‘Wow-factor’ styling, and superior service made Sapphire Balustrades the clear choice for glass balconies and balustrades for 24 new waterside apartments with panoramic river and marina views.

The Hamptons at Gillingham Marina in Kent is situated within the Medway Renaissance Regeneration Project, a prestigious new residential and commercial quarter set along the banks of the River Medway. Sapphire Balustrades manufactured and installed high quality structural glass balustrades and stainless steel handrails for external and internal applications in the development, bringing added value and buyer appeal to the luxury landmark development.

The multi-storey Hamptons building by local developer and building contractor, F Parham Ltd, includes six three and four bedroom penthouse suites and 18 apartments of various layouts, all with terraces or balconies so residents can make the most of the waterfront views. Although a number of balustrade manufacturers were considered for the project, Sapphire’s product and service offering stood out from the rest, says the Director of F Parham Ltd: “We selected Sapphire on the evidence of their concept-to-completion service, and their attention to detail and finish in their striking ranges,” he comments; “Sapphire Balustrades truly added value to our development.”

Clear glazed balconies from Sapphire’s Crystal frameless, structural glass system complement the contemporary aesthetic of The Hamptons’ striking facade with its bright white render and natural cedar boarding. Because the new development is located on the Medway estuary, marine grade stainless steel was specified for all external handrails, which is highly resistant to atmospheric corrosion and will ensure handrails retain their pristine, polished finish with minimal maintenance. The use of slimline point fixings gives the glass balconies a modern, uncluttered appearance.

Matching Crystal glass balustrades are installed around The Hamptons’ ‘podium deck’, an outdoor area between basement car parking and the ground floor atrium. Inside the development’s duplex apartments Sapphire’s Crystal balustrades, with 50mm satin polished stainless steel handrails offset from 15mm glass panels, provide an eye-catching feature around stairs and galleries. All balustrades for the project needed to comply with relevant regulations for residential applications, such as suitability for children, which ensures that balustrades are not easily climable and have no gaps of more than 100mm, to prevent a small child falling through.

In addition to balconies and balustrades, Sapphire’s comprehensive package for The Hamptons is completed by complementary stainless steel handrails for communal stairways in the main nine-storey tower and adjoining four-storey blocks.