Since its transformation from a rural field into the most desirable postcode in London at the turn of the 18th century, high-end real estate and office space in Mayfair (named for its annual May Fair) has been in high demand.
In fact, you only need to have landed your little dog on Mayfair in Monopoly to realise just how pricey the area can be. And just like in Monopoly, businesses are scrambling to get office space in Mayfair. But with office space at a premium all around London, why are so many companies picking one of the most expensive areas for their offices?
Beyond that, why are some companies willing to pay £500 per square foot for an office with gold toilets? (True story and spoiler alert: the answer probably has a lot to do with the fact you’ll be in the company of JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs.)
In this article, we’ll break down why so many companies are flocking to the area. Why your team would love it there. And, most importantly, whether there are affordable, gold-toilet-free office spaces for businesses like yours.
Why are offices in Mayfair so popular?
Mayfair oozes sophistication and these newly refurbished offices in the area are no exception.
While Monopoly may have cemented the area’s reputation, Mayfair’s been synonymous with prestige for hundreds of years. It was one of the first areas of London to feature impressive Georgian architecture. And it’s been home to the royal family and a long list of influential names from Handel to Hendrix.
But it’s not just the history, glamorous hotels and exquisite restaurants that give the area its prestige. The area is stacked with big businesses with offices in Mayfair, such as Bloomberg, Sky and Barclays. And that’s just naming a few.
There are hundreds of big investment banking and asset management companies in the area alongside some slightly smaller companies like Amazon, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s. By securing office space in Mayfair, you can put your business in the same league as these huge businesses, which will instantly impress potential clients.
The area is also home to a thriving community of startups from just about every sector. This creates an ideal environment to establish, grow and nurture a business.
But beyond helping to establish your business’s reputation and impressing clients, Mayfair has a lot to offer you and your team.
Eating and drinking after work in Mayfair
You and your team can enjoy eating out at a different restaurant every night.
Mayfair is home to some of the best restaurants in London and has 16 Michelin star venues — the most in any part of London. From Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester with their bright dishes, bold flavours and irresistible rum baba. To Hakkasan with their modern Cantonese cuisine and creative cocktails. Mayfair is a culinary hotspot. So it’s the perfect — if not best — spot in London to wine and dine clients and treat yourself to an unforgettable restaurant experience.
But let’s face it, you’re hardly going to be popping into Le Gavroche or Benares for lunch every day. Fortunately, there are plenty of places around Mayfair that you don’t need to have completed a Duolingo course to pronounce or remortgage your house to afford.
On top of the usual places to grab a meal deal and a coffee on your lunch break, there are many places to get lunch, treat your team or impress a client with dinner without breaking the bank. Plus, there’s a heap of different cuisines available from Italian to Persian, Greek to Japanese, Spanish to Scandinavian. (Rumour has it that the food at Sabor is life-changingly good.)
Mayfair is also home to plenty of places for you and your team to get together after work. From classic pubs like The Audley that dates back to 1127. To Mr Fogg’s Residence, a classy cocktail bar in the home of the eccentric adventurer Phileas J Fogg.
Parks, green spaces and places to exercise in Mayfair
Hyde Park is the perfect spot to enjoy lunch in the summer and a quick run before your afternoon meetings.
Recent studies have shown that spending just 20 minutes in nature can drastically reduce stress levels, and Mayfair is full of beautiful green spaces and gardens that are perfect for a lunchtime stroll. Wherever your office is in Mayfair, there’s bound to be a park or garden closeby:
— Hanover Square: This green space close to Bond Street has recently undergone a revival with new public artwork, trees and plenty of room to sit and relax.
— Grosvenor Square: The second largest square in London, is the perfect place to escape the office. Dating back to 1726, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll across the lawns and between the statues.
— Brown Hart Gardens: About a five-minute walk from New Bond Street, this raised terrace built in 1906 has a cafe, plenty of seating and a beautiful garden.
— Green Park: Relax like a royal in this ample green space next to Buckingham Palace with plenty of open space, fountain, memorials and statues.
— Hyde Park: If you’re looking to dip your toes on your lunch break, Hyde Park has plenty of options with fountains and the Serpentine. There’s also tennis courts and horse riding available and always some lively conversations in Speaker’s Corner.
If you’re looking for somewhere to work out on your lunch break or after work, you can’t beat Mayfair for its health and fitness facilities. With a variety of gyms and spas (the one at Claridge’s Hotel is incredible). As well as celebrity dance classes.
