Principle completes £200k-plus improvements programme at central London apartments

A major programme of improvement works at a luxury apartment block in central London has been successfully completed by Principle Estate Management.

Strathray House at 30/31 Marylebone High Street consists of ten two-bedroomed residences in five storeys above a commercial ground floor, each worth at least £1.1 million and bringing in rents averaging around £3,650 a month.

The works cost a total of £211,430 and included upgrading the main entrance door, modernising the lift, internal decoration and refurbishment throughout, and replacing the boiler.

Geovanni Pinto, the senior property manager at Principle who looks after Strathray House, explained that the apartments were in the middle of Marylebone Village, one of London’s most acclaimed shopping, dining and prime residential areas.

Mr Pinto said: “Our customers at Strathray House – which is just 15 mins from our London office – live in one of the best places in central London and, as a result, quite rightly expect their properties to be of the highest quality.

“It has been really rewarding to work with residents over the last few years to push through these major projects to enhance everything from the front door to the lift, and from the boiler to internal decoration.

“We carefully planned each project with its own focus as part of the overall works, and each one had its own challenges, with everything except the boiler replacement having significant impact on access through the communal areas.

“Obviously the boiler replacement came with its own separate issues of interrupted services, but we made sure this was minimalised by closely working with the contractor.

“To take on this many improvements within an overall plan meant that each one needed careful planning and execution to ensure they came all in on time and on budget.

“The success of the whole works really plays tribute to Principle’s vision statement to ‘positively impact the everyday lives of our communities’.”

The improvement works, which have taken place over the last three years, cost a total investment of £211,430. These included:

·         The lift modernisation completed by Target Lifts in 2021 at a cost £103,320.

·         Internal redecoration and refurbishment, including stone wall finishes to the ground floor and new light fittings throughout, completed by Definitive Interior Design in October 2022 at a cost of £90,000.

·         Boiler replacement, completed by S&F Services in March 2023 at a cost £15,860.

·         Main entrance door upgrade, completed by Barry Bros in February 2024 at a cost of £2,250.

Mr Pinto added: “Whilst the front door was minor compared to the other projects, it was required to complete the high quality of the internal refurbishment and to enhance security.”

Strathray House is managed on behalf of a head-leaseholder client. The freehold is owned by Howard de Walden Estate and, although there is no formal residents’ association, there are several very involved residents whom Principle has established a strong relationship with.

A spokesperson for the residents said: “We are so pleased with how Principle has looked after our building and seen all these projects through to completion.

“It is great to have such a positive relationship with our managing agent, as we can have strategic input where and when we want to but can then safely leave them to manage the practicalities.

“I must highlight Geovanni in particular, as he is very caring and conscious of the need to work with us, which is comforting.”

Rachael Hornby, associate director and head of Principle’s London office, added : “This successful project shows how working so positively with residents reaps rewards, with the partnership approach and long-term planning paying real dividends to our customers’ lives.”