+ A win at appeal sees a new set of towers on the east London skyline Page 16
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developer Rockwell unveils penthouse collection over six floors at Vetro beside Westferry DLR station Page 18
Property in Canary Wharf, Docklands, east London buy - rent - invest - interiors - commercial
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Homes will be built for private rent as part of Republic’s second phase – just under 38% will be designated for let at affordable rates
how Republic is set to expand its offer following an appeal win on plans for its 940,000sq ft second phase scheme by Jon Massey
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The plans include the landscaping of public areas inside and outside the historic dock wall
A view of the planned phase through the existing water gardens
he Blackwall skyline is set for a significant change, after all. Tower Hamlets councillors’ rejection of plans for the second phase of the Republic development has been overturned at appeal, meaning developers LaSalle Investment Management and Trilogy Real Estate can now press ahead with the scheme. The decision will see some 940,000sq ft of space created including 716 rooms for students to live in, 150 private rental homes, a 376,000sq ft data centre and 64,000sq ft of studio workspace including 7,000sq ft for community use. Just under 38% of the homes will be offered at affordable rents. When fully built it will mean the whole of Republic, which includes two re-purposed office blocks, will comprise around 1.28million sq ft of mixed use space. Originally conceived as a home for creative businesses under pressure from high rents in areas like Soho, the scheme has subsequently become much more focused on education with various schools and universities opening campuses on-site. It also houses various fitness and hospitality businesses alongside landscaped water gardens on the former site of East India Docks. While the initial phase of development centred on the refurbishment of existing buildings, the second will see structures including Tower Hamlets’ former council offices demolished and replaced with new ones. The aim is to create a campus that allows students to learn and live on a single site as well as providing rapid data services to businesses locally. Trilogy Real Estate founder and CEO, Robert Wolstenholme, said: “Over the past eight years, Trilogy has created a campus for education and innovation at Republic that defines this new alternative asset class. “In the process, we’ve transformed an unloved office estate into a coherent and sustainable development with a real sense of place and connection to the community – one that anticipated the challenge of the new world of work and sought to have a significant positive social impact in
Bringing a community of students and residents onto our campus will reinforce Republic’s mission to serve colleges and universities’ needs Robert Wolstenholme, Trilogy Real Estate
Tower Hamlets. The work we’ve done with universities and other education providers to deliver space for training, education and skills alongside workspace has created an engine for the future economy of east London. “The next phase of Republic builds upon the strengths of the development and our location. “Bringing a community of students and residents onto our campus will reinforce Republic’s mission to be a place that serves the full spectrum of needs of colleges and universities and integrates with the local community. “We’re also adding capacity at one of the UK’s most in-demand hubs for data centres, providing vital infrastructure that will support future jobs.” When the developers bought the East India Dock development in 2015, around 1,700 people worked on site. Today, more than 20,000 are either working or studying at Republic. Designed by architects SimpsonHaugh, the second phase will feature towers of 36 and 30 storeys with plenty of scope to add to that figure. Current tenants include The University Of The West Of Scotland (UWS), City Gateway, Global Banking School, Anglia Ruskin University and York St John University. Initiatives have seen space given to charities for free including Oitij-jo Collective, OpenCity, and First Love Foundation. Trilogy has also supported The Greenhouse, a joint initiative between The Trampery and UWS offering space and advice to startups. Go to republic.london for more
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Property + Planning
towers building the
An artist’s impression of how Republic’s second phase will look when work on the project is completed
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Penthouses available at Rockwell’s Vetro development in Limehouse
how Vetro has unveiled six floors housing six penthouses at the top of its 29-storey tower beside Westferry DLR station by Jon Massey
