Regeneration of iconic London hotspot offers investment scope

Fashionable Central London enclave Camden Town is set to undergo a transformation with a string of new projects.

It’s already famous for its youthful nighttime economy, canal and parks, and unusual and largely independent retail and culinary reputation - but now the regeneration is set to make it a more popular place to live as well as play. 

One of the main draws of living in Camden Town, is its central location. The neighbourhood is well-connected to the rest of London, with several underground and over ground stations providing easy access to other parts of the capital.  

Verdica by Vistry Ventures is the first of several significant residential developments planned in the area, which sits within walking distance from Chalk Farm tube. A collection of studio, one and two bed apartments around a courtyard garden, close to the famous Roundhouse music venue, are due for completion in the first quarter of 2024.

Other residential developments coming to the area include a new eight acre development which will provide some 600 new homes and a mixed-use development including around 60 apartments.

Further change to the area comes in the form of the Camden Highline project which is gathering momentum: this takes its lead from the New York original Highline. The Camden version is a 1.2km elevated urban park, utilising a section of disused railway running from Camden Town to Kings Cross. Planning approval has been granted for the first section of the line, running from Camden Gardens to Royal College Street.

The Highline is to be the centrepiece of an overarching public realm strategy, the Camden Green Loop, which will connect key landmarks and existing green spaces via public pathways to create walkable 15-minute neighbourhoods.

In addition, the Roundhouse is expanding with Roundhouse Works which will double the current capacity with new rehearsal spaces for young theatre makers and performance artists plus a dedicated podcast studio and affordable workspace for creative entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Jai Gill - sales director at Vistry Ventures - says: “Camden is a hotbed for creativity and community and offers buyers at Verdica a unique vantage point to discover and enjoy some of the most exclusive cultural and lifestyle events and destinations. Whether you're a young professional, a first time buyer, or a student, there's something for everyone in this connected community.”

And the director-residential at property consultancy JLL, Richard Pine-Coffin, adds: “Experience demonstrates that there are significant gains created from concentrated regeneration across numerous regions in the capital. These are trends we have seen, ranging from areas such as landmark schemes in Nine Elms and Battersea through to Woodberry Down and Tottenham Hale. Camden Town is next in line, led by Verdica - one of the most exciting new London residential development launches taking place this year.

“The opportunity to acquire quality purpose-built apartments within a development is rare in this area, which is dominated by Victorian housing and Villas and as a result Verdica is already proving popular with investors, downsizers and young professionals. With stock levels for rental properties significantly down compared with last year, there has also been interest from landlords looking to purchase in the area.”