10 George street combines the best elements of a hotel, a WeWork and a home to create a great environment perfect for working and living. Other tenants are friendly but there is plenty enough space in the communal areas to have privacy as well. The one bedroom flats are spacious and the furniture is well designed and practical.

There are storage cages in the basement (clean, bright and secure) which helps us to keep clutter to a minimum but also hang on to bulky items that we want to access regularly like records, tools and suitcases. They are cheaper and much nicer than an off site storage unit somewhere.

There is also a wine self-serve machine which is great when you don’t want to go out to a pub/bar but just fancy a glass in a slightly different environment to end the day.

We are so glad we decided to move in and can see ourselves being here longer than any of our previous flats.

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

Super close to Waitrose as well as great food places like Ippudo for ramen and Ole and Steen. Surrounding area still somewhat under construction but waterfront is beautiful and security/staff friendly and happy to welcome residents into a previously commercial area.

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

Some people are put off by the construction but if you face the construction you also get to look over the lock which opens daily to let boats come in and out of the Thames which is a unique and interesting view.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

Alongside the free tea and coffee (great to get out of the flat and meet neighbours downstairs), some biscuits would be nice 😉

I. We as residents have not been provided with the fire safety procedures in contract, subsequent documents or through the Versus application and when asked to staff they are unaware of where we can get this?

II. There should be at least two escape routes from all parts of the premises, but only one stairwell is in the building at 8 Water street?

III. Where are the water-based extinguishers that are required for every 200m2 of floor space, with a minimum of two extinguishers per floor?

IV. Why is the safe smoking policy not in place as they need to be in designated smoking areas and prohibited elsewhere. The display of suitable signs throughout the premises informing people of the smoking policy and the locations where smoking is permitted is not in place.

V. No fire evacuation drill has been carried out building wide in the last six months as described.

These are all requirements for all sleeping accommodations as per the government document 422192/9281.

The issues are many more than just the fire codes as someone was duping chicken in bags in the yard, which could be harmful to the dogs. Over 12 chickens were found to my knowledge but when asked to examine the CCTV, management stated that they didn’t find anything despite some of them being dropped right under cameras.

A resident through the pandemic also leased out her apartment causing parties of 50 plus throughout the night, of which management stated that they couldn’t do anything about it as it was a civil matter, so large numbers of non-residents were coming in and out of the building and it was reported by many to be a brothel that was advertised on only fans.

The number of drug deals that goes on next door at one park drive, normally in the middle of the night cars going well over the speed limit and illegally parking with their radios on. When we spoke to the security duty manager, and his subordinate, they said they couldn’t do anything about this and that we have to call police. This despite all the signs and warnings that cars and people can be banned for behaviour of the such.

The management of the building makes announcements on Friday evenings, right before she signs off for the weekend and doesn’t alert or prepare her staff. So many times her staff is reading about rule changes from announcements sent to residents on our phones. They are not attentive to dialogue or compromises.

Further, she has shown up to my door unannounced, which distresses my dog (remember the neighbours complaints are about dogs barking and sends e-mails about my personal email to my professional e-mail address. Her e-mail included the health status of a fellow resident (which was probably not something they wanted disclose) and included threats to my lease despite it being an inquiry into the other side of the story.

Packages received by the building were lost before distributed, each shift says to talk to the next shift and when you open a ticket, you don’t get a response.

When people started stealing the coffee mugs, instead of addressing the issue of the thefts, they just didn’t provide mugs any longer. When I inquired regarding this they stated “I believe that all the cups are in the dishwasher, ask the concierge to get them out.” When we asked the concierge, they said, we only have one mug for residents but we can let you borrow one from the staff room. This was in front of a friend that was inquiring about moving into the building, needlessly, he cancelled his tour after this experience (and these stories).

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

The building doesn’t meet fire code, security is selective about only enforcing policies on dogs and the rules change regularly without prior notification.

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

This could be a great building if they could get competent management and if they could meet fire code.

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

poorly if we even get a response at all, they have further threatened my lease by email when they hadn’t investigated the issue.

Despite an impressive 37 stories, I opted for a modest 5th floor 1 bed, so no O2 or Wharf view for me, but a rather lovely connection with the terrace, gardens and south dock below, all from a large furnished balcony that spans my lounge and bedroom.

The architecture is striking, as are the materials and the attention to detail throughout is awesome. Consolidated utility bills, rubbish shoots on every floor, a proper (coffee for people that like coffee) coffee machine, an ever-changing wine fridge that’s curated by residents and artwork in the hallways that I actually want to steal.

There’s a ‘wow’ terrace with day beds and BBQ that when the sun shines (and it has) transports you to the Med (my 7 year old son continually tells me it’s like being on holiday) A gym with classes, a lounge with a shuffle board and a kitchen/dining room with a big old table to entertain when your dinner party goes big and exceeds your apartment.

10 GS is a very social place, it’s made lockdown enjoyable, actually fun. I’ve met some lovely people, very much aided by the wonderfully inclusive events program they run here. If interacting with other residents isn’t your thing though, close your door and pull the duvet up.

Lastly I want to mention the team here, from the quite brilliant concierge who really look after you (but also make you laugh) to the security, maintenance and perhaps most importantly, the very visible cleaning team, there’s no place I’d rather be right now.

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

I’ve really fallen for Canary Wharf, even in these strange times when the streets, malls and towers have been empty. The convenience is real, you’re a 5 min walk from everything you might ever need, Waitrose flagship is my new best friend. And if like me you love East London, Hackney/Shoreditch/Spitalfields are a just 15-minute cycle away.

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

That the Council Tax is taken care of and bundled into the utility bills.
The golf buggy available to pick you up from Waitrose when you go mad in the wine department.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

There really is little to find fault with here, however a set of bedroom drawers to accompany the generous wardrobes would be a welcome addition.

5

Facilities

5

Design

5

Location

4

Value

5

Management

As I stood in the annoyingly well designed entrance with my girlfriend, we joked about the man we were about to meet’s job title – Senior Negotiator. Imagining that in a previous role he was a world renowned hostage negotiator or similar… like a normal letting agent.

Again, we were proven wrong.

Pierre took us on an incredibly in-depth tour of the building. Top to bottom. Every nook and cranny. Due to my experience in the advertising industry, I’m incredibly sceptical of large claims and understand how to ‘polish a t***’. Pierre was claiming this and that and this and these interior designers and this pool table and this floor finish… the usual stuff letting agents do… that you usually have to take with a massive pinch of salt. Well, my doubts couldn’t have been more wrong. Never before have I heard such truth and honesty from someone in the property business.

My girlfriend and I were so impressed with what we saw that we immediately started planning our move.

Usually you move somewhere and finally see around the edges and behind the curtain – warts and all. This has not been the case. Our time here so far has been a total pleasure and is getting better all the time.

Everyone is happy to help and make your move and stay as happy as possible.

You’d think a building like this in Canary Wharf wouldn’t give their residents the freedom we’ve experienced so far.

As Pierre says “Your freeudom stops when it impacts on somebody else’s”.

To sum up – I wanted to absolutely hate it and I’ve ended up loving it. Annoying 😉

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

I never thought I would want to live in Canary Wharf… until I lived near Canary Wharf. You’ve got shops, restaurants, bars, gyms, water activities and more – all within a well managed and peaceful environment.

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

I wish I had known how much hassle it would be to clear out my old flat! I would have asked to use Vertus’ moving team.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

The building site nearby. That being said, we rarely notice it and it will bring us more restaurants and shops near by so it’s a positive in the long run.