Royal Docks Archives

October 4, 2024October 6, 2024

Lyle Park centenary celebrated as Riverscape unveils The Latham

Ballymore set for programme of activities drawing attention to its Royal Docks schemes

Maud Milton's celebratory mosaic, commissioned for Lyle Park's centenary — Maud Milton’s celebratory mosaic, commissioned for Lyle Park’s centenary

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The 100th birthday of Lyle Park in Royal Docks is a reminder, perhaps, that we are simply custodians of the land – morally obliged to leave it better than we found it.

Created originally on land donated by Sir Leonard Lyle (of Tate & Lyle) to West Ham Council, it was initially intended as a vital strip of green open space to improve the lives of residents and workers living in cramped conditions around the factories during the docks’ heyday.

It rapidly became an essential lung in a sea of grimy, polluting industry – a place where at least people could find an escape from their toil for a few hours and enjoy a stroll by the Thames.

But with the factories’ decline and departure (Tate & Lyle being a notable exception), this parcel of grass and trees became a somewhat overlooked anomaly, at least until plans for regeneration arrived.

For now, 100 years after its creation, Lyle Park is once again centre-stage – a valuable and treasured asset for the emerging communities at Royal Wharf and, more recently, Riverscape.

A new building – The Latham – is set to launch later this month at the latter and developer Ballymore is eager to emphasise its proximity to the open space.

To that end, it’s spent time and money sprucing up the park for its 100th birthday and creating a series of attractions to help bring more people to the area.

Driving visitors to the space is also part of the company’s ongoing regeneration plans as Lyle Park should – if planning permission is granted – soon be bordered on its far side by the developer’s scheme for Knights Road.

This will see a further 1,300 homes created along the Thames alongside light industrial units, open spaces and shops.

Lyle Park has been cleaned up for its 100th birthday

marking the anniversary of Lyle Park

“The park had been surrounded by industrial land, so we’ve been working on how we could get people back there and celebrate its 100th birthday,” said James Boyce, associate regional sales director at Ballymore.

“Given we’re just completing the construction of Riverscape, we’ve been thinking about the best way to activate it, to pull people in from all the surrounding developments to come and enjoy the park.

“We’ve been making improvements in partnership with Newham Parks such as pruning some of the larger trees, tidying up the paths and works to the steps – we’re really excited to share them with people.”

Should planning permission be granted for Knights Road, Ballymore will further update and polish the park’s offering.

But in the meantime it’s celebrating the space’s centenary with a pair of installations.

The first has seen east London artist Maud Milton and her team at Trinity Buoy Wharf-based Artyface cement a series of four mosaic artworks into the fabric of the Lyle Park marking its 100th birthday and highlighting some of the birds found on the Thames and its tributaries.

Lyle Park sits beside Riverscape right on the Thames

The second will see SuperShakes operate a pop-up at the park.

The new health-focused drinks brand has been created by owner of The Lockdown Room and The Eleventh Hour, Dan Bull, (find out more about him here) and it will be the lynch pin of a series of fitness events in partnership with Royal Wharf Club House and One Element Docklands.

All of these activities officially launch on October 5, when interested parties can also get a sneak peek at homes in The Latham.

James said: “It’s a fine building, housing 52 apartments split into one, two and three-beds. It’s also the last opportunity to buy a home facing over Lyle Park.

“For nature-lovers, these properties are ideal.

“The apartments all have big balconies or terraces and you can see the grass and trees – some of which are 100 years old – stretching out in front of you.

“If you walk down the steps from The Latham, you’re literally in the park, it’s a real selling point.

“What’s also a little more unusual is that on the ground floor, we have four apartments – two one-beds and two-three beds – that have almost double-height ceilings and they’re really special.

“The three-beds, especially, are spectacular if you’re a family looking for lots of space and easy access to the outdoors”

In addition, residents at The Latham will enjoy all the amenities of both Riverscape and Royal Wharf as well as excellent transport links via the DLR.

Homes at The Latham are set to go on sale on October 26

key details: The Latham at Riverscape

Homes in The Latham at Riverscape are set to officially launch on October 26, 2024.

Prices start at £430,000.

Those seeking an early preview can take a tour of the building on October 5, 2024, at 11am, 1pm or 3pm departing from the Riverscape Sales Gallery at Royal Wharf.

For more information about Riverscape and SuperShakes’ fitness events over the coming months, follow @supershakes and @riverscapeldn on Instagram

Find out more about homes at the scheme here

Artist Maud Milton, hard at work in her studio at Trinity Buoy Wharf

meeting Maud Milton

Artist Maud Milton set up Artyface Community Art in 1999 in Tower Hamlets and has been making public works ever since.

Based at Trinity Buoy Wharf, a neighbour to Ballymore’s Goodluck Hope scheme in Leamouth, she and her team were commissioned by the developer to create a mosaic mural trail in celebration of Lyle Park’s centenary.

The four works are set to be officially unveiled on October 5, 2024.

“I got a degree in ceramics from Cardiff and then did a residency in North Wales for a year,” said Maud.

“But my mum was from east London and moved back here and I joined her in Stepney Green to set up the business.

“I got an office job in London to pay the bills, but had repetitive strain injury from long hours working as a web editor and copywriter, so I was forced to leave work with no idea what I could do.

“I showed my portfolio around to lots of people and got a commission with one council.

vThen I met graphic designer Catherine Clark through another job and she’s been working with me ever since.”

With Catherine creating the designs and Maud using ceramics and mosaic techniques to bring them into reality, Artyface has made a name for itself across London and beyond with its colourful, community driven works including roundel signs for stations.

Maud with one of the mosaic's she and her team have created for the project — Maud with one of the mosaic’s she and her team have created for the project

“We’ve been doing it for 25 years and Catherine is incredible,” said Maud.

“The nice thing about these pieces is that they’re there 24/7 and they’re free for people to look at.

“For the Lyle Park pieces, as is often the case, we’ve worked with residents and children at a local primary school to make the blue tiles that form the borders.

“The mosaics we’ve created are a celebration of the wildlife on the Thames.

“There’s a swan, an oyster catcher, a mallard duck and a kingfisher.

“The idea is that the pieces also serve as an educational tool, because they’re labelled with the name of the species in English and Latin.

“It’s about literacy too – a lot of our projects have got words in, so you’ve got words woven into the pieces via the tiles people have created.”

Fired to 1,280ºC the ceramics used to make the works should survive anything the UK weather can throw at them and remain durable enough to last another 100 years.

“I hope people are curious, happy and surprised when they see them,” said Maud.

“They become part of people’s daily lives and some go and visit them specially. That makes us so proud.

“Public commissions should become part of the streetscape.

“I know with some of our works, there are children who want to go and see the animals on their way to the nursery, so the mosaics wind up becoming a loved part of their daily commute.

