Battersea Renaissance - A closer look at riverside living

Riverside living has always had its allure but the ambitious developments of the past have not always lived up to their potential.

Thanks to the current riverside renaissance, soulless ghost towns which languished by the water are being given a shiny new facelift and the results are bringing people and business back to the city’s roots.

While eateries and pubs spill out across the edges of the river, parklands, shops and apartments are making the riverside a genuine option for the city’s inhabitants and visitors.

In anticipation of the summer Olympics, the waterway has never been so well attended to and plans to create a vibrant, usable living space are being actualised.

Ambitious projects such as the Emirates Air Line, which is due to open this summer, will allow residents and visitors to cross the river Thames from the Royal Victoria Docks and the Greenwich Peninsula via an urban cable-car system. Designed to traverse 2,500 people per hour, one of the cable car’s top perks includes reducing travel time to five minutes. This environmentally friendly mode of transport will help to boost businesses in the area and brings a welcome alternative to smoggy traffic.

Further down the pipeline by 2017, the Royal Docks should also be home to a train station, providing a direct link to Heathrow. These transport developments combined with piers, parks, moorings and London apartments are striving towards a buzzing and healthy community atmosphere. But perhaps a little too dynamic?

For some, the charm of the city’s riverside stems from Dicken’s portrayal of an older, murkier London. If this is your preferred flavour then you can always disappear for a few hours into the taverns and pubs which pepper the way, where happy drinkers while away the hours. Take The Mayflower pub along the Thames path, with its coal fire, authentic 18th century charm and snug little bar which has watered many a punter.

Another ideal location for food and merriment is The Ship which nestles on the banks of the Thames river. Founded in 1786, this is another welcome haven for those who’d rather leave the hustle to bustle, with a pint at hand and hearty fare on the table.

For those drawn to the buzz of London’s riverside scene and wishing to buy, bear in mind that there are some drawbacks. The size of the riverside new builds are generally smaller than traditional London house conversions and the noise and activity which come with new developments can be less than desirable. To gain further enlightenment, dip into the online chat forums where you can find opinions of local residents who praise and debate the riverside renaissance in down to earth detail.

So, what of the longevity of these rejuvenated areas once the fire of the Olympic torch has been put out? The new parkland areas reflect the green vision of the Olympic Delivery Authority who are creating a long-term natural backdrop for the Olympic event. Nature areas will pulse and gleam with wildlife and plants way beyond the summer’s main event. It seems life will go on in its fullness.