Ebb & Flow at the heart of redeveloping Reading

8th May 2024

The new apartments-for-rent development at the heart of Station Hill in central Reading, Ebb & Flow, complete in early June. Ebb & Flow's Community Manager, Tony Bullen, talks about the developments and its place in Reading. 

When will Ebb and Flow complete and how does it fit into the Station Hill project?

Ebb was completed in August 2023 and the first tenants moved in at the beginning of September. The second building, Flow, is due to be complete on the 8^th June with the first wave of tenants moving in mid-June.

Station Hill, once opened in late Summer 2024, will consist of retail units, office space and acres of landscaped outdoor areas. The outdoor space will be one of the largest around, and an outstanding area within the typically urban Reading. There are 15 floors of bright and airy space, with private offices available to rent.

Ebb & Flow is the only residential space situated on the development and offers a modern lifestyle in line with the rest of the estate.

How would you describe Ebb and Flow?

Ebb & Flow boasts luxury apartment living for over 1,300 people. The development sits in the heart of Reading, minutes from the Station. Once complete, the site will offer direct access from the station to Friar Street and the north of Reading, making the town a better-connected place to live.

Currently our Ebb tenants include a mixture of young professionals, small families, couples, and businesspeople working either in London or Reading. We offer socials, events, and workshops, catering to everyone's wants and needs, these include networking events, arts and crafts clubs, weekly coffee mornings and charity run workshops.

The apartments at Ebb range from studios, up to three-bedroom dwellings. Flow will offer duplexes too. The interiors have been designed by The Vawdrey House and all furniture is supplied by the Conran Shop, offering the highest quality furnishings and interior design to all tenants. Each apartment comes complete with built-in wardrobes, modern fully fitted kitchens, and luxury bathroom suites.

Communal spaces include a landscaped roof terrace, multiple outdoor areas, private and shared coworking spaces, lounge areas, shared kitchens, and in terms of facilities, Ebb offers a fitness and wellbeing centre with regular yoga, Hiit and gym classes on offer.

What are you trying to achieve with the development?

Ebb & Flow is exactly what Reading needs, a hub of activity for all ages, in the centre of town. Its modern appearance gives Reading the face-lift it has been waiting for, plus internally we are here to transform the town into the vibrant community its ultimately on its way to becoming.

I believe we’ve created something unique in the area, offering residents urban living, yet with a real sense of community at its heart and a perfect balance of greenery on your doorstep. We've had fun with the design of the interiors, combining modern aesthetic with pops of colour throughout. The harmonious scheme creates a sense of comfort within the apartments, and a beautiful place to work in the coworking spaces downstairs.

Ebb & Flow and the wider Station Hill estate, once fully opened in September, will be the connection between the station and the town centre. It will become a staple for day-to-day life for those passing through, and a new public area for all to use.

Can other people in Reading interact with Ebb and Flow if they are not residents?

Yes! We welcome all Reading locals to our social and networking events. Plus, any pop ups and markets will be always open to all.

Is the scheme sold out? If not, what is still available?

Ebb is almost at full capacity; we opened the final phase of apartments in February and received an exceptionally good take up. Flow’s show apartment will be available to view from the 8^th of June 2024, and we expect tenancy to be filled quickly. Studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and duplex apartments will be on offer, and we advise booking a tour of Flow through our booking portal quickly.

Tell us a little about yourself and your role?

My day-to-day role primarily involves being the first point of contact for all residents, ensuring safety in the building, heading up social events and connecting with the extensive list of local businesses in Reading. I feel proud to bring a sense of community to the area by linking new and existing Reading residents. My goal is to create a hub of activity at Ebb & Flow, utilising its central position in the town.

The community team and I are responsible for partnering Ebb & Flow with over 50 local businesses, called the ‘neighbourhood hero’ programme. The scheme offers residents exclusive discounts for a range of local businesses such as Thames Lido, Siren Brewery, Nood Stores, Pippin & Co. and more. In fact, Siren Brewery has opened its flagship bar at the entrance to the Ebb building this week.

What do you like about Reading?

Something I hadn't realised about Reading before beginning my role here in early 2023, is the market town feel. The town has many independent brands, shops, and cafes, making it unique. We have hosted markets within Ebb before in partnership with Nood Stores, Rythmik Cocktails, Caversham Farmers Market, Henley Distillery, Pippin & Co., and others.

What is your overall ambition for Ebb and Flow?

Ebb & Flow’s ultimate purpose is to build a real sense of community in the town. It is our mission to ensure Ebb & Flow offers as much as possible to both our tenants and town centre residents alike. We want our residents to flourish in the company of others and build relationships with other like-minded individuals living in the vicinity. Simply put, real world connections are vital, and I'm proud to be involved in all the community initiatives and projects we are spearheading here.