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) 7769 744 457

Jo Leverett

Partner, residential investment & international

Head office

T +44 (0) 20 7647 7243

Pied-à-terres available to buy

£2,600,000

Conquest Tower, London, SE1

£550,000

Thames Heights, London, SE1

£675,000

Butlers & Colonial Wharf, London, SE1

£495,000

Sussex Gardens, London, W2

£600,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £1,000,000

Capital Wharf, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £800,000

Caraway Apartments, London, SE1

£600,000

Mission Point, London, SE16

£1,250,000

Springalls Wharf Apartments, London, SE16

£1,050,000

Praed Street, London, W2

£450,000

Walker House, London, SE1

£1,500,000

Sussex House, London, SE1

£450,000

Cole Street, London, SE1

£425,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£1,100,000

Butlers & Colonial Wharf, London, SE1

£350,000

Cole Street, London, SE1

£750,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£700,000

Cinnabar Wharf Central, London, E1W

Offers in excess of £500,000

Towerside, London, E1W

£625,000

Porchester Place, London, W2

£980,000

Gloucester Terrace, London, W2

£850,000

St Hildas Wharf, London, E1W

£1,595,000

Hyde Park Square, London, W2

£500,000

Daventry Street, London, NW1

£735,000

Porchester Square, London, W2

£750,000

Lion Court, London, SE1

£625,000

Stourcliffe Street, London, W1H

£600,000

Park Vista Tower, London, E1W

£800,000

Merganser Court, London, E1W

£1,250,000

Capital Wharf, London, E1W

£2,250,000

Butlers Wharf Building, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £800,000

Butlers & Colonial Wharf, London, SE1

£600,000

Hermitage Court, London, E1W

£630,000

Wyndham Street, London, W1H

£650,000

Queens Court, London, SE16

£275,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

£525,000

Southwick Street, London, W2

£950,000

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

£530,000

Leeward Court, London, E1W

£425,000

West India Quay, London, E14

£820,000

Hyde Park Square, London, W2

£399,995

Upper Berkeley Street, London, W1H

£425,000

Ginger Apartments, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £800,000

Butlers & Colonial Wharf, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £460,000

