Up in the canopy of Cambridge, where views stretch to the countryside beyond, is a sophisticated penthouse apartment filled with gadgets, toys and heaps of style.

This is a real city boy’s pad. With an upstairs bar and hot tub on the roof terrace (bikini-clad girls not included), it’s not for the shy or retiring.

Chill-out time is by no means forgotten, however, so after you’ve made the most of the home cinema and devilish sound system, the retreat of the deep bath with mood-lighting is just a plunge away.

The Belvedere is one of the city’s most elegant developments, and its residents benefit from a hotel-like quality of service and their own leisure facilities.

This apartment has just come onto the market and owes its unique features to Neil Robinson and Stephen Chard, directors of Cambridge-based property investment company, Chard Robinson. Chard Robinson Design, a creative arm of the company, has been acquiring and refurbishing properties for more than 12 years.

Says Neil: “We have done a few like this where we’ve taken a new build, completely changed them inside, and sold them on, but we’ve never done a £1 million apartment before.

This is what we’re looking to do more of: take either an apartment or house that’s as finished as this – or even a shell – and brand them up so people can thing: ‘yes, that’s another Chard Robinson Design’.”

Much thought was put into the interior design, transforming the apartment into a lived-in space rather than an empty shell. Angel and Blume, an interior design company on city Road, provided the finishing touches.

The apartment has a fantastic location, just a short walk away from town and the railway station, yet being so high above the street it enjoys an unexpected tranquillity.

“Living here is actually quite peaceful,” explains Stephen. “Even though it is in a busy area you’re shielded from the traffic.” Stephen and Neil have had a great response from interested parties, conducting a viewing just hours after the advert appeared in Property News.

For more details on Chard Robinson and Chard Robinson Design, call (01223) 500567.

Original article featured in Cambridge Evening News Property News October 2008.
Image credits: Mark Box www.markboxphoto.co.uk