Converted Lots Road Power Station is at the heart of the glamorous new Chelsea Waterfront quarter with hundreds of new luxury homes. Property expert James Hill takes a detailed look at what all the fuss is about.
With many developments offering no more than boxes in the sky, there are few that can offer its residents as much as Chelsea Waterfront, fast becoming one of the most sought after waterside addresses in Central London. A short walk from the Kings Road and with stunning views along the River Thames to the City and beyond, Chelsea Waterfront is a unique development that offers families a chance to experience an exceptional quality of life.
Not only is it the last river fronting site on the North Bank of the River Thames between Chelsea and The City but this development, master-planned by architect and urban designer Sir Terry Farrell, is the regeneration of one of the most historic and iconic London landmarks. Built in 1904, the Lots Road Power Station – which was at one time the largest power station in the world and remains the longest serving – closed in 2002.
Having completed and sold the first phase of apartments in 2015, this development is proving most popular with owner occupiers. Unlike many other schemes where apartments are bought for investment only, Chelsea Waterfront is set to become a destination in its own right; a community of lively, riverside activity with ultra-chic, family living at its heart.
Edmond Ho, Executive Director and General Manager of Hutchison Property Group, points out that the generous size of the apartments, the exceptional facilities, high specification interiors and the stunning location are what is making this about destination living and not about overseas investment and remote ownership.
The first phase has completed and sold successfully and, as Edmond Ho suggests, ‘The development is attracting buyers from the UK and overseas alike, who want to live here permanently. Now we are due to complete our second phase this year and the whole development in 2019. By this time we will have provided a total of 434 new homes.”
A huge element of the location has to be the proximity to the River Thames – this will be the first development on this scale on London’s north bank for 100 years – some of the ground floor apartments offer your very own private garden looking out over the river!
Chelsea Waterfront sits within eight acres, with the Lots Road Power Station and its imposing twin chimneys at its centre. In total, the development will include ten buildings, as well as retail units, a waterside restaurant, cafes and stylish shops will line a 100m long mall running the length of the power station’s ground floor. Three new bridges spanning Chelsea Creek will link the power station to water gardens designed by one of Britain’s leading landscape architects, Randle Siddeley Associates and when approaching Chelsea Waterfront from the City, two signature towers will frame the development.
All apartments will be built to the highest of specifications, each with its own balcony or outside space. Marble bathrooms and state-of-the- art kitchens with stone work surfaces, solid wood cabinets and top-of-the-range appliances all come as standard. Each bedroom will have its own bespoke wardrobes, while under floor heating and comfort cooling will be fitted throughout. A health and fitness club will also be available to residents. This all comes with the comfort of 24-hour security and concierge services and direct lift access to an underground car park.
In the past Chelsea has been hailed as the more bohemian part of London – attracting many celebrated painters and writers who set up home in this beautiful enclave. Rossetti, Singer Sargent, Oscar Wilde, Turner and Whistler all had their part to play in recording aspects of Chelsea in their works.
But times are changing and the area has taken on an ultra-chic feel – there is a young and affluent vibe to Chelsea – historic squares with beautiful gardens and stucco buildings still exist but now sit alongside world class designer shops, new restaurants, bars and art galleries. While much of the old historical Chelsea still draws one’s attention it now comes alongside exciting new openings – The Ivy has recently opened its doors on the Kings Road and enhanced retail opportunities such as The Duke of Yorks Square now offer a superb retail experience with shops and cafes of the moment such as Comptoir Libanais and Polpo as well as renowned galleries like the eclectic Saatchi Gallery.
There is much to offer the new Chelsea dweller and it is as much about history as it is about modernity. Chelsea Waterfront is indeed a last chance to be part of this exciting new opportunity to live by the river in Chelsea. Never again, on the north bank of the Thames, in such an area will there be such an exceptional development that offers so much.