“It’s not just children – I’ve got a photograph of a family – three generations – leaning up against the wall and touching one of our pieces.

“It makes them proud of their area and that someone cared enough to make something like this.

“I love getting photographs from people on Instagram, because I forget how many are out there getting that appreciation.

“We’re always up for new commissions and I’d love to do a DLR station or a roundel with a rainbow for Pride in Soho. We want all the challenges.”

Artyface also makes work for sale including private commissions for pieces such as door numbers or signs.

Find out more about Artyface here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

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- 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

September 22, 2024September 22, 2024

SO Resi Canning Town set to launch east London show home

Affordable housing provider is offering shared ownership properties at Manor Road Quarter

Image shows a bedroom at SO Resi Canning Town — A bedroom at SO Resi Canning Town

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“Renting in London is a daunting situation for first-time buyers, many of whom feel they have no choice but to accept sub-par conditions for an extortionately high price,” said Kevin Sims, director of affordable housing provider SO Resi.

His statement is backed up by data.

Property portal Zoopla’s latest report on the rental market found that around 21 people were competing for each new listing appearing on its site nationwide, let alone in London.

The organisation’s most recent rental report also found the average monthly rent in the capital was £2,172 – almost 70% higher than the UK average.

While the forthcoming Renters Rights Bill may go some way to addressing issues in the sector for tenants, the changes are not expected for many months, which will be of scant comfort to those renting now.

“There is a solution, however, and that is shared ownership,” said Kevin.

“The scheme offers a low-deposit route onto the property ladder and many buyers of such homes find their monthly repayments are lower than renting in the capital.

“With shared ownership, Londoners finally have the chance to build up equity in their property and find the peace of mind that comes with home ownership.”

Image shows an artist's impression of SO Resi Canning Town with Canary Wharf in the background — SO Resi Canning Town is located at Manor Road Quarter

new homes at SO Resi Canning Town

Locally, SO Resi Canning Town is currently offering one, two and three-bedroom shared ownership homes located at Manor Road Quarter – a latest development by the English Cities Fund.

The scheme is located a few minutes from Tube, DLR and bus links at Canning Town station and enjoys the many benefits of the area’s extensive regeneration.

For example, there’s craft beer at Husk’s taproom, modern Italian food at Pepenero, a bouldering facility at Rise Climbing and outdoorsy activities at Bow Ecology Park and environmental community project, Cody Dock.

But what will buyers actually be getting at the scheme? SO Resi – part of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, the fifth largest housing association in the UK – is set to launch a show home at the development on September 26, 2024, so interested parties can get a feel of what’s on offer.

Apartments come complete with fitted kitchens and bathrooms, fully integrated Zanussi kitchen appliances, and solid timber floors.

They feature open-plan layouts – with total living space ranging from 556sq ft to 971sq ft – and each has a private balcony as well as plenty of storage.

getting on the ladder

Buying a share in a property is affordable and may be attractive for multiple reasons.

Firstly, the amount of deposit a buyer requires is lower.

The scheme allows people to purchase between 10% and 75% of a home (although usually starting at 25%), while paying below market rent on the rest, alongside a service charge.

That means buyers could purchase their share with a mortgage and potentially only need 5% of its value as a deposit – £4,906 at SO Resi Canning Town, for example.

Buyers are free to live in their homes as though they owned the whole thing with no threat of eviction.

If desired, they can also choose to increase their share in a process known as staircasing until they own the property outright.

Image shows a living room at the scheme with a balcony in the background — The apartments feature open-plan layouts and balconies

key details: SO Resi Canning Town

Prices at SO Resi Canning Town start at £98,125 for a 25% share of a one-bedroom apartment (based on a full market value of £392,500).

A new show home is set to launch at the development on September 26, 2024.

Find out more about the development here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

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- 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

September 6, 2024September 6, 2024

Riverscape’s proximity to amenities is of big benefit to buyers

Ballymore’s James Boyce explores the advantages of moving to Royal Docks, an area where regeneration is already well underway

Canary Wharf, as seen through a window at Riverscape. Window is gold framed — Canary Wharf, as seen through a window at Riverscape

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In many ways, simply visiting Riverscape in Royal Docks is enough to understand its appeal.

Located on a strip of land between Royal Wharf and Lyle Park – running between the Thames and North Woolwich Road – Ballymore’s development is essentially a grand final phase in the story of its neighbour.

“It’s worth looking back to when Ballymore was master-planning Royal Wharf,” said James Boyce, the developer’s associate regional sales director.

“At the time, in 2013, there was nothing in this area – no amenities or services.

“That meant the original development had to be self sufficient.

“Now it is a destination that people in Royal Docks come to.

“The wider development is essentially a town in its own right.

“There’s a doctor’s surgery, a dentist, a pharmacy, a primary school, a nail salon, a beauty parlour and a hairdresser.

“Then there are two estate agencies, a selection of restaurants, a pub and a Sainsbury’s Local – one of the most well-used in London.

“We’re really fortunate to have established one of the most complete, new neighbourhoods of any large new-build project in the capital.”

Those moving into Riverscape, which recently launched a collection of homes in The Pearsall building, can take advantage of these benefits immediately.

This is in contrast to big regeneration schemes, where early arrivals sometimes have to wait years for amenities to arrive locally.

Image shows Ballymore associate regional sales director James Boyce, a man with grey hair, blue eyes and a grey jacket over a white shirt — Ballymore associate regional sales director James Boyce

Riverscape: the right design

“We had real confidence to build Riverscape, with Royal Wharf selling off-plan in five years,” said James.

“We knew the demand was there.

“It was being designed and delivered during the pandemic, however, and there was a lot of uncertainty.

“We postponed the launch of the development, went back to the drawing board and looked at all of the best things from our projects.

“We also looked at how the way people were using their homes had changed.

“Residents were demanding a lot more from the spaces they were living in.

“So we created day rooms – internal spaces that are segregated from the rest of the apartment by acoustic screens.

“They can be used as dining rooms, offices or even as a kid’s playroom.

“We also created workspaces in most of the apartments we have available, so buyers have flexibility.

“Where we could, we maximised the living spaces too.

“Initially we were a bit concerned about the number of three-bedroom homes that we were building, but they’ve turned out to be our most popular properties.

“A few years after Covid – and with businesses requiring people to come into the office more often – there’s been a move into London.

“A development like Riverscape affords people the quality of life that they might have become accustomed to in a less urban area – it’s not high density and there’s a lot of green space.”

Image shows Ballymore's Riverscape development right beside Lyle Park with Greenwich Peninsula and Canary Wharf in the distance — Ballymore’s Riverscape development is right beside Lyle Park

fully opened up

This is a key point regarding the development’s appeal.

