Why Southsea is the perfect place to call home

by | Nov 21, 2024 | Blog, Case Study, Community, Current Developments, Featured, News & Events, St. James Hospital, Portsmouth, Uncategorised

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November, 2024

southsea, the perfect place to call home

Transforming the former St James Hospital might just be our favourite project so far ! 

Why Southsea is the perfect place to call home Transforming the former St James Hospital might just be our favourite project so far. The grand, gothic style Grade II listed buildings, now known as St. James Park, Southsea are being given a new chapter as we create new community of contemporary homes, with open green space and tranquil residents’ facilities. One of the biggest selling points for St James Park has to be its location in the stunning coastal town of Southsea. With its dynamic blend of natural beauty, independent spirit, and vibrant community, Southsea offers an enviable lifestyle. So, what makes this coastal gem such a desirable place to live? Beachside Bliss and Outdoor Spaces For those who love the outdoors, Southsea offers some of the most picturesque coastal views in the UK. The Southsea Beach stretches along the seafront, providing the perfect place for early morning strolls, paddleboarding, or simply watching the sunset over the Solent. The nearby Southsea Common, a vast expanse of green space, is a favourite for picnics, outdoor fitness sessions, or a quiet moment in nature. Living in Southsea means you’re never far from the refreshing sea air or the tranquillity of open spaces. Whether you’re walking along the pebbled beach or cycling around the leafy avenues, the blend of coastal and green spaces provides a wonderful backdrop for a balanced lifestyle.

Indie vibes and local treasures

Southsea is renowned for its laid-back, independent spirit, and the town’s high streets reflect that in spades. Quirky boutiques, artisan coffee shops, and bustling restaurants line the roads of Albert Road and Osborne Road, making it a haven for those who appreciate local craftsmanship and community.

For the coffee connoisseurs, Garage Lounge offers one of the best brews in town, while The Tenth Hole is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth, serving cakes that are legendary among locals. The area also has an abundance of vintage shops, record stores, and galleries, adding to its eclectic charm. Southsea’s independent ethos is woven into its fabric, making it an exciting place to explore and discover something new around every corner.

Dining, nightlife, and retail hotspots

When it comes to dining out, Southsea has a thriving culinary scene that caters to all tastes. From casual, beachside eateries to high-end dining experiences, the area boasts an impressive range of options. Restaurant 27 offers fine dining with a modern British twist, while The Chambers is a local favourite for its atmospheric interior and globally inspired menu.

For those who enjoy a vibrant nightlife, Southsea doesn’t disappoint. Trendy bars like the Merchant House are perfect for craft beer enthusiasts, while Alchemist brings an innovative cocktail experience to the town. Retail therapy is also well-catered for, with local businesses and boutique stores offering everything from designer homewares to unique fashion finds.

Festivals and events: bringing the community together

One of the most exciting aspects of Southsea life is its packed calendar of festivals and events. The annual Victorious Festival, held on Southsea Common, is a highlight of the year, attracting international music acts alongside local talent. It’s not just about music though — throughout the year, residents can enjoy events such as the Southsea Food Festival, where local eateries come together to showcase their best dishes, or the Love Southsea Market, a bustling hub of local makers, bakers, and artisans.

These events highlight Southsea’s vibrant sense of community, offering both residents and visitors an opportunity to come together, celebrate, and enjoy the town’s creative energy.

A place to call home

Living in Southsea means being part of a welcoming, dynamic, and diverse community. For new residents of St James Park, this thriving coastal town offers not just a home, but a lifestyle. With its stunning natural surroundings, thriving independent businesses, and exciting cultural events, Southsea is more than just a location—it’s a way of life.

We look forward to helping you explore all that this wonderful town has to offer. Stay tuned as we spotlight some of Southsea’s best-loved businesses and local events in the coming months across our social media.

Discover more about what is available at St James Park. Call our sales team now on 0800 151 0960 and arrange your visit to the Marketing Suite or just pop on down to discuss information about our first phase releases, including CGIs, floor plans, and the rest of what’s on offer at St James Park.

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Jamie’s Testimonial | Kings Gate Macclesfield

by | Jun 11, 2024 | Blog, Case Study, Recently Acquired, Sales Information, Standish Hospital, Uncategorised

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June, 2024

Making new Memories at King’s Gate Macclesfield

Jamie and his son are also totally smitten with Macclesfield

Jamie and his teenage son swapped a period property for a contemporary, energy efficient home at our King’s Gate development in Macclesfield and could not be happier.

After 20 years in Alderley, Cheshire, he realised it would be better to be part of a busy community rather than in a semi-rural location which involved driving everywhere and he wanted a new build property that would not need maintenance and so began his search around the Cheshire hot spots of Alderley Edge, Wilmslow and Prestbury.

