Return of the pied-à-terre: 7 properties available to buy or rent now

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.

Contact

If you do not wish to receive further communications from us, please email [email protected]. More details on how to opt out can be seen in our Privacy Policy.

James Hyman

Partner, residential investment

Head office

T +44 (0) 20 7407 3669
James Hyman, Cluttons
Contact

If you do not wish to receive further communications from us, please email [email protected]. More details on how to opt out can be seen in our Privacy Policy.

Jo Leverett

Partner, residential investment & international

Head office

T +44 (0) 20 7647 7243
Jo Leverett, Cluttons

Pied-à-terres available to buy

Brompton Square, London, SW3
£3,995,000

Brompton Square, London, SW3

Aberdour Street, London, SE1
£595,000

Aberdour Street, London, SE1

Forset Court, London, W2
£350,000

Forset Court, London, W2

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1
£600,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

Ivory House, London, E1W
£850,000

Ivory House, London, E1W

Vesta Court, London, SE1
£700,000

Vesta Court, London, SE1

Capstan Court, London, E1W
Offers in excess of £700,000

Capstan Court, London, E1W

Ralph Court, London, W2
Offers in excess of £750,000

Ralph Court, London, W2

Boss House, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £750,000

Boss House, London, SE1

Thames Heights, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £690,000

Thames Heights, London, SE1

Gun Wharf, London, E1W
£650,000

Gun Wharf, London, E1W

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16
Offers in excess of £950,000

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16

Prebend Street, London, N1
£625,000

Prebend Street, London, N1

Wimbourne Street, London, N1
£450,000

Wimbourne Street, London, N1

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1
£799,950

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

Luna House, London, SE16
£1,400,000

Luna House, London, SE16

Almorah Road, London, N1
Guide Price £700,000

Almorah Road, London, N1

Ginger Apartments, London, SE1
£525,000

Ginger Apartments, London, SE1

Granary House, London, SE16
£700,000

Granary House, London, SE16

Sanctuary Court, London, E1W
£850,000

Sanctuary Court, London, E1W

South Audley Street, London, W1K
£2,295,000

South Audley Street, London, W1K

Chapel Market, London, N1
Guide Price £600,000

Chapel Market, London, N1

Lion Court, London, SE1
£775,000

Lion Court, London, SE1

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1
£795,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

St. Saviours Wharf, London, SE1
£565,000

St. Saviours Wharf, London, SE1

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1
£750,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

Sussex Place, London, W2
£995,000

Sussex Place, London, W2

Timbrell Place, London, SE16
£500,000

Timbrell Place, London, SE16

Hermitage Court, London, E1W
£995,000

Hermitage Court, London, E1W

Capital Wharf, London, E1W
£1,250,000

Capital Wharf, London, E1W

Merchant Court, London, E1W
£700,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16
Offers in excess of £1,250,000

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16

Cardamom Building, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £650,000

Cardamom Building, London, SE1

The Water Gardens, London, W2
£795,000

The Water Gardens, London, W2

Alington House, London, N8
Guide Price £550,000

Alington House, London, N8

Chelsea Manor Street, London, SW3
£575,000

Chelsea Manor Street, London, SW3

Riverside Mansions, London, E1W
Offers in excess of £550,000

Riverside Mansions, London, E1W

Providence Square, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £825,000

Providence Square, London, SE1

New Crane Wharf, London, E1W
£525,000

New Crane Wharf, London, E1W

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2
£2,295,000

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £1,250,000

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1
£2,850,000

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

Merchant Court, London, E1W
Offers in excess of £800,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1
£975,000

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1

Bramwell Mews, London, N1
Guide Price £750,000

Bramwell Mews, London, N1

Essex Road, London, N1
Offers in excess of £450,000

Essex Road, London, N1

Ovington Square, SW3
£775,000

Ovington Square, SW3

Tunnel Wharf, London, SE16
£775,000

Tunnel Wharf, London, SE16

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £1,050,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

Anchor Brewhouse, London, SE1
£1,450,000

Anchor Brewhouse, London, SE1

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1
£800,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

Haven Way, London, SE1
Guide Price £385,000

Haven Way, London, SE1

Knot House, London, SE1
£450,000

Knot House, London, SE1

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1
£600,000

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1

The Circle, London, SE1
£520,000

The Circle, London, SE1

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £2,000,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

Aberdour Street, London, SE1
£635,000

Aberdour Street, London, SE1

Balmoral House, London, SE1
£770,000

Balmoral House, London, SE1

China Wharf, London, SE1
Offers in the region of £795,000

China Wharf, London, SE1

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1
£2,500,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

