In our recent blog article, Cluttons’ James Hyman highlighted that a return of the pied-à-terre purchaser was beginning to fill the first-time-buyer-shaped hole in demand felt across London since June.
James noted his teams were seeing an increase in buyers who had previously moved their families to the country but were now returning to the office. Add to that a combination of soaring hotel prices and train fares approaching pre-pandemic prices, it seems that the idea of owning, or renting a secondary residence is becoming an increasingly attractive option once again.
What exactly is a pied-à-terre?
Pied-à-terre is a French term for “foot on the ground”. In practice, it’s essentially a small house or apartment in a city that you own or rent in addition to your main home, where you stay when working in or visiting that city for a short time.
Why might you want to live in one?
According to James, clients typically look to purchase a pied-à-terre in London for a couple of reasons. “It mainly appeals to professionals who have relocated outside of London but want a bolthole in easy distance from both their workplace and a station. Many view it as a long-term investment; instead of putting money into a pension fund, this is an asset that can be rented out and more than likely deliver strong capital growth in the future, as well as something their friends and family can benefit from too if they’re studying or working in London.”
The other increasingly common scenario is for those who want to downsize as they look to spend more time at a European holiday home that’s just a short flight away from London.
Most popular amenities
- As they say – location, location, location
- Easy access to public transport
- Concierge or porter
- Pet-friendly
- Two bedrooms or one bedroom with a good size living area for when friends and family stay
One perhaps surprising feature that doesn’t top the non-negotiable list, is outside space. James says “Despite changes to how we live and work, it’s a bit of a misconception that outside space is a major driver for all Central London buyer and renters at the moment. Especially when it comes to those looking to buy or rent a secondary residence, because they’re going to be out and about a lot and more than likely have a garden at their primary home. Such a massive proportion of London doesn’t have any outside space – it’s the “London compromise” and always has been. Location and interior space is always important and anything more than that, such as a balcony or terrace, is just a wonderful luxury”.
London hotspots
Whilst everyone has their private wish list, and it really depends what you’re using it for, arguably the most important aspect or buying or renting a pied-à-terre is its location.
Commenting on popular City spots, James says “Obvious locations are Shad Thames and Wapping, due to their proximity to both the City and Canary Wharf. Buyers will be looking at geographies that are affordable but likely to offer good returns, in areas that are undergoing regeneration and infrastructure improvements.”
“Other popular locations are Kings Cross and Paddington thanks to infrastructure. Professionals can literally hop off their train, drop their bags off and be into work in under 30 minutes.”
Searching for your perfect pied-à-terre in London?
Take a look at a selection of Cluttons properties currently available to buy or rent, now.
Pied-à-terres available to buy

Southacre, London, W2

Portnall Road, W9

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

Sussex Mews East, W2

Chronicle Tower 261B, London, EC1V

Compass Court, London, SE1

Gainsford Street, London, SE1

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

Knot House, London, SE1

The Water Gardens, W2

The Circle, London, SE1

Sherwood Court, London, W1H

The Quadrangle, W2

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1

Stanhope Terrace, W2

St. Anns Villas, W11

Queens Head Street, London, N1

Meridian Court, London, SE16

Highbury Grove, N5

Porchester Place, W2

Ashmore Road, W9

St. James House, London, N5

Southwick Street, W2

Base Apartments, London, N1

Canalside Square, London, N1

Matilda House, London, E1W

Park West, London, W2

Gloucester Court, London, SE1

Kamen House, London, SE1

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

Little London Court, London, SE1

Rushworth Street, London, SE1

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1

Ginger Apartments, London, SE1

Cardamom Building, London, SE1

St. Saviours Wharf, London, SE1

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1

Axis Court, London, SE16

The Triangle, London, SE1

Trinity Street, London, SE1

Rotherhithe Street, London, SE16

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

St. Saviours House, London, SE16

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1

Tea Trade Wharf, London, SE1

Limehouse Wharf, London, E14

Portsea Hall, London, W2

Park Mansions, London, SW1X

Portnall Road, W9

Porchester Place, W2

Maida Vale, W9

Cinnabar Wharf West, London, E1W

Compass House, London, E1W

Porchester Place, W2

The Quadrangle, W2

Porchester Place, W2

Java House, London, E14

Kensington Place, W8

Forset Court, London, W2

Park Vista Tower, London, E1W

West India Quay, E14

Forset Court, London, W2

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

Devonport, London, W2

New North Road, London, N1

Eluna Apartments, London, E1W

Hermitage Waterside, London, E1W

Chelsea Cloisters, London, SW3

Waterside Building, London, E1W

The Water Gardens, W2

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

Portsea Hall, London, W2

Garrett Mansions, London, W2

Edgware Road, W2

Edgware Road, W2

Great Jubilee Wharf, London, E1W

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

Merchant Court, London, E1W
Pied-à-terres available to rent
Shepherds Bush Road, Hammersmith, London, W6
Walkinshaw Court, Islington, London, N1
Duke of York Square, Chelsea, London, SW3
Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, Bayswater, W2
St. Mary At Hill, The City , London, EC3R
Cloudesley Road, Islington, London, N1
Meridian Court, Shad Thames, London, SE16
Gainsford Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1
1 Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London, E14
1 Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London, E14
St Mary At Hill, Tower Hill, London, EC3R
Berkeley House, Mayfair, London, W1J
Southwick Street, Hyde Park, London, W2
Trinity Street, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
Cayenne Court, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2
Oakley House, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X
1 Fairmoint Avenue, London, E14
Ann Street, Islington, London, N1
Nell Gwynn House, South Kensington, London, SW3
Providence Square, Bermondsey, London, SE1
40 The Highway, London, E1W
23 Gauging Square, London, E1W
Sydney Street, Chelsea, London, SW3
Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7
The Circle, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1X
Redford Walk, Islington, London, N1
Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Canary Wharf, London, E14
Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W
Montagu Street, Marylebone, London, W1H
Gloucester Place Mews, Hyde Park, London, W1U
Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T
Hepworth Court, Chelsea, London, SW1W
Caraway Apartments, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Wapping Lane, Wapping, London, E1W
Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
Lyndhurst Road, Belsize Park, London, NW3
Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W
Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W
Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W
Hyde Park Gardens, Hyde Park, London, W2
Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J
Nell Gwynn House, Chelsea, London, SW3
Hans Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW3
Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J
Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7
Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3
Nottingham Place, Marylebone, London, W1U
Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W
Baker Street, Marylebone, London, NW1