It’s right next to Lyle Park, with Thames Barrier Park a short walk away on the other side of Royal Wharf to the east.

“Then there’s the kilometre of land that borders the Thames stretching between the two,” said James.

“We built the Royal Wharf pier in 2019 – the longest in the river – and the Uber Boat By Thames Clippers service will get you to North Greenwich in two minutes and to Canary Wharf in 19 minutes.

“Often with riverside developments, it can feel like there’s a barrier of housing on the water.

“But Ballymore’s master plan has taken a different approach.

“Royal Wharf and Riverscape are arranged around a town square with the estate offices located there.

“That really encourages people out of their homes to access those core amenities and that’s part of the success of the scheme and the community we’ve created.”

Image shows a day room as part of a living area at the development — Apartments at Riverscape include day rooms separated from the rest of the property by glass walls

a wealth of facilities for Riverscape

Richard added: “The Clubhouse was built for Royal Wharf, but it was built in terms of capacity with Riverscape in mind.

“We’ve also recently refurbished it and extended it by 20% to ensure the facilities satisfy the residents.

“There’s a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and spa, a big cardio and weights area and two dedicated studio spaces.

“It’s the biggest residents facility of its kind in east London and it’s been incredibly popular.

“There’s also the Community Dock, which is managed by the residents and is essentially a town hall.

“It has a pretty jam-packed timetable of activities ranging from ballet lessons for kids to language sessions and a table tennis club that’s based there.

“Specifically for Riverscape, we decided to replace a three-bedroom property on the top floor of one of our riverside buildings with a lounge for residents.

“It’s a co-working space but it also has a private dining space so people can host dinner parties up there too with views over the river.”

Image shows a bedroom in an apartment at Ballymore's development — Riverscape properties feature large format glazing to maximise natural light

a broad appeal

One, two and three-bedroom homes are available in the latest launch, featuring interiors designed by Jaki Amos of Amos & Amos.

These promise brushed brass, fluted glass kitchen cabinets and natural wood finishes inspired by Lyle Park, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

But while Riverscape and Royal Wharf have their specific attractions, their appeal is part of something bigger.

James said: “Since the opening of the Elizabeth Line, we’ve seen that it’s unlocked this area for people who would never have considered moving to the Royal Docks before.

“Young professionals are relocating from more central locations because the cost of living crisis is making it harder for them to stay in those areas.

“What we’ve found is that when they come here, they find they get value for money and that their lifestyle is actually improving.

“They have more space, nearby amenities and the transport is superb.

“We’ve been delighted to see that trend, because it’s something that’s really needed in the capital.

“I think the movement of London to the east started with the 2012 Olympic Games.

“Royal Docks has so much potential.

“For the future, we’re very fortunate to have the site on the other side of Lyle Park too.

“We’ve opened up the riverside with these developments and eventually further regeneration will bring even more benefits.”

Image shows Riverscape buyer Sophie Gong in her east London apartment, a woman in a blue dress on a beige sofa with a stuffed cat — Riverscape buyer Sophie Gong in her east London apartment

case study: Sophie Gong

As a fan of Royal Docks, Sophie Gong has been living in the area for more than six years and decided to buy a home at Riverscape having previously had apartments at Royal Wharf.

Here’s her perspective:

“I first moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Royal Wharf at end of 2018, hence I know the area and neighbourhood quite well,” said Sophie Gong.

“In 2020, I felt the need to move to a two-bedroom property, as my dad had started staying with me from time to time.

“Following the end of the pandemic, I started to actively look for properties and the launch of Riverscape in 2021 came at the perfect time.

“I had been living in Royal Wharf for about three years and found the area had developed a lot since I moved in.

“It became very convenient to live in, with an NHS clinic, a pharmacy, a hairdresser, a couple of grocery stores and a number of restaurants within the development.

“Additionally, Lyle Park and Thames Barrier Park are within a short walking distance for green space.

“The transport around Riverscape is ideal for me to travel into central London, with the Elizabeth Line and DLR the two main options.

“Even more conveniently, the new 241 bus route goes through the development, linking us to Custom House station and Stratford.

“Additionally, the Uber Boat By Thames Clipper stops at Royal Wharf Pier, which makes travelling to central London, as well as The O2 and Greenwich, both easy and exciting.”

key details: Riverscape

Homes in The Pearsall building at Riverscape have recently gone on sale, with prices starting at £471,500.

One, two and three-bedroom homes are all available.

Find out more about the development here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- 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

August 26, 2024August 26, 2024

Royal Albert Wharf shared ownership, a first-time buyer case study

How history teacher Farhana Mallick put down roots in east London at NHG Homes’ development

Image shows first-time buyer Farhana Mallick, pictured in a white kitchen at her home. She is wearing a grey top and black trousers and has long black hair — Fahana Mallick, pictured in her apartment at NHG Homes’ Royal Albert Wharf

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“I would still be renting or living with my parents if it wasn’t for shared ownership – it gives you a lifeline, especially in your 20s or 30s,” said Farhana Mallick.

The history teacher turned to affordable housing provider NHG Homes when she began looking to put down roots in her home city.

Having been raised in east London, she’d spent her early 20s living in this part of the city and so initially looked at properties in Tower Hamlets and Ilford.

However, it was Royal Docks that ultimately turned her head, opting to purchase a quarter of a three-bedroom apartment in 2021.

“I decided I was done losing my money on rent,” said Farhana, who now teaches at a school in Barking And Dagenham.

“I wanted to invest in a property, and have a home I could make my own.

“Shared ownership really appealed to me because it meant I required a much smaller deposit than if I was buying privately.”

Image shows a show home living area including a balcony with a view of the Thames — More shared ownership homes are set to become available at Royal Albert Wharf

a deposit, a mortgage and rent

Farhana, then aged 25, used a £13,250 deposit to buy her share of a property at NHG Homes’s Royal Albert Wharf scheme, taking out a mortgage to cover the remainder of the £132,500 cost.

The apartment, which was then valued at £530,000, costs her £1,391 per month which breaks down as £606 on the loan, £497 in rent and £288 in service charge.

“As a first-time buyer, NHG Homes really helped me to understand the process, and what the steps were,” said Farhana.

“I think many people aren’t aware of what shared ownership is or its benefits, but NHG Homes was so transparent and happy to answer all of my questions – the whole purchase was smooth and enjoyable, with wraparound care from the team.

“As a young person, living in this city, this home gives me great flexibility to either increase my share or sell it based on the market – I could definitely see myself raising a family here.

“With shared ownership making my home more affordable, I’ve now got a spare bedroom and a great community on my doorstep.

“If I was to move homes, I think my next purchase would also be with shared ownership – I can’t recommend it enough.”

