Its Neighbours Bombed or Razed—the Last in a Row of Thames-Front Townhouses Heads to Auction
2 min
A unique riverside home in London with panoramic views of some of the city’s most famous landmarks is headed to auction on March 1.
The property, directly on the River Thames in Rotherhithe and overlooking Tower Bridge, The Shard and Canary Wharf, will go under the hammer with a guide price of £1.5 million (US$1.8 million) with estate agency Savills.
Today, the detached home, known locally as The Leaning Tower of Rotherhithe stands unusually isolated in jam-packed London, but that wasn’t always the case.
The industrial-style, waterfront residence was once part of a row of buildings, and is the last remaining after its neighbours were destroyed by bombs in World War II or sold off and demolished over the years, according to Savills.
As well as its streak of luck, its history also includes a stint as the office of Braithwaite & Dean, a barge company, and as the home of one of the infamous Mitford sisters. The sibling aristocrats became well-known for their contrary political views. The Times newspaper once described them as “Diana the Fascist; Jessica the Communist; Unity the Hitler-lover; Nancy the Novelist; Deborah the Duchess and Pamela the unobtrusive poultry connoisseur.”
It was Jessica, the Communist, who called this place home from 1937 to 1939, along with her husband, Esmond Romilly, Winston Churchill’s nephew.
The house “presents a rare opportunity to acquire a one-of-a-kind riverside property which is a well-known landmark in the local area,” Steven Morish of Savills Auctions said in a statement.
“Offering 180-degree uninterrupted views of many of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Tower Bridge, and with approximately 2,131 square feet of accommodation over four floors, this is without doubt one of the most unique properties to come to auction in recent years,” he added.
The property, according to the listing, is a “complete blank canvas spread.”
The sellers have called the building home for 28 years, according to Savills. They reportedly first occupied the whole building, but now rent the top two floors and use the bottom two as a live/work space.
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Mirvac’s 45-level Trielle has topped out at Yarra’s Edge, pairing riverfront apartments with wellness facilities, private dining and resident services.
3 min
Mirvac has topped out Trielle at Melbourne’s Yarra’s Edge, with more than 70 per cent of the riverfront development sold and approximately 80 per cent of purchasers intending to make their apartment a home.
The figures, released on September 22, point to an owner-occupier audience for one of the precinct’s final residential towers. Mirvac began developing Yarra’s Edge in 2003, and its latest addition occupies one of the remaining absolute riverfront sites.
Mirvac CEO of Development Stuart Penklis said existing residents were among those moving up within the neighbourhood.
“Many purchasers already have a connection to Yarra’s Edge,” Mr Penklis said, describing buyers whose changing needs were encouraging an upgrade within the precinct.
“As one of the final residential towers within Yarra’s Edge, Trielle represents the culmination of more than two decades of creating one of Melbourne’s most established and sought-after waterfront communities,” Penklis said.
“Positioned on the Collins Street axis with absolute river frontage, Trielle offers residents a rare opportunity to enjoy sweeping views across the Yarra River, Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay, while remaining seamlessly connected to the CBD. With Trielle now more than 70 per cent sold, we’re continuing to see strong demand from buyers seeking quality homes in established locations.”
The developer also flagged a penthouse and sub-penthouse collection with larger layouts, premium finishes and broad outlooks. The planned wellness centrepiece, The Oasis, encompasses a 900-square-metre elevated urban rainforest.
Mirvac General Manager Residential Development Victoria Elysa Anderson said Trielle had resonated strongly with buyers seeking a rare lifestyle offering in Melbourne.
“Opportunities to secure a new luxury residence on a riverfront site of this calibre are incredibly rare, particularly within a community like Yarra’s Edge,” Anderson said.
“What makes Trielle unique is the combination of exceptional views, world-class residential facilities and the lifestyle that already exists around it. Residents are buying into a mature waterfront community with parks, promenades, dining, wellness and strong community connections already in place.”
The 45-level tower brings a substantial new presence to that waterfront. Its residential offering spans one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, with Signature, Prestige and Sub-Penthouse collections accommodating different household sizes. The north-facing position connects the apartments visually to the river and city beyond.
Seven storeys above the promenade, the planned Oasis combines planting and a running stream with a Scandinavian-inspired wellness club developed with spa specialist Naomi Gregory. Facilities include a 25-metre lap pool, hot magnesium pool, sauna, hydrotherapy, a gym, yoga and Pilates room, and treatment spaces.
The amenity extends beyond exercise. Residents will have access to The Biblioteca library and workspaces, ground-floor work pods, and The Salone piano lounge. A private Chef’s Table dining room offers a setting for larger gatherings, while a cinema, games room and sports lounge broaden the entertaining options. Concierge services and a dog-wash area support everyday routines.
Trielle comprises a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences. Reflecting strong demand from owner occupiers, approximately 80 per cent of purchasers to date intend to live in their homes, highlighting the project’s appeal to those seeking a long-term waterfront lifestyle.
Mirvac has recently delivered The Albertine, a premium apartment development on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD, and is nearing completion of Prince & Parade in Brunswick, further strengthening its portfolio of thoughtfully designed apartment communities in some of Melbourne’s most sought-after urban locations.
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