Just yards from Tower Bridge and Shad Thames, with its wealth of cafes, bars, and restaurants, “Tempus Wharf” is a riverside gem being developed by Berkeley Homes. Designed to reflect the centuries‘ old origins of the area, “Tempus Wharf” comprises of two existing warehouses and a newly formed building that links the two together. The apartments benefit from being designed around an inner raised landscaped garden which fronts onto the River Thames, covered parking facilities and bicycle storage racks. Some apartments have balconies that appear to hang from the walls sides by means of a steel rod fixed diagonally to the vertical wall and balcony. An original steel crane has also been restored and hangs on the river front elevation. Prices start at £250,000. For further information contact Berkeley Homes on 01732 227 666.

CENTURY ACHIEVEMENT

Over 50% of the apartments in Century Plaza, the new development in Edgware by Wilson Connolly, have been sold. The stunning collection of 38 one, two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses are part of a mixed-use scheme, which also features underground parking, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, dance studio and swimming pool. Located opposite the station at the start of the Northern Line, the homes have excellent transport links to Central London and the City. Prices start at £310,950. For more information call 0208 445 7765.

DESIRABLE APARTMENTS IN GLOUCESTER TERRACE RELEASED

56 St. Luke’s Avenue was once an old corner shop selling sweets, strong lager and ladies tights. Owner, Paul Grimwood, has now transformed the property into two high specification apartments. Keeping one for himself, the other is for sale for £375,000 through Hamptons International. To perform the amazing transformation, the façade was kept but the rest of the property demolished and a new building constructed behind. The apartment has an open-plan reception room with solid oak floor and stunning built-in kitchen. For further information contact 0207 498 8686.

NIRVANA ARRIVES IN ISLINGTON GREEN

The curtain rises at Nirvana, a £30 million major new development in Islington comprising 70 apartments, an expansive state of the art penthouse, two three bedroom houses, and a 600 seat theatre. The theatre will be run in conjunction with Collins Theatre Trust, who are currently liaising with a number of theatre groups and corporate sponsors in order to allow audiences to see a wide variety of performances. Within a week of launching the first phase of 20 apartments, all had been reserved. The next phase will be launched shortly with prices ranging from £285,000 to £555,000. For further information, contact Carol Anderson on 0207 704 8889.

OASIS IN THE SKY

Plans for the spectacular penthouse at the latest MacLeod & Fairbriar development - E1 Waterside – have just been released. The penthouse offers over 2550 sq feet of living space, and more than 1250 sq ft of balcony and roof terrace. The property has three bedrooms, all with ensuite facilities, and two reception rooms, split over two floors; with the whole of the seventh floor taken up by the main reception / entertaining room offering far ranging views over London. On the upper floor is the “spa room”, the piece de resistance being an eight person octagonal hydropool, underwater lighting and spa jets, set into the floor with tiled limestone tiles. The penthouse is available at £1.85 million. For further information visit www.e1waterside.com.

CONGESTION RELIEF?

London-based www.aparkingspace.com does not provide a way to avoid paying the congestion charge, but allows people to make the charges work for them, either by selling their existing parking space if it’s outside the zone or finding a new one as close to the edge of the zone as possible. Jonathan Werth, Director of ‘aparkingspace’ explained, “I see hundreds of unused parking spaces available in London: in underground car parks belonging to properties and people’s driveways – the opportunities are there.” The site works by putting those who want a parking space in touch with those that want to rent them out. Advertising your parking space is currently free, as is searching for the one that you want. To make contact with the owner of the parking space you pay £5 which gives you ten credits – therefore if the first space you find doesn’t suit you then have nine more chances to find your perfect space. IF YOU HAVE A VIEW ON THE CONGESTION CHARGE, E-MAIL US AT EDITOR@NEWSONTHEBLOCK.

HOUSE PRICE GROWTH TO GRIND TO A HALT IN SOUTH

Experian Business Strategies, the economic analysts, forecast that the ten places in the South of England most vulnerable to a slowdown in house prices are: Kensington and Chelsea, Barnet, Redbridge, Richmond, Harrow, Reading, Kingston, Wokingham, Camden and Westminster. The analysis takes into account factors including the extent of commuting to Central London, share ownership, changes to unemployment and the extent to which prices have risen since 1999.

VULNERABLE TENANTS, YOUNG AND ELDERLY WARNED

ARLA, the Association of Residential Letting Agents, has issued a warning to the friends and relatives of potentially vulnerable tenants in the Private Rented Sector. Due to the attitude of a small number of landlords towards the condition and maintenance of properties, the Association warns that the elderly and inexperienced should always rent through a regulated letting agent. These regulated letting agents are members of ARLA and other professional bodies.