Best known for horses and hats, for one week in June this Berkshire town is taken over by thousands in top hats, tails, high heels and exotic headdresses all attending the Royal Ascot meet. Beautifully portrayed in My Fair Lady, the lyrics say it all – “Every Duke and Earl and peer is here, everyone who should be here is here; for the smashing, absolutely dashing spectacle, the Ascot opening day.”

• Ascot named as one of the top 12 places to live by Sunday Times
• Silver screen icon Rita Hayworth’s Ascot mansion purchased by developers Millgate
• Local agents Edwards & Elliott appointed to sell new luxury apartments with racecourse views

But once the Pimms has all been poured and the last strawberries and cream served, Ascot returns to normal life. Shoppers hit the traditional high street bustling with friendly cafes and independent retailers, children attend some of the finest state and private schools in the country and workers head to the Ascot Business Park or into London, a mere 25 miles away.

Life in Ascot is charmed and the town has a rich history of attracting the great and the good including the late Rita Hayworth who owned a mansion here in the 1950s. A keen race goer, silver screen icon Rita used the mansion when attending Ascot with her husband Prince Aly Khan. The property, Westbrook House, fell into disrepair after her death in 1987 and has now been purchased by local award-winning developers, Millgate.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate comments,

“Westbrook House was a stunning mansion property in its day but sadly it is in such poor condition that restoration works are no longer viable. Keen to put some glamour and glitz back into the site which is directly opposite the legendary Ascot racecourse, we are replacing the property with fourteen high specification luxury apartments due for completion by early 2014.

“The 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are large (from 1,380 sq ft to over 3,000 sq ft) and designed specifically for those looking for a prestigious home, with light, outside space, security and the ability to ‘lock up & leave’. Westbrook House is very special and due to its location most apartments will have direct views towardsthe racecourse and new grandstand.”

Millgate have appointed Ascot-based selling agents Edwards and Elliott to market the properties with Richard Cracknell, Director for the branch commenting,

“Following the great success of Millgate’s magnificent development, Brockenhurst House in South Ascot, we are delighted to be involved with their latest apartment project, Westbrook House.

“We anticipate the main buyers of these fabulous homes to be local residents, those downsizing from larger houses in the area. 80% of the buyers at Brockenhurst House were active retired people, many of whom had second homes overseas and were looking for a more manageable property in Ascot. However these apartments will also appeal to professionals looking for an easy lifestyle and also to investors.

“Although, not due to be launched until the end of 2013, we are already receiving daily enquiries about Westbrook House. The location, design, the specification and finish and, most of all, Millgate’s reputation for excellence, is combining to create an amazing demand.”

All fitted with bespoke luxury kitchens and bathrooms these apartments shout indulgent living. The development has secure underground parking with spaces for two cars per apartment.   For further information on these must have apartments please contact Millgate on 01189 348 085 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.