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 – head of residential agency

T +44 (0) 20 7407 3669 Email James

Jo Leverett

Head of international residential markets

T +44 (0) 20 7647 7243 Email Jo

Pied-à-terres available to buy

£550,000

The Listed Building, London, E1W

fixedPrice £400,000

Queens Head Street, London, N1

£790,000

Portnall Road, W9

£890,000

Portnall Road, W9

£850,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

Offers in the region of £850,000

China Wharf, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £500,000

The Triangle, London, SE1

£700,000

Java Wharf, London, SE1

£760,000

Porchester Place, W2

£1,450,000

The Quadrangle, W2

£1,200,000

Trinity Street, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £600,000

Gun Wharf, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £800,000

Clifton Place, W2

Offers in excess of £525,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

Guide Price £550,000

Porchester Terrace North, W2

£375,000

Douglas Buildings, London, SE1

£635,000

New North Road, London, N1

£900,000

Portsea Hall, London, W2

Offers in excess of £500,000

Quayside Court, London, SE16

£1,400,000

Cardamom Building, London, SE1

£1,225,000

Sherwood Court, London, W1H

£650,000

Queens Court, London, SE16

£665,000

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1

Guide Price £695,000

Southwick Street, W2

£750,000

St. Saviours House, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £1,150,000

Lloyds Wharf, London, SE1

£800,000

Porchester Place, W2

Offers in excess of £1,600,000

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1

£845,000

Gainsford Street, London, SE1

£890,000

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

Offers in excess of £900,000

Gloucester Mews, W2

£1,175,000

Chilworth Street, W2

£1,685,000

Garrett Mansions, London, W2

£995,000

Edgware Road, W2

£995,000

Edgware Road, W2

Offers in excess of £700,000

The Water Gardens, W2

£550,000

Canonbury Street, N1

£1,150,000

Chronicle Tower 261B, London, EC1V

Offers in excess of £800,000

Compass Court, London, SE1

£500,000

Coniston Court, London, W2

Guide Price £499,950

Lion Court, London, E1W

£575,000

The Water Gardens, W2

Offers in the region of £675,000

Newington Causeway, London, SE1

£1,500,000

Strata, London, SE1

£1,485,000

Teal Court, London, E1W

£1,300,000

Merchant Square East, W2

£545,000

Forset Court, London, W2

Offers in excess of £1,000,000

Dunbar Wharf, London, E14

£1,400,000

Great Jubilee Wharf, London, E1W

£700,000

Hermitage Court, London, E1W

£490,000

Pierhead Wharf, London, E1W

£900,000

Portsea Hall, London, W2

Guide Price £3,300,000

Park Mansions, London, SW1X

£1,500,000

Tower View Apartments, London, E1W

£550,000

Gun Place, London, E1W

Guide Price £2,000,000

Chantrey House, Belgravia, London, SW1W

£460,000

Matilda House, London, E1W

£700,000

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

£799,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

£700,000

Telfords Yard, E1W

£900,000

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

Offers in excess of £5,000,000

Cinnabar Wharf East, London, E1W

Pied-à-terres available to rent

£435 per week

Raleigh Mews, Islington, London, N1

£595 per week

Bermondsey Wall West, Tower Bridge, London, SE16

£692 per week

Caraway Apartments, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,250 per week

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£650 per week

Wellesley House, Chelsea, London, SW1W

£646 per week

340 The Highway, Wapping, London, E1W

£915 per week

Frederick Court, Chelsea, London, SW3

£475 per week

Crawford Street, Marylebone, Marylebone, W1H

£595 per week

Coriander Court, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,500 per week

Portland Place, Marylebone, London, W1B

£450 per week

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W

£625 per week

King Henrys Walk, Islington, London, N1

£1,200 per week

Rodmarton Street, Marylebone, London, W1U

£1,450 per week

Baker Street, Marylebone, London, NW1

£725 per week

Burmah Mill, Tower Bridge, Shad Thames, SE1

£1,150 per week

Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U

£323 per week

Lonsdale Place, Islington, London, N1

£345 per week

Nelson Road, Crouch End, London, N8

£865 per week

Cavalry Square, Chelsea, London, SW3

£392 per week

Shepherds Bush Road, Notting Hill, London, W6

£1,575 per week

Pont Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X

£462 per week

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W

£1,200 per week

Grosvenor Hill, Mayfair, London, W1K

£1,000 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, Mayfair, W1J

£595 per week

Kensington Court, Kensington, London, W8

£625 per week

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,350 per week

Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X

£875 per week

St. Katharines Way, Wapping, London, E1W

£550 per week

Queen Elizabeth Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£675 per week

Montagu Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£485 per week

Lyell Street, Canning Town, London, E14

£820 per week

Park Road, St Johns Wood, St Johns Wood, NW8

£410 per week

Pier Head, Wapping, London, E1W

£750 per week

Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, London, W2

£550 per week

East Smithfield, Shad Thames, London, E1W

£550 per week

Maida Vale, Maida Vale, London, W9

£760 per week

Gloucester Place, Marylebone, Marylebone, W1U

£720 per week

Lexham Gardens, South Kensington, London, W8

£675 per week

Gloucester Place, Marylebone, Marylebone, W1U

£975 per week

Nottingham Place, Marylebone, Marylebone, W1U

£615 per week

Kensington, London, W8

£450 per week

594 Commercial Road, London, E14

£635 per week

1 Fairmont Avenue, London, E14

£508 per week

Biscayne Avenue, London, E14

£808 per week

Long Lane, Bermondsey Street, London, SE1

£807 per week

28 Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W

£450 per week

Bridewell Place, Wapping, Wapping, E1W

£1,200 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£975 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£785 per week

Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, London, E14

£1,566 per week

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2

£1,342 per week

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2

£900 per week

Narrow Street, Limehouse, London, E14

£612 per week

Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London, E14

£900 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£850 per week

Rainville Road, Hammersmith, London, W6

£575 per week

Vaughan Way, London, E1W