Galliard Homes’ east London scheme is now complete, with buyers able to view finished flats
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“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
“They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages”.
While it’s almost certain Jaques isn’t describing The Stage development in Shoreditch by Galliard Homes when he utters these words in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, they nevertheless resonate pretty well with the scheme.
Built on the site of the Bard’s Curtain Theatre whose remains were discovered during construction, the £750million, 37-storey tower has been seven years in the making rather than seven ages.
It does, however, boast entrances and exits – although they are among the least of the attractions in a building of many parts.
Its 412 apartments, ranging in size from studios to four-bedroom duplex penthouses sit atop a wealth of facilities in one of the capital’s most vibrant areas.
Prices start at £750,000 for a studio, £830,000 for a one-bed, £1.3millon for a two-bed and £2.5milion for a three-bed.
Prices for the penthouses have yet to be released, with rumours of a Valentine’s Day launch next year – apt, as the Curtain may well have been the site of the first performance of Romeo And Juliet.
During construction, archaeological evidence was uncovered indicating the area was very much a cultural quarter in Elizabethan times with Londoners in crowds of up to 1,400 flocking there to see plays such as Henry V, and to eat and drink.
As part of the development, the remains of The Curtain will be preserved as a major component of the new Museum Of Shakespeare, which is expected to open its doors next year.
More immediately of concern, however, are the properties that tower above the forthcoming attraction.
Tucked away off Great Eastern Street, a five-minute walk from Liverpool Street, the structure offers impressive views over the surrounding area, especially to the north which has many buildings of lesser stature.
“The really good news here for buyers is that we’re finished,” said David Galman, sales director for The Stage.
“We offer a brilliant customer journey for people interested in making a purchase.
“When you’re selling off-plan, there’s less of a connection with the buyer.
“Here, there’s an opportunity to build a relationship – a proper viewing at The Stage is a minimum of an hour.”
That’s partly because there’s a lot to see.
The tower’s two basement levels offer some 13,700sq ft of space staffed by a dedicated games and amenities concierge to ensure services are running smoothly.
Facilities include a two-lane bowling alley, a golf simulator, a pool table, air hockey, table tennis and a selection of arcade games.
There are also two screening rooms – both decorated with film posters of Shakespeare adaptations – a gym, changing rooms and a Yoga studio.
In addition, The Stage boasts a boardroom space and working facilities, including booths and a breakout area for use by residents.
Then there’s the 32nd floor sky lounge and terrace, complete with a bar and seating area. Various facilities can be booked by residents for private parties and events through the 24-hour concierge service.
“We always start by showing prospective buyers the amenity spaces,” said David.
“Today’s buyers want access to state-of-the-art amenities, and this is where The Stage stands out, with our underground amusement arcade, flexible workspaces and stunning sky terrace overlooking London.
“We are very proud to show the lifestyle on offer, an unparalleled experience in a sought-after location.
“Obviously, it’s a different conversation with an investor, who is primarily concerned with what a property will rent for and how much it’s likely to appreciate over time.
“But these properties have got to be among the easiest to let in London at the moment. You just show people the amenities on offer.”
As for the properties themselves, David said their size was a key selling point.
Each includes a private balcony, oak engineered flooring as well as brushed bronze and exposed brickwork details.
They boast mood lighting, multi-room speaker systems and bespoke entertainment units with 50” TVs and Sonos playbars.
Kitchens come with oak units, white quartz worktops and Miele integrated appliances.
Bathrooms feature ceramic herringbone tiles, white sanitaryware, Crittall-style shower doors and 22” TVs over the baths or in showers.
Bedrooms come with full height fitted wardrobes and, along with living areas, benefit from comfort cooling systems.
David said: “These properties and the communal areas of the building provide really great accommodation.
“That might suit a domestic buyer, but The Stage is in an international location.
“People come to live in London from around the UK and around the world.
“There are also students who come here with parents who can afford to purchase apartments like these.
“There are also three penthouses, which we’re not releasing to the market quite yet.
“They are fabulous too, extending to between 2,200sq ft to 2,600sq ft and they are all duplexes.
“Each has good outside space and they offer stunning views.”
The Stage is located on the edge of the City within easy walking distance of myriad amenities including Broadgate and Spitalfields.
Nearby Liverpool Street station offers a multitude of Tube and rail connections.
Total journey time to Canary Wharf is around 15 minutes via the Elizabeth Line.
Find out more about The Stage here
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- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
