THE spectacular £52.8million conversion of a 15-storey office block into homes and terraces, with sweeping sea views in the heart of Southend has been launched.

Weston Homes is set to create 217 plush apartments in Victoria Avenue - the grand entrance to Southend.

It marks the further transformation of an area once dominated by tower block offices which have gradually been converted into homes.

The development in the former Portcullis House named Victoria Central is a stone’s throw from Victoria Station, which offers direct rail access to London’s Liverpool Street in an hour.

It will consist of two-and three-bedroom apartments with a landscaped courtyard, entrance foyer and ground floor commercial space.

Prices start from £185,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, £218,500 for a two-bedroom apartment and £285,000 for a three-bedroom apartment. They are already being marketed by property consultancy Knight Frank

Construction on the first six floors is underway and the first homes are set to be ready by 2022, with the whole block completed by 2023.

Suzanne Aplin, Sales and Marketing Director at Weston Homes said: “Weston Homes has a long history of building new homes in Southend, and we are thrilled to have launched Victoria Central, our latest collection of beautifully designed and finished apartments.

“Victoria Central provides a fantastic opportunity to live right in the heart of this popular seaside town, whilst being the most perfect location near Southend Victoria for commuters into London.”

The location offers direct rail access to London’s Liverpool Street in an hour and is a short walk to Southend Central station for the Fenchurch Street line.

The development will have a glass façade building with glass-fronted balustrades and a raised glazed ground floor.

It will also have a seven-storey rear wing and the landscaped courtyard features timber decking, stone-bordered plant beds and semi-mature trees.

For those thinking of investing in one of the new homes, they will all have state-of-the-art interior design, with tiled floors to bathrooms, carpets to bedrooms and oak strip wood flooring throughout the rest of the apartments, in a choice of various finishes to enable buyers to personalise their property.

The kitchens come fully-fitted with a complete range of appliances including a stainless steel electric fan oven, ceramic hob, integrated fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer.

Residents will also be offered a wide choice of designer kitchen units with quartz stone worktops and upstands. LED lighting is provided under the wall units and there is even an instant boiling water tap provided.

Luxury bathrooms and en-suite bathrooms have digitally controlled Smart Taps, Smart Mirrors with LED lighting, shaver socket, digital clock and de-mist mirror.

A number of communal rooftop terraces will allow residents to socialise and enjoy the coastal views.

Edward Robinson, partner in the New Homes team at Knight Frank is expecting the properties to sell fast. He said: “The ‘escape to the country’ trend dominated 2020, but the ‘return to normality’ drive will certainly take precedence this year.

“That said, Covid-19 has shaken up what people want from their homes. Buyers this year will be looking for those golden locations that offer an abundance of space and a quick commute.”

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