Armouries Way, Leeds, LS10 1

There is always something special about living near water but that something nearly always involves inflated prices so, while this is not Manchester’s Media City nor do residents of Magellan House have to suffer queuing for their morning latte behind Curly Watts off Corrie, so that’s a win. Admittedly this particular apartment does not actually overlook the water, having courtyard views but that is scarcely a problem when one considers its other advantages, like its attractively futuristic appearance and close proximity to the Royal Armories on the edge of the city centre with its bustling social and night-life and, this is before we begin to consider less obvious things. For example, following the dreadful fire in London’s Grenfell Tower this complex has been retro fitted with fresh cladding that fully complies with the new legislation, so being on the third floor need not cause any sleepless nights for our lucky buyer. One of the main considerations to think about when purchasing apartments is the length of time remaining on the lease but with 128 years still to run, however healthy you are and however much All Bran you eat before your latest 5 mile run, this is unlikely to become a problem. So, are there any disadvantages? Other than the unavoidable but in this instance hardly onerous ground rent and service charge, not really. The ground is payable via a company called Innovus and currently set at £200pa while the service charge is a more serious but for the area reasonable £3200pa.

Although invisible from the apartment, on the other side of the building lies Clarence dock, a haven for users of the inland waterways because the adjacent river Aire also feeds into the Aire & Calder canal and from where, should you wish to, you can access virtually the entire country. For those less adventurous it presents as a peaceful oasis indifferent to the hustle and noise of the surrounding city, somewhere to relax and recharge and better still, it’s on your doorstep. Venturing a scant few yards further into town, we are right in the middle of the action, where many and various pubs, clubs and restaurants vie for our attention and our custom, but you can never have too much choice and think of the money you’ll save on taxi fares. Everything I have mentioned thus far describes how attractive a proposition this is as an easily rentable property for a savvy investor, but what if you were a single person or a couple wanting it as a home or even a weekend pied a terre?

Arriving at Magellan House it is hard not to be impressed by its clean, modern to the point of futuristic, appearance and this is in spite of its being a far from new development. The apartment itself is found on the third floor but don’t panic, there are lifts and it is quickly apparent that the standard of construction is from the top drawer. Entering the small inner hall the bathroom is found on our left and in here, it is the quality of the fittings that immediately impresses. A large stainless steel heated towel rail doubles as a radiator and ensures you are always toastie warm while the adjacent walls are tiled from floor to ceiling in the same manner and style as the ceramic floor. The lavatory is set into the wall where the plumbing is completely concealed and this sometimes concerns me, as how to you change the ball cock? But then, I’m not a plumber and this is probably among the first lessons at plumbing school so I shouldn’t worry too much. The hand basin is also mounted on the wall and above it is a deep recess, the perfect place for the convenient storing of lotions, tooth brushes and so on. Beside here is the traditional bath which has been fitted with a glass side screen that prevents splashing from any over-enthusiastic use of the shower fitted above. The shower draws its hot water directly from the apartments heating system, thus eliminating the possibility of running out just as you are nicely lathered up or worse, having it suddenly run cold when you least expect it which can take the shine off anyone’s morning.
Beside here is a large storage cupboard, perfect for hiding away all those things that every home has but are hardly things of beauty; you know, ironing boards, wellies, the Hoover, old half empty pots of paint, we’ve all got them and no one needs to see them but in many lesser apartments you are not given the option.

Adjacent to here is the bedroom; a comfortably large double room that further maximises its available floor space thanks to the use of fitted wardrobes that remove the need for free standing furniture.

The remaining door off the hall takes us into the lounge and its attached kitchen, with their attractive and evidently high quality ‘wood’ flooring giving a neat and almost Scandinavian appearance. The lounge portion is bigger than an apartment has a right to, where even one of the enormous ‘L’ shaped settees so popular today is accommodated with ease and more importantly, without looking silly, while still leaving space for a proper dining table and matching chairs rather than something that looks as if it came from a camping shop. The room is kept delightfully bright and airy by the massive floor to ceiling windows which open Romeo & Juliet balcony style, allowing all the ventilation you could wish for, but without the faff of getting in the lift.
The attached kitchen is everything you could wish for, in that it is comprehensively equipped and in excellent condition with more storage space than two people could ever realistically need and a wealth of integrated appliances. If I am being critical, and this is purely a matter of personal taste I found the dark wood finish at odds with the lighter flooring but that is like the ungrateful 21 year-old being given a car and complaining it is the wrong colour... Beyond that it is hard to fault and as an added bonus, having completed your latest culinary masterpiece, it is three paces to the table so it will still be hot.
Summing up

All in all, this little gem is too good to miss, offering surprisingly spacious living accommodation in exactly the right position to make the most of a vibrant and fascinating city. It has the potential to provide a substantial income should you so choose or alternatively, it gives you an undemanding and easily maintained home at surprisingly little cost. What’s not to love? You know it makes sense.