Image shows Royal Albert Wharf at sunrise with the Royal Albert Docks impounding station in view. The buildings are brick-clad and around six storeys high — The development is located at the end of Royal Albert Dock and is on the banks of the Thames

selecting Royal Albert Wharf

NHG Homes and other affordable housing providers offer multiple locations where buyers can purchase shared ownership homes, so what made Royal Albert Wharf stand out?

“I’ve stuck to my roots as I grew up in east London and the Royal Albert Wharf community has got a really modern and stylish twist to it,” said Farhana, who has now lived in the area for more than two years.

“I do travel into central London, but often I feel like I don’t really need to, because I’ve got so many things on my doorstep.

“If I am going into town, then I’ll take the DLR as it has so many connections.

“I shop locally a lot, including at Gallions Reach Shopping Park and also Beckton Triangle Retail Park, both of which are very close.”

The development is well connected, with Gallions Reach DLR station less than 10 minutes’ walk offering connections across east London including to the Elizabeth Line at Custom House.

From there, Canary Wharf is three minutes’ away, while Liverpool Street is nine minutes.

Royal Docks itself, which is currently undergoing billions of pounds of regeneration, offers multiple amenities including watersports, events at Excel, restaurants, bars and a new strip of attractions at Immerse LDN – find out more here about The Friends Experience: The One In London, which recently opened there.

More locally, Royal Albert Wharf is home to exhibition space Art In The Docks, Cyrus Todiwala’s Cafe Spice Namaste and The Well Bean Co.

Image shows Royal Albert Dock at night with lights reflected in the waters of the dock — Royal Albert Dock is an established community

fitting into a community

Farhana said: “Residents have created a great community here and that’s really rare to find, especially as a young person.

“We have our own group, which is great as you can get to know other people living here.

“When I have friends or family visit, there is so much to do on the doorstep – from brunch to Yoga classes and a regular food market on Fridays as well as events happening in Royal Docks.

“There’s a children’s playground being built at the moment as well, and there’s a gym planned – I feel like it’s constantly evolving.

“I’m trying to get into my fitness these days and living here has helped that because it makes me want to get outside.

“It’s so rare to see open water like this in the city. It’s a lovely area to be in.”

As a location to buy, Royal Docks makes a solid case. With much regeneration taking place locally and further transport links proposed, demand for homes is only likely to grow.

Image shows Farhana sitting in a wood-lined cafe enjoying a cup of coffee from The Well Bean Co — Farhana enjoys a coffee at The Well Bean Co, her local cafe

key details: Royal Albert Wharf

NHG Homes is set to launch a fresh collection of shared ownership properties at Royal Albert Wharf in September.

A new show home is set to launch at the scheme on August 31, 2024.

Apartments are also available for private sale at the east London development with prices for one, two and three-bedroom homes starting at £375,000, £494,995 and £660,000 respectively.

Call 020 3733 3571 to register your interest or find out more here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- 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

August 22, 2024August 22, 2024

Friends The Experience: The One In London opens at Excel

Exhibition and conference centre’s kilometre-long waterside entertainment district, Immerse LDN, welcomes its first attraction

Three people sit on the orange Friends sofa in front of a fountain at Friends The Experience: The One In London — Friends The Experience: The One In London has opened its doors in east London

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“It’s comforting, welcoming and inviting – many people watch Friends again and again and have told us it’s the last thing they see before going to bed,” said Kathleen Wallis, vice president of global themed entertainment at Warner Bros. Discovery and one of two people heading up the creation of a new attraction in east London.

Together with Stacy Moscatelli, CEO of OGX Productions, the pair have taken a space at Excel’s newly minted Immerse LDN waterfront strip and conjured forth a little bit of sitcom magic.

The Friends Experience: The One In London opened its doors this month (August, 2024), offering visitors the chance to pose and snap away in a series of painstakingly recreated sets from the show.

Not only that, there’s a chance to enjoy themed refreshments in a New York-style space after exploring the attraction and a gift shop.

That this experience should be launching some two decades after the final episode aired, is testament to the comedy’s enduring popularity – the fact it has found fresh fans as younger audiences fall for the trials and tribulations of Rachel, Ross, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler and Joey.

Image shows three people posing at a table in Monica's apartment at The Friends Experience — A series of Friends sets have been painstakingly recreated at Immerse LDN

the mass appeal of Friends

“It’s got universal themes and many people use the show to learn how to speak English,” said Stacy.

“Everyone growing up experiences first love, room mates, navigating apartments, jobs, choosing careers, falling out – it’s just very relatable.

“The show was really well done and has held up – it’s still very enjoyable to watch.”

The attraction at Immerse LDN – which will house a number of visitor experiences as well as a food hall at the east London conference and exhibition centre – has its roots in a New York pop-up.

“We were talking around the studio about the 25th anniversary of Friends, so we decided to do something like a pop-up in New York City for 30 days in Soho,” said Kathleen.

“That was in 2019 and it was massively successful. I think everyone is a Friends fan on some level.

“We’ve been creating these live experiences in different locations for a few years now, so we see the emotional reaction people have when they come into the spaces.

“The novelty of that never wears off – watching people being in the space, their reactions and where they take their pictures.

“With this one, we started off by thinking about what a fan would be disappointed by if we didn’t have it in a location like this – what should be in London?”

Image shows three people posing with mugs on the Friends sofa at Central Perk — Visitors can relax on the sofa at Central Perk

£20 entry to Friends The Experience

Visitors who pay the £20 ticket price will find a selection of sets such as the fountain from the title sequence, the characters’ apartments and a faithful recreation of coffee shop and sometime gig venue, Central Perk.

What’s fresh for this edition of the experience, however, are some significant nods to London including a tribute to Joey getting lost with his camcorder and Emily and Ross’ wedding.

“This is more than a pop-up, it’s a flagship creation here in London, where we bring to life all of the iconic sets and some of the fun from some of the episodes that people loved the most,” said Stacy.

“They get to immerse themselves in those places and relive what they loved about the show.”

Kathleen added: “While it’s a show that everyone has watched at some point, people haven’t stepped inside the physical spaces before.

“We start with the opening credits, the fountain, the music and then all the things you would expect.

“But we also fly visitors to London and we’ve got the interior of the chapel where visitors can recreate Ross’ wedding.”

While the altar isn’t real – you have to hop on the DLR to Shadwell to visit St John’s Church in Wapping, which was used for the location shoots in the series, for that – the romance certainly is.

“My favourite thing about these experiences we’ve created is the proposals,” said Kathleen. “We’ve had 270 across all our locations so far, which is amazing.

“I think it shows the emotional connection people have with the series, that it makes sense for them to do that in our sets.”

