Covid 19 impact – how are developments changing to adapt to the new normal?

With the dawning realisation that there will be a long-term legacy to the way we live our lives post-Covid-19, a leading luxury property developer has created west London’s first purpose-built ‘Home From Home Office’ in its newest development. 

Euroterra Capital says Queen’s Gardens Residences at 9 Devonshire Terrace, near Hyde Park, will provide enhanced ‘working from home’ facilities within the development and close to residents’ individual apartments. 

The developer insists it has taken every consideration into account to help those living in the development to embrace the ‘new normal’. As well as extra remote working space, added security in communal areas, optimised space for online deliveries and seamless digital communications with fellow residents have all been introduced or enhanced.

A key focus of the new development is what Euroterra Capital calls its ‘Home from Home Office’. This pre-bookable office space within the building offers 24-hour access for residents who might be craving a different working environment, or who may be working online with colleagues in different time-zones and don’t want to disturb family or partners in their apartment. 

The space will be equipped with essential office devices such as an A3 printer and a 30-inch iMac computer, in addition to high-speed internet and high-definition cameras for video calls. Residents will be given a unique code to access the office suite, which also has access to refreshments and an ‘all-important wine cooler’.

Furthermore, within the communal areas of Queen’s Gardens Residences, Euroterra is introducing contactless deliveries, allowing for deliveries to be dropped-off into a secure ‘delivery vestibule’ which enables residents to collect their items via a ‘clean’ internal door.

The idea is that all deliveries will receive minimal contact from any other on-site personnel or residents, while also remaining secure until the delivery person has departed. Upon pick-up, the resident can also use a UV sanitiser to clean the package.

These new design features are all backed up by new signage, reminders on guidance for social distancing, an around-the-clock cleaning schedule of all communal areas and high-frequency touchpoints such as sanitisers at the lift area and internal doors.

Additionally, all porters and cleaning staff will wear gloves and masks, while there are audio speakers on each floor of the building for enhanced communication purposes if needed.

Technology has an even greater focus inside individual apartments, the developer insists. Euroterra Capital’s in-house architectural and interior design practice has carried out detailed analysis of the development’s floorplans to position internet routers, sound systems and electronic connections to help homeowners.

This includes those who are working from home, as well as those cooking whilst listening to music, enjoying an online workout or chatting with friends online whilst relaxing on the balcony. 

The team of designers is also set to undertake one-to-one consultations with new homeowners in the residence to offer ‘ergonomic optimisation’.

“Our development at Queens Gardens Residences comprises 11 apartments and is being used as a blueprint for how we intend to enhance our extensive Hyde Park portfolio of luxurious homes, post Covid-19,” Pantazis Therianos, chief executive of Euroterra Capital, said.

“We know that the way we are living has changed radically in the last few months and there are likely to be further changes along the way, but we believe that this development gives buyers confidence in making their home somewhere that makes this ‘new normal’ a little easier.”

Therianos added: “Euroterra Capital’s property portfolio is synonymous with its close proximity to Hyde Park or Regent Park - often positioned in London’s most iconic garden squares - so just as home buyers want access to safe and secure green spaces, they also want their homes to provide some peace of mind and practical solutions for when we can expect to be working from home more frequently.”

Last month, Therianos – who is also chief executive and founder of UK property firm Crystal Waters Global – outlined how the Greek property investment market was coping with Covid-19.