Royal Albert Wharf, sat proudly on the Thames at the eastern end of the Royal Docks, offers prospective buyers a multitude of options.
Part of a 15-year regeneration project that has seen 1,500 residential properties built in the area, NHG Homes’ scheme is an established community, connected to the capital thanks to its proximity to Gallions Reach DLR.
For the housing association, which is marketing apartments for both private sale and shared ownership at the development, it’s all about flexibility.
“Royal Albert Wharf has come into its own in the past few years as a flourishing hub in the Royal Docks, which celebrates community, culture and the rich history of the area,” said Diana Alam, director of sales and marketing at NHG Homes.
“With homes available for sale and via shared ownership, buyers can explore this unique opportunity to own a home of their own in a way that suits their budget.
“We encourage those interested in buying to take advantage of our Stamp Duty incentive before April 1, 2025, and start their home ownership journey at this fantastic development today.”
take advantage of an offer
NHG Homes is currently offering to contribute up to £25,000 towards stamp duty costs on selected homes for private sale.
Buyers must reserve properties before the end of March, 2025, to qualify for the incentive.
This option is suitable for buyers with larger deposits – £17,325 and up – who wish to avoid the rise in stamp duty that’s due to come in on April 1, 2025.
The development is located on the eastern edge of Royal Docks – image by Tidyworks
choosing to share
Buyers can also choose to purchase shared ownership properties at Royal Albert Wharf.
The minimum deposit required for an entry level property at the development would be £4,157 assuming they can secure a 95% mortgage on a 25% share in the apartment.
Buyers can then increase their stake in the property over time through staircasing until they own their home outright.
No stamp duty is payable under the scheme until their share reaches 80%, further increasing the affordability of this route.
what’s on offer?
With the recent cut in interest rates, either route to home ownership will become less expensive as lenders reduce rates on their own deals.
Apartments at Royal Albert Wharf feature open-plan design and private balconies or terraces.
The wider development boasts a concierge service, a residents’ workspace and a lounge with an on-site car club and cycle storage also available.
Parking is also offered and comes as standard with three-bedroom homes.
Local amenities include a nursery, the Well Bean Co Cafe beside dock edge, a children’s play area, a convenience store and Cafe Spice Namaste – a restaurant by noted chef Cyrus Todiwala.
The DLR provides direct connections to the Elizabeth Line at Custom House and Canary Wharf.
key details: Royal Albert Wharf
Shared ownership apartments at Royal Albert Wharf start at £83,125 for a 25% of a one-bed, based on a full market value of £332,500.
Homes for private sale start at £346,500 for a one-bed and £527,500 for a two-bed. Stamp duty incentives are available on selected homes.
Regular readers of Wharf Life will already be familiar with Fairview New Homes’ development The Silverton in Royal Docks.
But aside from the private sale properties available, there is another way to buy an apartment at the project.
tell me more
Housing association Aster Group is marketing a selection of homes at The Silverton for purchase via shared ownership.
about the partner
Aster provides affordable housing across the south of England and in London.
Established in 1990 it has around £2.4billion of social housing assets, owning and maintaining some 37,000 properties.
The group reinvests profits from private sale and shared ownership to support the development of affordable homes, delivering hundreds to the market each year.
It currently has shared ownership homes on offer in 12 counties, with new and nearly new properties available.
what are they selling here?
A collection of shared ownership properties at The Silverton, ranging in size from one to three bedrooms.
Prices start at £88,750 for a 25% share of a one-bed, based on a full market value of £355,000.
For those able to secure a 95% mortgage, that could mean a deposit of £4,438 would be enough to make a purchase.
they say…
Amy Nettleton, Aster Group assistant development director sales and marketing, said: “We are thrilled to offer shared ownership homes at The Silverton, a prime location with fantastic commuter links.
“This development provides an incredible opportunity for many who might have thought home buying in such a vibrant area was out of reach.
“It’s exciting to see how shared ownership can open doors to the property ladder for so many.”
the area
The Silverton is within easy walking distance of Pontoon Dock DLR, offering direct connections to Woolwich, Canary Wharf and the City.
Located to the south of the Royal Docks, the area is going through extensive regeneration at present.
Further schemes will be built along the Thames, adding to Royal Wharf and Riverscape, while a massive new residential development is underway at nearby Silvertown.
Enhancing local connectivity, those plans include a new bridge across Royal Victoria Dock and upgrades to the DLR station to help cope with the expected influx of residents.
