East London’s “Mini Manhattan” picks up prestigious London Evening Standard New Homes Award.

London City Island in East London’s Canning Town has won the top prize at this year’s London Evening Standard New Homes Awards thanks to its contemporary design and modern architectural merit.

In total 1,700 homes will be created within contemporary, colourful glazed-brick apartment blocks, overlooking flourishing gardens and outdoor swimming pool.

Built by Ecoworld Ballymore and designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the ambitious building project has transformed the 12-acre waterside plot which was formerly home to a factory. The architects have drawn inspiration from skyscrapers and building in cities across the world, including Manhattan, Chicago and Tokyo.

The striking smooth glossy blue brickwork on the outside sits harmoniously against a backdrop of glass and steel and the interior adopts a warehouse aesthetic with open spaces and loft style features. Large floor to ceiling windows, surrounded by steel frames capture the spectacular city views as well as bringing in the greenery of the lush tropical gardens outside.

Due to its versatility, glass is the material of choice for many architects involved in regeneration projects across the city. Homeowners are looking for modern properties which are aesthetically pleasing on the outside as much as they are on the inside. Glass is extremely versatile and can be utilized in many ways. A majority of modern day developments use switchable glass, which enables residents to open up or conceal living spaces at the switch of a button and new eco-friendly residential properties are being installed with solar responsive glass as Developers and architects look at ways to help customers reduce energy costs as well as their carbon footprint.

The judges at the award ceremony also awarded a trophy to another glass development on the other side of the Thames; Dollar Bay is a striking 31-storey tower block with a glass façade and full-height glass-walled winter gardens.