New build homes in Bow are an increasingly common sight as the area welcomes young professionals and families into its eclectic mix. While the borough might not have the most vibrant nightlife, it is a good choice for those looking for a calmer pace close to good schools and family-friendly activities. But which developments offer the best value for money? After exploring Bow a little more, we will reveal what actual residents think about the apartments and houses they call home.
New build homes in Bow: 10 highest rated developments
Let’s dive straight into our ranking of the best new build homes in Bow. Our Top 10 considers value, facilities, and location – as decided by our verified residents.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
3.50 (45 reviews)
3.50 (45 reviews)
First place in our top 10 goes to Bow River Village – a new-build development from the Southern Housing Group. There are a selection of one, two and three-bedroom riverside apartments on offer here, housed in a building on the banks of the River Lea. Bromley-by-Bow Tube station and Bow Road DLR are less than five and 10 minutes’ walk, respectively, and offer an easy 10-minute commute to the City and Canary Wharf. Residents also enjoy the waterside location and having a big Tesco close at hand.
4.47 (8 reviews)
4.47 (8 reviews)
Taking second place, Marner Point by Barratt London is a residential development situated in Jefferson Plaza. Residents can enjoy access to a residents’ gym as well as a communal roof terrace. The development is moments away from Bromley By Bow Underground station, with links to the District and Hammersmith & City lines.
Here’s a rave review: ‘I bought an apartment in Marner Point five years ago and couldn’t have had a better first place in London zone 2. Amazing communications nearby with both buses and a Tube station just around the corner. A Sainsbury’s in the building, 24-hour concierge, gym and a stunning view of central London from the rooftop terrace. Absolutely love this apartment!’
4.37 (9 reviews)
4.37 (9 reviews)
Our third-best development is Ivy Point, part of Barrett London’s St Andrew’s development in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Residents can enjoy access to a 24-hour concierge service, gym and a communal roof terrace. The development is located only moments away from Bromley-by-Bow Underground station, with links to the District and Hammersmith & City lines. Residents like the location, especially the fast links (and views) to Central London and Canary Wharf, and the new shops opening up in the area.
4.30 (22 reviews)
4.30 (22 reviews)
Fish Island Village is a joint venture development by Hill and Peabody, and it’s rated fourth in Bow. It comprises a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and is located conveniently between the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Victoria Park. The development is also less than a twenty-minute walk away from Westfield Stratford Shopping Centre and just a twelve-minute walk from Hackney Wick Overground station, which has connections to the Overground.
This new community benefits from a concierge and a residents’ gym, which also has bespoke artwork, courtesy of local artist Xenz. There is over 50,000 sq ft of commercial space, all of which will be occupied by social enterprise The Trampery – a new campus for fashion, innovation and sustainability. A new phase of development also brings a range of studios, a sampling and fabrication suite, members’ lounge and meeting rooms as well as co-working facilities.
4.27 (21 reviews)
4.27 (21 reviews)
Developed by Berkeley Homes, Caspian Wharf sits in fifth place. The development is made up of two sites, divided by Violet Road in the centre. The properties are next to the Limehouse Cut and apartment sizes vary from studios to penthouses. Landgon Park and Devons Road DLR stations are just over a five-minute walk away from Caspian Wharf, and Bromley-by-Bow Underground station is a 15-minute walk away. We’re told that the nearby canal is great for runners and cyclists, plus there’s lots of lovely green space around and a old market just ten minutes by foot. Residents also benefit from free and secure bike storage.
4.16 (10 reviews)
4.16 (10 reviews)
In at number six, St Paul’s Square is a Countryside development comprising of 364 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments in Tower Hamlets. Both Mile End and Bow Road stations are less than a fifteen-minute walk and offer connections to the Central, District and Hammersmith & City lines. Residents agree that the area is pleasant, quiet, and clean, with ‘lovely looking buildings and local shops, plenty of green space, nice views and schools’.
4.10 (7 reviews)
4.10 (7 reviews)
Located on the banks of the canal by Victoria Park, Gunmakers is a residential development by A2Dominion Rental Only. Reviewed into seventh place, it features a range of family homes as well as a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The development is only moments away from Victoria Park and only a 20-minute walk away from Hackney Wick station.
