Spotlight on Kidbrooke

Here’s some advice for anyone keeping tabs on the South London rental property scene: don’t spend too long out of town or you might not recognise Kidbrooke when you get back!

The regeneration miracle that we saw take off in Docklands continues to ripple through the borough of Greenwich and the former backwater of Kidbrooke is one of its latest beneficiaries. It was three years ago – a lifetime in London property terms – that a unanimous verdict on this unsung corner of the capital was delivered: the social housing failure that was the Ferrier Estate had to go. The combination of sheer speed and skill with which Berkeley Homes replaced that seventies’ eyesore with the gleaming Kidbrooke Village was – and continues to be – nothing short of inspirational.

Fast forward to the present and our lettings offices in nearby Greenwich and Canary Wharf are witnessing a soaring demand for apartments to let in this smart residential quarter. Young couples who need extra space are aiming to get more value for their rental pound here than they would in Blackheath which is still only a short car ride away. City professionals, looking for a cost-effective alternative to Greenwich will also be close to all the artisan grocery stores, funky bars and independent bookstores that they have come to know and love. However, this does not imply that Kidbrooke Village is destined to become some kind of bland satellite town. The astonishing speed with which the old council estate was demolished was matched only by the ambitious zeal that has seen trees planted, waterways harnessed and smart new townhouses erected. Coffee shops, new bus routes and a proposed Sainsbury’s Local supermarket are also planned to ensure that the neighbourhood maintains a sense of real community and cohesion.

As is the case all over London, the key to the success of a property development lies in its proximity to convenient transport links into the City of London. The National Rail line into London Bridge runs right through the centre of the development and with the planned establishment of a 25 storey residential tower next to Kidbrooke overground station, the area is beginning to take on a distinctive “mini-Docklands” vibe. The Zone 3 positioning of the station provides commuters with a 20 minute link to the City and a half-hour journey to Canary Wharf via an excellent DLR interchange at Lewisham.

From bijou studio apartments, to three bedroom flats, residents have plenty of options when it comes to acquiring their own slice of affordable luxury, whilst at the same time staying connected to the centre of the capital. The latest phase, Meridian Gate, is a fine example with asking rentals of £260-£280 per week for a studio and £290-£310 per week for one bed apartments.

It is true that in some parts of 21st Century London, a local pub only has to provide hand-cut chips and Bugaboo-friendly seating before words like “renewal” and “gentrification” start getting thrown about. In Kidbrooke SE3, however, we have witnessed a genuine 180 degree turnaround in potential and prospects which can only bode well for the future of residents and landlords alike.

For more information on renting in Kidbrooke Village contact our lettings team.