Regent's View: a Berkeley St William scheme on the bank of Regent's Canal
Reach us on WhatsApp straight away using the button at the bottom left
Hello everyone. On the bank of London’s most romantic waterway, Regent's Canal, a scheme signed by Berkeley. Today, Regent's View 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
A scheme in east London, on Bow Common Lane, brought to life by the transformation of former industrial land. The developer is Berkeley Group’s St William brand. What is different here is the location: the apartments look directly onto Regent's Canal, with walking routes running along the canal, boats, and the most characteristic creative neighbourhood fabric in London. There is a concierge, a gym, social space and landscaped shared areas. Yes, you read that correctly: on the water, in Zone 2.
Prices
- One bedroom apartments: £550,000and up
- one, two and three bedroom options
- Apartment size: 58 m²onwards, generous for this segment
- Developer: Berkeley Group / St William
- Address: Bow Common Lane, Tower Hamlets, London E3
Note the floor area: 58 m² is larger than most London apartments in the £550,000 band. Combined with Berkeley quality and a canal view, that makes a strong package for this price range. the advantages of buying a new build home a sensible option for anyone who wants to combine it with a waterside location.
Why Regent’s View?
Regent’s Canal: London’s hidden spine: the canal starts at Limehouse and runs through Mile End, Victoria Park, Hackney, Islington and Camden to Little Venice. In other words, from your front door you can cycle or walk through the finest neighbourhoods of London without ever entering traffic. It is a privilege Londoners value highly and few people know about.
- Mile End (Central, District and Hammersmith & City lines), a short distance away
- Bromley-by-Bow (District and Hammersmith & City lines), within walking distance
- On the Central Line, direct to Bank, Oxford Circus and Liverpool Street
- Canary Wharf and Stratford a few minutes away
- A direct link by bicycle along the canal to Victoria Park, Hackney and Camden
A creative neighbourhood fabric: this area is one of the centres of London’s art and design scene: studios, galleries, independent cafes. The triangle of Hackney Wick, Bow and Mile End is among the fastest changing areas of the last decade. In areas of this kind capital growth tends to continue until the transformation is complete.
Daily life: living on the canal
In the morning by bicycle along the canal, or Bank in 15 minutes on the Central Line. A walk by the canal at lunchtime, the building’s gym in the evening. At the weekend a run in Victoria Park, the bars and galleries of Hackney Wick, or a cycle along the canal all the way to Camden. Living on the water is a rare privilege in London, and here it comes at a Zone 2 price.
Regent’s View rental yield
The Zone 2 location, the generous floor area and the Berkeley name produce a balanced return. One bedroom apartments usually let for £2,700 to £3,000, 2+1s £3,500 to £3,900 a month. That puts the gross rental yield in the 5.9-6.5% band.
Tenant profile: young professionals working in the City and Canary Wharf, staff and students of Queen Mary University, and people in the creative sector. Apartments with a canal view let markedly faster in 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 Regent’s View apart
- A Regent’s Canal view: in many apartments, a view of the canal from a private balcony or terrace.
- Concierge service: for residents only; parcels, security and greeting guests.
- Sports Hall: a fully equipped gym you can use without paying a membership.
- Social and lounge areas: shared sections for entertaining and for working from home.
- Landscaped communal areas: planting for residents only between the blocks.
- Walking routes along the canal: starting at the gate of the scheme and running to the north of London.
- Iconic architecture: a facade blending the industrial heritage with contemporary design.
- Integrated fitted kitchen: modern bathrooms and generous glazing as standard.
Energy efficiency and comfort
Berkeley standard insulation, a high performance glazed facade and efficient central systems; the apartments are typically EPC B band. Against the older stock in Tower Hamlets 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 looking for a location with character and on the water the choice of buyers. Professionals aged 28 to 45, couples who love the creative fabric of east London, and investors who trust the Berkeley name. Because of the generous floor area small families take an interest too. Proximity to Canary Wharf and the City is the strongest argument on the letting side.
Frequently asked questions
Does every apartment have a canal view? No, it varies with the aspect. Apartments facing the canal stand apart both in letting and on resale, so the choice of aspect is decisive here. We work out for you which blocks have the view.
Is the area far from the centre? About 15 minutes to Bank on the Central Line, 20 minutes to Oxford Circus. The combination of a Zone 2 location and a direct line is strong.
What is the Bow Common Lane area like? The area is in transformation; the canal side and the surroundings of the scheme are changing fast, but some streets still carry the old industrial fabric. An advantage for a buyer with a long view, possibly early for anyone looking for a neighbourhood that has already settled.
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 Regent’s View
Many overseas buyers look only at the apartment price and meet a surprise at completion. Let us work out the real cost on a £550,000 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 | £550,000 | £550,000 |
| Stamp duty (SDLT) | £28,500 | £56,000 |
| Legal fees | £1,500 to £3,000 | £1,500 to £3,000 |
| Searches and Land Registry fees | about £800 | about £800 |
| Approximate total | £580,800 | £609,800 |
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 £550,000 entry price; we prepare the exact calculation for your own scenario.
The Regent’s View 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 Regent’s View, these are the ones worth pausing on:
- Not every apartment has a canal view: it varies with the aspect; apartments with a view are markedly more valuable.
- The Bow Common Lane area is still changing: some streets still carry the old industrial fabric, which calls for a long term view.
- The walk to the tube station is moderate: Mile End and Bromley-by-Bow are close but there is no station at the door.
- Yield in the mid band: gross 4.5-5%; for anyone targeting a high return, Hoola or Eastman Village suits better.
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 Regent’s View compare with the alternatives?
Before you decide, it is worth looking at the other projects in the same budget band:
- Woodberry Down: the same group’s alternative in north London, on the bank of the ponds.
- TwelveTrees Park: for anyone wanting a five line station and six minutes to Canary Wharf.
- Hoola Royal Docks: a lower entry price and a higher yield in east 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?
