Girl power: what makes the perfect bachelorette pad
AS the number of high-earning single women purchasing property steadily rises, it’s fair to say we’ve entered the age of the bachelorette pad. “There has been a 15 per cent increase in the number of girls buying property alone in London over the last five years,” says George Franks, sales director of Douglas & Gordon estate agents. And what is it that makes a perfect bachelorette pad?
Jo Eccles, head of Sourcing Property, a buying agent with numerous female City clients, says: “There are quite a few single females looking for property at the moment and in my experience they tend to be more practical and sensible than men. They’re not so fussed about paying for fancy gadgets and TVs in the bath – they care about things like storage space rather than having curtains that open when you blink or snap.”
Storage is a big deal and bachelorettes should make sure their home-to-be has plenty of it. Bathrooms should be spacious and private (a second toilet for guests is essential); with storage for linen, hairdryers and surfaces for makeup and jewellery. In the bedroom, a decent closet – preferably a walk-in – is top of every sane woman’s list.
As for the rest of the property, it’s the feel of it that women care most about. It needs to be cosy and have a good flow, with well-maintained common areas. “Girls walk in and want there to be a lovely aura,” says Eccles. Guys think: let’s get as much space as possible. Bachelors are thinking: ‘where can I put the flat screen TV?,’ while the girls are thinking where can I put the sofa?” Women want open-plan kitchens, so they can chat and have a glass of wine with their friends when they entertain – men want it separate so they can shut dirty dishes away. Ladies also care a lot about greenery nearby and nice views. Sensible, aren’t we?
EATON PLACE, BELGRAVIA
Price: £4.65m
It doesn’t get better than this two-bedroom maisonette for the discerning bachelorette. An enormous master bedroom with a huge walk-in closet, en-suite bathroom,
under-floor heating and a roof terrace make it one of the loveliest properties on the market at the moment. www.beauchamp.co.uk, tel: 020 7499 7722.
PEMBRIDGE SQUARE, NOTTING HILL
Price: £4.25m
The master bedroom is the ultimate gal’s parlour with great feng shui, lots of space and a decadent bath. Two en suites show that a women’s bathroom is her lair and the rest of the three-bed duplex, refurbed in 1996, is in excellent condition. Two reception rooms, a study and a utility room demonstrate clever use of space. www. aylesford.com, tel: 020 7351 2383.
49 BISHOPS AVENUE, HAMPSTEAD
Price: On application
Reward your hard work with a flat six times the average UK house size on the famous Billionaire’s Row – one of 14 palatial properties at 49 The Bishops Avenue. Think massive terraces, enormous walk-in closets, huge baths and bathrooms and all the space you ever dreamed of. www.49thebishopsavenue.com, tel: 020 8731 7484.