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 – head of residential agency

T +44 (0) 20 7407 3669
James Hyman
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

Head of international residential markets

T +44 (0) 20 7647 7243
Jo Leverett

Pied-à-terres available to buy

Southacre, London, W2
£1,675,000

Southacre, London, W2

Portnall Road, W9
£460,000

Portnall Road, W9

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1
£1,200,000

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

Sussex Mews East, W2
£1,385,000

Sussex Mews East, W2

Chronicle Tower 261B, London, EC1V
Offers in excess of £950,000

Chronicle Tower 261B, London, EC1V

Compass Court, London, SE1
£850,000

Compass Court, London, SE1

Gainsford Street, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £750,000

Gainsford Street, London, SE1

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1
£1,200,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

Knot House, London, SE1
£795,000

Knot House, London, SE1

The Water Gardens, W2
Offers in excess of £700,000

The Water Gardens, W2

The Circle, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £500,000

The Circle, London, SE1

Sherwood Court, London, W1H
£1,225,000

Sherwood Court, London, W1H

The Quadrangle, W2
£1,400,000

The Quadrangle, W2

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1
£650,000

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1

Stanhope Terrace, W2
£925,000

Stanhope Terrace, W2

St. Anns Villas, W11
Offers in excess of £650,000

St. Anns Villas, W11

Queens Head Street, London, N1
fixedPrice £400,000

Queens Head Street, London, N1

Meridian Court, London, SE16
£580,000

Meridian Court, London, SE16

Highbury Grove, N5
£500,000

Highbury Grove, N5

Porchester Place, W2
£795,000

Porchester Place, W2

Ashmore Road, W9
£610,000

Ashmore Road, W9

St. James House, London, N5
£625,000

St. James House, London, N5

Southwick Street, W2
Guide Price £675,000

Southwick Street, W2

Base Apartments, London, N1
£575,000

Base Apartments, London, N1

Canalside Square, London, N1
£500,000

Canalside Square, London, N1

Matilda House, London, E1W
£425,000

Matilda House, London, E1W

Park West, London, W2
£340,000

Park West, London, W2

Gloucester Court, London, SE1
£290,000

Gloucester Court, London, SE1

Kamen House, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £700,000

Kamen House, London, SE1

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1
£900,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

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

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

Little London Court, London, SE1
£495,000

Little London Court, London, SE1

Rushworth Street, London, SE1
£995,000

Rushworth Street, London, SE1

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1
£650,000

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1
£700,000

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1

Ginger Apartments, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £650,000

Ginger Apartments, London, SE1

Cardamom Building, London, SE1
£1,300,000

Cardamom Building, London, SE1

St. Saviours Wharf, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £1,000,000

St. Saviours Wharf, London, SE1

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1
£1,600,000

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1

Axis Court, London, SE16
Offers in excess of £825,000

Axis Court, London, SE16

The Triangle, London, SE1
£675,000

The Triangle, London, SE1

Trinity Street, London, SE1
£1,150,000

Trinity Street, London, SE1

Rotherhithe Street, London, SE16
£795,000

Rotherhithe Street, London, SE16

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1
£770,000

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £500,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

St. Saviours House, London, SE16
£700,000

St. Saviours House, London, SE16

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1
Offers in excess of £1,000,000

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1

Tea Trade Wharf, London, SE1
£595,000

Tea Trade Wharf, London, SE1

Limehouse Wharf, London, E14
£1,695,000

Limehouse Wharf, London, E14

Portsea Hall, London, W2
£900,000

Portsea Hall, London, W2

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

Park Mansions, London, SW1X

Portnall Road, W9
£760,000

Portnall Road, W9

Porchester Place, W2
£465,000

Porchester Place, W2

Maida Vale, W9
£899,999

Maida Vale, W9

Cinnabar Wharf West, London, E1W
£650,000

Cinnabar Wharf West, London, E1W

Compass House, London, E1W
Offers in excess of £625,000

Compass House, London, E1W

Porchester Place, W2
£695,000

Porchester Place, W2

The Quadrangle, W2
£1,100,000

The Quadrangle, W2

Porchester Place, W2
£775,000

Porchester Place, W2

Java House, London, E14
£625,000

Java House, London, E14

Kensington Place, W8
£1,250,000

Kensington Place, W8

Forset Court, London, W2
£520,000

Forset Court, London, W2

Park Vista Tower, London, E1W
£850,000

Park Vista Tower, London, E1W

West India Quay, E14
£850,000

West India Quay, E14

Forset Court, London, W2
£350,000

Forset Court, London, W2

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2
£890,000

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

Devonport, London, W2
£799,000

Devonport, London, W2

New North Road, London, N1
£599,950

New North Road, London, N1

Eluna Apartments, London, E1W
£575,000

Eluna Apartments, London, E1W

Hermitage Waterside, London, E1W
£645,000

Hermitage Waterside, London, E1W

Chelsea Cloisters, London, SW3
£1,040,000

Chelsea Cloisters, London, SW3

Waterside Building, London, E1W
Offers in the region of £1,000,000

Waterside Building, London, E1W

The Water Gardens, W2
£555,000

The Water Gardens, W2

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2
£850,000

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

Portsea Hall, London, W2
£900,000

Portsea Hall, London, W2

Garrett Mansions, London, W2
£1,685,000

Garrett Mansions, London, W2

Edgware Road, W2
£995,000

Edgware Road, W2

Edgware Road, W2
£995,000

Edgware Road, W2

Great Jubilee Wharf, London, E1W
Offers in excess of £1,250,000

Great Jubilee Wharf, London, E1W

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W
£690,000

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

Merchant Court, London, E1W
£799,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