Housing prices in the area are likely to rise over the coming years given this considerable investment and there are also benefits from being London’s only enterprise zone – a scheme designed to attract businesses to base themselves in E16.
Local amenities are plentiful and The Silverton is also within easy reach of the Woolwich Ferry, London City Airport and conference and exhibition centre, Excel London.
key details: shared ownership at The Silverton
Shared ownership properties at The Silverton are available through Aster Group with prices starting at £88,750 for a 25% share of a one-bed.
“It’s about educating people on what the product is and what process they will go through when buying something with us,” said Kevin Sims, director of affordable homes provider SO Resi, part of Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTV) housing association.
As we’re running a special feature on shared ownership in Wharf Life, we thought we’d turn to an expert in the field to offer readers some clarity on the scheme and whether it might work for them.
First, a few facts.
The way shared ownership works is relatively simple.
Buyers essentially enter into a partnership with an affordable housing supplier such as a housing association.
They purchase typically between 25% and 75% of a property, paying rent at a capped level on the rest as well as any service charges due.
To be eligible, buyers in London must have a combined household income of less than £90,000 a year and not own another property.
But why go down this route at all?
“A lot of people aspire to home ownership – we’d all like to live in a five-bedroom house in Kensington, but most of us can’t do that,” said Kevin who joined MTV six years ago and now looks after the organisation’s shared ownership buyers throughout their journey with SO Resi.
“While 100% ownership might be the goal, some people will only be able to achieve 50% or 75% but owning a share in a property is still better than renting.
“One of the most important things you get as a shared ownership buyer is what I call: ‘Security of tenure’.
“If you’re renting, you don’t own anything.
“Your landlord might wake up on any given morning and decide they want to sell up – you’re constantly at the mercy of a notice period and all the stress and worry that comes with an unexpected move.
“That’s not going to happen to a shared owner.
“There might be a situation where someone defaults very badly on their rent and mortgage, but as a housing association we’ll be there to step in and help so, unless someone’s got themselves into a real pickle, there will never be anybody saying they have to move out in a month’s time.
“That security is a really valuable part of the product.
“There’s also freedom of expression of course.
“Shared owners can decorate the property however they want – they’re more or less free to live in it like they own it outright.”
Homes at SO Resi Canning Town in east London have proved popular -SO Resi director Kevin Sims – image by SO Resi
more affordable
It’s not just peace of mind, however.
Not only is the monthly cost of a shared ownership property in east London typically cheaper than monthly rent on a comparable home, the bar to getting on the ladder is significantly lower too.
“Saving a 10% deposit for a £400,000 one-bed apartment would mean putting aside £40,000 before you consider the other conveyancing and moving costs and that’s unmanageable for a lot of people,” said Kevin.
“The only way many can manage to raise a 10% deposit would be to move out of London and that just isn’t possible for some.
“But if you bought a 25% share in that property with a 10% deposit, you’d only need to save £10,000. That’s still a lot, but it’s considerably easier than buying outright.
“There’s also recently been an increase in the number of 95% mortgages available and having to only find £5,000 makes a very, very big difference.
“That allows a whole load of people who can’t buy into the housing market any other way to do so.
“That means they have an asset and, while people would aspire to own 100% of a property, I’d certainly rather have 25% than nothing at all.
“In long term, the value of that asset will grow – nobody’s going to lose out on buying at any one of our London developments whether that’s at Canning Town, Nine Elms or Wembley.
“Of course there are places on the outskirts of the capital but they’re no substitute for London life, which is why people find it so attractive.
“Consequently shared ownership is a big draw for lots of people, especially those who are renting at high rates in the city.”
staircasing with SO Resi
The journey doesn’t end with the purchase of the first share, however, with buyers able to increase their stake in a property, paying less rent as their level of ownership increases.
“The process is called ‘staircasing’ and there are lots of ways that shared owners can do that,” said Kevin.
“For many years, for example, we’ve offered shared owners the option to increase their stake in a property by 1% every 12 months.
“Unlike some other housing associations, MTV under that SO Resi umbrella actively encourages staircasing and we have a big team to facilitate it.
“At present, about 8% of our shared ownership buyers own all of their home so for some it’s an aim rather than a destination.
“If somebody then wants to move out, that’s not a problem either.
“We are very proactive if someone wants to sell their share and it’s now a straightforward process to either market it through us or via an estate agency.”
SO Resi Canning Town apartments feature open-plan design – image by SO Resi
key details: SO Resi Canning Town
There are still some shared ownership properties left to purchase at SO Resi Canning Town in east London.
