10 best places to live in Hackney

Want to know where to find the best places to live in London’s most liveable borough? Why not ask the people who live there? In our guide to the 10 best places to live in Hackney, HomeViews reviewers share their insider knowledge of the new best property developments that this fashionable slice of East London has to offer.

10 highest-rated new builds in Hackney

Our top 10 list is constructed purely according to their reviews, and nothing else. So read on for an unvarnished view of what Hackney residents have to say about the areas leading new property developments.

*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.

1. Clissold Quarter, N4

Higgins Homes PLC
3.75 (11 reviews) 3.75 (11 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of Clissold Quarter, N4

Top of the table for Hackney is Clissold Quarter , a newcomer from Higgins Homes. Sitting right opposite Clissold Park, this is a collection of 158, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouse. Residents have the Underground stations of Finsbury Park, Manor house and Arsenal within easy walking distance, so it’s easy to see why the development gets a nearly perfect location score across all its reviews.

Read reviews and details of Clissold Quarter, N4

2. Hoxton Press, N1

Anthology
4.77 (23 reviews) 4.77 (23 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of Hoxton Press, N1

A solid contender in 2nd place is a development that’s continuing to attract plenty of good reviews and better press. Anthology’s Hoxton Press offers a selection of studio, one, two and three-bedroom homes designed by world-renowned Architects Karakusevic Carson Architects and David Chipperfield Architects. It comprises two landmark buildings, Mono and Duo, as well as a community café and landscaped gardens. Located in the regeneration area of the Colville Estate, nestled between Shoreditch Park and the Regents Canal, Hoxton Press has excellent links to the rest of London. Angel and Old Street Underground Stations are close by, as well as Cross Rail from Farringdon and Whitechapel, and Overground services from Hoxton and Essex Road.

Read reviews and details of Hoxton Press, N1

3. The Otto, E5

Londonewcastle
4.72 (6 reviews) 4.72 (6 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of The Otto, E5

In third, The Otto shows off the abundance of green spaces that Hackney is known for. Hackney Downs Park is right on the development’s doorstep, while Clapton, Rectory Road and Hackney Downs stations are all within a 12-minute walk. The development itself features 90 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments that residents say are well designed and thoughtfully maintained. There’s also a primary school located across the ground and first floors.

Read reviews and details of The Otto, E5

4. The Makers, N1

Londonewcastle
4.60 (12 reviews) 4.60 (12 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of The Makers, N1

Taking the fourth spot on our list is The Makers in Hoxton. It comprises 175 apartments, ranging from studio and one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments. Residents appreciate the ultramodern fixtures and design of the apartments, and the abundance of natural light. The development is conveniently situated a 7-minute walk to Old Street station, which is served by the Northern line and national rail services.

Read reviews and details of The Makers, N1

5. Dalston Works, E8

Dalston Lane properties and Dalston Lane Estates
4.46 (38 reviews) 4.46 (38 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of Dalston Works, E8

Jumping up to fifth, and just a short walk from London Fields, we have Dalston Works by Regal London, managed by Native. It features a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of Dalston. All 121 units are available on a rental-only basis. Each home benefits from a private balcony, Conran furnished interiors, resident-only roof terraces, free super-fast WIFI and spacious layouts.

Read reviews and details of Dalston Works, E8

6. Stone Studios, E9

Telford Living
4.34 (26 reviews) 4.34 (26 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of Stone Studios, E9

Next up is the sixth of the best places to live in Hackney, Stone Studios by Telford Homes, which consists of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. It’s a convenient two-minute walk from Hackney Wick station. Furthermore, Stratford is only two-minutes away, while Kings Cross is accessible in 20 minutes by train. Residents benefit from a wide range of amenities such as a 12-hour concierge, bike storage, communal courtyards and dedicated car parking spaces.

Read reviews and details of Stone Studios, E9

7. Pembury Circus, E5

Bellway Homes
4.30 (16 reviews) 4.30 (16 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of Pembury Circus, E5

In seventh, we have Pembury Circus, located a short three-minute walk away from Hackney Downs overground station, which serves directly into Liverpool Street Station in approximately 10 minutes. Residents highly rate the facilities and on-site conveniences available here, which include the standard array of conveniences, plus a yoga studio, co-op, nursery and other commercial outlets.

