Focus on Wapping

A revitalised E1W postcode and plenty of riverside vantage points make Wapping a new rental property hotspot for professionals working in Canary Wharf or the City of London.

Occupying a strip of cobbled streets, just along from Tower Bridge’s northern approaches, Wapping has just the kind of maritime-inspired architecture that gives a genuine community atmosphere. Wapping Overground station is just one stop from the DLR network at Shadwell from which the whole of Docklands is easily accessible, together with a Stratford and London City Airport. Tower Gateway and the Square Mile are just one stop away in the opposite direction. This means that the bulk of wealth generation lies only ten minutes away from brand new property developments like London Dock, Metropolitan Wharf or Wapping Riverside.

From St Katherine’s Dock to Shadwell Basin, regeneration has transformed this once notorious stretch of the Thames into a veritable riviera. River taxis travel in both directions to Canary Wharf, Greenwich, Westminister and Chelsea. Luxury boats gleam in the sunlight, while trendy cafés and shops sell everything from oysters and champagne to international fashion brands. A weekend artisan street market caters for those with an interest in exotic and cutting-edge cuisine. Miraculously, for an area so small, Wapping manages to squeeze in a few green spaces into its borders. King Edward Memorial Park and Wapping Rose garden are ideal places to escape to when the streets get too stressful. The area is also home to a couple of no-frills Italian diners that serve meals that are as fresh and authentic as anything found in Rome. A unique feature of Wapping’s nightlife has to be Wilton’s Music Hall, an old fashioned variety venue of the type that is all but extinct in London. Its original Victorian features and fittings make it ideal for acoustic folk, comedy and burlesque acts.

Owing to its nautical past, warehouse conversions feature heavily on the Wapping property scene.  A casual stroll along the High Street reveals dozens of ‘wharves’ and ‘quays’ that back onto the Thames shoreline. These are not mere affectations however as 70 years ago, the neighbourhood was a crucial offloading point for all manner of cargo. Today, their exposed Victorian brickwork serves as decorative features for the many loft apartments that attract such interest from corporate professionals, keen to be part of the ongoing commercial history of this prime East London district.

Indeed, renting an apartment in Wapping can be summed up as follows: If you can see both Tower Bridge and The Shard at close quarters from your bedroom window, then you know that you’re really at the centre of the action. Not only does Wapping Riverside fulfil this criteria, it is also right next door to the Wapping Overground station and as a result is much sought after. Natural light floods into these converted, south facing warehouse apartments and although they overlook a part of London that has been thriving for 500 years, the interiors are stylish and modern. A 24 hour concierge service is available to help time-starved residents get things done quickly and painlessly and a communal roof garden enables them to take full advantage of the views. Rents for one and two bedroom apartments are £575 and £750 per week, respectively.

With only so many Victorian warehouses to go round in Wapping, new builds are beginning to play a major role in subsequent regeneration phases and London Dock is probably the standout amongst them. Formerly a giant newspaper print works, it now is home to a number of luxury apartments, most notable among them which is Clipper Wharf. Overlooking its very own landscaped square, Clipper Wharf is the first building to roll out here and includes a spa, private cinema and squash courts in its list of amenities. More cost effective options are available in Wapping Lane as follows:

Studios from £290-£320 per week

1 Beds from £300-£360 per week

2 Beds from £395-£475 per week

3 Beds from £475-£650 per week

Metropolitan Wharf and New Crane Wharf property developments are ideal for residents who have a keen interest in historical London. These apartments are right next to the Capital’s oldest riverside pub, The Prospect of Whitby, a place where such London notables as Charles Dickens and Samuel Pepys would drink. It was here that 16th Century pirates and smugglers used to congregate, making it a target of the authorities and leading to the building of an execution spot nearby. A hangman’s noose at the nearby Wapping Stairs is a grim reminder of the area’s wild past. Rents are from £330 per week for a one bedroom flat.

Because of Wapping’s relatively small footprint, it is possible to enjoy its charms while renting a home anywhere on the City fringes. New property developments like 75 Lehman Street, Goodman’s Fields and Avante Garde are all within walking distance from Wapping while Morton Close in Shadwell is one stop away on the Overground and therefore closer still.

As close to the City of London as you can get without actually walking the perimeter of the Square Mile, Wapping is a commuters dream with character to spare.

Our Wapping branch can help if you are looking to rent in this popular East London location.