how Ballymore has put community at the heart of Goodluck Hope on the edge of the Thames
by Jon Massey
Goodluck Hope is unique in London,” said James Boyce, associate regional sales director at Ballymore. “It’s in Zone 2, but it doesn’t feel like that – it’s very tranquil, on a bend in the Thames, overlooking The O2. There’s this big expanse of water in front of you but, because it’s built on a peninsula, nobody passes through.
“That means people there can live really close to the action – Canary Wharf is just a short journey away – but it’s a sanctuary, almost completely surrounded by water.”
Increasingly a destination in its own right, the development is coming of age with a thriving community of residents enjoying an emerging crop of local businesses. Layers Bakery serves coffee and brunch, while Taylor’s Of Goodluck Hope trades in farm fresh produce and recently opened a wine bar and deli in a second unit at Orchard Dry Dock.
There’s expectation that Hum Yoga + Meditation is set to expand its east London operation with a second studio at the development overlooking the Thames, as well as the cultural appeal of Trinity Art Gallery, so it’s clear the area’s attractions are only growing. Little surprise perhaps, as buyers discover what’s on offer.
“We’ve got something for everyone,” said James. “There are studios – with sliding doors to divide up the space –one, two and three-bedroom apartments and two and three-bed duplexes with living spaces on the top floor that have amazing views.
“Then there’s a row of 19 townhouses along the main street, all painted in different colours, which gives the area a Scandinavian feel. These have really brought the ground level to life and they’ve been really popular – we’ve only got two left. They are three-storeys high and have either three or four bedrooms.
“Buyers get water views and access to the podium gardens at the rear. East London has surprisingly few houses and I think that’s why they’ve been so sought after.
“A lot of people have been brought up in houses, either in London or further out, so to live in one is quite a significant thing. Then there’s the fact you can walk out of your front door, cross the road to the bakery for a freshly-baked croissant
and coffee, then go and sit by the river or chat to your neighbours. All of these things make Goodluck Hope a fantastic place to live.”
This has not come about by chance. Following the success of Ballymore and EcoWorld’s London City Island project, a few minutes’ walk away, Goodluck Hope was conceived to complement its amenities.
“We knew we had to elevate Goodluck Hope because it needed to be something special,” said James.
We knew we had to elevate Goodluck Hope because it needed to be something special. We wanted to celebrate the area’s heritage in its design
James Boyce, Ballymore
“We delved into the history of the area, with the East India Company’s use of the nearby dock complex and its role as a major stopping off point for ships carrying goods in and out of London.
“We wanted to celebrate the maritime heritage so, whereas most new-build developments were featuring full height glazing and standard facades, we built warehouse-style with Crittall windows and pitched roofs as well as really intricate brickwork that recalled the buildings that once stood on the peninsula.
“The development also benefits from being next to Trinity Buoy Wharf, which has long supported arts and culture in the area – providing space for artists, businesses, a school and one of the smallest museums in London on the site where Michael Faraday conducted his experiments with electricity.”
Then there’s the ongoing interplay
between City Island and Goodluck Hope, with buyers able to enjoy fitness amenities at both developments meaning access to both indoor and outdoor pools.
“Goodluck Hope has a residents’ clubhouse alongside its concierge facility,” said James. “Within that you’ve got a co-working space, a Scandinavian sauna, a plunge pool, a swimming pool and a cinema, which has an Everyman feel to it.
“There’s a studio where the Ballymore fitness team run 20 classes a week including boxing and spinning as well as offering personal training sessions.
“Then there’s the Lantern Room, which is on the 29th floor – design-wise it references the Thames lighthouse at Trinity Buoy Wharf nearby, especially when it’s lit up at night.
“Exclusively for Goodluck Hope residents, we opened it in 2022 and it’s been really popular. It’s used as a work lounge during the day, which complements the facilities on the ground floor.
“In the evening the space is open for residents to host dinner parties, or for people to just take a couple of drinks up there and enjoy the sunset. It’s probably the tallest building within a kilometre of where it is and boasts views in all directions across London.”
Another key attraction for buyers considering a move to Goodluck Hope is that the strength of the community has blown us away,” added James. “It’s hard to describe, but there’s something about living on what’s effectively an island.