Prices start at £98,750 for a 25% share in a one-bed with estimated monthly outgoings of £1,371.
The apartments are located within easy walking distance of Canning Town station for access to the DLR and Jubilee line, offering direct connections to Canary Wharf, the City, London City Airport, Excel and Stratford.
Kevin said: “There’s a whole raft of reasons why your London professionals will see Canning Town as a very attractive proposition – it’s got lots of appeal to lots of different kinds of people.
“It’s been really successful as a scheme for us and you can see why buyers want to live there.”
Specifically, The Photography And Video Show is set to arrive at Excel London for the first time over four days in March.
what’s it all about?
Professional and amateur photographers plus film, video and content creators are invited to the east London exhibition centre in Royal Docks to check out the latest kit and techniques.
what brands will be there?
The major players will all be present including the likes of Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, OM System, 3 Legged Thing, Pentax, Tamron, Lowepro and Sigma.
In total more than 250 brands will be showing cameras, lenses, equipment and accessories, with visitors able to try out kit and purchase it at the event.
Retailers such as Wex Photo Video, CameraWorld and London Camera Exchange will also be present, offering exclusive show discounts and trade-in finance options.
New for 2025 will be exhibitors such as Tilta, Imagen AI, Viltrox, Tiffen, Nya-Evo and Sandisk.
there’s more?
Education is a major component of the event, with a range of talks and demonstrations on offer across six stages and theatres.
Photographers participating in sessions include Lindsay Adler, David DuChemin, Joel Grimes, Colin Prior, Andy Gotts, Julieanne Kost, Scott Kelby, Sarah Edmunds, Kelly Brown and Belinda Richards.
On the moving image side, Teja Lisjak, Libby Penman, Mandy Celine, Dan Thorburn and Dean Sherwood will be sharing insights and tips for making films and capturing video.
and for content?
The show has invited content creators Oliver Howells, Kym Moseley, Tati Kapaya, Tamara Gabriel, Andy Burgess, Ellis Reed, Bax Mundoba and Courtney Victoria to share their expertise on its Creator Stage.
Visitors will be able to try out all the latest kit – image by The Photography And Video Show / Future Publishing Events
discover the latest kit at The Photography And Video Show
beyond the stages?
Many of the brands exhibiting will also be hosting their own programmes to demonstrate kit and skills on their stands.
Adobe will be running an education programme at its hub, while the show will also host the Nikon School, Canon Spotlight, Fujifilm School and offerings from Sigma and Digital Camera World.
places to play
The Photography And Video Show has partnered with Creativity Hub Events to offer visitors interactive shoot sets where they can practise their skills and try out their purchases.
The Creator Playground will also return for a third year with attendees told to expect giant garden gnomes, illusion tunnels and much more besides.
they say…
Event director, Ruth Folkard, said: “The Photography And Video Show isn’t just ‘another trade exhibition’, it’s far more than that.
“It’s a date for the diary for anyone who loves to be behind the camera.
“This is the event’s debut in London and we’re really looking forward to welcoming thousands of tech geeks and creative artists alike.
“Beginner or pro – it really doesn’t matter, there’s something on for everyone and we’re family friendly too.”
More than 250 brands will be participating in The Photography And Video Show – image by The Photography And Video Show / Future Publishing Events
key details: The Photography And Video Show
The Photography And Video Show is set to make its debut at Excel London from March 8-11, 2025.
Open from 10am-5pm each day, standard tickets cost £18.95 with discounts available for multi-day access.
An opportunity for attendees to expand their networks, to connect with more than 120 exhibitors and to boost the skills they use in their careers.
who’s exhibiting?
Suppliers will be represented from the fields of business travel, corporate gifting, workplace solutions, event planning services and many more.
what about activities?
There will be a range of opportunities including speed networking sessions and the return of The PA Show Passport, an initiative that encourages delegates to visit suppliers for the chance to win prizes and collect a goody bag. This year it’s sponsored by Thorntons.
how about on stage?
The Keynote Theatre is free to attend on both days, with highlights on the programme including Lifting Your Potential: Strongwoman Stories To Help You Say Yes To Success from coach and speaker, Zoë Thompson, and Lead Up: How To Move From PA To EA And Beyond by keynote speaker, trainer and coach at The Like Me CIC, Jasmine Mbye.
The event will offer plenty of networking opportunities
CPD-accredited content
that’s not all is it?
