At a time when commuters are returning to work, and finding alternatives to public transport, there’s predicted to be a huge uplift in cycling as a healthy and efficient way to get about. With it becoming the new way to commute, it is also a popular choice for exercise as well as leisurely family outings. This is especially exciting as further plans to extend current cycle lanes in the capital are announced.
On top of cycle lanes expanding, TFL is also setting out to expand its bicycle hire scheme – sponsored by Santander, with the aim to produce eight more docking stations in the capital and 1,700 more Santander Cycle bikes, an increase of nearly 15%.
Last month proved to be the best in London’s cycle hire scheme’s 10-year history, with 1,120,620 hires in May alone. May also held the record for the highest ever number of hires in a weekend, with 132,979 on 30-31 May. The scheme has seen a rise in the demand for free hires by NHS staff, with 30,000 free journeys made since the offer was made available in March.
With these statistics in mind, the demand for bike storage at residential developments across London is also on the rise. Hornsey Town Hall in Crouch End is one development that has the facilities to cater for bike users in London. These facilities include 333 spaces for secure storage, as well as the potential to include visitor bike storage for the foreseeable increase in the popularity of cycling.
In the perfect location, North London is blessed with an abundance of greenery. From the undulating sprawl of Hampstead Heath to the recreational grounds of Priory Park; these spaces form the heart and soul of the surrounding communities, uniting picnickers, runners, dog-walkers and cyclists alike.
Angela Walsh, Sales & Marketing Director at FEC, comments: “There are always a variety of factors which determine whether a potential new home is right for you and your family and we believe our teams are highly skilled at objectively guiding and supporting potential buyers – however cycling demands certainly appear to be a top priority in buyers minds right now.”
She adds: “Given its location to the city, schools and North London greenery, as well as the cycling facilities on offer, we’re confident Hornsey Town Hall will be the first choice for young people, downsizers and families; especially when considering their new home in the city, while city life as we know it continues to evolve.”
The revival of the Town Hall includes creative art and workspace for the community, a new hotel, a rooftop bar with views over London and new homes in the Town Hall grounds.
The collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments are spread across two new-build blocks, a mews building and a carefully restored Broadway annexe in the Town Hall grounds. Make Architects has ensured that the new buildings capture the spirit and style of Hornsey Town Hall, which will be evident in the façades, where layered brickwork and carefully crafted geometric metal balustrades come together to reflect the Town Hall’s original Art Deco features and modernist aesthetic along with the distinctive concrete pattern from the Hornsey Library.
The homes will be finished to the highest standard throughout, with some featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and chevron timber flooring which has been designed in keeping with the original flooring in the Town Hall. Most will feature balconies, terraces or gardens, opening up from either the living areas or master bedrooms. Designer kitchens will feature fully integrated appliances, while bathrooms will offer a contemporary take on Hornsey Town Hall’s modernist aesthetic.