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

£3,995,000

Brompton Square, London, SW3

£595,000

Aberdour Street, London, SE1

£350,000

Forset Court, London, W2

£600,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

£850,000

Ivory House, London, E1W

£700,000

Vesta Court, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £700,000

Capstan Court, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £750,000

Ralph Court, London, W2

Offers in excess of £750,000

Boss House, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £690,000

Thames Heights, London, SE1

£650,000

Gun Wharf, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £950,000

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16

£625,000

Prebend Street, London, N1

£450,000

Wimbourne Street, London, N1

£799,950

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£1,400,000

Luna House, London, SE16

Guide Price £700,000

Almorah Road, London, N1

£525,000

Ginger Apartments, London, SE1

£700,000

Granary House, London, SE16

£850,000

Sanctuary Court, London, E1W

£2,295,000

South Audley Street, London, W1K

Guide Price £600,000

Chapel Market, London, N1

£775,000

Lion Court, London, SE1

£795,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£565,000

St. Saviours Wharf, London, SE1

£750,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

£995,000

Sussex Place, London, W2

£500,000

Timbrell Place, London, SE16

£995,000

Hermitage Court, London, E1W

£1,250,000

Capital Wharf, London, E1W

£700,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £1,250,000

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £650,000

Cardamom Building, London, SE1

£795,000

The Water Gardens, London, W2

Guide Price £550,000

Alington House, London, N8

£575,000

Chelsea Manor Street, London, SW3

Offers in excess of £550,000

Riverside Mansions, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £825,000

Providence Square, London, SE1

£525,000

New Crane Wharf, London, E1W

£2,295,000

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

Offers in excess of £1,250,000

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

£2,850,000

New Concordia Wharf, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £800,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

£975,000

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1

Guide Price £750,000

Bramwell Mews, London, N1

Offers in excess of £450,000

Essex Road, London, N1

£775,000

Ovington Square, SW3

£775,000

Tunnel Wharf, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £1,050,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

£1,450,000

Anchor Brewhouse, London, SE1

£800,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

Guide Price £385,000

Haven Way, London, SE1

£450,000

Knot House, London, SE1

£600,000

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1

£520,000

The Circle, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £2,000,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

£635,000

Aberdour Street, London, SE1

£770,000

Balmoral House, London, SE1

Offers in the region of £795,000

China Wharf, London, SE1

£2,500,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £525,000

The Circle, London, SE1

£750,000

Fennel Apartments, London, SE1

£450,000

Devon Mansions, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £1,000,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

£715,000

Boss House, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £700,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

£765,000

Globe Wharf, London, SE16

£875,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£2,000,000

Tea Trade Wharf, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £400,000

Boss House, London, SE1

£1,350,000

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £750,000

Knot House, London, SE1

£830,000

Long Lane, London, SE1

Guide Price £500,000

Steward Street, London, E1

£2,250,000

Willow Road, London, NW3

Guide Price £500,000

Euston Road, London, NW1

£595,000

Stourcliffe Street, London, W1H

£795,000

Portsea Place, London, W2

£500,000

Burr Close, London, E1W

Guide Price £500,000

Book House, London, EC1V

Offers in excess of £375,000

Blackthorn Avenue, London, N7

£1,000,000

Chronicle Tower, London, EC1V

Offers in excess of £450,000

Kelvin Road, London, N5

Offers in excess of £450,000

Dalston Square, London, E8

£749,500

Stanhope Terrace, London, W2

£1,200,000

Clifton Place, London, W2

£475,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

£800,000

Park Vista Tower, London, E1W

£535,000

Dovecote House, London, SE16

£800,000

Gloucester Mews, London, W2

£695,000

The Quadrangle, London, W2

£549,500

The Water Gardens, London, W2

£600,000

Chelsea Manor Street, SW3

£450,000

Hardinge Street, London, E1

£795,000

Ovington Square, SW3

£750,000

Clifton Place, London, W2

Offers in excess of £1,000,000

Compass Court, London, SE1

£999,000

The Quadrangle, London, W2

£590,000

Park West, London, W2

£337,500

Pan Peninsula, Pan Peninsula Square, London, E14

£850,000

West India Quay, London, E14

£1,450,000

Cashmere Wharf, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £275,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

