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by Simon Barnes

The most desirable streets in Prime Central London

Simon Barnes

Property expert Simon Barnes gives a low down on some of the most desirable streets in Prime Central London

“Property in prime central London is a two-tier market:
  1. The first tier is made up of a limited number of properties in most price ranges which can be found in the right condition and perfect location and which, are offered at the proper price.
  2. The second tier consists of a large number properties located ‘on the fringe’, perhaps on the wrong side of the street, lacking key amenities or not presented in absolutely the best condition.”

ON MAYFAIR

Charles Street - London's most desirable streets
Charles Street, Mayfair

Simon Barnes says: “There are really only ten most desirable streets in Mayfair.” Here are Simon’s top four:

Charles Street – Simon Barnes says: “A street with houses that contrast in style and architectural features, with some narrower than others.  At the rear, you will see that others back closely onto houses in Hay’s Mews to the north and Clarges Mews to the south.”

Upper Grosvenor Street – “Refined elegance with some fine houses, this is old Mayfair as we know it.”

Mount Street – “Now rivalling Bond Street as a chic shopping destination with stylish flagship boutiques and heritage brands – Mount Street has a vibrant village feel.”

Green Street – Simon Barnes says: “In reality, even in the prestigious location Green Street, Mayfair there are perhaps only four or five houses that I would recommend buyers view.”

ON KENSINGTON

Simon Barnes says: “It’s the same story in Kensington.

Holland Villas Road – houses on one side of Holland Villas Road back on to the noisy Holland Road, while houses on the other side back onto the very much quieter large houses of Addison Road.”

ON BELGRAVIA

Simon Barnes says: “At first glance the houses lining the smart streets in Belgravia appear identical.

Cadogan Place – “One of Belgravia’s most desirable and prestigious streets.  At the eastern end houses are white stucco fronted buildings, yet at the southerly end they are plainer with brick facades. While the white facades may seem attractive, all these houses back closely onto their mews houses. The brick fronted houses are much better; more space at the rear, quieter and altogether a better location.”


Mayfair images
prime property market update

Filed Under: Prime Areas Tagged With: Belgravia, desirable streets, Kensington, Mayfair, most desirable streets, Prime Central London, Simon Barnes

by Simon Barnes

Cycling in Mayfair – pedalling in style

Cycling in Mayfair and other prime central London areas can be a more relaxed affair than one might imagine, taking in some of the city’s most cultural and artistic sights.  There are a wonderful selection of attractive tree-lined streets and vast expanses of green parks and spaces with cycle paths meandering through.

cycling in Mayfair

From the courtyard of Westminster Abbey School, which offers a privileged view of Westminster Abbey and some of its hidden quarters, it’s just a quick ride to Horse Guard’s Parade, a historic sporting ground where Henry VIII once hosted jousting tournaments, followed by a pedal through Hyde Park, Henry’s private hunting ground, before Buckingham Palace was built.

Cycling in London

Factor Bikes

A growing  culture of cycling in Mayfair, an area normally associated with luxury shops, galleries and exclusive clubs, is illustrated by the fact that it is also home to cycling cafes and bespoke cycle shops. While there has been an increase in the demand for London’s hire bikes which are available to anyone, the rise of cycling in the capital and the UK in general has also seen the growth in the world of luxury cycling. Foremost among the high-end bike manufacturers in this market are  Factor Bikes.

Factor Bikes was conceived from a commitment to innovation, speed and performance through advanced engineering; our soul lives in technology and integration and our heritage is derived from advanced motorsport and aviation

Factor Bikes

Factor Bikes is the brainchild of designers Baden Cooke and David Millar – British Road and TT champion and Australian multiple Grand Tour stage winner.  The new generation of innovatively designed Factor Bikes focus on our innovative heritage and luxury performance using only the very highest quality materials, fit, and finishing. Originally a spin-off of b1systems, a leading engineering firm in Norfolk dedicated to working at the highest levels of design with some of the fastest, most prestigious brands in the world including Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Maserati and many F1, Moto GP and WRC teams.

Baden Cooke comments: “We work closely with BF1 Systems on a lot of the technical parts of the design and engineering. We want to bring that race heritage into that technology already established by BF1 systems, to make the best bikes in the world”.