No. The event is well-known for its CPD-accredited sessions, which can be accessed at the event for an all-inclusive cost.
Firstly there’s the Tech Theatre. Running both days, highlights include Crafting Precision: Advanced ChatGPT Prompts For Proactive Assistants with Paul Pennant of Microsoft MVP and Using AI To Supercharge Your Social Media from Kati Noakes, founder of KN Comms. The event will also host a Personal Development Theatre on both days.
Then, on the first day the show will also host the VA Content Stream for virtual assistants including VACT Limited’ s VA trainer and mentor, Amanda Johnson with a talk entitled Be The Boss Of Your VA Future and Shelley Fishel, founder of Tomorrow’s VA on Saving Money And Boosting Efficiency With Microsoft Tools For Virtual Assistants.
The second day will see the event host the EA Leadership And Progression Conference Stream offer sessions on Mastering Business Skills For Growth And Leadership from Clare Lucas of UK Ducks In A Row Ltd and From Uniform to Suit: Boot Camp For Executive Assistants by Claudine Martin, senior EA at BNY Pershing.
Marketing director at Mash Media, Charlotte Fewlass
register for The PA Show now
they say…
“We’ve added a theatre stream specifically designed for executive assistants aspiring to leadership roles,” said Charlotte Fewlass, marketing event director at Mash Media, organiser of The PA Show.
“These sessions will equip attendees with the strategic thinking, resilience, and communication skills needed to excel in today’s evolving workplace.”
who’s supporting?
In addition to Thorntons, the event’s 2025 headline sponsor will be train travel specialist SWR Business Direct.
It’s also supported by meeting and event space provider Convene and business travel management firm Corporate Traveller.
anything else?
The show’s sales and event director, Lisa Farnfield, said:
“The PA Show offers unparalleled opportunities for skill development, networking and career growth.
“Our exhibitors provide cutting-edge solutions tailored to executive support professionals, ensuring attendees leave with actionable insights and valuable connections.”
Sales and event director at The PA Show, Lisa Farnfield
key details: The PA Show 2025
The PA Show Spring 2025 is set to take place at Excel in Royal Docks from February 26-27, 2025.
Exhibition and Keynote Theatre passes are free for PAs, EAs, VAs and office managers.
Full access including all CPD-accredited content costs £199 for one day or £239 for two ex VAT.
Group discounts of 20% for five+ delegates are available.
The Silvertown Tunnel is set to open on April 7, 2025, assuming Riverlinx and TfL’s carefully laid plans come to fruition.
what’s that?
It’s a new road crossing under the Thames between Royal Docks and Greenwich Peninsula, named for the neighbourhood in the former where its twin bores pop up.
isn’t that the route of the Blackwall Tunnel?
Not quite. That one runs between the Peninsula and, well, Blackwall.
but there’s quite an impact on both isn’t there?
Correct. From April 7, tolls will apply for drivers in both tunnels.
This is to fund the construction of the new link and ongoing maintenance of the two crossings. It also avoids pushing drivers towards one tunnel.
go on, how much?
Charges will apply between 6am and 10pm. At peak times (6am-10am and 4pm-7pm on weekdays) cars and small vans will pay £4 for each crossing, large vans will pay £5.50 and lorries £6.50.
At weekends and from 10am-4pm and 7pm-10pm on weekdays, the charge is £1.50 per journey. There is no charge between 10pm and 6am for any vehicle.
In contrast to the Congestion Charge and the fee for the Dartford Crossing, motorcyclists and moped riders are not exempt with peak journeys charged at £2.50 and off-peak at £1.50.
how do I pay?
The best option is to sign up for TfL Auto Pay, which also administers the Congestion Charge and LEZ and ULEZ levies in the capital.
Users register their details online and can choose to pay by Direct Debit or card.
Those not using this system pay peak charges via phone or online at all times when using the tunnel.
are there any discounts?
There are. Drivers on low incomes can get 50% off if they live in the boroughs of Barking And Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, City of London, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest. This will be available for at least the first three years.
The link features a dedicated bus lane, with most road users charged to drive through it
what about businesses?
Small businesses and charities based in Greenwich, Newham, or Tower Hamlets can register up to three vehicles for a £1 discount per off-peak journey for at least the first year of the tunnel’s operation. This discount applies to Auto Pay only.
Vehicles with a disabled tax class, taxis licensed by TfL, Blue Badge holders and certain other exempt vehicles will be able to use the crossing for free.
what are the benefits?
