Why you should rent office space in Mayfair: the ultimate business guide

With an air of old-school elegance and opulence, Mayfair more than earns its reputation as one of London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. 

From its leafy parks and Georgian buildings to its upscale bars and famous streets - it’s iconic for a reason, and one of the best areas for businesses in a wide range of sectors to consider setting up an office. 

Beyond its affluent ambience, Mayfair has emerged as a thriving hub for entrepreneurs and businesses of all kinds such as financial services, startups, and private capital, as well as marketing, advertising and the luxury retail and fashion that the area is famous for.

Why do businesses locate international companies in Mayfair?

Mayfair's global reputation and proximity to the embassies of countries from Argentina and Belgium to wealthy Gulf states like Saudi Arabia all make it an attractive area for firms looking to attract international clients - both those hailing from the countries and those looking to expand their connections in London.

A premier business district

Renting office space in Mayfair offers particular advantages for international companies seeking to establish a reputation in London, the UK, and even across the Channel and into continental Europe.

For an international company, renting a Mayfair office gives you a foothold in one of the city’s true premier business districts - and all the benefits of networking, visibility, and collaboration that go with that. 

Credibility and prestige

On top of this, the area’s reputation as a prestigious and affluent neighbourhood means that a Mayfair office can lend valued credibility to companies that might not yet have it in London. 

The area is synonymous with old school London luxury, and a W1 postcode can still carry a lot of weight when it comes to convincing both potential employees and clients that your business is serious. 

It’s also worth noting just how much that ‘classic London’ appeal will do for clients and workers from overseas. With its elegant Georgian architecture and wide-open leafy green spaces embody an image of London that’s almost quintessential, suggesting sophistication and refinement.

Luckily, Mayfair also has more than enough to back that initial impression up, from Michelin-starred restaurants to bars from the cosy to the modern, art galleries to immersive experiences.

Strategic location

Mayfair’s central location in the heart of London makes it a strategic hub for business activities and corporate operations. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the City, which is not just the financial epicentre of the UK but a major part of what makes London a truly global city. This proximity can provide international businesses with networking opportunities that they wouldn’t get further out.

At the same time, the great range of offices to rent in Mayfair, from the small to the large and including some truly excellent serviced offices, makes the area perfect for those businesses looking to set up a smaller London operation, without the need to pay for the the large scale of some of the bigger City offices. 

Choosing the right location for your office is one of the most important decisions you can make when growing your business. With its rich history, thriving business community, and excellent amenities, Mayfair is perfect for businesses in a range of sectors, but the postcode’s prestige is in high demand and finding the perfect fit for your business can take time.

Here at Knight Frank, we’re dedicated to helping you find the perfect office to suit your business, no matter what you do or how much space you need.  Check out 10 of the Best Offices to Rent in Mayfair and St James, or read on to learn why renting an office in Mayfair could be one of the best decisions you could make for your business.

Mayfair office space area guide

Mayfair, known for affluence, elegance and  pride of place as the most expensive square on the classic Monopoly board, is one of London’s most prestigious districts. 

First developed in the eighteenth century under the direction of the Grosvenor family, and later the dukes of Westminster, Mayfair has grown into an iconic area of London, famous for its Georgian architecture, its association with high-end luxury, and its prime location in the very heart of West London. 

As with many parts of London, it packs a lot of history and culture into a small space - in fact, many of its smaller areas and even individual streets have their own distinct identities and traditions. Here, we’ll run through just some of what makes the area so well known… 

Office space in St James’s 

Just south of Mayfair is St James’s, named after St James’s Palace, which itself takes its name from the hospital to ‘Saint James the Less’ that once stood on the site. The palace  was the primary residence of the British royals until the early nineteenth century. 

With this much cultural and historical cachet, renting office space in St James’s can help give your business a real sense of prestige. Office space options range from modern serviced offices with state-of-the-art amenities to historic townhouses converted into elegant workspaces. 

Check Out 52 Jermyn Street, SW1Y6LX

52 Jermyn Street offers serviced offices ready to move into in the heart of St James. This isn't co-working; it's the best bit of a serviced office, with added benefits. It’s your own private workspace, fully fitted with your own meeting rooms, kitchen and breakout areas.

Enquire about office space in 52 Jermyn Street

Office space in Grosvenor Street 

As one of the first streets built in Mayfair when the Grosvenor family began to develop the area in the eighteenth century, Grosvenor Street still stuns with its Georgian elegance, running from Mayfair’s Monopoly board Park Lane past the expansive Grosvenor Square and down to New Bond Street. 