“It’s a place where you know your neighbours, whether that’s to say good morning to or just to make friendly eye contact. You know you’re an islander and there’s something really good about that.
“In contrast to more high-rise areas, where you probably won’t see many of your fellow residents, Goodluck Hope doesn’t have that density, so there really is a strong community.”
Ballymore’s James Boyce
Goodluck Hope is almost completely surrounded by water – the Thames and the Lea
Starting price for a home at Ballymore’s Goodluck Hope scheme
Again, this is not coincidental. Ballymore has worked hard to foster an environment where those living locally get to know each other.
It’s part-way through its current events programme, which offers activities running though to September.
“That’s important for us because if people come and enjoy themselves, they will bring their friends and that’s really how you make a place,” said James.
“We did a survey of the residents at the beginning of the year, asking them what they wanted from the area.
“That’s why we have Workshop Wednesdays where residents can learn new skills such as croissant decorating, cheese and wine tasting, pottery or even singing.
“Then we have Thirsty Thursdays for people who want to socialise over a few drinks and enjoy some live music. Together with Film Fridays and Social
building the community
Having opened Hum Yoga + Meditation at London City Island nearly three years ago, Oriana Shepherd is now looking to expand her business to Goodluck Hope to keep up with demand.
“I initially came across the development while looking for accommodation for my son for university – it was just after Covid so a lot was happening and it just seemed like a really exciting area,” she said.
“I noticed, however, that there wasn’t a Yoga studio and so that’s where the idea came from.”
Oriana had spent much of the preceding 15 years teaching Yoga in Wales, a career she’d embarked on after more than a decade working for Virgin Atlantic.
After having children, she decided to pursue fitness alongside meditation breath work and aromatherapy closer to home, teaching and working in various roles including as a clinical therapist in palliative care.
“Having taught for so long and led Yoga retreats, opening Hum felt like a natural progression,” said Oriana.
“When I visited the island and saw the community here, there wasn’t access to these kinds of practices for residents on their doorstep and I thought it was maybe something I could offer.
“Hum is a space where
Saturdays, there’s something new each week. The residents are very active, they attend a lot of the events.
“Together with our retailers, all of these things have made this place what it is – something special.”
key details
Properties available at Goodluck Hope include suites, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, lofts and townhouses – all available for buyers to move into immediately. Prices start at £425,000. For more information go to goodluckhope.com or call 020 3797 1669 to arrange a viewing
Scan this code to find out more about homes at Goodluck Hope on Leamouth Peninsula
people can come and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
“It’s an opportunity to explore something different in a really safe, relaxed, non-judgemental place.
“Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned practitioner there’s something for everybody. We also do lots of retreats and socials too so it’s a place to meet likeminded individuals.”
Now full to capacity, the plan is to open a second site at Goodluck Hope overlooking the Thames.
“We’re hoping to have a bigger space there, which will give us the opportunity to host corporate wellness events,” said Oriana. “We also offer Yoga teacher training and we’ll be able to offer more of that too.
“The intention has always been to enjoy the process
and to support as may people as possible and opening the business has done just that.
“I love it and I feel very privileged to do this kind of work and to share it with so many people in London and from all over the world because people who live in these developments come from many different countries. We have such a wide, varied community and seeing people come together is really precious.”
key details
Hum Yoga + Meditation offers a range of Yoga, Pilates and meditation classes. New members can get 50% off their first month with unlimited classes for £54. Standard membership costs £108 per month with several other options available.
Go to hum.yoga for more information
at London City Island
>> Discover our featured property at Goodluck Hope and live on the banks of the Thames Page 18
Hum Yoga + Meditation’s Oriana Shepherd. The business also offers sunrise and sunset sessions in the Lantern Room at Goodluck Hope
Hum
£1,199,000
Price for this three-bedroom loft apartment at Goodluck Hope, which includes an expansive terrace
featured property
Guide: £1,199,000
>> This loft apartment is accessed via its own bridge and includes an extensive 236sq ft terrace. The apartment is located on the sixth oor of Goodluck Hope’s Argo building and boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
>> This property, which extends to some 1,136sq ft in total is centred on a large, open-plan living area complete with fully tted kitchen, an island unit, dining area and lounge space.
>> The bedrooms bene t from built-in wardrobes, while the bathrooms boast a large shower and bath for residents to enjoy.