TfL says the tunnel should help reduce congestion, delays and queues, help tackle pollution and improve the resilience of the road network by providing alternatives for drivers when either tunnel needs to close.
In addition to boosting road capacity, the opening of Silvertown Tunnel will provide new public transport routes.
so more buses?
Yes, at peak times, the crossings will see the number of buses rise from six to 21 per hour thanks to the introduction of Superloop SL4 between Grove Park and Canary Wharf and an extension to the 129 from Lewisham to London City Airport and Great Eastern Quay.
These join existing services on the 108 through Blackwall Tunnel.
TfL says cross river services will be free for the first year to encourage people to use public transport through the new links.
wait, free?
Yes, there’s more too.
For the first 12 months, those making journeys between Island Gardens and Cutty Sark or Woolwich Arsenal and King George V on the DLR will also find their journeys refunded as TfL works to tempt people to swap their cars for alternatives.
The discounts only apply to pay-as-you-go journeys between the stations listed, not longer trips.
anything else?
There’s good news for cyclists too.
The Silvertown Tunnel will have a Cycle Shuttle Service, free for the first year and operating for at least three years, running between Seagull Lane in Royal Docks and Millennium Way on the Peninsula.
This will run every 12 minutes every day from 6.30am to 9.30pm.
are the kids alright?
A puzzle. At the time of going to press, it looked like drivers under the age of 18 – moped riders aged 16+ and car drivers aged 17 – might have to pay the maximum peak toll for crossing through either tunnel at all times.
That’s because off-peak discounts on the charges are only available when using TfL Auto Pay, a service that says it’s only available to those aged 18 or over.
No discounts apply for payments made by phone or online, which are the only other options to make payment.
At off-peak times, that means mopeds riders and motorcyclists would pay an extra £1 per journey and car drivers an extra £2.50.
A TfL spokesperson told Wharf Life: “We are currently looking at how we can ensure that those aged 16 and 17 with a registered vehicle can access TfL Auto Pay to benefit from off-peak user charges for the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels and will provide an update in due course.”
It said vehicles registered with TfL Auto Pay under a parent or guardian’s account would benefit from the discounts.
It has now altered its web page to clarify that only vehicles registered via an adult’s account will get the discount.
Fine for those aged 17 and under with access to a willing parent or guardian…
key details: the Silvertown Tunnel
More updates and information on the Silvertown Tunnel, which is set to open on April 7, 2025, as well as all the services that are due to come into effect once it does can be found on TfL’s website here.
Price is the driver behind first-time buyers’ appetite for Royal Docks properties according to Fairview New Homes.
The developer, which is currently marketing The Silverton in E16’s North Woolwich Road, says renters looking to buy are increasingly heading further east.
“The current climate means buyers are naturally looking for the best value for money when it comes to buying a home, especially those looking to join the property ladder,” said the company’s sales manager, Sohail Saiyed.
“While the Royal Docks is an emerging area and almost halfway through its major regeneration life cycle, it’s within easy reach of so many fantastic locations that offer everything young professionals are looking for.
Royal Docks is significantly less expensive than the area around Canary Wharf
“Therefore, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing renters from Canary Wharf, Limehouse and the Isle Of Dogs buying here, as for a like-for-like property they’re saving over 20%.
“Given the ongoing regeneration and huge investment in the Royal Docks, I would expect this trend to gather pace and as a result drive up house prices, meaning now is the best time to invest in the area.
“Due to its proximity to Canary Wharf, I would expect the area to follow a similar trajectory to the Isle Of Dogs, where house prices have risen by 82% over the last 20 years according to data from Foxtons.”
The estate agency’s numbers back up the argument.
It says the average asking price for a one-bed in the areas around Canary Wharf including Limehouse, Poplar, Blackwall and the Isle Of Dogs is £435,938.
For Royal Docks, that figure drops to £353,841 – a 19% difference and a potential saving of £82,000 for prospective buyers.
Homes come with fully fitted kitchens in open-plan living areas
The Silverton: attracting buyers
The Silverton itself is evidence of the trend.
More than a third of buyers at the scheme have come from addresses in E14 and Saiyed said that, with many working in the financial and insurance sectors not having to compromise on their lifestyles thanks to efficient transport links, it had proved popular.
By DLR via Pontoon Dock, Canary Wharf is about 20 minutes from the development or a 12-minute drive.
The scheme also enjoys direct links into the City and is within walking distance of London City Airport.
