Alice94 Baker Street in Central London is infused with The Beatles’ history. In 1967, the band opened the ‘Apple Boutique’ on the building’s first floor, which according to Paul McCartney, was a “beautiful place where beautiful people could buy beautiful things.”
The shop was one of the first business ventures by The Beatles’ Apple Corps; its launch party attracted John Lennon and George Harrison with their wives, as well as Eric Clapton and Cilla Black, to name a few.
Fast forward almost 50 years and today, the building is still gaining global attention, but with a launch party of a different kind.
This time, the host was The Malins Group, an award-winning aggregate of private property companies and trusts, that developed, designed and built five brand new luxury apartments in the building, now affectionately named the ‘Apple Apartments.’
Leading up to the launch, The Malins Group’s managing director Lauren Atkins was tasked with equipping all five apartments with the most luxurious smart home technology on the market.
She turned to technology integrator Bryan Vint of Ugot Simple Home Control, which installed an ELAN entertainment and home control system to serve as the primary control platform in each of the brand new residences.
“We are honoured to have been involved in a project that is so quintessential to London’s rock-and-roll history,” Bryan enthuses. “Over the span of a year, we were asked to design a system in each apartment that would enhance the property’s value with a necessary touch of luxury. To meet this objective, we incorporated a multi-room audio and video system, integrated lighting control, waterproof televisions and a whole-building access control system – all of which are automated and controlled by ELAN.”
To serve as the control hub for each apartment, Bryan installed an ELAN System Controller, responsible for the control of the lighting and climate, as well as an ELAN S86A Integrated multi-room audio and video controller, responsible for the control of all audio/video entertainment elements. All control systems are accessible via an ELAN in-wall touchpanel in each apartment.
“Smart home control is a win-win situation for the developer, the buyer and the resident,” Bryan explains. “ELAN adds a crucial element of luxury that makes a sale easier to facilitate. Additionally, on the end-user’s side, it greatly improves the lives of any future resident.”
Complementing each apartment’s contemporary interior design infused with 1960s pop culture references, Bryan also specified each apartment with a Rako lighting control system to enhance the ambiance.
All lighting controls were integrated with the ELAN control system, offering easy accessibility through wall lighting panels as well as iOS or Android devices via the installed wireless access points.
“Being able to control lighting, audio and video enhances the lavishness of each apartment,” Bryan says. “Smart functionality offers a level of luxury that any multi-million Pound apartment in London should have.”
According to Kay & Co – the London-based agents that secured the deal – investors purchased all five apartments shortly after the launch, including four two-bedroom units, which were priced at £1.625,000 and £1.750,000 and a one-bedroom priced at £1.250,000.
The investors also purchased the retail space at ground level (formerly known as the Apple Boutique).
“The launch was a nostalgic event fused with a modern purpose,” says Lauren. “We hosted many notable guests with food, drinks and music. It was a great time.”
Bryan was asked to outfit one apartment in particular to be used as a ‘show apartment’ during the event. His job was to ensure that the smart components were made centre-stage so as to provide potential buyers with insight into each apartment’s smart functionality.
“We were asked to increase the specification to include high-definition video and various additional audio and video sources,” Bryan adds.
“We are so thrilled with the final result,” says Bryan. “At this point, a compelling smart home control system that encompasses audio, video and lighting control is one of the fundamental elements that defines a ‘luxury’ residence. Smart technology makes a home stand out. As developers, we can no longer sell apartments without this smart functionality, and we’re very pleased with ELAN’s capabilities.”