Published 1st May 2025
Jamie Hope, Managing Director of Maskells, points to the consistency of demand in Prime Central London (PCL). “The most desirable locations will always offer a mixture of close proximity to top schools and world-class amenities, whilst providing a sense of privacy and security,” he says. “The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will always be in demand due to the number of excellent independent schools.” Mayfair and Belgravia, he adds, remain firm favourites “due to their prominence, easy access to some of the world’s finest boutiques and abundance of large homes that often surround exclusive private garden squares.”
Jamie agrees that modern buyers “want features that will either improve their living experience, such as the latest home automation systems or incredible leisure facilities,” but they’re also thinking ahead: “Buyers want amenities and features that ultimately add value to the home.”
This applies to tenants as well. Isabella Birch Reynardson, Head of Super Prime Lettings at Savills, says, “At the very top end of the market, demand has been strong for flats… Most are using their place in London as a base rather than staying in hotels.” Around 60% of lettings she’s handled this year involved apartments with hotel-like facilities: gyms, pools, concierge services and meeting spaces. For many international buyers, the capital still plays a crucial role.
Foreign buyers have accounted for approximately 70% of the market in Chelsea and 30% in Kensington over the past 10 years,” says Jamie. “Changes to the tax thresholds will undoubtedly impact their buying patterns, but the draw of London is still strong.”
Read the article on International Property & Travel Magazine