Billions of pounds are currently pouring into Royal Docks with many new homes, amenities and attractions expected to be built in the coming years.
The Silverton’s location, however, puts it within easy reach of the cafés, restaurants and shops that have already taken up residence at nearby Royal Wharf including The Windjammer pub, brunch spot Little Hudson and Korean barbecue Keonbae.
It’s a neighbourhood that is continuing to change with much more to come including a new pedestrian bridge linking the north and south sides of Royal Victoria Dock as part of The Silvertown development, a similarly named scheme nearby.
For Sohail, it’s an area primed to appeal to an active demographic of buyers.
“40% of our reservations have come from people aged 30 or under, which is a further indication of how popular this area is proving with the younger generation,” said Sohail.
“It’s a neighbourhood where we’ll see young families grow and a sense of community establish itself even more in the years to come.
“While almost half of those living in the Royal Docks are renting, nearly all of our first-time buyers are 30 or younger, demonstrating that once financially able, east London’s younger generations are clearly keen to put down roots here.”
To help them do that, Fairview is currently offering 5% mortgage contributions on selected plots up to a maximum of £25,000 on reservations made by March 31, 2025.
Terms and conditions apply.
An artist’s impression of winter gardens at The Silverton
key details: The Silverton
Prices at The Silverton start at £350,000 for a one-bed.
A selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom duplexes are available.
For those house hunting in 2025, a development in Royal Docks is offering a potent incentive to swap renting for a foot on the ladder.
Prospective buyers reserving a shared ownership home at East River Wharf before midnight on March 20, 2025, can get a boost to their deposit of up to £8,000.
The 5% contribution comes in the form of a one-off deduction when the purchaser completes on the deal and is only available on deals to buy 25% of a property at the scheme.
For example, a quarter of an apartment with a full market value of £500,000 would be £125,000, making the available boost to the buyer £6,250 – potentially equivalent to the deposit necessary to secure a 95% mortgage on that property.
Legal And General Affordable Homes, which is marketing the properties at East River Wharf, is set to host an open day on January 18, 2025, for those interested in accessing the incentive.
Prices for a one-bedroom home at East River Wharf start at £96,875 for a 25% share and come with a wide range of facilities and benefits.
The properties form part of Riverscape – essentially an extension of Ballymore and Oxley’s extensive Royal Wharf development on the banks of the Thames at Silvertown – meaning East River Wharf residents are able to access those schemes’ amenities.
These include a health club, the Sky Lounge with views over the Thames to Greenwich Peninsula and Canary Wharf, a concierge service, 24-hour security and a high street with shops, cafés and restaurants.
Shared ownership buyers also get a three-year ZipCar membership with £50 of driving credit when they move in.
Each apartment at East River Wharf has private outdoor space
a wealth of amenities
A spokesperson for Legal And General Affordable Homes said: “The amenities at East River Wharf are best in class, with a state-of-the-art residents’ gym, pool and spa.
“Plus, concierge services and 24-hour security ensure our residents always feel at home.
“There is also a primary school located on the development, which is perfect for growing families.
“Whatever your stage in life, East River Wharf is a modern and secure place to call home with shared ownership.”
The apartments themselves are located on the edge of Lyle Park, which recently celebrated its centenary with a spruce up and the installation of a commemorative mosaic.
They feature open-plan design, fully fitted kitchens with integrated Siemens appliances, tiled bathrooms, free standing Beko washer-dryers and private balconies.
The entry-level one-bed extends to some 538sq ft with a full market value of £387,500.
At the other end of the scale, a three-bed worth £650,000 stretches to 934sq ft on the tenth floor, with a 25% share costing £162,500.
Homes at East River Wharf start at £96,875 for a 25% share
connected up: East River Wharf
Transport connections nearby are excellent with the DLR offering rapid links to Canary Wharf, London City Airport and beyond.
Shared ownership allows buyers to get on the ladder with a smaller deposit than if they were buying a home outright by allowing them to purchase typically 25% of a home.
For the entry level property at East River Wharf, for instance, a deposit of £4,844 could be enough to secure a 95% mortgage on the £96,875 price.
Buyers then pay rent on the unowned portion of the property, the mortgage on their portion of it and the service charge.
This usually works out cheaper than renting a comparable home in the same area.
Those who own a share can also choose to increase their stake in a property over time – a process known as staircasing – until they own the whole thing, or can sell their portion should they wish to move.
The view from the Sky Lounge at Riverscape
key details: East River Wharf
The open day at East River Wharf is set to take place on January 18, 2025, from 10am to 4pm at the development’s Sky Lounge.
