Riverside project creates 'buzz'
It takes something special for a new development to stand out among London's riverside landmarks and gleaming skyscrapers, but the Pump House manages to achieve just that.
Imaginatively designed and encompassing a wealth of features that combine the very best in city living, it offers the chance to own an ultra-stylish home in an up-and-coming district that is already the talk of the town.
Located at the Royal Victoria Dock in London's E16, the iconic development includes a 24-storey curved tower with 161 high-quality apartments offering a choice of layouts with one, two or three bedrooms. Each unit will have a balcony or terrace that, in most cases, can serve as a winter garden kept separate by glazed doors. Depending on the aspect, views for residents will look out over the River Thames, the vibrant Docklands scene, the 2012 Olympic Park and beyond.
'With its distinctive design and aesthetic appeal, the Pump House will surpass the usual benchmarks for style and quality,' says Rosaline Lam, senior director of Colliers International Hong Kong. 'The aim of the developer, City & Docklands Property Group, is to create a unique living environment and make this one of the most desirable properties in the East London area.'
Completion is scheduled for the second half of 2014. The site will also have retail and commercial space, mainly at ground-floor level. To provide residents with a full range of amenities, the development will have 24-hour concierge services similar to a hotel, its own business centre and a private landscaped garden. Close by, there will be riverside cafes, restaurants and pubs, running and cycling trails and extensive parkland.
'With prices starting at only GBP280,000 [HK$3.45 million] for 589 sq ft one-bedroom apartments, and with expected rental returns of 4 per cent to 6 per cent, the attractions as an investment also become obvious,' Lam says.
The plans call for all apartments to be fitted with strip timber or ceramic flooring. Windows and patio doors will be double-glazed, while interior doors will be of veneered American walnut. Certain specifications may be subject to slight change closer to the date of completion.
Kitchens will be custom-designed and fully fitted with integrated oven, extractor hood and touch-control ceramic hob. A stainless steel sink comes with chrome mixer taps, and the standard appliances will include a fridge-freezer, dishwasher, microwave, waste disposal unit and a free-standing washer-dryer.
'The work surfaces and splashbacks will be a granite and steel combination and there will also be comfort cooling,' Lam says.
Key features of each bathroom or en suite include ceramic floor tiling, top-quality sanitaryware, glass shower screens and heated walls. Carpets will line the main hallways and living rooms, while dimmer lights and connections for broadband and high-definition satellite TV will ensure comfort and convenience.
A video entry-phone system, mains-operated smoke detectors and CCTV monitoring of communal areas such as the car park and entrance lobby will allow the estate management team to guarantee security and general peace of mind.
Lam notes that, with presales now starting, there is a 'tremendous buzz' about the Pump House and what is happening nearby. A new cable car and the Siemens Crystal, a centre promoting sustainable energy, are both opening later this year. They are set to be major tourist attractions and are sure to draw visitors and businesses, raising the area's profile.
'With its pivotal location among these new exciting projects, the Pump House is creating intense interest at a level we have rarely experienced elsewhere,' Lam says.
'We are confident that it will have an instant identity for investors keen to acquire a unique asset. The apartments offer a clear path for capital growth, and it will be easy to attract corporate tenants, so buyers should enjoy excellent returns and can feel sure they are buying at the right time.'
