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Your Guide to Office Space in Mayfair and St James’s
Sandwiched between the huge leafy green space of Hyde Park and the bustling shopping and entertainment districts of Soho and Piccadilly, both Mayfair and St James’s are not only two of the most desirable neighbourhoods in London, but in the world. As you’d expect, a W1 or SW1 postcode makes a big statement.
Both areas have managed to retain their airs of affluence and opulence over the centuries and both rank as London’s richest neighbourhoods, with Mayfair being the richest. With the decline of the aristocracy throughout the 20th century – many of who owned swathes of Mayfair – the area has become a key district to work in as much as it has become to live and play in.
With the nobles retreating to their country estates, the upper echelons of the corporate embraced the opportunity to move into W1. And so, Mayfair has become the area of choice for investment funds of all stripes and major international players (such as mining and commodities giant Glencore, or publisher Condé Nast) to set up offices. Needless to say, workers with fine tastes will find plenty to tickle their fancy – from Michelin-starred dining options to bespoke tailoring on Savile Row. However, don’t assume that Mayfair is locked in the past – as the bevy of new serviced offices, coworking spaces and hot-desking spots proves that it isn’t.
Head a few miles south east to St James’s and you’ll be struck by the elegance of the area. There’s historic architecture at every turn, and many state-of-the-art St James’ workspaces retain their original facades. Yet the office isn’t the only place to close the deal – at nearby Pall Mall, there’s a coterie of famous private members’ clubs which offer a discreet, relaxed ambiance to wine, dine and wow clients. Meanwhile, with Westminster just down the road, an SW1 office is perfect for businesses with close ties to government.
7.2%
There is currently 1.12 million square feet of available space to let in Mayfair and St James's which equates to a vacancy rate of 7.2%
Highlights and hidden gems
British Petroleum (BP) moved to its prestigious 1 St James's Square headquarters in 2002, occupying a 10,000 square foot office space, while investment firm The Carlyle Group’s London HQ is at the equally impressive address 1 St James’s Market. In the world of media, the famed Vogue House is located in Hanover Square.
In the area…
Mayfair may be one of the most expensive places in the world to live, but that doesn’t mean it's out of reach for your regular Joe. Boozers such as The Punch Bowl channels the traditional aesthetic of an old East End boozer (albeit one that’s had a face lift) while Mr Fogg’s Residence feels like the perfect period venue to plot your own around-the-world trip, fueled on by one of their exotic cocktails, or two.
In an ideal world, we’d outlaw mediocre dining experiences and use Mayfair restaurants as an exemplar of how to dine in a consistently fabulous fashion. Alas, we live in the real world, but there is still always Mayfair to visit. Make a point of visiting Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill on Swallow Street for perhaps the best seafood in the district, while Michelin-starred stalwarts such as Michel Roux Jr’s Le Gavroche on Upper Brook Street serve the best-value set lunch in town.
For us mere mortals, both districts have plenty of more inexpensive options, while neighboring Soho is only a short walk away for a more mainstream fare. We would recommend The Windmill on Mill Street for its dedication to serving top-quality pies for under a tenner, of which it makes more than a thousand a week. Meanwhile, Rasa W1 has been making waves across London in recent years, with its vegetarian menu as close to authentic southern Indian cuisine you’re likely to find this side of Kerala.
While high-end designer shops are ten-a-penny in Mayfair (and considerably more), it’s worth taking a trip to Burlington Arcade, if not for a traditional shoeshine or a macaroon at Ladurée. Within the Arcade you can also find brands such as Church’s, Roja Parfums and House of Cashmere.
Le Gavroche serves Michelin-starred dishes
Bentley’s – the perfect place to park for lunch
Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill – The world’s your oyster
Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill – Wine and dine clients at discreet restaurants
Burlington Arcade – pick up bespoke gifts on the way home
Burlington Arcade
An address to impress
Mayfair & St James office space prices
AVERAGE
£601
Private office
£672
Fixed desks
£373
Hot desks
Guide prices are per desk per month.
Did you know?
- Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, made history when he made the first successful call from Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair. The hotel, along with the original phone, is still there too making it one of the oldest in London. The phone can be found in one of the meeting rooms as a point of interest for people staying there.
- Mayfair is conspicuous in its absence of transport links – there are no tube stations within the district. The nearest tube stations are Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch and Bond Street – all within different districts technically – but this is not to matter, as the whole area is easily traversable on foot. And what a fascinating walk it is, largely thanks to the variety of streetscapes the district has on offer; from grand Georgian mansions to modernist office blocks, the district is a prime example of how Georgina and Victorian London has been beautifully married together.
- At 127 years old, St James’s Park is the oldest Royal Park in London. It’s also surrounded by three palaces: the most ancient being Westminster, which has now become the Houses of Parliament, St James's Palace and perhaps the best known in the world, Buckingham Palace
Nearby areas
Want to see what the wider neighbourhood has to offer? Why not read our guides for the nearby areas.
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