Fitzrovia: Central London's Hidden Gems
New transport connections, green spaces and residential developments are making London W1 even more livable
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London is a city with timeless appeal. While ambitious regeneration projects expand the British capital in all directions and create brand new districts, its historic central neighborhoods are also keeping pace with the demands of today's inner-city residents without sacrificing their heritage.
Tucked away between Regents Park to the north, Oxford Street to the south and Marylebone to the west, Fitzrovia is one of Central London's hidden gems that has the atmosphere of a small village in the heart of a major city. Beloved by artists, musicians and writers across the generations, Fitzrovia still appeals to creatives as the home of some of London's top advertising firms and an emerging tech hub.
With major infrastructure projects such as Crossrail and the West End Project soon to make W1 one of the best-connected postcodes in the city, a number of residential developments are in progress to meet the expected demand. Research by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) forecasts house price growth of 8 percent and capital gains of 3.5 percent for Central London by 2022, making Fitzrovia an attractive opportunity for domestic and overseas property investors.
London lifestyle
With former residents including musicians Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan, writers Dylan Thomas and Virginia Woolf and more influential figures, Fitzrovia has a long-standing reputation as a cultural enclave. Cutting-edge art galleries and quirky museums in old townhouses offer intimate alternatives to London's bigger institutions, and it's just a short walk to the theaters of the West End.
Fitzrovia's boutique charm extends to food and drink, from the traditional pubs, cocktail bars and artisan coffeeshops along Charlotte Street to its innovative concept restaurants and independent eateries offering an authentic tour of world cuisine. Surrounded by London's premier shopping streets, Fitzrovia residents are spoiled for choice with luxury department stores Heal's and Selfridges and the flagship fashion stores of Regent Street nearby.
When the pace of city life gets too much, Fitzrovia gives plenty of ways to unwind with local day spas and the manicured gardens of Regents Park on the doorstep. The home of London Zoo, this 400-acre Royal Park is perfect for families who'll also find highly-rated schools and world-leading universities in the local area, including world top 10 university UCL and local campuses of Birkbeck and Westminster.
Outstanding connectivity
As well as being walking distance from some of London's most iconic destinations, from the boutiques of Marylebone and Bond Street to the nightlife of Soho and the West End, Fitzrovia offers easy access to the rest of the city with nearby Underground stations at Goodge Street, Great Portland Street, Warren Street and Tottenham Court Road.
Tottenham Court Road is also the site of one of nine new stations serving the Crossrail Elizabeth Line, which will take less than half an hour to London Heathrow Airport for international connections, five minutes to cross-country rail services at Paddington station and 12 minutes to financial hub Canary Wharf. Recently delayed to October 2020 – March 2021, Crossrail has been fueling price growth in Central London since it was first announced, which is expected to accelerate once the high-speed rail service begins operation.
Access and amenities around Tottenham Court Road and other stations near Fitzrovia are also being improved through the £41 million West End Project, creating new pedestrian and cycling areas and green spaces and restoring local heritage monuments to revitalize this historic part of London. New commercial and residential developments such as the mixed-use 101 on Cleveland by luxury developer Dukelease are also respecting the heritage of the area, bringing modern apartments and boutiques to Fitzrovia that blend in with the existing architecture.