The London borough of Tower Hamlets has become the capital’s fastest-growing destination for property buyers from China. Over 1,100 Chinese nationals have purchased homes there since 2020, leading to some labelling the area London’s “new Chinatown.”
The surge in Chinese interest coincides with the approval of a massive new Chinese embassy planned for Royal Mint Court in the borough. At 20,000 square metres, it is set to become Europe’s largest Chinese diplomatic facility when completed on the site Beijing purchased in 2018 for £225 million.
Residents from China say there are multiple factors drawing them to the area. Brooks Liu, a Beijing native living in Goodmans Fields, explains that the neighbourhood’s urban density and modern high-rises remind her of Wangjing, a district in Beijing. Unlike the quieter British suburbs, the area offers many of the conveniences that Chinese residents desire, including late-night food delivery, Chinese supermarkets, and proximity to transport links.
“Young people have already got used to living like that in big cities in China,” she says, adding that access to Chinese food and shops has helped to build a thriving community.
The modern architecture also resonates with Chinese buyers who are accustomed to newer buildings back home. Student Yining Ren describes the area’s luxury aesthetic, while restaurant worker Xutong Ye points out that most people in China live in contemporary buildings similar to those in Tower Hamlets.
Alan Chau, who chairs the Chinese Association of Tower Hamlets, suggests many new arrivals may be Hong Kong residents making use of the British National Overseas visa programme. He believes Canary Wharf’s towering buildings and upscale apartments with their security services feel familiar to people from Hong Kong.
Overall, the number of Chinese nationals who own property across London has increased by 85% over five years, an additional almost 3,750 homes, according to Land Registry data. Hong Kong nationals expanded their holdings by 23% during the same period.
The planned embassy has sparked controversy, with opponents expressing worry about potential espionage and security risks. Long-time resident Mark Greeno, while praising Chinese neighbours as respectful, said he was fearful that the facility could endanger Hong Kong dissidents seeking refuge in Britain.
Estate agents note that buyer interest from Chinese and Hong Kong nationals intensified after Beijing purchased the embassy site, making Tower Hamlets a preferred destination despite some uncertainty about the development’s future impact.