The old warehouse buildings on the corner of Jamaica Road and Shad Thames before KALMARs moved in
Over the last five decades KALMARs Estate Agents have seen recessions come and go, financial crashes, property booms and the market slowdowns that inevitably follow. As a family business, those experiences have been passed down from father to son, to grandson – giving them an unprecedented insight into the South London property market.
Since the late 1960s KALMARs have continued to successfully trade, watching the local area develop and transform into a world-class business and residential community. In that time, they have been involved in many of the key developments that make Bermondsey, Borough and Rotherhithe what they are today.
Their office, on the corner of Shad Thames and Jamaica Road, is a beautifully refurbished wharf and illustrates just how much the area has changed since KALMARs arrived. Back in the days of black and white photography the building was previously a mill and warehouse, most recently occupied by shipping agents. Now the area is a home to some of the world’s most exclusive and sought-after apartments.
“it’s a prime example of our role in the full cycle; from developer to end user, to re-sales
The Chandlery on Westminster Bridge Road is a typical development that has benefitted from their full experience and skill sets as they handled the initial sale of Webber Street School, its conversion into apartments and then the subsequent individual apartment sales thereafter. Adam Rosan, Residential Consultant, said of The Chandlery, “This is a typical example of our role in the full cycle; from developer to end user, to re-sales.”
The agency has remained stable throughout the decades with a steadily expanding workforce who typically remains with the company for an impressive 10 years.
As the area from Rotherhithe to Elephant Castle up to Bankside continues to see massive inward investment, KALMARs are prepared for the next period of change. Manufacturing is continuing to move out of the area making available further warehouses that can be developed into spacious apartments conveniently placed for The City and West End. Fuelled by short supply the area of regeneration is fast expanding, and KALMARs are playing a leading role, having already sold or placed under offer over 13 acres around the Old Kent Road. Their credibility is endorsed by them acting for the UK’s leading property developers including British Land, Grosvenor, Berkeley Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Galliard, Barratt’s, Bellway, Workspace and a myriad of smaller developers as well as hundreds of private owners each year.
Always one step ahead of the curve KALMARs have recently re-launched their website which includes an instant valuation tool so homeowners in the area can find out roughly what their property is worth in just 60 seconds. Adam Rosan explained, “It’s no replacement for the full office-based service we offer offline but it does help clients get a quick idea of whether the time is right for them to put their property on the market.”
Whether it’s a safe pair of hands with plenty of experience and local knowledge or a young team of vibrant professionals with all of the right online tools at their disposal, KALMARs have a lot to celebrate, not just their 50th birthday!
KALMARs Estate Agents
Jamaica Wharf
2 Shad Thames
SE1 2YU
t: 020 7403 1301
e: info@kalmars.com
w: kalmars.com