Renting office space on and around Grosvenor Street will give you the chance to situate yourself in an area that blends Georgian elegance with modern convenience, with a range of office rental options to match, from traditional period buildings to contemporary serviced offerings.

Check Out 28 Grosvenor Street, London, W1K 4QR

Elegant and fully serviced office spaces in the heart of bustling Mayfair. The building is in the midst of London’s upmarket Mayfair area and offers 14 fully serviced office suites, two meeting rooms, as well as showers and changing facilities. 

Enquire about office space on 28 Grosvenor Stree

Office space in Berkeley Square

Berkeley Square’s palatial townhouses were home to iconic figures of British history from William Pitt the Younger to Winston Churchill. Today, the park is still a popular spot for rest and relaxation for Mayfair locals and visitors alike. 

Renting office space in one of these famous townhouses will give your business an instant boost of credibility. Other options in the area, meanwhile, give you access to Mayfair’s fast growing business community and range of amenities - with proximity to green spaces like Berkeley Square itself one of many things that help make the area so desirable for workers and clients alike. 

Check Out 1-3 Hill Street  London, W1J 5LB

These high-spec office spaces in the heart of Berkeley Square comprise a mixture of small and large office suites ideal for both large established businesses or young growing startups.

Enquire about office space on 1-3 hill street

Office space in Brook Street

Running from Hanover Square to Grosvenor Square and continuing west on to Park Lane, Brook Street is another of Mayfair’s many elegant and opulent eighteenth century streets. 

This prestigious address instantly commands respect and endorses brand image, impressing high-profile clients and potential investors. This location boasts exceptional transport links, while the high-end office buildings offer top-notch amenities to empower your team and impress potential clients.

Check Out 84 Brook Street London, W1K 5EH

An impressive, multi-functional office space in one of the capital’s most desirable spots

This attractive Grade II listed building is steeped in history, boasting large Georgian windows and a desirable location in the heart of charming Mayfair.

Enquire about office space in 84  Brook Street

Office space in Savile Row

Even those with little knowledge of fashion and clothing will likely be familiar with Savile Row - the street has been synonymous with bespoke tailoring for centuries, attracting patrons from Admiral Lord Nelson through nineteenth-century French emperor Napoleon III to modern-day actors, celebrities, and royals. 

Immerse yourself in a world of exquisite craftsmanship and bespoke tradition. This iconic location isn't just an office space, but a statement of quality and a commitment to excellence. 

Check Out 1 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4BD

Nestled in the quaint cobbled mews  of Regent Street's Food Quarter, 1 Heddon Street is arranged over six floors, offering private offices of varying sizes along with hot-desking areas.

Enquire about office space in 1 heddon street 

Office space in Bond Street 

One of the most prestigious and historic luxury retail locations in the city and even in all of Europe, Bond Street today is  lined with iconic designer boutiques, renowned fashion houses, and flagship stores of leading luxury brands, whilst still retaininga sense of upmarket glamour and indulgence. 

If you want to bring that same sense of luxury to your business, then renting office space in Bond Street is the perfect option. Whether you want to communicate old-school elegance or a more modern sense of professionalism, the area has something for you.

Check Out 10 Cork Street, London, W1S 3LW

A cornerstone of London's art scene 10 Cork Street is a boutique office space in a statement building in Mayfair. 

Enquire about office space in cork street

Who should rent an office in Mayfair and why?

Why financial service companies should rent in Mayfair 

Mayfair’s proximity to the City of London (it’s less than 20 minutes to Bank station by public transport), as well as its historic reputation for luxury, not to mention its high concentration of high-net-worth individuals, makes it an ideal location for financial services firms. 

In particular, it’s gained a reputation as home to London’s still growing private equity industry. 

With average residential property prices in the £5m range it’s no surprise that Mayfair is home to a large number of very wealthy individuals. And that naturally makes the area a good fit for businesses providing wealth management and private banking services. 

Setting up an office in Mayfair will give a wealth management or private banking company direct access to prospective clients in the very neighbourhood that many of those clients are likely to live in. 

Why legal and consulting firms should rent in Mayfair 

And, of course, where money flows, secondary industries like law firms follow. 

The  legal sector is increasingly eyeing office space in Mayfair, with firms such as US-based tech, life sciences, and litigation funding leader Brown Rudnick making their homes in the area. 

Like law, consulting is another example of a secondary industry that will follow where capital flows. And the veritable rivers of capital that rush through the area make renting office space in Mayfair particularly attractive for consulting services that want access to a strong elite client base and top-tier talent as well as a sense of classic London prestige. 