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t’s little surprise, perhaps, that the initial press pack sent out to promote the penthouse collection at Rockwell’s Vetro development next to Westferry DLR station contains images that primarily celebrate the views from the show property. Properties on the upper floors of towers to a certain extent live or die on what can be seen from their windows and the sun setting over the City’s skyline is undeniably a key selling point for the six homes on offer here. The word penthouse has increasingly been stretched down from the very uppermost floors in a building, here covering a set of duplexes arranged over the top six floors on the western side of the scheme. There are two on each of the 24th, 26th and 28th floors of the tower, with other residential apartments in the scheme located on the floors below. The eastern half houses a self-contained, 400-room, Premier Inn, the brand’s tallest branch in the UK. Prospective buyers have two slightly different layouts to choose from – one extending to 1,370sq ft and the other to 1,586sq ft. Prices start at £1,775,000. For context, at just under £1,296 per sq ft, that’s considerably less than a slightly smaller – but higher property – at Ballymore and EcoWorld’s Wardian scheme on the Isle Of Dogs (£1,820). It is, however, much more than a top floor two-bed at Ballymore’s Goodluck Hope development,
albeit with 150sq ft less space on a significantly lower floor (£835). When it comes to penthouses, comparisons can only take buyers so far. There are different locations, facilities and designs to take into consideration. The Vetro properties offer polished concrete columns, light oak flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows to let in as much of the view as possible. Both sizes of apartment have similar layouts with the lower floors given over to open-plan living areas. These come complete with fully fitted kitchens, black stained oak doors hiding a bristling inventory of integrated Miele appliances. There are black marble worktops and white marble splashbacks that act as backdrops to the minimal stainless steel of the functional bits. There are also wintergarden areas with ceramic floors and plenty of fully flexible space capable of accommodating furniture of any size. Upstairs, each apartment features two bedrooms with en suite facilities – the chief difference being twin sinks in the bathroom of the principal. There’s also extensive built-in storage and a second exit for each property. The development itself, boasts a day concierge service, a residents’ spa facility with a gym, sauna, shower and relaxation space. There’s also a communal podium garden. The scheme was designed by SimpsonHaugh architects, known locally for Dollar Bay on the Isle Of Dogs and flagship central London tower One Blackfriars.
Rockwell managing director Nicholas Mee said: “The penthouses offer a rare level of quality. “Combined with the excellent connectivity that Vetro provides, these homes present a superior and complete modern urban living opportunity. “We are immensely proud to launch these homes to market and to mark completion on an extraordinary building which will enhance the local community and leave a wholly positive development legacy that stands the test of time.” Vetro is located beside Westferry DLR station, a two-minute journey to Canary Wharf or a 10-minute walk from the estate. The line also offers direct connections to the likes of London City Airport, the City, Tower Hill, Greenwich and Custom House for Excel in Royal Docks. It’s also within easy reach of Canary Wharf pier for Uber Boat By Thames Clippers services and the local Elizabeth Line station for rapid journeys across the capital. Local amenities abound, from Sir Ian McKellen’s nearby pub The Grapes, to the Canary Wall climbing centre, the myriad bars and restaurants of West India Quay and all that the Wharf itself has to offer. For more information about the penthouses at Vetro, go to vetrolondon.com
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The penthouse apartments feature oak flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows on both levels for maximum opportunities to enjoy their extensive views
We are immensely proud to launch these homes and to mark completion on an extraordinary building Nicholas Mee, Rockwell
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Property
rooms with a view
The sunset from the dressed penthouse at Vetro
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PIER WAY, WOOLWICH, SE28 0FH
HERE IT IS. YOUR CHANCE TO STOP RENTING. Join us for our Escape the Rental Cycle event on Saturday 11th November, 10am-5pm.
Ready to move on from renting? Book now for our exclusive event and get free, expert financial advice from Experian and Torc 24, while enjoying a selection of food and drinks. Plus, we’ll be on hand to tell you more about our stylish new apartments, just 16 minutes’ walk* from Woolwich station, for an 8 minute journey* to Canary Wharf via the Elizabeth Line.
Don’t let anything hold you back from owning. Book your place today. Studio, 1, 2 & 3 bed apartments and 3 bed duplexes from £325,000
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*Journey times and distances approximate. Source: Google Maps and TfL. Details and images correct at time of going to press. Images for illustrative purposes only.
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