Grand Union, Alperton: a Berkeley St George scheme on the canal
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Hello everyone. Living on the bank of a canal that starts at your door and runs all the way to Birmingham. Today, by Berkeley, Grand Union is what we are looking at today!
For prices, taxes and the whole buying process, see our guide: UK Property Guide
Apartment types, current price range and location: see the project page
In Alperton, west London, Grand Union Canal on the bank of the Berkeley Group’s St George brand a large scale scheme developed by. A brand new canalside living quarter of thousands of modern apartments is being built out of former industrial land. Landscaped green space, walking and cycling routes, gyms, cafes and work spaces. Yes, you read that correctly: waterside living in London at a Zone 4 price.
Prices
- One bedroom apartments: £560,000and up
- one, two and three bedroom options
- Thousands of homes, handed over in stages
- Developer: Berkeley Group / St George
- Address: Beresford Avenue, Alperton, Brent, London HA0
St Georgeis the Berkeley Group brand that runs its large scale regeneration schemes. The name behind projects such as Silkstream and Woodberry Down; its delivery discipline and quality standard are taken as a reference in the industry. the advantages of buying a new build home with a strong brand behind it.
Why Grand Union?
Canalside: a location that cannot be copied in London: the Grand Union Canal is the historic waterway running from London to Birmingham. The walking and cycling routes that start at your door reach Little Venice and Paddington without ever meeting traffic. Waterside housing has always commanded a premium in London and the view here will never be blocked.
- Alperton metro station (Piccadilly Line), close by
- direct to central London on the Piccadilly Line and direct to Heathrow
- Wembley Park and Wembley Stadium a few minutes away
- A direct cycle link to Little Venice and Paddington along the canal
- Quick access to the Park Royal business district and to the motorway network via the A40
The regeneration of the west London corridor: the triangle of Alperton, Park Royal and Old Oak Common is one of the largest development areas in London. The HS2 station coming to Old Oak Common and its Elizabeth Line link support the long term case for this corridor.
Daily life: mornings by the canal
A run along the canal in the morning, then the Piccadilly Line to the centre. A meeting in the building’s work space at lunchtime. The canalside cafes or the restaurants of Wembley in the evening. At the weekend a match at Wembley Stadium, shopping at the London Designer Outlet or a cycle along the canal. One of the few options in London for anyone who wants to live in the city and be close to water.
Grand Union rental yield
A Zone 4 location and a sensible entry price produce a good yield. One bedroom apartments usually let for £1,850 to £2,050, 2+1s £2,000 to £2,400 a month. That puts the gross rental yield in the 4.5-5% band.
Tenant profile: young professionals working in central London, staff of the business centres around Park Royal and Wembley, and young families. Apartments with a canal view let markedly faster to this group. For areas with a similar profile, high yield buy to let areas is worth a look.
The shared areas and the details that set Grand Union apart
- Grand Union Canal side: a private balcony or terrace with a canal view in many of the apartments.
- Gyms: fitness facilities for residents only, with no membership needed.
- Work spaces: shared co-working areas designed for people working from home.
- Landscaped green space: laid out between the blocks and along the canal.
- Walking and cycling routes: along the canal and within the scheme.
- Children’s play areas: designed with families in mind.
- Cafes, restaurants and commercial units: no need to leave the neighbourhood for everyday needs.
- Residents’ social spaces: an integrated fitted kitchen and elegant bathrooms as standard.
Energy efficiency and comfort
Berkeley standard insulation, large glazed facades and efficient central systems; the apartments are typically EPC B band. Against Brent’s older building stock the difference in the annual bill is plain. If you let the property you are also ready for the tightening minimum energy standards in the United Kingdom.
Who is buying?
This project Berkeley quality with a waterside location is the choice of those who want it. Professionals aged 30 to 50, couples who want a canal view and investors who value the confidence a brand brings. Direct access to Heathrow on the Piccadilly Line is a further advantage for people who travel often. The multicultural character of this part of west London also makes it familiar.
