An elegant rebuild with an eye on the future (Harpenden, St Albans)

26 Jun 2026

Overview

This minimalistic Harpenden home is evidence that futureproofing doesn’t need to come at the expense of style. After 13 years of living in the original building, owners, Gerry and Rosie Doherty, knocked the structure down and rebuilt their home, with a vision of creating a beautiful retreat that would serve them into old age.

“When we were planning the house, I was adamant that I wanted a lift,” says Rosie. “As we’re in our sixties, it felt like the right time to include one while we were rebuilding. We were basically futureproofing for old age. We know a couple who are having a lift installed now because of mobility issues, and they’ve said they wish they had our foresight to future plan for older age.”

Practical but stylish

From the moment you step into the couple’s home you are greeted with a feeling of elegance. The contemporary white marble staircase and flooring with muted beige walls feels instantly tranquil. It is here, that you first encounter the lift – an Aritco HomeLift Access – with its bespoke pure white doors and oiled oak flooring, seamlessly blending with the warm décor. The lift travels from the hallway to either the first floor or basement – a stand-out feature when entertaining but also giving the couple the versatility of being able to move around their home in their later years.

“It is a nice luxury to have,” adds Rosie. “Nobody knows what is around the corner, but our home is now geared up for our old age. If you have got the room, you should definitely get a lift. It is the way to go.”

The couple found Gartec via the internet before visiting the Aylesbury showroom where they were impressed by the information provided and the team’s knowledge. They tried out the Aritco HomeLift Access and were also able to see it in a home setting through a contact at Gerry’s work. A smooth installation process and the familiarity of having the same engineer for servicing post fitting all contributed to their levels of satisfaction.

“It was five-star service,” says Rosie. “It was a really enjoyable experience because Gartec made it so simple.”

VIEW THE ARITCO HOMELIFT ACCESS

Future security

“When rebuilding a home, as Gerry and Rosie did, it’s important to think ahead,” says Matthew Akerman, Gartec Home Sales Director. “We’re seeing more clients plan for what they may need in 20 to 30 years. Gerry and Rosie have created a beautiful home, and by installing a lift they can feel confident they’ll be able to enjoy it for many years to come.”