Originally BF1 Systems was looking to involve a more critical, race-proven, eye. It was the perfect opportunity to start working with Tour de France Green Jersey winner Baden Cooke. Baden was a top professional for 14 years winning over 50 races. In 2003 Baden sprinted his way to a stage win and the overall Green jersey in the Tour de France beating the likes of Robbie McEwen and Erik Zabel. Baden, an Olympian, rode for powerhouse squads such as Orica GreenEDGE and Saxo Bank.

Joshua Buckley of H. Barnes & Co. and Baden Cooke of Factor Bikes
Joshua Buckley of H. Barnes & Co. and Baden Cooke of Factor Bikes

Baden’s experience and feedback working with the b1systems design team made him passionate about what Factor Bikes http://www.factorbikes.com/ was seeking to achieve and the epiphany came when he took the Vis Vires out for a test ride.  This culminated in Baden developing a partnership with some cycling industry experts and, along with Rob Gitelis, purchasing Factor Bikes from bf1systems.  Baden Cooke says:  “Now that I am retired, for the first time in my life I can actually ride whatever bike I want.  One of our main goals at Factor is to create a bike so good that everybody will aspire to ride it”.

Bespoke Cycling in Mayfair

Joshua Buckley at H Barnes & Co says: “London is a great city for cycling; The Thames affords some of the best views across the city, with level safe cycling routes stretching across the capital and of course the green spaces and parks mean you can cut through and feel like you’re a million miles away from the urban hustle and bustle.

hbc_taylorstbaristas02

Our office is in Mayfair and so I’m always checking out interesting retailers and Bespoke Cycling in Jermyn Street is one of my haunts.  Bespoke is all about the fit of a bike; every purchase begins with a comprehensive fitting session, as well as fits for existing bikes.  Achieving a correct fit is crucial for not only performance but also comfort, efficiency and preventing injury.  The fitters use 3D motion capture to gain highly accurate data. Another key element is Bespoke Cycling’s biomechanics, involving a physical assessment to adapt the bike to a rider’s ideal position as a future goal.”

Filed Under: LIfestyle, London, Simon Barnes’ Property Scrapbook Tagged With: baden Cooke, Bespoke Cycling, BF1 Systems, cycling, cycling in Matfair, Factor Bikes, GreenEDGE, Mayfair, Orica, Saxo Bank, Vis Vires

by Simon Barnes

Shepherd Market puts the May in Mayfair

Described as ‘the Heart of Mayfair’ by many local residents, Shepherd Market is a charming small square and piazza, discreetly positioned between Piccadilly and Curzon Street. Originally it dates back to 1735-46 when Edward Shepherd developed it on a plot of land that had been used for the 15 day May Fair held every year and from which Mayfair takes its name.

Shepherd Market Mayfair

For many years, the area of Shepherd Market was considered one of bad repute and infamous for its sex trade. Today it is home to a variety of boutique shops, restaurants and impressive Victorian pubs. A plethora of nationalities are clustered in this small area offering the opportunity to take an international culinary tour, from first class Lebanese, Turkish and Iranian to authentic Italian cooking at Misto and some of the finest French cuisine in London at Le Boudin Blanc. The exteriors of these eateries are understated, which reflects the area of Shepherd’s Market – it is a genuine hidden gem with a relaxed village like feel.

Shepherd Street is home to famous British racing driver, Sir Stirling Moss, who lives in one of the first buildings on the left as you pass through a small archway leading into Shepherd Street. His local stands on the corner, ‘Shepherd’s Tavern Pub’, dating back to 1735. In Curzon Street stands the Saudi Arabian Embassy, occupying an original mansion in Mayfair called ‘Crewe House’, almost directly situated on the original site of the May Fair.

Shepherd Market


The Rise of Shepherd Market

In the roaring 1920’s this part of London was a fashionable haunt and home to some charismatic and eccentric residents taken directly from a Noel Coward play or novel by Evelyn Waugh. In fact it has several literary associations, Half Moon Street is close by and was where P G Wodehouse chose to make the residence for Jeeves and Wooster.

