The perfect location was essential for international businessman Ali, who needed a fast commute into London and access to green open spaces for his best friend, Mocha – the soft, fluffy, chocolate-coloured Havanese/Tibetan terrier. This led to him buying a new two-bedroom apartment at Weston Homes’ development, Abbey Quay, Barking.

A sixth-floor, two-bedroom apartment with a private balcony at Abbey Quay in Barking, East London, a site set within the area’s riverside quarter, certainly met all the requirements for Ali. Barking train station is just a 10-minute walk away, from where commuters can enjoy a 17-minute direct journey to Canary Wharf. Plus, Abbey Quay directly overlooks the River Roding, a tributary of the River Thames, and is opposite Abbey Green, providing the perfect settings for waterside dog walks and enjoying nature.

Abbey Quay is an exciting new six-acre £350 million (GDV) riverside ‘urban village’ with more than 1,000 new homes, plus a restaurant, café, shops, a gym and a Residents’ Hub for work and socialising. The one-, two- and three-bedroom luxurious apartments all have a private balcony or terrace, access to a large central podium garden, and allocated parking to selected homes.

Ali, 37, who works for financial services giant PwC, studied biochemicals and business at university and was living in Edinburgh, when he bought Mocha from a breeder during the Covid pandemic. Besotted with his new pet, Ali was settled in the Scottish capital, as was Mocha – but then Ali was offered a job in London.

He had a list of requirements to consider while he searched for a London home to buy.‘It had to be dog friendly,’ he says, ‘and it was a big consideration to have green space.’ Ali continues, ‘Canary Wharf was too expensive, flats there were small and the area was a concrete jungle. So I looked further out. I needed a fast commute and a spacious, light apartment to work from home.’

Originally from Abu Dhabi, Ali likes being close to the sea, and so wanted a location with a sense of ‘openness’. While renting in Barking to test out the area, he found he liked the look of Abbey Quay. He struck up a friendship with the team in the Weston Homes sales office. ‘I studied the model of the development and the sales team were really helpful,’ he says. ‘I went for the sixth floor of Edmund Rise, with a big, south-facing balcony and an uninterrupted view of the river and the city skyline.’

Buying off-plan gave Ali a huge advantage; he was able to reserve one of the largest apartments at Edmund Rise. The generous space includes two bedrooms and two en suites, with its spectacular position overlooking the River Roding satisfying Ali’s desire for waterside living.

Ali’s interest in sustainable living attracted him to Weston Homes’ ‘fabric first’ approach – their homes are built to be exceptionally airtight, with thermally efficient walls, roofs, floors, and glazing that minimise heat loss while maximising natural warmth and daylight.

Every Weston Homes property includes a wide range of integrated appliances in the kitchen, plus fixtures and fittings in a range of colours and finishes including flooring throughout. Although Ali is tidy and organised, he is the first to admit that interior decorating is not one of his strengths, which is where his mum comes in. She is a teacher in Abu Dhabi and loves interior design. Ali says, ‘She was delighted that I have bought early and could choose everything for my home including colour schemes, floor coverings and the kitchen type – even down to the cupboard door handles. Then everything was installed before I moved in. I didn’t have to worry about any of this’. He continues, ‘I have friends who have bought homes with no fixtures and fittings and had all the struggle of finding kitchens to fit, which are at least an extra £10,000 to £15,000. And they have no fitted cupboards or carpets.’

The generous Weston Homes inclusive package also features the very latest technology to help buyers keep energy bills to a minimum, such as Smart temperature-controlled taps. Ali got all of this – plus a £20,000 discount.

While Ali and Mocha have been in their new home for just a matter of weeks, he is looking forward to his mother visiting soon, who will be bringing some of her own artwork to help fill the generous wall space. ‘Mum will love this flat,’ says Ali. ‘She is in charge of blinds and curtains, too.’

All the kitchen areas of Abbey Quay’s luxurious apartments are designed by Oakwood Kitchens and have quartz stone worktops and splashbacks set alongside integrated modern appliances and stainless-steel sink, tap with integrated instant boiling and cold filtered water facility and neat integrated soap dispenser. The bathrooms have Arctic white suites, walk-in Fascino smart showers or bathtubs, heated towel rails, integrated vanity storage, a bespoke mirror with additional storage and de-mist feature. Hyperoptic superfast broadband offers a quick, steady connection, perfect for the days Ali works from home.

Perhaps most importantly of all, Mocha has given the apartment a big paws-up. ‘She thinks the guest room is her room,’ laughs Ali. ‘She has made loads of friends in the area. We walk in the park opposite and by the water’. Of his neighbours, Ali says, ‘It is a really friendly area. We have a WhatsApp group and everyone is looking after eachother. You don’t feel lonely. It is a good feeling that this apartment is mine. It took me about a week to get used to that idea.’ When asked what his friends think of his apartment, Ali smiles, ‘They said, Ali, you have it all’.

Suzanne Aplin, Group Sales & Marketing Director at Weston Homes, says: “We’re so excited that Ali has found his perfect home with a super-fast commute, and the green open spaces and riverside walks on his doorstep that he and Mocha can both enjoy. His experience is testament to Abbey Quay, our fabulous riverside urban village, providing an exceptional living experience, with our signature premium fully-inclusive specification, beautiful outside spaces, fantastic travel connections, Residents’ and Community Hubs, on-site shops and a proposed restaurant, café, gym and more! Abbey Quay has everything you need within minutes of your apartment!”

Full market value homes at Abbey Quay start at £324,995 for a one-bedroom apartment. Discount Market Sale apartments start at £270,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. Discount Market Sale provides a 20% saving of the market value while still allowing buyers to own 100% of their new home (subject to terms, conditions and eligibility criteria). For further information on Abbey Quay, contact Weston Homes at Tel: +44 (0)20 3883 6326 or click here.

Search our new build homes for sale