Enjoy village life down by the river
Whether investors are looking mainly for a home in London or a rental property promising good long-term returns, the new Greenwich Wharf development beside the River Thames is an interesting property.
A stylish enclave of low-rise buildings, it offers contemporary apartments in a peaceful setting close to parkland, historic sites and 'village life', while also being within easy reach of all the capital's main business, transport and entertainment hubs.
'Riverside developments in central London are few and far between,' says Alex Finch, director of Jones Lang LaSalle, which is marketing the project in Hong Kong. 'High-quality schemes such as this generally prove to be excellent investment opportunities in terms of capital appreciation, and the borough of Greenwich has always been an extremely popular area.'
Construction of the second of five buildings - the one now on sale - is scheduled for completion by summer/autumn 2013. There are 112 spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, designed and orientated by architects Squire & Partners to maximise the benefits of natural light, river views and a setting amid a 4.86-hectare estate of quiet paths and landscaped gardens.
'The expanses of greenery mean there is a good distance between buildings and all residents will enjoy the gardens, riverside walks and the more vibrant central square,' Finch says. The apartments offer ample open-plan living space, with many units also having a balcony or outdoor terrace.
For the kitchens, key features include a stainless steel electric oven, extractor hood, ceramic halogen hob and a fridge-freezer. There are also reconstituted stone worktops, integral draining boards and a multifunction dishwasher.
Thickly carpeted floors will create a sense of warmth and intimacy in the bedrooms, all of which come fitted with television points and internet connections. In the bathrooms, quality is seen in the chrome fittings, large-format ceramic tiling, heated towel rail and underfloor heating.
'Greenwich Wharf will offer residents everything people expect nowadays for a well-balanced lifestyle,' Finch says.
The development will have a private 15-metre swimming pool with a hot tub nearby, and a fully equipped gymnasium and a spa. These will be the perfect places to wind down, tune up or just spend an hour or two to enjoy the sense of calm and relaxation.
A video door-entry system and CCTV monitoring will provide tight but unobtrusive security. With management and concierge services on call at all times, finding assistance for day-to-day matters, large or small, will be simple and straightforward.
Finch emphasises that the project meets the highest environmental standards in ways that are both aesthetic and practical. For example, apartments are arranged to make the most of the landscaped surroundings and river access, while energy-saving and wildlife-friendly roof gardens are planned for each building.
'This is contemporary city living at its best,' he says. 'It is right where the River Thames dramatically traces a looping S and close to some of London's finest venues, restaurants and parkland.'
With interest rates and foreign exchange conditions as they are now, and with forecasts indicating strong appreciation in values, there are multiple attractions for overseas-based buyers.
Future rental yields are expected to be 5 per cent or higher.
'Greenwich Wharf is in an established riverside location offering fantastic views of the London skyline,' Finch says. 'This is the first opportunity to purchase apartments in Building 2 and, if requested, we can put Hong Kong-based buyers in touch with mortgage providers or contacts at banks.'