Image shows two people posing at an altar in a church from Friends — Locations from scenes in London have also been recreated

emotional scenes

Stacy added: “I’ve seen the doors open and people just break down crying because it’s so emotional for them to be here on a set.

“We really hope that people have a joyful experience.

“As you walk through, we have a lot of episodes playing and you can’t help watching, laughing and smiling.

“We’ve been around the world, and we still stop and laugh.

“We’re both Friends fans – my favourite episode is when Ross has trouble with his leather pants.

“We know we can’t disappoint people who love the show, so we created the sets with a forensic level of detail – we have to get it right, because the fans know – and we’ve worked really closely with Warner to make that happen.”

All this means that when you open the fridge in Monica’s apartment, Rachel’s traditional English trifle is right there lurking.

Jam, good. Custard, good. Beef, gooooood…

Image shows two women stood in Central Park at Friends The Experience at Excel London — Kathleen Wallis, left, and Stacy Moscatelli of Warner and OGX

key details: Friends The Experience: The One In London

The Friends Experience: The One In London is now open, with bookings for dates all the way into February, 2025, available.

Tickets start at £20. VIP packages (including professional photography, which is typically extra) cost £65.

Find out more about the attraction here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- 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

August 13, 2024August 13, 2024

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival ready for ‘all change’

We catch up with artistic director Bradley Hemmings as east and south-east London prepare for a full programme of free performances

Image shows spectacular fireworks being let off for GDIF production Silence — Silence is set to open Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2024

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Once again areas across south-east and east London are set to be filled with free, often breathtaking performances.

Now in its 29th year, the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) is back for 2024, bringing its traditional blend of awesome spectacle and thought-provoking shows to locations straddling the Thames.

In charge since the very first show, artistic director Bradley Hemmings and his team have put together a series of blockbusters and smaller happenings aimed at delighting residents, local workers and visitors.

We sat down with him to go over a few of the highlights to help you plan your diary.

“We’ve long been associated with very surprising and unusual events that pop-up and happen in locations across Greenwich and east London,” he said.

“This year we’re opening with a phenomenal performance by a French company – Les Commandos Percu.

“The show is called Silence and will take place at 8.30pm on August 23 at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich.

“This awesome parade ground space will be filled with a fusion of pyrotechnics and percussion.

“With people going though difficult times, having something joyous and uplifting like that will be just the tonic.

“They’re a company we’ve worked with before – way back in 2016 – so we’re very much looking forward to welcoming them back.”

Image shows an artist's impression of a kiosk at Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2024 — GDIF will feature World Kiosk in Green Street

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival – the small things

“We work across all sorts of different scales, it’s not all about large spectacles,” said Bradley

“For many people who come to the festival, it’s about having transformational experiences that disrupt the rhythm of the everyday.

“This year’s theme is All Change – we’re inspired by Gandhi’s message to be the change you want to see.

“We’re going through seismic times and something that brings people together to reflect, think and have a great time is really important.

“One of the highlights for me will be smaller in scale, but very intimate and considered.

“World Kiosk will be in Green Street from noon-6pm from August 29 to September 1.

“It invites people to take a breath – a moment outside the busyness of life – and provides a window into other people’s lives.

“Visitors are welcomed to the kiosk, which then serves them tea in a very ritualistic and beautiful way.

“Then they listen in to voices from people in other parts of the country who have been through this same process, sharing stories.

“It’s a sublime and beautiful experience, a wonderful reprieve from daily life.”

Image shows a performer on the edge of a 2/5 tonne block of ice suspended from a crane — Thaw takes place on top of a 2.5 tonne block of ice suspended from a crane

melting away

“At the other end of the scale, at Royal Albert Dock, we have an extraordinary spectacle from an Australian company called Legs On The Wall called Thaw,” said Bradley

“This production takes place on a 2.5 tonne block of ice suspended above the dock on a crane.

“Each day it runs for eight hours with a performer on top trying to navigate the changing shape of the block as it starts to melt.

“There’s a sense of jeopardy but also a wonderful soundscape that provides a chance to reflect and think very hard about what’s happening to the planet and the climate emergency.

“I think this will be one of the abiding images of this year’s festival – it runs on August 24 and 25, from 1pm-9pm at the University Of East London’s Royal Docks campus.”

Image shows dancers in tartan kilts, white shirts and blue trousers — Dancing City is set to take place in Stratford this year

miraculous movement

On September 7, from 1pm-6pm, a number of areas in Stratford will be awash with many forms of movement.

“Dancing City is an event that is really dear to my heart,” said Bradley.

“We set it up at Canary Wharf in 2003 and people have come to really love that event.

“This year it will take place at East Bank, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and in Stratford town centre.

“There’s a phenomenal range of dance companies taking part.

“We’re working very closely with Sadler’s Wells East and East London Dance as well as other partners including Stratford Cross, UCL and the London College Of Fashion.

“What will be wonderful about it is that it will be taking place in the midst of the Paralympic Games in Paris.

“I co-directed the London 2012 Paralympic opening ceremony, so there’s a personal history there and we’ll be presenting work led by deaf disabled artists.

“It feels wonderful to be continuing that Olympic legacy 12 years later.

“One of the pieces is called Synergy and has been choreographed by Mark Smith, who worked on the Paralympics with me.”

Image shows a woman with a pram participating in a Parkworks event at Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2024 — Parkworks is set to bring a day of family fun to Stratford

this year and the future

“One of the things that we will be doing next year is marking our 30th anniversary,” said Bradley.

“It’s enormously satisfying to see that GDIF is still there thanks to our partners.

“It seems to me that this will be a moment where we should be taking stock and thinking about what the next three decades will look like.

“Back to this year and we have A Ballad Of Thamesmead on September 6 and 7 at 8.30pm.

“It typifies what we aim to do – to create something miraculous and wonderful that reveals the story of this emerging part of London.

“Dante Or Die have created a piece around a clock tower, which originally sat in Deptford before the GLC transported it by barge down the Thames and rebuilt it as the centrepiece of Thamesead town centre.

“An 18th century structure improbably located in the middle of the 1980s development.

“Then my final highlight is festival of family fun – Parkworks, which takes place on August 25 and 26 from 1pm-6pm in Stratford Park.

“There will be a giant interactive climbing frame built from bamboo and parents with prams choreographed with headsets.”

key details: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival

The Greenwich + Docklands International Festival runs from August 23 to September 8, 2024.

All events are free to attend. These highlights are the tip of the iceberg.

Find full listings for the festival here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- 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

August 10, 2024August 10, 2024

Creative Industries Festival set to bring jobs and inspiration to UEL

The University Of East London’s Alison Lowe on founding an event driven by collaboration

Image shows a face with stylised makeup, blue hair and a matching outfit with purple highlights — UEL’s Creative Industries Festival is set to take place in September 2024

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“One of the biggest challenges in the creative industries is not knowing who to connect to – it’s still very much who you know,” said Alison Lowe, director of careers and enterprise at the University Of East London’s School Of Arts And Creative Industries.