Why Luxury brands should have an Office in Mayfair

Mayfair isn't just known for its high-end fashion houses and boutiques.  Locating your business  offers  the chance to get access to the area’s well-off individuals and established businesses, attracting high-end clients who value brands that reflect luxury and  tradition.

Director at the luxury printing house Downey, tells us why moving to their Mayfair office was a key business move: 

“The move to the Mayfair area from East London was an essential strategic development for our business, with the idea of being on our client's doorsteps being key to our future. In the initial 3 months of being in our new location, we've already seen an impact of new brands coming on board and visiting our studio to showcase potential projects and review samples for inspiration. We are a convenient  and realistic option for our clients to come and visit to discuss a project in person. The move has not just benefited our clients, but we've seen increased motivation and happiness within our team, who have been invigorated by a change of location and into one of London's vibrant hot spots.”  

Leo Turner -  Director - Downey

Why tech companies and startups should rent in Mayfair

Its central location and strong transport connections add further appeal to the sort of young and talented upwardly mobile professionals that the startup industry thrives on - while its mix of established businesses and innovative upstarts fosters a wealth of collaboration and networking opportunities.

What are the benefits of renting an office space in Mayfair?

As well as being synonymous with prestige there’s a truly astonishing range of things to see and do in Mayfair - and renting office space here can allow your business to take advantage of it all.  Whether you’re entertaining clients, having an out-of-office meeting or planning your next social - let's explore some of Mayfair’s hotspots for business and pleasure. 

Best restaurants for client entertainment in Mayfair 

Entertaining clients is a must and finding the right place to do it can be harder than anticipated. Below are our restaurant choices for crafting a stellar impression to your clients: 

The Connaught Restaurant:  Perfect if you’re looking to impress. World-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings his signature cuisine to this three Michelin starred restaurant. For a pre dinner tipple, head to the Connaught Bar for one of their delicious cocktails.

The Maine Mayfair: If you’re looking to add a touch of glamour and excitement to your client outing, The Maine is a perfect option - with live cabaret shows on every night. Expect an elegant and extravagant atmosphere paired with a memorable dining experience.

The Mayfair Chippy: While Mayfair is known for luxurious high end dining there are still some hidden gems where you can take clients for a delicious meal in a less formal setting. The Mayfair Chippy offers an upscale take on a British classic and is not one to miss. 

The Wolseley: This all-day café turns a classic fry up into a fine dining affair. Partnered with a spectacular interior and immaculately presented food, The Wolseley makes for a great venue to wow your clients or say thank you to your team.

Mayfair’s prestigious business clubs 

Mayfair also gives you the option of potentially wining-and-dining clients in its members and business clubs. 

These historic institutions have been an integral part of Mayfair’s social fabric dating back to the area’s aristocratic past in centuries gone by, providing venues for the elite to network, socialise, and do business.  There are  a wide range of private member’s clubs ranging from the historic to the more modern, some of which allow you to bring a special guest.

Best for team building

If an office in one of London’s most sought-after postcodes isn’t enough to get team morale flowing, there are also plenty of experiences and attractions within easy reach of Mayfair and St. James' office's.

Crystal Maze Live Experience: Step out of the office and into the Aztec Zone as you embark on the Crystal Maze Live Experience. Feel the music thump as you run between zones, test your mental and physical abilities in immersive challenges and end the day clad proudly in matching satin bomber jackets.

Palm Beach Casino:The exclusive Palm Beach Casino in Mayfair boasts one of the most luxurious gaming floors in London. Unlike many of the other member-only casinos in the area, all are welcome to play on the tables and slot machines or ‘hold ‘em and fold ‘em’ in the luxurious poker room.

Mr Fogg’s Residence: For an away day with a difference, head to Mr Fogg’s Residence, an adventurous cocktail bar with ingredients inspired by Phileas Fogg’s travels around the world. Along with an eccentric decor featuring whole crocodiles, penny farthings and the very hot air balloon Mr Fogg travelled the world in for 80 days, there’s also a beautiful secret garden offering a quiet oasis in the heart of Mayfair.

At Knight Frank, we understand the importance of finding the right space to suit your business needs. With our expertise and our extensive knowledge of the London property market, including a huge number of excellent offices to rent in Mayfair, we’re committed to helping you find the perfect office tailored to your needs. 

Contact us today for more information - and let us help you find the next home for your business in the heart of Mayfair.