I’m looking out at east London from a Juliet balcony on the 12th floor, and let me tell you, the views are knockout. In every direction, there’s some world-beating, architectural triumph nestled among the stone and steel canvas, whether it’s the pearly shell of the O2, the jutting, geometric roof of the London Stadium, or farther west, the Shard’s craggy tip grazing the clouds overhead.
I’m staying at Coppermaker Square – a new rental development in Stratford – to get a taste of modern east London living. The concept is part of a growing trend of developments built exclusively for renting by professional landlords: longer-term lets that allow tenants to circumvent the challenges of traditional renting, from unresponsive landlords to thorny leases. Here, residents enjoy the bells and whistles, which include a 24-hour concierge, a gym, a pool, co-working spaces and a rooftop garden, alongside other impressive extras.
From the plush communal areas to stylish flats with panoramic views, this is not your average London rental
I tear myself away from the view. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an ample living, kitchen and dining area with wraparound, floor-to-ceiling windows, all beautifully furnished, offer all the sleekness of a five-star hotel, but with homely touches that make the space feel warm and lived in. The design is thought through, from the integrated microwave and oven to the extra-long counter space. I hang up my one outfit in a colossal wardrobe that spans an entire wall of the snug bedroom. The bathrooms are roomy, a deep tub in one and a well-pressured rain shower in another.
It’s the communal spaces, though, that are Coppermaker Square’s unique selling point, and which are set up to foster a sense of community among residents. On the top floor of the Coppermaker hub is the Club Lounge – a softly lit, Scandi-chic space decked out with colourful sofas and statement armchairs, high pile rugs, potted palms, and delicate art deco details.
I’m no gamer, but the setup of a PlayStation 4 and four velour armchairs turned towards a four-screen display looks pretty legit. Separating the gamers from the TV area – with the largest television I’ve ever seen outside of a cinema – is a ceiling-high bookshelf stacked with board games, designer ornaments and a collection of Phaidon’s finest books. There’s an open kitchen at the far end of the space, where a couple perch with coffees next to a glossy, oblong island, while a group of thirtysomethings sprawl on a rug nearby, settling in for a game of Catan. An elegant woman with a peroxide pixie haircut strides across the room, following her equally elegant pooch (yes, Coppermaker Square is pet-friendly) towards the rooftop garden. Here, a large, manicured lawn is the centrepiece, framed by rows of spruced shrubs. There’s a hi-spec barbecue station for those alfresco grills when the weather’s up to it, and a soft-fall play area for children.
The rooftop garden area offers outdoor space for barbeques, children’s play, or just a breath of fresh air
It’s time for me to put nose to grindstone (and start writing this piece), so I head to the co-working space one floor down. There is a variety of work setups to suit different needs: round marble tables with chic rattan chairs for casual meets; a large library-style shared desk for studying; cushioned booths along one wall, fitted with plenty of sockets; individual pods, each set within an elegant arched cove. I spend a few hours here, and find the tap-tap-tap of other keyboards nearby surprisingly comforting. At my day job, when I’m not in the office, I spend WFH days alone, mostly at the kitchen table, so the presence of others is cheering – and it’s great to have the option of a soundproofed booth just paces away when I need to take a call.
Time for a dip. The wellness centre, with a 25-metre swimming pool, a bubbling whirlpool bath, a sauna, and a steam room, is in the basement, a sanctuary of clean lines and soothing tones. Want to get the blood pumping a bit more? A rush of cool air and thumping bass greets you as you enter what is, I’d wager, one of the most well-equipped private gyms in the capital, with treadmills, benches, a large punch bag, gymnastics rings, a bin packed with kettlebells and TRX straps, and more. If group exercise is more your bag, you can book spinning, aquafit, yoga and pilates classes.
After a few lengths in the pool, followed by an hour of comatose lolling on one of the daybeds, I need some sustenance. No need to go outdoors to get home (and catch my death with wet hair) thanks to interconnected hallways between each of the buildings. The flat is warm when I get in (thanks to the well-insulated new-build), and after a piping hot shower, I head out for dinner at Westfield Stratford City – a handy three-minute walk away. Rosa’s Thai is buzzing this evening. I totter back to the flat after a comical amount of satay and green curry, ogling the achingly cool window dressings of some of the 300 shops in Westfield Stratford City.
With a variety of setups to suit different needs, the co-working space lets residents amp up the WFH
The great thing about Coppermaker Square is that living here is just made simple. New to London and yet to buy a vacuum cleaner? No sweat, the Tulu rental space in the lobby stocks them, alongside robotic mops, upholstery cleaners, power drills and massage guns, all for hire. Hosting dinner for out-of-towners? Blow them away with a spread in the decadently designed private dining room, also available for hire. Or if you’re longing to see the latest blockbusters but your 40-inch screen just won’t cut it, you can book the Club Lounge’s TV area in all its cinematic glory.
The Coppermaker Square Resident App facilitates all of the above. Reserve and hire out communal spaces as and when you need them, and access a suite of next-level benefits: from a free year-long Zipcar subscription, to dog walking services and, of course, savvy staff on hand to help with anything you might need. One of the app’s highlights is the Residents Events section, which lists the community-building activities taking place, from monthly sound baths to casino nights. I take a peek at the community marketplace – a total dream, if, like me, finding the time to post yet another Vinted parcel fills you with dread. Browse and list items at your leisure, whether it’s an unwanted desk chair or that pair of curling tongs gathering fluff at the back of a drawer.
Wiped out from the excitement of a day getting to know my new pad, I drag myself to bed. The mattress is deep and the room cosy, and sleep comes almost instantly. When I wake up the next morning, the first thing I’m struck by is the silence. I currently rent a squeaky period maisonette, and my single-glazed bedroom window overlooks one of the main arteries in the area. Sleeping without earplugs is ordinarily non-negotiable, so the quiet is pure joy. That view is still gorgeous. I watch the sun rise, the buildings nearby glinting around me, the ones farther away slicing through the pinky orange hues on the horizon, and I think to myself: “Wouldn’t this be a lovely place to live?”
Discover a new way of life at Coppermaker Square, and experience premium full-service rental living in the heart of Stratford
