Battersea’s status as a hidden gem has been diminishing in recent years.
Considering its proximity to the much sought after Chelsea area, that its relative secrecy last so long is perhaps most surprising.
Not only has the district been a great place to live for many years now, the upcoming redevelopment plans make it an ideal location to set up roots for the future.
Living in the area
Many of the Victorian homes that the area is synonymous for have been converted into one-to-two bedroom flats, which are ideal for first or second time buyers.
Those in need of more space, or who have some extra cash to spend, have the option of one of the many extended bedroom houses in the area that feature three-to-five bedrooms.
The area has become a haven for those looking for a place to bring up their kids, with one of highest concentrations of young families in Europe.
Both the Honeywell and Belleville Schools are popular state primaries, both having received ‘outstanding’ reports from the UK’s Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services, and Skills.
Another reason families flock to the area is the choice of parks.
Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common feature regular outdoor events, while Battersea Parks offers around 200 acres of greenery that has been created from reclaimed marshland from the River Thames.
Big plans for the future
The area’s most distinctive landmark is the Battersea Power Station, situated on the south bank of the river.
Since being built in the 1930s and decommissioned in 1975, its only claim to fame was being used as the cover art for Pink Floyd’s 1977 record Animals.
After its sale in 2012 plans to renovate the area have made it one of London’s property hotspots over the last few years.
The project, which could cost as much as £6bn, plans to bring over 3,000 homes to the area, the first of which are set to be ready by next year.
More properties are also scheduled to be built at the nearby Embassy Gardens, and, after starting its construction in the spring of this year, the Northern Line extension from Kennington to Battersea will be completed after a £1bn government loan was granted.
What you can expect to pay
Those looking to secure a spot before prices rise could rent a one-bedroom flat for around £1,200 per month, while renting a three-bedroom home is also possible for around £2,200 per month from estate agents like Featherstone Leigh.
According to RightMove over the past year the average price of a flat in the area was just over £600,00.
Terraced properties sold for around £1.2m while the few semi-detached homes went for close to £1.7m.
Picture courtesy of thom minifig, with thanks
