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.

James Hyman

Partner, residential investment

Head office

T +44 (0) 20 7407 3669 Email James

Jo Leverett

Partner, residential investment & international

Head office

T +44 (0) 20 7647 7243 Email Jo

Pied-à-terres available to buy

£450,000

Meridian Court, London, SE16

£775,000

Ovington Square, SW3

£6,500,000

Leinster Gardens, W2

£650,000

Prebend Street, London, N1

Offers in excess of £460,000

Setchell Way, London, SE1

£1,425,000

Elystan Street, SW3

£875,000

Anise Building, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £550,000

City Road, EC1V

Offers in excess of £250,000

Edgware Road, W2

£1,350,000

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

£2,295,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

£1,500,000

Anchor Brewhouse, London, SE1

£475,000

Knot House, London, SE1

£1,350,000

Cardamom Building, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £700,000

Granary House, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £7,000,000

Gloucester Place, W1U

£350,000

Forset Court, London, W2

£775,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

£795,000

Ram Street, SW18

£775,000

Fennel Apartments, London, SE1

£765,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

£635,000

Aberdour Street, London, SE1

£770,000

Stanhope Terrace, W2

£300,000

Chelsea Cloisters, London, SW3

£499,000

Forset Court, London, W2

£725,000

Globe Wharf, London, SE16

£850,000

Long Lane, London, SE1

£785,000

Knot House, London, SE1

£390,000

Admiral Walk, W9

£775,000

Tunnel Wharf, London, SE16

£440,000

Ability Place, London, E14

£800,000

The Quadrangle, W2

£550,000

Dovecote House, London, SE16

£2,500,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £3,000,000

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

£700,000

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

£850,000

Boss House, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £600,000

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

£750,000

Hays Court, London, SE16

£475,000

St. George Wharf, SW8

£975,000

Old Town Hall Apartments, London, SE16

£775,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

£499,950

Leigh Road, N5

£800,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£770,000

Balmoral House, London, SE1

£750,000

Boss House, London, SE1

£337,500

Pan Peninsula, Pan Peninsula Square, London, E14

Offers in excess of £280,000

Edgware Road, W2

Clifton Place, W2

Goldhawk Road, W12

Goldhawk Road, W12

The Quadrangle, W2

Guide Price £3,300,000

Park Mansions, London, SW1X

£815,000

Gloucester Mews, W2

£900,000

Portsea Hall, London, W2

£700,000

The Water Gardens, W2

£445,000

Goldhawk Road, W12

£900,000

Portsea Hall, London, W2

West End Lane, NW6

Raleigh Mews, N1

Wapping Lane, E1W

Cinnabar Wharf West, London, E1W

£1,200,000

Wapping High Street, E1W

£690,000

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

£1,850,000

Chantrey House, Belgravia, London, SW1W

£850,000

West India Quay, E14

Pied-à-terres available to rent

£808 per week

Compass Court, 39 Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,212 per week

Montagu Place, Marylebone, London, W1H

£923 per week

Porchester Place, Hyde Park, London, W2

£681 per week

Gray’s Inn Road, Clerkenwell, London, WC1X

£825 per week

Manchester Street, Marylebone, London, W1U

£1,004 per week

Park West Apartments, London Bridge, London, SE1

£1,800 per week

79-81 Sloane Street, London, SW1X

£1,150 per week

Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U

£775 per week

Gloucester Place, Hyde Park, London, W1U

£1,150 per week

Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U

£575 per week

Eagle Wharf Court, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£525 per week

Dunelm Street, Limehouse, London, E1

£519 per week

Lingfield Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19

£585 per week

Boss House, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£795 per week

Hans Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW3

£485 per week

Shepherds Bush Road, London, W6

£1,150 per week

Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U

£600 per week

3 Jardine Road, Wapping, London, E1W

£1,385 per week

Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, London, SW3

£496 per week

Blackthorn Avenue, Islington, London, N7

£1,150 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£1,150 per week

Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, London, SW3

£620 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J

£692 per week

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£577 per week

Shad Thames, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£790 per week

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2

£750 per week

Cheval Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW7

£785 per week

East Lane, Shad Thames, London, SE16

£756 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J

£650 per week

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£462 per week

Bermondsey Wall West, Shad Thames, London, SE16

£1,250 per week

Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W

£956 per week

Park Road, Regents Park, London, NW8

£519 per week

City Island Way, London, E14

£623 per week

City Island Way, Canning Town, London, E14

£1,030 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£890 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£595 per week

Lisson Street, Regents Park, London, NW1

£1,975 per week

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W

£669 per week

Coriander Court, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£690 per week

Kendal Street, Hyde Park, London, W2

£900 per week

St. Pancras Chambers, Islington, London, NW1

£1,050 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£875 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£1,200 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£900 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£1,859 per week

Stanhope Gardens, London, SW7

£955 per week

Stanhope Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7

£1,148 per week

Stanhope Gardens, London, SW7

£900 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£1,050 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

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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.

What exactly is a pied-à-terre?

Why might you want to live in one?

London hotspots

Searching for your perfect pied-à-terre in London?

Pied-à-terres available to buy

Pied-à-terres available to rent

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