_Waterfront View 2017: Go with the flow

Wall-to-wall Thames views, high-spec contemporary living spaces, hotel-like amenities on tap; it’s little wonder that London’s latest crop of riverside developments are in such demand. Their combination of uber-luxury, convenience and water is attracting fresh devotees to the river and creating entirely new neighbourhoods in the process.

For many, it’s a lifestyle choice. Buying or renting in a high-end property next to the Thames delivers a whole raft of advantages beyond the fabulous outlook.

These purpose-built spaces are generous and well thought-out and often come with secure parking – a rarity in central London where so many apartments are period conversions.

At the top end it can be a choice between a five-storey house in Chelsea with two living rooms and an overlooked garden compared to a riverside penthouse with a vast, double-height reception and private wraparound terrace.

Then there are the add-ons. Today’s developments come with spas, gyms, pools, cinema rooms and residents’ clubhouses as part of the package.

With each new launch the benchmark for quality seems to be raised. Plus, with their 24-hour security and concierge teams, new apartments offer real peace of mind combined with everyday benefits such as always having someone to sign for your deliveries. This makes them perfect ‘lock-up -and-leave’ properties.

Commuting can also be a much more civilised experience for riverside dwellers. While other Londoners are cramming onto the Tube for their journey into the City, the Thames Clipper transports passengers up and down the Thames in comfort and with a view. There’s even a bar for a G&T on the way home in the evening.

Then there’s what’s on your doorstep. The London Eye, the cultural hub of the South Bank, Tate Britain and Tate Modern and the Royal Festival Hall – are all within a pleasant stroll along the river. Or a jog or a cycle if you fancy an exercise route with a spectacular view.

The most talked about addition to London’s riverside skyline in recent years has been the Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms development. With 25,000 new homes, a new riverside park, shopping, culture and commerce all part of the mix, it’s creating a brand new central London destination from scratch.

It is the latest link in a chain of high quality developments that extends from Hammersmith in the west to Canary Wharf and beyond in the east.

One day the last riverside site will have been taken, but until then new developments large and small will continue to spring up to fill gaps, forge new communities and meet the demand for high-quality living with a Thames view.