Exclusive open day at The Waterside following double awards win

The Waterside by Guinness Homes has secured two accolades at the First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards 2026, being crowned Best New Development in the South and receiving Highly Commended for Best Off-Plan Development.

The First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards celebrate the best of the UK’s first-time buyer market. The Waterside’s success recognises both the quality of the development and the experience Guinness Homes has created for buyers purchasing a home before it is complete.

To celebrate the double win, Guinness Homes invited prospective buyers to experience The Waterside for themselves at an exclusive open day on Saturday 10th October, with the opportunity to explore the development, view the show homes and speak to the sales team about the homes available.

Exclusive Open Day and Development Features

The celebratory open day gave visitors the chance to tour the award-winning development and find out more about buying at The Waterside. Guests were welcomed with sparkling wine from East London-based Renegade Urban Winery. There was also a lucky dip, with every visitor having the chance to win a prize and one lucky guest taking home a £100 hamper from local hotspot The Deli Downstairs, offering another taste of the independent businesses available close to home.

Hellyn Fairbrother, Sales Manager at Guinness Homes, comments: “We’re absolutely delighted to see The Waterside recognised with not one, but two awards. Being named Best New Development in the South is a fantastic achievement, while the Highly Commended recognition for Best Off-Plan Development is particularly meaningful given the work that has gone into helping buyers feel confident about choosing their home before it is complete.

“It was a pleasure to welcome visitors to The Waterside and celebrate our double award win with them. The open day was a great chance to explore the homes, get a feel for the neighbourhood and chat to our team about making The Waterside their home. We were delighted to mark the occasion with treats from some of the fantastic independent businesses on our doorstep, too!”

The award for Best Off-Plan Development reflects an important part of the buying experience at The Waterside. To help buyers visualise their future home while construction progresses, Guinness Homes has created a range of digital tools and marketing materials, including detailed floorplans, CGI imagery and an interactive 3D platform. Buyers are also supported by the in-house sales and progression team throughout their purchase.

Contemporary Living and Zone 2 Transport Connections

Situated in Bromley-by-Bow, The Waterside offers a collection of contemporary homes available through both Shared Ownership and Private Sale, combining Zone 2 connectivity with a distinctive setting alongside the River Lea and an established range of amenities on the doorstep.

Inside, homes have been designed for modern living, with open-plan living spaces, contemporary handleless kitchens with integrated appliances and private balconies or terraces. Private Sale homes benefit from premium European oak flooring, while selected properties also feature walk-in wardrobe spaces.

Beyond the homes themselves, residents have access to an existing concierge and estate management team, with amenities including The Gym Group, a convenience store and pop-up barbers. Urban Baristas is also set to bring its Sydney-inspired coffee and brunch offering to the development.

Bromley-by-Bow Underground station is just a two-minute walk away via a well-lit, CCTV-monitored underpass, with District and Hammersmith & City line services providing connections across the capital. The River Lea and surrounding canal paths offer walking and cycling routes towards Three Mills Green, Hackney Wick and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, while Stratford and Westfield Stratford City are also within easy reach.

Private Sale pricing starts from £460,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £499,900 for a two-bedroom apartment. Shared Ownership pricing starts from £100,000 for a 25% share of a one-bedroom apartment (FMV: £400,000) and £115,000 for a 25% share of a two-bedroom apartment (FMV: £460,000). For more details, visit The Waterside.