“The other main one is confidence.”

Both, however, will be firmly in the crosshairs early next month as UEL’s Creative Industries Festival arrives at the institution’s Royal Docks Centre For Sustainability.

Billed both as a careers fair and a major networking opportunity, the four-day event aims to attract those working in art, architecture, performing arts, fashion, media, advertising, illustration and business as well as those seeking opportunities in those sectors.

“While it was my idea, we have an amazing group of students and interns that have worked on it – it’s really all about their generation,” said Alison.

“Anyone who is creative can come along.

“For students and alumni it will be about getting on the career ladder.

“We’ll have recruiters here and talent scouts looking for the next generation of talent, so it will be a brilliant opportunity.

“Then there will also be lots of workshops, learning and networking.

“It’s tough to get a job in the creative industries and there’s often a gap with graduates not having the right contacts, so we want them to come along and meet people.

“It will also be for people working in the creative industries.

“It’s not always easy to see who’s doing what, so we want lots of big organisations to come along so we can all learn about each other – what are we doing and how we can collaborate.”

Image shows Alison Lowe of UEL, a blonde woman wearing a black dress with an amber necklace — UEL’s Alison Lowe has created the event to bring students and creative professionals together in east London

the Creative Industries Festival, a natural move

It’s an area that Alison is well-placed to operate in, having spent much of her career connecting creative people with employment opportunities and helping brands communicate their stories to customers.

“I started in performing arts at 16 at the Birmingham Rep as an actress,” she said.

“I had no training, went along to an audition and got my first job.

“Working in the performing arts for several years, I discovered I’m also a natural entrepreneur.

“After a few years, I realised that while I could always find work, a lot of people I knew couldn’t, and they were far better actresses and singers than I was.

“So I started helping other people and founded my first business, Chameleon, which was a recruitment consultancy for creative people.

“I’ve had seven businesses, all of them consultancies or recruitment firms.

“My last business, Felicities, ran for 25 years supporting fashion designers, which saw me awarded an MBE for services to the industry.

“Initially I came to UEL to write some new programmes such as an MBA in fashion entrepreneurship and an MA in creative enterprise and came to the director’s role from that.

“The festival will be partly a path to jobs, but also to help build relationships within the creative sector.

“Luckily, with the work I’ve done, I’ve got quite a lot of connections, so I can reach out to people and ask if they’ll be part of it, so it’s building those community links.

“It’s also to get the young people in and ask them what their challenges are – to find out what they are trying to overcome in 2024 when they’re trying to get an interview or an audition.”

Image shows the Royal Docks Centre For Sustainability at UEL, an angular building with a black clad and glass exterior — The Royal Docks Centre For Sustainability at UEL will host the majority of the festival

manifesting a future

“Something that I learnt many years ago when I was starting out was to tell people I was an actress rather than talking about whatever other work I might have been doing to pay the bills,” said Alison.

“The word now is ‘manifesting’.

“I remember going to a party and someone asked me what I did.

“I said I was an actress and felt such a twit saying it, because I’d finished the Birmingham Rep job and there wasn’t another one to follow it.

“But he said: ‘Oh, are you?’, and turned out to be a director, so I worked for him for the next two years.

“The lesson is that if you don’t say what you are, it won’t happen.

“If you are confident about who you are and what you do, other people will believe you.

“I think that’s a real challenge for a lot of our students at UEL. Perhaps they come from more disadvantaged backgrounds and might often be first-generation creatives – they may have relatives asking them when they’re going to get a proper job because they don’t have any experience of these industries.

“Then there’s the challenge of actually getting paid.

“As a young fashion designer, for example, everyone wants you to do everything for free. But getting paid is about valuing yourself and what you do. It’s vital.”

together to collaborate

Partners for the Creative Industries Festival will include Canva, Lego, GLA, East Bank, the Foundation For Future London, Cine Circle, The Developing Room and creativeLDN.

The three-day programme at Royal Docks boasts free workshops, talks, panel discussions, installations, performances, a pop-up shop, hackathons, showcases and a creative talent careers fair.

“We want it to be fun and to have a real creative buzz,” said Alison.

“We’ve invited as many people as possible from the creative industries.

“For the Community Day, we’ll be working with Stratford Originals who will be coming up with a map for people to go around different creative spaces in Stratford.

“We’ll be starting off at St John’s Church Yard, with activities for all the family at the different creative businesses participating.

“It’s really about fostering that community spirit.”

Another key focus for the festival will be how business and creativity interact.

“Entrepreneurs are creative people, so the festival is also about creative thinking in business,” said Alison.

“What we’ve learned over the last few years is that we have to be creative in our business activities to succeed.

“In a nutshell, the festival presents a platform for change, where creative talent, policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs and students will come together to share knowledge, develop collaborations and initiate innovations.

“Come and join us to make positive changes throughout the creative industries.”

key details: Creative Industries Festival

UEL’s Creative Industries Festival takes place over three days at the Royal Docks Centre For Sustainability from September 4-6, 2024. Times vary.

This will be followed by a Community Day at St John’s Church Yard in Stratford, running from 11am-2pm on September 7, 2024.

Tickets for the festival are free.

You can find more details and listings here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- 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

July 26, 2024July 31, 2024

Immerse LDN gears up for launches at Excel with Friends and F1

Royal Docks conference and exhibition centre diversifies its offering with immersive experiences along a kilometre of waterfront

A computer generated image of brick archways along the side of Excel in east London that will form Immerse LDN — An artist’s impression of Immerse LDN at Excel in Royal Docks

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Something momentous is underway at Excel London.

Despite a footfall of more than 4million visitors each year, the Royal Docks exhibition and conference centre has historically been somewhat inward-looking.

As a venue, it was built to contain and host temporary gatherings, often appealing to a very specific audience, rather than being a perennial attraction.

If you’re on the DLR or Liz Line, MCM Comic Con’s cosplayers are easy to spot when the show comes to town.

A gathering of property professionals or cardiovascular surgeons, not so much.

But all this is set to change, with Excel gearing up to attract an additional 2.5million people to east London with a significant change in strategy.

Along a kilometre of waterfront, the venue has created Immerse LDN, a new entertainment district with purpose-built spaces to host both attractions and hospitality offerings.

It’s set to open in August 2024.

Image shows Excel's director if immersive entertainment and events, Damian Norman – a man with curly brown hair in a jacket and white shirt — Excel’s director of immersive entertainment and events, Damian Norman

evolving Excel

“Excel can be very busy, whether it’s Comic Con or the World Travel Market, but then we have quiet periods when exhibitions are being put up or broken down,” said Damian Norman, director of immersive entertainment and events at the venue.

