Mayfair has long been considered one of the most illustrious and well-known districts of London and for good reason. There are many aspects of Mayfair that contribute to its status as a prestigious corner of the English capital. Below, we’ll explain what Mayfair has to offer in terms of its aesthetics, its heritage and its entertainment.
Luxury Retail
Alongside the quintessentially cobbled streets of Mayfair, you’ll discover some of London’s most lavish commercial districts, boasting world-renowned names. Bond Street is one of the most iconic places to ‘shop till you drop’: Old Bond Street oozes charm owing to its variety of old-school fashion houses, whilst New Bond Street is home to some of the most applauded contemporary designers brand labels and jewellers.
In addition, Savile Row is Mayfair’s hub for supreme tailoring. It’s an institution. You would have to travel far and wide to get a better-handcrafted suit than those up for grabs on Savile Row. Department stores don’t get more illustrious than Mayfair’s Fortnum & Mason either. So many products that carry the Fortum & Mason brand receive Royal Warrants and its Food Hall is a fanatical foodie’s paradise.
A Beacon for the Arts and Entertainment
Of course, as well as being a paradise for avid shoppers, Mayfair is also home to the Royal Academy of Arts, which is based on Piccadilly within Burlington House. It acts as both an art school and a museum, with a gallery also hosting regular exhibitions to demonstrate fresh, creative talent. This Academy is at the heart of talent and innovation, firmly establishing Mayfair as a cultural beacon for the arts and entertainment industries.
Let’s not forget that Mayfair is also the location for some of London’s most exclusive VIP clubs and casinos, with the Palm Beach Casino on Berkeley Street proving particularly popular. The numerous casino establishments help to create a sense of grandeur and prestige around the Mayfair ‘brand’ as most advocate a strict dress code and expect conscientious conduct from clients.
London, as a whole, is considered a hugely engaging and authentic theme in terms of prestigious entertainment. You only have to look at how the classic board game of Monopoly has successfully transcended generations, with its districts across the English capital – including Mayfair – becoming household names across the globe.
It’s still a popular location for filmmakers and television producers too. Iconic films in the last couple of decades shot in London include The Da Vinci Code, Legend and The Dark Knight Rises. In terms of online entertainment, London also reigns supreme as a hugely marketable city. iGaming developers are continuously bringing out new slots to the regulated UK online casino market. In recent years, games like Big Ben – characterised by the clock tower itself and the iconic London Beefeater – and the new Sherlock of London – inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes storyline – have become hugely popular games that celebrate London’s heritage and culture.
Mayfair is home to the British monarchy
A quick glance at the map of the district of Mayfair shows that some of London’s most historic attractions are located within its boundaries. Most notably, the Queen’s residence of Buckingham Palace. Even 10 Downing Street is on the cusp of the district of Mayfair, demonstrating that the epicentre of power in England’s capital is right here.
Such facts explain why Mayfair is on the verge of overtaking Knightsbridge as the most expensive district to live in London. According to new projections from estate agency Hamptons, the value of Mayfair residential properties could be worth £15,000 per sq. ft by 2050. Indeed, Hamptons believe Mayfair will “not just retain its ‘super-prime status’”. It believes it will become London’s “top address, attracting long-term minded residential investors and developers”. That’s despite prime postcodes in Mayfair having to sell properties at a discount of up to 20% per sq. ft in 2021.
It’s also well-equipped in terms of public transport. Mayfair residents can venture across the capital via the Tube with Marble Arch, Bond Street, Green Park and Oxford Circus all within walking distance of the Central, Jubilee, Victoria, Bakerloo and Piccadilly Lines. With great links and great culture, what’s not to like about Mayfair?
