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MAYFAIR

Living in Mayfair

Located across 279 acres in the heart of London, Mayfair offers residents a central point to sample all that the capital city has to offer. From the high-class restaurants and boutique shops to the abundant green space and welcoming community, Mayfair has something to offer professionals and families alike. Living in Mayfair is something of a distinction. Incredible schools on your doorstep, modern historical houses, and endless entertainment opportunities are just a few reasons residents settle here. With striking, grand Georgian architecture punctuated by streets of mews houses, Mayfair is quintessentially British. We explore everything about Mayfair, from its history to its homes.

A Brief History

Mayfair’s historical roots date back to 1686 when the borough hosted a 15-day fair in May. When the May Fair moved to Bow in East London, the area attracted developers, notably the Grosvenor family. They created a fashionable residential district with elegant houses and shopping districts. Mayfair was at the height of society and incredibly desirable to the ‘ton’. The prestigious shopping districts remain today and include world-renowned designer hotspots such as Bond Street and Savile Row. Visitors and residents are high-net-worth families and celebrities, as they sample one of the most cosmopolitan areas in the capital.

Mayfair Property

Queen Ann style houses dominate and define Mayfair’s architecture. The red-brick or stucco-fronted properties are tall, symmetrical, and grand. While some remain large homes, others are modern apartments retaining their original features. But there’s more to Mayfair than five-story buildings. Throughout the streets, Mayfair is home to quaint mews houses with something special. While some feature gyms or garages, others have roof terraces, cinema rooms, and saunas. Freehold townhouses and homes with gardens are rare in Mayfair, fetching them a premium. Tastefully and carefully designed, new build properties to fit with the local look and feel of the area. Some older buildings have been restored with care to create incredible spaces to look at and live in.

Backing onto Hyde Park and Green Park, Mayfair is perfectly positioned for residents to enjoy leafy green spaces and all that happens here, including running routes, BST Hyde Park concerts each summer and playgrounds. Within Mayfair, you’ll find Grosvenor Square, Berkeley Square, and St James’s Square, all of which provide serene spaces to enjoy. While the manicured gardens are a space to rest, the playgrounds offer children a chance to explore the outside. To the south of Mayfair, St James’s Park Playground features climbing frames, a sandbox and and nearby café facilities. Nestled by the lake, this is a calm outdoor space to enjoy with children.

What’s On

Mayfair offers a vibrant year-round calendar of cultural, sporting and social events to bring together the community. Throughout the year, Mayfair’s luxury hotels, private members’ clubs, galleries and restaurants host wine tastings, charity dinners, networking events and seasonal celebrations. Famously, nearby Hyde Park hosts Winter Wonderland each year. People from all over come to enjoy the festivities, which include fairground rides, live music, food and drink, and ice skating. Running events, such as the Royal Parks Half Marathon, take place in Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens. With its handsome architecture, fine dining restaurants and high-end shopping experiences, Mayfair is a sophisticated location brimming with class. Shopping and fine dining are just part of Mayfair’s story. Mayfair is also home to numerous premium art galleries, theatres, and museums. For Phantom of the Opera, visit His Majesty’s Theatre, or walk towards ‘theatreland’ towards Piccadilly. Art lovers enjoy contemporary exhibitions at Halcyon Gallery, HOFA for fine art, and Opera Gallery London for paintings and sculptures. Mayfair is known for its esteemed private members clubs, including Annabel’s, 5 Hertford Street , Georges, and The Arts Club. Other things to do in Mayfair include visiting auction houses, Sotheby’s and Christie’s, Curzon Mayfair, and exploring the Grade II listed Beaumont Hotel.

Shopping

Since the 17th Century, Mayfair has hosted world-class designers and flagship stores. Each shopping district has a unique flair and focus. Savile Row is known for tailoring, while Bond Street hosts fine jewellers and watchmakers. Mount Street is one of the area’s original shopping streets, and it still attracts fashion lovers and celebrities looking for an exclusive shopping experience. Burlington Arcade, Royal Arcade, and Piccadilly Arcade are some of the world’s oldest and best-preserved covered shopping streets. Here, shoppers can revel in the delights of silverware, art, chocolate stores, high-end fashion boutiques and world-class tailors.

Schools

Mayfair is home to outstanding schools across primary and secondary. Westminster School is one of the UK’s top independent schools just south of St. James’s Park. Other respected schools in the local area include Connaught House Preparatory School for children aged 4 to 11 and Queen’s College London, a high-achieving and diverse school just outside Mayfair close to Cavendish Square. For higher education, The University of Westminster has several campuses within easy reach of Mayfair, including its Cavendish and Regent Street campuses.