“That doesn’t work well for attracting quality hospitality businesses, because they need consistency of footfall.

“I joined Excel about five and a half years ago, with a background in consumer events, to look at capitalising on the arrival of the Elizabeth Line – the big transport game-changer for us.

“There are things that are done exceptionally well in London – theatre in the West End, Westfield’s shopping centres and live music at The O2, for example.

“So what is Excel’s niche? What do we want to be?

“I’d been thinking about an always-on entertainment offering and there are trends so I went to see an immersive Van Gogh art exhibition in Hyde Park.

“It was very impressive, with pictures projected on the walls.

“But there was also a light-bulb moment for me when I was watching a lady in her 70s and a child of about five – and I saw their interaction with the images and with the music that went with them.

“It clearly had universal appeal for different demographics.

“Something cool that was different to looking at a static painting with various elements blended together to make it immersive.”

Image shows an animatronic T-Rex dinosaur at Excel's Jurassic World: The Exhibition in 2022 — Excel hosted Jurassic World: The Exhibition in 2022

testing the water

In 2022, Excel tested the theory, hosting Jurassic World: The Exhibition, which broke European records for ticket sales.

This was followed by Disney 100: The Exhibition – a celebration of a century of creativity featuring 250 objects from the Walt Disney Archives – which was a similar commercial success.

“These gave us the impetus to approach our owners with a strategic development opportunity to redevelop the waterfront,” said Damian.

“Previously it was an area that had been under-used, with little investment made in it. Instead we wanted to create spaces – we refer to them as chapters – that are blank pages for great storytellers to come and do their thing.

“We’ve found best-in-class operators who have committed to those spaces and that’s how we will set a new benchmark for immersive entertainment as a destination in the capital.”

Image shows a CGI of Immerse LDN with places to heat and street food vendors — The new district will feature immersive attractions themed around sitcom Friends and F1

the very first attractions

Initially Immerse LDN will launch with two experiences, one inspired by evergreen sitcom Friends and the other a collaboration with Formula 1, featuring rare cars and a plethora of singular exhibits from the history of the global motorsport brand.

“Friends has now become a multi-generational sitcom – not many have stood the test of time, but this one has,” said Damian.

“A similar immersive experience has been running in New York for four years with a consistent annual audience of about 230,000 people.

“The London one will be 40% bigger with a number of new sets for visitors to explore.

“It’s about going and being in that thing that you loved, grew up with and watched your children grow up with.

“It’s an experience that encourages visitors to open the fridge in the apartment, to buy a coffee in Central Perk or sit on the sofa.

“F1: The Exhibition was a long time in the making, with hugely successful runs in Madrid and Vienna.

“It has simulators for people to drive the tracks and unique cars for people to see. Going to a Grand Prix can be expensive – not accessible for a lot of families and enthusiasts.

“People might have a Sky subscription to watch the races, but not a physical connection to them.

“I think this brings that accessibility – something they can touch and feel – at a price point that will be really welcome.”

Image shows Excel London's main entrance at Custom House — Immerse LDN is based down a one-kilometre length of Excel in Royal Victoria Dock

Immerse LDN: more than the experiences themselves

As welcome for local residents, visitors to Excel and those working in Royal Docks will be Waterfront Street Kitchen And Bar.

Curated by Kerb, this market hall will feature the likes of Duck Shed, Masa Taqueria, Nazari and coffee from Hej to help keep people refreshed.

Ambitions for the future include making use of floating amenities on Royal Victoria Dock to complement the brick arch frontage, inspired by the epic regeneration of Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross.

Damian said: “We don’t take this development lightly. We want to create jobs and boost tourism locally, which is very important.”

Further attraction announcements are expected in September and November, 2024.

Watch these spaces…

key details: Immerse LDN

Immerse LDN is located on the Excel London Waterfront, overlooking Royal Victoria Dock. It’s most easily accessed via the Elizabeth Line or DLR to Custom House.

The Friends Experience: The One In London opens on August 12, 2024.

The first five days are sold out with tickets available from August 17 costing £32. Tickets start at £20 for other dates.

F1 The Exhibition opens on August 23, 2024. Tickets start at £25 with prices dependent on date.

Find out more about what’s coming here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here

- 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

June 5, 2024June 5, 2024

East River Wharf shared ownership may cost less than renting

Legal And General Affordable Homes’ scheme offers compelling alternative with deposits starting at £4,844 for a one-bedroom property

Image shows a collection of residential tower blocks that make up the Riverscape development next to the Thames in Royal Docks. East River Wharf's buildings are orange and at the centre — East River Wharf’s buildings are located at the centre of Riverscape close to Lyle Park

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Rising rents are arguably one of the biggest pressures in the housing market right now.

According to a recent study by estate agency Stirling Ackroyd, tenants are currently paying an average of £1,966 a month for a one-bedroom property near Canary Wharf.

While wider inflation has fallen back to 2.3% and average two-year fixed mortgages have dropped back to less than 5% in May, with cheaper borrowing expected later in the year, rents are forecast to climb ever higher.

One study from Savills predicts more than 6% growth over 2024.

Increasingly, affordable housing providers are highlighting shared ownership properties as a less expensive alternative to renting.

Image shows living area with a wooden floor at East River Wharf — A show home interior at East River Wharf

case study: East River Wharf

Take Legal And General Affordable Homes’ East River Wharf scheme, for example.

Its properties form part of Riverscape – essentially an extension of Ballymore and Oxley’s Royal Wharf development on the banks of the Thames at Silvertown.

Located roughly 15 minutes from Canary Wharf itself via the DLR and Jubilee line, these one, two and three-bedroom homes are set in a wealth of green space close to Lyle Park in a freshly regenerated part of Docklands.

Neighbouring Royal Wharf boasts a wealth of amenities including a pub, restaurants, shops and health services.

Residents will enjoy access to a health club with a gym, pool, spa and fitness studio as well as a 16th floor sky lounge with views over the Thames to Greenwich and Canary Wharf.

The apartments at East River Wharf include private balconies, open-plan design and fully fitted kitchens with integrated Siemens appliances.

But, alongside the quality of the finish and the facilities, the key attraction lies in escaping the grind and uncertainty of the rental market.

A deposit of £4,844 could be enough to secure a one-bedroom home at the scheme – 5% of a 25% share worth £96,875.

Monthly costs are expected to be about £1,465.

By purchasing a portion of the property, a buyer can essentially secure a £387,500 apartment with no threat of eviction.

They also enjoy all the freedoms to enjoy living in the space they might expect if it was owned outright.

In contrast to renting, purchasers of shared ownership homes are not subject to landlord inspections or controls on how they decorate their space, for example.

