London Property Special: Berkeley Homes: Luxury amid historic London locales

Berkeley, founded in 1976 and today one of the United Kingdom's best-known developers of new homes, sets superior standards for UK residential development as it works with Britain's top design studios to create some of the most imaginative luxury homes in all of London and its environs.

Berkeley is currently partnering with leading global real estate agency Colliers International on four London properties of note.

"Each of the properties has distinct character, is well-appointed, located in a desirable London neighborhood and ideal as an investment," says Ashley Osborne, Colliers' executive director of international properties in Asia Pacific.

75 Leman Street

On the doorstep of the City of London - the world's thriving financial hub - and moments away from the historic West End, 75 Leman Street is the pristine restoration of a grand early 20th century building into stunning one, two and three-bedroom residences.

Architect Tara Bernerd, who heads one of London's top design studios, designed the apartments and penthouses, combining urbane contemporary furnishings with elegant period features such as high ceilings, arched windows and a grand central staircase.

The penthouses, a new addition to the original building, have floor-to-ceiling windows and afford sweeping views of the city and Canary Wharf.

As 75 Leman Street lies within the wider Goodman's Fields urban quarter, residents will also enjoy access to a private health club including a gym, pool and spa, new shops, bars and restaurants and two acres of landscaped parks and plazas.

Roman House

Roman House represents the rare opportunity to acquire a luxury residence in the very heart of the City of London, one of the world's great financial hubs.

As old as London itself, the location of Roman House places residents at the crossroads of the historic British capital and the international business world.

A landmark building re-imagined for city living, Roman House offers 90 luxuriously appointed apartments and penthouses, overlooking tranquil St Alphage Gardens and St Giles Church.

Roman House will be refurbished to reflect the modernist heritage of the current building while retaining its stately Portland stone facade.

The interiors, designed by award-winning architects Manser Practice, are inspired by the original Roman Wall adjacent to the development.

Saffron Square

Saffron Square is set to redefine residential living in southern London's Croydon borough, one of the city's key cultural centers.

At the Wellesley Road gateway on a site that has lain fallow for over a decade, Berkeley is launching a landmark mixed-use development incorporating an iconic 45-story tower and new public town square.

The development will have 719 private residential studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses.

The decor of the apartments in the tower will suggest understated elegance with interiors colored in muted pink and mauve tones to represent the image of a crocus flower. Large windows will provide expansive views across the Croydon skyline and beyond.

At the heart of Saffron Square lies a new landscaped public square that will be flanked by cafes, bars and shops. Designed to be accessible to all, the square will be a convenient recreational area for everyone in the community.

Caspian Wharf

Caspian Wharf is a new waterside development in the up-and-coming Bow area. It consists of a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses with stunning views of Canary Wharf, the City of London and the Limehouse Cut Canal. Just a few minutes from Caspian Wharf lies Stratford's Olympic Park and its lasting legacy of the regeneration of East London.

Contact the writer at zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn.