Luxury Darlington co-living development draws interest from relocating civil servants

A luxury co-living development is already attracting interest from young professionals relocating to work at Darlington Economic Campus.

The finishing touches to the innovative hi-end scheme has just been completed by bespoke painting and decorating company, S Nicholson & Sons, which specialises in older and heritage properties, including stately homes, churches and listed buildings.

Darlington-based developers Ben Quaintrell and Olly Lawson say the upmarket concept – popular in many UK cities, including London and Manchester – is already attracting interest from many of the hundreds of civil servants drawn to the town by the economic campus, which includes HM Treasury, the Department for International Trade, and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The alternative housing solution, the first in Darlington, is located in Victoria Road and includes high-spec shared communal lounges and kitchens and kitchenettes along with private work stations for those who have the option to work from home.

Seventeen of the luxury furnished rooms are ensuite while the remaining three are off-suite. Ideally situated for both the town centre and railway station, the development also offers four penthouse rooms, parking as well as lockable bike storage.

In addition, tenants will also benefit from making one simple monthly payment, combining their rent with utility bills.

Ben Quaintrell, who is also managing director of estate agency group My Property Box, said: “We wanted to blend luxury with community living, which makes for a much more affordable and social lifestyle. The first example of luxury co-living in Darlington, we used quality local tradesmen, like Nicholson & Sons, to ensure the development was finished to the very highest of standards.”

Olly Lawson added: “The completion of the project couldn’t have been better as we have already received many interested enquiries from treasury officials, due to Darlington Economic Campus being located just over the road.”

Stephen Nicholson, managing director of Bishop Auckland-based S Nicholson & Sons, added: “We worked closely with the developers to ensure that we achieved their vision and the necessary level of quality for these new stylish co-living apartments. It’s been a privilege to have contributed to such an innovative and interesting development.”