Armenian born, Michael Arlen was a tenant opposite the Ye Grapes pub and used Shepherd Market as the setting for his novel, ‘The Green Hat’, which become a play on Broadway starring Katharine Cornell, and a London West End stage production starring Tallulah Bankhead.  In 1925 Greta Garbo starred in a silent film version of the novel, renamed A Woman of Affairs. This Victorian pub retains its original period features with attractive glazed tiles and leadlight windows. Novelist Nancy Mitford one worked at the Heywood Hill famous book shop and ‘Trumpers’  is one of London’s most well-known gentleman’s hairdressers.

Filed Under: Simon Barnes’ Property Scrapbook Tagged With: Crew House, Greta Garbo, Heywood Hill, Katharine Cornell, Le Boudin Blanc, May Fair\, Mayfair, Michael Arlen, Shephert Market, Sir Stirling Moss, Tallulah Bankhead, The Green Hat, Trumpers, Ye Grapes

by Simon Barnes

Mayfair is revelling in its transformation

Mayfair has always been one of London’s most sought after post codes, but over recent years the look and feel…and crucially the character has changed quite dramatically.

Mayfair  has undergone a major cash injection with a comprehensive transformation, notably targeting the areas of Mount Street and Shepherd Market.  These areas have been turned into chic modern enclaves boasting designer names, bespoke retailers and all things beautiful and luxurious with a village atmosphere away from the frenetic West End.

Berkeley Square, Mayfair
Berkeley Square, Mayfair

Richard Caring, no stranger to Mayfair, spent more than £15m on his latest restaurant venture, Sexy Fish, turning the former Natwest bank building on the corner of Berkeley Square into a feast for the eyes .  The restaurant is certainly sufficiently ‘bling’ to attract a string of celebrities, Russian oligarchs and bankers’ wives who lunch.  The extravagant interiors include a golden ceiling, an Iranian floor, works of art that include a sparkling crocodile by Frank Gehry and a Damien Hirst mermaid and one of the largest fish tanks lining the walls of the private dining room in the basement.

Across the square long established Annabel’s nightclub continues to attract devotees, as do the discerning Scotts and Harry’s Bar.

Property in Mayfair

Until recently property transactions in Mayfair would typically be very much ‘under the radar’ – individual units in mansion blocks or big house sales with no significant developments to speak of.  That has changed with Finchatton’s high profile Grosvenor Square development , which is achieving as much as £6000 per square foot, and John Caudwell’s  plans to transform the multi storey carpark in Audley Street into one of London’s most exciting residential developments.

Filed Under: Mayfair, Prime Areas Tagged With: Annabel's, Audley Street, Mayfair, Mount Street, Property in Mayfair, Sexy Fish, Shepherd Market

by Simon Barnes

Mayfair – home to bespoke design

Mayfair is a melting pot of all things luxury, bespoke and beautiful; its village feel reflected in the plethora of talented craftspeople, designers and expert makers who have chosen to base themselves in this exclusive part of Prime Central London.  Whether you are in search of bespoke furniture for your property, or want to commission a piece of contemporary art, or have a period feature replicated, then a stroll around Mayfair will throw up a treasure trove of high end independent retailers, workshops and galleries. 

Mayfair, London
Mayfair, London

Mayfair New Craftsmen

When a property needs a site-specific piece, or an architectural feature or solution, then head to The New Craftsmen in North Row.  Set up in 2014, this innovative creative concept occupies some 2000 square feet of space in a former 19th Century leather breeches workshop. The New Craftsmen showcases British artisans and makers, representing the very best in British craft skills and traditions. Their commissioning service allows anyone to have a bespoke piece made – whether it be sculpture, metal work, pottery, furniture or any other creative medium. 

 If bespoke with an Italian twist is your bag, visit Tisettanta in Grosvenor Street. The Italian designer furniture manufacturer creates quality contemporary pieces from walk-in wardrobes to ultra-modern kitchens.  If you love leather, then Alma Leather Furniture on Vigo Street can offer bespoke handcrafted leather furniture, floors and wall coverings.

Halycon Days has a well-deserved reputation for bringing together exceptional gifts and one-off items.  Walk into their shop in Brook Street and you will really feel in the lap of luxury goods – clocks, handmade leather goods, wonderful enamel boxes, and we defy you to leave without picking up something to show-off at home.


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.”

READ H. BARNES & CO MAYFAIR PROPERTY GUIDE

Filed Under: Prime Areas Tagged With: bespoke design, Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, Mayfair New Craftsmen

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