Property investment London: 19 development hotspots for future growth

We take a look at 19 zones undergoing major redevelopment works on a scale that makes them well worth a look for anyone considering property investment in London. These regional beneficiaries of the wider London Plan are neighbourhoods set to benefit well into the future from significant regeneration projects already underway or imminent.

Whether you’re a professional property investor or are simply looking to invest wisely in your new home, these 19 areas should be on your shortlist. Billions of pounds will be pouring into these neighbourhoods in the next 10-20 years. So why not get ahead of the curve and set yourself up for healthy capital growth in the future?

19 hotspots for property investment in London:

Central London

King’s Cross

Famous for the King’s Cross and St Pancras railway stations, this heritage-heavy hub has been redesigned over recent years by Allies and Morrison and Poprhyrios Associates. The initial stages of their masterplan included changing the historic Granary into an arts university and converting transit sheds into retail spaces, with Argent Group Plc keeping long-term ownership of the site. Approaching completion, the growth of King’s Cross has recently attracted the likes of Google, who plan to place their headquarters here. With so much commercial appeal and employment nearby, it’s the perfect location for buying or investing.

North London

Tottenham Hale

Major regeneration works are underway in Tottenham Hale. 2,000 new homes will be completed under the joint venture Argent Related, alongside offices, shops, cafes, a revamped station and new town centre. The area benefits from Victoria line services into central London, as well as proximity to the green open spaces around the River Lea and Walthamstow Wetlands. Well worth considering for London property investors and home buyers alike.

Meridian Water

With a new railway station that opened in June 2019, Meridian Water is set for substantial growth in the coming years. Although most Londoners won’t have heard of it, the local council has plans to put this area on the map. £6 billion of investment over the next 20 years aims to create 10,000 new homes within the 210-acre regeneration zone located between Tottenham and the Lee Valley Regional Park. If Crossrail2 gets the go-ahead, Meridian Water station is also expected to be added to the line.

North East London

Walthamstow

The rejuvenation of E17 started some time ago with the mass exodus of hip east Londoners priced out of Hackney and Stoke Newington to the south. Developers soon cottoned on and large areas of this rapidly gentrifying neighbourhood have seen new homes appearing alongside the Victorian and Edwardian terraces. Walthamstow’s time as London Borough of Culture in 2019 brought a further boost, and the area’s climb in popularity seems sure to continue.

East London

Barking and Dagenham

In July 2020, plans were approved to build London’s largest film studios in Dagenham. The project joins a raft of redevelopment across the borough often listed as the cheapest place to buy property in London. Planners Be First have set the goal of 50,000 new homes and 20,000 new jobs to be created in the next 20 years, making this a very interesting prospect for property investment in London.

Tower Hamlets

Nestled in London’s traditional East End, Tower Hamlets is set to undergo a £500m multi-phase regeneration scheme, dubbed Blackwall Reach. Half of the planned 1,500 new homes will be affordable, and residents will benefit from a range of community amenities and enhanced green spaces. The project, overseen by the Swan Housing Association, should be completed by 2025.

South East London

Greenwich Peninsula

London architect Allies and Morrison has already enjoyed great success with its schemes for the Stratford Olympic Park and Argent King’s Cross development. Greenwich Peninsula looks certain to continue its run of good form. An entire new neighbourhood, the Peninsula will include a Design District that will become home for 1,800 creatives, as well as a succession of new developments like the recently-completed Upper Riverside that is already receiving rave reviews on HomeViews.

Thamesmead

Developer Peabody is implementing a 30-year plan for Thamesmead that includes repairing existing properties, as well as building thousands of new homes. A new boating and sailing club is planned, while Help to Buy units will be available as part of a selection of apartments and town houses.

Canada Water

Southwark Council has partnered with British Land to create the Canada Water Masterplan, which is currently underway. Covering a 53 acre area, the £3.3bn masterplan includes the creation of a new town centre and 3,000 new homes in Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays over the next 15 years. Canada Water station benefits from being at the intersection between the Overground and Jubilee line, offering outstanding connections from its Zone 2 location.

