Croydon can't possibly be rich in culture... can it?

Although some may be accustomed to seeing Croydon as 'just a town', many others - especially actual past and present residents of the area - appreciate just what a wealth of culture this part of London has to offer.

Indeed, it is this cultural richness that is one of the main attractions for people who are considering living in Croydon, particularly ISLAND, which is one of the locality's most desirable property developments yet.

Music lovers will be stuck for choice

Croydon is home to the infamous Brit School, which has spawned music stars such as Adele, Amy Winehouse and the Kooks, to name a few.

Fairfield Halls, meanwhile, is a long-established venue that plays host to some of the biggest names in music, comedy and theatre. The Beatles, Queen and Johnny Cash have all played here, to name just a small proportion of past distinguished guests.

Appearances in the media

If you are contemplating a new life in Croydon, the likelihood is that you have had a good look around the area already, even if you have never visited in person, thanks to several popular TV shows.

Popular Channel 4 comedy Peep Show is set in the town, while ITV police drama The Bill also had many of its scenes filmed here. Croydon has also appeared on many other TV shows and even music videos.

The main conference hall of the aforementioned Fairfield Halls was also used in the opening of blockbuster film The Da Vinci Code, so keep your eyes peeled.

Don't be fooled by the 'old' Croydon!

Are those the only captivating cultural sights and sounds in Croydon? Not in the slightest, as there’s also an abundance of theatres, libraries and sightseeing opportunities for you to take in as a Croydon resident. Quite frankly, you'll never have a boring moment when living here.

Tempted to make the big move? If so, get in touch with us about an ISLAND penthouse or apartment - there really is very little better accommodation in which to make your debut in the English capital, especially at this price point.

Contemporary living without the London price tag

Every one of the rooms at ISLAND is equipped with state-of-the-art appliances in both the bathroom and kitchen, and comes with multimedia network cabling and a Freeview connection as standard. With regard to latter, you also have the choice to upgrade to Sky satellite TV.

With 24-hour security, an electronically secured car park and an audio/video entry phone system for each apartment, there’s no safer or otherwise superior place in Croydon than ISLAND to consider for your next move.For more information about the area or ISLAND or to make an enquiry about available penthouses or apartments, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

IYLO emerges triumphant after years of ups and downs

The London skyline has become dotted with an increasing number of extremely high quality, sustainable developments in recent years. That couldn't possibly be a more welcome sight after a late 2000s economic slowdown that was as difficult to predict as it was catastrophic. One flagship construction project after another ran into trouble as it became perilously difficult to access funds from the banks - with one such project being the IYLO building, Croydon. 

Many of these ambitious flagship developments, of course, bit the dust altogether, with so many others having their futures thrown into severe doubt. However, if there was one project among these that showed its ability to bounce back from setback after seemingly terminal setback, it was IYLO. Now renamed ISLAND, this impressive 20-storey tower in an advantageous, newly regenerated South London location had seemingly everything going for it when construction began in 2007 - but then problems began.

The situation looked good until 2009, when HBOS - the funding source for the project - entered administration, and although construction had re-commenced by late 2010, the spectre of administration again struck in mid-2011, this time for the construction company itself. Another period of certainty ensued, and it is to the credit of everyone involved with the project that building work was able to begin once more from the middle of 2013, after the purchase of the site by Regency Homes Ltd.

Now, with funding finally securely in place and the local, national and global economy all returning to the favourable conditions that were so sadly lacking back in 2009 and 2011, the one-time IYLO building in Croydon is realising the potential that it has always deserved to realise. One would barely imagine such a rocky past when surveying the current structure's progress towards its newly estimated 2015 completion date.

Not only is ISLAND in the right location, surrounded by a wider Croydon that is set to explode into desirability in the coming years with the arrival of such associated major projects as the nearby Westfield mall, but the building's specifications are also hugely impressive, living up to the most demanding expectations of luxury London living in croydon. From engineered wooden flooring and underfloor heating with multiple zones to the most generously appointed living/kitchen areas, bathrooms, bedrooms and communal areas, so many aspects of the current ISLAND tower more than match the wildest dreams for the project back in 2007.

Now, it's the perfect opportunity for those contemplating living here to enquire about one of the available apartments in croydon  - while they still can.

Editor’s Note: ISLAND (http://www.islandcroydon.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Did You Know These Important Things About Living in Croydon?