The Circle, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £525,000

The Circle, London, SE1

Fennel Apartments, London, SE1
£750,000

Fennel Apartments, London, SE1

Devon Mansions, London, SE1
£450,000

Devon Mansions, London, SE1

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £1,000,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

Boss House, London, SE1
£715,000

Boss House, London, SE1

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £700,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

Globe Wharf, London, SE16
£765,000

Globe Wharf, London, SE16

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1
£875,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

Tea Trade Wharf, London, SE1
£2,000,000

Tea Trade Wharf, London, SE1

Boss House, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £400,000

Boss House, London, SE1

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1
£1,350,000

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

Knot House, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £750,000

Knot House, London, SE1

Long Lane, London, SE1
£830,000

Long Lane, London, SE1

Steward Street, London, E1
Guide Price £500,000

Steward Street, London, E1

Willow Road, London, NW3
£2,250,000

Willow Road, London, NW3

Euston Road, London, NW1
Guide Price £500,000

Euston Road, London, NW1

Stourcliffe Street, London, W1H
£595,000

Stourcliffe Street, London, W1H

Portsea Place, London, W2
£795,000

Portsea Place, London, W2

Burr Close, London, E1W
£500,000

Burr Close, London, E1W

Book House, London, EC1V
Guide Price £500,000

Book House, London, EC1V

Blackthorn Avenue, London, N7
Offers in excess of £375,000

Blackthorn Avenue, London, N7

Chronicle Tower, London, EC1V
£1,000,000

Chronicle Tower, London, EC1V

Kelvin Road, London, N5
Offers in excess of £450,000

Kelvin Road, London, N5

Dalston Square, London, E8
Offers in excess of £450,000

Dalston Square, London, E8

Stanhope Terrace, London, W2
£749,500

Stanhope Terrace, London, W2

Clifton Place, London, W2
£1,200,000

Clifton Place, London, W2

Edgware Road, London, W2
£475,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

Park Vista Tower, London, E1W
£800,000

Park Vista Tower, London, E1W

Dovecote House, London, SE16
£535,000

Dovecote House, London, SE16

Gloucester Mews, London, W2
£800,000

Gloucester Mews, London, W2

The Quadrangle, London, W2
£695,000

The Quadrangle, London, W2

The Water Gardens, London, W2
£549,500

The Water Gardens, London, W2

Chelsea Manor Street, SW3
£600,000

Chelsea Manor Street, SW3

Hardinge Street, London, E1
£450,000

Hardinge Street, London, E1

Ovington Square, SW3
£795,000

Ovington Square, SW3

Clifton Place, London, W2
£750,000

Clifton Place, London, W2

Compass Court, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £1,000,000

Compass Court, London, SE1

The Quadrangle, London, W2
£999,000

The Quadrangle, London, W2

Park West, London, W2
£590,000

Park West, London, W2

Pan Peninsula, Pan Peninsula Square, London, E14
£337,500

Pan Peninsula, Pan Peninsula Square, London, E14

West India Quay, London, E14
£850,000

West India Quay, London, E14

Cashmere Wharf, London, E1W
£1,450,000

Cashmere Wharf, London, E1W

Edgware Road, London, W2
Offers in excess of £275,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

Gloucester Place, London, W1U
Offers in excess of £7,000,000

Gloucester Place, London, W1U

Forset Court, London, W2
£489,000

Forset Court, London, W2

Goldhawk Road, W12
£445,000

Goldhawk Road, W12

Park Mansions, London, SW1X
Guide Price £3,300,000

Park Mansions, London, SW1X

Pied-à-terres available to rent

Snowsfields, Borough, London, SE1
£288 per week

Snowsfields, Borough, London, SE1

Wapping, London, E1W
£475 per week

Wapping, London, E1W

Clifton Place, Hyde Park, London, W2
£715 per week

Clifton Place, Hyde Park, London, W2

157 City Island Way, London, E14
£496 per week

157 City Island Way, London, E14

Colinsdale, Islington, London, N1
£554 per week

Colinsdale, Islington, London, N1

Cayenne Court, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
£542 per week

Cayenne Court, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

Narrow Street, Limehouse, London, E14
£595 per week

Narrow Street, Limehouse, London, E14

Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
£646 per week

Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

Jamaica Road, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£600 per week

Jamaica Road, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Kipling Street, Borough, London, SE1
£300 per week

Kipling Street, Borough, London, SE1

94 Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1W
£695 per week

94 Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1W

Ginger Apartments, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
£553 per week

