Opulence. Luxury. Exclusivity. Three magic words that best describe one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods. A postcode that comes with mystery and allure, Mayfair is for retail enthusiasts and the elegant. Private clubs are scattered on nearly every street (with a total figure above 25!), garden squares on every corner, and luxury outlets that attract not just domestic homeowners but buyers from across the globe. Given Mayfair’s culture, it’s no wonder lifestyle is the main motivator behind the attraction to the area’s property market. Famous figures who have called Mayfair home include Frideric Handel, Jimi Hendrix, and Winston Churchill. Tom Parsons, our London Sales Advisor, takes us on a virtual walk around Mayfair to ‘unmask’ this exclusive and intriguing area.
Mayfair Schools
Education might not spring to mind when you think of Mayfair, but the area does offer some excellent school choices. When you’re next passing through, look out for the little blue hats worn by students at Eaton Square School. Featured in The Guardian, their values include empathy, perseverance, service, ownership, and integrity – all with the aim to ‘foster a love of learning, ensuring children strive for academic, artistic, and sporting excellence’.
Just up the road, past Hyde Park, sits the Sylvia Young Theatre School for young musicians and thespians alike. Offering both full-time education and holiday courses, the school places great emphasis on high academic standards and excellence in the performing arts.
You can’t miss Abercorn School as it’s situated in a spectacular converted former church, adorned with large windows and a red brick exterior. Founded in 1987 and just bordering Mayfair, Abercorn ‘has remained a family-led school with progressive ideas’.
Finally, Albemarle, an award-winning sixth form, specialises in guiding students and preparing them for the next steps. The school offers an ‘Enrichment Programme’ that enables students to benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular and leisure activities outside of their academic programme, including film and photography, contributing to the college magazine, and musical studies.
Mayfair Lifestyle
Mayfair and high-end retail go hand in hand. Picture a London enclave exuding opulence and grandeur at every turn. A sanctuary where global fashion houses, established jewellery brands, and renowned culinary gems are on every street. We’re all too familiar with legendary brands such as Gucci and Chanel, but Louis Vuitton stands out from the rest with its avant-garde exteriors and architectural wonders, situated on New Bond Street. Smaller brands like Goyard, the renowned leather goods store, align with Mayfair’s mystique due to their reputation for product secrecy. The origins of the iconic interlocking Chevron pattern, featured on numerous Goyard bags, remain largely undisclosed.
It goes without saying that brands like Selfridges set the tone of Mayfair, but for those who want to go a little off the beaten track, shoppers can find a few hidden gems dotted around the area. Trunk, founded by Mats Klingberg in 2010, offers a curated selection of emerging and established menswear from Japan, Europe, and the US. Similarly, Heywood Hill is a delightful bookshop, stocking literature through the ages, and even offers a ‘Year in Books’ subscription that is meticulously tailored to each reader by professional bibliographers.
Mayfair’s streets are adorned with jewellers and high-end watchmakers. Around the winter months, queues can be seen winding out of well-known shops such as Graff and Boodles. Standing prominently on New Bond Street, Cartier’s boutique is a treasure chest of the finest timepieces and jewellery. Just a stone’s throw away, Bulgari presents its collection of exquisite pieces, renowned for its iconic serpentine motifs.
Famous eateries include Scott’s, which oozes urban style while still capturing traditional British cuisine (we recommend the oysters accompanied by a crisp glass of champagne!). For a slice of sophistication, head to Sexy Fish, known for its delicate but delicious ‘atypical’ piscine creations. There really is nothing like a smoky, char-grilled, and blackened dish, and Gymkhana certainly delivers with its world-famous tandoor oven roasts. Situated on Albemarle Street, this Raj-era themed restaurant is known for their incredible Lasooni Wild Tiger Prawns.
Nestled within the refined streets of Mayfair lies a captivating world of exclusivity, where private clubs flourish like cultural gems. Embodied in the spirit of elegance, Mayfair boasts an impressive array of private clubs. Notable mentions include Apollo’s Muse (think floor-to-ceiling marble, plush velvet, and genuine ancient antiquities), Upstairs at Langan’s (Studio 54 inspired with splashes of ruby red and honey yellow), the globally recognised Annabel’s (“It’s the place to see and be seen, with glamour on tap” as quoted by Luxury London) and Oswald’s (step into the otherworldly with high ceilings, elegant chandeliers, columns, and vibrant red upholstered chairs—and remember, no photos allowed!).
Local Events in Mayfair
Throughout the year, Mayfair plays host to a refined selection of world-renowned events that attract crowds from around the globe. In June, The Mayfair Art Weekend represents an annual commemoration highlighting art in Central London year-round. This year, they marked the celebration of its 10th anniversary, accompanied by novel collaborations with distinguished institutions including Art of London, The Royal Academy of Arts, The National Gallery, and The National Portrait Gallery.
Also in June, the RSMSJ Summer Garden Party takes place to celebrate Mayfair’s local businesses, residents, and community with drinks and canapés provided by local hotels and restaurants, alongside live music, a casino, and a luxury raffle.
The Mayfair Townhouse is hosting this autumn’s London Fashion Week from 15th to 19th September. Highlights include BFC NEWGEN designers, 16Arlington, Burberry, JW Anderson, KNWLS, Molly Goddard, Richard Quinn, ROKSANDA & Simone Rocha.
Later in the year, Mayfair’s Christmas Market takes place, and it certainly has Mayfair’s stamp of luxurious approval. If artisan gifts with a lavish twist are your thing, then look no further. Stock up on handcrafted goodies, then cheers at the Louis Roederer Champagne Ice Bar. While listening to the carol singers, tuck into some fancy snacks from local restaurants like Novikov’s Asian and Italian delicacies, caviar, and oysters. For the sweet-toothed, there’s a chocolate corner and plenty of mulled wine stations.
Property in Mayfair
Mayfair comprises a tapestry of architectural diversity that reflects its rich history and opulent character. The streets of Mayfair are a living gallery of architectural styles, ranging from Georgian townhouses adorned with ornate facades to elegant Edwardian mansions exuding grandeur.
Branded developments are booming, and with this trend comes sleek, contemporary new-build developments. Twenty Grosvenor Square trades heavily on the fact that it offers the world’s first standalone Four Seasons residences with interiors by Finchatton. The wealthiest investors are magnetically drawn to the promise of luxury on tap, especially when it comes from names they trust. Other notable mentions include Clarges Mayfair, which has been described by James Taylor (Head of Clarges) as “thoughtful beyond brick and mortar” and “the ultimate cocoon for residents,” and the soon-to-be completed Caudwell.
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, Mayfair’s homeowners can enjoy peace and quiet in the many garden squares dotted around the area. These types of properties are hard to come by as they are usually snapped up quickly. Grosvenor Square is the most famous, as it is the largest in the area with beautiful Georgian and Edwardian townhouses bordering the well-kept space. Hanover Square, located in the heart of Mayfair, has recently reopened to the public, and its design hopes to ‘reinvigorate the gardens within the Square to create an oasis for the public amidst the bustle of the West End’ (as quoted in Publica). Berkley Square (arguably made famous by the song “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square”) is known to have the oldest plane trees in London and hosts the famous statue of Alexander Munro.
The area is favoured by international buyers, usually Middle Eastern who wish to purchase a second home to take advantage of the city’s culture and lifestyle. Property values range from £2,500/sqft to £5,000/sqft.
Mayfair creates a harmonious blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. If you’re looking to sell your property in the area, please click here to contact Tom directly.
