Fulham Reach, W6

We bought a 2-bedroom apartment off plan and were one of the first residents in Distillery Wharf. The apartments are of good quality overall with impressive design features (particularly the marble bathrooms, leather wardrobes). Other add-ons include air conditioning which was great in the summer (we never had to use the heating in the winter as the building is so well insulated), built in speakers and Lutron lighting all controlled by the control4 system (although I should add that this system froze a lot and did not function properly after one year of use). A handy video screen also allows you to see who is ringing your door bell at the main entrance (although again we had a few issues with this functioning after one year). The kitchen has high specs and everything worked well for us and the double glazed windows made it virtually impossible to hear anything outside which was great. We liked the pre-payment system for heating/water as we could control our costs and it was easy to monitor (much more transparent than other providers out there). The facilities were the prime draw for us in this development and are second to none. Having doorstop access to the gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and cinema room was fantastic. We used the swimming pool in particular very often (having a swim pre and post the office to classical music was rather nice) and it often felt like we were in a hotel. We did notice however that it got increasingly busy at peak times as other buildings in the development completed so it will be interesting to see how they control this. We used the wine room, billiards room and virtual golf room for entertaining which went down well with friends and family - particularly as our flat could not host large numbers. The development is also very pram and young children friendly with wide doors and lifts. In terms of service, the professionalism and attitudes from the staff was great and it did feel like entering a hotel with the ambiance and their attentiveness. The 24/7 Concierge service is very convenient for residents and Angus in particular does a great job at running the show. The service charge in my opinion however is high and not justifiable. In terms of the location, we have really seen the transformation of this area over the past few years and enjoyed having Harris and Hoole, Tescos Express, the Blue Boat pub and Cafe Plum nearby. We also enjoyed being a 5 minute walk to our favourite restaurant, the River Cafe. To add to this, the development is a 10 minute walk to Hammersmith station which offers four tube lines and is conveniently located for the A4/M4 if getting out of London. The river path has also been significantly improved over the past two years with beautiful pedestrian routes down to Putney making this neighbourhood a desirable place to live. Overall, we enjoyed living here and have many fond memories!

There is an issue in Fulham Reach which is that the service charge - payable by the owners/landlords - includes the air cooling/heating. It does so on a fixed basis, so regardless of usage, each flat pays a share based on square footage. This charge is not just for the use, but also the maintenance of the system - and it is not metered. If you leave the flat empty, or run it on full blast for 12 months, your charge will be the same. As a tenant of Fulham Reach, you will unwittingly sign a lease drafted by an agency (in my case JLL) which binds you into paying this charge for the landlord - which I think is unfair, especially as the landlord will have paid it in advance and could be transparent with you at the beginning as to what this charge is. My landlord waited until a few weeks after my lease had ended, having never mentioned or disclosed this charge, and then deducted it from my deposit. I took them to the tribunal, but of course JLL's drafting was very friendly for their client, the landlord, and so I lost. So, two pieces of advice: 1. Either cross out the air cooling clause in your tenancy before you sign it, or agree the charge up front with the landlord (remember, they have paid it in advance); and/or 2. Bear this in mind when you would otherwise be sensibly trying to conserve costs in running the system - you can't save yourself any cost - it is a fixed charge.

We relocated and brought our business from the Hampshire countryside 18 months ago and have been very happy with all aspects of the St Georges Fulham Reach development. After 30 years in the sticks you suddenly realize what you have been missing, its a pleasure to live in a property where maintenance is not a full time occupation and despite the lack of a garden we still have amazing views. We love the multi-national diversity of the residents and have made some good friends. Visiting friends and family have been very impressed. We use all the available amenities and are looking forward to the opening of the new enterprises.

Nice property and the vast majority of employees I have come in to contact with are nice and professional. However, there are a few people that work in places such as the concierge desk and the fitness center who are not adept at dealing with people. My wife, refuses to go to the fitness center when she thinks a certain person might be working. That blows my mind that you have employed people like that. Also, I feel that I get less effort and support from the staff when they know I'm a tenant as opposed to an owner. Finally, not impressed with the support when calling the main number to open a trouble ticket. Angus is great, though. As well the vast majority of the concierge staff and others I've dealt with.

This development has really surprised us. We lived in Kensington Green (W8) before, and for the same rent we are getting 50% more space, with fantastic facilities, and a brand new, high spec apartment with great views of the river. It makes for a compelling alternative to more central, condensed living. We were worried about the location, because the top of Fulham Palace Road is pretty grotty, but in fact weve been pleasantly surprised. The riverside offers easy access to Chiswick and Barnes, and of course Fulham is close. There are plenty of pubs and kids playgrounds within easy access, and the atmosphere at weekends around the river is good; mainly families, people rowing, and others on bikes or running. Hammersmith Broadway offers shopping essentials within 5-10 mins walk, and very good tube connectivity on the Piccadilly line. Waitrose and M&S are within a walk, and the new Tesco Express which has opened on site is helpful - although it doesn't stock much fresh food. The Blue Boat pub on the river front is also a plus; solid food and a family atmosphere (most of the time).