Read reviews and details of Pembury Circus, E5

8. Woodberry Down, N4

Berkeley Homes, Berkeley Group
4.26 (312 reviews) 4.26 (312 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of Woodberry Down, N4

Taking eighth position it’s Woodberry Down, which is a multi-award-winning regeneration scheme that’s only moments away from Finsbury Park. Once fully complete, it will feature over 5,500 new homes set across 64 acres, with 15 acres of parkland and an additional 42 acres of open water thanks to the spectacular natural surroundings of two existing reservoirs (the Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve and a serene sailing lake).

Read reviews and details of Woodberry Down, N4

9. Dalston Square, E8

Barratt London
4.17 (30 reviews) 4.17 (30 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of Dalston Square, E8

Ninth-placed Dalston Square is a mixed-use development from Barratt London comprising a total of 244 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments in Central Dalston. Commuters benefit from the development being just moments away from Dalston Junction that is served by the London Overground East London Line that accesses West Croydon, Crystal Palace, New Cross, Clapham Junction and Highbury & Islington.

Read reviews and details of Dalston Square, E8

10. Packington Estate, N1

Rydon, The Hyde Group
4.16 (8 reviews) 4.16 (8 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Hackney
Image of Packington Estate, N1

To finish, we have another entry from the Hyde Group, held jointly with Rydon. Packington Estate is located next to the Regent’s Canal on the eastern edge of Islington, and features 791 new homes with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and studios alongside three, four, five and six-bedroom houses. Angel station is only a 15-minute walk away with connections to the Northern Line.

Read reviews and details of Packington Estate, N1
Canal boats in Hackney

Why is Hackney so popular?

Hackney has risen like a phoenix over the past couple of decades, enjoying a complete transformation that has seen it become one of London’s most popular and desirable boroughs. Regarded for many years as one of the least appealing places to live in London, its attractive property prices and surge in development saw its popularity escalate at a stratospheric rate.

In recent years the borough has seen a surfeit of intelligent design and trendy urban regeneration to turn it into a smart, comfortable and inviting place to live. That the borough managed this without losing the quirky charm and cultural authenticity that have forged Hackney’s unique personality is a remarkable achievement.

Hackney has become so enduringly popular in the 21st century simply because it manages to be simultaneously hip and practical. Vogue voted it one of the 15 coolest neighbourhoods in the world.

As for the practicality part of the equation, Hackney has won accolades as London’s most liveable borough. Much of this praise is owed to the redesign of its streets and town centres. Pedestrianisation and the adoption of dedicated cycling routes appeals to London’s car-shy populace, while its transport links and proximity to central London make it an easy borough to navigate.

Combine all this with Hackney’s widespread appeal in terms of what it offers to residents. There’s outstanding dining experiences (everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to bohemian vegan hangouts). Add in masses of green space and outstanding school options, and Hackney really is the full package.

Average property prices in Hackney

In July 2024, Hackney properties broadly sell for around £718,000, according to Rightmove. This is only slightly higher than the London price average of £686,000. However, your average semi-detached properties in Hackney still command a hefty price tag at an average of more than £1.6 million.

If you’re looking to rent here, expect to pay around £2,460 per calendar month. This makes Hackney a more affordable prospect than many other London boroughs, even with East London becoming more expensive.

Read more


If you are interested in knowing more about Hackney and what it has to offer, check out our dedicated area guide (below). From here, you can find out more about Hackney’s history, street scenes, shopping and dining experiences, and other strings to its bow.

Borough of Hackney

Borough of Hackney
Once upon a time, Hackney was topping lists of Britain’s worst places to live. But the borough has had a colossal transformation in recent years. and now, E8 is one of the capital’s most fashionable postcodes. Read on to discover developments that are the Read more about Borough of Hackney
What is HomeViews?

HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.

written by

Jan Moys

A residential property expert with over 15 years’ experience creating content... Read all

A residential property expert with ov... Read all