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.
Jo Leverett
Partner, residential investment & international
Head office
T +44 (0) 20 7647 7243 Email Jo
Pied-à-terres available to buy

Brompton Square, London, SW3

Aberdour Street, London, SE1

Forset Court, London, W2

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

Ivory House, London, E1W

Vesta Court, London, SE1

Capstan Court, London, E1W

Ralph Court, London, W2

Boss House, London, SE1

Thames Heights, London, SE1

Gun Wharf, London, E1W

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16

Prebend Street, London, N1

Wimbourne Street, London, N1

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

Luna House, London, SE16

Almorah Road, London, N1

Ginger Apartments, London, SE1

Granary House, London, SE16

Sanctuary Court, London, E1W

South Audley Street, London, W1K

Chapel Market, London, N1

Lion Court, London, SE1

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

St. Saviours Wharf, London, SE1

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

Sussex Place, London, W2

Timbrell Place, London, SE16

Hermitage Court, London, E1W

Capital Wharf, London, E1W

Merchant Court, London, E1W

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16

Cardamom Building, London, SE1

The Water Gardens, London, W2

Alington House, London, N8

Chelsea Manor Street, London, SW3

Riverside Mansions, London, E1W

Providence Square, London, SE1

New Crane Wharf, London, E1W

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

Merchant Court, London, E1W

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1

Bramwell Mews, London, N1

Essex Road, London, N1

Ovington Square, SW3

Tunnel Wharf, London, SE16

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

Anchor Brewhouse, London, SE1

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

Haven Way, London, SE1

Knot House, London, SE1

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1

The Circle, London, SE1

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

Aberdour Street, London, SE1

Balmoral House, London, SE1

China Wharf, London, SE1

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

The Circle, London, SE1

Fennel Apartments, London, SE1

Devon Mansions, London, SE1

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

Boss House, London, SE1

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

Globe Wharf, London, SE16

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

Tea Trade Wharf, London, SE1

Boss House, London, SE1

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

Knot House, London, SE1

Long Lane, London, SE1

Steward Street, London, E1

Willow Road, London, NW3

Euston Road, London, NW1

Stourcliffe Street, London, W1H

Portsea Place, London, W2

Burr Close, London, E1W

Book House, London, EC1V

Blackthorn Avenue, London, N7

Chronicle Tower, London, EC1V

Kelvin Road, London, N5

Dalston Square, London, E8

Stanhope Terrace, London, W2

Clifton Place, London, W2

Edgware Road, London, W2

Park Vista Tower, London, E1W

Dovecote House, London, SE16

Gloucester Mews, London, W2

The Quadrangle, London, W2

The Water Gardens, London, W2

Chelsea Manor Street, SW3

Hardinge Street, London, E1

Ovington Square, SW3

Clifton Place, London, W2

Compass Court, London, SE1

The Quadrangle, London, W2

Park West, London, W2

Pan Peninsula, Pan Peninsula Square, London, E14

West India Quay, London, E14

Cashmere Wharf, London, E1W

Edgware Road, London, W2

Gloucester Place, London, W1U

Forset Court, London, W2

Goldhawk Road, W12

Park Mansions, London, SW1X
Pied-à-terres available to rent
Snowsfields, Borough, London, SE1
Wapping, London, E1W
Clifton Place, Hyde Park, London, W2
157 City Island Way, London, E14
Colinsdale, Islington, London, N1
Cayenne Court, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
Narrow Street, Limehouse, London, E14
Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
Jamaica Road, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Kipling Street, Borough, London, SE1
94 Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1W
Ginger Apartments, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
Grange Road, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
Britten Street, Chelsea, London, SW3
Bryanston Square, Hyde Park, London, W1H
Manchester Street, Marylebone, London, W1U
Seymour Place, Marylebone, London, W1H
Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Butlers And Colonial Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U
49 Weston Street, London Bridge, London, SE1
Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Pont Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X
Milk Yard, Wapping, London, E1W
Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3
Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W
Euston Road, Kings Cross, London, NW1
Newington Causeway, Borough, London, SE1
Gainsford Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Cheval Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW7
Hermitage Court, Wapping, London, E1W
Robert Adam Street, Marylebone, London, W1U
Canonbury Street, Islington, London, N1
Bryanston Square, Marylebone, London, W1H
Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R
Sussex Gardens, Hyde Park, London, W2
Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, London, E14
Porchester Place, Hyde Park, London, W2
36 Stoney Street, Borough, Borough, SE1
Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W
Charlbert Court, Mackennal Street, St Johns Wood, London, NW8
Winchester Square, Borough Market, Borough, SE1
Edgware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2
Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J
Providence Square, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Fairmead Road, Islington, London, N19
Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H
Queen Square, Bloomsbury , London, WC1N
St. Georges Fields, Hyde Park, London, W2
Shepherds Bush Road, Brook Green, London, W6
Kendal Street, Hyde Park, London, W2
96 Alscot Road, Bermondsey, London, SE1
Edgware Road, Paddington, London, W2
Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1
East Lane, Shad Thames, London, SE16
Odessa Street, Canada Water , London, SE16
Butlers Wharf Building, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Bermondsey Wall West, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Edgeware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2
Rainville Road, London, W6
Gatliff Road, Belgravia, London, SW1W
Marylebone, Marylebone, W2
Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3
Antonine Heights, Bermondsey, London, SE1
Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
Lombard Road, Battersea, London, SW11
Tea Trade Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W
Stanhope Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7
Stanhope Gardens, London, SW7