Welcome to Mayfair.
The Most exclusive address in London - If not the world!
Mayfair is probably best known for being the most expensive property on the Monopoly board. It is one of the most elitist areas of London to both live and work and boasts some of the best shopping opportunities in London. Its historical architecture is today home to a number of shops, offices and residential properties.
Mayfair is dominated in the north by three large squares which are: Grosvenor, Hanover and Berkeley. It lies right in the heart of a number of famous and exclusive shopping areas which somewhat helps to explain its desirability. It borders Oxford Street in the north, Piccadilly in the South, Park Lane in the West and Regent Street in the East so whether it is designer or high street goods you are after, all are within easy walking distance. In fact, Mayfair is renowned around the world for its array of top designer boutiques which line its wide, tree-lined streets.
Mayfair boasts a long and fascinating history which spans many centuries. The now world-famous and highly desirable area of London began life as rural farmland with the River Tyburn (which is now hidden below the streets of London) running through it. Its open fields and rolling hills played host to the annual May Fair which lasted for two weeks at the beginning of every May. This fair was focused around the area which today is known as Shepherd Market and its primary function lay in the selling of livestock. However, the fair expanded over the years and by the end was actually focused on entertainment and fun. The fair included theatre performances, juggling acts, puppeteers, boxing matches, gambling, and food stalls (in particular sausage stalls). Tiddy-Doll, the famous French ginger bread maker, became a regular face at the annual fair. Unfortunately with all the fun and laughter came riots and thuggery; which ultimately resulted in the murder of a policeman and the end of the fair in 1709. This however was not the end of the fair as it was started up again a few years later.
The May Fair was started up again after the death of Queen Anne in 1714, but by this time, much of the open land was being developed and it was this development which finally put an end to the fair once and for all. Houses, businesses and shops were built but the area retained the name of the fair and thus, one of London’s most sought-after areas was born.
The area developed rapidly throughout the 17th and 18th centuries and soon became a very fashionable residential district of London. The property belonged to a number of different landlords, but the most influential and important was the Grovesnor family. Today, much of the freehold is actually owned by HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
Today, Mayfair is largely commercial and houses a number of leading corporate headquarters, a cluster of hedge funds and many real estate businesses. Important buildings in the area include the United States embassy in Grosvenor Square, the Royal Academy of Arts, The Handel House Museum, the Grosvenor House Hotel and Claridge's. Rent prices are among the highest not only in London but in the world hence its place on the Monopoly board. There is still a substantial amount of residential property which is interspersed between luxury five-star hotels, top-class restaurants and exclusive shopping areas.
There are a number of must-see places in Mayfair. Savile Row is the heart of traditional tailoring for men. It has been commissioning suits for over 200 years and has seen some of the world’s most famous men have clothing made-to-measure here. Today’s customers include princes William and Harry and Mick Jagger.
Burlington Arcade runs down the side of Burlington House, which today houses the Royal Academy of Arts. It was built in 1819 by Lord George Cavendish to stop passers-by tossing rubbish into his garden. Uniformed beadles were employed to guard the arcade and are still there today to make sure that no unruly behaviour is carried out. This includes: running, singing, whistling and even opening umbrellas.
Grosvenor Square is the focal point of Mayfair and takes its name from the Dukes of Westminster’s surname. Sir Richard Grosvenor developed Grosvenor Square and the surrounding streets in 1721 and it became one of the most fashionable residential addresses in London until WWII as a number of leading members of the aristocracy lived here. The central garden was originally reserved for the use of the residents of the nearby houses but is now a public park. Today, many of the houses have been demolished and been replaced with stylish flats, luxury hotels and embassies.
Shepherds Market, which lies between Piccadilly and Curzon Street, was named after Edward Shepherd who built it in the mid-18th century. It is a pedestrianised area brimming with small boutique shops, pubs, restaurants and trendy cafés. It was once the stomping ground for many of London’s high-class prostitutes. Whether they are still around today will depend who you talk to.
As well as shopping, hotels and plush houses; Mayfair also boasts a number of museums and galleries. Among the most popular are: the Museum of Mankind; the Royal Academy of Arts; the Royal Astronomical Society; the Society of Antiquaries of London; the Linnean Society of London and the Geological Society.
Mayfair's stunning architecture is like a magnet for the wealthy. The postcode W1 is one of the most sought after in the whole of London and those that live here rub shoulders with (or are in fact) some of the world’s most wealthiest and influential people. Despite being in the centre of London, it is somewhat of a serene haven with stunning squares, beautiful parks and exclusive shopping opportunities. It is these which have attracted people for almost 300 years and will undoubtedly do so for many more centuries to come.
