Astronomy-inspired homes with potential beyond the stars

Revealed as last year’s top UK property hotspot, Slough is set to provide a wealth of investment opportunities for buyers, none so much as Shanly Homes’ Trinity. The scheme on Windsor Road, which has been inspired by famous astronomer William Herschel, will provide 114 brand new homes.

Designed by bblur architecture and in the same vein as its design for Slough’s striking new cultural centre, The Curve, Trinity offers a distinctive entrance to the town, says the architect behind the designs, Matthew Bedward: “We’ve worked on a number of public projects in Slough and so Trinity was a fantastic opportunity to provide continuity in the town’s regeneration, with quality residential units. Windsor Road is an important gateway to Slough, but it was looking tired. Our design for a series of elegant villas with gently undulating facades along this road provides an improved and dignified welcome to the town.”

The curves, which can be seen throughout bblur’s work in Slough, pay homage to a notable resident of the town, William Herschel. The 19th century musician turned astronomer who discovered Uranus and infrared radiation lived just up the road from Shanly’s Trinity development at Observatory House. 

Bedward, partner at bblur, added: “We have been inspired by the ideas and principles behind Herschel’s work and wanted to represent these for the 21st century. This is most obvious at the Bus Station where we have re-imagined the canopies as different wavelengths of light rays. At Trinity, the influence is more subtle. The villas are to be built from traditional brick for longevity. Their curved frontages will play with sunlight and shadow to provide dynamic, elegant and ever-changing façades.”

Located on the Windsor Road which connects Slough to Eton and Windsor, Trinity is to benefit from further growth with the arrival of Crossrail in 2019 and a significant £290 million government-led regeneration scheme. The Heart of Slough project which is in close proximity to Shanly’s Trinity site, will span three hectares providing 70,000 sq m of office space, a 120-bedroom hotel, bus station and new homes. The new commercial quarter will also create 4,800 permanent jobs bringing a surge of professionals to the town. 

With first occupation set to start in autumn 2017, Trinity will offer 114 one and two-bedroom contemporary apartments across three urban villas, with open-plan living arrangements and stylish interiors. Kitchens will feature AEG integrated appliances while ensuites and fitted wardrobes will be added to the master bedrooms. From the first floor upwards, all apartments will offer outdoor space with private balconies, and a selection of top-floor apartments will have roof terraces. All properties will have one allocated parking space.

The scheme is expected to be fully completed by summer 2018. 

Nigel Sawers, sales and marketing director at Shanly Homes, commented: “Slough has always had huge potential with its great transport links and location in the Thames Valley, but in the past has been overlooked as simply an industrial town. Investment in the town centre is helping give Slough a new identity as a commercial hub, where people want to work, socialise and live.

“We are already seeing the benefits with significant house price growth and exciting new cultural projects coming to the town. Located on the outskirts of the town centre, Trinity presents a real opportunity for investors and homeowners to reap the rewards of Slough’s rejuvenation in terms of financial return and being part of a new, thriving neighbourhood.”

Already an ideal destination for London commuters, providing fast and frequent trains to London Paddington in just 17 minutes, Slough is to experience enhanced connections with the arrival of Crossrail in less than two years. Passengers will be able to travel directly to Bond Street in 32 minutes, Liverpool Street in 39 minutes and Canary Wharf in 46 mins. By road, London Heathrow (T5) is just over seven miles away, while junction 6 of the M4 is less than two miles away, giving easy access to the M25.

Trinity is less than a 10-minute walk from Slough High Street, close to an array of local and independent shops, restaurants and bars. The town has two shopping centres, Queensmere and Observatory, which have 120 retailers including department stores such as Next, Debenhams, TK Maxx and Marks and Spencer. Buyers can also enjoy a variety of boutiques, cafés, wine bars and pubs in the historic, royal town of Windsor less than four miles away.

Prices for a two-bedroom apartment at Trinity range from £335,500 to £355,000 with one three-bedroom apartment available for £365,500.

For more information on Trinity and Shanly Homes’ other developments: shanlyhomes.com