Life At The Water’s Edge: Creating A Sense Of Well-Being Within London’s Urban Landscape
London living is a sought after lifestyle but life in England’s capital can be fast paced. With a growing trend towards flexible working hours and a need for work-life balance, designers are looking at ways to accommodate and bring a sense of wellbeing into our home environment
According to research by The Global Wellness Institute, homebuyers are placing greater emphasis on wellness and access to spa-like amenities when choosing where to live. Greenwich Peninsula is hailed as the new ‘modern London’ where creativity is at the heart of a £500 million investment in culture-led spaces surrounded by 1.6 miles of the River Thames. Think waterside living within an urban landscape with people at the centre of planning and you have Upper Riverside, a family of five buildings all within hopping distance of food and retail outlets and the O2 Arena.
Courtesy of Upper Riverside, London
Staying in an apartment at No. 2. Upper Riverside is like staying in a five star hotel. Whether commuting, working remotely, arriving off a long haul flight or simply vacationing, as you enter the building you are greeted by a concierge and style and a sense of warmth takes over. Each apartment has riverside views, some with a fine prospect of the river through high glass windows. Comfort and quality design is the key and after a restful sleep, head to Renew, the private health club that takes up the whole of the 15th floor.
Courtesy of Upper Riverside, London
Renew, by forward thinking designer, Tom Dixon, features one of London’s highest pools, a steam room, two state of the art gymnasiums and a roof terrace to exercise in the open air or simply relax and/or socialise. Dixon says, “With a growing importance on wellness, I wanted to create a space that would enhance resident’s day to day lifestyle and motivate them to achieve their goals and feel their best”. Dixon uses raw and industrial materials throughout with a hint of the history and maritime themes Greenwich is known for. This is balanced with light coming into a stepped layered ceiling reflecting the outline of the pool, contrasting against the neutral stone backdrop of the surrounding floor and walls.
Courtesy of Upper Riverside, London
There is a Lifestyle Manager on hand to assist, in a non-obtrusive way, linking you to likeminded people with shared interests whether connecting through fitness regimes, a book club, movie nights, or even an urban garden group. It’s up to the residents how they wish to use the service or they can simply opt out, the aim is to make life easy and stress free. There isn’t a great emphasis placed on smart technology but it does have a part to play in Peninsula Life as the lifestyle service is supported by an app making it easy to book weekend wellness retreats, ticketing for VIP and red-carpet events, personal shopping and private chef hires
Courtesy of Upper Riverside, London
Moving outdoors, there are pathways connecting to natural environments butting up to urban landscapes, whether you go for a walk, jog or simply want to sit and ‘be’ there are areas to relax and you can plug into a meditation app created especially for Peninsula people providing pauses, connecting to the elements around you which includes meditating to the sound of the river’s changing tide allowing you to simple breathe, and relax.
Courtesy of Upper Riverside, London
After a P.T session and swim, it’s time to make the journey to central London. There are a variety of accessible travel options, but the river bus has its jetty right outside the apartment building. Cruising along the Thames by boat is a relaxing way to travel allowing time and headspace to take in the sights and contemplate the day.
Courtesy of Upper Riverside, London
Prices from £860,000 (Dhs4,056,197) for a two-bedroom apartment at No.1 and No.2 Upper Riverside.
Apartments at No.3 Upper Riverside, the latest phase designed by Studio Ashby, are due to complete later this year and start from £550,000 for a one-bed home.