The Quay to modern life

IF YOU'VE ever wondered about moving to a luxury new-build flat it's worth considering whether you're the type who likes cruise holidays or prefers wild camping by yourself, because apartment blocks increasingly offer several communal facilities that you're either going to love or hate.

- Deborah Stone

The only shared spaces in blocks of flats used to be the lifts and a bit of grass. Now there's a growing list of fabulous amenities including comfortable lounges, sophisticated roof terraces and gyms the bare minimum for many new-build apartment blocks.

But One Thames Quay, a 48-storey development in London's Canary Wharf, has really pushed the boat out with a residents-only bowling alley, small cinema and a second floor wrap-around canopy garden and outdoor lounges similar to a cruise ship promenade deck.