Britain’s growing coffee shop culture is showing no sign of slowing down, with the market rising by 37 per cent in the past five years, according to new research by Mintel.[1]With Britons drinking 2.3 billion cups of coffee per year in coffee shops, L&Q’s Harvard Gardens development in Elephant and Castle, London SE17, is perfect for the latte lovers amongst us.[2]Currently undergoing extensive regeneration, Elephant and Castle’s bustling centre is within walking distance of Harvard Gardens, and home to a fantastic selection of quirky cafes.

Elephant and Castle is known for its wide range of proud independent retailers, which are at the heart of the thriving community. Among them is The Electric Elephant Café, which serves gourmet coffee in a cosy and welcoming environment, with outdoor seating that is perfect for enjoying sunny London days. Over at the Artworks Elephant, a pop-up mall with over 30 start-up businesses, Long Wave Bar + Café is a hip hangout for local artists and performers owned by Rob Wray, the director and founder of long-running music and film festival Elefest.

Living and kitchen – Harvard Gardens – L&Q

With the ongoing £3bn regeneration scheme creating retail space for around 50 new shops, 10% of which will be let at a discounted rate for independent retailers,[3]the number of cool coffee shops in the area is likely to keep increasing. The 15-year regeneration programme, scheduled for completion in 2025, also includes plans to deliver a new shopping centre, market square, upgraded transport hub, and interconnecting green open spaces,including a brandnew park and community garden.

Christine Osborne, Regional Sales Director at L&Q comments: “We are steadily becoming a nation of coffee connoisseurs, as this research shows, so proximity to great cafes is something lots of buyers are looking for. Elephant and Castle has no shortage of independent coffee shops, many of which are within walking distance of our new homes at Harvard Gardens. And for those lazy mornings when you want to stay in and brew your own, the spacious kitchens have plenty of room for a top of the range coffee machine!” 

A contemporary collection of one and two-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom duplexes, Harvard Gardens is the much-anticipated third and final phase of Albany Place, L&Q’s award winning development of modern and stylish homes. Ideally situated within easy walking distance of Elephant and Castle’s Zone 1 travel links and a fantastic variety of local amenities, the development will appeal to everyone from professionals to families.

Living area – Apartment – Harvard Gardens – L&Q

All of the homes at Harvard Gardens have been thoughtfully designed to maximise space and light, and are finished to a high specification. The contemporary, open-plan apartments feature fully-fitted designer kitchens with integrated appliances, generously-sized bedrooms and modern bathrooms with white Roca Hall sanitary ware. Each property also benefits from a balcony or private terrace, video entry system and access to a communal courtyard and cycle store. 

Harvard Gardens is located less than a mile from Elephant and Castle station, with services including the Northern and Bakerloo underground lines, offering easy journeys to Waterloo (four minutes) and Bank (six minutes), as well as City Thameslink trains to Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras International. There are also 33 bus routes within a five minute walk of the station, eight of which are night buses.

[1]http://www.mintel.com/press-centre/food-and-drink/uk-coffee-shop-sales-enjoy-a-growth-high

[2]http://www.retailtimes.co.uk/three-new-coffee-shops-open-every-day-uk-research-uk-coffee-week-shows/

[3]http://www.elephantandcastle-lendlease.com/our-plans/business-and-retail