London's first 'covid-compliant' flats: £40m Mayfair development to have 'touch-free' lifts and hi-tech air filtration system

Property developers believe “Covid compliance” will increasingly be seen as a selling point for new homes schemes
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Central London’s first “covid era” apartment block designed with a range of features to protect residents from the risk of infection has been given the go ahead.

The £40 million development at 82 Mount Street in Mayfair has been designed with a range of features reflecting the ‘new realities’ of life during and after the pandemic.

Developers REDD said they believed ‘Covid compliancy’ will be increasingly seen as a selling point for developments alongside location and interior design.

The late Victorian building will have four apartments, including a top level duplex, a ground floor shop or gallery and offices.

Russell Smithers, REDD’s managing director in London, said the reception area had been designed to be airy and specious with the desk to one side to make it easier to maintain social distancing.

The ‘no touch’ lift will automatically detect from key fobs which floor to go to, so no buttons need to be pushed. The lift doors will open directly into the apartments.

The lifts can also be voice controlled through a Crestron home technology system by the owners of the flats so they can be directed to pick up guests.

The Mount Street apartment block has been designed with a range of features reflecting the ‘new realities’ of life during and after the pandemic.

The internal layout of the apartments have also been rejigged to allow for long spells of home working.

The duplex will have a dedicated office room, while the two bed apartments will have a large 700 mm deep desk at the back of the reception room big enough for a large computer screen, mouse and keyboard and with access to “commercial grade” broadband.

Mr Smithers said that internal air filtration will be fitted with filters capable of sifting out bacteria and virus. These are expected to be available on the market within the next 12 months before the 10,000 sq ft scheme is completed at the end of 2021.

He added: ”This is not just about covid, there is now more all round awareness of germs and how we can live more hygienically.”

In addition surfaces in public areas that are likely to be touched such as handrails in staircases and lifts – which are a legal requirement – are likely to have “covid killing” copper finishes. The coronavirus is thought to survive for just a few hours on copper compared with days on other metals.

The development was given the go ahead by Westminster council late last month and work is expected to start this Autumn.

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