Aldgate viewing

The second viewing I attended was in Aldgate in an incredibly large office building. There were a few rooms available, and the viewing was attended by a group of around 20 people, all of which appeared to be under 30 year of age. We were shown around the building by a member of the Guardianship company and instructed to let them know when we saw a room that we wanted. The viewing worked on a first com first serve basis which many found to be counterproductive, as people began to claim rooms without even knowing how many rooms were left to view.

The rooms were entirely empty and covered in a thin layer of dust, likely caused by the decoration process. Although the majority of the rooms were offices, some appeared to be conference rooms split in two by a temporary wall. Prices ranged from £650 for a medium sized office, to £850 for the larger sizes which when mentioned caused much 'umming' and 'ahhhing' amongst the viewers. The Guardian Company required anyone who wanted a room to put a £100 cash deposit down right there and then, the remaining deposit was to be paid in 48 hours, and you were to move into the building ASAP.

My experience at this viewing much more closely followed the narrative often marketed in newspapers and by the guardian companies themselves. We, the young 20 somethings of London, were seeking affordable housing in some of London's best areas, as well as novel experiences that would allow for creativity. When discussing affordability none of the viewers saw the actual price as affordable, rather it was the opportunity they were after.