LIVING AT TONIC@BANKHOUSE
What is Bankhouse?
Bankhouse is a retirement community comprising of 84 apartments, across 14 floors, located on Albert Embankment in Vauxhall, Lambeth. Riverside, a social landlord have 59 rental apartments and 6 shared ownership apartments. Tonic own/part-own the remaining 19 apartments across the top four floors.
Bankhouse was designed as a retirement community by architects Foster + Partners and consists of high-quality one and two bedroom self contained apartments, many with balconies with stunning views. Bankhouse also has community spaces to meet with other people, a bar and restaurant, a community lounge overlooking the River Thames, a floating garden and a roof terrace with incredible views of central London, an overnight guest suite, a laundry room and bike storage. All areas of the building are fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Bankhouse has 24 hour on site staff and optional care packages from Care Outlook are available.
What is Tonic@Bankhouse?
Tonic is bringing our LGBTQ+ affirming offer to Bankhouse by facilitating our resident-led events and activities programme and working alongside the other Bankhouse staff.
Tonic@Bankhouse are Tonic’s first properties. Tonic has 17 shared ownership apartments and 2 for rent. Tonic is working in partnership with Riverside to ensure that our LGBTQ+ affirming approach is for all residents of Bankhouse, regardless of their tenure or landlord. Tonic has provided training for all the staff at Bankhouse to equip them with the knowledge and skills to provide quality care and support to older LGBTQ+ people.
What does LGBTQ+ affirming mean?
LGBTQ+ affirming means that our approach to services and support is not just be “LGBTQ+-friendly” but genuinely affirming of the lives, histories, needs and desires of LGBTQ+ people. The term does not imply exclusion of those who do not identify as LGBTQ+, but actively values those who respect and celebrate LGBTQ+ people.
What is a retirement community?
Retirement Communities combine high-quality housing options for older people with tailored support services. They allow residents to rent or own a property and to maintain their privacy and independence, with the reassurance of 24-hour on-site staff, communal facilities, and optional care and support as needed. Retirement Communities may also be referred to as retirement villages, extra care housing, housing-with-care, assisted or independent living.
What homes are available?
We currently have no available apartments for Shared Ownership or Rent as all 19 have been bought via shared ownership or are currently let. Please sign up to our Register of Interest to be updated on available Tonic properties.
How much do the apartments cost to buy?
All of our shared ownership properties have now been sold. This means all further sales will be conducted by the current owners and not Tonic.
Prices based on the most recent valuation start from £126,875 for a 25% share of a 1-bed apartment and £180,000 for a 25% share of a 2-bed apartment. These go up to £395,438 for a 75% share of a 1-bed apartment and £592,500 for a 75% share of a 2-bed apartment.
In addition to the purchase price, there will be a rent charged on any unsold equity up to 75% (the 25% always owned by Tonic will be rent free); a Service Charge and a Administration Fee. Tonic team members will explain all about these to you, as well as provide fully detailed documents.
Can I rent an apartment at Bankhouse?
Yes. Tonic has planning consent to rent two 1-bed apartments and we are leasing these as the Registered Provider of Social Housing (RP), as we received our registration in July 2025. Click here to read the FAQ’s on renting at Tonic@Bankhouse.
Am I eligible to live in a Tonic apartment at Bankhouse?
Bankhouse is a retirement community so there is an eligibility criteria that you must be 55 years old or over.
The Shared Ownership scheme has it’s own eligibility criteria, which you can read here. Our rental properties also have their own eligibility criteria, which you can read here.
How do I find out more information?
On the Tonic@Bankhouse website you can find photos of the apartments and building, information on pricing, eligibility criteria and all services information.
You can register your interest in Bankhouse directly here and then one of the Tonic team will be in touch with you within a few days. You can alternatively email info@tonichousing.org.uk, or telephone us on 0207 971 1091 and we can register your interest with you.
What if I am not eligible for Tonic@Bankhouse?
You can still register your interest in living at Tonic even if you are not eligible for the apartments at Bankhouse. Tonic intends to follow on from Bankhouse with more communities, and telling us what you want and need is important to inform our decisions. Being on our Register of Interest means we can contact you about future opportunities.
