Flats and maisonettes were once regarded as a lower form of accommodation than regular housing. Much of that was caused by new builds constructed after the war being small, cramped units designed to house a population that needed cheap housing. The designs took a further downward turn in the 1960’s as more and more people moved into suburbs to pursue work in major towns and cities and a fresh round of flat building eschewed, epitomised by the much maligned tower blocks that sprung up all over cities. The butt of many jokes, these concrete and steel behemoths housed many of the cities council tenants and further attacked the name of flats.
It wasn’t until the property boom of the 1990’s that, frustrated by a lack of good building space in regenerating areas, property developers began to become interested in the concept of luxury flats. Suddenly, the doyen of the council tenant became the must-have property for young professionals and city workers. Gone were the days of drab grey domiciles piled one on top the other, and go too are the desolate surroundings which they stood. Today’s flats are proud and pleasant.
Rather than the old concept of boxes on boxes, modern flats tend to be lower affairs and built into convenient civilised surrounding rather than patches of waste ground. Usually sited in an area befitting the inhabitants, flats are now built where people want them, and become part of the environment rather than something set aside from the hustle and bustle of the area.
Flats are now constructed in business areas, and within shopping centres. They are built around rejuvenated areas around docklands and quays where the old and jaded manufacturing areas have given way to commercial and shopping areas, and colourful centres of nightlife. Flats are now built with a specific demographic of customers in mind and are placed in an area appropriate to that group.
Just as the interiors of flats are now constructed to be light and airy rather than the cloying constructs of the post war era, the exteriors are also sculptured and eye-catching as befits their planned and cultured environment. Many flats are now built with extended balcony areas which give the flat and attractive and usable outside area that can be somewhere to relax or entertain while offering a view over the rest of the area.
Flats are now being planned when major construction are planned within city areas. The newly build Shard in London’s Quarter Quay is the city’s tallest building and is a collection of offices, shopping areas and entertainment venues. Up amongst its highest reaches are a collection of exclusive flats with magnificent views of the city.
