Summer in the City
- 22nd Jul 26
The summer has well and truly arrived in the UK, with record-breaking temperatures, long days and balmy evenings. In fact, it’s so good that you can stay where you are rather than dealing with travel chaos to enjoy the best of the summer months. For many city renters, everything needed for a holiday feel is right on the doorstep. Modern Build to Rent communities are designed to help residents enjoy summer without ever travelling far from home. From rooftop gardens and private balconies to resident BBQs, riverside walks and parks on your doorstep, today's rental homes are creating outdoor lifestyles that traditional renting rarely offers. Here's how city renters are making the most of summer.
Bringing the outdoors indoors
Some of the best moments of summer happen at either end of the day, enjoying the first rays of morning sunshine with a coffee or relaxing outside as the evening cools. Apartment living doesn't mean you have to miss out on those simple pleasures.
A balcony or terrace quickly becomes one of the most valuable spaces in summer. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee in the sunshine, growing herbs and flowers, taking your laptop outside for an hour, enjoying al fresco dining or unwinding with a good book after work, even a modest outdoor space can make everyday life feel like a holiday.
Many Build to Rent developments are designed with outdoor living in mind, offering spacious private balconies, roof terraces and beautifully landscaped communal gardens. Residents can enjoy all the benefits of fresh air and green space without the time and expense of maintaining a private garden, making it easier than ever to embrace the best of summer, right from home.
Beautiful balconies in Manchester
If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony, the view is what makes it truly special. It’s your own private spot to watch the city wake up or enjoy golden hour after work.
Chapel Wharf doesn’t disappoint, with every apartment featuring a private balcony or terrace overlooking the River Irwell and the vibrant surroundings of Salford and Manchester. It’s a chance to enjoy riverside views and a unique perspective of city living, right from your own home.
Offering a stunning collection of contemporary apartments, Chapel Wharf combines stylish interiors with an enviable location just moments from Manchester city centre.
Rooftop spaces with city views
The popularity of rooftop bars and dining experiences has shown just how special these elevated spaces can be, offering a new perspective on city living and a chance to enjoy the outdoors above the hustle and bustle below.
Many Build to Rent developments are embracing this trend with beautifully landscaped rooftop gardens and terraces designed for residents to enjoy all year round. Whether it’s sharing a meal with friends, getting to know neighbours, finding a quiet spot to read, working remotely in the fresh air, joining a resident event such as yoga, or simply watching the sunset after a busy day, rooftop spaces create a unique sense of community and a place to unwind. With stunning views, comfortable seating and thoughtfully designed spaces, rooftop amenities are giving renters the chance to enjoy the high life.
Living the high life in Birmingham
There’s a choice of three rooftop terraces at Hairpin House in the Digbeth neighbourhood where residents can make the most of the busy event calendar choosing anything from puppy yoga to rooftop parties. Choose from stylish one- or two-bedroom apartments, available either unfurnished so you can make the space your own or fully furnished for an easy move-in experience. Then step outside, take in the views and enjoy your own elevated escape, whether that’s a morning coffee in the sunshine, drinks with friends or a peaceful moment watching the city come to life.
A garden without the hassle
For many renters, having access to outside space is one of the biggest benefits of living in a home with a garden, but maintaining one can be time-consuming and costly. Build to Rent is changing the way we think about outdoor living by offering beautifully designed shared outside spaces that provide all the benefits of nature without the upkeep.
Urban oasis in King’s Cross
Author King’s Cross is a remarkable rental experience in one of London’s most chic neighbourhoods. Inviting social spaces designed by Conran and Partners, furnished apartments and each of the three buildings are built around a central landscaped courtyard garden, creating an urban oasis in the midst of the outstanding retail, leisure and entertainment opportunities on your doorstep.
Nature on your doorstep
City living doesn’t mean having to compromise on access to nature. In fact, one of the biggest advantages of urban living is the opportunity to enjoy some of the UK’s most beautiful green spaces just minutes from your front door.
From leafy parks and riverside walks to historic commons and landscaped gardens, cities offer countless opportunities to reconnect with nature, relax outdoors and escape the pace of everyday life.
Many Build to Rent developments are thoughtfully located close to these natural spaces, giving residents the best of both worlds, the convenience and energy of city living with green spaces to explore, unwind and enjoy right on their doorstep.
Green grass of Greenwich
Just moments from all the amenities Greenwich has to offer, The Horizon is a thriving rental community. Perfect for nature lovers, Greenwich features nearly 3,500 acres of open green spaces. The crown jewel is the 183-acre Greenwich Park, famous for its historic deer enclosure and for urban wetlands, head to the hidden 4-acre Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park to spot wading birds, amphibians, and butterflies.
Festivals and events
Summer is festival season, and one of the biggest perks of city living is having an exciting calendar of events right on your doorstep. From open-air cinemas and street food festivals to outdoor concerts, sporting events, artisan markets and cultural celebrations, there's always something happening. Instead of planning expensive weekends away, residents can simply step outside and immerse themselves in the buzz of the local community, making the most of long summer days and warm evenings without having to travel far.
What’s on in Wembley
From major concerts and international sporting events to pop-up food markets and family-friendly festivals, Wembley is one of London's most vibrant destinations for summer entertainment. Living nearby means you can enjoy world-class events without worrying about long journeys home, making it easy to be part of the action whenever something exciting comes to town. At Wembley Central, residents are close to all the summer action while also being able to enjoy some down time with two podium terraces to chill out on at the end of a busy day. If you want to make the most of the warmer months by getting on your bike, you can lock it away every night in the dedicated bike storage and relax with a drink in the fully equipped coffee bar, just through the foyer.