Working in Waterloo: A Detailed Guide
1. Overview
2. Demographics of Waterloo
3. Types of Buildings in Waterloo
4. How Waterloo Office Prices Compare to Areas Nearby
5. Similar Areas to Rent Office Space In
6. Great Places to Eat and Drink in Waterloo
7. Green Spaces for a Lunch Break
8. Business/Industry Events in Waterloo
9. Accommodation for Professionals/Workers
10. Shopping Opportunities in Waterloo
11. Wellbeing Facilities
12. Hidden Gems in Waterloo, London
Overview
Waterloo in London is a hive of cultural and business activity, with artistic performances and networking events occurring throughout the week. Most people associate the area with the station (one of the busiest in the UK) and landmarks like the London Eye and the Southbank Centre.
Here’s everything you need to know about renting an office in the Waterloo area.
Demographics of Waterloo
London Waterloo is diverse and encompasses a range of demographics, as reflected in the area’s census.
Statistics include:
• 8,900 people are living in the Waterloo & South Bank wards.
• Waterloo and South Bank covers 1.2 square kilometres.
• Over 60% of the population is aged between 18 and 40.
• 36.7% of employed people in Waterloo are in professional occupations.
• 15.3% of employed people in Waterloo are managers, directors, and senior officials.
Types of Buildings in Waterloo
Waterloo Station is one of the area’s most outstanding buildings, with millions of passengers travelling through each year. The station opened in 1848 and was designed by the architect William Tite, known for his Italianate style.
Cultural institutions in Waterloo include theatres such as The Old Vic and The Young Vic.
The area has undergone extensive regeneration recently and is home to various modern commercial buildings and mixed-use complexes.
How Waterloo Office Prices Compare to Areas Nearby
The average cost of a coworking membership in Waterloo is £338, while the average cost of a desk in a private office is £544 per month.
Next door in Borough, the average cost of a coworking membership is £363, and the average price per desk in a private office is £729 per month.
Similar Areas to Rent Office Space In
Like Waterloo, King's Cross is a major transport hub. It has also undergone significant regeneration in recent times, which has transformed it into a vibrant cultural and creative hotspot.
A King’s Cross coworking membership averages £314 per month, and a desk in a private office is £617 per month, on average.
Great Places to Eat and Drink in Waterloo
There are so many great places to eat and drink in Waterloo.
One option is the restaurant on the OXO Tower's top floor. It offers delicious contemporary British food cooked with seasonal ingredients, making it the perfect venue for special occasions.
The restaurant in the Royal Festival Hall is also worth checking out. Named Skylon, it offers fantastic views across the River Thames, and you can enjoy a delicious cocktail or glass of wine with your meal.
Green Spaces for a Lunch Break
Waterloo is home to a handful of green spaces that provide relaxation for business owners and their coworkers.
• St. John's Church Gardens (view map) – A small open space for relaxation, with a range of wildlife.
• Waterloo Millennium Green (view map) – A scenic park featuring wildflowers and walking paths.
• Jubilee Gardens (view map) – Gardens created in 2012 for the Royal Jubilee and opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
• Bernie Spain Gardens (view map) – A landscaped garden by the river that also serves as a public event and cultural festival venue.
Business/Industry Events in Waterloo
WeAreWaterloo is the website to bookmark for the latest business news and networking events in the area. The organisation allows local businesses and their employees to share advice and ideas. Events include expert speakers and free food and drink - what’s not to love?
Accommodation for Professionals/Workers
A quick online search will bring up a multitude of hotel options in Waterloo for professionals, two of which are Novotel London Waterloo and H10 London Waterloo.
Novotel is close to the station, and its amenities include free Wi-Fi, meeting facilities, a restaurant, and wellness facilities.
H10 London Waterloo has sophisticated amenities and a roof terrace looking out onto awe-inspiring views of London. It is also home to the Three O Two Restaurant.
Shopping Opportunities in Waterloo
The street adjacent to the Old Vic Theatre is full of unique boutiques, bookshops and speciality stores, making it ideal if you work nearby and have a penchant for independent shops.
Gabriel's Wharf on the South Bank is a charming shopping spot that also features boutiques and galleries.
If you love shopping for second-hand and antique books, check out the book stalls underneath Waterloo Bridge near the British Film Institute (BFI).
Wellbeing Facilities
It’s essential to look after your body, mind, and business. Fortunately, Mandara Spa is just one of the spas and health clubs catering to Waterloo’s residents, professionals and tourists.
The spa offers its guests a unique sensory experience that can calm and relax them at the end of a busy week. Treatments include signature body therapies and ELEMIS Spa therapies, including BIOTEC facial treatments.
Hidden Gems in Waterloo, London
Lower Marsh is one of Waterloo’s best-hidden gems. As the name suggests, it was built on what was once marshland and has been the location of a bustling street market since the mid-nineteenth century.
You’ll find charming shops, cafes, and restaurants selling unique gifts, vintage ware, and tasty food, making it a great place to visit during the week with coworkers or on your own.
Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel is another hidden gem under the railway arches of Waterloo. It features a rotating array of street art and draws in lovers of urban art and graffiti culture.
