Traditional quality blended with contemporary styling provides a touch of quality to apartment living, says Brian Page.

WHEN you think of apartments, the obvious picture that comes to mind is of the many modern, recently-built developments that have sprung up in and around York in recent years.

Perfectly natural, of course – and many of these new properties are well-designed and make for super homes, particularly for young professionals and down-sizers (or pretty much anyone else for that matter).

But there’s another, often overlooked, type of apartment that offers what might be described as the best of both worlds... those that have been created from conversion projects at older properties, and which give you a blend of contemporary luxuries such as modern kitchens and bathrooms, together with delightful period treasures such as big rooms, high ceilings, cornicing and deep skirting and deep windows – making for light, bright and airy rooms.

One such big and beautiful property is The Montague, a split-level apartment in a grand period house on Tadcaster Road. This is a home with a lot to offer – in all senses of the word.

For a start, there is a huge amount of space to romp around in; some 1,650 sq ft – making it bigger than a lot of modern houses.

And that space has been put to good use.

The living/dining room, for instance, runs to 20ft by more than 17ft and sparkles with light from (traditional sash-style) windows to two elevations (and with the Knavesmire and the racecourse across the road making for good views).

There are dual-aspect windows to the smartly-fitted kitchen and breakfast room, too, showing off a contemporary range of wall and base units and a double rangestyle oven and hob.

This floor also boasts two bedrooms and a bathroom – one of those bedrooms, however, could easily transform itself into a separate dining room (or study/home office, there is a lot of flexibility in the room layouts).

That would have been your lot in some modern apartments but here there is more... in the shape of an upstairs level which has a superb guest (or master) bedroom with a range of fitted wardrobe and a smart en-suite shower room.

And to round it all off there is yet another bedroom.

The package is wrapped up with communal gardens and three allocated parking spaces – and the fact that it is just a gentle stroll into the city centre and has the Knavesmire on its doorstep, adds to the value.

The Montague is offered by Your Move Anscombs at a guide price of £399,950.

Interestingly, almost in a straight line as a crow might fly, we found another similar split-level conversion property, this one in Fulford Chase, Fulford.

Again, this is a home that blends old and new with considerable style, and which also offers a lot of light and airy rooms (all very well presented).

Here there is a wonderfully roomy living and dining area with windows to the front and side, a modern and well-fitted breakfast kitchen (again with sash windows to two sides) and a bedroom with en-suite shower room (there’s also a separate cloakroom on this floor).

On the second level there are two double bedrooms sharing a contemporary bathroom with panelled bath and walk in shower.

The apartment is set within pretty communal gardens and there is an allocated parking space.

This one is also in a good spot – close to the many amenities of Fulford village and with easy access either into the city centre or out to the ring road and commuting routes beyond.

It is offered by Hudson Moody at a guide price of £350,000.