Strutt & Parker Research names six real estate trends making their way to the UK from across the pond
The Coffice
If don’t fancy signing an office lease but dread the local coffee house guilt, then perhaps a coffice visit is in your future? Using an app on your phone, reserve dedicated workspace at the local coffee shop that has designated office space built-in. It is cheaper than a co-working space contract, but a bit more expensive than grabbing a table at your local Costa. An actual desk or a conference room for when you need it and a chance to have real world interactions with other businesses and people without any commitment.
The Bicycle Bias
The rise of cycling in the UK seems unstoppable – particularly in London where we have Boris bikes and the ever-expanding cycle super highway network. And it’s having a big impact on our cities. Running/cycling tracking app Strava has just created Strava Metro, for example. This new source of data shows bicycle movement patterns which are being used as a data source for city planners.
250 City Road, Shoreditch: It has more cycle spaces than flats – 1,486 to be exact
Micro Mansions
The UK’s housing shortage is well-documented, but what is the answer? One of the most realistic options might just be the residential micro home movement, which we call micro mansions. We’ve seen fantastic examples spring up across the globe from New York to Japan and yet this trend has yet to take off over here. It might be due to a deep-rooted British adversity to density or perhaps this trend is on its way to London any minute.
Green Dragon House, Croydon: Marketing as ‘micro living’, these one beds are only 310sqft, but come with extensive shared facilities
Makerplaces
A return to the days of making our own things, Makerplaces promote co-working space and an element of retail – a pop-up shop or food from a promising chef from the latest food truck phenomenon.
Greenwich Peninsula, Greenwich: Home to a designer-maker Christmas Market from 3 to 22 December
HEAL homes
HEAL stands for homes with Healthy Eating, Active Living – properties where wellbeing has been incorporated into the design and finish. Healthy living is not just about minimising toxins in the air, it is about creating stimulating spaces, reducing noise pollution and bringing the benefits of nature into homes through light and green spaces. Features include no electrical outlets near headboards and even vitamin D showers. They also incorporate the desire to interact with the outdoors, not just for fitness but also for nutrition with the ability to grow fruit and vegetables.
Woodberry Down, Stoke Newington: This scheme has a series of urban beehives for residents