Frequently asked questions
Does every apartment have a canal view? No, it depends on the aspect and the block. Apartments facing the canal stand apart both to let and on resale, so the choice of aspect is decisive here. We work out for you which blocks have the view.
Is Alperton far from the centre? There is a direct link on the Piccadilly Line but the journey is longer than from Zone 1 and 2 schemes. The strength of this district is not proximity to the centre but the balance of price and quality and the waterside location.
When will the project finish? Grand Union is being developed in phases and continues to be. The earlier phases have been handed over; in the newer ones there will be construction around for a while longer.
What is the tenure? Leasehold: Berkeley schemes typically grant a term of up to 999 years.
Can I buy remotely from abroad? Yes. For the details, our remote property purchase guide page.
Can I use a mortgage? Foreign buyers can normally borrow up to 65-75% of the value. UK mortgages for foreign nationals is worth reading.
Total cost: what you actually pay when you buy at Grand Union
Many overseas buyers look only at the apartment price and meet a surprise at completion. Let us work out the real cost on a £560,000 apartment. Stamp duty (SDLT) in the United Kingdom is banded: 0% up to £125,000, then 2%, 5%, 10% and 12%. On top of that, non-residents pay a 2% surcharge, and if you already own another home, a further 5% additional dwelling rate applies.
| Item | If it will be your only home | If it will be an additional home |
|---|---|---|
| Property price | £560,000 | £560,000 |
| Stamp duty (SDLT) | £29,200 | £57,200 |
| Legal fees | £1,500 to £3,000 | £1,500 to £3,000 |
| Searches and Land Registry fees | about £800 | about £800 |
| Approximate total | £591,500 | £621,000 |
With a mortgage there are also valuation and bank charges, and if you let the property, management commission and income tax. The figures above are indicative, based on a £560,000 entry price; we prepare the exact calculation for your own scenario.
The Grand Union buying process, step by step
If you are buying from another country, the process runs like this:
- 1. Choosing the apartment and reserving it. We go through the floor plans, the aspect and the view. The apartment you choose is usually held with a reservation fee of £5,000 to £10,000.
- 2. Appointing a solicitor. An independent English property solicitor (conveyancer) is appointed. That solicitor acts for you, not for the developer.
- 3. Identity and source of funds checks. You will be asked for a passport, proof of address and documents showing the source of your funds. This step is compulsory in the United Kingdom, and having the papers ready shortens the process.
- 4. Exchange of contracts and deposit. Contracts are usually exchanged within 21 days of the reservation, with a 10% deposit. The signature can be given digitally from abroad.
- 5. Stage payments. In off plan projects these follow the payment schedule; for completed apartments the step is skipped.
- 6. Completion. The remaining balance and the stamp duty are paid and the title is registered in your name. For completed apartments this stage can take four to eight weeks.
You can run the whole process from your own country; you do not have to travel to the United Kingdom.
Risks and what to watch for
We have set out the strengths; in fairness there are points to watch as well. For Grand Union, these are the ones worth pausing on:
- Not every apartment has a canal view: it depends on the aspect and the block; apartments with a view are markedly worth more.
- Zone 4 location: the Piccadilly Line is direct but the journey to the centre is long.
- A long running, phased scheme: thousands of homes are handed over across the years, and construction continues around the newer phases.
- The area around Alperton is still changing: the scheme itself is planned and modern but the industrial fabric around it is partly still there.
None of this makes the project a bad one, but there is a wide gap between buying with your eyes open and finding out afterwards. We give every client this list up front.
How does Grand Union compare with the alternatives?
Before you decide, it is worth looking at the other projects in the same budget band:
- Wembley Park Gardens: a more affordable entry price on the same corridor, next to a tube station.
- The Green Quarter: for anyone after the Elizabeth Line and generous green space in west London.
- Silkstream: similar Berkeley St George quality in north west London.
We can work out together which project fits your goal, judged on budget, intended use and exit plan. For an overview, our guide to UK property investment for international buyers is worth reading too.
Answers to the most common questions on this topic: Is Buying a Home in London a Good Idea?
