Focus on Blackfriars: The rise and rise of City towers on the South Bank
Of all the makeovers the City of London has undergone in the ancient heart of the capital, Blackfriars is set to be one of the most breathtaking. The opening of Blackfriars South in 2013 marked the first new train station to open on the south bank of the Thames in 120 years. Commuters will no doubt remember the closure of London Blackfriars from 2009 to 2012, which is now a monolithic transport hub, contemporary in curved glass, with Southeastern and Thameslink services to add to its District and Circle line trains.
This south-western corner of the City, only a short walk from St Paul’s via Blackfriars bridge, has starred in films in need of distinctly Victorian architecture, such as Sherlock Holmes and David Copperfield, but it’s equally known for its art deco gems, like the neoclassical-style Unilever House and art nouveau favourite the Black Friar pub.
It’s a wonder developers didn’t come knocking sooner, as sales agents Knight Frank and CBRE have listed this part of EC4 as the first prime central area south of the Thames.
But come knocking they certainly did. Around a dozen new developments are in the pipeline from some of the country’s biggest house-builders. Blackfriars Road, leading immediately off of the bridge, is a focal point for building activity and regeneration.
Commercial offices at 240 Blackfriars towering over other buildings on the South Bank (except the Shard)
Perhaps the most high profile scheme, in both visual and monetary terms, will be One Blackfriars, which is currently being developed by Berkeley’s St George. Standing on the site of Sainsbury’s former headquarters, the 52-storey skyscraper will be jostling with The Shard for prime position on the southern skyline, and as a mixed-use development it will house a hotel as well as residential apartments when it arrives in early 2018.
More affordable options will be available at Barratt London’s Blackfriars Road development, packing in 364 new homes in addition to a host of restaurants and cafes.
Linden Homes will also be joining them on the same street with The Residence, billed as “affordable luxury homes”, spurred on by the opening of the new Bankside entrance to Blackfriars station.
While it may be seen as a subset of Southwark right now, Blackfriars is sure to play a starring role in the skyline of the future.
LOCAL AREA PRICES
| Detached | Semi-Detached | Terraced | Flats | |
| Blackfriars | n/a | n/a | £2.469m | £749,998 |
Source: Zoopla
5 REASONS TO MOVE TO BLACKFRIARS
1 You can walk to work. Not only is its location in the south west of the City ideal for those working in the Square Mile, the walk will also take in the spectacular views from Blackfriars bridge.
2 The transport is pretty impressive and is only set to get better. With two National Rail services and two Tube lines, the area is also set to benefit from the arrival of Crossrail at Farringdon in 2018.
3 It’s on the waterfront – and that’s pretty special in London. Historically, we’ve underused our waterways, so if you buy close to the river, it’s sure to pay dividends when you sell it.
4 It’s sandwiched between areas that are about to become very popular, very quickly. The massive regenerations underway in Elephant & Castle and Nine Elms will add to the South Bank’s popularity.
5 The wide range of housing stock means there’s something to suit every taste, from smart riverside apartments to Victorian terraces, from warehouse loft conversions to well-ex-council homes.
PRIVATE VIEW: ON THE MARKET IN BLACKFRIARS
The Residence
THE RESIDENCE
from £499,950
Developer Linden Homes presents this collection of 59 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments, each with a balcony or terrace, in the heart of Blackfriars. The sixth floor is home to a communal garden and all apartments come with oak-faced front doors, built-in wardrobes and ready for video entry systems.
For more information contact Linden Homes by calling 0844 488 0874 or visit lindenhomes.co.uk.
33 Blackfriars
33 BLACKFRIARS
from £835,000 for a two bedroom apartment
Launched for sale in November, this small development from developers Northridge Capital comprises 14 two bedroom apartments and two three bedroom apartments only a short walk away from St Paul’s Cathedral and a five-minute walk from Farringdon Station, part of the Crossrail network in 2018.
For more information contact Hurford Salvi Carr on 020 7250 4950 or visit hurford-salvi-carr.co.uk.
One Blackfriars
ONE BLACKFRIARS
from £2.3m for 2-3 bedroom apartments
This luxury development, spearheaded by St George, part of the Berkeley Group, is set to be a defining landmark on the South Bank skyline when it’s finished in 2018. The 52-storey tower will house three apartment collections named after British painters, Gainsborough, Turner and Hepworth.
For more information contact St George on 020 7871 7188 or visit berkeleygroup.co.uk.