Taywood Homes

Taylor Woodrow Homes was the marketing name of Taylor Woodrow’s UK house building division between 1921 and 1992. Between 1992 and 2001, the operations were branded Taywood Homes, and following Taylor Woodrow’s acquisition of Bryant Homes, the combined operations traded from that name.

A history is outline below:

1920's

In 1921, Frank Taylor (later Lord Taylor) went into partnership with his uncle, Jack Woodrow, and built a pair of modest semi- detached houses at 347 and 349 Central Drive, Blackpool. Lord Taylor, who borrowed £100 to build the two homes, made 100% profit on his first venture. From these humble beginnings grow the internationally successful Taylor Woodrow Group operating in house building and general construction.

At a time when home building was far less common- place in England, Lord Taylor realised that new homes would have to prove economical to purchase and to live in. So during the twenties, Lord Taylor’s new company concentrated on providing low- cost, high quality housing in the Lancashire area. As the Taylor Woodrow reputation for building high quality housing grew, it was only a matter of time before the company itself would grow and begin to build in other parts of the country.

1930's

Taylor Woodrow began to look for development land that would offer home buyers a pleasant and convenient location to live. The company bought land in Hayes, Middlesex which was close to London yet flanked by beautiful countryside.

The latest Taylor Woodrow development of family houses was launched at ‘Grange Park’ in Hayes to much acclaim. By now, the dream ‘to own one’s own home’ was prevalent and Taylor Woodrow was succeeding in making that dream come true. The distinctive styles of the twenties were still popular- features such as bay windows and gabled roofs. The now familiar Tudor ‘black and white’ began to grow in popularity and many homes featured two double bedrooms and a third ‘box’ room. Fully plumbed, inside bathrooms were also a prized possession.

The new ‘Wonder Houses’ built at ‘Grange Park’ attracted buyers who recognised the financial benefits of owning their own home by paying an affordable weekly amount rather than paying rent- a principle that has cascaded down through the generations.

1940's

By now Taylor Woodrow was firmly established as a builder of repute and as the decade progressed, the company built more family homes. Affordability was still a prime factor but fashion was also beginning to take more of a hand. A dining hatch between the kitchen and eating area became popular and with the appearance of clumsy post- war ‘utility’ furniture the advent of early built- in furniture such as cupboards and sink- in units was a welcome feature.

1950's

Although the early part of the decade saw rationing still in place, the country was enjoying a far healthier economy. It was also a turning point in the marketing of new houses as builders realised that women were the driving force behind most house purchases.

Refinements were introduced to appeal to the housewife, such as streamline kitchen fittings- some with the ultimate device; the automatic cooker. The introduction of central heating was a milestone, marking not only the end of raking the grate, but also allowing full use of all rooms in a warm home.

House designs themselves were ‘contemporary’; details such as cornices and gabled roofs disappeared in favour of a more modern, less fussy look.

1960's

In the relaxed of the ‘swinging sixties’, Britain was enjoying a new found freedom and the trend was towards open- plan, streamline homes. The greatest changes were probably to be found in the kitchen, where sleek, fitted cupboards were the norm with space for washing machines and refrigerators with a small freezer compartment. Central heating and attached garage became common place with the ideal family home probably featuring four bedrooms.

Bungalows had first begun to gain popularity at the end of the fifties and in 1961 Taylor Woodrow’s newly introduced ‘Sandown’ bungalow was voted home of the year in the £4,000 price range.

Taylor Woodrow’s expansion continued and by the end of the decade the company was successfully building new homes in Scotland- a country that had once been confirmed as a nation of renters.

1970's

A surge in home ownership was seen in the seventies and the term ‘first time buyer’ began to appear ever more frequently, signalling the importance attached by both buyers and builders to smaller, more affordable homes.

Energy came to the fore and more new towns were built to the exacting standards required by the newly formed NHBC, of which Taylor Woodrow was a founding member. The advent of market research also meant that house building generally became more consumer driven; buyers’ requirements were channelled back into house designs and specification.

The higher expectations of home buyers were being successfully translated by housebuilders into higher standards. At the forefront of this movement in the seventies was Taylor Woodrow.

1980's

More and more people took their first step onto the housing ladder during the 80’s and found a vast choice of new homes and ways to purchase them.

There were three distinct factors driving the housing market during this decade; location, style and energy efficiency. Green issues and the first time buyer both took centre stage, each accommodated within a highly refined product. Individuality was 'Cottage’ styling came into vogue with tile hung elevations and decorative brick work; a tradition was re- born.

1990's

In 1992, Taylor Woodrow Homes, in the UK, was re-branded as Taywood Homes. Earlier in that decade, Taywood Homes undertook their most extensive market research. The result of this was incorporated into the wealth of knowledge and understanding used to create the ‘Anniversary range of new homes’- Taylor Woodrow’s 75th anniversary being in 1996. It also enabled Taywood Homes to further refine their customer care programme; beginning from the first visit to sites, to completion and beyond.

In the nineties, buyers were more discerning than ever, and this was reflected in the new homes built in that decade. Location was paramount, as was value for money and internal design, with spacious living areas and large fully fitted kitchens considered more important than large gardens. As people have less time or inclination to spend tending their home, low maintenance was, and still is, a priority.

The trend during this decade was towards traditional styling with a variety of elevations which was combined with the freedom to tailor the finishing touches of a new home. This flexibility nurtures the desire for individuality inherent in home buyers and set the standards for future decades.

2000's

In 2001, Taylor Woodrow acquired Bryant Homes, and the operations now trade under that name, with land increasingly becoming the issue determining new homes.

ee also

* Taylor Woodrow
* Taylor Woodrow Homes

External links

* [http://www.taylorwimpey.com/ Taylor Wimpey plc]
* [http://www.taylorwimpey.com/Home/OurHomes TW Homes]
* [http://www.bryant.co.uk/ Bryant Homes]

References

* "History in the making- Taywood Homes- 1921 to 1996- 75 years" - company brochure