Hotproperty’s Anna Bowden heads east to see what the fuss is all about – and likes what she sees.
East London is brim-full of regeneration at the moment, and those looking to live somewhere vibrant, artsy and unpretentious, with convenient and affordable thrown in, should look no further. Part of the regeneration project involves the transformation of run-down or disused buildings into high-quality accommodation, and there are many desirable new developments springing up all over this unsung area of the capital.
Fairclough Homes is offering a fantastic deal at its development The Quarter in St Luke’s Square, Canning Town, where only a few homes remain for sale. At the development, a gated collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments near Canning Town’s transport facilities, Fairclough is offering to pay the stamp duty and five per cent deposit as well as £250 towards legal fees, enabling first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder. Prices start from £165,950 for a one-bedroom apartment. To find out more call the sales team on 020 8317 9555.
Lovell has released preliminary details of two exciting new developments in Hackney and Bow. In the former, Wick Road is a small development of modern one- and two-bedroom apartments with secure basement parking, priced from £142,000. Further details can be obtained by telephoning 020 8986 8176. And at Yallops Yard in Bow Lovell is building one- and two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom houses and luxurious penthouses. This popular location is close to a wealth of local amenities. For further information regarding Yallops Yard call 020 8370 6300.
Delph Property Group has now launched Thirty One Three in Limehouse, a stunning conversion of the historic 19th-century former church mission building opposite St Ann’s church. Purchasers who register interest early will benefit from cash incentives, including legal fees (up to the value of £1,000) and stamp duty paid.
The scheme boasts 18 one- and two-bedroom apartments, including duplexes, just a short distance from Westferry station. Some apartments feature large terraces leading from the living area, and all apartments have an individual parking space. The building itself is impressive, with a Grade II listed façade – and due to its historic nature the apartments are individually designed and come with a variety of original features, including double height windows and decorative columns.
Richard Page, sales and marketing director, comments, ‘It’s a fantastic scheme which we expect will be popular with people working in the surrounding areas, as Limehouse is equidistant between Canary Wharf and the City yet benefits from a leafy suburban atmosphere. I am confident that these are the best value homes in the area and, with tenants in situ, they represent unrivalled investment opportunities.’
Prices at Thirty One Three start from £195,000 for a large one-bedroom apartment and from £245,000 for a two-bedroom home. To find out more call 020 7907 5555.
There is now a show home open at Telford’s Devons Road Apartments, a select scheme of 24 contemporary one- and two-bedroom homes located five minutes’ walk from Devons Road DLR station. Boasting excellent transport links to both Docklands and the City, the homes themselves offer open plan kitchen/living/dining areas as well as en suite bathrooms to master bedrooms. All ground floor apartments have private gardens, while each of the higher-floor apartments includes a balcony. Set in landscaped grounds on the corner of Devons Road and Violet Road, the four-storey development is well located for the many amenities of the Bow area, one of London’s most up-and-coming locations. Prices for one-bedroom apartments start from £172,500, while two-bedrooms are priced from £212,500 – and the developer is even offering five per cent deposit paid on selected plots! Call 020 8498 6789 to arrange a viewing.
Fairview New Homes is seeing great success with its Beckton development, Alpine Court, which if London’s Olympic bid is successful will be at the heart of the resulting regeneration programme. When completed, Alpine Court will comprise 92 one- and two-bedroom apartments of contemporary design, representing good value for money.
Features of the homes include open-plan living spaces, modern fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances and, in some cases, an en suite bathroom to the master bedroom. And the area too boasts much to please the purchaser, with a nearby golf driving range, an equestrian centre, tenpin bowling, football and cricket pitches as well as a number of fitness centres.
Two-bedroom apartments at Alpine Court start from £177,995, and Fairview is offering £5,000 cashback on selected properties. For sales enquiries call 020 7511 5382 or visit website fairview.co.uk.
Barratt’s The Switch House near Canary Wharf in Docklands will soon see first occupation and is well ahead of the construction programme, with two-thirds of the 60 apartments already sold. The building, which reaches nine storeys, is the transformation of a redundant electricity switching station into a stunning glass and steel cube of apartments overlooking Aspen Way. Barratt East London managing director Richard Reynolds says, ‘The old switching station occupied a prime site just a strolling distance from Canary Wharf – a fabulous location, with a Docklands Light Railway station right next door. That’s why we have worked so hard to produce something that is a modern landmark. It has certainly captured the imagination of the home buying public.’
All homes at The Switch House have fully fitted designer kitchens complete with integrated appliances, and all have balconies or roof terraces. Lifts will serve all floors through stylish communal areas, and residents will also benefit from a daytime concierge service and a health and fitness suite. Private parking is available at an extra cost.
As well as being convenient for Canary Wharf, the City and City Airport, the area also has excellent rail communication links to central London. And for drivers, the new Docklands road network connects with the Blackwall Tunnel, the A13, the North Circular, the M11 and the M25.
A phase of one-bedroom apartments will be released shortly, with prices starting from £250,995. Currently available two-bedroom homes start from £314,995. For further details call 020 7537 4949.
Higgins Homes is currently marketing its new Denmark Wharf development, a new-build mixed-use canalside scheme in the heart of Limehouse. Denmark Wharf is a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes ranging in size from 743 sq ft to 1,184 sq ft.
The design at Denmark Wharf is highly contemporary, with straight lines, needlepoint edges and panoramic windows, but at the same time fits in perfectly with the surrounding warehouse style architecture with its traditional red brick and dark blue tiling. All apartments on the first, second and third floors boast spectacular views over Canary Wharf, enhanced by the floor-to-ceiling glazing, while penthouses on the upper floor enjoy double height glazing. The latter also benefit from the use of private rooftop terraces, although all residents have access to a communal rooftop terrace boasting decking and wooden benches.
Inside the apartments are highly specified, with designer stainless steel integrated appliances in the kitchens including Neff fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher. Bathrooms have contemporary sanitaryware from CP Hart and security features include videoentry phone systems and wiring for alarms in each apartment.
Jeremy Marcus, sales director of Higgins Homes, comments, ‘A number of central London businesses have now moved to Canary Wharf. By 2006 it’s estimated that an additional 35–40,000 workers will be based in Canary Wharf. As a result, we envisage a significant influx in young professional residents moving eastwards. For this reason, east London is experiencing an extraordinary surge in property development and regeneration.’
Prices at Denmark Wharf start from £257,950. For further information call Higgins Homes on 020 7001 0801.