Ralph reviews a city centre apartment
As we launch ourselves headlong into Spring, I always love seeing the nicer weather and longer days entice more people out and about. At this time of year my thoughts turn to all the fun events my family and I will attend throughout the warmer months. Traditionally, summertime in our house is heralded by the Boodles May Festival of racing at Chester racecourse. My favourite day of the three-day race festival is Ladies Day. I simply love all the glitz and glamour and firmly believe that there should be a Pooches Day where the best dressed dogs are celebrated and rewarded with endless platters of sausages. I have pitched my idea via email to the Racecourse’s marketing department but as yet I have not heard back – no doubt their enthusiastic response celebrating my brilliant idea and offering me the position of head judge is in the post….
So how fortuitous was it that, during the Monday morning meeting (on Tuesday this week) I learnt that the subject of this week’s Ralph’s Review, is an apartment within the illustrious HQ building which overlooks the racecourse. This was meant to be, I thought to myself as I rushed off to don my best suit to get myself in race mood. Now, do I accessorise with my rather eye-catching but slightly garish orange and lime green silk scarf, or do I opt for the more traditional image and go for the Harris tweed scarf? Throwing caution to the wind I decided to go for the more outlandish option – after all, one has to make a statement as a debonair pug about town.
Feeling very pleased with myself I headed out the office with a decided swagger in my step and a sophisticated flick of my scarf. Dad hurried along in my midst, and we both made our way through Chester city centre with, I like to think, many an admiring glance cast our way. As we arrived outside the HQ building, I was struck as always, by its unique and distinctive presence in the city, not to mention, its stunning location overlooking the oldest (and most attractive) racecourse in the country.
Before we entered the building dad pointed out that we could have driven over as the apartment comes with its very own under ground parking space (as well as a handy storage area – that would be good to house all my many and varied toys).
Once inside the building we made our way to Apartment 9 on the upper ground floor. Stepping over the threshold, we found ourselves in an entrance hall with a door to our left which opened into a very attractive and contemporary family bathroom. A door to our right revealed an eminently useful utility room – the perfect place to store all those household bits and pieces so that the rest of the apartment can be the epitome of sleek and sophisticated city living.
Speaking of which, my next stop was the show-stopping open plan kitchen living space. With a stylish and contemporary kitchen at one end (filled with Miele appliances – some of my favs), the living space boasts floor to ceiling double glazed windows with stunning views of the racecourse. Oh my goodness I thought to myself, bedecked with a set of binoculars one would have the best “seat in the house”. I envisaged a “Race Day party” with all my about town pals. They would be sporting their most on trend harnesses and coats whilst they lined up at the window barking their support to all the brave horses. In the meantime, I would be floating around the room, offering a sausage hors d’oeuvre here and a bacon canape there – the perfect host!
Shaking my head I brought myself back to the present and whispered a question to dad – could we come back later in the week? Say Thursday for Ladies Day for a second viewing. He gave a wry smile and said that he liked my thinking. With a frantic wag of my tail, my hope remained until I heard the sorrowful words “sadly not”! Never one to dwell, I wandered right up to the window, and with my nose pressed against the glass, took in the majestic view in front of me. To my delight, when I turned to my right I saw a glazed patio style door which led into a sunroom, also with a panoramic view of the racecourse. Oh wow, if I were to live here, I could invite even more of my friends over for what would become my infamous Race Day Parties – I could invite the country bumpkin brigade – the ones whose staples are log fires, romps through the mud and twigs and leaves stuck in their ear hair! As long as they promised to clean up for the occasion, I could introduce them to the joys of city living….
Chuckling to myself and feeling pleased with my ability to perfect the art of being a social butterfly, flitting from one group of friends to the next, I looked up and noticed that two more patio doors led respectively into two bedrooms – the guest bedroom and the master bedroom complete with a very well presented modern en suite shower room. As you can imagine, with so many windows, the entire apartment is filled with light and feels very spacious and calming as a result.
I soon found myself back in the entrance hall and cast a last look around before reluctantly saying goodbye to Apartment 9 at HQ. As dad and I walked back through Chester I contemplated what a stunning and unique opportunity for city living this fabulous apartment offered. It would be equally perfect for a young person starting out or as a downsize option once children have flown the nest. Either way, whoever is lucky enough to be the next owner of Apartment 9 will be perfectly placed to enjoy all that the city has to offer, including a bird’s eye view of the races!
If you would like to arrange a viewing of Apartment 9 at HQ, please do not hesitate to contact myself or one of my team on 01244 322322 or [email protected]
Until next time
Love Ralph X
