Docklands News

Investec’s 2026 Property Index reveals a growing fragmentation in London’s £1m-plus prime residential market, with buyer power rising and postcode-level dynamics driving sharp variations in price, discounts, and sales speed. Canary Wharf (E14) has emerged as a significant high-value location, with average prices reaching £1.33m and a per-square-foot cost climbing to £1,156. This marks its rise into London’s “premier league” of prime areas. Meanwhile, traditional upscale districts like Bayswater (W2), St John’s Wood (NW8), and Knightsbridge (SW7) saw discounts widen, some exceeding 14%, amid slower sales and increased listings. The number of £1m-plus homes listed in London rose 12% in 2025 to nearly 7,000, giving buyers more leverage and time to negotiate.

The Intermediary (30/01/2026)  

The Westferry Printworks redevelopment in Tower Hamlets has been resubmitted with a sharp cut to affordable housing - reduced from 35% to just 10%, or 100 of 1,358 homes. Developer PLP cited inflation, construction costs, falling flat values, and new safety regulations for the change. Originally rejected in 2016, the £1bn project has seen multiple revivals and revisions. Tower Hamlets Council will scrutinise the new viability assessment before a final decision is made. The change follows the Greater London Authority's recent easing of affordable housing requirements to boost construction.

Architects' Journal (23/01/2026)  

New home construction in London has fallen sharply, with starts down 30% to 4,220 in the year to September 2025 and completions dropping 15%, worsening the capital's housing crisis. The city has built just 47,600 homes since Labour took office in July 2024, far below the government's annual target of 88,000, putting upward pressure on rents and property prices. Officials point to high costs, planning delays, and policy hurdles as key factors, while the government aims to boost construction nationally despite London lagging behind. 

The Standard (28/01/2026)  

Adam Lawrence, chief executive of London Square, warns that persistent negativity about London risks undermining investor confidence, which could slow growth and delay major development projects. He argues that the city remains a global hub for finance, AI, culture, and talent, with strong foundations in stability, legal certainty, and infrastructure, and continues to attract investment, residents, and visitors. Lawrence stresses that confidence is essential to sustaining London’s long-term success and resilience through market cycles and political changes. 

Mail on Sunday (25/01/2026)  

Millennials are increasingly turning to property investment rather than buying homes to live in, despite being less likely than previous generations to own their own property. They now account for around half of all new shareholders in buy-to-let companies in England and Wales. For many, building a portfolio of rental properties offers more flexibility, income and mobility than purchasing a single long-term home. Social media has helped fuel this trend by promoting property investment as accessible and achievable, particularly through influencers sharing advice and success stories. Although buy-to-let has become more challenging due to higher interest rates, tighter regulation, and tax changes, some younger investors continue to use limited company structures, focusing on long-term capital growth rather than short-term yields. Disillusionment with pensions and concerns about long-term economic security are also pushing young people towards property, which many still regard as a safe and understandable asset class. 

The Daily Telegraph (24/01/2026)  

Annual house price growth in the UK rose to 2.5% in November, up from 1.9% in October, with the average price reaching £271,000, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Notably, property values in England increased to £293,000 (2.2%), while Scotland experienced a significant rise to £193,000 (4.5%). The North East of England saw the highest inflation at 6.8%, and London faced a decline of 1.2%, as prices fell at the fastest rate since the global financial crisis.  

City AM (22/01/2026)   Financial Times (22/01/2026)   The Daily Telegraph (22/01/2026)   The Standard (22/01/2026)