For more information go to goodluckhope.com or call 020 3797 1669 to arrange a viewing
Scan this code to nd out more about homes at Goodluck Hope on Leamouth Peninsula
The apartment features a large open-plan living area as well as three bedrooms, a terrace and its own bridge for access
how Gadwell Quarter offers something fresh amid significant regeneration in north-east London
by Jon Massey
The arrival of the Elizabeth Line in Canary Wharf has changed the game for those seeking to buy a home. Its rapid connections to other parts of London – directly and indirectly – make living in other parts of the capital significantly easier by cutting commutes to areas that offer something different to the neighbourhoods of east London.
Take Woodberry Down, for example. NHG Homes is currently marketing shared ownership properties at Gadwell Quarter –part of Berkeley Group’s 5,500home regeneration of 64 acres of land in north-east London.
Located next to Manor House Tube station on the corner of Finsbury Park, it’s now about half an hour from the Wharf via the Piccadilly Line, national rail services to Moorgate and a swift six minutes on the Liz Line via its convenient subway link to Liverpool Street.
The immense scheme sits opposite two reservoirs fed by the human-made New River and includes some 15 acres of parkland. It boasts an established community with a pub, gym, supermarket and post office on site too. But the north-east London location offers more.
There’s the vibrancy of Green Lanes down the hill with its Turkish bakeries, food shops and restaurants. Then there’s Finsbury Park itself, which has a boating lake, running track, baseball ground, tennis courts, American Football pitch and some of the friendliest squirrels in London.
To the south, residents will find the Castle Climbing Centre – a vast facility housed in a former Victorian pumping station – on their way to Clissold Park and the independent shops, bars and restaurants of Stoke Newington. While Woodberry Down itself is a major slice of regenerated land, the communities and areas around it have been evolving for generations with all the granular intrigue and quality this lends to a place.
So what can you get for your continued on Page 20
An artist’s impression of NHG Homes’ Gadwell Quarter at Woodberry Down
Minimum deposit needed to secure an entry level one-bedroom home at Gadwell Quarter on a shared ownership basis
£6,000 a place to embrace
from Page 20
money when buying into this Zone 2 location?
NHG Homes recently launched a new show home as a focal point for its offering of one, two and three-bedroom apartments at Gadwell Quarter – a four-minute walk from the Tube station.
Properties feature open-plan layouts, full height glazing, private outdoor space, walk-in showers, fully fitted kitchens, laminate flooring and carpets in the bedrooms.
Prices for a one-bed start at £120,000 for a 25% share, while two-beds start at £158,750 for the same percentage.
“We’ve seen huge demand for homes at Woodberry Down over the years as the dynamic community continues to grow in this up-and-coming area of north-east London,” Diana Alam, director of sales and marketing at NHG Homes.
“With many Londoners struggling to get on the property ladder, we’re pleased that buyers will have the opportunity to choose London – and specifically Woodberry Down – as their home with shared ownership.
“High quality homes at Gadwall Quarter offer the perfect blend of tranquil nature and contemporary urban living.”
Wharfers considering a move away from Docklands won’t need to worry about access to watersports either. The nearby reservoirs offer sailing, kayaking and canoeing or just the chance to explore Woodberry Wetlands, a haven for urban flora and fauna created in partnership with the London Wildlife Trust.
key details
Starting prices for one, two and three-bedroom homes are based on full market values of £480,000, £635,000 and £900,000. Under shared ownership, buyers purchase a minimum of 25% of the property and pay rent on the remainder as well as a service charge. Typically this is cheaper than renting a home on the open market.
Deposits are also lower than with private sale as the buyer may be able to secure a mortgage with as little as 5% of the quarter they are buying – that would be £6,000 for the entry level one-bed at Gadwell Quarter.
Go to nhghomes.com for more information or call 020 3925 6315
Scan this code for more about homes at Gadwell Quarter
Minutes the commute from Manor House Tube to Canary Wharf takes via Piccadilly, national rail and Elizabeth Line services
NHG Homes recently launched a new show home at Gadwell Quarter so prospective buyers can see the level of finish on the new apartments
NHG Homes’ apartments feature private outdoor space, fully fitted kitchens and open-plan design