Pied-à-terres available to rent

Shepherds Bush Road, Hammersmith, London, W6
£508 per week

Shepherds Bush Road, Hammersmith, London, W6

Walkinshaw Court, Islington, London, N1
£462 per week

Walkinshaw Court, Islington, London, N1

Duke of York Square, Chelsea, London, SW3
£1,150 per week

Duke of York Square, Chelsea, London, SW3

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£675 per week

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, Bayswater, W2
£1,285 per week

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, Bayswater, W2

St. Mary At Hill, The City , London, EC3R
£496 per week

St. Mary At Hill, The City , London, EC3R

Cloudesley Road, Islington, London, N1
£600 per week

Cloudesley Road, Islington, London, N1

Meridian Court, Shad Thames, London, SE16
£600 per week

Meridian Court, Shad Thames, London, SE16

Gainsford Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£692 per week

Gainsford Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£650 per week

Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1

1 Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London, E14
£690 per week

1 Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London, E14

1 Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London, E14
£784 per week

1 Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London, E14

St Mary At Hill, Tower Hill, London, EC3R
£531 per week

St Mary At Hill, Tower Hill, London, EC3R

Berkeley House, Mayfair, London, W1J
£850 per week

Berkeley House, Mayfair, London, W1J

Southwick Street, Hyde Park, London, W2
£715 per week

Southwick Street, Hyde Park, London, W2

Trinity Street, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
£615 per week

Trinity Street, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

Cayenne Court, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£575 per week

Cayenne Court, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2
£1,332 per week

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2

Oakley House, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X
£975 per week

Oakley House, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X

1 Fairmoint Avenue, London, E14
£554 per week

1 Fairmoint Avenue, London, E14

Ann Street, Islington, London, N1
£575 per week

Ann Street, Islington, London, N1

Nell Gwynn House, South Kensington, London, SW3
£675 per week

Nell Gwynn House, South Kensington, London, SW3

Providence Square, Bermondsey, London, SE1
£725 per week

Providence Square, Bermondsey, London, SE1

40 The Highway, London, E1W
£530 per week

40 The Highway, London, E1W

23 Gauging Square, London, E1W
£1,100 per week

23 Gauging Square, London, E1W

Sydney Street, Chelsea, London, SW3
£950 per week

Sydney Street, Chelsea, London, SW3

Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7
£650 per week

Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7

The Circle, Tower Bridge, London, SE1
£495 per week

The Circle, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1X
£1,925 per week

Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1X

Redford Walk, Islington, London, N1
£450 per week

Redford Walk, Islington, London, N1

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£525 per week

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Canary Wharf, London, E14
£692 per week

Canary Wharf, London, E14

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W
£635 per week

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W

Montagu Street, Marylebone, London, W1H
£700 per week

Montagu Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

Gloucester Place Mews, Hyde Park, London, W1U
£1,150 per week

Gloucester Place Mews, Hyde Park, London, W1U

Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T
£775 per week

Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T

Hepworth Court, Chelsea, London, SW1W
£923 per week

Hepworth Court, Chelsea, London, SW1W

Caraway Apartments, Shad Thames, London, SE1
£500 per week

Caraway Apartments, Shad Thames, London, SE1

Wapping Lane, Wapping, London, E1W
£600 per week

Wapping Lane, Wapping, London, E1W

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
£1,050 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
£900 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
£900 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

Lyndhurst Road, Belsize Park, London, NW3
£1,100 per week

Lyndhurst Road, Belsize Park, London, NW3

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W
£600 per week

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W
£1,900 per week

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W
£2,200 per week

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W

Hyde Park Gardens, Hyde Park, London, W2
£1,215 per week

Hyde Park Gardens, Hyde Park, London, W2

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J
£1,150 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J

Nell Gwynn House, Chelsea, London, SW3
£625 per week

Nell Gwynn House, Chelsea, London, SW3

Hans Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW3
£595 per week

Hans Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW3

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J
£720 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J

Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7
£525 per week

Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3
£1,020 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

Nottingham Place, Marylebone, London, W1U
£1,250 per week

Nottingham Place, Marylebone, London, W1U

Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W
£1,650 per week

Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W

Baker Street, Marylebone, London, NW1
£1,450 per week

Baker Street, Marylebone, London, NW1

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