 or by completing the below contact form.

[1] https://www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/browse/hackbridge/?q=Hackbridge

Once complete in Summer 2020, Centenary House will be home to 80 studios, one and two bedroom apartments and is conveniently located close to hustle and bustle of Leeds city centre.

Located to the north of the city centre, Centenary House is an architecturally striking part new build and part refurbishment of a Grade II listed building. Due to Centenary House’s perfect location, residents will benefit from unparalleled access to all local amenities such as the city’s main retail and commercial heart which is home to over 1,000 retail stores and 32,000 business.

All the apartments at Centenary House will be finished to the highest specification throughout. All apartments will be finished to an extremely high specification throughout. Each of the apartments will benefit from an open-plan kitchen and living room, and fully fitted bathroom suites and spacious bedrooms.

If you would like to find out more information about Centenary House, please contact our Manchester office on +44 (0)161 348 7299.

Leeds has the firm reputation as a vibrant, diverse and thriving city, with an evolving cultural existence. Leeds may not be as domineering as other English cities such as Manchester, or London, but it regularly rates highly as one of the best places to live in the UK in terms of cost of living, happiness and employment.

History of Leeds

Leeds’ history dates back many centuries and encompasses its change from a market town into a textiles hub which handled one sixth of the England’s export in the 18^th century. The city’s export growth was accelerated with the completion of the Aire and Calder Navigation in 1669 and the Leeds and Liverpool canal in 1861. The arrival of the railways led to further growth for the city, with the introduction of an east-to-west connection with Manchester and the ports of Liverpool and Hull providing improved access to international markets.

Due to the decline in both the manufacturing and clothing industry in the 20^th century, the city’s the new economic focus transitioned into the contemporary and booming economy which the city is now known for. Leeds’ regional economy is now the 2^nd largest in the UK after London and has a large focus on the professional services and the banking sectors, with many internationally renowned technology, healthcare and manufacturing firms being based in the city.

Living in Leeds

Leeds has the well-deserved reputation as one of the hippest cities in the UK, with many neighbourhoods outside of and within the city centre which are thriving. If you are looking for a refreshing breather away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, the neighbourhoods of Chapel Allerton or Roundhay would be ideal. Alternatively, if you are looking for the best of city living, the neighbourhoods of Northern Quarter or Leeds Waterfront would be perfect for you.

Getting around Leeds is very simple due to the city’s extensive public transport network which covers road, rail and bus links. This already extensive transport network is set to receive an additional boost when HS2 arrives in the city in 2035-2040 significantly reducing journey times to other major UK cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham. The city is also home to the Leeds Bradford Airport, located to the north-west of the city providing scheduled flights to many European destinations.

Leeds is a thriving student city with over 60,000 students across four universities; University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett, Leeds Trinity University and Leeds Arts University. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) graduates in Leeds outnumber those in Manchester and Birmingham. Holding a broad and widely skilled degree, these are highly sought-after students who bring a wealth of valuable skills to the workforce.

Moving to Leeds

The sales and rental market in Leeds is on the up largely due to the various regeneration schemes across the city. With the latest forecasts anticipating a 16% increase in rental prices and house prices over the next 5 years, outperforming rental and house prices in London. Leeds has so much to offer its residents due to the city’s thriving cultural scene and a booming local economy, so its easy to see why so many people are moving to the city or looking to invest in the city.  

If you are looking to move to Leeds, Centenary House may be ideal as its conveniently located in the north-eastern corner of Leeds’s shopping quarter providing quick and easy access to many of the city’s amenities. To find out more information about Centenary House, register with us today by completing the below form.