A guide to living in Poplar

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Balfron Tower is in a very convenient location with a good range of local shops, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants and takeaways within walking distance, particularly around Chrisp Street Market and Canary Wharf. There are several parks and open spaces nearby, including Bartlett Park and the River Lea. Transport links are excellent, with All Saints DLR, Langdon Park DLR and Canary Wharf all easily accessible, providing quick connections across London. Bus services are frequent, although roads can be busy during peak hours. Parking is limited and often requires a permit, but bin collections are generally reliable. Like many busy urban areas, there can occasionally be traffic noise and some anti-social behaviour, but overall the area is well connected, practical and convenient for everyday living.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Whenever I have raised an issue, the building management has been professional, approachable and responsive. They acknowledge concerns promptly and keep residents informed about any maintenance or repairs. The concierge team, especially Lia, is always friendly and helpful, making it easy to report issues and ensuring they are followed up efficiently. Overall, I have been pleased with the level of service and communication provided.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I had known how convenient the location really is. Everything from supermarkets and cafés to public transport is within easy reach, and Canary Wharf is only a short walk away. I also didn’t realise how much natural light the large windows provide or how impressive the views are from the upper floors. One practical tip for new neighbours is that parking is limited, so it’s worth checking permit options in advance if you own a car. Overall, the building has a strong sense of community, and the concierge team is very helpful, making settling in much easier.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Overall, I have found the New Festival Quarter to be a convenient and generally pleasant place to live. One of its greatest advantages is its location. There is a useful selection of local shops within easy walking distance, making day-to-day life straightforward, and the development benefits from excellent access to the nearby park. Having such a large green space on the doorstep is a real positive, providing opportunities for walking, exercising and spending time outdoors. The development itself is relatively quiet for most of the time and I have generally felt safe living here. While, like any urban area, there are occasional issues, they have not significantly affected my day-to-day life within the development. That said, there are aspects of the surrounding area that could be improved. Cleanliness is one of the main concerns, as there is often litter and the streets can appear untidy. In addition, the area behind the development, where much of the neighbouring council housing is situated, can sometimes be noisy and there are occasional incidents of antisocial behaviour. Although this can detract from the overall impression of the neighbourhood, these issues tend to be localised and are not representative of the development itself. In summary, I believe the New Festival Quarter offers a good balance of convenience, accessibility and green space. While the surrounding area would benefit from improvements to cleanliness and a reduction in noise and antisocial behaviour, I have generally found it to be a safe and comfortable place to live, with the positives outweighing the negatives.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

In the past it has been poor. Today Mark was excellent so thank you

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I was I had known I was opposite the refuse room. I wish I had realised 1/2 the estate is council

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The location is very convenient, with a good selection of local shops, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and takeaways all within walking distance. Public transport links are excellent, making it easy to travel around London. Living on the ground floor, we have occasionally experienced some unpleasant behaviour from people outside the building, but overall the area is convenient and well connected.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The management has been excellent whenever we have needed support. We experienced a few issues related to unpleasant behaviour outside the building, and they responded promptly and professionally. They took our concerns seriously, communicated clearly, and resolved the situation efficiently. Shafi and Luciana have both provided outstanding customer service and have always been helpful and supportive.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

There wasn’t anything major that we wish we had known before moving in. The only point worth mentioning is that the flats can become quite warm during the summer specially bedroom. Aside from that, our experience has been very positive, and the building, facilities, and management have met our expectations.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

One of the biggest advantages of living at Fizzy Poplar is the convenience. Having an on-site parking space is a huge benefit, especially since secure parking isn't common in many London apartment developments. For everyday shopping, Lidl is only around an 8-minute walk (or about a 5-minute drive), making grocery runs quick and easy. Transport links are also excellent. Westferry DLR station is around a 10-minute walk away, and my commute into Central London is straightforward. Canary Wharf is only one DLR stop away (or around a 17-minute walk), giving you easy access to a fantastic range of shops, restaurants, cafés, and bars. From Canary Wharf, you can also connect to the Elizabeth Line, Jubilee Line, and other transport options, making it incredibly convenient to travel across London. What truly makes Fizzy Poplar stand out for me, though, is the peaceful environment. Despite being so well connected, the development feels tucked away from busy main roads. The neighbourhood is quiet, surrounded by greenery and mature trees, and it's lovely waking up to birds singing in the morning. As someone with a dust allergy, I really appreciate that the area feels much cleaner and less polluted than many other parts of London, with very little traffic noise. Another highlight is the proximity to Bartlett Park, which is just a short walk away. It's a beautiful green space that's perfect for morning walks, jogging, relaxing, or simply enjoying nature. Overall, Fizzy Poplar offers a combination that's surprisingly hard to find in London: excellent transport connections, easy access to shopping and Canary Wharf, peaceful surroundings, plenty of green space, and the convenience of secure parking. It's been a wonderful place to live.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

It has been a really positive experience—they've done a fantastic job. They usually respond to my maintenance requests within six hours and, in most cases, take action within 24 hours, except for larger jobs such as furniture replacements. Both the maintenance team and the customer support team handle every issue professionally and efficiently. Even if you request something outside of standard maintenance, such as removing unwanted furniture, they always do their best to help. The on-site team is also incredibly friendly, caring, and always willing to assist. A special thanks to Samson Miranda for his outstanding support!

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I would like to know more about my apartment’s orientation—what direction it faces, whether it receives direct sunlight, and how it behaves during different seasons, especially during summer and winter.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

E14 is a convenient place to live, especially if you work in or around Central London. The area has plenty of green spaces and riverside walks, which make it feel less crowded than many other parts of London. There are also some great restaurants nearby: Royal China and Noodle Street in Canary Wharf are definitely worth visiting. Public transport is excellent, with several stations close by. One drawback is that street parking can feel a bit insecure. However, this isn't an issue for residents at Fizzy, as the development provides secure underground parking, which is a big advantage. Overall, it's a well-connected and pleasant neighbourhood with a good mix of city convenience and green surroundings.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Overall, the building management has been responsive and easy to contact. Most maintenance requests are acknowledged quickly, and smaller issues are often resolved within 24 hours. However, some more complex issues haven't always been followed up as consistently as expected and have required additional reminders. Despite that, the team is friendly and generally willing to help, and communication has been good throughout.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

We would like to better understand the location and layout of our apartment within the building. We noticed that our apartment is located near the smoke vent room, which appears to radiate excessive heat and creates additional warmth inside the apartment, particularly during the summer months.