The concept
that would occupy the current Royal Victoria Dock in London will feature high
end luxury accommodation, a total of 50 bright, multi-coloured homes that would
be housed atop concrete pillars or stilts, driven deep into the river bed. Alongside a network of paths, top quality
restaurants and all the couture amenities you’d expect from a luxurious complex,
the proposed village would see much of the old industrial powerhouse of the
Docklands transformed into a Monaco style ‘millionaire’s playground’.
Although
local politicians, including Boris Johnson, are mixed on the concept, the idea
has been welcomed by many. Advocates argue it promotes the wealth, prosperity
and importance of the nation’s capital and its place within the global economy.
What would
be a first for the UK, if the ‘floating village’ gains the go ahead, it could tempt
more of Britain’s coastal cities to consider expanding in the same manner, creating
additional villages or even townships in bodies of water.
Historically
the Victoria Dock served as one of the first major enclosed docks in the world.
It was built in 1855 and received shipped cargo from locations across the
globe. Following the end of WWII, the docks began to decline, with cargo being
shipped further downstream to Essex – by the late seventies they were
haemorrhaging millions of pounds annually. Now, the plans offer a revamp to one
of East London’s historical sites and as Chris Brown, director of Carillion
Igloo Genesis, the brains behind the operation, is eager to see this
masterpiece come to fruition, sharing views on the project:
“East
London's place on the tourist trail is growing fast. It's about to be joined by
Europe’s largest floating village, with floating markets, creative workspace,
events and watersports.” Adding that:
“By
combining the floating home experience of our Dutch collaborators with our
custom built business we hope to make these dreams come true in Royal Victoria
Dock for a few lucky Londoners.”
The
Beautiful House Company, a leading specialist in luxury property to rent,
joined in the discussion, saying that: “We believe that such innovative revolutionising
of the Victoria Dock will not just add value to the area but also make better
use of the current docks. Breathing new life into the waterways of London is a
fabulous idea and we look forward to further developments.”
Presenting a
fabulous wealth of historical and luxury property to hire across Britain, The
Beautiful House Company reacts regularly to relevant news and research within
the industry. They offer a wide selection of high grade locations to hire via
their website at www.thebeautifulhousecompany.co.uk