Optometrist Ellen Purchase, 28, needed to be closer to her work at a Bristol city centre hospital, but also wanted the peace of mind of knowing that she was buying a home somewhere where she would feel safe and secure. City & Country’s Factory No.1 development at Bedminster, in the south of the city, turned out to be exactly what she was searching for.
“I work at a hospital in Bristol, but was living with my mum in North Somerset following the sale of my old home when my previous relationship ended,” she explained. “The impractical commute meant that it was time for me to find a new home in the city centre, but as I was buying by myself, the community and safety of the development were extremely important to me.”
Ellen looked at City & Country’s award-winning redevelopment of the former Imperial Tobacco Company’s Bristol headquarters and immediately felt that with the daytime concierge and tucked away gated entrance, it was somewhere that she would feel safe while still enjoying the buzz of city centre life. Best of all, she could trade her exhausting commute for a pleasant 20-minute walk to work.
“The moment I walked through the doors at Factory No.1 I felt a sense of calm,” she said. “From the amazing artwork with links to the building’s history and stylish lighting in the stairwells and corridors to the strong sense of community and the friendly neighbours, I felt at home straight away. The concierge was a real bonus and added an extra level of reassurance.”
One of Ellen’s first questions about the development was whether her dog would be welcome – thankfully the answer was yes, and she went on to purchase a one-bedroom conversion apartment located at the top of Regent House, one of the former factory buildings meticulously restored by City & Country. “The apartment captured my attention thanks to its large terrace with plenty of outside space – ideal for my miniature labradoodle Winnie,” Ellen said. “Allowing pets at Factory No.1 has added a huge amount of value to the property in my opinion. The communal gardens are a perfect place for me to walk Winnie and I often bump into my neighbours there. There’s a lovely atmosphere in that tranquil space; it’s well-lit and feels very safe.”
It wasn’t just the convenient location and attractive outdoor areas that drew Ellen to Factory No.1; she was also impressed with the design. “My apartment has a modern design with a sleek and aesthetically pleasing open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, looking out on to the terrace with lovely views over the city. For me one of the biggest draws was that everything in my apartment was finished to such a high specification. Everything is so stylish and contemporary – I feel really proud that it’s mine!
“It’s great to walk through all the communal areas with their original features before I reach my front door. There’s an amazing original staircase modernised with glass panes featuring artwork linked to the history of the building, and one of the corridors has restored French polished oak panelling – it’s always a big talking point with everyone who comes to visit!”
Shelley West, Sales & Marketing Director at City & Country, added: “Factory No.1 prides itself on its exclusivity and seamless blend of old and new, whilst offering the very best in contemporary living. We wanted to create a strong community within an up-and-coming urban area, where homebuyers can enjoy a safe place to live whilst accessing all that this exciting city has to offer.”
Buying a new home on her own was always going to be a stretch for Ellen, but with the half the proceeds from the sale of her previous property, savings from returning to live at home, a little support from her parents and a mortgage, she was able to secure her new apartment for £275,000. “It was always going to be more challenging as I am now paying the mortgage by myself, and this was slightly daunting. However, my outgoings are similar to what they were before, and I’ve been able to carry my old mortgage over,” she said.
For those hoping to find their own peaceful space in the city, individually designed, high-specification one and two-bedroom converted and new-build apartments are available at Factory No.1. The securely gated development includes underground parking and 400 cycle spaces, with residents benefiting from ultrafast broadband, beautifully landscaped communal gardens and a concierge service.
Prices start from £275,000* for a one-bedroom conversion apartment in Regent House, and from £280,000* for a one-bedroom new-build apartment in Wills House, with some homes including allocated parking. Various initiatives are also available on selected apartments, such as Deposit Unlock, allowing buyers to purchase a new home with just a 5% deposit. The Sales Suite and show homes are open daily from 10am to 5pm, located at East Street, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4HH.
For more information or to book your personalised viewing, visit Apartments for sale in Bristol, Factory No.1 – City & Country (cityandcountry.co.uk)