Part of our Prime Central London Area Guides Series
The most expensive position on the board
Any keen-eyed Monopoly fans will no doubt have spotted that Mayfair occupies two of the most expensive positions on the board, a mark of distinction that perfectly echoes the calibre of the real-life location in Prime Central London. Mayfair is where excellence and refinement perfectly blend to create the ideal environment for some of the world’s most impressive restaurants, hotels, private clubs, galleries and luxury properties. Here is our insider’s guide to Mayfair and its unique attributes.
London's best-known avenues
One of the elements that defines Mayfair is the streets that lie within. Some of London’s best-known avenues are to be found here including Piccadilly, Park Lane, Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street. This foundation is what has made Mayfair such a fashionable destination and the go-to area for the rich and famous since the 17th century. There is also a nice mix of styles from the charming cobbles of Lancashire Court to the elegant Mount Street, the cabaret of Berkeley Square to the eclectic Shepherds Market.
The prestige of these streets also encompasses several of the city’s top five-star hotels including The Dorchester, Claridge’s, The Ritz, Marriott Grosvenor Square and Brown’s Hotel, which is one of the oldest hotels in London.
From artisanal to Michelin-starred
One couldn’t complete a guide to Mayfair without making special mention of its incredible culinary scene.
Thanks to the demand from its elite clientele and perpetual influx of discerning visitors, the area has one of the city’s most dazzling collection of restaurants, from the artisanal to the Michelin-starred. At the top of the list are Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Helene Darroze at the Connaught and Sketch Lecture Room and Library; each holding three Michelin stars for their innovative takes on French cuisine. Also of note are Le Gavroche by Michel Roux Jr., Hakkasan, Gymkhana, Veeraswamy and Jason Atherton’s Pollen Street Social. If you’d prefer a spot of tea and something sweet, then you be well served by Queens of Mayfair, Grosvenor Cafe, Everbean, Popina or any of the other fantastic cafes in the neighbourhood.
Home to Sotheby's Auction House
When it comes to art and culture, Mayfair again has exceled itself in range and quality.
As well as being home to the revered Sotheby’s Auction House, Mayfair has one of the best reputations for galleries and exhibitions. There is the Royal Academy of Arts in Burlington House, the London Gallery of the Fine Arts Society, Bastian Gallery and the JD Malat Gallery. Fans of European artwork, science and music will certainly have plenty to explore with these respective venues; Apsley House, the home of the first Duke of Wellington, the Faraday Museum and the Handel Hendrix House, a block of two residences that were occupied by Frideric Handel and Jimi Hendrix.
Resplendent Retail & Luxury Real Estate
Three of the busiest, most famous and most expensive shopping streets in the world are located in Mayfair. You can find high-end fashion brands along Oxford Street, which also contains prestigious department stores like John Lewis and Selfridges. Regent Street is packed with department stores and clothing boutiques and the renowned Hamley’s toy store. On New Bond Street you can find the flagship stores and outlets for some of the best luxury fashion and accessory brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Tiffany & Co. and Harvey Nichols. To top it off, Mayfair is also home to Savile Row, the ultimate destination for bespoke tailoring and exquisite suits.
The Luxury Real Estate Market in Mayfair is one of supreme quality that features many influences of stately Georgian architecture with its distinctive and beautiful red brick facades. The most sought-after addresses for luxury apartments are Grosvenor Square, Mount Street and South Audley Street. Most of the buildings here come with lifts and porters, as well as staff accommodations and basement storage units. Mayfair has also seen a rise in the number of new luxury residences being launched, including serviced branded residences. These hotel-like developments offer superbly designed apartments and penthouses with green views and five-star lifestyle amenities including cinemas, gyms, spas, swimming pools and 24-hour concierge services. For those with bigger budgets, you can also find the rare trophy townhouse, with expansive interiors that span over 20,000 sq. ft. and can include a host of added extras from underground parking to indoor pools, private courtyards to wellness facilities. As an added bonus, since Mayfair sits alongside Hyde Park and Green Park and has a range of garden squares, green spaces are never far away for its residents.
