Embassy Gardens is a mixed-use Ballymore and EcoWorld development, featuring luxury apartments and commercial units and designed by HAL Architects and Sir Terry Farrell CBE. It’s got a prime setting in the waterfront Nine Elms district, close to the River Thames and the US Embassy. In addition, the site is walkable from Vauxhall, Battersea and the in-construction Nine Elms stations. Likewise, it is close to the Southbank Centre and London Bridge.
Reviews
Write a ReviewUpload PhotosIt is all about the facilities
We chose to live here because of the location but also the facilities that Embassy Gardens has to offer. There is a pool, gym and sauna – we don’t find them crowded or hard to access (gym can often be empty if you find the right time!) and they are beautiful, love the ground floor pool looking out onto gardens! We use the Lounge quite often – for a bit more space outside of our apartment when meeting friends or sometimes if there is an international match on tv or watching the winter olympics, it feels like being back at college in the dorm but more grown up! They are great about putting on socials and events – we went to the social at the embassy recently and it was great to see this incredible building and meet some neighbours in a new setting up close.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
It is better than I expected! I worried that the facilities would be over crowded by they really are not. I was also concerned that as it was on a quite busy road and set back from the river it would lack the ‘beauty’ of some other developments but it has so many internal views and aspects. Love it
Looks lovely from the outside… but is terrible once the lid is lifted
Having lived at Embassy Gardens for two and a half years now the early and simple problems have still not been ironed out. Communication from the residents team is nearly always late or at very late notice for any works going on. Staff can be rude and turnover is clearly high. I have had multiple items of post and parcels go missing. The parking is a mess and there is no visitor parking. Hot water totally variable. The water supply has been cut off totally before, without even an acknowledgement afterwards. Noise levels can be very high with some other residents holding parties throughout the night. The service charge is also extremely high for the quantity and quality of service.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
Very expensive local restaurants, bars and cafes. Little variety unless you want to go to places where you are charged a compulsory service charge for water and a coffee.
Location and transport links are excellent.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
If I had known that the developer and property manager would do their best not to engage with residents then I wouldn’t have bought the property. Secondly, I wouldn’t even be able to sell because Ballymore haven’t done the ESW1 (cladding) form.
What is the best feature of your home:
Location – fantastic and will only get better as the Nine Elms regeneration scheme continues.
Manager Response
Dear Embassy Gardens Resident,
Thank you for your feedback on our Development, all feedback negative or positive will be looked into by our on-site team and we will work together with our residents to assure that we can make living here as special as you hoped. We have with the help of Embassy Gardens Resident’s Association (EGRA) and the Housing Association addressed the communication issue which we are sure lately you have benefited from. We apologise for the time it took to get all the issues ironed out but we are very pleased with the outcome.
The team in the last few months during these unusual times have become stronger and yes some are new, who will bring new uplifting “Best in class” customer service to all our residents.
Be assured that we have a strong management team on-site to look into any of your issues from water, noise to communication with our commercial units for you so please feel free to get in contact with them.
Please if possible contact the Embassy Gardens Residential Service Manager so they can follow up on your issues.
Again we thank you for your feedback
Would not recommend
We moved into this property with such excitement, being told the sky pool would be complete in the summer. We since found out that this has been promised to residents every summer since opening, it is a marketing ploy. This development will be advertised as complete, however we were awoken and had to put up with drilling every single day. On top of this, we found out that the affordable housing development was located nearby Legacy F block which has a connecting communal roof top terrace, which during lockdown had a group of around 15 people having a bbq up there, and one day throwing rocks over the wall at the apartment windows and onto the balconies.
Unfortunately it correlated with the affordable housing residents that there was continually disruptive behaviours from those residents, as stated by the Shift manager when we raised the issue of the rock throwing that there has been persistently disruptive behaviour.
F block does not have secure lifts with a fob system like Legacy A block does. When we were showed around the development, the agent took us a different way through the main concierge and did not notify us that F block actually has no concierge or security on the lists (key fobs) so anyone can enter F block round the back entrance.
Noise: The train tracks are extremely loud all day throughout the day, the neighbours are extremely disruptive and it seems there are a lot of university / international students living in the complex who enjoy playing music extremely loudly until 2am which echos loudly around the courtyard of Legacy F block. We raised this issue on multiple occasions with no prevail.
The bin stores were replenished 2-3 times a day, we lived on the second floor which created a lot of noise disruption, I imagine if you’re in a unit higher up this wouldn’t be an issue, but it is something I should mention.
