Rental properties across London continue to be in high demand but with supply constrained many tenants are having to prioritise on key factors such as location, quality, price and proximity to amenities. Those contributing to our vibrant city should be able to live somewhere they enjoy, that is built to a high quality and has good transport links to work or university.
From the latest Benham & Reeves rental update, one development that is capturing the attention of renters who work or study in the Capital is Grand Union, which, once complete, will be a 22-acre neighbourhood, home to 3,350 high quality homes. It will also have 14 acres of open space, featuring a canal-side piazza, locally inspired public art, landscaped gardens, and waterside meadows, as well as children’s play areas, shops, cafés, a health centre, a nursery and a Benham & Reeves estate agents that opened this summer – its 11th branch on a Berkeley Group development.
First-Class Amenities
Many of these facilities, such as the bowling alley, cinema room, residents lounge, Anytime Fitness gym and community hub, have already opened their doors and are being enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Nick Hubbard, Area Manager at Benham & Reeves, comments: “The placemaking expertise that has become Berkeley’s trademark is clear at Grand Union and Autumn sees the continuation of many events that aim to strengthen community links there. From weekend boat races along the canal, cinema screenings and fireworks display to Bollywood dance classes and outdoor yoga sessions, the development is the ideal multi-generational activity space.”
Local Business Opportunities
As well as being situated within walking distance of Park Royal, which is home to an array of well-known businesses including Little Moons, BMW, Ocado, Space NK, Tesla, Wasabi, DPD, McVitie's, Royal Mail, and Lamborghini, the St George team has also partnered with SEGRO to create a multi-storey industrial hub known as SEGRO V-Park Grand Union, which will provide light industrial warehousing space and create circa 250 additional jobs.
Educational Offering
West London, more generally, is home to a number of brand-new campus facilities and research centres; all which are staffed by dedicated and discerning professionals, while well-known universities such as Imperial College, University of Westminster, and University College London are less than 45 minutes away via public transport.
Nick Hubbard adds: “The growing popularity of Grand Union comes as no surprise to people familiar with the dynamic trajectory that West London is currently following. Autumn is the time that many international students return from their holidays and begin settling in for a new term in one of the Capital’s many prestigious universities. Close to good transport links, Grand Union continues to be an enticing prospect for this international community of academic high-flyers.”
Along with educational professionals, there has been continued interest at Grand Union from employees at software developers, fintech companies and media organisations. These are sectors that have a heavy presence in the nearby M4 Tech Corridor and Central London and residents of Grand Union can easily access both.
Good Transport Links
The new community is located within walking distance of both Stonebridge Park (London Overground and Bakerloo line) and Alperton (Piccadilly line) stations but connectivity options in the area are also set to receive another boost in the form of the new “Superloop”. This route is designed to link outer London areas via new state-of-the-art buses, with the West London section connecting Heathrow Airport to nearby Harrow, as well as providing links to Finchley, Ealing, and White City.
Nick Hubbard says: “Sourcing the right kind of high-quality accommodation at the right price is key for renters. Grand Union fits the bill perfectly in terms of both accessibility and facilities and the one-bedroom apartments here are in particularly high demand.”
At Grand Union, the highest rents currently being achieved (November 2023) are as follows:
- Manhattans up to £1,900 per month
- 1 Beds up to £2,200 per month
- 2 Beds up to £2,750 per month
- 3 Beds up to £3,250 per month
Tim Gawthorn, Regional Sales & Marketing Director at St George, concluded: “We are quickly seeing our vision for a resort-style development by the canalside coming to life at Grand Union. Within a short period, we have welcomed more than 400 new homeowners and tenants, opened exciting new facilities and public spaces and hosted fun and well-attended community-focused events on our piazza. We are proud of the offering already established here and we’re excited to see this develop as more people call Grand Union home.”
For more information on Grand Union contact the sales team on 020 8003 2691.