It’s Mayfair on Water, cosmopolitan, exclusive and, for millions of tourists, the Dock's heritage is revealed in its canyons of high warehouses and cobbled streets. Apartments converted from old brewery buildings, warehouses and mills provide spectacular views of the River Thames, Tower Bridge and the City skyline.

The southbank east of Tower Bridge has been developed by design guru, Sir Terence Conran, and is a unique live/work/dine district, which includes the Design Museum, tourist attractions and some of the best gourmet restaurants in London. Shad Thames was a centre of brewing and of the spice trade, the gentle smells of which can still be detected in the narrow cobbled streets. Sniff a warehouse and the longtime spicy contents are revealed to the knowing nose.

Some of the most spectacular lofts with their cast-iron supports and sand blasted brickwork have become the cherished homes of international business people. Waves of creative companies and art galleries have occupied other warehouse conversions. Westwards a riverside walk links London Bridge City - home of international bankers and management firms - to Hays Galleria, an upmarket shopping and eating mall created from a world famous wharf - to St Saviour's Wharf, a warehouse-lined creek with boats and a walking bridge across its confluence with the Thames. The arrival of the Jubilee Line Tube is sending up prices.

Benchmarks - Office and retail rents from £10 to £22.00 per sq ft.
Apartments from £135,000 to £1.5M. Highest price, £1.5M paid for
Vogan's Mill penthouse.
Must Do's - Stroll the riverbank upstream and downstream of Tower
Bridge, sniff the warehouses and identify the spicey contents. Dine at one
of Sir Terence Conran's fine riverside restaurants or visit London Dungeons and Design Museum.
Investment Index - Read our special reports on property on this neighbourhood.