Review of Folk Co-Living in Battersea

Folk Co-Living offers a new type of rental. The idea is simple: when you sign up, you get your own private studio to live in, while sharing a range of communal spaces and amenities with others in the building. I stayed at their Florence Dock house in Battersea, just a ten-minute walk from Clapham Junction.

The studio

The studio I opted for to try out for a one night stay was compact but well-designed, with a kitchenette, a small dining table, and an en-suite bathroom. For a long-term stay, I’d probably make use of the communal kitchens more often, as they are much larger and better equipped (and I’m a messy cook). The bed was comfortable, and there was plenty of storage space.

Larger studio options are also available for those who like a bit more room.

Gym and wellness

There is a gym available for all to use. It was spacious and well-equipped, with free weights, cardio machines, and mats. There's also a separate spinning studio. It’s definitely a perk to have such facilities within the building. You avoid crowded gyms, and no extra membership payment every month.

Co-working space

The co-working area was large, bright, and in a quieter area of the building. The open space setup included plenty of desks, proper office chairs, and computer monitors, with a lot of space to settle and focus. There are also small booths available for private phone or video calls, making it work-from-home friendly. Ideal for those working from home.

Social spaces

There are a lot of social spaces dispersed throughout Florence Dock house. There were five open terraces, including a rooftop with an amazing view over Battersea. Two of the terraces were equipped with barbecues and plenty of seats. Watching the sunset from up there was absolutely gorgeous.

Inside I was able to play ping-pong in the games room. There were also some video games available to play with. The cinema room was spacious and comfortable, with couches spread across the room and a massive screen. In the evenings, the bar opens with a nice selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, which could be enjoyed there or in the nearby lounge spaces. Folk co-living also offers a regular programme of events, from cooking classes and film clubs to arts and crafts, making it easy to socialise and meet new people.

Getting cosy

There were several lovely spaces to relax. I found the library charming. It was an intimate space with dim lighting, filled with books and beanbags. For a movie night, the nook was a smaller, more private version of the cinema room but still featured a large screen, and a couple of sofas. The living room, just off the terrace, offered a beautiful view and a huge couch perfect for lounging with others or relaxing alone.

Overall

While the private studio is quite compact, the sheer amount of communal areas to enjoy makes up for it. The building is thoughtfully designed for you to be able to spend the whole day outside of your studio, while keeping the co-living seamless. Finally, the overall setup is convenient, with no extra charges, and contracts that last as long as you like. This makes it a good option for anyone looking for a flexible, community-driven place to live, and it's pretty gorgeous to live in!

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Written by Alexandra Herlaut Reinhardt

Photography courtesy of Folk Co-Living