Top Of The Class! Transformed Grade II Listed School In Dunstable Provides New Homes For Families, Professional Couples And First-time Buyers

An elegant Victorian school, located in Dunstable, is being transformed into a stunning residential development ideal for families, professional couples and first-time buyers, by leading developer Weston Homes.

Known as Ashton Grove, the new residential address launched on the 12th of January 2018, providing 113 converted and newly built homes, comprised of 93 one, two, and three bedroom apartments and 20 three and four bedroom houses.

Located off High Street North (A505), Ashton Grove stands on the site of the old Ashton Middle School and consists of the retained main Victorian school building, science building and gymnasium, built in 1887, now transformed to provide three period buildings providing loft-style apartments. It is complete with four newly built apartment buildings designed to complement the period buildings, alongside townhouses and semi-detached family houses.

The school was originally founded by philanthropist Frances Ashton in 1728 and became Dunstable Grammar School in 1888 when the grand Victorian building was opened, designed in the style of a large country house. It subsequently became Ashton Middle School, with high profile alumni including Gary Cooper and Kevin McCloud.

Weston Homes worked in conjunction with the council and the local community to safeguard the heritage of this prestigious site and the period school buildings will now sit alongside the complementary new build apartments and houses. The development is designed around a memorial garden and new public art space, an ideal setting for families with young children.

Dunstable is home to the Whitbread offices, the UK’s largest hospitality company, and is just a 23-minute train journey from Luton into central London, providing great transport links into the capital.

Ashton Grove is a short distance from the Dunstable Downs, a scenic landscape of winding tracks with footpaths through the beautiful chalk hills. Home to an abundance of wildlife and rare flowers, this is the perfect setting for family walks.

Bob Weston, Chairman and CEO of Weston Homes commented:

“Ashton Grove pays attention to both the heritage and future potential of the site. Set close to the scenic Dunstable Downs, this is an ideal residential address for both families and young professionals keen to invest in an area which is already seeing tremendous growth. With its superb transport links and reasonable pricing, now is the time to buy.”

The main Victorian building has a magnificent brick and stone façade with large bay and mullion windows and an ornate roofscape with gables and cupolas. It is being converted to provide 19 loft-style one and two bedroom apartments including the original library of the school which is being retained and transformed into a communal space within the development. The Victorian building combines retained period features including bay windows, vaulted ceilings and large period windows with a luxurious specification including modern kitchens and bathrooms to create new residences.

The Victorian science building is being converted to provide six one and two bedroom apartments with features including tall windows, generous ceiling heights and retained period details. The gymnasium building is being converted into five homes including duplexes with double height living areas with full height windows and galleried landings overlooking the atrium space.

Alongside the period buildings are the new apartment buildings, designed to modern specfications, but which respect the historic surroundings, and include floor to ceiling windows to the stylish one and two bedroom apartments.

The houses include three storey townhouses providing three or four bedrooms, living room, study and kitchen/family room. There are also two storey three bedroom houses, each with a spacious double reception room and kitchen breakfast room.

Each home at Ashton Grove will be built with Weston Homes’ signature high specification. The Oakwood designed kitchen will provide each resident with a stainless steel electric oven, ceramic hob and Caple chimney extractor as well as an integrated fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher. Residents will also be offered a choice of designer units and quartz stone worktops and upstands. Each kitchen will further provide a Fascino stainless steel sink with integrated removable chopping boards and an instant boiling tap.

The luxury family and en-suite bathrooms will be finished with a Fascino digitally controlled Smart Tap and Smart Mirror with LED lighting, shaver socket, digital clock and de-mist pad. The walnut vanity unit will add a smart touch to the bathroom and will also provide integrated storage space and a black porcelain worktop. Residents will also be given a choice of RAK Ceramics porcelain wall and floor tiles with either a matte or polished finish. Each bathroom will also have a Fascino Smart shower or bath.

Each apartment and house will be beautifully finished with forest oak doors and polished chrome ironmongery, matching wrapped door-lining architraves and skirting. Residents will be offered a choice of white oak or ebony oak strip wood flooring to the entrance hall, living area, dining area and kitchen. There will also be a choice of carpets for the bedrooms.

The living area and master bedroom will both be fitted with Sky television and telephone points and each home will be fully heated with gas fired radiators. All plots will also have private, allocated parking spaces.

Ashton Grove grants enviable transport links into London St Pancras (23 minutes) from Luton train station and a 20-minute drive to Luton airport. The area also offers a number of excellent educational facilities, ideal for families, with Central Bedfordshire College, Luton 6th Form College and the University of Bedfordshire all being within a ten-mile radius of Ashton Grove.

Visit the Sales & Marketing Suite and view the stunning new show home. Call 01582 818 455 for further information.

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