He said: “We looked at several new build developments but they were actually not very nice! Not much character or distinction and all very samey. I was looking for a company that was doing something that little bit different, with that added extra something.”

When he heard that PJ Livesey had acquired the former King’s School site he took a closer look.

Jamie said: “My son goes to school in Macclesfield but in all honestly had not considered moving here. But the more I researched about PJ Livesey the more I liked. Their back catalogue of projects is fascinating and I really like the mix between heritage and new build and every site is totally different.

“We went to look at what they had built in Didsbury and loved the contemporary properties so I registered for King’s Gate and when the show home opened we went to look and both went Wow! We want one!”

He reserved a Wilmot house type which is spread over two floors with private garden and a set-back balcony on the top floor overlooking the large green open space and across to the historic school buildings.

He said: “It’s like having our own Grand Design house! The rooms are really big, big spaces with high ceilings and flooded with light.

“And with the solar panels and power storage it is also incredibly energy efficient with basically free electricity! The boiler tells you how much you are using and how much power is left in the battery which makes you feel in control.”

Jamie and his son are also totally smitten with Macclesfield.

He said: “It has a large and really thriving centre with great places to meet and eat like The Picture Dome and BoHotel and we love the Treacle Market once a month. It has an independent cinema and pubs like The Castle playing live music.

“My son can be independent and walk into town to meet friends for a coffee or walk to the train station and catch the train into Manchester at the weekend.

“It is more eclectic with a bigger mix of people than some other places which seem to have quite a sterile mono-culture. We wanted something more interesting and with its Joy Division music legacy it does have quite a creative vibe.”

Such is the appeal that his elderly parents have already reserved a one-bedroom garden apartment in The Residence.

Jamie said: “My parents are in their 80’s and live in north Wales and having visited me a couple of times absolutely love it here! Fortunately, the apartments were just being released so they have reserved one on the ground floor and it has a large garden.

“It means that we will be able to just pop across to see them or Mum can come to me for a couple of hours while Dad explores or goes for a pint! It will be lovely having them here.”

He also praised the on-site team at King’s, especially sales consultant Keith. He said: “He is absolutely incredible. Great communication all the way through and he really could not be kinder to me or my Mum and Dad. I am really glad I met him on day one and he made this all possible. He is a really lovely face of the company.”

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Why Harry feels right at home in Standish

by | Feb 17, 2023 | Blog, Case Study, Current Developments, News & Events, Sales Information, Uncategorised

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February, 2023

WHY HARRY FEELS AT HOME IN STANDISH

“It’s the perfect property for me, in the perfect spot”

Harry Parker had fallen in love with the Standish Estate way before PJ Livesey started the redevelopment of the 30-acre site.

He explained: “My mum was involved with marketing the site when it closed as a hospital and on many occasions when she had to visit for site meetings I would go with her.

“I was always energised by the atmosphere of the place. The huge trees, the wildlife and the greenness of the site. So, when PJ Livesey began work to convert the heritage buildings and to build the new houses I was obviously interested.”

Harry worked locally for Ecotricity before going into business with his father and he is now head of European sales for a software company.

He said: “I work 100% remotely so that was a factor when looking to buy a property. I had looked at others but really my heart was at Standish and when the properties in Phase2 were released I was thankfully in a position to buy.”

He chose a three-bedroom mews property with a terraced garden and private parking and moved in just before Christmas 2022.

He said: “I feel very fortunate in that I was able to live with my mum for a while and save hard for a deposit.

“The house is perfect for me. It is open plan downstairs with bi-fold doors onto the garden so is very light and bright and I use the large second bedroom as an office. I’ve already noticed how efficient the heating is and how warm it stays which is important when I am home all day.

“Where I used to live was very community focussed and I feel it is already like that at Green Walk. Because of the setting people just go for walks around the development and look at the trees and the wildlife and stop and say hello.

“And if I want to explore further I can walk 100 yards and I am out onto open fields and woodland walks.

“It’s the perfect property for me in the perfect spot and it’s amazing to think I have had a connection with the site for many years and now here I am. It was obviously meant to be!”

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Love at First Sight for Giuseppe

by | Apr 13, 2021 | Blog, Case Study, Featured, News & Events, Standish Hospital

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APRIL, 2021

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT FOR GIUSEPPE

Giuseppe Alfonso knew the moment that he walked onto our Storeton Hall development he wanted to live there. 

Giuseppe Alfonso knew the moment he walked onto our Storeton Hall development on the Wirral that he wanted to live there and reserved a property on the spot!

“I fell in love with it straight away and as soon as I walked in the show house I told Ryan to sign me up!” he said.

