Spotting streets with potential is never easy. Many of the streets, crescents and garden squares across south west London are already in demand. Yet there are some that will always prove popular or standout. It might be their location, the unique properties or more recently local redevelopment projects that are shining a spotlight on an already established area. Canny buyers should think long term and be reassured that a property’s rarity value and social cachet are likely to add to their overall appeal.
Here James Bailey, Chief Executive of Henry & James, picks seven streets to watch in 2018. Many of them you will recognise, while others are hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Exclusive enclave: Belgrave Mews West, London SW1X
Belgrave Mews West is a hidden slice of London. The cobbled street of attractive mews cottages can be entered by arched entranceways at either end. It even has its own pub – the Star Tavern, allegedly the bar in which the Great Train Robbery was planned. The street is a stone’s throw from Mosimann’s restaurant and Waitrose on West Halkin Street. Residents benefit from private parking and, in some cases, garages. Expect to pay upwards of £2m for a property here.
Sophisticated symmetry: Wilton Crescent, London SW1X
There is nothing more quintessentially British than a crescent. Located off Belgrave Square, Wilton Crescent is wide and open, wrapping around the communal gardens. The gracious curving terraces of tall, pale, stucco town houses appeal to the embassy of Luxembourg and the high Commission of Singapore. Just having “crescent” in your address boosts the price of your property by 40%, according to property analysts Dataloft. If you want to rub shoulders with the global great and good, this is the place to live.
Grace and favour: Cadogan Place, London, SW1X
Homes on Cadogan Place are among the most attractive in London. Grand porticoed residences of six storeys face the extensive communal gardens. This leafy space of more than eight acres is made up of lawns, mature trees and flower beds. It also has tennis courts that residents can use, too. Property here can cost tens of millions, but you can find flats for around £1m. It is favoured by British and overseas buyers, particularly those with children as there is an excellent selection of prime schools nearby, including Hill House and Francis Holland.
Mews magic: Kinnerton Street, London SW1X
Kinnerton Street offers a mix of residential period and more modern properties. Benefiting from its sought-after location, you should expect to pay in the region of £1m for an apartment and £3-4m for one of the houses. The north end, away from Motcomb Street, is prettier and quieter, lined with low-rise, white painted mews cottages. There are two popular pubs – The Nag’s Head and the Wilton Arms, with the added bonus of the Alfred Lord Tennyson on the Motcomb Street corner. The amenities of this area, added to the attractiveness of the properties, mean that buyers are always keen to secure a home in this sought-after Belgravia street.
Well connected: Lowndes Square, London SW1X
Lowndes Square offers a wide variety of mansion blocks and smart town houses. The brick and stucco terraces look over the central communal gardens of nearly an acre. Set between Knightsbridge and Motcomb Street, with Harvey Nichols on the corner, serious shoppers could not be better placed. A one-bedroom flat in this grand Belgravian address will cost around £1m.
Retail Rewards: Motcomb Street, London SW1X
Motcomb Street has been recently pedestrianised to make the shopping experience even more enjoyable. The lack of passing traffic along the cobbled street enhances the ambience of pavement cafes and local boutiques. There are more than 30 top-end retail units along the street with quaint courtyards and quiet cloisters peeping onto the main thoroughfare. The Pantechnicon, a grand, Grade II-listed building originally housing shops and galleries is currently being revamped. This lifestyle hub will offer an eclectic collection of boutiques and eateries. And you can live here – there are 25 residential properties within the street, admittedly rarely available, where you can have all these flourishing facilities literally on your doorstep. Part of the Grosvenor Estate, their vision is to create a shopping district to rival Knightsbridge. This is a key street to watch in 2018.
Jewel in the crown: Chester Square, London SW1W
Chester Square was named the fifth most expensive street in Britain last year with prices pushing £30m. It is an attractive square featuring beautiful communal gardens, stucco town houses, and an air of timeless tranquillity. Close to Victoria station, and a short walk from Sloane Square, it has attracted high profile residents, including Lady Thatcher.
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