Hermitage Moorings, 16 Wapping High Stre, London, E1W

 Architecture and Interiors

“Dankbaarheid” was built as a Dutch barge in 1913 but her exquisite interiors and immaculately maintained exterior and decks belie her commercial past.  She has been converted into an incredibly comfortable and beautifully designed home of the highest calibre.  The internal space is flexible but currently set out as three wonderful double cabins and one vast living, cooking and eating area.  This home has all the high-end comforts of a spacious apartment such as Miele dishwasher, SMEG hob and extractor fan, SMEG drinks fridges x 2, Zanussi oven, fridge, freezer and washing machine.  Butlers sink, reclaimed and restored lab tables and stools.  

The main living space is breath-taking in its proportions with light flooding in from both sides and through the huge glass panels to the ceiling.  In the corner is a wood burning stove to make sure that “Dankbaarheid” is not only impressive but also a very cosy place to live.  Hector Finch wall lights in the hallways.  A curved wall brings drama to one end of the space.  

The two bathrooms are beautifully decorated using House of Hackney fabrics and wallpaper and are far larger than would be found in a land-locked apartment at this price.  Bathroom One cost around £30,000 to install and features a Gaetano Sciori for Palwa chandelier and Aston Matthews cast iron roll top bath.  Antique brass doorknobs handcrafted teak toilet seat and cover, bespoke wooden bath platform to add further drama to this beautiful room.  The second bathroom also had a hefty design investment of around £25,000 with C P Hart bespoke shower and fittings, Mandarin stone tiles, marble setting to the hand basin and handcrafted light fittings. 

The Day Cabin is currently being used as a bedroom with a King-Sized bed decorated with a bespoke House of Hackney bedhead and window cabinets handmade in House of Hackney Hollyhocks fabric.  From the bed there is the very best view of Tower Bridge – imagine lying in bed with a morning coffee looking at this iconic bridge yet enjoying the serene peace that can only come from living aboard a boat.  

House of Hackney fabrics and wallpapers have been used in the cabins and the main saloon is extremely beautifully decorated with a glowing wooden floor, white walls and dark blue painted cabinetry to the kitchen.  Paints throughout are from Little Green. 

 

In the neighbourhood

Hermitage Moorings is adjacent to Hermitage Memorial Gardens and close to Waitrose and Tesco stores.  Hermitage Moorings is a secure gated community with an on-site Moorings Manager who brings additional security and support for all residents. There is a communal space for entertaining on the main pontoon. Residents run the mooring as a cooperative with an active and very friendly community and it is a home to creative and professional residents.  There are many well thought of cafes and restaurants in the area. 

Nothing can describe the unique pleasure there is in living aboard a warm and safe boat and falling asleep to and waking up to the changing tides and the excitement of living at the heart of the city. Residents who live at Hermitage Moorings also talk of how much sky you see when you live aboard a boat – an outlook unlike any other in London.

 

Transport and communications

Wapping underground, Tower Hill underground stations are both an eight-minute walk away with London Bridge mainline and underground station around a fifteen-minute walk away across Tower Bridge. The whole of central London is just a short bike ride or walk away.

 

 History

 “Dankbaarheid” (meaning Gratitude) was used in the canals through The Netherlands to transport goods.  She was transported to the UK and converted to create a live-aboard barge in 1997.  In an earlier manifestation Dankbaarheid was called “Sir Henry Johnson” and was a floating pub/bar in Royal Victoria Docks.  In 2010 she was bought and completely gutted to turn her into a luxurious living space.  The current owners have further upgraded the living accommodation to create a very fine home.  

 

Technical Information

• Type of Boat: Friese Klipper
• Year: 1913
• Length: 32.2m
• Beam: 6.2m
• Draft: 1.2m
• Engine: DAF
• Gearbox & hydraulics steering: fully replaced in 2022, ask for more information

Mooring fee to Hermitage Mooring includes water, sewerage, Port of London Licence

The current owners have maintained the barge impeccably and took Dankbaarheid to dry dock in 2021, where she had an out of water survey conducted by Stefan Fritz who is acknowledged to be one of the most knowledgeable boat surveyors working in Europe and around the world. The hull was completely blasted back to bare metal & repainted.

The boiler is serviced annually and has just undergone this annual service.

Exterior woodwork has been freshly sanded and oiled in preparation for the winter months.

“Dankbaarheid” is in impeccable condition with no foreseeable upcoming service issues for some time to come.

 

Material Information 

• Property construction: Steel Hull
• Heating type: Solid fuel heating  
• Utilities: Electricity, solid fuel, water
• Electricity supply: Mains connected
• Water & Sewerage: mains connected
• Broadband: Ultrafast download speed 1000 Mbps; upload speed 1000 Mbps. Source: 
• Mobile signal/coverage: Likely excellent exterior coverage on all major networks (limited interior coverage). Source:
• Rights and easements: Shared communal entrance and walk ways
• Accessibility/adaptations: Not suited for wheelchair users
• Flight path: Yes. Source:  
• Running cost for electricity : approx. £188 per quarter
• Council Tax Band A (£1117.01 per annum as of Oct 2024)

 

EPC rating: Exempt. Tenure: Freehold, Service charge description: Mooring charges & Boat Mooring Membership,