Become richer and get fitter – Walk to work!

The majority of Londoners would rather travel to work on foot rather than any other form of transport. According to a poll conducted by Chime Communications**, over 67% of London workers questioned would prefer to walk to work, as opposed to taking public transport or even being able to work from home.

City Quarter, Berkeley Homes (South East London) Ltd's development in E1, is the perfect property solution for those looking to travel primarily on foot due to its close proximately to the Square Mile.

The scheme, which comprises contemporary new build apartments and homes in a converted Victorian warehouse, is located on Leman Street, within easy walking distance of the City's financial district, St Katherine Dock and Tower Hill. Residents at City Quarter are just over a mile away from the EC3 postcode, which includes many financial headquarters such as 30 St Mary Axe - more famously known as ‘the Gherkin'.

Walking to work brings with it many benefits, including a cost saving on public transport fares. Mayor Boris Johnson has recently announced an above inflation 6% increase in Tube, rail and bus fares from 2009*. As walking is free, the cost saving is drastic and immediate.

Walking to work can also be quicker than taking public transport. According to Transport for London, over 100 journeys between Central London Tube stations are quicker by foot than Tube. And by swapping the train for your walking trainers, residents at City Quarter contribute less carbon emissions, making their footprint much greener. Of course, commuting by foot also has its health benefits, improving cardiovascular fitness and bone density, and helping towards weight loss.

Piers Clanford, Managing Director at Berkeley Homes (South East London) Ltd, comments: "City Quarter presents a rare opportunity to live in a home of quality and distinction so close to the City. Many on the world's financial headquarters and offices are a short walk away, allowing City Quarter residents to maximise the amount of leisure time they have instead of wasting hours commuting by public transport."

Currently for sale at City Quarter is a collection of stunning new build apartments and penthouses, and a collection of unique warehouse conversion properties set in a distinguished listed building. Square footages range from 511 to 1,111 sq ft in Hoopers Yard, and from 464 to 1568 sq ft in Sugar House. Prices currently start from £375,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, from £549,500 for a two-bedroom apartment, from £850,000 for a two-bedroom duplex and from £1.1 million for a three-bedroom penthouse. Hoopers Yard features a number of architecturally designed one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses full of clean lines and contemporary elegance.

Sugar House is a rare Grade II listed conversion, dating back to 1887. Its striking façade of red brick, granite, Portland stone and soaring clock tower make in a landmark building on Leman Street. Original features that date back to the building's time as the Co-operative headquarters, such as high ceilings, 6ft high arched feature windows, a grand entrance lobby with sweeping staircase and an intricate former boardroom ceiling, make Sugar House a unique offering for the home buyer who wants something totally different.

Together, these homes at City Quarter form one of London's most exciting addresses, with a mix of property styles complemented by central water gardens and landscaped courtyards, a high level of security, a car club with a fleet of VW Golfs available for hire and a daytime concierge.

For further information log on to Cityquarter.co.uk.

**Source: Chime Communications Summer 2008
*Source: bbc.co.uk