Image shows a show home kitchen at the development — Properties come with fully fitted kitchens

capital appreciation

They also own an asset that, in the case of East River Wharf, is highly likely to appreciate.

The area has already undergone extensive regeneration, but there’s much more in the pipeline for Royal Docks.

Major infrastructure and housing investments are in the pipeline over the coming years with homes, businesses and facilities set to be built locally.

Already an attractive area to live in, these developments are likely to bring fresh demand as buyers look east for high quality homes to purchase in the future.

Royal Wharf is already well served by the DLR and bus routes as well as a dedicated pier for Uber Boat By Thames Clippers services, which run all the way to Putney along the river.

Image shows the Greenwich Peninsula and Canary Wharf skylines at sunset as seen from Riverscape's residents' lounge — The view from the communal residents’ lounge at Riverscape

secure a property

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.”

Under the shared ownership scheme, buyers purchase part of a property.

They pay a deposit and arrange a mortgage to cover the cost.

They then pay a reduced rent on the rest of the property and the appropriate service charge.

Purchasers need not be first-time buyers but cannot own another property.

Owners can choose to increase the portion of the apartment that’s theirs until they own the whole property, in a process commonly known as “staircasing”.

Equally, buyers are free to sell their share either through the affordable housing provider or independently, if they decide to move home.

Image shows a show home bedroom at East River Wharf — Properties at East River Wharf start at £96,875 for a 25% share

key details: East River Wharf

East River Wharf is located at the Riverscape development beside Royal Wharf.

The closest transport link is West Silvertown DLR station on nearby North Woolwich Road.

Prices for a one-bed start at £96,875 for a 25% share.

Call 020 587 2474 for more details.

Find out more about the scheme here

Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here

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- 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

May 22, 2024May 22, 2024

Fairview set to launch homes at The Silverton and One Goodmayes

Developer will unveil schemes in Royal Docks and Seven Kings, benefiting from wider regeneration

Image shows The Silverton by Fairview, a grey brick block of flats with trees in the foreground — An artist’s impression of The Silverton by Fairview New Homes

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Alongside the attractions of an area and the specific amenities at an individual development, uppermost in buyers’ minds is a question – how smart am I being, placing my capital in this place?

While none of us are capable of foretelling the future – who in the early 1980s, for example could have predicted the rise and success of Canary Wharf – we can consider the likely path an area’s fortunes will take.

This is clearly something Fairview New Homes is keenly attuned to as a developer.

Its Dock28 scheme in Woolwich, for instance, is well located for buyers to take advantage of the plethora of improvements that have arrived locally via neighbouring projects as well as those still in the pipeline.

It’s a theme that certainly flows into the company’s next development launch in June.

Image shows a computer generated scene of a roof terrace with plants in raised beds and views over the Thames in London — An artist’s impression of the roof terrace at The Silverton

Fairview prepares to launch The Silverton

The Silverton is a collection of 78 one, two, three and four bedroom apartments located just south of North Woolwich Road.

This means residents will benefit both from nearby Thames Barrier Park, but also the amenities of Royal Wharf – an extensive swathe of development by Ballymore, which boasts a pub, a pharmacy, shops, restaurants, cafes and a pier for Uber Boat By Thames Clippers River Bus services.

The Silverton is also close to Ballymore’s UNEX site, which is expected to be developed in the coming years – part of the wider multi-billion pound regeneration of the Royal Docks.

Set to launch on June 1, 2024, Fairview’s scheme offers prices starting at £400,000, with all homes featuring private terraces, balconies or winter gardens.

The scheme also boasts landscaped podium gardens, with some apartments also able to access a roof terrace on the ninth floor with views over the Thames.

Fairview New Homes sales manager, Sohail Saiyed, said: “The Royal Docks is one of London’s most exciting new neighbourhoods, with a huge amount of money invested in the area and more to come in the short and long-term future.

“There’s already a thriving community here along with excellent transport links and all the amenities you could need.

“With average flat prices in the Royal Docks sitting at around £460,000, The Silverton represents real value with our homes starting at just £400,000.

“We also work with a number of schemes such as Deposit Unlock and Own New to help give first-time buyers that little boost they might need to purchase.

“While we’ve always prided ourselves on primarily helping first-time buyers onto the ladder, with a wide range of different specifications, we’ve truly got something for everyone at The Silverton and with further regeneration planned in the coming years, buying in the area makes for a sound investment.”

The Silverton is located within easy walking distance of pontoon Dock and London City Airport DLR stations offering rapid connections to the City, Canary Wharf and Woolwich.

A computer generated image of Fairview New Homes' One Goodmayes scheme showing blocks of brick-clad apartments and landscaped gardens — An artist’s impression of One Goodmayes by Fairview New Homes

developer set to launch One Goodmayes

The Silverton isn’t the only development that Fairview is set to launch next month.

The company’s One Goodmayes scheme will be unveiled at an event on June 22, 2024, and aims to attract buyers east along the Elizabeth Line.

Located between Seven Kings and Goodmayes stations – a seven-minute walk east or west, respectively, the development will see a total of 102 new homes built.

Studios, one-beds and two-beds will all be available, with prices starting at £275,000.

Each property comes with a private balcony or terrace and fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances.

There’s also a communal roof terrace with views over London’s skyline for residents to access.

Sohail said: “Situated at the heart of the Crossrail corridor, Goodmayes is a rapidly up-and-coming neighbourhood with buying prospects rivalling the likes of neighbouring Stratford.

“Officially launching on June 22, we are already seeing strong interest in the development from buyers and investors alike.

“We’re confident One Goodmayes represents real value in comparison to many other areas of London, without sacrificing on transport links or nearby amenities, making the development a great option for first-time buyers.

“We’ll be able to welcome our first residents at One Goodmayes as early as September this year.”

Locally, the area is surrounded by parks including Seven Kings and Goodmayes as well as South Park.

There’s also an extensive selection of amenities including shops, bars, restaurants and supermarkets.

The development’s proximity to the Elizabeth Line means residents can expect journeys of less than 30 minutes to Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street once at Seven Kings station.

That location also means direct access to areas such as Farringdon, Soho, Oxford Street and Paddington.

One Goodmayes is located between Goodmayes and Seven Kings stations on the Elizabeth Line

more on Fairview New Homes’ launches

The Silverton is set to launch on June 1, 2024, with prospective buyers able to book viewings and enjoy a glass of Champagne as they see what’s on offer.

Email silvertown.sales@fairview.co.uk or call 020 8131 4030 for more details.

One Goodmayes’ launch event will take place on June 22, 2024.

Email goodmayes.sales@fairview.co.uk or call 020 3603 2533 for more details.

Find out more about the developer’s projects here

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- 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