Lifestyle appeal
According to Lauren Ireland, head of Canary Wharf and Wapping at global real estate provider Savills,
“It is difficult to talk about London’s Docklands as a whole, encompassing both Canary Wharf and Wapping with their very distinct and different personalities. Canary Wharf has more of a draw with international buyers,”
she explains.
“Wapping, on the other hand, appeals to far more domestic buyers for its village feel.”
Located between the City and Canary Wharf, Wapping includes warehouse conversions such as Execution Dock and the luxury apartments and marina of St Katherine Docks.
“A wonderful place for al fresco dining and drinks in the summer,”
says Ms Ireland.
The entire area has undergone a massive leisure transformation, with restaurants, designer boutiques, health clubs, high-street shops and bars designed to cater to all tastes. And it’s not all about the buildings – green space providing a breath of fresh air includes the roof gardens of Crossrail Place – Canary Wharf’s newest shopping mall, which opened in May 2015 – Canada Square Park, Jubilee Gardens, and Mudchute Park and City Farm. Greenwich Park – London’s oldest royal park and one of the venues for the 2012 Olympic Games – is less than 20 minutes from Canary Wharf via Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
Old Father Thames himself – the raison d’être for the docks – has also become a leisure focus, with sailing and watersports now popular pursuits with residents and visitors.
“The river also offers a great alternative to explore neighbouring areas,”
says Natalie Hall, sales and marketing manager with luxury residential developer Londonewcastle.
“The river bus takes just 10 minutes to travel to the Royal Borough of Greenwich and a little over 30 minutes to get to the London Eye.”
Baltimore Tower, Baltimore Wharf E14
Extending over three floors and due for completion in 2016, this five-bedroom penthouse will feature bespoke fittings, oak veneered floors, a designer kitchen fitted with integrated Smeg appliances and floor-to-ceiling fitted wardrobes. Its four hotel-style bathrooms will be fully tiled in marble with contemporary suites and underfloor heating, while the private terrace will provide spectacular views of the Canary Wharf skyline. The property also includes parking with valet service, while the development encompasses a private residents’ lounge with large screen cinema room, a residents’ gym, restaurant and split-level brasserie.
£4.25m / €5.79m / $6.52m
Galliard Homes +44 (0) 20 3740 4991
Tower Walk, St Katharine’s Way E1W
Impressive six-bedroom house in a gated development next to St Katharine Docks Marina. Extending over four floors, the property features a grand entrance hall with marble flooring, two reception rooms (one of which has three Juliet balconies), a contemporary kitchen equipped with integrated Miele appliances, four bathrooms, dressing rooms to two bedrooms, three private terraces
and a garage.
£4.4m / €6m / $6.7m
Savills Wapping +44 (0)20 7456 6800
Investment appeal
When it comes to return on investment, Canary Wharf offers some of the highest yields in East London, making it attractive to investors according to Ms Ireland. John Morley, managing director of Canary-Wharf based real estate agent Johns & Co, agrees.
“East London has seen some fantastic growth stories and rental yields can grow as much as 6% in some parts. If you compare this to areas of central London where you won’t achieve more than 3%, Poplar and Docklands are attractive propositions.”
Driving factors for Docklands’ growth include existing transport links, such as the DLR and London Underground’s Jubilee Line, as well as the presence of London City Airport, he says.
The addition of Crossrail terminals at Custom House and Canary Wharf (due to open in 2018) will only add to the area’s appeal, as will the redevelopment of the Royal Albert Docks as the site of a new business centre. Aimed primarily at Chinese and Asian companies, it is due to welcome its first occupants in 2017.
Where once Canary Wharf was often referred to as ‘soulless’, it is now
“an incredibly desirable area to live”
says Ms Hall.
“For lovers of luxury modern urban homes, many of which have fabulous views, the choice is endless. It is apparent that the area is focusing on servicing its residential community, not just the many workers in the financial markets. It is an area of continuous growth and exciting development.”
Cinnabar Wharf East E1W
With its large reception room, an open-plan kitchen and dining space and three double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and dressing areas, this penthouse has more than 2,900 square feet of internal accommodation. Every room offers views of the River Thames, Tower Bridge, or London’s skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows, all with access to the property’s private terrace. The apartment also includes a 24-hour concierge service, lift access and secure parking.
£5.75m / €7.83m / $8.81m
Cluttons +44 (0)20 7488 4858
Execution Dock House, Wapping E1W
This split-level penthouse is at the top of a stunning warehouse conversion at Execution Dock with panoramic views of the River Thames. It includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms amid a wealth of original features, such as vaulted ceilings and exposed brickwork. The apartment also includes underground parking and direct lift access and is just a short walk from St Katharine Docks with its stylish bars, cafés, restaurants and shops.
£3.25m / 4.43m / $4.98m Savills Wapping +44 (0)20 7456 6800
Providence Tower, E14
On the 25th floor of Providence Tower, part of the Providence Wharf development, this apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of Canary Wharf, the River Thames and the City. The property has three bedrooms, two bathrooms – including one en suite – and an open-plan kitchen and living space. Standing 43 storeys high, Providence Tower will also incorporate a sky lounge offering 360° views of the capital and a leisure complex with swimming pool, gym and health spa.
£1.25m / €1.7m / $1.92m Johns & Co +44 (0)20 7118 0343
At one time London’s docks were centres of industry, alive with the sounds and smells of shipbuilding, receiving cargoes of timber, food and textiles from vessels of all sizes. To anybody visiting today they present a very different picture – prestigious office towers, fine dining restaurants, chic shopping malls and luxurious apartments punctuate the landscape.
This change, instigated by the London Docklands Development Corporation in the early 1980s, coupled with a series of business investment incentives from central government, has resulted in a world-class financial and business zone of which one of the country’s tallest buildings – One Canada Square (also known as Canary Wharf Tower) – is the celebrated symbol.
Yet the area is so much more than Canary Wharf. Extending along the river through the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich, Docklands stretches for almost nine square miles and is home to thousands of people, not just a business and financial hub.
