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, residential investment

Head office

T +44 (0) 20 7407 3669 Email James

Jo Leverett

Partner, residential investment & international

Head office

T +44 (0) 20 7647 7243 Email Jo

Pied-à-terres available to buy

Guide Price £650,000

Granary House, London, SE16

£740,000

The Circle, London, SE1

£1,225,000

Jacana Court, London, E1W

£600,000

Walker House, London, SE1

£775,000

Monck House, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £1,350,000

Praed Street, London, W2

£625,000

Cole Street, London, SE1

£539,000

Cheyne Place, London, SW3

£779,000

Lower Sloane Street, London, SW1W

£800,000

Westgate Terrace, London, SW10

£315,000

Chelsea Cloisters, London, SW3

£725,000

Harrington Gardens, London, SW7

Offers in excess of £740,000

Paultons House, London, SW3

£690,000

3 Ovington Square, London, SW3

£999,999

De Vere Mews, London, W8

£750,000

Beaufort Street, London, SW3

£1,850,000

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

£950,000

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

£399,995

Upper Berkeley Street, London, W1H

Guide Price £700,000

River View Heights, London, SE16

£500,000

New Caledonian Wharf, London, SE16

£475,000

Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £800,000

Balmoral House, London, SE1

£1,650,000

Anchor Brewhouse, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £550,000

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1

£500,000

Ginger Apartments, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £2,000,000

Craven Hill Gardens, London, W2

£750,000

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

£450,000

Red Lion Court, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £1,750,000

New Crane Wharf, London, E1W

£600,000

Gun Wharf, London, E1W

£565,000

Westbourne Terrace, London, W2

£430,000

Compass House, London, E1W

£580,000

Pierpoint Building, London, E14

£735,000

Devonport, London, W2

Guide Price £550,000

Higgins House, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £650,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

£775,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

£770,000

Park Steps, London, W2

£515,000

North Rise, London, W2

£2,250,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

£1,200,000

Sanderling Lodge, London, E1W

£500,000

Daventry Street, London, NW1

£550,000

Falconet Court, London, E1W

£675,000

Hermitage Court, London, E1W

£500,000

Free Trade Wharf, London, E1W

£500,000

Free Trade Wharf, London, E1W

£525,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £1,050,000

Clifton Place, London, W2

£2,250,000

Park Street, London, SE1

£425,000

Cole Street, London, SE1

£650,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £2,000,000

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

£735,000

Porchester Square, London, W2

£795,000

Linden Gardens, London, W2

£575,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

Guide Price £650,000

Wenlock Road, London, N1

£405,000

Harrowby Street, London, W1H

£750,000

Lion Court, London, SE1

£675,000

Thames Heights, London, SE1

£500,000

Southgate Road, London, N1

£900,000

Tamarind Court, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £725,000

Lion Court, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £425,000

Dalston Square, London, E8

£450,000

Pier Head, London, E1W

Guide Price £750,000

Cardamom Building, London, SE1

£895,000

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1

£2,999,950

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

£425,000

Seymour Street, London, W1H

£670,000

Wyndham Street, London, W1H

Guide Price £625,000

Boss House, London, SE1

£450,000

Harrowby Street, London, W1H

£550,000

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

Guide Price £460,000

Monmouth Road, London, W2

£590,000

Blandford Street, London, W1U

£625,000

Axis Court, London, SE16

£295,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

Guide Price £850,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

£525,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£1,250,000

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1

£765,000

Southwell House 34-36 Egerton Gardens, London, SW3

£899,950

The Quadrangle, London, W2

Guide Price £600,000

Globe Wharf, London, SE16

Guide Price £500,000

Book House, London, EC1V

Guide Price £900,000

Chronicle Tower, London, EC1V

£685,000

Millennium Square, London, SE1

offersOver £700,000

Clifton Place, London, W2

£2,295,000

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

£575,000

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

£1,495,000

Hyde Park Crescent, London, W2

£750,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£350,000

Blythe Road, London, W14

£625,000

Porchester Place, London, W2

£650,000

Harrow Road, London, W9

£575,000

Southwick Street, London, W2

£625,000

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

£475,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

£1,700,000

Mansfield Street, London, W1G

Guide Price £1,150,000

Graham Street, London, N1

Guide Price £800,000

Tea Trade Wharf, London, SE1

£340,000

Manilla Street, London, E14

Guide Price £350,000

Caledonian Road, London, N1

Guide Price £700,000

China Wharf, London, SE1

£450,000

Knot House, London, SE1

£940,000

Butlers & Colonial Wharf, London, SE1

£550,000

Codling Close, London, E1W

£489,000

Forset Court, London, W2

£530,000

New Tannery Way, London, SE1

Pied-à-terres available to rent

£750 per week

Gray’s Inn Road, Clerkenwell, London, WC1X

£1,604 per week

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2

£323 per week

92 Snowsfield, London Bridge, London, SE1

£658 per week

Hobbs Court, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£519 per week

Elm Tree Court, Elm Tree Road, St Johns Wood, London, NW8

£750 per week

Moore Court, Islington, London, N1

£519 per week

East Lane, Bermondsey, London, SE16

£831 per week

Lafone Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,300 per week

New Quebec Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£508 per week

Royal Street, Waterloo, London, SE1

£738 per week

Tanner Street, Bermondsey Street, Southwark, SE1

£525 per week

Reardon Path, London, E1W

£692 per week

Blackfriars Road, Borough, London, SE1

£427 per week

East Lane, Shad Thames, London, SE16

£369 per week

York Street, Marylebone, London, W1U

£1,000 per week

Sanderling Lodge, Wapping, London, E1W

£692 per week

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W

£519 per week

Shepherds Bush Road, Brook Green, Shepherds Bush, W6

£795 per week

188 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£725 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£950 per week

Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, London, W2

£1,250 per week

Manchester Street, Hyde Park, London, W1U

£531 per week

Shepherds Bush Road, Brook Green, London, W6

£796 per week

Bermondsey Wall West, Shad Thames, London, SE16

£531 per week

Shepherds Bush Road, Brook Green, London, W6

£900 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£1,000 per week

Dean Ryle Street, Belgravia, London, SW1P

£577 per week

Walkinshaw Court, Islington, London, N1

£519 per week

Holloway Road, Islington, London, N7

£531 per week

Shepherds Bush Road, Brook Green, London, W6

£831 per week

Muncaster Road, Clapham, London, SW11

£692 per week

Queen Square, Islington, London, WC1N

£1,450 per week

Flood Street, Chelsea, London, SW3

£1,800 per week

11-13 Young Street, Kensington, London, W8

£1,108 per week

Gatliff Road, London, SW1W

£630 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, Mayfair, W1J

£1,050 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£945 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£550 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£925 per week

4 Eccleston Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W

£1,355 per week

Rainville Road, London, W6

£1,385 per week

161 Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£930 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£800 per week

Kendal Street, Hyde Park, London, W2

£1,140 per week

Edgware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2

£650 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J

£790 per week

Rainville Road, Fulham, London, W6

£900 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£1,148 per week

Stanhope Gardens, London, SW7

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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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