A guide to living in Poplar

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

There are no notable local shops, pubs, restaurants, or green spaces around. The area is very residential, but the building itself is an oasis in the midst of it all and has good connections to nearby hubs like Canary Wharf and Stratford.

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

Narad is always very responsive and helpful when issues are brought directly to his attention, and he consistently does his best to resolve problems quickly. However, the new maintenance request system can be somewhat clunky, and there have been instances where the building management side of the team have not properly logged requests with contractors. This can sometimes result in delays or the need to follow up multiple times. Once Narad is aware of an issue, he is very proactive in getting it resolved.

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

I wish I had known how frequently the DLR can be affected by planned closures and engineering works, particularly on weekends. As the DLR is essentially the main rail connection serving the area, having it disrupted several weekends in a row can be quite frustrating and inconvenient.

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

This is the only downside, there is not much going around in the area like coffee shops, grocery shops, etc. There is a nisa where the shopkeepers are very nice but that’s about it

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

Yes, the building management have always listened to our concerns and been very understanding, working quickly to resolve things. We couldn’t be more satisfied with their service.

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

Nothing as such, if I had to think of one then it’d be that the flats get quite hot as bedrooms don’t have windows so it’s not ideal in the summer but conversely it keeps the flat quite warm in the winters

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.