Following decades of regeneration and a continuing influx of new property developer attention and investment, East London is more self-confident than ever. But what does this always exciting and often surprising part of the capital have to offer? Read on, and discover some of the best new build homes in East London.
10 top-rated new build homes in East London
The following list contains the 10 East London new build developments listed on HomeViews with the highest ratings at the time of writing (August 2023). As with all our top-rated lists, these rankings are determined entirely by verified resident reviews. Since the people who live there know these developments best, we leave the scoring entirely up to them!
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Where is East London?
Although there’s no specific boundary, most definitions describe East London as the area east of the tiny central square mile ‘City of London’ and north of the River Thames. This takes in several London boroughs, ranging from built-up urban areas to leafy suburbs, including Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
What is East London known for?
The East End is the perfect place to start exploring the rich, compelling and sometimes downright gritty history of London. This is mostly within the borough of Tower Hamlets, and it tells London’s story of constant change and reinvention. Out of the poverty-stricken, disease-ridden conditions of the late 19th century, the area created a formidable identity as a tough but community-spirited place.
Having once been best known for the Jack the Ripper murders in Whitechapel, the East End slowly transformed. The area shook off its shabby docklands industrial feel to develop a modern-day vibe as a bustling centre of service industry businesses, fashion and innovative culinary culture.
Why live in East London?
East London is a fascinating and constantly surprising place to live. It’s arguably one of the coolest parts of the capital. It fuses an incredibly rich history with a vibrant modern culture and entertainment scene.
Change and excitement are watchwords for East London as a whole. If you want to be a part of new London trends in fashion, dining, live music and more, this is the place for you. With the likes of Shoreditch, Hoxton and Bethnal Green, you’ll never be bored or starved of something new.
Where are the best places to live in East London?
Finding the best areas to live in East London depends on your personal tastes and budget. There are so many thriving communities to consider, both established neighbourhoods and ‘up-and-coming’ prospects. Canary Wharf is a great example of the kind of big change that continues to shape East London. Once derelict docklands, this whole area is exploding with sleek new build developments and café culture hubs. Fortunately, it’s not just for young bankers and the smart professional set either, as the inclusion of some great schools and family-friendly attractions make it appealing to different kinds of buyers and renters.
Overall, East London is a part of the capital that continues to attract all sorts of newcomers. They come for the excitement, the buzz and the new energy of the area, but stay for the convenience and sense of community.
Transport in East London
Overall, East London enjoys excellent transport links. Being north of the Thames means that it has a much higher concentration of London Underground lines and stops than South London. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is another impressive (and improving) transport string to East London’s bow.
Those stretches of East London along the river also have the added convenience of Thames Clipper River Bus services. This makes hopping across the river for work or pleasure even easier, and more fun!
East London property prices
East London’s property market is extremely varied. Its offerings range from super-slick new build luxury apartments in Canary Wharf, to grand period homes and Victorian terraced housing. There’s also everything in between when it comes to new build homes developments in East London!
Whatever you’re looking for in terms of size and style, East London should be able to provide it. As for price, Zoopla puts the East London house price average at around £537,000 for August 2023. Remember, this is just a yardstick average that covers a wide range of boroughs and property types. For more accurate estimates, it’s best to focus on specific East London districts or postcodes that interest you.
Hopefully, this roundup of the best new build homes developments in East London provides a useful glance at what’s on offer. If you want to wider your search, check out our dedicated area guide below. And remember, close by, but distinctly different, are the areas of North East and South East London. These are more than worth your time spent in exploration.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