“I’m still so passionate about it, 20 years after we started,” said Natasha Hart. “NASSA is one big family – once you set foot in there, you don’t want to come out.
“We have volunteers who started with us when their children were small – they’ve grown up and left, but their parents are still helping out.
“The young people who have been through our hands stay in touch, even two decades later.”
This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the day Natasha took her two sons to Balaam Park in east London to teach them basketball, offering to make it a weekly treat.
They invited their friends, word got round and soon she was coaching groups of more than 30 kids.
The demand was there.
With £20 in the bank she registered Newham All Start Sports Academy (NASSA) as a charity and never looked back.
In 2008, her son, Anthony Okereafor, launched NASSA’s Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign in response to the fatal stabbings of two of his friends within weeks of each other.
Its work, tackling knife crime and gang culture, while breaking down barriers between youngsters and the Metropolitan Police, has seen more than 100,000 young people aged 10-18 attend its sessions.
In that time NASSA’s teams have also won league titles, its initiatives have been recognised with a multitude of awards and Natasha has received an MBE as its CEO.
But the demand for the charity’s blend of sports and education is unrelenting.
The pandemic and cost of living crisis have taken their toll and its work is sorely needed because it’s ultimately about more than a child learning the discipline of sport – it’s in the business of creating community.
NASSA is celebrating 20 years of work in Newham in 2025
addressing a need
“NASSA is always attracting young people,” said Natasha.
“Some want to meet new friends, some want to play sports, some want to be away from something and others want to progress and develop.
“We are always learning from them because it’s not only about the child.
“They’re a brother, a sister, a son or a daughter.
“Once the young person trusts us we find the whole family joins in.
“From a single session they get involved and the ball starts rolling – we’ll be asking how are they doing in school, what life is like – then after a few weeks you build that trust.”
Those relationships allow the charity to help address a wide range of issues facing those living locally.
It works to tackle domestic violence, addiction and unhealthy peer pressure and knife crime through a blend of mentoring, coaching, support and education.
“If we can find a solution to a problem then we will, or we can refer people on to specialists who can help,” said Natasha.
“We always want to be growing as a charity, to reach more people and embrace new ideas. For example, when we first started our workshops with the police, the relationship with young people was poor.
“Now each year we play a friendly game with serving officers and that builds trust – the young people can see they are human and that they play basketball, which is so important because they are the people you need to call when you’re in trouble.”
The charity addresses a wide range of issues through its programmes
NASSA: creating community
Over its first two decades NASSA has been successful in securing support from the likes of Excel, Tate And Lyle, UEL, Sport England, L&Q, London City Airport, the Mayor Of London, Newham Council, the Royal Docks Team and Basketball England.
“We’ve been very lucky with the supporters we have, the volunteers, the coaches and the sponsors who all enable us to deliver,” said Natasha.
“We have a rich history with what we’ve done in this community and a great track record in helping change and save the lives of people in this part of London.
“That we are able to do this is very satisfying for all those involved with the charity whether it’s our sponsors, our staff or me.”
To mark its 20th year, NASSA is planning a renewed focus on generating funds for its activities, with an ambition to roll out its mission to other parts of the capital.
A fundraising event is set to be held in June at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks as a celebration of the charity’s anniversary to help spread the word about the work its doing and offer businesses and individuals new ways to get involved in its activities.
“We want the event to help us reach new supporters and a new audience and for them to be able to come together with our existing sponsors,” said Natasha.
“It’s an opportunity for us to showcase what we have done over the past 20 years and what we are going to do in the future.
“We know we have expertise and I would love us to be able to roll that out to the surrounding boroughs.
“With knife crime the way it is in London, our work is needed more and more and I believe this is a model that could work across the city, helping to save more young people’s lives.”
Aspirational: NASSA uses the discipline of sport to effect change in young lives
key details: NASSA
NASSA, based in Royal Docks, is always looking for support from volunteers, businesses and organisations to help deliver its sport and education programmes.
Full details of NASSA’s fundraising event in June will be published in due course.
If you or your company think you could help in any way by providing resources or funding, you can contact the charity here
Venture to the banks of the Thames in Royal Docks and, on a patch of land close to Tate & Lyle’s North Woolwich factory, you’ll find a small forest of logs and tree stumps arranged behind a shipping container.
But this collection of offcuts isn’t a pile of unwanted timber, dumped by an unscrupulous tree surgeon.
