With recent Land Registry figures indicating a 21% growth in property prices in Putney, it is no surprise savvy buyers are flocking to the area to secure a good investment.* The area has not only attracted investors on a residential level but also on a commercial one, with The Putney Exchange recently receiving an impressive reconfiguration. Upper Richmond Road in particular is a new hotspot in the SW15 postcode and has welcomed a multitude of new developments in the past year along with a new Little Waitrose and a string of bars and restaurants. Mrs Kapulainen, 38, and her husband Mr McDowell, 40, were some of the first purchasers at London Square Putney, a new development of 113 one, two and three bedroom cutting-edge apartments, designed by internationally-acclaimed architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. Mrs Kapulainen and her husband bought a two bedroom apartment off-plan towards the end of 2014. Living just a 15 minute walk away from the development with their two sons, Callum, 12 and Oliver, 11, they were looking for a smart buy to let investment and an asset to pass onto their children in later life. Mrs Kapulainen comments:

“We had been aware of the London Square Putney development for some time as we live in the area and were looking to invest in this growing market to give our children some stability on the property ladder. We made sure we were on London Square’s database as we were keen to see the homes as soon as they launched, we were sure they would sell really quickly and were happy to be amongst the first people to view them.”

Mrs Kapulainen continues:

“As an interior designer, I was really impressed when looking around the show apartment. Internally the homes are spacious and the design is sleek and elegant, which was one of the selling factors for me as I knew this would be a great base for us to add some finishing touches and make the place a future home for Callum and Oliver.”

Apartments at London Square Putney have been designed to maximise the use of light and space, each with a balcony or winter garden. The apartments feature bespoke kitchens by Siematic, luxurious bathrooms, underfloor heating and multi-room audio systems. Mrs Kapulainen continues:

“We were adamant we wanted to find a property in Putney when looking to invest. Having lived in the area for 20 years we are familiar with the rental market and know we will be able to achieve a strong rental yield ahead of our sons moving into the property. The area is energetic and you can get in and out of the city really quickly. My husband commutes into The City each day so we are familiar with the transport links and were pleased to find the London Square development was located right in-between the mainline at Putney train station and the underground at Putney East tube.”

Mrs Kapulainen concludes:

“After we’ve let the apartment for a few years we’ll look to hand it over to our sons. It’s so hard for young people to get onto the property ladder at the moment so our ultimate goal when purchasing the property was to give them a secure investment. It will also be nice to have the boys so close by when they eventually fly the nest.”

As well as links to London Waterloo in only 17 minutes from Putney station, there is access on the District Line to the exclusive areas of Chelsea and Knightsbridge and the rail hubs of Victoria and Paddington. Commuter riverboat services run to Blackfriars and the nearby A3 runs straight into central London, whilst a short drive over Putney Bridge takes you to Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea. Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports are all accessible in less than 50 minutes. The shopping and lively café culture of Putney High Street is close at hand, blending upmarket brands with quirky independent retailers. Putney caters to all tastes, with over 30 restaurants and bars to choose from. For the active, there is also a Virgin Active gym opposite and open spaces nearby, including riverside walks, Wandsworth Park, Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park. London Square Putney will incorporate a south-facing private garden for residents, as well as communal roof gardens. Additionally, other facilities include a 24-hour concierge service, underground car parking where residents have the opportunity to purchase a space, as well as a new public plaza. Rebecca Littler, Sales & Marketing Director of London Square, said:

“With all the regeneration planned for Upper Richmond Road, along with the excellent connections into London, Putney is a brilliant choice for those looking for a smart investment. The location and design of London Square Putney is ideal for those wanting to live and work in the capital. At London Square we understand that buyers may be cautious when purchasing a buy to let property and we strive to do our upmost to ensure our investors feel as secure as possible in their choice. We have a dedicated team who can manage the rental process with good relationships with a number of London rental market, furnishing solution and financial experts which can make the buy to let experience a lot easier for our customers.”

*Land Registry, January 2015