Old Kent Road

Southwark Council also has major plans to develop Old Kent Road, a 3-mile thoroughfare that passes through the borough. The council’s vision is backed by a 20-year investment budget that will target its business, arts and cultural sectors. This will include up to 20,000 new homes alongside schools, parks, and community spaces. All this will also be served by the upcoming Bakerloo line extension.

South London

Croydon

Croydon’s £5.2bn regeneration programme has already attracted plenty of property investment as buyers are attracted to the areas’s low prices and swift commutes into central London. Although the £1.4bn Westfield shopping centre has suffered years of setbacks and delays, the developer has signalled its commitment to the project that is hoped to bring further regeneration to this still-growing suburb.

Nine Elms

Anyone riding a train south from Victoria will have witnessed the massive regeneration taking place in the Nine Elms area around Battersea Power Station. The 227-hectare development area spans across Wandsworth and Lambeth, with two new Northern line stations opening in 2021 to cater to new residents. Public spaces and outdoor areas are being developed as part of 42 separate projects supported by significant investment into this central riverside district.

Elephant & Castle

Identified as an Opportunity Area in the London Plan, Elephant & Castle could see 5,000 new homes by 2041. It will also be included on the Cycleway 4 transport route that will run between Tower Bridge and Greenwich. Part of the Central London Growth Corridor, the area is already beginning its development efforts, including the upcoming Roots in the Sky 1.4-acre urban forest office building.

West London

London Olympia

London’s ageing exhibition centre Olympia and its surroundings are set to be transformed with a £1bn plan for a new arts, entertainment, events and creative business quarter. Heatherwick Studio – responsible for the Coal Drops Yard redevelopment design, as well as the 2012 Olympic torch and Routemaster bus design – is set to be involved in the scheme. It is hoped the new venture will bring an extra £9m of consumer spending into the borough. It should also attract London property investors keen for a slice of the action.

Brentford

The Brentford Project is a 12-acre regeneration scheme by Ballymore. It includes a revived high street, new retail sites and attractive riverside residential developments. Companies like GSK, Sky and Sega are already headquartered in the area, making it an attractive prospect for new businesses. Residents will also benefit from proximity to Brentford Gallery, situated on the tiny Johnsons Island in the River Brent.

White City

The development of the historic Television Centre building lies at the heart of the wider White City redevelopment plan. Having Westfield shopping centre on the doorstep further boosts the appeal of the area. White City Place now offers outstanding office and retail space, while new campuses in the area for Imperial College and the Royal College of Arts also promise a major investment boost to this exciting west London hotspot.

North West London

Wembley

With £1.5 billion already having been invested in Wembley since 2002, the transformation of this north-west London area is hardly a new story. However, the scale of the regeneration that continues to take place in and around Wembley means it’s still hard to ignore. Tipi has made a major impact on the Wembley Park area with its rental developments Ferrum, Alameda, Landsby, Alto and Montana & Dakota, while Wembley’s ambitious target of 11,500 new homes, 10,000 new jobs and 30,000 sq m of retail space makes it one of the hottest development zones in Europe.

Brent Cross

The Brent Cross Cricklewood Masterplan is another giant redevelopment project for north west London. This $4.5bn scheme includes the regeneration of Brent Cross Shopping Centre and the creation of 6,700 new homes. Argent Related is again involved in the Brent Cross South town centre development that will include those homes, while the shopping centre is being developed by Hammerson and Aberdeen Standard Investments. Nearby Colindale has also seen significant development in recent years and is likely to benefit from the transformation of Brent Cross to the south.

…and one to watch: Waterloo

Plans are underway to develop the huge Elizabeth House building right next to the main entrance to London Waterloo station. Proposals include support for an extra 11,000 jobs in the area and further improvements to make the South Bank area an even more appealing place to live and work.

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Want more London property investment ideas? Discover new developments around London with properties available under the Stamp Duty threshold of £500k, or explore the best value new apartments in London according to residents.

HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, landlords and the Government to recognise high performers and help to improve standards in the built environment.

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