“As my office is just off Berkeley Square in the heart of Mayfair, I can’t fail to notice how Mayfair has changed over the last 20 years.” says Simon Barnes, owner of H.Barnes & Co. “But even after 20 years walking Mayfair’s elegant streets, I find things that I did not know – and perhaps the following Mayfair facts are a surprise to you too.”
Fact 1
Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair: hidden away on the roof of the old electricity substation in Duke Street built in 1903-1905. This raised paved terrace is the weekly venue for The Mayfair Market, where energetic entrepreneurs and artisan foodies will take you on a food journey from Argentina for empandas, to Portugal for Bacalhau, Every Wednesday from 11am to 3pm. The Garden Café by Benugo is a great lunch time get away from the city bustle.
Fact 2
From rags to riches: on what is now 103 Mount Street was once the parish workhouse. It was erected in 1725 and extended during the 1780’s to provide board, lodgings and work for the poor.
Fact 3
You can take an estate agent to water… In 1891 a bronze drinking fountain in the form of a rearing horse was designed for Henry Lofts, a Mayfair estate agent, by Harold Peto and Sir Ernest George.
Fact 4
One of Jane Austen’s favourite authors, Fanny Burney, author of Evelina lived at 102 Mount Street in the 18th Century. Jimi Hendrix lived at 23 Brook Street for a year in 1968.
Fact 5
Tamarind Restaurant of Mayfair is the first Indian restaurant in the world to be awarded a Michelin star and it continues to be one of only nine to hold the accolade.
Property In Mayfair
Operating independently from our Mayfair base H.Barnes & Co is able to provide a personal level of service far beyond the average buying agent or property consultant. Owner Simon Barnes: “I would say that there are only ten streets you should be looking at in Mayfair; these include Charles Street, Upper Grosvenor Street, Mount Street and Green Street.”