Twin towers benefit from a full complement of amenities as built-to-rent operation learns and grows on the east London estate
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Launched towards the end of last year, Vertus’ latest build-to-rent apartments in Canary Wharf may best be described as next-level.
The twin towers of 50-60 Charter Street are connected by communal spaces at their base, rising high on Wood Wharf to overlook South Dock and house some 756 apartments ranging in size from 463sq ft to 1,397sq ft.
Perhaps what really sets Grid architects’ structure apart from the rest of the now extensive Vertus portfolio – which includes nearby aparthotel Vertus Edit for shorter stays – however, is the 14,000sq ft of communal space.
Arranged over two lower floors, this includes informal co-working spaces, an evening lounge, a games room with arcade machines, shuffleboard and pool and a snug with one of the largest flatscreen TVs I’ve ever seen, allowing it to double as a screening room.
For fitness there’s a studio space kitted out with Reformer Pilates machines, a chunky free weights room and a large gymnasium with luxury health club-grade cardio and resistance machines.
Workers can also make use of a string of private pods to minimise distractions or book characterful meeting rooms.
Then, for relaxation, there are flexible, purpose-built dining rooms for social gatherings or larger parties.
That’s before you even mention the ground floor lobby, which boasts a grand piano, an honesty market and a bold feature staircase to take residents up to the main communal areas.
smooth operation at 50-60 Charter Street
The person in charge of ensuring all of this operates smoothly is Vertus residential building manager Sam Pickering.
Born to Kiwi parents in the UK, he grew up in New Zealand, moving to Britain in 2015 “for a year”. His career has taken him through hospitality into looking after student accommodation before moving into build-to-rent and joining Vertus in 2024, initially to manage its 8 Water Street building.
“I remember at my interview saying that one of my goals was to manager a flagship site, although I didn’t expect it to be within a year,” said Sam, who is meticulous in his attention to detail, admitting he can’t resist rearranging coasters in the communal areas by colour when they’ve become disordered.
“We’ve got fantastic spaces – they’ve been very well thought out. Vertus has taken all the best parts from the other buildings they’ve opened.
“You enter via a very large reception foyer. It’s incredibly grand, with amazing gardens, high ceilings and open spaces.
“One of the benefits here is that our concierge team, who do a fantastic job, are truly here 24-hours.
“The residents build very strong relationships with them and it’s something that really sets us apart.
“With the design and facilities of 50-60 Charter Street, a lot of consideration has been put into what people want.
“The whole building has been designed around that.
“The dining rooms are flexible, for example – two of them can be separated or combined into one.
“Vertus offers very high-end living and with lots of services.
“Residents can bring their dry-cleaning down, and we can have that delivered and then brought back, for instance.
“We’re here to provide those experiences – we want the whole building to feel like a home.
“There are all these reasons to come down from your apartment and enjoy the other spaces, even if it’s just to get a coffee.
“That’s been very popular – we’re always having to top up the mugs.”
creating a community
Since the first residents moved into 10 George Street in 2020, not far from its latest building, Vertus has made a point of putting in place the architecture to bring residents together.
Its events team, Dor Rugira and Brogan Murray, hosted 197 gatherings in 2025 with an attendance rate of 81% across the Canary Wharf Group subsidiary’s buildings.
Sam said: “There is a real community on the estate.
“These events operate across the portfolio which is brilliant because it allows people who are living in such close proximity to meet each other and build friendships.
“That’s been really lovely for the staff to see.”
built for service
Sam’s role is to ensure the areas he looks after run smoothly, allowing the wider team to deliver the service that residents expect.
“On a day-to-day basis, it’s about the safety of the building – making sure the residents are taken care of, making sure all the safety checks for fire and water are done, that the place is safe to live in and that everyone is comfortable and their needs are met,” he said.
“We are very fortunate to have a very diverse team here.
“We’ve got the buildings managers and the property managers who deal directly with the apartments.
“Any initial concerns will go through them, and if there’s anything wrong, it will come to me.
“The concierge team do a fantastic job, liaising with the residents to make sure of that.
“The people who live here are an eclectic mix.
“We have students, lots of couples – many who are young professionals.
“We have groups of friends sharing, which is quite common in our two-beds and three-beds.
“It’s been very popular since launch and that’s because Canary Wharf is a developing area.
“Even if you’re not working on the estate, you’ve got the Elizabeth Line, the Tube and the DLR so you’re very well positioned to get around London quickly.
“Now we have residents living here, it really feels good to see the spaces being used.
“Managing it is a really lovely job to have and I’m really excited as we expect the numbers to grow over this year.
“For me, it’s been a tremendous opportunity and Vertus has been spectacular.
“It’s been such a place to learn and grow and develop, and I’m so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had.
“Personally, I’m really looking forward to seeing how people take to the facilities we have here and to see them enjoying themselves.”
key details: 50-60 Charter Street
Homes in the first phase of 50-60 Charter Street are available now, with more properties set for release in July.
Prices start at £2,600 per month for a studio, £3,000 for a one-bed, £4,100 for a two-bed and £5,200 for a three-bed. Properties come fully furnished.
You can find out more about Vertus’ homes here
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