There’s a lot to like in south-east London’s current crop of newly built homes. Johnny Turner sees what all the fuss is about.
The south-east part of London has much to recommend it – green space, proximity to the City, history and attitude for starters. All walks of life choose to make their home in this corner of the capital, from Goldsmiths students to settled families, young professionals to older residents who are downsizing. There is a definite feel that marks out the area as distinct from other London districts. Greenwich is continually surpassing itself in terms of beauty, amenities and convenience, while other bits, from leafy Dulwich to the conservation area of Telegraph Hill, from Kennington to New Cross, are moving with the times.
One such area is Deptford, and the development that is helping it redefine itself is oneSE8 by St James Homes. This is more than a bunch of homes – it’s a complete lifestyle. The location, in up-and-coming Deptford, is perfect for those who want convenience and style but also want to feel they live in the ‘real’ London.
oneSE8 is very much in keeping with the St James ethos, which emphasises the enhancement of the living experience. From the inspiring architecture and carefully planned living spaces to the leisure amenities, from the internal specification to the security, this is obviously a place for the discerning. Perfect for busy professionals, these apartments and penthouses let you live your life without worrying about upkeep and maintenance.
Phase two consists of the Colorado and Utah Buildings. The Colorado, at ten storeys the highest building in the development, is finished in an attractive white and mauve render, with terracotta brickwork, tiling and cedar. Studio apartments are priced from £166,000. There is also one remaining apartment in the building – a two-bedroom at £295,000 – and one penthouse priced at £420,000. The height of the Colorado means there are superb views over the city and south-east London.
The Utah Building, meanwhile, features red render alongside cedarwood panels, giving it a striking appearance that perfectly complements the homes inside. The studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments represent the best in open, modern living space.
Current availability at the Utah includes studio apartments priced from £172,000 and two-bedroom apartments starting at £245,000.
The lifestyle components offered at oneSE8 set the complex apart from other development; residents will find an ease of lifestyle and a standard of luxury that is unheard of for miles around. Café One8 offers a great place to unwind after a busy day, offering residents and their guests a relaxing, stylish ambience – it’s a great place to meet friends and talk about something else besides work. The gym is fully equipped with the latest in cardiovascular and weight training equipment; there is also a 24m lap pool and personal trainers are available to guide you through your fitness regime.
Transport is delightfully simple for those who work in Canary Wharf or the City; the West End is also within easy reach. The DLR gets you to Canary Wharf in only 12 minutes and Bank station is only a few stops further. Also, the lively, trendy atmosphere of Greenwich and Blackheath are just a few minutes away.
Find out more about this exciting development by visiting onese8.com or calling 020 8469 0077.
Another St James site in the south-east part of the capital is Borland, located in Peckham. The two co-ordinated contemporary buildings are twinned across a landscaped courtyard. Once inside the gated entrance you’ll find the green space is not only a place for relaxing but also a showcase for modern sculpture. St James Homes is particularly dedicated to acquiring modern art and exhibiting it in its developments, and Borland is a great example, with its public space providing an unmissable showcase.
The homes at Borland are quietly cutting-edge. Bathrooms let you decide whether a bath or a shower better suits your mood; the kitchens are contemporary in every detail, with the clean-cut style you would expect from noted designer Fiona Naylor.
Peckham is an area of south London that is changing rapidly, and for the better. The transformation that has been evident in projects such as the new library are happening more and more – and Borland is just one of the latest examples. Apartments are priced from £175,000. To arrange a viewing call 020 7732 8082.
Another reason to give Peckham a second look is South Quarter2 by Countryside Properties. This current phase of the wildly popular South Quarter project builds on the success of South Quarter and Coleman Square, fusing traditional London architecture with innovative modern interior designs.
The mix of house types includes three-bedroom town houses and mews-style houses with external designs and finishes to replicate the old Victorian terraces. Period-style features include stone detailing above the windows and doors, Victorian-style maps illuminating the entrances, window boxes and canopies to the front of some of the properties and galvanized railings. The row of mews-style properties provides further variety, with individual features to each house including window detailing, window boxes, garage door style and differently painted and rendered brickwork.
There is a wide choice of one- and two-bedroom apartments with open-plan living and kitchen areas, en suites to the main bedroom in the two-bedroom apartments, and Juliet balconies to some apartment types. The duplex apartments also feature larger living and kitchen areas, dormer and velux windows and balconettes.
One-, two- and three-bedroom properties are currently available at prices ranging from £149,995 to £319,995. The marketing suite is open daily 10am to 5pm (1pm to 5pm Mondays). Call 020 7703 8693 for further information or email ltg@cpplc.com.
The very desirable Greenwich area has seen both the carrying on of tradition and a reinvention of sorts. Since the arrival of the Millennium Dome, this area has been marked out as one from which to expect great things. And whatever finally becomes of the Dome itself, the attention has brought some very tangible benefits that will remain, such as even better leisure options and a vastly improved transport infrastructure.
Those who wish to buy a property in the Greenwich area will be familiar with its popularity. Demand is high and the area has more disused land ripe for transformation than many areas of London. These factors have spurred developers into providing more homes – and the fact that today’s buyers are more discerning than ever means that new developments have to have that something special.
This is certainly true of Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV), which has in a short time come to be associated with quality of life and community rather than simply being known as just another development. The area already includes a thriving new primary school, a health centre, supermarket and cinema complex; there are also restaurants and a pub. Transport from North Greenwich Jubilee Line station makes for an extremely easy journey to Canary Wharf, the City and the West End.
Parkside, the latest phase of development at GMV, includes an exclusive collection of just nine two- and three-bedroom penthouse and duplex apartments – and with prices starting from just £440,000 it comes as no surprise that two of the homes were sold within a week of the launch.
Set around two beautifully landscaped courtyards, these apartments are dual- or triple-aspect and include floor-to-ceiling glazing, which not only allows light to flood into the living space but provide spectacular views over the parkland and the four-acre Ecology Park towards the River Thames. Extensive balconies and terraces enable residents to make the most of the views on these warm summer evenings.
The duplex apartments include a mezzanine gallery which looks out over the open-plan living/dining room below and provides attractive additional upper-floor living space. Several of the apartments also include sliding or folding walls, allowing those who live there to open up one of the bedrooms to create superb entertaining space.
Prices currently range from £189,950 for a one-bedroom apartment to £440,000 for a penthouse. For more information contact the marketing suite on 020 8293 6900 or visit parkside-gmv.co.uk.
Staying in the area, Anchor Iron Wharf has become a magnet for potential purchasers.
The six-storey development is situated in the heart of Greenwich and fronts on to the River Thames, giving spectacular views over major landmarks such as the Dome and Canary Wharf. The two-bedroom duplex show home has 924 sq ft of floor space and uses ‘Smartspace’, an intellectually applied method of creating and maximising internal space, natural light and views. The open-plan fully fitted kitchen has ceramic flooring, stylish units and a comprehensive range of integrated appliances. Bathrooms boast Villeroy & Boch suites. In the show home the bedrooms are situated on the bottom floor; stairs rise to the living and entertaining area, which benefits from a Thames-side location, and a balcony (included in all split-level apartments) provides a romantic river vista.
The external space makes excellent use of its riverside location. The Thames footpath adjoins Anchor Iron Wharf and this pedestrian link provides a five-minute walk past a rose garden up to fashionable Greenwich town centre, with its abundance of cafés and bars.
Prices for two-bedroom duplex apartments start from £350,000. Find out more by calling 01732 227666.