Mayfair

Mayfair is a prestigious, reputable area of London, located in the heart of the city. It is perhaps best known for its reputation as the most expensive property on the London Monopoly board. Mayfair is centrally located and is bordered by Hyde Park to the West, Regent Street to the East, Oxford Street to the North, and GreenPark to the South. With its exquisite squares, beautiful parks, private members’ clubs, luxury hotels and shops one can see why Mayfair is one of the most exclusive and sought after areas in London to live in.

Mayfair is often described as a true London microcosm. It is a place that captures the life of London with all its hustle and bustle. But with its beautiful squares and parks, it is also a peaceful haven in the centre of this wonderful city. For this reason it really is a wonderful place to live in, to work in, and to visit.

Mayfair takes its name from the 15 day May Fair which used to take place in the area in the 1680s. Over the next couple of centuries the area had evolved into a fashionable residential neighbourhood with landlords such as the Dukes of Westminster, the Grosvenor and Rothschild families, and the Crown Estate all securing their share hold of Mayfair’s freehold.Although many aristocratic families moved elsewhere in the twentieth century, their residential mansions remained and were converted into smaller dwellings, flats, and offices after the war.

In recent years, these buildings seem to have returned to their residential origins due to the growth in population that has taken place in the area. Mayfair has once again become the ultimate location in which to reside. Many of the converted houses have returned to single residences and Mayfair is now home to many international business people who choose to reside in London. In particular, Mayfair has become an attractive location away from the City for private banks, hedge funds and wealth managers.

One would never find themselves short of things to do in Mayfair. It is home to an array of shops, restaurants, luxury hotels, museums, gardens, and parks, many adding to the exclusive feel of the area.Important buildings such as the American Embassy, the Royal Academy of Arts, and the Dorchester Hotel not only add to this exclusivity but make the area attractive to both residents and businesses.

Mayfair is home to some of the capital’s best restaurants and most luxurious shops. Claridge’s hotel is home to Gordon Ramsay’s infamous two Michelin starred restaurant. The Alain Ducasse restaurant at the Dorchester is also highly acclaimed. Mayfair also houses two outlets of the hip chain Nobu.

People flock from across the city to marvel at the shopping delights that Mayfair has to offer. Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason offer a high class department store shopping experience whilst Saville Row is world renowned for its tailoring. Bond Street is the place for luxury designer clothing, jewellery, and antiques. For a more alternative and artistic experience one can head to one of the several museums, sample High Tea, or go for a walk in one of the many parks or squares.

With three hundred year old Georgian mansion blocks nestled among well groomed squares and parks, the grandeur of living Mayfair really begins to express itself. Present too are picturesque mews houses in and among cobbled pavements. This mix of the urban and rural, and the central and private, are part of what makes Mayfair so charming and such an attractive place in which to live.

Property prices in the area vary a great deal. The average rental value for an apartment is £1500 per week and £3000 per week for a house. A larger family property in this area will sell for between £5m and £50m.