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

Head office

T +44 (0) 20 7407 3669 Email James

James Hyman, head of residential agency, Cluttons

Jo Leverett

Partner, residential investment & international

Head office

T +44 (0) 20 7647 7243 Email Jo

Pied-à-terres available to buy

£300,000

Chelsea Cloisters, London, SW3

£795,000

Stanhope Terrace, W2

£755,000

Porchester Place, W2

Offers in excess of £525,000

Ann Street, N1

£725,000

Porchester Place, W2

Offers in excess of £1,100,000

Hyde Park Street, W2

£350,000

Forset Court, London, W2

£1,050,000

The Quadrangle, W2

£1,600,000

Southacre, London, W2

Offers in excess of £450,000

Westbere Road, NW2

£475,000

Tollgate Gardens, NW6

£550,000

Angelis Apartments, London, N1

£549,500

The Water Gardens, W2

£700,000

The Water Gardens, W2

£900,000

Portsea Hall, London, W2

£900,000

Portsea Hall, London, W2

£525,000

Porchester Place, W2

Guide Price £425,000

Canaletto Tower, London, EC1V

£500,000

The Triangle, London, EC1V

Offers in excess of £550,000

Westland Place, N1

Offers in excess of £825,000

Peninsula Court, London, N1

£1,050,000

Old Town Hall Apartments, London, SE16

offersOver £500,000

Setchell Way, London, SE1

£675,000

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

£2,350,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

£1,500,000

Luna House, London, SE16

£345,000

Sussex Gardens, W2

£450,000

Kilburn Lane, W10

£600,000

Hermitage Waterside, London, E1W

£775,000

Boss House, London, SE1

£650,000

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

£1,100,000

The Quadrangle, W2

£799,000

Devonport, London, W2

£475,000

West End Lane, NW6

£650,000

Rotherhithe Street, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £500,000

Corio House, London, SE1

£400,000

Porchester Place, W2

£950,000

Granary House, London, SE16

£499,000

Forset Court, London, W2

£1,350,000

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

£750,000

Granary House, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £1,300,000

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £400,000

Anchor Brewhouse, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £450,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £295,000

Edgware Road, W2

£575,000

Wapping Lane, E1W

Guide Price £3,300,000

Park Mansions, London, SW1X

£750,000

Clifton Place, W2

£2,500,000

The Boathouse, London, SE1

£800,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£770,000

Balmoral House, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £450,000

Seymour Street, W1H

£625,000

Cinnabar Wharf West, London, E1W

£565,000

Gun Place, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £500,000

Leigh Road, N5

Offers in excess of £900,000

Anise Building, London, SE1

£450,000

Old Theatre Court, London, SE1

£775,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £800,000

The Lantern Building, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £7,000,000

Gloucester Place, W1U

£495,000

Sloane Avenue Mansions, London, SW3

£1,600,000

Pier Head, London, E1W

£950,000

Tempus Wharf, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £800,000

Hays Court, London, SE16

£1,200,000

Wapping High Street, E1W

£350,000

New Caledonian Wharf, London, SE16

£30,000

Curlew Street, London, SE1

£1,300,000

Wheat Wharf Apartments, London, SE1

£795,000

Juniper Drive, SW18

£425,000

New Atlas Wharf, London, E14

£950,000

Waterside Building, London, E1W

£2,500,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

£700,000

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

£900,000

Chelsea Cloisters, London, SW3

£690,000

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

£1,850,000

Chantrey House, Belgravia, London, SW1W

£850,000

West India Quay, E14

£575,000

Eluna Apartments, London, E1W

Pied-à-terres available to rent

£495 per week

The Circle, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£300 per week

Kipling Street, London Bridge, London, SE1

£650 per week

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,080 per week

Ifield Road, Chelsea, London, SW10

£845 per week

Great Cumberland Place, Hyde Park, London, W1H

£600 per week

Wapping High Street, West Wapping , London, E1W

£675 per week

27 – 28 Kensington Gardens Square, Kensington, London, W2

£900 per week

Bryanston Square, Hyde Park, London, W1H

£577 per week

Graham Street, Islington, London, N1

£531 per week

Edgeware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2

£462 per week

Holloway Road, Islington, London, N7

£1,350 per week

Chelsea, London, SW3

£750 per week

Sloane Street, London, SW1X

£650 per week

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£346 per week

16 St. Stephens Terrace, Vauxhall, London, SW8

£750 per week

Bermondsey Wall West, Shad Thames, London, SE16

£958 per week

St. Pancras Chambers, Islington, London, NW1

£805 per week

Montagu Square, Marylebone, London, W1H

£635 per week

Island Apartments, Islington, London, N1

£550 per week

Wapping Lane, Wapping, London, E1W

£375 per week

Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3

£462 per week

Jardine Road, Wapping, London, E1W

£600 per week

Wapping Lane, Wapping, London, E1W

£650 per week

St Mary At Hill, Tower Hill, London, EC3R

£369 per week

Devons Road, Bow, London, E3

£875 per week

Great Cumberland Place, Marylebone, London, W1H

£650 per week

Great Cumberland Place, Hyde Park, London, W1H

£825 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Hyde Park, Marylebone, W1H

£995 per week

Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U

£554 per week

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£785 per week

Lafone Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£525 per week

George Row, Shad Thames, London, SE16

£415 per week

Holloway Road, Islington, London, N19

£1,150 per week

Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1W

£550 per week

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W

£650 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£542 per week

96 Alscot Road, Bermondsey, London, SE1

£542 per week

Ginger Building, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£720 per week

Hill Street, London, W1J

£1,270 per week

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, Bayswater, W2

£1,050 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£875 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£690 per week

Kendal Street, Hyde Park, London, W2

£950 per week

Pier Head, Wapping, London, E1W

£1,200 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£900 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£635 per week

Midway House, Clerkenwell, London, EC1V

£1,859 per week

Stanhope Gardens, London, SW7

£910 per week

Stanhope Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7

£1,093 per week

Stanhope Gardens, London, SW7

£1,285 per week

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2

£900 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£1,050 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£982 per week

Edgware Road, Paddington, London, W2

£1,100 per week

Hill Street, Hyde Park, London, W1J

£1,900 per week

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W

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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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