For consultant Harrison, Anthology Stratford Mill ticked all the boxes for his new home and first step on the property ladder. With canalside views and in a well-connected location, perfect for visiting his family in Essex, his spacious and bright apartment receives sun throughout the day and offers a great amount of storage space for all of the hobbies he is involved in.
Initially, moving to Stratford was potluck for Harrison, who only knew he was interested in living in the East of London, as it allowed for him to easily visit his family in Essex. Harrison previously lived in the building across the road from Anthology Stratford Mill and remarked that when he told his neighbour and friend of 5 years that he was moving out, they realised they were both moving to the same place;
“We became friends and he started playing for my football team. A couple of weeks before I moved out I messaged him to let him know and asked if he wanted to go for a drink, and he told me that he and his wife were actually moving out to this place called ‘Corn House’.
“I was like no way I’ve just bought a place there - he literally lives 2 floors above me!”
Having lived in Stratford for the past six-years, Harrison knew that the local area had the perfect amenities to suit his busy lifestyle. A 5 minute walk from Queen Elizabeth ll Olympic Park and a short walk to nearby Victoria Park, the fantastic Olympic facilities and Aquatics Centre are perfect for Harrison, who is currently training for a triathlon. Both parks provide ample green space for park runs and playing football with friends. Plus, with a keen interest in creating art and lino-prints, Stratford is home to a host of galleries, including The Nunnery Gallery just a 10 minute walk away. Additionally, Harrison makes use of the workspace and printing equipment at East London Printmakers in Mile End. When working from the office in the centre of London, transport connections from Pudding Mill Station are quick and convenient and are set to become even easier when the Crossrail line comes in.
With Westfields shopping centre a 15 minute walk away and vibrant restaurants and bars along the canalside towards Hackney Wick, there is always something to do. By chance Harrison stumbled on one of his favourite Italian restaurants in the area, Cafe Natura, when there was a mixup while arranging to meet friends for pizza. He has since become a regular, recommending that not only are the pizzas amazing, but the staff are friendly too.
Harrison was able to purchase his first home solely with the support from the government’s Help To Buy scheme, personal financial investments and ISAs. Harrison explained, “I used a lot of Help To Buy ISAs and Lifetime ISAs which came out quite well and I also put some money into Cryptocurrency which helped me out, but aside from that, I just tried to keep saving and working.”
“I managed to get promoted a few times which also helped! But it was actually a bit more straightforward than I thought it would be.”
In terms of the specification, there were a few things that Harrison had been searching for. Being close to the canal and water were important, alongside having a balcony in a bright flat, facing the sun. Storage space was important too. With a large amount of art and printing materials and a range of hobbies, Harrison wanted enough space to hide everything away and keep his home decluttered.
“I think in my price range it was really tough finding somewhere that was in a decent enough location, but still up to a nice specification. I was looking at places I could afford which were a bit more central, but there was always something not right with them. It was either directly above a shop or storage was next to nothing.”
“When I saw this place pop up across the road and I saw it was to a really good standard, I had to take it. I got quite lucky with this place I think. The government Help To Buy scheme was great, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to buy this without it.”
“I just really like the space and the fact that there’s the view of the canal. When it is a nice day, you’ve got the sun coming round the whole way. I think that’s probably my favourite thing, to have the balcony door open.”
Harrison recommends the development for anyone looking to live in a convenient location for the station, with views over the canal, in an up and coming area. The attitude and service of the Anthology team particularly impressed Harrison, who praised that the sales team went out of their way to help him have a smooth move in process, while he faced delays with trains.
The main words that sprang to mind, when asked to describe his new home, were ‘bright and modern’, with the large floor to ceiling windows allowing for sun to travel through his home throughout the day. Harrison is looking forward to Anthology Stratford Mill being his homebase, as he travels internationally for work. Alongside partaking in a triathlon, he is aiming to sell a few of his lino prints this year or showcase his work at a local art-fair, to encourage him to keep up with all of his hobbies, from the comfort of his new home.
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Designed by award-winning architect Squires & Partner, Anthology Stratford Mill is a selection of 75 1, 2 and 3 - bedroom canal side homes, all featuring balconies with views of the Olympic Park, canal or communal areas. Situated on the fourth floor, there is a podium roof terrace with views overlooking the Bow Back River. An additional 60,000 sq.ft of office space, available through Workspace group is located on the ground floor. Connections to London take as little as 10 minutes from the three stations within walking distance. Stratford is a vibrant neighbourhood with plenty of local amenities, schools and leisure spots including the famous Westfield Shopping Centre - ideal for a social lifestyle on your doorstep.
For more information on Anthology Stratford Mill or to arrange your private viewing, visit anthology.london/our-developments/stratford-mill/, call 020 3936 3178⠀ or email stratfordmill@lifestory.group.