Wendy Hilliard, 52, pays £1,800 a month for a compact studio in ARK co-living in Canary Wharf, where she has formed close friendships with residents in their 20s and 30s, a lifestyle choice she says has combated loneliness and provided a sense of community after a relationship breakup.
Hilliard, a senior partnerships manager for a medical and security company, moved into the building nearly two years ago and has just signed a contract to renew for a third year. Her 12-month membership agreement, which includes all bills, grants access to a range of amenities, including a swimming pool on the 20th floor with views of Canary Wharf, a sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi.
“When I first moved in, I went there every single day for two or three months,” she said of the pool and spa facilities. The building also features a dining room, gym, games room, and co-working spaces, fostering interaction among residents.
Why Co-Living Over Traditional Renting?
Hilliard chose co-living after coming out of a 15-year relationship and struggling to find affordable accommodation. “My finances weren’t in a very good place back then, so I needed to be very budget-conscious, but I wanted somewhere that met the requirements,” she explained. One-bedroom flats and studios were expensive, with bidding wars driving up prices. After her cat passed away, she was able to consider high-rise buildings.
She wanted her own space with all bills included, ruling out house shares. The ARK building, located in Canary Wharf, offered a solution that met her needs and allowed her to stay in an area she knew well.
Intergenerational Living and Community
Hilliard specifically sought a building with age diversity. “There are people in their late 30s, in their 40s and 50s. I know someone here who is in their 60s, so it’s wider spread than you might think,” she said. She has become best friends with residents in their early 30s, including one who recently moved to Miami and who she visited on holiday last month.
“Age diversity is important,” she added, comparing the dynamic to working in an office. She noted that her age group often has families, making spontaneous meetups less common, but in the co-living setting, socialising is easier.
Living in Canary Wharf
Hilliard appreciates the area’s safety, especially as a woman. “Because it’s the financial area, there’s a lot of 24/7 security. Walking around at night, I do feel as safe as I can be,” she said. She also enjoys the proximity to the river and green spaces, and praises the Jubilee Line for its speed.
While some may find the area sterile, she counters, “You’re always by the river if you want to sit out and watch the boats go by. There are green spaces everywhere.”
Making the Space Her Own
Despite the compact size of her studio, Hilliard has personalised it with paintings, a disco ball, stacked mugs, and shelf dividers to maximise space. She uses Command Strips for wall art, as painting and wallpaper are not allowed. She also utilises communal workspaces, where residents have a WhatsApp group to coordinate working together.
She admits there are minor drawbacks, such as occasional water outages, but on-site maintenance is responsive via an app. Her only wish is for a balcony or a retractable roof for an outdoor pool in summer.
Future Plans
Hilliard plans to stay at ARK until at least October 2027, noting that many residents have lived there for years, some since the building opened in 2019. She finds the lifestyle therapeutic, saying, “Downsizing was quite therapeutic, and I just have what I actually need. On those days where I want my own space, I entirely have it.”
