Locals’ London: a new town in the city

Royal Wharf, Royal Docks, London E16

Overview

Royal Wharf in East London is a story of transformation. Today, more than 10,000 people call this new riverside neighbourhood home, drawn by the sense of belonging and ease that comes from living in a place built around people, not just buildings.

Everything modern city life requires is within this one site, planned and built by Ballymore and an example of how a large-scale vision can be delivered at pace and scale. Families walk to the new local primary school and nursery, while weekends unfold along the Thames walkway or in the cafés and shops that line the bustling high street. Self-contained and conveniently compact, Royal Wharf feels like a small town within the city, with tree-lined streets, shared green spaces, townhouses and mansion blocks side by side.

Designed as a mixed-use, high-density neighbourhood that takes cues from 19th Century London residential districts, Royal Wharf provides 4,000 homes along with all the essential local services. There’s a new Thames Clipper pier, two DLR stations, bus services and pedestrian routes. It’s a truly modern, walkable community, recognised and acclaimed by the wider industry, with awards including the RESI Development of the Year and Wharf Property Awards Development of the year (both 2015), while Royal Wharf Primary School also received a separate RIBA award.

Delivered in just over six years, Royal Wharf stands as a testament to what can be achieved when ambition meets care, a place where design quality, speed, and scale come together. This is not just a development – it’s a place to put down roots, a new neighbourhood that feels familiar, and a blueprint for the future of London living.

“Royal Wharf went from the start of construction to the arrival of the first residents in less than three years. Well planned, executed rapidly, and all at the highest design quality, this isn’t just a new housing development, but a blueprint for London’s future.”

GLENN HOWELLS, ARCHITECT

“I feel like the area has a really great community spirit, especially now a lot more shops and local businesses have opened up here.”

Nicola, Business Owner, Royal Wharf

“There’s definitely a very strong sense of community spirit at Royal Wharf and it’s a very vibrant, positive place for families to live.”

Linda-May Bingham - Head TeacheR, Royal Wharf Primary School

Royal Wharf points the way to delivering essential homes

Watch the film to find out how a Ballymore development with 10,000 residents, shops, cafes, a school, businesses and its own football club is seen by those who live and work there as a true community and it could be a model for the future.

“It’s not just about creating homes. It’s about creating the infrastructure, the community and the facilities, so that what we’re building is not just a housing estate; it’s a proper place.”

Sean Mulryan

“We are delivering 3,385 new homes here in East London – which is in essence a new town, ultimately for 10,000 residents across 40 acres. This isn’t just a new build development for the people that live here, it brings a lot for the whole borough.”

Sean Mulryan, Chairman & Group Chief Executive, Ballymore