From One Hyde Park to Kensington Palace Gardens to Grosvenor Crescent, it’s safe to say that there are a few London addresses that evoke a wide-eyed look of wonder when mentioned to any property enthusiast.
Recent research by Zoopla has revealed that, perhaps unsurprisingly, London holds the top spot in Britain for the most expensive streets with Kensington Palace Gardens finding its way to the top with an average house price of £29.9million – a whopping figure that leaps far above the city’s property average of £661,403.
If you’re not a member of an international royal family and purchasing a property at the higher end of the market is somewhat out of your reach, don’t be dissuaded as there are plenty of rental opportunities in a range of exclusive locations across the city that will have you living the luxury life you so desire.
Which areas of London are the most desirable?
The areas of Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Belgravia, Kensington, South Kensington, and more hold a sophisticated selection of exclusive properties on some of the most sought-after streets that are worth keeping an eye out for if you’re looking to move somewhere utterly exclusive. According to BHHS London Properties, the upscale estate agents in Knightsbridge, houses in Knightsbridge and Belgravia are let at an average of £5,577 a month, while flats let for an average of £2,843. The average price for a home is £2,036,049 in the area, with a new house seeing upwards of £15 million.
Exclusive properties that are hitting highs
In Knightsbridge there is, of course, the uber luxury One Hyde Park, the retail and residential complex, which has seen multiple properties sell for £100 million plus in recent years. Completed in December 2010 at a cost of 1.15 billion, the 86 apartments sit alongside three retail units, consisting of Rolex, McClaren Automotive and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and command a minimum price of around £20 million.
A two-storey penthouse went up for sale in April this year with an asking price of £175 million – the most expensive property on the market in the capital at the time. Buyers could expect five luxurious bedrooms, a private spa, golf simulator, cocktail bar, swimming pool, cinema and views of Hyde Park and Harrods in its 18,000 sq ft offering.
You may think that this is surely a record-breaker, but it isn’t, and it’s not just in London which has seen a pricier property change hands in recent years, but the district of Knightsbridge itself with the sale of 2-8a Rutland Gate. This 45-bedroom, seven-storey house is believed to have been the most expensive property sold in the UK and was bought for £205 million in 2020 by Hong-Kong-based property developer Cheung Chung-kiu. With 68 of its 116 windows boasting a view of Hyde Park, and its position directly between Kensington and Buckingham Palace, it’s easy to see why this would be such a premium property to get your hands on.
Sublime streets to live on
Aside from these uber-luxe offerings, what else is there in and around the area to lust over? Well, Grosvenor Crescent in Belgravia sees average house prices of around £17.2 million and came third on the list of most expensive streets in Britain*. Regency, Grade II listed buildings prove rather luxurious and are close to Michelin-starred restaurants, five-star hotels, while the street hosts Belgrave Square Gardens to one end and Buckingham Palace Gardens to the other.
Originally named The Queen’s Road, Kensington Palace Gardens is possibly the most exclusive street to live on in London and borders Kensington Gardens, while neighbouring Kensington Palace. Close to the Royal Albert Hall and a selection of London’s finest museums and restaurants, it is easy to see why this street is so exclusive and desirable. Made up of a range of mansions with security at either end of the tree-lined, largely traffic-free avenue, Kensington Palace Gardens offers a slice of peaceful country life, while also being in the heart of the city, and that’s quite a feat.