We moved out after 6 months because we hated our time here that much. If you’re a landlord thinking of listing with Johns and co … AVOID, if you’re a tenant looking to move in, I would only recommend you took a unit within Capital or Ambassador where I’m sure you’d have less interruption as these units are complete and are away from the social housing development.
There was continuously strong smells of sewage coming through the air conditioning unit. When we moved in we was not notified that we would be paying separate bills for hot and cold water, so be mindful of this when you receive two water bills.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
11 minute walk to Vauxhall station, bus links close by and taxis available on the street.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
Embassy Gardens is not a bad development however Legacy F block is, and I would never recommend for anyone to live in the F or G block as I imagine a lot of the noise issues would affect G as well as F. I wish we had known about the lack of security at the back entrance of F block.
How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:
Our landlord was great, and when we moved out we found out even he wasn’t aware of the trouble we had been going through at EG. After we ended our tenancy he stopped listing this unit with Johns and Co.
Nice design of flat.
I like the design of the flat as it is modern and new. I think the facilities are okay such as the concierge. I dislike that there is no air conditioning in the flat so its gets really hot and uncomfortable.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
I like the quiet area that there is lots of space around.
I dislike the lack of amenities as there are no restaurants around.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
Thre is nothing i wish i had known.
What is the best feature of your home:
I really likethat there are high ceilings in the flat.
Beautiful up and coming development
My favourite feature about my apartment space would be the air con in every room, during the winter the is well insulated. My apartment space is very modern with lots of natural light.
Dislikes the Badly made walls
There is also no Sound proofing
And Pour new build flat quality
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
Likes
24 hour security
Friendly neighbours
Easy commute
Proximity to the park
Dislikes
Few shops that don’t open late enough
Super cars always raving their cars
Lack of culture
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
Parking access I’d really limited with no parking for residents
What is the best feature of your home:
My favourite feature of my home would be the natural light
Safe new
My flat is very modern, i really like the aircon systems as it helps keep the flat cool in the summer.
The security team here is Very good and the safety of the residents is the number one priority.
I like that the concierge picks up all our deliveries and drops it off at our flat.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
I like that the area is Safe, New, Modern and covinent.
I dislike that there is Limited taxi access and that there are Not many shops around.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
I wish i had know that taxi access would be hard and the waitrose only opens till 10
Needs improvement
Pretty decent the equipment is out dated the apartments are old the neighbourhood is quite and relaxing, I like how it’s far from the city and not that crowded, lovely area but the construction going on, on the other side make too much noise.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
Loads of construction
Far from London
Local supermarkets
No accesses
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
Nothing
What is the best feature of your home:
The balcony, is quite spacious and accessible. Air the house out quick enough.
Embassy Gardens – Phase 1
Embassy Gardens – Phase 1
I can vividly remember speaking with a professional property investor who’d reserved several apartments in the Nine Elms area. He’d handpicked several properties in the two standout schemes being marketing several years before completion – Embassy Gardens by Ballymore and Riverlight by St. James – Berkeley Group. He ended up completing on two apartments in Embassy Gardens and four apartments in Riverlight believing the riverside location gave it the edge. It was upon completion he realised he’d made a mistake.
That conversation stands out in my memory, I can even remember where I was at the time – the Savills Head Office ground floor café. I’ve always found it interesting to listen to buyers purchase decisions. The angles people find to invest are often very different, but the result is always aiming to be the same. Profit.
It was this investors’ opinion that Embassy Gardens was in fact the best-in-class development in the area. He explained how he wished he could reverse his decision instead buying four in Embassy Gardens. Now the development is completed I understand why. This isn’t to down talk St. James’ Riverlight scheme. Instead it’s a testament to the delivery and attention to detail Ballymore give to all their developments.
When I first viewed Embassy Gardens I couldn’t believe what Ballymore had delivered for a buying price of circa £850psf (blended). As I understand it the pricing was not easy to calculate. Essentially, from a residential perspective it was an entirely new part of London. There weren’t any comparable schemes to cross reference against. Add to that fact once Phase 1 was completed the greater regeneration story still had years to play out. From a buyer’s point of view words like ‘speculation’, ‘punt’ and ‘risk’ immediately spring to mind although, for those who did make the investment, Ballymore have delivered a scheme they can be extremely pleased with.