Offers in excess of £7,000,000

Gloucester Place, London, W1U

£489,000

Forset Court, London, W2

£445,000

Goldhawk Road, W12

Guide Price £3,300,000

Park Mansions, London, SW1X

Pied-à-terres available to rent

£288 per week

Snowsfields, Borough, London, SE1

£475 per week

Wapping, London, E1W

£715 per week

Clifton Place, Hyde Park, London, W2

£496 per week

157 City Island Way, London, E14

£554 per week

Colinsdale, Islington, London, N1

£542 per week

Cayenne Court, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£595 per week

Narrow Street, Limehouse, London, E14

£646 per week

Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£600 per week

Jamaica Road, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£300 per week

Kipling Street, Borough, London, SE1

£695 per week

94 Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1W

£553 per week

Ginger Apartments, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£542 per week

Grange Road, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£623 per week

Britten Street, Chelsea, London, SW3

£595 per week

Bryanston Square, Hyde Park, London, W1H

£775 per week

Manchester Street, Marylebone, London, W1U

£495 per week

Seymour Place, Marylebone, London, W1H

£496 per week

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£550 per week

Butlers And Colonial Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,150 per week

Gloucester Place Mews, Marylebone, London, W1U

£381 per week

49 Weston Street, London Bridge, London, SE1

£519 per week

Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,595 per week

Pont Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X

£577 per week

Milk Yard, Wapping, London, E1W

£525 per week

Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3

£519 per week

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W

£658 per week

Euston Road, Kings Cross, London, NW1

£658 per week

Newington Causeway, Borough, London, SE1

£519 per week

Gainsford Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£692 per week

Cheval Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW7

£658 per week

Hermitage Court, Wapping, London, E1W

£625 per week

Robert Adam Street, Marylebone, London, W1U

£537 per week

Canonbury Street, Islington, London, N1

£675 per week

Bryanston Square, Marylebone, London, W1H

£600 per week

Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R

£577 per week

Sussex Gardens, Hyde Park, London, W2

£775 per week

Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, London, E14

£692 per week

Porchester Place, Hyde Park, London, W2

£1,246 per week

36 Stoney Street, Borough, Borough, SE1

£620 per week

Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W

£635 per week

Charlbert Court, Mackennal Street, St Johns Wood, London, NW8

£612 per week

Winchester Square, Borough Market, Borough, SE1

£1,134 per week

Edgware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2

£630 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J

£554 per week

Providence Square, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£513 per week

Fairmead Road, Islington, London, N19

£692 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£588 per week

Queen Square, Bloomsbury , London, WC1N

£500 per week

St. Georges Fields, Hyde Park, London, W2

£485 per week

Shepherds Bush Road, Brook Green, London, W6

£550 per week

Kendal Street, Hyde Park, London, W2

£519 per week

96 Alscot Road, Bermondsey, London, SE1

£1,418 per week

Edgware Road, Paddington, London, W2

£1,038 per week

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£785 per week

East Lane, Shad Thames, London, SE16

£462 per week

Odessa Street, Canada Water , London, SE16

£727 per week

Butlers Wharf Building, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£738 per week

Bermondsey Wall West, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£600 per week

Boss House, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£658 per week

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£519 per week

Edgeware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2

£1,025 per week

Rainville Road, London, W6

£1,108 per week

Gatliff Road, Belgravia, London, SW1W

£1,556 per week

Marylebone, Marylebone, W2

£550 per week

Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3

£923 per week

Antonine Heights, Bermondsey, London, SE1

£646 per week

Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3

£750 per week

Lombard Road, Battersea, London, SW11

£813 per week

Tea Trade Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,250 per week

Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W

£955 per week

Stanhope Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7

£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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