From Concept to Creation – the Octagon Bespoke Journey

With an unmatched reputation across London and the Home Counties for building homes of the highest quality, Octagon have pioneered the concept of luxury housebuilding – offering the ultimate design and build service to each and every client. 

Providing support from the very first steps of finding a plot of land and obtaining local planning permissions – through to landscaping and interior design, the Bespoke division offers a turnkey service, working closely with clients to achieve their dream home. 

Laurence Holder, Head of Octagon Bespoke, explains, 

“The Octagon Bespoke journey is an experience like no other. Rather than picking between an array of existing homes, or a catalogue of signature styles, choosing bespoke enables clients to create the home they’ve always dreamed of.” 

From contemporary glass boxes on the Thames to neo-Georgian country manors, as well as restoring and renovating exquisite listed properties, Octagon has over 40 years’ experience delivering properties to the very top end of the market. 

Laurence comments, 

“Partnering with Octagon Bespoke, our clients can enjoy working closely with the team at every step of the process, whilst benefitting from the considerable experience and skills that we offer. Such a collaborative approach yields extraordinary results, creating truly unforgettable, one-of-a-kind properties.” 

One of Octagon’s recent bespoke clients, Pauline, discusses her experience with the luxury house builder. 

“I’ll only go to Octagon again” 

Pauline and Toni had owned a large house within a prestigious private estate in Cobham, Surrey for many years, which had become tired, dated and need of development. Having watched the Surrey-based luxury housebuilder create some award-winning properties since starting in 1980, Pauline knew instantly that she wanted to work with Octagon in designing and building a bespoke dream home. 

“I have always loved how Octagon have built houses, which is why we went straight to them with our ideas. Knowing that Octagon had a bespoke division, they were the first people we called when we had made the decision to completely pull it down and start again!” 

Putting together plans for a 12,000 sq ft, 6 bedroom, three-storey home on the ½ acre plot with the housebuilder’s specialist team, the couple were very involved in the build from the beginning. 

“This was our third self-build but the first with Octagon, so we understood the process and knew what we wanted. The Italian way is to have the master suite positioned on the ground floor overlooking the garden, so we took inspiration from our holiday home and created a fantastic master suite with private lounge, two walk-in wardrobes and a shared bathroom – it’s a real oasis!” 

“The previous builds we undertook didn’t go quite so smoothly, and we learnt that the moment you start changing things during the build is the moment your budget goes out the window. So we made the majority of the decisions at the very beginning, and stuck to them.” 

This decision turned out to be even more important than they could have anticipated, as Toni sadly passed away before the couples’ project was completed. 

“As you can imagine, everything stalled for me when my husband died. But Octagon carried on with the build – they didn’t pressure me for payment and they didn’t push me for answers. The decisions had already been made, and they stuck to the build plan no questions asked. I feel for anyone who has found themselves in my position, that has been through this and didn’t have the same level of support and understanding.”

“Gordon was our Site Manager – coincidentally, he worked on one of our previous properties many years ago with another housebuilder – he recognised us the moment we met on-site! Octagon’s site team are so clean and tidy and their workmanship is amazing, I couldn’t fault them. It makes a difference and shows they care.” 

The spacious home features a gym, sauna, cinema room, billiards room and wine cellar. 

“I was shown a previous Octagon home on St. George’s Hill and loved the wallpapers – my style is bright and elegant. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms for me – the quartz worktops and splashback contrast against the high gloss cabinetry, and we installed a teppanyaki plate on the island for cooking.” 

A dedicated breakfast bar hidden within a cupboard houses the toaster, kettle and provisions for the morning, while a temperature-controlled walk-in larder has plenty of space for supplies. The boot room doubles as a ‘dog room’ – something every owner of a four-legged friend would certainly appreciate. 

A one-bedroom apartment with private entrance sits above the three garages, offering privacy and space to live-in staff while the outdoor pool is finished with a retractable fountain – ideal for swimming lengths in the daytime and becoming a garden feature in the evening. 

Now potentially looking to have some work done on another Surrey home, Pauline has no doubt as to who she wants on board. 

“Octagon were absolutely amazing. Working with them has been a pleasure, and they made my life easier at the most difficult time. Everything I’ve asked for they’ve done, and more.” 

“I’ll only go to Octagon again.” 

Taking the Octagon service inside 

Whilst Octagon are perhaps best known for their eye-catching exteriors, their interior design services are just as impressive. Octagon’s interior offering gives clients the chance to work directly with the in-house interiors team, creating a personalised scheme that mirrors the splendour of the exterior architecture. 

Rachel Hall, Head of Octagon’s Interior Design Team, comments: “Many of our clients want a home that is ready to move in to from day one, and this, of course, includes designing and dressing the inside of their property. We love to work with clients to help find their style, whilst contributing our expertise to create spaces which our clients will love. Meanwhile, our established relationships with interior suppliers across Britain and Europe means we can offer the very best in bespoke furniture, creating an interior scheme which is just as unique as the property itself.” 

An interior design service is available to all Octagon clients purchasing a new home or building their dream home through the Bespoke division. 

Improving instead of moving 

As well as delivering entire properties, Octagon’s Bespoke team are also able to facilitate major extensions and renovations, helping clients unlock the potential of their existing home. 

Laurence, Head of Octagon Bespoke, comments, “As families grow and situations change, what we need from our home needs to adjust too. Through providing substantial renovation and extension projects, we can re-model your home so that it continues to work best for your family.” 

Octagon regularly receives commissions from repeat clients, now looking at a complete remodel or extension of their Octagon home – from leisure suites with swimming pools, steam rooms and yoga studios, to extending basements with at-home cinemas, wine cellars and guest bedrooms. 

One example has recently been undertaken on the Wentworth Estate in Virginia Water with the client wanting to extend their already sizable 9,000 sq ft home by a third – creating more space for entertaining guests, including a bar, cinema room and two formal drawing rooms. Laurence explains; “A Bespoke home should always be a ‘dream home’ – it is a highly personal process, and we work very closely with clients from day one, so it’s a real pleasure when clients return to us for a remodel, renovation or extension, or recommend us to their friends and family.” 

The luxury service continued 

Handing over the keys to a client at the end of a project is not the end of the relationship with Octagon. A specialist after-sales team is in place to make the process of moving in as easy as possible. Armed with a black book of trusted suppliers and local service providers, from dog walkers and cleaners to nurseries and tutors, the team are known for their exceptional connections and local area knowledge. 

Vanessa and David Tait, who have bought two Octagon homes in the last 20 years, comment: 

“The after-sales team are true ambassadors of the brand – they really care about their clients. We feel confident that we could call Octagon in five years’ time with any issue, and they would do their best to help us.”