One reviewer said: ‘I like the neighbourhood and being located in a quiet area. There are a lot of shops nearby, plus a bus stop in front of the building. The flat itself is amazing.’ Residents also compliment the views and love how the flats benefit from lots of natural light.
Read reviews and details of Gunmakers by A2Dominion Rental Only, E3
4.05 (29 reviews)
4.05 (29 reviews)
Bow Cross West is a residential development comprising of one and two-bedroom apartments. Voted into eighth place, the development is located between Bow Road and Bromley-by-the-Bow stations, which offer quick links to the City, Canary Wharf or the West End. This is what one resident had to say about their home: ‘It’s a well structured household – there are two bathrooms. The design is great and it has three floors. There’s a terraced roof garden, which is really cool. You got nice views and you can relax in the evenings.’
4.02 (54 reviews)
4.02 (54 reviews)
Our ninth entrant is St Andrews – a residential development from Greater London Authority and Circle Anglia that provides 964 homes. Designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the development comprises of apartments and town houses set around a courtyard area over six separate buildings in the heart of Bromley-by-Bow, which offers quick links to the City, Canary Wharf or West End.
4.02 (37 reviews)
4.02 (37 reviews)
Taking tenth place in Bow is Merchants Walk, a Weston Williamson-designed development, featuring a selection of 154 one, two, three and four-bedroom homes. The development is located next to the Devons Road DLR station, providing easy access to the City, Canary Wharf and Central London.
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Where is Bow?
An area within the East End borough of Tower Hamlets, Bow sits around 6.5 miles from Charing Cross. It also contains part of Victoria Park and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the north. Meanwhile, Canary Wharf lies to the south, Stratford to the east, and Stepney and Bethnal Green to the west.
Living in Bow
If you’re looking to lay down roots in a borough that’s coming into its own yet still authentically itself, Bow is worth a thought. While it’s true that the plethora of new developments popping up could risk gentrification, the area has so far managed to absorb them into a backdrop of Georgian townhouses, cottages, and upgraded social housing. Combine historical links, proud working-class heritage, and fantastic transport links into Central London and culture-infused neighbouring districts, and you have an all-rounder to suit most.
Yes, you could accuse Bow of lacking an excess of pubs and clubs. But an extensive Tube, bus and cycle network means you can seek out local hotspots with ease. Just hop on at Bow Road station (District and Hammersmith & City) or Mile End (Central, District, and Hammersmith & City). Alternatively, make use of the Stratford-Canary Wharf line at Bow Church or Devons Road DLR stations.
Besides this, the central A11 connects you to the City and the independent shops and eateries in Forest Gate, Wanstead, and Leytonstone. Some of our reviewers did mention that parking can be a problem. The good news is Bow sits on London-wide and National cycle networks. These include National Cycle Route 1, Cycle Superhighway 2, and the Cycleway between Hackney and the Isle of Dogs.
That’s not to say you have to go far to find plenty to do. Victoria Park and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park border just to the north. The former boasts 218 acres of open green space and play areas and regularly hosts popular festivals and events. Meanwhile, the legacy of the Olympics continues at Queen Elizabeth Park. Here, you can attend music, sport and cultural events and ride on the world’s longest tunnel slide. If milling around a weekly market or independent shops is more your thing, head down to the mile-long Roman Road.
Bow property prices
So, how much do new build homes in Bow cost? Recent data from Zoopla shows that buying a home in the area will set you back £490,930 on average. While higher than the national figure, it’s significantly lower than London’s average of £740,597 (Zoopla: December 2022).
Apartments count for most of the homes on our list and drove the majority of sales over the last year. Selling for around £389,665, they represent an affordable option. In contrast, terraced properties came in at £939,891, with semi-detached properties fetching £868,333.
If you’re not ready to buy, you’ll be interested to know current rents sit at around £2,000 per calendar month (Home.co.uk). However, prices range from £1,764 to £4,000 or more, depending on the size of the property.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
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