020 7538 0102
London’s longest pier is currently under construction in Silvertown, just to the east of Lyle Park – an elegant wooden construction that, when complete by the end of the year, will connect the 3,385-home Royal Wharf neighbourhood to the Thames Clipper river bus route. The new pier, which replaces a long-derelict jetty, also serves as a public space and viewing platform, extending into the Thames from a riverside promenade; it is the latest element in the regeneration of the wider Royal Docks area, alongside a market square, gardens, parkland, and retail amenities. Duplexes with up to four bedrooms have been launched there by developer Ballymore Oxley, each with its own front door facing onto a communal courtyard. Prices start from £725,000.
Evening Standard (07/10/2019)
Notting Hill Genesis is offering first-time buyers the opportunity to live just 10 minutes’ walk away from Canary Wharf, at the sprawling £1bn Millharbour development. A 25% share of a one-bedroom apartment can be purchased for £121,250, rising to £166,250 for a quarter-share of a two-bed home. The apartments are located on the 17th-25th floors of the Salvor Tower, with glorious views of the docks, the Thames, and the City skyline beyond. Millharbour will eventually host more than 1,500 homes, along with shops, restaurants, a theatre, park, square and two new schools.
Evening Standard (10/10/2019)
Writing in City AM, Mayor Sadiq Khan outlines his plan to build housing that “Londoners can actually afford”. “The housing industry must earn Londoners’ trust, and that will only come through talking to them about what they need from homebuilding – and actually listening,” writes Mr Khan, adding that “it’s vital that developers and home builders don’t lose sight of their social responsibilities, and redouble their efforts to make council, social rented and genuinely affordable housing their priority – with the needs of real Londoners at the forefront of their plans every step of the way.”
City AM (08/10/2019)
Brexit uncertainty has led to a steep drop in the demand for new homes, according to the Federation of Master Builders. Research from the FMB has revealed that consumer demand for new homes has fallen 8% over the last year to a six-year low. Small house building firms said current buyer demand is at 2.9 out of 5, down from 3.14 last year, and is expected to fall further to 2.75 next year. Almost half of small developers attributed the slump to a lack of consumer confidence. “Many prospective homeowners are clearly holding off buying until there is more political and economic certainty,” said FMB chief executive Brian Berry, continuing to say that he hoped the lull would be short-term and things would “pick up” after Brexit.
City AM (09/10/2019)
Mortgage lender Halifax has said house prices increased 1.1% in the year to the end of September, the slowest rate since April 2013. It added that for as long as economic uncertainty in Britain continues, price growth would remain "predominantly flat". The cost of the average home in September was down by 0.4% compared with August, at £232,574. House price growth has slowed since the Brexit referendum in 2016 - the Halifax index was showing growth of about 8% a year at the time - and prices have recently been falling in London. Russell Galley, managing director of Halifax, said: “We expect activity levels and price growth to remain subdued while the current period of economic uncertainty persists”.
BBC News (07/10/2019)
Mount Anvil is citing its latest Docklands development’s environmental credentials as a major selling point, with a quarter of the site, equivalent to 20 tennis courts, covered by green space, including raised lawns and wildflower meadows. Royal Eden Docks is situated just 109 yards from the Thames, offering panoramic views of Canary Wharf, the City of London, and beyond, with a rooftop running track and a “reflexology walkway”. It also actively promotes green transport options, with more than 1,000 cycle storage spaces, electric car charging points, and car club membership. Apartments at the development are priced from £355,000.
Evening Standard (01/10/2019)