Principle Estate Management has won the contract to manage a flagship collection of mansion flats considered to be the finest pre-World War II apartment blocks in Birmingham.
The head-leaseholder has appointed Principle to look after the 162 flats at Viceroy Close, which vary from one to five bedrooms across eight buildings on an eight acre site in Edgbaston, built in 1937 to a design by Mitchell and Bridgwater in conjunction with Gollins and Smeeton.
The development has individual sculptures by O'Connor Barrett above the doorways of all 15 entrances. Viceroy Close includes a porter’s lodge, also featuring a sculpture, that’s still used by the resident caretaker, its own post box still collected by Royal Mail and water from an artesian well. Heating and hot water is provided to all apartments via a communal heating system – now back in vogue in larger modern developments.
The head-leasehold interest was granted by The Honourable Dame Rachel Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe in 1935, great-grandmother to Sir Euan Calthorpe, who is the main beneficiary of the Calthorpe Estate today.
Principle was selected after consultation with the Residents’ Association for a new agent capable of dealing with maintenance issues, with a forward-thinking approach and a proven customer service attitude.
Ray Dickinson, chairman of Viceroy Close Residents’ Association, said: “We were impressed with Principle’s tangible proposal to care for our development as much as we do and to work with us formulating a strategic plan, as the development approaches 100 years of age.”
The head-leaseholder, said: “Principle has been selected based on its impressive and growing reputation.
“We feel reassured that the company is run by chartered surveyors with a real love for buildings, expert knowledge of the sector and who are prepared to look at individual instructions to provide a bespoke service tailored to suit unique properties such as Viceroy Close.”
Brett Williams, managing director at Principle, said: “It’s fantastic to have a client who listens to their residents and works with them.
“We are proud to be appointed to such a flagship development, one of our larger sites.
“I am an Edgbaston resident myself and so am keen to get involved and show we can make a difference.”
Principle Estate Management was launched a year ago by Mr Williams, the former head of residential property management at CPBigwood in Birmingham.
The company is based at Cornwall House in Lionel Street, Birmingham, and offers a national property management service.
