All together now: London homes with communal spaces
There are two types of people in this world: those that use the communal lounge, and those who don’t. We’re talking to the former
When it comes to London property, increasingly it’s less about the apartments themselves and more about the bells and whistles that are attached to them. You know, the spa, gym, pool, cinema, lounge, workspace… The list goes on.
As we spend less time at work and more time at home, we want our homes to be more than homes. We want them to offer community, a neighbourhood within a neighbourhood. We want to be able to network with like-minded co-residents, and maybe even make a couple of friends.
The developments below understand the shifting sands of home ownership in HNW circles, and haven’t disappointed, providing a slew of amenities, facilities, classes and clubs. Social butterflies, read on for our edit of homes with communal space.
Embassy Gardens, SW11
You probably know Embassy Gardens for its Sky Pool – the high-rise swimming pool which stretches between the rooftops of the Legacy Buildings. But this is only the beginning of the development’s offering. In the heart of the Nine Elms regeneration zone, Embassy Gardens is leading the charge when it comes to homes with communal space. Homeowners are de facto members of The Eg:le Club, privy to social spaces like the Maureen O’Hara Cinema, where you can watch recent releases every evening and all day on weekends. The Edison Suite and Linea Lounge, like the Eg:le Club workspaces, were designed to make working from home more sociable and productive, while the Manhattan-inspired Beckett Lounge is a space for relaxation by way of armchairs and a pool table. On the ground floor of Embassy Gardens resides Darby’s Restaurant, the perfect place to grab negronis and oysters with your new neighbours/friends.
Prices from £1,015,000, embassygardens.com
The Haydon, EC3N
Professionals may buy in this Aldgate development for its proximity to the Square Mile, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to have fun, too. Residents of The Haydon enjoy communal amenities including a gym with spa pool, a yoga room and fitness studio, and a private cinema. But the majority of inter-resident interaction happens during the summer, when the 11th-floor terrace is at its most magnificent. Not the type to stay at home, the City Slicker may choose to take the evening to The Ned – or perhaps a Michelin-starred establishment like Bob Bob Ricard City, City Social or Galvin La Chapelle. All are within walking distance of The Haydon.
Prices from £625,000, regal-london.co.uk
Postmark, WC1X
This new development will be more than just homes; it will be a new Farringdon district, complete with open squares surrounded by public gardens and play areas. Residents of Postmark aren’t just buying real estate in one of the four phases on this six-acre site (each of which is designed by a different practice to reflect the architectural patchwork of the area) – they’re buying into a central London community privy to 20,000 sq ft of commercial space. And yes, there are plenty of luxury amenities, from a wellness centre with a gym, to a cinema, lounge, courtyard, roof terrace and 24-hour concierge.
Prices from £950,000, postmarklondon.co.uk
One St John’s Wood, NW8
This collection of 112 luxury apartments and penthouses has been pivotal in bringing its namesake area into the super prime fray. One St John’s Wood looks like a five-star hotel, and possesses all the requisite amenities, like a spa and wellness centre with a 20m swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room. But developer Regal London is all too aware of the demands of modern buyers, especially in the wake of isolating lockdowns and the advent of working from home. One St John’s Wood offers homes with communal space such as a 14-guest dining room complete with concealed kitchen, business and club lounges, a cinema, and a roof terrace looking out across Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Prices for the Penthouse Collection start from £7,250,000, regal-london.co.uk
Powerhouse at Chelsea Waterfront, SW10
This is the historic renovation of Lots Road Power Station – a collection of 260 luxury apartments and the latest phase of Chelsea Waterfront. The development has a health and fitness centre, a fully-equipped gym, and a 20m swimming pool. It also has a Residents’ Club Lounge offering a multi-purpose space for work or social gatherings. But what will really appeal to the more socially-inclined among you is the atrium at Powerhouse, a hub of activity incorporating retail units, restaurants, and leisure spaces built at a rare scale for a residential scheme. The atrium has been designed to prioritise mixed-use, ensuring that Powerhouse remains connected to its roots as a building of public service.
Prices from £1,700,000, powerhousechelsea.com
The Brentford Project, TW8
The best thing about leaving PCL? The space. Occupying a 4.79-hectare waterside site, The Brentford Project is spread across 11 residential buildings. As well as an array of stylish homes, the development presents the Wick, a private club to which residents are given automatic and exclusive membership. It’s a haven hidden from the hustle and bustle of the High Street, with an open-air pool as well as covered walkways framed by a modern cloister. The outdoor games terrace encourages healthy competition and, inside, the club greets its members with a concierge.
Prices from £470,000, knightfrank.co.uk
Thames City, SW8
This Nine Elms development is one of the tallest residential building in Zone One at 53 storeys. The first residents moved in last summer, forming a community based around the 1974 Club – an inclusive members’ club providing access to a suite of amenities. Namely, a bespoke wellness spa (containing the largest private swimming pool in London), a private residents’ lounge, a jungle gym, a K-POP room (we’re intrigued), an 18-seat dining room, a cigar room, cinema room, business centre, library, podium roof gardens and more. As far as homes with communal space go, it doesn’t get much more comprehensive than this.
Prices from £1,010,000, thamescity.com