Ginger Apartments, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

Grange Road, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
£542 per week

Grange Road, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

Britten Street, Chelsea, London, SW3
£623 per week

Britten Street, Chelsea, London, SW3

Bryanston Square, Hyde Park, London, W1H
£595 per week

Bryanston Square, Hyde Park, London, W1H

Manchester Street, Marylebone, London, W1U
£775 per week

Manchester Street, Marylebone, London, W1U

Seymour Place, Marylebone, London, W1H
£495 per week

Seymour Place, Marylebone, London, W1H

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£496 per week

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Butlers And Colonial Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£550 per week

Butlers And Colonial Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U
£1,150 per week

Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U

49 Weston Street, London Bridge, London, SE1
£381 per week

49 Weston Street, London Bridge, London, SE1

Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£519 per week

Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Pont Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X
£1,595 per week

Pont Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X

Milk Yard, Wapping, London, E1W
£577 per week

Milk Yard, Wapping, London, E1W

Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3
£525 per week

Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W
£519 per week

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W

Euston Road, Kings Cross, London, NW1
£658 per week

Euston Road, Kings Cross, London, NW1

Newington Causeway, Borough, London, SE1
£658 per week

Newington Causeway, Borough, London, SE1

Gainsford Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£519 per week

Gainsford Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Cheval Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW7
£692 per week

Cheval Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW7

Hermitage Court, Wapping, London, E1W
£658 per week

Hermitage Court, Wapping, London, E1W

Robert Adam Street, Marylebone, London, W1U
£625 per week

Robert Adam Street, Marylebone, London, W1U

Canonbury Street, Islington, London, N1
£537 per week

Canonbury Street, Islington, London, N1

Bryanston Square, Marylebone, London, W1H
£675 per week

Bryanston Square, Marylebone, London, W1H

Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R
£600 per week

Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R

Sussex Gardens, Hyde Park, London, W2
£577 per week

Sussex Gardens, Hyde Park, London, W2

Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, London, E14
£775 per week

Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, London, E14

Porchester Place, Hyde Park, London, W2
£692 per week

Porchester Place, Hyde Park, London, W2

36 Stoney Street, Borough, Borough, SE1
£1,246 per week

36 Stoney Street, Borough, Borough, SE1

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W
£620 per week

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W

Charlbert Court, Mackennal Street, St Johns Wood, London, NW8
£635 per week

Charlbert Court, Mackennal Street, St Johns Wood, London, NW8

Winchester Square, Borough Market, Borough, SE1
£612 per week

Winchester Square, Borough Market, Borough, SE1

Edgware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2
£1,134 per week

Edgware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J
£630 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J

Providence Square, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£554 per week

Providence Square, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Fairmead Road, Islington, London, N19
£513 per week

Fairmead Road, Islington, London, N19

Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H
£692 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

Queen Square, Bloomsbury , London, WC1N
£588 per week

Queen Square, Bloomsbury , London, WC1N

St. Georges Fields, Hyde Park, London, W2
£500 per week

St. Georges Fields, Hyde Park, London, W2

Shepherds Bush Road, Brook Green, London, W6
£485 per week

Shepherds Bush Road, Brook Green, London, W6

Kendal Street, Hyde Park, London, W2
£550 per week

Kendal Street, Hyde Park, London, W2

96 Alscot Road, Bermondsey, London, SE1
£519 per week

96 Alscot Road, Bermondsey, London, SE1

Edgware Road, Paddington, London, W2
£1,418 per week

Edgware Road, Paddington, London, W2

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£1,038 per week

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

East Lane, Shad Thames, London, SE16
£785 per week

East Lane, Shad Thames, London, SE16

Odessa Street, Canada Water , London, SE16
£462 per week

Odessa Street, Canada Water , London, SE16

Butlers Wharf Building, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£727 per week

Butlers Wharf Building, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Bermondsey Wall West, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£738 per week

Bermondsey Wall West, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£600 per week

Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£658 per week

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Edgeware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2
£519 per week

Edgeware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2

Rainville Road, London, W6
£1,025 per week

Rainville Road, London, W6

Gatliff Road, Belgravia, London, SW1W
£1,108 per week

Gatliff Road, Belgravia, London, SW1W

Marylebone, Marylebone, W2
£1,556 per week

Marylebone, Marylebone, W2

Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3
£550 per week

Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3

Antonine Heights, Bermondsey, London, SE1
£923 per week

Antonine Heights, Bermondsey, London, SE1

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
£646 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

Lombard Road, Battersea, London, SW11
£750 per week

Lombard Road, Battersea, London, SW11

Tea Trade Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£813 per week

Tea Trade Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W
£1,250 per week

Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W

Stanhope Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7
£955 per week

Stanhope Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7

Stanhope Gardens, London, SW7
£1,148 per week

Stanhope Gardens, London, SW7

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