Developer launches £23m apartments scheme to rental market

A housebuilder has launched an apartments scheme, which represents the final phase of a £175 million residential development in Derby city centre.

Wavensmere Homes, the developer behind the Nightingale Quarter, has said that the £23 million Walton House, which comprises 103 one- and two-bedroom apartments, is currently in the final stages of its fit-out phase.

Located in London Road, between the Florence Nightingale Community Hospital and the Nightingale Quarter residents’ gymnasium, the final apartment block has taken 18 months to construct.

In total, the 18.5-acre development incorporates 125 family houses and 800 apartments, together with an extensive range of community amenities.

James Dickens, managing director at Wavensmere Homes, said: “Nightingale Quarter has been incredibly popular on the rental market ever since we completed the first tranche of homes here in 2021, with a new standard being set for quality city living in Derby.

“Buy-to-lets will always be popular at large developments such as this, but Walton House will be a premium, corporately managed building, with the added advantage that our ownership makes us even more invested in the long-term legacy of the entire site.”

The Florence Nightingale-designed former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary had lain derelict for a decade prior to Wavensmere Homes’ acquisition and start on site in 2019.

Walton House, which represents the final phase of the scheme, will become available for occupation in November.

It features solar PV roof panels with battery storage, to enable the green energy generated on site to be captured and used to power a proportion of the building’s electricity use.

7kW EV chargers and rapid charge bays are also installed into the new building, enabling residents of the 79 one-bed and 24 two-bedroom apartments to minimise their carbon footprint.

Derby estate agent Ashley Adams has been appointed to let the homes, which will be fully furnished to a premium specification by national interior design company Project Furniture Residential.

All residents at Nightingale Quarter have access to the residents’ indoor and outdoor gymnasiums, large co-working facility, and can also make the most of the community garden and running track around the circumference of the 18.5-acre development.

James said: “When we acquired this vacant site only six years ago, we set out to design a landmark scheme that embraced the DE1 location and didn’t turn its back on the city centre.

“We are proud that Nightingale Quarter’s 925 new homes have transformed the city living market, acting as the catalyst for thousands more to be delivered within central Derby.

“By installing new footpaths, cycle routes, roads, co-working space, a gym – and making a restaurant Nightingale Quarter’s new focal point – this redundant hospital site is once again a vibrant community asset.

“Marking the conclusion of six years of development activity with the launch of Walton House is the ultimate success story.”