St William, a division of London-listed real estate company Berkeley Group, is currently promoting its newest residential development, Regent’s View, in London. The project, located in the Tower Hamlets Borough in Zone 2, consists of 555 units and was developed through a unique adaptive reuse scheme that transformed a decommissioned Victorian-era gasholder site into a mixed-use development along the canal.
.
When it comes to investing in real estate, location is key, especially in Singapore. The location of a property can greatly affect its value, and this is particularly evident in the Singapore market. Condominiums that are strategically placed in central areas or near important amenities, such as schools, shopping malls, and public transportation hubs, tend to see a higher appreciation in value. Prime locations in Singapore include popular areas like Orchard Road, Marina Bay, and the Central Business District (CBD), where property values have consistently shown growth. For families, the proximity of these locations to good schools and educational institutions is also a major draw, making condos in these areas highly desirable and further increasing their investment potential. Additionally, keeping an eye out for new condo launches can also be a smart move for investors looking to capitalize on prime locations and potential growth opportunities in the market.
The demand for Singapore Condos has been steadily increasing due to a significant factor – the country’s limited land supply. Being a small nation with a rapidly growing population, Singapore constantly faces the challenge of limited land for development. To address this issue, strict regulations on land usage have been imposed, leading to a competitive real estate market and a continuous rise in property values. It is no surprise that investing in real estate, particularly in condos, has proven to be a highly lucrative opportunity with the potential for significant capital appreciation. Therefore, adding Singapore Condo to your portfolio is a smart move for long-term financial success.
The project has gained international recognition after winning “Best Future Residential Project” at the 2024 World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Singapore. With the initial sales launch taking place in the UK last year, St William has now launched the second phase of sales in September and is bringing the project to key Asian markets for the first time.
St William was established in 2014 as a joint venture between Berkeley Group and London’s National Grid to redevelop decommissioned industrial sites into new residential and community spaces. In 2022, Berkeley Group purchased National Grid’s stake in St William for GBP412.5 million ($705 million), giving it full ownership of 24 brownfield sites across London for its long-term landbank. Currently, St William is working on about six sites, including Regent’s View.
The 4.5-acre East London site was formerly known as the Bethnal Green Gasholders, a landmark of the area since the 1850s. However, due to structural decay, only two of the gasholder frames will be preserved. Despite not having a conservation requirement, St William and its partner, RSHP, have chosen to make them an integral architectural element of the new development.
Speaking about the design, Graham Stirk, senior director at RSHP, says, “Our design of Regent’s View pays homage to the historical industrial heritage of the site. It is important to preserve the gasholder frames as they contribute to a unique urban and architectural environment that is not commonly seen in London.” The two largest gasholder frames will be incorporated into the design of the two residential towers, while the remaining five buildings will surround a landscaped park.
Regent’s View will offer a mix of 555 private and affordable homes and 45,000 sq ft of ground floor commercial and community spaces, including a 100m public-access canal frontage. This will be the first time in over 150 years that public access will be restored to this section of Regent’s Canal, and the new development will also feature new F&B options.
The project faced some controversies when residents were informed about its potential redevelopment by the local council and St William in 2019. However, with the Tower Hamlets council voting in favour of the project, development proceeded, but not without engaging with the community to address their concerns and incorporate their suggestions. According to Dean Summers, divisional managing director at St William, it took nearly five years to conceptualise and incorporate the gasholder frames into the design, as well as to win local support for the project.
Summers shares that the company had to work closely with the local community to preserve the gasholder frames, meet affordable housing targets, and rejuvenate the canal front through placemaking activities. As a result, 35% of the units are allocated for affordable housing, and the project also features a landscape buffer, rather than traditional high walls, to enhance the neighbourhood’s placemaking effect.
Tracy Meller, senior director at RSHP, explains that the design takes advantage of the circular forms of the gasholder frames to create a smoother contrast with the site’s edges. This approach encourages people to permeate through the landscaped courtyard and towards the canal front, promoting accessibility. Additionally, the ground floors of the five buildings will be primarily reserved for non-residential spaces, such as cafes, bars, and restaurants, while there will also be resident-exclusive areas in three buildings, including a concierge and additional facilities.
St William is also developing another industrial brownfield site with heritage gasholder frames, the 23-acre Bromley-By-Bow Gasworks site in the borough of Newham, as part of its acquired landbank. This site, containing seven Victorian-era gasholders, is the largest collection of surviving gasholders of this era globally, and development is expected to begin next year.
The project has already seen significant interest from international buyers, with St William launching the sale of The Wright Building, a six-storey block with one- to three-bedroom units, last year. Over 70% of the units in this block have been sold, with prices ranging from GBP675,000 to GBP1.63 million. St William also launched The Westwood Building, another six-storey block with mostly one-bedroom units, in September, with nearly 90% of the units sold. Summers believes that this block will be attractive to international investors due to its proximity to key educational institutions and the vibrant cultural scene in the area.
With the closest train station being Cambridge Heath on the London Overground Line, which connects to Liverpool Street Station and Bethnal Green Interchange on the Central Line, Regent’s View offers convenient connectivity to central London destinations. Summers shares that over 50% of international buyers are based in Asia, with many interested in purchasing a property for their children attending university or as a professional residence close to London’s financial hubs.
St William will launch the next sales phase in 2H2025, offering units in the 13-storey block, and is expecting strong interest due to the F&B offerings on the ground floor and the views of either the waterfront or the landscaped courtyard. According to Summers, the interest in Regent’s View highlights the growing demand for properties in London’s city fringe neighbourhoods in Zone 2, as investors gravitate towards more affordable options with attractive rental premiums.…