It’s the raw material from which two interrelated businesses have emerged.
Steve Nyman knows the power of an image.
Bitten early by the photography bug he was “obsessed with the camera” as a schoolboy, turning that passion into a successful shooting career in the fashion sector that’s taken him all over the world working with models and brands.
However, there was also an underlying desire to explore creativity beyond the lens.
“During the pandemic, I was just sitting there and thinking,” he said.
“I’d always been good at sourcing locations – I guess I’ve got a sense for an aesthetic and an eye for design.
“I love nature and it was on a trip to Thailand that I found inspiration.
“There was this piece of driftwood on a beach that just looked like a coffee table – I wanted to take it home and regretted leaving it behind, although I did bring back an amazing shell.
“I thought that if I could find these kinds of pieces of wood and work with them in England, then that’s what I’d like to do.
Steve Nyman of Our Urban Oasis and Hidden Gems Design, surrounded by the raw material he works with
“By chance, I met a guy with a woodworking shop at Thames-Side Studios in Woolwich where I was based.
“I approached him with some of my ideas and designs, started working in his workshop and learnt a lot from him as he turned them into a reality.
“We use pieces of natural wood that would otherwise be burnt or end up in the chipper to create pieces of furniture and sculptures.
“We reclaim them from tree surgeons and give them a new lease of life.
“It’s very sustainable because we’re saving this material from going to waste.
“If it wasn’t for someone making something out of a fallen tree, it would be burned.”
The furniture at Our Urban Oasis comes from Hidden Gems Design
creating Our Urban Oasis
Hidden Gems took off, with Steve’s work in demand from interior designers and a stream of direct commissions, but things haven’t ended there.
In tandem with his furniture business, he’s created a fresh, innovative venture in Royal Docks that’s also proving a hit with clients.
“I live locally and I was scouting around with the idea of opening a photography studio,” said Steve, who also makes ceramic pieces.
“I used to store my wood at The Silver Building which is also owned by Projekt and space at The Factory Project came up so I took it on and opened Our Urban Oasis.
Both studios are on two levels and, in contrast to the typical blank canvas approach of many providers, Steve has kitted them out with a wide selection of pieces from Hidden Gems that clients are free to incorporate into their photoshoots, videos or other creative works.
Steve has filled his studios with furniture and sculptural pieces mostly made from natural wood
Visitors can even buy the pieces on display, should they so wish.
“A lot of these studio spaces tend to copy each other, but I trust my own tastes,” said Steve.
“I think that if I like it, then there will be other people that do too.
“It’s satisfying to see people enjoying it and we’re very popular. I think people hire the spaces because they want something different.
“I hope they find the furniture and decor inspiring – some of the walls are natural clay.
“It’s a creative space where people can come and it’s organic, they can use it for whatever they want.
“It can be a film set, a place to record podcasts, video content or to do fashion shoots. Everything can be moved around and we have plain backgrounds too so it can be used for e-commerce.
“There’s a kind of zen feeling about it, so I get a lot of people involved in the wellbeing sector using it.”
Steve’s pieces from Hidden Gems fill the space, with everything from sofas and chairs to dining tables and tree stumps on wheels available as props.
“A lot of them feature live edge work – where the bark has just come off and the wood has a natural shape to it,” he said.
“Each piece is truly unique. I could make a new version of a piece we’ve already done, but it will never be exactly the same because the wood will be different.
“I always get surprises with the timber we work with because, until you get it inside the workshop and start to cut it and work with it, you don’t know what it will be like.
“We’ll plane a piece down and it’ll be: ‘Wow, look at that,’ and there’s the inspiration.”
Our Urban Oasis’ spaces are available for a wide variety of uses
providing flexible spaces
Our Urban Oasis enjoys a varied array of clients with people finding all kinds of uses for the space.
“It’s such a mixture,” said Steve.
“We’ve had celebrities here doing shoots for magazines and we get big fashion brands as well. It’s really surprising.
“We get plenty of natural light and there’s a real summer vibe when the sun is streaming through the window.
“The building itself is very secure and I think people sometimes wonder what they’re coming into when they arrive at the gates because of The Factory Project’s industrial history, but it also means we’re nice and quiet.”
That’s likely to be of special benefit for Our Urban Oasis’ forthcoming evening of Candlelit Yin Yoga And Sound Bath.
The event is set to take place on December 7 from 4pm to 6pm and will be led by Yoga and Pilates teacher Suzan Altay.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
