Bankside Gardens

Bankside Gardens: Specific, Informative Description

Development Overview

Bankside Gardens, located in Reading, Berkshire (RG2 6BU), is a new build apartment development delivered by St. Edward, a division of the FTSE 100-listed Berkeley Group, known for its focus on high standards and having been ranked Britain’s most sustainable major housebuilder. The development is set within seven acres of parkland and lakeside surroundings, offering a blend of tranquil waterside living with immediate access to a major UK economic hub. The available properties consist of design-led 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, including those in the final phase, The Waterside Collection.

Property Details

The development comprises contemporary apartments with open-market prices spanning a range from approximately £275,000 up to £550,000, dependent on the building and specification. Specifically, 1-bedroom apartments have been available from £297,500, while 2-bedroom units start from £430,500. A specific example is a 760 sq. ft., 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment on the 5th floor of The Waterside Collection. Properties boast a premium specification, often including fully fitted kitchens, contemporary bathrooms, and flooring throughout. Many apartments feature wrap-around balconies or terraces with views over the surrounding lakes and landscaped gardens. Resident-exclusive on-site amenities include a state-of-the-art residents’ gym, a private cinema room, a dedicated co-working studio for remote working, and a professional 7-days-a-week concierge service, operating 12 hours a day.

Location Benefits

Connectivity is a primary feature of Bankside Gardens due to the on-site Reading Green Park Station, which is only a 3-minute walk from the properties and operates half-hourly services. Direct rail travel is available to Reading Station in 6 minutes, which provides access to the Elizabeth Line for seamless travel into central London. Fastest journey times to London Paddington are 23 minutes, with connections reaching Bond Street in 41 minutes and Tottenham Court Road in 49 minutes. For motorists, the development offers direct access to the A33, with a 7 to 10-minute drive into Reading town centre. Local amenities are robust, with the adjacent Green Park Village providing a new primary school (Green Park Village Academy), a Market Square, and planned retail/coffee shops. Reading town centre, less than a 10-minute drive, offers over 80 shops and 30 cafés/restaurants at The Oracle Shopping Centre. The local area is known for its strong economy, often referred to as the 'Silicon Valley of the UK,' hosting major employers like Microsoft, Oracle, and Huawei.

Practical Information

Bankside Gardens is a new-build development with some blocks nearing completion (as of early 2025). While the open market price range is £275,000 - £550,000, Shared Ownership options are also available for 1 and 2-bedroom apartments, starting from £71,250 for a 25% share. Interested purchasers should contact the developer for specific phase completion dates and payment structures, which vary between blocks (e.g., No. 7 requires a 15% deposit on exchange). Leasehold details are 999 years from January 1st, 2016. Allocated parking space is typically included for each home.