Finsbury Park in Hackney could be 2021's most exciting hotspot. According to research from JLL, 15 per cent of this pocket of London is public green space, 78 per cent of homes have access to ultra-fast broadband and 85 per cent of homes are within 200 metres of a bus, train or tube*. In addition, prices in the area have risen by 18 per cent** in the last five years and CBRE predicts an average price growth of 21 per cent in the next five, demonstrating excellent potential for continued growth. For hopeful London buyers looking for a centrally located yet pandemic-proof new home, Berkeley Homes has just launched Hawker House, a new collection of apartments at its landmark development Woodberry Down, a bustling community which neighbours Finsbury Park.

This new collection of apartments provides a choice of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, all with a balcony or terrace and many with views over wonderful natural surroundings: two acres of green space, including a new park, and groves of trees and lawns. Situated in the heart of the development, Hawker House is close to Woodberry Down's two reservoirs – vast expanses of tranquil open water teeming with wildlife - and just steps away from shops and other amenities for easy day-to-day living including cafés, a restaurant and organic food store.

Richard Pine-Coffin, Director at JLL (City & East London Residential Development), comments: “In the last decade, Woodberry Down has seen an amazing transformation; the enhancement and expansion of its natural spaces and the array of new community amenities and services have been major contributing factors to the excellent growth the wider area has experienced.

Moving forward, we are optimistic about London's property market continuing to open up as we move into the warmer months. Buyers are returning to the city, but they're in search of neighbourhoods which provide a city lifestyle without sacrificing on beautiful green and blue space. In the next five years, we expect to see growth particularly in the greener pockets of London. It's a great time to consider buying off-plan in areas which deliver on all fronts; connectivity into the city centre, excellent broadband speed for home workers, and close proximity to the great outdoors.”

In addition, with prices from £495,500 at Hawker House, these modern, high-specification apartments are up to 16 per cent*** less than the average cost of an apartment in the Hackney area.   

Brian McKenzie, Operations Director, Berkeley Homes (North East London) Ltd, comments: “Hawker House is the latest milestone in our continuing regeneration of Woodberry Down and it's coming to the market at just the right time, as buyers look once again at London. According to JLL's latest research, 77 per cent** of the homes sold in Finsbury Park in the last year have been apartments, so it's clear there's a real demand for these types of properties. At Hawker House, buyers can enjoy a superb high-specification home in an established neighbourhood with excellent amenities and truly stunning natural surroundings.”

At Woodberry Down there are 13 further acres of landscaped parkland and the Woodberry Wetlands, a dedicated 27-acre nature reserve cared for by the London Wildlife Trust. Newly planted reed beds and hedgerows, together with wildflower meadows and fruit trees, attract a dazzling array of birds, bees, butterflies and other insects.

Woodberry Down also has great connections across London. Just seven minutes' walk from Hawker House is Manor House tube station, in Zone 2 on the Piccadilly Line, providing quick journeys to King's Cross (eight minutes), Green Park (15 minutes), Bank (20 minutes) and Knightsbridge (23 minutes).

Woodberry Down is home to two schools and an academy, as well as a host of other amenities including a health centre, post office and fitness studio. A modern community centre offers regular activities while the year-round programme of events, from festivals to fun days, brings the neighbourhood together.  

Inside, the apartments at Hawker House are designed to Berkeley's impeccable standards. The open-plan layout uses the space with great imagination to provide plenty of room in which to live, work, relax and entertain. Light floods in through full-height windows which, together with the balcony or terrace, maximises enjoyment of the lovely green surroundings.

The stylish kitchen features matt-finish cabinetry and marble-effect stone worktops, together with top quality kitchen appliances by Miele. Elegant bathrooms are designed with porcelain tiling and composite vanity surfaces. With three colour choices for both the kitchen and bathroom – from light to dark – buyers have the opportunity to personalise the home to their individual taste.   

Every main bedroom – and second-bedroom in the three-bedroom apartments - includes floor-to-ceiling fitted wardrobes. Zoned underfloor heating throughout is a luxurious addition, while centrally sourced heating and hot water is typical of Berkeley's high sustainability credentials.

Residents enjoy the convenience and security of a concierge service as well as a residents' lounge. The cycle storage is provided on the ground floor of the building.

For more information, please contact the marketing suite on 0203 944 7729 or visit www.woodberry-down.co.uk.

-ENDS-

* https://www.cbreresidential.com/uk/en-GB/house-prices/borough-borough-2020-london-living

*JLL Research

*According to RightMove: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices-in-Hackney-93953.html

Image 1:       A CGI of Hawker House at Woodberry Down. Call Berkeley on 0203 944 7729.

Image 2:       An interior CGI of a home at Hawker House, Woodberry Down. Call Berkeley on 0203 944 7729.

Image 3:       An exterior image at Woodberry Down. Call Berkeley on 0203 944 7729.

Notes to Editors

1. Berkeley Group builds homes and neighbourhoods in London, Birmingham and across the South of England. We create beautiful, successful places where communities thrive and where people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy a great quality of life. Founded in 1975, we are a proud UK business and taxpayer. Our commercial success funds vital public services, supports thousands of jobs, drives economic growth and delivers value for shareholders.

2. Our Group is made up of six autonomous companies: St George, St James, Berkeley Homes,

St Edward, St William and St Joseph.  

3. We are a FTSE 100 company. In the last five years we built more than 19,500 homes of all types and tenures and made a £12bn contribution to the UK economy.

4. Our business model is based on creating value over the long-term. We take on challenging sites; collaborating with councils and communities to tackle the economic, social and environmental factors holding these places back.

5. We take a holistic approach to placemaking that goes beyond the conventional role of a developer and puts the strength and wellbeing of the wider community at the heart of every plan.

6. Our developments provide homes for everyone; from families to first-time-buyers, students to older people, and a mix of affordable homes that meet the specific needs of the local community.

7. Every place that we create has a bespoke, locally inspired masterplan and every home we build is individually designed.

8. Our business strategy is called Our Vision. It provides a framework by which we strive to become a world-class business. It pushes us to create better places, to maximise the social value of every site and to achieve the highest standards of environmental sustainability.

9. Through the Berkeley Foundation we fund impactful charitable programmes and partnerships, which make a profound difference to thousands of disadvantaged people every year.