Knightsbridge

Knightsbridge is the name given to an exclusive area of central London. It is most famous for its fantastic shopping, upmarket property and luxurious hotels. As the home of both Harrods and Harvey Nicholls, Knightsbridge is able to hold onto its reputation as a cool and hip district of London which attracts people from all walks of life. It is conveniently and centrally located lying south of Hyde Park, west of Hyde Park Corner, and spans over Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster.

Knightsbridge is a real gem in the heart of the city. Accordingly the district of Knightsbridge is identified by the London Plan as one of London’s two ‘international centres’. Its greenery, courtesy of Hyde Park and several picturesque squares, contrast well to the modern apartment blocks and beautiful town houses. The prevalent Victorian character gives the area a real sense of charm. With such impressive architecture mixed in and among luxury boutiques, fine dining, art galleries, and fine hotels it is hardly surprising that Knightsbridge is regarded as one of London’s most chic and exclusive areas.

Knightsbridge takes its name from the fact that it was originally a small hamlet located between the villages of Chelsea (Chelsey), and Kensington (Kensing town) and Charing. The area became famous when, between 1885 and 1887, Humphreys' Hall in Knightsbridge hosted an exhibition of Japanese culture. The exhibition was very popular, and attracted over 250,000 visitors from very early on.

Knightsbridge has something for everybody. With its parks, shops, and restaurants, there is always something new to discover. Knightsbridge is one of London’s main shopping hubs. With Harrods and Harvey Nicholls acting as ‘corner shops’ to locals and Sloane Square housing every designer label imaginable, it’s no wonder that Knightsbridge is considered to be a shopper’s paradise.

In recent years Knightsbridge has been seem as the place for distinguished chefs to make their London debuts. For instance, celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal recently opened his first London restaurant Dinner in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Legendary French Chef Pierre Koffmann has also recently established himself at the Berkley Hotel.

Historically, wealthy, aristocratic, landowners have prevailed in the area. Currently, the principal landowners in the area are the Duke of Westminster and Earl Cadogan. Since a lot of the land use in Knightsbridge is strictly controlled and is difficult to find, the majority of properties tend to be refurbished flats and houses. Many have had their basements extended to accommodate for swimming pools and private nightclubs. Great variety is created between these white stucco-fronted houses which lie in stark contrast to the red-bricked Queen Anne Revival buildings.

In recent years, Knightsbridge has seen the construction of several new, highly anticipated apartment buildings. In particular, One Hyde Park has attracted some of the world’s wealthiest people. It is reported that a Qatari prince picked up an apartment in the development for £100 million in 2007 and that Rinat Akhmetov followed suit, securing a penthouse apartment for £136.6 million. At the time, this was claimed to be the most expensive apartment in the world.

With this in mind, it is no surprise that property prices can vary greatly. Accommodation for up to two people can go for about £4000 per week while accommodation for five or six people can go up to £25000 per week.