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.
Pied-à-terres available to buy

The Listed Building, London, E1W

Queens Head Street, London, N1

Portnall Road, W9

Portnall Road, W9

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

China Wharf, London, SE1

The Triangle, London, SE1

Java Wharf, London, SE1

Porchester Place, W2

The Quadrangle, W2

Trinity Street, London, SE1

Gun Wharf, London, E1W

Clifton Place, W2

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

Porchester Terrace North, W2

Douglas Buildings, London, SE1

New North Road, London, N1

Portsea Hall, London, W2

Quayside Court, London, SE16

Cardamom Building, London, SE1

Sherwood Court, London, W1H

Queens Court, London, SE16

Scotts Sufferance Wharf, London, SE1

Southwick Street, W2

St. Saviours House, London, SE16

Lloyds Wharf, London, SE1

Porchester Place, W2

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1

Gainsford Street, London, SE1

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

Gloucester Mews, W2

Chilworth Street, W2

Garrett Mansions, London, W2

Edgware Road, W2

Edgware Road, W2

The Water Gardens, W2

Canonbury Street, N1

Chronicle Tower 261B, London, EC1V

Compass Court, London, SE1

Coniston Court, London, W2

Lion Court, London, E1W

The Water Gardens, W2

Newington Causeway, London, SE1

Strata, London, SE1

Teal Court, London, E1W

Merchant Square East, W2

Forset Court, London, W2

Dunbar Wharf, London, E14

Great Jubilee Wharf, London, E1W

Hermitage Court, London, E1W

Pierhead Wharf, London, E1W

Portsea Hall, London, W2

Park Mansions, London, SW1X

Tower View Apartments, London, E1W

Gun Place, London, E1W

Chantrey House, Belgravia, London, SW1W

Matilda House, London, E1W

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

Merchant Court, London, E1W

Telfords Yard, E1W

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

Cinnabar Wharf East, London, E1W
Pied-à-terres available to rent
Raleigh Mews, Islington, London, N1
Bermondsey Wall West, Tower Bridge, London, SE16
Caraway Apartments, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Wellesley House, Chelsea, London, SW1W
340 The Highway, Wapping, London, E1W
Frederick Court, Chelsea, London, SW3
Crawford Street, Marylebone, Marylebone, W1H
Coriander Court, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Portland Place, Marylebone, London, W1B
Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W
King Henrys Walk, Islington, London, N1
Rodmarton Street, Marylebone, London, W1U
Baker Street, Marylebone, London, NW1
Burmah Mill, Tower Bridge, Shad Thames, SE1
Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U
Lonsdale Place, Islington, London, N1
Nelson Road, Crouch End, London, N8
Cavalry Square, Chelsea, London, SW3
Shepherds Bush Road, Notting Hill, London, W6
Pont Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X
Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W
Grosvenor Hill, Mayfair, London, W1K
Hill Street, Mayfair, Mayfair, W1J
Kensington Court, Kensington, London, W8
Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X
St. Katharines Way, Wapping, London, E1W
Queen Elizabeth Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1
Montagu Street, Marylebone, London, W1H
Lyell Street, Canning Town, London, E14
Park Road, St Johns Wood, St Johns Wood, NW8
Pier Head, Wapping, London, E1W
Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, London, W2
East Smithfield, Shad Thames, London, E1W
Maida Vale, Maida Vale, London, W9
Gloucester Place, Marylebone, Marylebone, W1U
Lexham Gardens, South Kensington, London, W8
Gloucester Place, Marylebone, Marylebone, W1U
Nottingham Place, Marylebone, Marylebone, W1U
Kensington, London, W8
594 Commercial Road, London, E14
1 Fairmont Avenue, London, E14
Biscayne Avenue, London, E14
Long Lane, Bermondsey Street, London, SE1
28 Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W
Bridewell Place, Wapping, Wapping, E1W
Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3
Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3
Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, London, E14
Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2
Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2
Narrow Street, Limehouse, London, E14
Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London, E14
Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3
Rainville Road, Hammersmith, London, W6
Vaughan Way, London, E1W