Croydon is undergoing a radical change, and it’s a change that will start to become more evident in the next five or so years.  Whereas residing in Croydon was once seen as perhaps a second choice, Croydon is undergoing a radical redevelopment.  Current trends in re-urbanisation coupled with visionary plans for revitalisation are set to change Croydon from a forgotten neighborhood into a world-class destination within the greater London area.

#1: Re-Urbanisation is a Historically Documented Phenomenon   

Croydon and the Island redevelopment project are standard in best practices regarding urban planning and community revitalisation.  Typically, urban planners will find a location that is within easy reach of a city centre but also provides the benefits of living a little further from the heart of a major metropolis, such as Croydon.  Development typically starts with a centerpiece from which the community can build around, such as the Island residential skyscraper.  In the end, more attractive options for living in Croydon coupled with superior options for real estate typically attract additional commerce.  Many people want to make their commutes to work easier while still enjoying family life.  Thus, communities such as Croydon are revitalised.

#2:  The Value of Investing in Real Estate During the Revitalisation Phase

Many investors understand the inherent value of getting in on a good deal early.  Living in Croydon will likely be very different five years in the future.  Investing today can help residents get the most for their money.  Similarly, investing as soon as possible can help investors maximize returns.  Instead of only thinking about investing in a residential unit in the Island skyscraper, conceptualize your investment as investing in a dynamic community.

#3: What Typically Happens After Successful Redevelopments are Complete

Once redevelopments such as the Croydon redevelopment are well underway or complete, prices for homes and business spaces typically skyrocket.  Others are attracted to the unique proposition of being in a prime location with a great community, and the accommodation in Croydon will likely continue to improve.  Naturally, real estate prices and places in state schools become more exclusive as the quality of living continues to demonstrate an upward trend.     

#4: Get the Most for Your Money and a Better Quality of Life

Investing in Croydon real estate such as the residential units in Island Croydon can be a huge benefit later on.  Plus, it will be fine in the relatively short interim.  It will likely be a few years for Croydon’s transformation to be complete, but savvy homebuyers and investors can get the best results and superior accommodation in Croydon by investing in residential buildings such as Island today. 

See the Island development for yourself, with Phase 1 completion show apartments (including 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments) open to the public from 26^th October, 2013.

Editor’s Note: Island Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com/) is represented by the search engine optimisation and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959.

Croydon - a fascinating past and enchanting future

Many of those presently on the lookout for houses in Croydon are doubtless keeping a close eye on the ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) development, which comprises 183 apartments and penthouses and promises to combine the finest skyline living with a price tag somewhat lower than one might expect of London. With Phase 1 now available and show apartments open, the elegant 20-storey tower is a major part of Croydon's future, but what prospective residents may not be so aware of is the rich history of this often unjustly unsung area.

There is uncertainty as to the origins of the name Croydon. Some have suggested that the name must have Anglo-Saxon in origin, as is the case for most of the surrounding place names. John Corbett Anderson has cited 962 as the year in which Croydon was first mentioned, in the joint will of Beorhtric and Aelfswth, an Anglo-Saxon document. In the late Saxon period, long before today's penthouses in Croydon came to be, Croydon was the hub of a large estate in the possession of the Archbishops of Canterbury, with the area still known as Old Town being the location of the church and the archbishops' manor house.

Fast-forward to 1276, and Croydon's development as an urban centre truly began with the acquisition by Archbishop Kilwardby of a charter for a weekly market. As Croydon became one of north east Surrey's main market towns, by the 16th century, the manor house gradually took the form of a substantial palace. Those looking for houses for sale in Croydon may be interested to learn that many of Croydon Palace's original buildings still continue in use today, as Old Palace School. The current Croydon Minster, meanwhile, has its origins in a Perpendicular-style Parish Church that succumbed to fire in 1867, its replacement being designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

By the mid-19th century, Croydon had become a significant leisure destination, helped by the coming of the Industrial Revolution and the railway. Between 1801 and 1901, Croydon's population rose 23-fold. The Victorian middle classes came to love this pleasant, leafy residential suburb given the ability that it gave them to easily commute to the City of London - an advantage appreciated by many of those now living in Croydon. Over the subsequent decades, the High Street was widened, transport links continued to grow and the area become an even more significant economic centre.

