Blue Health and Better Yields: How Waterlife Turns Waterways into Vibrant Destinations

The Independent was not involved in the creation of this sponsored content.

When Ian Watkins launched Waterlodge in 2019, his idea was simple but ambitious: build high-quality homes that float. What started as a niche experiment quickly caught a wave of demand, especially during COVID-19, when people sought new ways to escape cramped apartments and rediscover freedom on the water.

“The interest we had was absolutely staggering,” Watkins recalls. “People suddenly realized they didn’t need to commute every day to central London. Why not live and work from a houseboat instead?”

That initial success laid the foundation for Waterlife, a sister brand Watkins introduced last year to expand beyond residential floating homes. While Waterlodge remains focused on B2C sales, Waterlife is steering into B2B territory, offering marinas, hotels, and leisure operators a chance to create floating cafés, offices, saunas, shisha lounges, barber shops, and even fitness studios.

“Theoretically, if it can be built on land, we can build it on water,” Watkins says.

Waterlodge’s contemporary floating homes are designed with comfort and sustainability in mind, featuring fore and aft sundecks, roof terraces, double-glazing, and eco-efficient systems that may help keep emissions and running costs low. Each home takes four to six months to build and can be tailored to bespoke specifications, offering an alternative lifestyle without sacrificing luxury.

But the appeal goes far beyond private buyers. Watkins points out that marina operators can generate significant annual revenue by renting floating homes compared to leasing berths to traditional yachts. “If you put one of our units on rental portals, the yield can be remarkable. It can potentially be a huge opportunity for operators,” he explains.

Waterlife’s versatility is quickly capturing attention. Recent projects have included a floating sauna and discussions about a shisha bar in central London. For hotels and resorts, the potential lies in diversifying guest experiences. For mobile home parks with lakes, it can often mean unlocking new capacity without complicated planning permissions.

The secret lies in certification: every unit is classed as a boat. That means they can be placed in marinas and waterways without the red tape that burdens land-based construction. “It’s a much easier route for developing a site. You’re just putting boats into a marina,” says Watkins.

Beyond the practical and commercial benefits, Watkins highlights a growing societal shift. Rising sea levels, climate concerns, and housing shortages make floating structures not just novel but necessary. “Our products are future-proofed, low-carbon, sustainable, and adaptable to climate change,” he says.

He also emphasizes the mental health benefits of living near or on water, often called “blue health.” Research shows proximity to water reduces stress and improves well-being. “People want experiences, not just possessions. Being on the water is calming, restorative, and it changes how you live,” Watkins notes.

Looking ahead, Watkins envisions entire floating neighborhoods. With unused water space across urban areas, in London’s East End, for example, he believes floating affordable housing could become a reality within a few years. “We could put 100 to 200 units on the water and create Amsterdam-style floating communities right here in the UK,” he says.

For Watkins, the goal is clear: redefine how people live, work, and socialize by taking it all onto the water. Whether it’s a floating café, rental home, or an entire neighborhood, Waterlife is positioning itself at the forefront of an emerging industry.

“It’s time to adapt and consider another way to live, holiday, and do business,” Watkins says. “The water is ready. We just need to use it.”