Giuseppe has lived on the Wirral all his adult life and loves that fact that the west side of the peninsular has a country / outdoorsy feel but is still handy for everywhere. He said: “Its seven miles in a taxi for a night out in Liverpool while Chester and Manchester are easy to get to but when you are here it’s really beautiful and peaceful.

“I’d been cycling past Storeton Hall for six years so knew the location and on the spur of the moment called in when I saw the sales launch sign.”

He bought a three-bedroom semi-detached property which looks across to the Listed Hall which is being converted to create two large properties.

Giuseppe said: “It is really nice being part of such a historical site and my house is lovely, really light with big rooms and finished to a really high specification.

“PJ Liveseys are doing it really well with lots of open space and a real mix of properties and the whole team has been wonderful to deal with – nothing has been too much trouble.

“It is not a big development and I think that once the site is finished it will be amazing. I feel very lucky to be living here.”

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Giuseppe Alfonso knew the moment he walked onto our Storeton Hall development on the Wirral that he wanted to live there and reserved a property on the spot!

“I fell in love with it straight away and as soon as I walked in the show house I told Ryan to sign me up!” he said.

Giuseppe has lived on the Wirral all his adult life and loves that fact that the west side of the peninsular has a country / outdoorsy feel but is still handy for everywhere. He said: “Its seven miles in a taxi for a night out in Liverpool while Chester and Manchester are easy to get to but when you are here it’s really beautiful and peaceful.

“I’d been cycling past Storeton Hall for six years so knew the location and on the spur of the moment called in when I saw the sales launch sign.”

He bought a three-bedroom semi-detached property which looks across to the Listed Hall which is being converted to create two large properties.

Giuseppe said: “It is really nice being part of such a historical site and my house is lovely, really light with big rooms and finished to a really high specification.

“PJ Liveseys are doing it really well with lots of open space and a real mix of properties and the whole team has been wonderful to deal with – nothing has been too much trouble.

“It is not a big development and I think that once the site is finished it will be amazing. I feel very lucky to be living here.”

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St Gregory’s Place | The Birds

by | Dec 18, 2018 | Blog, Case Study, Community, Past Developments, Sales Information

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December, 2018

A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE

The beautiful St. Gregory’s Place – “I wish we could have moved here 20 years ago!”

A lovely comment from John Bird who, with his wife Sonja, moved into a brand new house at our St Gregory’s development in Sudbury in the summer of 2018.

It’s not unusual for clients to love their new PJ Livesey homes but at 85 and 80 years old the Birds prove it is never too late to move.

John said: “We have done the opposite of most people our age – we moved from a bungalow to a three-storey house and it’s the best thing we have ever done.

“We are so pleased to have our house, we love it.

“We knew we wanted to be here as soon as we visited and saw the setting and now we have moor hens and swans and ducks on the Water Meadows and I can see squirrels doing acrobats in the trees in the garden.

“It is a wonderful place to live. I stepped out last night and walked round to the original old buildings and the main gateway where the lights were on. It was misty and very atmospheric and felt so peaceful and still.

“I am a big reader and can walk into town to the library and get whatever we need from the shops and we often go to the Old Mill Hotel just next door to eat.”

The Bird’s son lives close by but they have also made good friends with their new neighbours and enjoy the ‘community’ feel of St Gregory’s.

John said: “My next door neighbour puts our dustbins out for us – no-one has ever done that for us before – and the other night we all went for a chat and something to eat at the Inn.

“I grew up in an orphanage, not knowing my brother and sister till we were older, so to have people around you who care is just lovely.

“We are so very happy here.”

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Sustaining the Terry’s factory legacy

by | Dec 23, 2016 | Case Study, Featured, Past Developments

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December, 2016
SUSTAINING THE TERRY’S FACTORY LEGACY

Behind the scenes in our transformation of the Terry’s Factory Building are two staircases that have been retained in their original state.

Heritage officers from the City Council were keen to keep specific internal elements of the Art Deco building intact and as always we were happy to oblige.

The original green and creme tiles were carefully cleaned, damaged sections repaired and steel handrails have been specially commissioned and installed.

WELL CONSTRUCTED
Site manager Darren Commons said: “In truth the building is so well constructed and there was minimal intervention on these two staircases – they are pretty much as they were the day the building opened.

They will have been used by thousands of workers over the years accessing the five floors of the Factory Building and I think it is fitting to retain these elements.”

The staircases are at each end of the vast building and serve as fire escape and goods routes.

DISTINCTIVE
Exernally the Grade II listed building has been sympathetically and skilfully restored to look as good as the day Noel Terry opened it in 1926.

The distinctive brick and stone has been cleaned and repaired where necessary and every window replaced.

Six distinctive round windows have been refurbished on site, with four incorporated into individual apartments while the final two are in the communal areas of the building, now renamed The Residence.

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