Today, it's not difficult to understand the sheer popularity of flats for sale Croydon, with the modern town being a key shopping centre as well as home to several arts venues, such as the Fairfield Halls, Ashcroft Theatre and Warehouse Theatre. Increasingly, newcomers to London are appreciating Croydon for so much more than its transport links - and as development continues, that is sure to be reflected in demand for the new ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) apartments and penthouses.

Editor’s Note: ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

ost of the surrounding place names. John Corbett Anderson has cited 962 as the year in which Croydon was first mentioned, in the joint will of Beorhtric and Aelfswth, an Anglo-Saxon document. In the late Saxon period, long before today's penthouses in Croydon came to be, Croydon was the hub of a large estate in the possession of the Archbishops of Canterbury, with the area still known as Old Town being the location of the church and the archbishops' manor house.

Fast-forward to 1276, and Croydon's development as an urban centre truly began with the acquisition by Archbishop Kilwardby of a charter for a weekly market. As Croydon became one of north east Surrey's main market towns, by the 16th century, the manor house gradually took the form of a substantial palace. Those looking for houses for sale in Croydon may be interested to learn that many of Croydon Palace's original buildings still continue in use today, as Old Palace School. The current Croydon Minster, meanwhile, has its origins in a Perpendicular-style Parish Church that succumbed to fire in 1867, its replacement being designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

By the mid-19th century, Croydon had become a significant leisure destination, helped by the coming of the Industrial Revolution and the railway. Between 1801 and 1901, Croydon's population rose 23-fold. The Victorian middle classes came to love this pleasant, leafy residential suburb given the ability that it gave them to easily commute to the City of London - an advantage appreciated by many of those now living in Croydon. Over the subsequent decades, the High Street was widened, transport links continued to grow and the area become an even more significant economic centre.

Today, it's not difficult to understand the sheer popularity of flats for sale Croydon, with the modern town being a key shopping centre as well as home to several arts venues, such as the Fairfield Halls, Ashcroft Theatre and Warehouse Theatre. Increasingly, newcomers to London are appreciating Croydon for so much more than its transport links - and as development continues, that is sure to be reflected in demand for the new ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) apartments and penthouses.

Editor’s Note: ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Croydon is seeing a flowering of culture

Those buying houses in Croydon haven't always imagined that they are investing in a cultural epicentre, but this part of greater London is certainly an up-and-coming one as far as the arts are concerned. You might imagine, as an investor in ISLAND (http://www.islandcroydon.com), that the stylish and well-priced accommodation itself is enough of an attraction, given the area's strong transport links to other parts of the capital. But actually, Croydon itself not only has a great cultural heritage, but also a fine cultural future.

One of the first obvious cultural attractions to turn to for those living in Croydon is the Fairfield Halls, which since its opening in 1962, has welcomed a host of famous acts to its large concert hall and theatre, from the Beatles, Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers to Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick and Morecambe and Wise. You may even recognise the main concert hall as the conference setting in the film adaptation of The Da Vinci Code, starring Tom Hanks. Meanwhile, the Warehouse Theatre should not be missed by those eager to see some of the capital's undoubted new comedy, writing and theatre talent.

Various other small comedy and community venues in Croydon simply wait to be discovered, with the professionally led Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation set to celebrate its 50th birthday in 2015. The thriving local music scene is another good explanation for the popularity of apartments in Croydon like those of ISLAND. After all, this part of the capital was so instrumental in the development of the dubstep genre, with local artists, DJs and producers in the genre including Benga, Skream, DJ Chef, Digital Mystikz and Timi Korus.

The local rock scene is also a healthy one, producing such star acts as Noisettes and Frankmusik, while the famous Selhurst-based BRIT School can count the likes of Adele, Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis and Jessie J among its alumni. But perhaps such an impressive music past and present shouldn't be so surprising to those on the lookout for accommodation in Croydon like ISLAND, given that Selhurst was also home to composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor until his 1912 death. Croydon was also home to various important literary figures, including Norwood resident Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, French novelist Emile Zola and the novelist and poet D. H. Lawrence.

Croydon's prominence in more recent popular culture extends to appearances in TV programmes like ITV police drama The Bill and the sitcoms Terry and June and Peep Show. Truly, for those who are prepared to look around, the area's cultural associations are many. What's more, this already potent local arts scene looks set to go from strength to strength with the arrival of such sought-after urban developments as the ISLAND (http://www.islandcroydon.com) apartments and penthouses for sale Croydon.

