The Altrincham-based company behind a new development of 14 “architecturally stunning” homes says there is nothing else like it in Cheshire’s Golden Triangle.
Bowdon Homes is renowned for delivering luxury, bespoke developments across Altrincham and the North West, and a recent project also saw it successfully deliver 34 homes close to Saddleworth in Greater Manchester.
Now, working with Altrincham architect Calderpeel, it is building 14 luxury detached homes in a picturesque location just five minutes’ drive from Wilmslow town centre.
With prices starting from £1.8million, the exclusive development - called Lowood - is almost unique in the area and while construction will not be complete until August, several properties have already been reserved.
Particularly unusual is the setting, with the development bounded to the east by Forestry Commission land and to the north by local ecological treasure, Lindow Moss.
“To find a property so immersed in nature, you would normally be house hunting in rather more remote locations,” says Michael Thompson, from estate agents Gascoigne Halman.
“Buyers at Lowood can step out of their properties and straight into 60 acres of natural beauty at Lindow Moss but equally are within minutes of all the amenities Wilmslow has to offer. It really is the best of both worlds.
“There is simply nothing quite like Lowood on the market in Wilmslow.”
Family-run housebuilder Bowdon Homes, established in 2007, has worked on an impressive array of bespoke residences in the local area, with recent projects including the 5,000 sq ft Groby House in Bowdon.
Founder Paul Masterson, who started as an apprentice joiner at Manchester City Council, built up a successful home improvement company specialising in bespoke conservatories and high end window and door replacements, before a management buy-out in 2007.
Alongside this business he had started to develop small blocks of apartments, and following the buy-out, decided to follow his passion for architecture build and design by setting up Bowdon Homes.
He led the way in creating bespoke new-build homes in the Bowdon and Altrincham area, often using influences from his travels in Italy and France to inspire designs. “My passion was always about sitting down with architects and creating interesting architectural spaces,” he says.
The Lowood development, which has a gross development value of £26m, is certainly that.
Sited along a private undulating road, the detached four and five-bedroom properties are positioned in small clusters around shared landscape courtyards that are designed to foster community and security.
Each home features an air source heat pump with underfloor heating, SieMatic kitchen appliances and Tissino bathrooms with the option for buyers to select their own colour choices.
Residents will enjoy private access to Lindow Moss via a gateway into the ancient wetland, which as part of the plans is now under the stewardship of newly formed Friends of Lindow Moss.
“We're tried to think about how people live in 2024, so the kitchen is a huge home hub,” says Masterson.
“The first thing I like to do is create a sense of height and space. It's a bit of a trademark in my houses - the entrance doors at Lowood are two and a half metres high.
“Upstairs we've created some really dramatic spaces. The master bedroom is nearly six metres high, for instance. There is a cost to doing that but you just create really nice spaces.
“Our focus at Bowdon Homes is on creating spaces that work for every family and we are confident we have achieved that here with properties that are both highly flexible and future-proofed.”
Masterson believes that Wilmslow is currently undergoing something of a renaissance.
“When I was growing up everyone aspired to be in Wilmslow,” he adds. “You didn't really think of Hale - Wilmslow has always been the centre of the Golden Triangle.
“It did fall behind a bit in the superhome boom, but there's been a transformation in the last five years. There are lots of new bars and restaurants, and Cibo and Piccolino have recently opened.”
The most expensive property on the development has already been reserved, and by late February 30% of the whole site had been reserved.
Masterson believes it’s because buyers are getting real luxury combined with a sense of community.
“Lowood really is in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, it’s tree-lined and tranquil and the only sounds to be heard are birds chirping away,” he said.
“I think sometimes people can be a bit too obsessed with privacy and falsely believe that large gates give you increased security. Actually, the best security comes from community living, and here at Lowood people can enjoy that peace of mind in their own 3,500 sq ft space and quarter-acre plot that we have very carefully created.”
