South Bank leading Central London property investment
New commercial and residential projects are drawing investors to London's arts and culture hotspot
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A narrow strip of theaters, galleries and gardens just across the river from Parliament, London's South Bank has been the city's sophisticated cultural hub since 1951. Today, ongoing investment in offices and luxury residential schemes is creating more opportunities to live, work and invest in this dynamic part of prime Central London.
Property investment in South Bank totaled almost £1 billion last year, with commercial leasing almost doubling from Q4 2017 to Q4 2018 and new residential projects creating opportunities for investors as the Central London property markets continue to recover. Research by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) forecasts accelerating growth in house prices over the next few years, from 1.5% in 2019 to 5% growth in 2021. Rental prices are also set to grow from 2% to 3.5% during this period, with further growth expected following the arrival of Crossrail.
At the center of this thriving district is Southbank Place by Braeburn Estates. A new mixed-use development comprising residential buildings, office blocks, shopping and dining venues and public squares, this new neighborhood occupying 5.7 acres on the south bank of the River Thames is surrounded by the very best of London.
World-leading culture hub
No other destination in London offers as rich a cocktail of culture, nightlife and outdoor space as the South Bank. The 1951 Festival of Britain established the district as a new cultural powerhouse in the city, and since that time, local venues such as Queen Elizabeth Hall, the National Theatre and the Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre continue to draw the sophisticated crowd to acclaimed performances and exhibitions.
Other major art and culture institutions such as the National Gallery, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern are all within walking distance of the South Bank. Home of the London Eye and Jubilee Gardens, this centrally-located district puts London's most iconic landmarks in easy reach, from the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben to St. Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge.
Beyond culture, the South Bank has also established a reputation as a vibrant riverside neighborhood with some of the best dining and nightlife in London. Pop-up markets, food festivals and gourmet restaurants bring the best of world cuisine to the area all year round, and it's less than 15 minutes' walk to the designer boutiques of Covent Garden and the theaters of the West End.
For business, it's just four minutes to the City of London and nine minutes to Canary Wharf by rail from Waterloo Underground station, and London's major airports Heathrow and Gatwick are 30 to 45 minutes away for convenient international connections. A new Tube entrance at Southbank Place means residents will be able to access Underground and Overground services without even leaving the building.
Central riverside living
Transforming the skyline along the south bank of the Thames, Southbank Place is bringing new life to an area steeped in heritage. Each building of the development surrounding the existing Shell Tower was designed by a different team, resulting in a striking mix of architectural styles connected by open squares and gardens.
The first residential building to open its doors at Southbank Place will be Eight Casson Square, a 30-story tower comprising one, two and three-bedroom apartments, penthouses, suites and lofts. Designed by architects Patel Taylor and Darling Associates to satisfy the high expectations of modern city living, all apartments have spacious layouts and floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of the enviable views on both sides of the river.
Residents at Eight Casson Square will also have access to exclusive lifestyle amenities at Southbank Place. These include a 24-hour concierge, a private residents' lounge on the mezzanine level, communal winter gardens and a health and fitness facility with a swimming pool, multifunction gym and spa treatment rooms.