A guide to living in Poplar

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

Locally, the main area where there is a great deal of activity is Canary Wharf. Poplar itself, unfortunately feels very underdevelopment and borderline rural — which is odd for London. Fortunately, I feel I have everything I need in Balfron Tower. Equally, I work in the city, in Liverpool Street and I feel I get plenty of opportunities to see some what makes London a vibrant city.

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

I feel problems are solved very quickly, unless it's an area of expertise where they can't be to blame, like the lifts.

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

There isn't really anything I wish I'd known before I moved in, I'm very happy to be living in Balfron Tower.

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

Good location But areas to east of this location there are disturbances. The buses and train station are next door.

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

Yes. Some times it is been late but mostly yes. It could be improved

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

More on the water and lift issues. Some bit on the increase in utilities

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

Local area wasn’t amazing but it had good transport links and was very quiet and peaceful. Not any supermarkets near by which was annoying

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

They’ve responded and tried to help with issues - the lift situation was a nightmare but they did offer temp accommodation as we had a 1 years old and lived on level 18 lol

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

That there was no shopping center nearby or any supermarkets close

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

Living in my local area has a mix of positives and challenges. The location is very convenient, as I am close to a DLR station which makes commuting quick and easy. There are schools nearby, which creates a friendly community feel and means that local amenities like shops and cafés are geared towards families. There are also several open spaces within walking distance that are great for fresh air and exercise. However, there are a few downsides. Parking is very limited, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times when the surrounding streets become quite busy. This also means that traffic noise can increase throughout the day. It is a pleasant and well-connected place to live overall.

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

The building management has been slow to respond to issues. Parcels are sometimes left on the floor, some go missing, and bikes have been stolen from the bike shed in the car park a couple of times. Repairs, including water problems, also take a long time to be addressed.

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

Before moving in, I wish I had known about some of the management and maintenance issues. Parcels can be left unattended, bikes have been stolen from the bike shed, and repairs, including water problems, can take a long time to be addressed. It would also have been helpful to know that parking is very limited, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times. Despite the great facilities like the gym, meeting room, and lounge with landmark views, these practical issues are important for new residents to be aware of.

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

Living in my area is quite convenient as it’s just a one-minute walk from the DLR station, making commuting very easy. However, there aren’t many supermarkets nearby, so grocery shopping can be a bit inconvenient. The neighbourhood itself is generally quiet and safe, with minimal traffic noise and no major issues with anti-social behaviour. There are a few local cafes and small shops, but the range of restaurants and bars is quite limited.

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

The building management’s response to issues has been quite poor. They are often slow to reply, sometimes taking over a week to respond to emails, and occasionally claim not to have received them. Even when problems are reported multiple times—like the broken lift or the gym curtain controller—no real action is taken. Issues such as water outages or maintenance requests are usually resolved only after repeated follow-ups, and there’s little communication or transparency about when things will be fixed. Overall, the responsiveness and accountability of the management team have been very disappointing.

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

I wish I had known that the quality of service and maintenance would decline over time. When I first moved in, everything was perfect—the building was well managed, the concierge was helpful, and maintenance issues were quickly resolved. Over the years, however, the service has gradually worsened, with slow responses, unresolved repairs, and a noticeable drop in overall care and attention.