Hidden gem. Undiscovered beauty. Rising star. Shining example.
These are just some of the superlatives that regularly creep into the conversation when people are trying to sell something that is neither hidden, undiscovered, rising nor shining!
Major redevelopment.
Another couple of words that can be casually thrown out, for example, by an over-keen shopping centre developer trying to sell retail space.
However, when a very famous area in London, originally a hive of activity in its heyday – but latterly over the ensuing decades somewhat run down – is described as undergoing a “major redevelopment”, people tend to take a little more notice.
And when this major redevelopment includes the relocation of the headquarters of one of the UK’s most respected brands – Marks and Spencer – from its former headquarters on the iconic Baker Street, people start to take a lot more notice!
Such is the case with the Paddington Basin area of Paddington, which is so-named after the nearby canal basin that marks the terminus of the Paddington Arm of the Grand Junction Canal, originally opened in 1801. After many decades of decline, work started on the area in 2000, turning it into the redeveloped, thriving centre it has become today.
It has now been transformed into a vibrant and dynamic area of revitalised, mixed commercial, residential and retail space, served by exceptional national and international transport linkages. The basin itself has incomparable rail, road and London Underground connections (Edgware Road and Paddington), including a direct link to Heathrow Airport served by a 15-minute express.
The Clarendon serviced apartments in Paddington Basin are ideally located for the extended stay guest, whether purely for business, or for business during the process of a relocation. Coupled with the excellent transport links, the shopping, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities all contribute towards the balanced lifestyle necessary to ensure the highest levels of comfort and productivity for the extended or long-stay executive.
The roomy and bright living areas within the Balmoral and Westcliffe serviced apartment developments of the West End Quay are complemented by fully-equipped, open-plan kitchens and separate bedrooms, offering the height of spaciousness and comfort.
The Forset Court development by Clarendon has only recently undergone a major refurbishment. These roomy, modern one-bedroom serviced apartments have been carefully restored and redesigned with the longer-staying guest in mind. Many of the original Art Deco features have been retained, and the high ceilings and contemporary soft furnishings that have been used throughout create a feeling of sumptuousness and luxury.
However, Clarendon Serviced Apartments appreciate that it’s not just style alone that is important for the modern, extended-stay apartment., The spacious and well-designed dining areas are complemented by fully-equipped kitchens, all featuring the necessary mod cons such as full-hob cooker and oven, dishwasher, and washing machine. All apartments have separate bedrooms and a full family bathroom.
The Clarendon apartments are only a short walk from Marble Arch and one of the world’s great shopping boulevards, Oxford Street. The apartments are equidistant from the wide open space that is Hyde Park, with the theatres and restaurants of the West End only a few stops away via public transport – or, for the more energetic, less than half-an-hour’s walk.
Sadly, you won’t see Paddington Bear tucking into his trusty pot of marmalade, although do keep an eye out for the large bronze statue of him at the foot of the escalator in Paddington Station!