Essential Living

Number of Developments

4

Ratings

4.62 Rating

Rating (based on 627 reviews)

Excellent

71.29%

Very Good

24.24%

Average

3.19%

Disappointing

0.80%

Very Poor

0.48%

Essential Living is a Build to Rent property developer based in London. Its hallmarks are premium apartments in well-connected locations.

Essential Living developments

There are many Essential Living developments on HomeViews: Berkshire House in Maidenhead, Vantage Point in Archway, Islington, and Dressage Court in Bethnal Green. In addition, Union Wharf, Essential Living’s newest development is a collection of 249 apartments spread over two towers, set on the banks of peaceful Deptford Creek.

Essential Living reviews

The building is absolutely stunning. The apartments are tastefully done and very spacious. The resident team is always so helpful. The building organises many events throughout the year so that the residents feel lik they are a part of a community. Absolutely love living here!” – Nilofer R, verified resident at Dressage Court

Vantage Point is in such a good location above Archway tube. The place is always clean and tidy and it’s great to have the opportunity to meet new people. The residents team make living here so easy, they are always on hand to answer questions or help with any problems.” – Anabelle D, verified resident at Vantage Point

You can read more reviews from Essential Living residents by clicking on the developments below. Do you live in an Essential Living property? Click here to submit your review.

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Developments

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Essential Living reviews

Reviews

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Showing 627 reviews

Affordable, Luxury, Pet-friendly Location: What more?

Review Date Aug 2020

Union Wharf itself is really something special and is greatly appreciated by its residents. My partner and I had spent significant time looking for a place that ticked a lot of our boxes. The development is brand new, the furniture is sleek and the facilities offer some of the best resident facilities I would argue in London. Typically in new developments they will try to squeeze as many flats into the space as possible, but here the flats feel spacious and very well done. The facilities are one of the most attractive parts of the building, you have a communal chill out area on the 22nd floor is where you can read, socialise and play pool. There is a private room to host your own private parties and functions at a reasonable rate and gym.THE VIEW, the view from the rooftop you honestly would have to pay quite a lot of money to get access to these views in London.

Most importantly to us was finding somewhere that was pet friendly and welcoming. Our pooch has made many friends in the building (as have we) and it’s makes it quite special that having pets are welcomed (especially in the fabulous location of Greenwich). The concierge are really hard working and great people and always very friendly. I think you can tell that the employees really enjoy working here and often stop for a chat during the day.

If anyone is considering or looking to live somewhere that is pet friendly, luxury (but affordable), amazing location and access to the city, I would really recommend taking a look. Moving here has really made us fall in love with Greenwich and I don’t think we will be planning on moving for a very long time!

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

The area of Union Wharf speaks for itself. You are a stones throw from Greenwich with the buzzing restaurants, bars and independent shops. You have access to one of the best parks in London, Greenwich park a 10 minute walk away and direct access to London Bridge and the city in 10 minutes.

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

I didn’t actually realise how great of a commute it was into the city. I definitely recommend walking To Greenwich station and getting the train to London Bridge. My commute in total takes me 20 minutes which is crazy good!

What is the best feature of your home:

The View.. we can see Canary Wharf, a wide view of the Thames and all of the city of London. We even watched the fireworks from our apartment on new year.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
User submitted image of  Union Wharf, SE8
User submitted image of  Union Wharf, SE8
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Manager Response

Thank you for all the 5 *’s, and for sharing these great photos with us. It’s wonderful to have feedback about all elements of life at Union Wharf ?

Great facilities, great location and

The facilities here are definitely what drew us to this building.

The views from the roof terrace are breathtaking, we have an almost 360 view of the City, Canary Wharf and South East London along with having amazing amenities on the roof terrace itself – including indoor communal space which is kitted out with designer furniture, a pool table and fridge space. There is plenty of space outside to sit and have friends over. There are two BBQ stations – one with a full kitchen space and the other is attached to the dining room which can be rented for a small hourly charge.

There is also a small gym which is free of charge. Due to COVID this is limited to 4 people per hour but is bookable three times a week via an app – very easy!

There is also bike storage available so you don’t have to store your bike in the flat! This is pretty full but it looks like they have added additional racks to ensure you can lock your bike up safely.

The flats although typically small for London, feel spacious and are well designed with heaps of storage space. Additional storage is also available for a monthly charge.

The concierge desk are super friendly and trustworthy! They always go out of their way to help you out and are a friendly face when you walk through the front door.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

Everything is in walking distance! We have direct transport links to Canary Wharf, Bank, St Pancras and London Bridge. There are a number of supermarkets (including Waitrose, Sainsburys and Tesco). Greenwich market is so lovely and there are also a good selection of pubs and restaurants in the town centre. We are also within walking distance to Greenwich Park and a little further afield is Blackheath which also has lots of shops and cafes!

There isn’t a lot that I dislike however I cycle to work in the City and there was supposed to be a cycleway installed which runs from right outside the building and up to Tower Bridge but the finish date has been pushed back (presumably due to COVID) so I would prefer it to be better located by a cycle route but this isn’t a dealbreaker as I just end up using the Greenwich foot tunnel and cycling on that cycleway instead.

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

The only hitch that we had when moving in was that we were told that the height restriction for the underground car park was higher than it was so it was a bit awkward to get everything out of the van and in to the building with just two of us. If you ask at reception they do have a number of trolleys you can use to carry heavy items from the van to the lifts but I don’t think these were available when we moved in last year!

