Providing an exciting opportunity to get on to the property ladder before Crossrail launches this year,1 Peabody is releasing a selection of 1 and 2-bed apartments through Help to Buy at Southmere.

Offering an opportunity to buy into one of London’s most exciting landscapes, residents will enjoy five lakes, seven kilometres of canals, and double the amount of green space per person than the London average, all within 11 minutes from Canary Wharf once Crossrail launches.

Indoor amenities are just as impressive, with residents having access to a co-working space with private booths and bookable meeting rooms, a resident’s lounge and a TV snug. A dedicated concierge will also be on hand to collect parcels and help with general enquiries, whilst communal bicycle storage on the ground floor means residents can enjoy the local landscape on two wheels.

The most affordable to place to buy in London on Crossrail,2 Southmere offers a unique opportunity for first-time buyers to invest along the capital’s newest transport route. Help to Buy makes the development even more accessible, with purchasers requiring a 5% deposit starting from just £14,375, supported by a government equity loan of up to 40% of the property’s value.

Southmere is one of the first milestones in Peabody’s ambitious regeneration of Thamesmead, a 30-year project which aims to attract 100,000 residents to this south-east London neighbourhood. Southmere itself will deliver over 500 homes as well a public square with a community library, shops and resident facilities.

Lisa Crush, Director of Sales & Marketing at Peabody, comments, “Many Londoners are familiar with Thamesmead, however its positioning on Crossrail remains somewhat of a hidden secret. The area’s fantastic transport connections, combined with the value for money, makes Thamesmead a fantastic place to invest as a first-time buyer, and we’re making it even more enticing with our high-quality homes and amenities at Southmere. Walking around Cygnet Square, you already get a sense of what a thriving destination this will become – residents are going to be just as happy spending a weekend at Southmere, as they will be catching the Elizabeth Line into the West End.”

Peabody’s new homes in Crane Court feature elegant open-plan living spaces with contemporary two-tone handless kitchens complete with built-in appliances, modern stone-coloured worktops and plenty of cabinetry. Bedrooms feature plush light grey carpets and built-in wardrobes to the master bedrooms, whilst bathrooms include white sanitaryware with oak wood-effect finishes, large format contemporary tiling and mirrored bathroom cabinetry.

Helping residents lower their eco-footprint, several sustainability features are incorporated into each home. Underfloor heating is provided by a communal heat network, whilst a mechanical ventilation with filtration system prevents overheating. Smart meters help residents keep track of their heating and hot water, and flow restrictions to fittings on bathroom and kitchen mixer taps helps to reduce water loss. Across the wider development, green and brown roofs on lower buildings encourage the local ecosystem to thrive.

Continuing the theme of ecology across the wider estate, Thamesmead is home to over 240 hectares of parks and green space. On the doorstep is Southmere Lake, which is currently undergoing a £2.5 million renovation with a new fishing platform and Boat Club.

Once Crossrail is live, residents will be able to travel the Elizabeth Line to reach Canary Wharf in just 11 minutes, Liverpool Street in 17 minutes and Tottenham Court Road in 23 minutes.3 This adds to the existing transport connections which link Abbey Wood to the rest of London, with trains into London Bridge taking just 17 minutes.

Prices start from £287,500 for a 1-bedroom apartment and from £347,500 for a 2-bedroom apartment, with London Help to Buy available on all units under £600,000.