The Arc, an Overview

The Arc is an eye-catching, new-development smack bang in the middle of Bermondsey near Tower Bridge, situated in an area described by Vogue as ‘the chicest part of South London’. A quick wander around this uber-cool neighbourhood will soon show you why.

Bermondsey/Tower Bridge (Tower Bridge being a locale within Bermondsey) is an area where creativity meets commerce. This Central London hotspot plays host to a number of creative businesses, trendsetting bars and emerging artists.  Yet its proximity to London’s City Hall, and being walking distance to the City, Bermondsey sees ‘City Boys & Girls’ rubbing shoulders with artisans, designers and celebrities soaking up the chilled-out sexy vibe.

I know it cannot be true, but it just feels as if it never rains in Bermondsey and everyone always looks fabulously sexy.

But maybe that’s in part thanks to developments like The Arc that attract residents who appreciate London living and want the full, genuine London experience while also being part of the global village we all now live in.

With many of Bermondsey’s creative residents exhibiting internationally and at design fairs worldwide, Arc residents may well recognise the faces of ‘starchitects’, jewellers and designers when ordering their morning coffee at the many specialist coffee shops that have sprung up here.

The development itself is also bound to attract the design elite, young professionals and mature trendsetters. Made up of 1, 2, 3 bedroom apartments and duplexes, The Arc has a series of unique floor-plates making every apartment feel individual, a true reflection of its occupier.

A History of The Arc

Like so much of London, SE1 has a wonderfully mixed history with some less reputable aspects but fascinating nonetheless. It has seen significant change over the last decade. Investors and purchasers would be wise to get in fast as the area casts off its less salubrious past to become one of London’s most fashionable districts.

Bermondsey Market was, until 1995, a ‘marche ouvert’, open market in which stolen goods could be traded under a mediaeval law which meant that if stolen goods were sold between sunset & sunrise their provenance could not be questioned.

Legend says, this has led to some rather comical police chases as thefts have been reported and police have tried to recover the ‘swag’ before it appears on the market to be sold without question! Now replaced with the much more respectable Bermondsey Antiques Market, reputable dealers trade every weekend selling curios and antiques in Bermondsey Square, just minutes away from The Arc development.

Bermondsey Square itself was once the be the site of Bermondsey Abbey, originating from the 11^th Century, remains of the Abbey can be seen underneath a glass floor in the chic, Mediterranean restaurant Del’Aziz. (Bermondsey Priory was also located nearby). Like, its Mediaeval past today, Bermondsey is a bustling area of commerce. Wander up fashionable Bermondsey Street and you will find independent boutiques, restaurants and bars all just a short walk away from The Arc Development.

For anyone who has a passion for City living but appreciates historical references, a colourful past and a unique neighbourhood, The Arc in Bermondsey will tick all the boxes. The Arc is modern luxury offering comfort and convenience in this fantastically diverse and trendy London neighbourhood.

Living & Investing In The Arc

The Arc sits at the prow of a plot of land that is surrounded by history, commerce and creativity. London Bridge, Tower Bridge, City Hall, and Shad Thames are all just moments away.

Designed with modern day living in mind, The Arc development by Investin PLC builds upon their already extensive portfolio of superb Capital city developments, which have included; Parliament Reach in Vauxhall and Westminster Palace Gardens in Victoria.

Made up of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment and a number of 3 bedroom duplex apartments, The Arc has been designed to attract investors, professional landlords and owner occupiers alike. The area as a whole is seeing continued regeneration and a significant increase in its commercial capacity. London Bridge and The Shard alone is expecting a new workforce of over 12,000 while to the north of The Arc, London’s City Hall, offices of the Mayor of London, is home to a significant workforce but also tourists and residents taking advantage of the many free events and displays put on there.

Walking distance to the City and University College London, means The Arc will prove a popular buy with financial whizz kids and affluent undergraduates.

Every apartment in the Arc offers a balcony or terrace, some with both. All apartments offer an attention detail that has come to be expected of such renowned developers as Investin PLC. With Smeg appliances in the Kitchen, Hansgrohe fittings in the bathrooms and en-suites, comfort cooling in many apartments and under-floor heating, The Arc apartments take comfort and luxury as standard.

Striking communal gardens provide restful, green space in this Central London location. The tiered sweeping structure of the development feels light and flowing, avoiding the concrete jungle effect of many new-builds while its mix of construction materials and lightly coloured brickwork creates a welcoming rather than imposing building.

One bedroom apartments average around 550 sq ft or 50 sq metres, two bedroom apartments range from 680sq ft to over 1100 sq foot with most being around 850 sq ft. Likewise the three bedroom apartments also vary in size and include a selection of duplexes.

More important than the measurements however, are the actual footprints of each apartment as they vary greatly in layout, making the maximum use of space while offering privacy, comfort and convenience.

The Arc is certainly one of those developments that has to be seen and its brochure pored over as each apartment offers such individuality that there really is something for everyone.

The Arc & Beyond

The title of this section alone suggests that The Arc is located in one of the most exciting, vibrant places in London. In fact, less of an arc and more of a pinpoint in a map of London, The Arc Development is surrounded by all that is cool and fashionable in London. From the iconic Tower Bridge itself to the world-renowned Design Museum, The Arc is only ever a few minutes’ walk, short cab ride or leisurely bike ride to a cultural hotspot, feted wine bar or historical landmark.

Any resident of The Arc will be savvy and well-travelled enough to know about the plethora of places to visit in the area, whether it’s the White Cube Gallery on Bermondsey Street or the quirky, Zandra Rhodes Fashion and Textile Museum opposite.  So instead let us tell you about some of the lesser-known sights and occupants of the area…such as the seemingly run down public toilets situated just south of The Arc building. By day, non-descript, verging on seedy, by night, these former public toilets are in fact Bermondsey Art Club. A trendy wine bar serving fantastic cocktails to an arty crowd of locals, whose professions take them on inspirational sightseeing across the world, just hanging out with the regular crowd who get in here can offer you access to some of London’s design elite.

That design elite includes Bermondsey resident and furniture/product designer Nick Rawcliffe, owner of Raw Studio. Rawcliffe’s Hive Chair is found in the foyers and suites of many five star hotels across the world and his ‘miestand’, a ridiculously cool and curvaceous phone and tablet stand, was described by GQ magazine as one of the coolest objects of 2015.

Tucked away in a less glamorous part of London, but worth seeking out, is Kevin Boys Blacksmiths in Rotherhithe just a cab ride away from The Arc. While Rotherhithe itself is yet to find its feet as a destination postcode, Kevin Boys’ sculptures are dotted all over London, including a huge, steel lion known as ‘the Blue Lion’ situated in an area called ‘The Blue’ in South Bermondsey. Further afield, a Boys’ sculpture sits outside Angel Station and their work is exhibited in Historical Royal Palaces across London.

For those seeking ‘wearable sculpture’, Jewellery designer, Alex Monroe has his workshop in Bermondsey attracting celebrity customers from across the globe.