Lancaster Gate, London, W2

£850,000

Tamarind Court, London, SE1

£390,000

Harrowby Street, London, W1H

£2,250,000

Park Street, London, SE1

£865,000

Jubilee Place, London, SW3

£550,000

Blandford Street, London, W1U

Offers in excess of £350,000

Burr Close, London, E1W

£500,000

New Crane Wharf, London, E1W

£600,000

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

£1,200,000

Pont Street, London, SW1X

£600,000

Halcyon Wharf, London, E1W

£1,775,000

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

£625,000

Strathearn Place, London, W2

£600,000

Harrow Road, London, W9

£550,000

Rampart Street, London, E1

offersOver £699,000

Paultons House, London, SW3

£715,000

Ovington Square, London, SW3

£750,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, London, SE1

£899,950

The Quadrangle, London, W2

£1,650,000

Mansfield Street, London, W1G

£450,000

Forset Court, London, W2

£750,000

River View Heights, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £600,000

Eagle Wharf Court, London, SE1

£475,000

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

£430,000

Compass House, London, E1W

£650,000

Merchant Court, London, E1W

Offers in the region of £399,950

Seymour Street, London, W1H

£650,000

The Circle, London, SE1

£450,000

Free Trade Wharf, London, E1W

£685,000

River View Heights, London, SE16

Guide Price £475,000

Vanilla & Sesame Court, London, SE1

£1,350,000

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

£680,000

Lower Sloane Street, London, SW1W

£1,195,000

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1

£495,000

North Rise, London, W2

£420,000

Harrowby Street, London, W1H

£525,000

Westbourne Terrace, London, W2

£675,000

3 Ovington Square, London, SW3

£625,000

Quadrangle Tower, London, W2

Offers in excess of £2,000,000

Craven Hill Gardens, London, W2

£880,000

Wimpole Street, London, W1G

£475,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

£500,000

New Caledonian Wharf, London, SE16

Offers in excess of £600,000

Cinnamon Wharf, London, SE1

Offers in excess of £495,000

New Tannery Way, London, SE1

£525,000

Cheyne Place, London, SW3

£999,999

De Vere Mews, London, W8

Guide Price £460,000

Monmouth Road, London, W2

£575,000

Edgware Road, London, W2

£735,000

Devonport, London, W2

Offers in excess of £400,000

Dalston Square, London, E8

£625,000

Axis Court, London, SE16

offersOver £700,000

Clifton Place, London, W2

£762,500

Lower Sloane Street, London, SW1W

£850,000

Chronicle Tower, London, EC1V

£800,000

Westgate Terrace, London, SW10

Guide Price £650,000

Wenlock Road, London, N1

£500,000

Southgate Road, London, N1

£2,999,950

Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2

Guide Price £500,000

Book House, London, EC1V

Guide Price £350,000

Caledonian Road, London, N1

Pied-à-terres available to rent

£805 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Hyde Park, London, W1H

£554 per week

Wembley, Wembley, HA0

£519 per week

2 Station Grove, Wembley, Wembley, HA0

£542 per week

2 Station Grove, Wembley, Wembley, HA0

£415 per week

39 Curtis Lane, Wembley, Wembley, HA0

£1,269 per week

Seymour Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£1,200 per week

Bryanston Square, Hyde Park, London, W1H

£950 per week

Gloucester Place Mews, Hyde Park, Marylebone, W1U

£577 per week

St. Johns Wood Road, St Johns Wood, London, NW8

£404 per week

Culford Road, Islington, London, N1

£335 per week

Kipling Street, London Bridge, London, SE1

£508 per week

Tower Bridge Road, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£1,100 per week

Seymour Place, Hyde Park, London, W1H

£1,075 per week

Gloucester Place, Marylebone, London, W1U

£923 per week

George Street, Marylebone, London, W1U

£635 per week

Paradise Street, Tower Bridge, London, SE16

£508 per week

Shad Thames, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£1,800 per week

Wapping Wall, Wapping, London, E1W

£635 per week

Dockhead Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£427 per week

Edgware Road, London, W2

£531 per week

Queen Elizabeth Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£658 per week

The Pepper Mills, 4 Jamaica Road, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£375 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£519 per week

Reardon Path, Wapping, London, E1W

£645 per week

31 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London, W2

£645 per week

Notting Hill, London, W2

£345 per week

Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London, W1H

£500 per week

The Listed Building, Wapping, London, E1W

£635 per week

Red Square, Islington, London, N16

£635 per week

Westferry Road, Isle of Dogs, London, E14

£508 per week

Royal Street, Waterloo, London, SE1

£1,075 per week

Seymour Place, Marylebone, London, W1H

£460 per week

Holloway Road, Islington, London, N7

£553 per week

Monnery Road, Islington, London, N19

£991 per week

Gloucester Place, Marylebone, Marylebone, W1U

£427 per week

Royal Street, Waterloo, London, SE1

£635 per week

Mill Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1

£808 per week

Boss House, Tower Bridge, London, SE1

£1,175 per week

Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£554 per week

Odessa Street, Rotherhithe, London, SE16

£577 per week

Marina Heights, Wapping, London, E14

£1,050 per week

145 Fulham Road, South Kensington, London, SW3

£508 per week

Royal Street, Waterloo, London, SE1

£462 per week

Tufnell Park Road, Islington, London, N7

£1,546 per week

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London, W2

£531 per week

Meridian Court, Shad Thames, London, SE16

£1,260 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J

£1,004 per week

Rose Court, Islington, London, N1

£750 per week

Caledonian Road, Kings Cross, London, N1

£1,205 per week

1 Collingham Road, Earls Court, London, SW5

£1,192 per week

1 Collingham Road, Earls Court, London, SW5

£504 per week

31 Draycott Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3

£647 per week

31 Draycott Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3

£941 per week

31 Draycott Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3

£570 per week

Draycott Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3

£762 per week

Shirland Road, Maida Vale, London, W9

£1,310 per week

Rainville Road, London, W6

£1,140 per week

Edgware Road, Hyde Park, London, W2

£650 per week

Hill Street, Mayfair, London, W1J

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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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