Inside Hurlingham Waterfront: The London Development Where Architecture Meets the River

There are few places in London where the pace of the city feels quite so removed as it does beside the Thames. At Hurlingham Waterfront, a new development in southwest London, the river is more than a scenic backdrop: it has influenced the way the neighbourhood has been planned, landscaped, and lived in.

The first building to complete, Herland Gardens, marks the beginning of the wider transformation of this former regeneration site on the north bank of the Thames, close to Wandsworth Bridge.

The development will eventually bring together 269 apartments across a collection of four- to 11-storey buildings, with the architecture designed to respond to its surroundings.

Towards the residential streets, the buildings remain deliberately lower before rising towards the waterfront. Soft red brick and refined architectural detailing reference the character of traditional London, while the overall effect feels contemporary and restrained.

Inside, the same approach continues. Warm oak timber, textured tiles and natural tones create interiors that feel calm, while floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of natural light and the views beyond. 

The residences range from studios to four-bedroom homes, with more than 90 different layouts offering a degree of choice across the development.

However, it is the landscape that gives Hurlingham Waterfront much of its character.

More than 39,000 sq ft of resident-only gardens and green corridors have been incorporated throughout the setup, creating pockets of planting between buildings and across the different levels. The rooftops have also been designed with biodiversity in mind, with trees and plants providing colour, scent, and texture throughout the seasons, while creating habitats for wildlife.

It is a relevant approach to urban development. Instead of treating greenery as an ornamental addition, Hurlingham Waterfront places it alongside the architecture as part of the experience of living there.

“Offering a truly exceptional level of green space, Hurlingham Waterfront embodies our commitment to sustainability, creating a verdant respite in the heart of the capital,” says Nicholas Mee, Managing Director at Rockwell.

That sense of calm extends into the resident amenities. A 19-metre swimming pool and gym sit alongside a Residents’ Lounge with co-working facilities, while a Garden Lounge and private cinema provide spaces for entertaining and unwinding.

The intention is to make the development feel less like a collection of apartments and more like a neighbourhood with its own rhythm.

Importantly, that neighbourhood will not be entirely private. A landscaped public boulevard is set to reconnect the riverfront with the surrounding area, alongside more than 30,000 sq ft of commercial space allocated for restaurants, cafés, and retail.

Beyond the development, the location offers another kind of balance. Parsons Green and Chelsea are close by, with the King’s Road providing access to some of London’s most established shops, restaurants, and galleries. Parks and green spaces are also within reach, while nearby transport connects residents with central London and more.

For a city that’s focused on how new homes can incorporate nature, wellbeing and community, Hurlingham Waterfront offers an interesting proposition. Its appeal is not just that it sits beside the river, but that the river, planting, and architecture have been considered as part of the same story.

As Mee puts it, the development brings together “the energy of London and the calm of the river” — a balance that may prove to be its most compelling luxury.