8 Casson Square: Southbank Place’s latest landmark

8 Casson Square is next to the iconic London Eye and Jubilee Gardens

There are very few launches of prime central London projects today. Located across the River Thames from Westminster, the National Gallery and Somerset House is Southbank Place, a 5.7-acre redevelopment by Braeburn Estates, a joint-venture between Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar. The site is located near three other prominent London attractions: Southbank Centre, the UK’s largest arts centre; the 135m-tall London Eye and Big Ben.

Up for launch at Southbank Place is 8 Casson Square, a 30-storey apartment tower designed by award-winning architectural firm Patel Taylor. Scheduled for completion in 4Q2019, 8 Casson Square is a 203-unit residential tower comprising studios, one- to three-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Prices start from £700,000 ($1.25 million).

Studio units are either one-bedroom lofts or one-bedroom suites

OPPORTUNE TIME

It is an opportune time to launch an apartment project such as 8 Casson Square, says JLL. In a recent survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, 15% more respondents saw a rise in new properties coming on the market. The number of new buyer enquiries also rose in May, indicating a likely increase in demand.

New residential developments in central London are now highly sought-after, says JLL in its recent report. The rental market in London performed strongly in 1Q2018, with many lessees happy to pay a slightly higher rent for the benefits of living in a new apartment, says Lucy Morton, head of residential agency at JLL UK. She expects the increase in demand to carry well over into the next few years.

House prices across the whole of Prime Central London increased 0.3% in 1Q2018 and are expected to go up next year, adds JLL. “Buyers have accepted the new dynamics and uncertainties influencing London’s property market, such as the impact of Brexit and higher stamp duties,” says Richard Barber, director at JLL UK.

Artist’s impression of 8 Casson Square, a new residential development on the South Bank, London

SOUTHBANK PLACE — HOTTEST DISTRICT ON SOUTH BANK

8 Casson Square is one of five residential towers that make up Southbank Place. There will be a new tube entrance to the Waterloo Underground Station from the basement of 8 Casson Square. Fronting the river, the tower is also at the doorstep of London’s cultural district with its vibrant arts and entertainment scene and proximity to theatres and galleries as well as restaurants and pubs. In the vicinity are outdoor spaces and gardens such as Jubilee Gardens, just a two-minute stroll away.

Southbank Place is a self-contained, vibrant ecosystem. Besides residential towers, within the development are three office towers: the Shell Tower; One Southbank Place, which will be home to Shell’s commercial offices; and Two Southbank Place, where a WeWork co-working community of start-ups and enterprises is housed. The ground level of these commercial towers will have a mix of cafés, delicatessens and boutique shops that will open out onto a central plaza called Casson Square.

It is not surprising why 8 Casson Square appeals to investors, end-users and parents buying for their adult children. The property is located near leading universities such as King’s College London, London School of Economics, St Thomas Hospital Medical School and the Royal College of Surgeons.

Residents of 8 Casson Square will also have easy access to Westminster, West End and the City via pedestrian bridges across the river. From the Waterloo Underground Station at the basement of 8 Casson Square, the famous Leicester Square Theatre is just three stops away, while Canary Wharf is just five stations away. King’s Cross St Pancras, Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport are also accessible via the underground rail.

LIMITED-EDITION UNITS

At 8 Casson Square, units start from 485 sq ft for a loft and from 681 sq ft for a one-bedroom apartment. All the apartments come with bespoke kitchen and bathroom appliances and accessories. Residents will also enjoy views of the city skyline and river.

Some units at 8 Casson Square will have views of the River Thames

The main entrance lobby of 8 Casson Square will have double-volume ceiling height. Twenty-four-hour concierge service is provided and amenities include a residents’ club lounge on the mezzanine level, which has a gym, indoor pool, spa and studio space for yoga, spinning and other group activities, as well as meeting rooms.

The residents’ club lounge at 8 Casson Square is on the mezzanine level

Download the brochure HERE to learn more about this exciting property

This article appeared in The EdgeProp Pullout Issue 836 (June 25, 2018) of The Edge Singapore.