Do you have a small (or large) fortune to hand? Or an already valuable piece of London property? Sadly, without either of these things, the entry price for living in the centre of one of the world’s most famous and desirable cities will likely be too high. However, for those with the means to access central London’s property market, there are truly outstanding options available. Postcard views, world-class accommodation, unparalleled access to the heart of London’s best-known areas and amenities – it’s all on offer.
Central London areas
City of London: ‘Square Mile’ or simply ‘The City’, offers much of the plushest, smartest and most desirable property available in London. Sought-after luxury apartments and townhouses sit in the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral, and around the area’s renowned fine dining and shopping hotspots.
Westminster: Serving as London’s political, cultural and historical heart, Westminster is truly iconic. It boasts many of the capital’s best-known tourist attractions – from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to the Tate Britain and Westminster Abbey. However, alongside the touristy bustle, it also has a quieter, old-world charm of its own.
Holborn: London’s historic law district, Holborn is popular with lawyers, journalists and shoppers scouring its trendy boutique stores. The recent influx of luxury property developments and hotels here makes Holborn a highly fashionable and desirable place to live.
Average prices for Central London property
There is no getting around it, central London property is expensive. Over the last year, the average price of properties sold here was over £1.6 million, according to Rightmove. The average flat in central London will set you back £1.4 million, while terraced and semi-detached houses go for around £3.5 million.
Rental rates are similarly steep. Foxton’s tracks the current central London rental rate at £681 per week. This is a whole 22.6% above the London-wide rental average of £556 per week.
Prices to buy and rent in central London remain extremely high despite the massive shock impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2021, prime central London areas were reporting price declines of between 18% to as much as 40%. And with the worst of the property market pandemic shocks now over, don’t expect average prices to fall much further.
10 best places to live in Central London
If you’re not put off by the price, and are looking for a little piece of central London to call your own, we can point you in the right direction. The following list of the 10 best new developments in central London is based purely on reviewer rankings.
Our verified HomeViews reviewers share their thoughts on how much they enjoy living wherever they are. Their rankings are then aggregated to give each property development an average star rating. This makes it a rating that’s formed entirely on the feedback of the people who live there.
So read on, and if there’s anything you like, just click it. This will take you to the dedicated site page for that development, where you can see more details and comments.
4.67 (12 reviews)
4.67 (12 reviews)
At the very top of our central London list is The Eagle, a Mount Anvil development in the City of London. Residents claim that this is one of the best designed and serviced apartment developments in the areas. There are 276 apartments here, 70 of which are Family Mosaic affordable housing units. It also has a wide range of facilities, including gym, spa, sauna, cinema room and landscaped gardens. Location-wise, The Eagle is close to Old Street station and an easy walk from the vibrant London neighbourhoods of Shoreditch and Hoxton.
4.43 (15 reviews)
4.43 (15 reviews)
Next up is Lexicon – also known The Chronicle Tower – in the borough of Islington. This 36-storey, 115-metre-high tower is the tallest in the area and as such it offers dominating views of the capital. There are 146 units available – a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, all set on City Road by Regent’s Canal, and bordered by Angel, Shoreditch, Clerkenwell and Farringdon.
4.37 (12 reviews)
4.37 (12 reviews)
In third place we have Fitzroy Place – a mixed-use development built on the site of the old Middlesex Hospital in the heart of London’s West End. It features 200 residential units – one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses – right alongside a number of commercial outlets. Residents particularly enjoy the excellent transport links to the rest of London, thanks to nearby Goodge Street and Oxford Circus stations, which provide access to the Northern, Victoria, Central and Bakerloo lines.
4.25 (14 reviews)
4.25 (14 reviews)
Barts Square is a large mixed-use redevelopment by Sheppard Robson for Helical. Described by residents as modern, cool and convenient, it comprises 236 high-quality apartments, three office buildings and retail and restaurant space. It’s within close proximity to Farringdon East Station, which provides links to Canary Wharf, the West End and Heathrow Airport.
4.20 (17 reviews)
4.20 (17 reviews)
Another Mount Anvil development makes it into the top 10… Central Square offers 274 studio and one to four-bedroom apartments in Clerkenwell, just an 11-minute walk from Old Street station, which is serviced by the Northern line and Great Northern line trains. Residents have plenty of praise for the helpful management team here, as well as the thoughtful layout of the apartments and the excellent safety features present throughout the whole development.
4.17 (13 reviews)
4.17 (13 reviews)
Canaletto London is a development by Groveworld, which features 190 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and studios in a 31-storey tower. Situated in City Road in Hoxton, the development is less than a ten-minute walk away from Old Street Underground and rail station, with connections to the Northern line and Great Northern rail services. Victoria Miro gallery is also within walking distance.
3.90 (5 reviews)
3.90 (5 reviews)
Charterhouse The Square is a mixed-use development by Thornsett, which comprises 174 residential units across two blocks. Residents say that their apartments are well designed, comfortable, cheap to run utilities-wise, and offer great views. The development is also just up the road from Barbican station, literally a 3-minute walk away. Easy access to the wider Farringdon area is also a plus, due to its vast array of exciting shops and restaurants.
3.72 (8 reviews)
3.72 (8 reviews)
At number 8 it’s The Heron, developed by the Heron Corporation and designed by David Walker Architects Ltd. Located a mere 4-minute walk from Moorgate station, which serves the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and Northern Lines, this is a highly convenient location. Residents highlight the first-class facilities, consistently helpful concierge team, and many of the apartments have excellent central London skyline views.
3.45 (12 reviews)
3.45 (12 reviews)
From The Heron to Dolphin Square, a Pimlico development which puts residents within easy walking distance of Westminster Abbey, the Tate Britain and the Victoria Apollo Theatre. There’s also no shortage of boutique shops, bakeries, galleries and street markets nearby, which residents of Dolphin Square love to peruse at their convenience.
4.90 (based on 1 review)
4.90 (1 review)
Appropriately, to complete our top 10 developments of central London we finish up at Centre Point. This is an Almacantar development situated on New Oxford Street in Camden. It features 95 residential units, comprising one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments alongside a spa, gym and restaurant in a 36-storey tower. Tottenham Court Road, which offers links to the Central and Northern line, is also just a short walk away.
If you want to take a closer look at central London, explore our dedicated area guide (see below). Here you’ll see the latest reviews of all our developments in the area, as well as an overview of central London’s most desirable places to live.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, landlords and the Government to recognise high performers and help to improve standards in the built environment.
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