St Katharine Docks is London’s only active marina, dating back to the 10th century. Once a centre of maritime trade, this exclusive dock continues to be a hive of activity with prime office space rubbing shoulders with high-end housing, bars and restaurants. Lee O’Neil, head of sales, Knight Frank Wapping comments,
“St Katharine Docks is waterfront living, working and relaxing at its best. It’s located a short distance from the City square mile and offers the City workforce a tranquil space, moments from the office.
“Over the years we’ve seen a wide demographic of people interested in living in the dock. Initially the target market was very much UK domestic buyers and high profile city workers seeking a water front piedà- terre. Many people who moored in the marina would use turn-key development flats as a local base which provided easy access to their vessels. More recently we’ve seen an increase in overseas buyers who have fallen in love with the waterside location and vistas. Properties available in St Katharine Docks vary from the bespoke character laden warehouse, Ivory House to the popular City Quay development and beautiful waterfront houses on Tower Walk.”
Nigel Day of Riverhomes believes that St Katharine Docks is arguably the most exclusive marina in the world.
“Its proximity to the City, not to mention landmarks such as Tower Bridge and The Tower of London make it highly sought after,”
he explains.
“Its desirability has increased even further in recent years thanks to improving infrastructure and services. Whereas there was once a small supermarket, a coffee shop and little else, the area is now host to a wide array of shops and exclusive boutiques.
“The redevelopment of the former News International headquarters will completely transform the area. Rather than ‘Fortress Wapping’, we will see a vibrant development that will change the character of St Katharine’s Dock for the better. There are lots of pieds-à-terre in the St Katharine’s Dock area whereas the London Dock development will bring in lots more permanent residents.”
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is also a highly desirable area in which to live. Divyesh Bhanderi, lettings manager of Foxtons’ Greenwich office says,
“It boasts impressive historic sites and the Royal Museums, vast green spaces of Greenwich Park, developed riverside and good connectivity served by both the Jubilee Line and the DLR, as well as the Thames Clipper.
“With a range of good local schools, the area appeals to families, while the proximity to Canary Wharf via the DLR and to central London via the Jubilee Line is attracting professionals. Greenwich has a neighbourly, tight-community feel to it despite being a popular tourist spot. The O2, yet another London landmark in the area, attracts visitors from all parts of London and the UK, hosting performances of many celebrities and some fantastic exhibitions.
“There is a mix of high-end properties in Greenwich, comprising large family houses, unusual conversions and high-specification modern apartments, but it remains a niche market in the area at present.”
Matrix Island, St Katharine Docks (Above)
A truly spectacular 1930s steel barge which has been converted into a magnificent contemporary houseboat with its own private access ramp. The near 50-foot foredeck provides enormous scope for al fresco entertaining but it is the internal volume of this vessel – in excess of 5,000 square feet – that has allowed for an extensive and impressive open-plan upper deck. This includes a vast and bright reception, kitchen and dining areas, offering wonderful dock views with a central atrium stairway to a lower deck. On the lower deck there is a further reception area and access to a rib/jet-ski platform and five large double bedrooms, each with direct or shared en suite facilities. There is also a newly built office space at the rear of the houseboat with Tower Bridge views.
£3.7m / €4.3m / $4.52m
Riverhomes
www.ipmag.link/2ooFhaV
Ivory House, St Katharine Docks
The striking penthouse apartment on the top floor of Ivory House, a 19th century former warehouse building, has been redesigned by Morpheus London. It was converted to flats in the mid-20th century and offers fabulous views over London including of the Tower of London and includes two terraces, one with a Jacuzzi. The penthouse spans nearly 2,500 square feet and a number of listed features have been exposed including the original red brick walls, steel frames and 1860’s stone flooring. A new contemporary staircase also gives the illusion of floating treads.
£3.3m / €3.8m / $4m
Knight Frank
www.ipmag.link/2oXRKFC
Metropolitan Wharf, E1W
A selection of two-bedroom duplex apartments for rental in a one-of-a-kind warehouse conversion. Features of note include exposed brickwork, hanging fireplaces and a plethora of rare material finishes.
From £1,450 / €1,673 / $1,770 – £2,350 / €2,712 / $2,870 per week
Marsh & Parsons
www.ipmag.link/2oz3Sfw
Vanbrugh Castle, Maze Hill, Greenwich
An exclusive opportunity to purchase a four-bedroom share of freehold that is part of the beautiful Grade I listed Vanbrugh Castle in 2.5 acres of stunning grounds. Modelled on the French Bastille, the exceptional residence was built in 1718 by the highly acclaimed architect Sir John Vanbrugh himself who used to the castle as his home. The building has since been used as an RAF school for the sons of servicemen killed in the World Wars. Today the property has been restored and refurbished by the Blackheath Preservation Trust. The most impressive feature of the four-storey household is the expansive private roof terrace with farreaching views of the London skyline.
£2.75m / €3.17m / $3.36m
Fine & Country
www.ipmag.link/2oz3U78
Lassell Street, East Greenwich
This split-level church conversion for rental features a bright and expansive living area. It includes an impressive reception room with great entertaining space, a fullyequipped, open-plan kitchen, four double bedrooms and three bathrooms.
£1,000 / €1,155 / $1,220 pw (£4,334 / €5,000 / $5,290 pcm)
Foxtons
www.ipmag.link/2p5XI6W