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

The building management team are always responsive to any queries we have, whether it’s an issue with the building wide internet, the underfloor heating or small handy work which needs to be done around the flat it has always been dealt with efficiently. They are contactable by email or alternatively you can pop downstairs during the daytime to ask any questions you might have.

5
Facilities
4
Design
4
Location
4
Value
5
Management
User submitted image of  Union Wharf, SE8
User submitted image of  Union Wharf, SE8
User submitted image of  Union Wharf, SE8
User submitted image of  Union Wharf, SE8
User submitted image of  Union Wharf, SE8
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First Impressions from a newbie.

It’s been 8 months since we moved into Berkshire House and it has been a pleasant change to the usual rented accommodation.
Whilst the property has a high price on rent, it does reflect the quality of the services and building with the exception of a couple of things.
A big let down, especially for our side of the building, is the lack of air conditioning. The underfloor heating was a great benefit during the winter months when we moved in but it’s a shame to see no AC in the unit whilst the public areas do boast the facility.
It would have also been helpful to have manuals for the appliances readily available for residents to have as I still don’t know what some functions of our white goods are.

The team at Essential Living provide great support and assistance, however, it would be nice to be involved when there are changes being made to the building which affects our daily lives.
An example of this would be the increased security within the building, adding additional locks that can only be opened manually meaning if you have visitors, you can’t simply ‘buzz’ them up but now instead have to go down and let them in. This might not sound too bad but it would be incredible annoying when you’re living on the top floor.
By consulting with the residents we could have aided them in finding a solution that could both increase security but also ensure the residents can go about their daily routine without being inconvenienced.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

Maidenhead is very much up and coming, with great access into London.
For the area, Berkshire House is a beautiful building that people want to live in.
The shops are a short walk away with great access to leisure facilities and with the M4 just 5 minutes away, you’re totally free to get around.

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

Probably linking to my previous comments, moving in during winter the underfloor heating was great but now in summer the heat is unbearable and with no air conditioning you can’t cool the place down.

4
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
3
Value
5
Management
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Amazing views, nice building and good people!

Been living at Berkshire House for one and a half years now and we’re very happy with the overall experience. The set-up of the building helps when it comes to getting to know your neighbours and spending time with people – the upstairs communal area is great and it’s always kept clean and tidy by all the residents who use this space. There is also coffee and tea facilities there, so you can make make yourself at home (literally!). The views from here are stunning and you can catch the best sunsets in Maidenhead from up there. Even though the studio apartments aren’t the most spacious, the leisure area upstairs makes up for it and it doesn’t feel like you live in a studio. The best thing about living in Berkshire House is having a person from the management team live on-site (Andy, in our case). He’s ever so helpful and he’s always happy to assist with our needs – he sorted out our WiFi connection to a smart device which was proving tricky. Overall, it’s a great place for all sorts of people, whether you’re young or as a family – there’s always room for everyone to have fun at Berkshire House.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

The area is great, right by the high street, where you can find your regular shops, as well as a little shopping centre. Not too noisy albeit very close to pubs and bars which close late at weekends.

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

There is no air-con in the apartments, so it can get quite unbearable in the summer. However, the upstairs communal area does have a couple of air conditioning units.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
4
Value
5
Management
User submitted image of  Berkshire House, SL6
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Lovely and amazing Apartment!

First and foremost, one of the standout features of this place is its pet-friendly policy. Finding a development that warmly welcomed my furry companion was such a relief.

The people at Vantage Point were fantastic. The resident team went above and beyond to assist residents, especially when handling deliveries and packages. In addition, they were always attentive and responsive to any concerns or maintenance issues.

The development organizes events that unite residents, providing opportunities for social interaction and connection. It’s a great way to meet new people and build friendships, exceptionally you’re new to London or come to study.

With neighbouring buildings being shorter, the views from here are simply breathtaking. I can’t even begin to describe the beauty of the panoramic vistas, especially during the magical sunsets. The gym is well-equipped, and the common areas are beautifully designed, providing a welcoming space for relaxation and socializing. A BBQ area and game room add a fun element to the overall living experience.

Without hesitation, I highly recommend Vantage Point to anyone seeking a welcoming and vibrant place to call home. 🙂

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

There are numerous conveniently located grocery stores and supermarkets nearby, including popular options such as M&S, Aldi, Tesco, Coop, and Sainsbury. There is also a Chinese supermarket in the way of 10 minutes. Additionally, a meat shop and a seafood shop are available in the vicinity. Moreover, each direction at the intersection offers a diverse range of restaurants and bars, showcasing various types and cultures. There is also a second-hand Toy shop nearby!

Although there are occasional police car sirens, disruptive traffic noise is generally absent. Furthermore, I have not encountered anti-social behaviour during my six-month stay, contributing to a relatively safe environment. However, it’s worth mentioning that on Friday and weekend nights, you might occasionally hear people drinking underneath.

M&S and Archway Station are conveniently located right beneath the building. As a result, it only takes about 15 seconds to reach the station once you leave the building. There are also many bus stop nearby if the station is closed.

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

In the vicinity, some individuals are experiencing homelessness; however, I have found that most are kind and helpful. Throughout my time here, I have never felt unsafe in their presence.

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

Our primary mode of communication is via email and they reply quickly; however, you can often find the resident team readily available at the reception counter.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
User submitted image of  Vantage Point, N19
User submitted image of  Vantage Point, N19
User submitted image of  Vantage Point, N19
User submitted image of  Vantage Point, N19
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