Law firm advising on Ikea’s housing

Jan 23 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

LAW firm Dickinson Dees is playing a crucial role in providing services for the pioneering Ikea affordable homes which are being built in Gateshead.

The Newcastle firm will be advising on the sale of the Ikea homes, construction of which is under way. The first people are scheduled to move into the homes early in 2008.

Mitch Brown, partner, head of housing investment at Dickinson Dees in Newcastle, said: “We are delighted to be advising on the sale of the homes for the first generation of Ikea housing in Gateshead.

“The houses – known as BoKloks in Scandinavia, Swedish for live smart and pronounced boo klook – are being launched by Ikea and Live Smart @ Home as a solution to Britain’s lack of affordable housing,” he added.

The homes will be of modern contemporary design and built using sustainable materials. Ikea said they achieve an eco-homes excellent rating, which includes a target of cutting energy bills by over 50% and on-site recycling facilities.

The houses are priced between £100,000 to £150,000 and are targeted primarily at first-time buyers earning under £35,000. Shared-ownership packages on some of the units increase their affordability even further.

Live Smart @ Home, the property company that has the exclusive licence to build BoKlok properties in the UK, is working on its first site at St James Village, Gateshead, and is preparing to allocate the first 60 properties, following a highly successful sales launch held at Ikea.

Mr Brown added: “Live Smart @ Home, which is part of leading affordable housing provider Home, plans to roll out the concept nationally over the next couple of years and aims to produce 500 homes a year by 2009.

“It will be talking to local councils, developers and regeneration bodies about setting up these sites.”