Property of the Week: Get moor for your money with this Wandsworth houseboat
Living on land is quite boring, when you think about it. You’re forever going up and down stairs, you don’t get to wake up to the gentle sound of waves lapping against your bedroom wall, and your house doesn’t have the exciting potential of being able to be moved to another location when you feel like it.
If you want to ditch your stationary dwelling for an altogether more interesting one, this houseboat moored at Riverside Quarter in Wandsworth, which has just come to the market, could be for you.
As boats go, it’s pretty upmarket. At more than 2,400 sq ft, it is 800 sq ft larger than the average detached house. The double-level vessel has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a reception room, a kitchen-diner and a 580 sq ft sun deck.
And if you’re worried about having to give up your fitness routine when taking to the water, never fear: the owner will have access to the swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa and steam room within the Riverside Quarter development, as well as its concierge service, underground parking and gym. If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, the boat is also exempt from stamp duty.
It was designed and built by its current owner in 2011 as a home for his two sons, and is being sold by Sotheby’s International Realty UK, which describes it as a houseboat “for those seeking the exceptional”.
Its hull is made from marine-quality steel, and it also has clustered oak veneers on the walls and honed limestone and oak floors. It also has an integrated speaker system, air conditioning and under-floor heating.
The Riverside Quarter mooring is a small community of houseboats, comprising just twelve berths. It overlooks the infamous Fulham members’ club, the Hurlingham Club, and is close to both Wandsworth and Putney town centres. Unfortunately the buyer of the houseboat won’t be able to sail themselves to work, but it is only a short walk from the Thames Clipper service, which runs from the Wandsworth Riverside Quarter Pier to Chelsea, Vauxhall, Embankment and Blackfriars.
Toby Albert-Corban, global real estate advisor at Sotheby’s International Realty, says the boat offers “all the benefits of a modern riverside apartment” and is a “wonderful opportunity for anyone in search of a beautifully crafted ‘floating home’.”
The agent is seeking offers in excess of £1.8m.