The first aspect of the development to strike me was the exterior. The main tower stands out amongst the crowd. A cubic, modular design – dare I say a contemporary take on 60’s brutalist architecture. It might not be for everyone but it’s certainly not boring. I now understand the design is strongly influenced by the commercial buildings of the 1930s in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. I’ve not seen the views from the top of the main tower (Ambassador Building) personally although I’m told they’re spectacular – looking back down the Thames and onto the City.
The main entrance lobby is vast. Marketed as the ‘Grand Lobby’ it certainly lives up to its name. Double heighted, exceptionally wide with comfortable seating dotted all around you. Whenever I’ve visited the concierge team are always helpful and polite. I’m not sure on the materials used, it doesn’t really matter, the overall feel is luxury and it hits you instantly. Further facilities on the ground floor include a cinema, business room, library and meeting rooms. As you work your way up the building it becomes even more exciting. On the mezzanine floor a huge gym is equipped to satisfy even for the most avid fitness fanatic, his and her changing rooms are located close by and supported with a yoga studio. The first floor houses treatment rooms, steam room, sauna and one of my favourite private residents swimming pools anywhere in London. What makes this one special is not just the fact it’s located on the 1st floor (so many are in basements) allowing for an abundance of natural light but it’s also indoor / outdoor and keenly reinforced with several chillout beds & loungers. It seems Ballymore thought of everything. Adding one final string to the facility bow of Phase 1 is the Eagle Apartment which acts like a resident’s lounge with additional seating, a bar and pool table.
What’s even more unbelievable is the facilities don’t end there. Completion of Embassy Gardens Phase 2 and with it the opening of yet more private resident amenities has recently been delivered. Access for residents living in Phase 1 is guaranteed and that allows use of the 10th floor ‘Sky Pool’ which connects two of Ballymore’s new ‘Legacy Buildings’. Suspended 10 floors in the air this is a world first. Adjoining the Sky Pool is ‘The Orangery’ which has a Soho Members Club feel about it and in many ways creates an extension of any resident’s apartment. It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a coffee anytime of the day.
The apartments themselves are inspired by the classic 1950’s style of the Manhattan loft in the creative use of space, materials and detailing. Tall ceilings, open floor spaces and floor to ceiling windows create an attractive and generous sense of proportion; materials such as marble and oak parquet flooring quietly impart a sense of quality and class; attention to details such as walnut veneers and ceramic door and drawer handles reinforces the sense of solidity and enduring good taste.
Since delivery the regeneration of the area has taken hold and prices have risen. 1 bed suites start from around £550K, 1 bed’s from around £675K and 2 bed’s from around £875K. There’s still a raft of improvements to come including the opening of the new Nine Elms and Battersea tube stations, the completion of Lost River Park and several more retail hubs. The investors who did speculate at the very beginning have certainly reaped the rewards and, if I’m totally honest, I doubt those returns will be seen again in the near future. The area has developed, and I’ve seen a shift in the buyer demographic. Replace the speculators with owner occupiers and replace those ‘taking a punt’ with those looking for a genuinely lovely place to call home. It might not have the riverside address of its closest neighbour but nevertheless I believe Embassy Gardens represents one of the finest places in live anywhere in Nine Elms. For anyone considering the area they must pay this scheme a visit.
Beautiful fixtures and fittings
Fittings and fixtures as washing machine without ventilation is a bad idea.
The walnut flooring is really nice and the interior is quite lovely such as the chrome fittings.
Boilers keep breaking but marble wasn’t seal but is really beautiful.
Design is lovely but lacking in quality.
The health staff in the gym and spa is really excellent and very useful.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
I love the parks in the area and that there is a new one being built very close.
I dislike thr new shops downstais and noise pollution from the main road
waitrose staff always smoking in front of the building
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
Parking, as there isnt a guest parking and hassle to get.
pools breaks down and 24 hour gym would be nice.
How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:
Not always the best as they dont always respond quickly.
Quiet and accessible
I really like the area as its so central and its so accessible to get about, with vauxhall only down the road. There’s not much to do here but i feel like the more Battersea power station grows the more the area will.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
I like that its quite central and i like how quiet it is and the walk to the station is quite nice.
Walk to vauxhall station
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
Insulation in the house, during the heatwave it got hot.
Are there any facilities you would like added, or that you have but do not use:
This building doesnt have a gym which would have been nice.
The facilities are good
The development is well maintained looking very presentable and approachable for the local residents within the are.
The concierge has good space which is very useful and good for the local residents.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
I really like the facilities within the development.
However, half of the building cannot use it which is a shame.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
Nothing
What is the best feature of your home:
I love the living room space within my development.
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