Editor’s Note: ISLAND (http://www.islandcroydon.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Educational Opportunities for Young Scholars in Croydon

The ISLAND residential development is a fine accommodation in Croydon, a modern luxury building that offers security, privacy, great views of the city, and a number of other amenities. Located in the heart of the borough of Croydon, the ISLAND offers convenient access to the area’s many amenities. Retail, fine dining, and nightlife are all within walking distance of the building, not to mention the many museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions in Croydon.

There are also a number of educational opportunities in the area, which should be of special interest to students and young families living in Croydon.  

The Whitgift School

The Whitgift School is a historic London institution, providing day school and boarding accommodation in Croydon for around 1,300 boys. The school was founded in 1596 as a school for orphans and needy children. Today, it is one of the most exclusive private academies in the country, accepting new pupils only after they pass rigorous entrance exams and go through an interview process. The school is quite large for a private academy in London, but a high number of scholarships and bursaries are awarded every year. Grants and scholarships provided by the Whitgift Foundation pay for about 50 percent of the average student’s school fees.

Dulwich College

Dulwich College is another historical academy for boys in the Croydon area. It is considered one of the top 10 schools for academics in the country. It typically has around 200 students between the ages of six and 18 total at any given time, and 30-40 of them are generally accepted to Oxford or Cambridge in a given year. The school also has a proud sporting tradition. The school’s rugby team has been a force to be reckoned with for nearly 100 years, and the school owns and maintains a boating club with a private boathouse on the River Thames.

Streatham & Clapham High School

While the Whitgift School and Dulwich College only house boys, Streatham & Clapham is a private school exclusively for girls. Housed in a gorgeous Victorian building in the neighborhood of Croydon, Streatham & Clapham admits students between the ages of three and 18. Classes offered at the school are varied. Students get a strong foundation in the basics of mathematics, English, and other core subjects, and then are able to choose an academic track. Elective classes are offered in art and music, theater, Classics, information technology, foreign languages, business, political science and religious education.

Living in Croydon has rarely been easier or more luxurious than in one of the apartments at the ISLAND.

Editor’s Note: Island Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com/) is represented by the search engine optimisation and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959.

Reasons To Invest In Properties In Croydon

Croydon is located in the heart of south London, and is a thriving hub that offers a great place to live for any person looking to relocate.  This area links central London with the south coast and the Surrey countryside, and allows for residents to partake of the peace of living in the country while being close to the hustle and bustle of the downtown arena.  Croydon also functions as a gateway to the London Gatwick International Airport, making travel convenient and easy for all residents.  Flats in Croydon are affordable and conveniently located, and the following are several reasons why you should invest in properties in Croydon.

Variety Of People

Houses in Croydon are home to close to 342,000 residents, making this a great place to live for anyone who loves to be around and meet new people.  Properties in Croydon are also available in secluded areas that speak to those who work in the city, but love to enjoy the quiet nature of the countryside.

Easy Access To London

Croydon is located only ten miles from central London, and accessing the city is easy by tube, tram, rail, or bus.  Flats in Croydon give you the opportunity to live close to the city, but not be bothered by the busyness of living right in the center of London.  It’s easy to enjoy the many attractions that London has to offer and then retreat back to your home in Croydon to relax and unwind.

Employment Opportunities

Over fifty percent of the employment in the city of Croydon is made up by banking, insurance, finance, hotels, restaurants, and distribution jobs.  For anyone who is looking for employment in these particular industries, Croydon offers a wealth of opportunities for you.  Croydon also hosts over seven million square feet of office space, making this area one of the most important office hubs for London. 

Growing Business Opportunities

In the space of one year, from January 2009 to January 2010, almost two hundred companies relocated to the Croydon area from other areas around the United Kingdom.  Not only does this open up employment opportunities throughout the area, but is also makes Croydon a great place to partake of the services that are offered by each of these companies that have created bases in this particular area.

Peace And Prosperity Combined

Living in Croydon allows you to enjoy the beautiful British countryside, and be part of the peace and beauty that comes with it.  Croydon living allows you to enjoy this part of the British country without sacrificing the conveniences that are central to the busy city.  Jobs and attractions are a short commute away, while the beauty of nature can be your backyard when you purchase a Croydon property.

Discover the unrivalled investment opportunity represented by the development ISLAND Croydon at http://www.islandcroydon.com/.

Editor’s Note: Island Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com/) is represented by the search engine optimisation and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959.