Mayfair is a wealthy and sought after area of London, a place of rich history and more. The street names in the area are related to the marriage of Mary Davies (Davies Street) and Thomas Grosvenor (Grosvenor Square), responsible for the building up of the area known as Mayfair back in 1677. The modern-day Mayfair keeps the small village charm of the early times in which it was first formed, despite the fact it is now an area of wealth and influence. The Grosvenor Estate still influences the buildings in the area, as well as construction. New buildings must ensure they have the same style and feel as old Mayfair. If you plan on moving to Mayfair, you should take a look at the atmosphere, culture and restaurants, as well as the easy access to most of London due to its location.

The History of Mayfair

When Thomas Grosvenor and Mary Davies got married in 1677, they formed the Grosvenor Estate, which is still a large part of Mayfair even today. The 300 acres of land today were once 500 acres of pastures, orchards and swampland. The marriage gave a lot of control over these lands for the couple. Gerald Grosvenor, the direct descendant of Thomas Grosvenor is now one of the wealthiest men in the UK, worth billions.

Before the development of the area, it used to be mostly large and open fields. The name Mayfair comes from the eponymous fair held in the area, something that grew bigger and bigger in time. The May Fair was unfortunately abandoned in the mid-1700s, but around that time the Grosvenor family started developing their lands with shops and houses.

What Transport is Available for Mayfair?

Mayfair is within easy walking distance to Central London and the areas of Covent Garden, Oxford Street and Soho. There is also a Tube station on each end - Bond Street and Green Park. From one of the stations, you can reach the Victoria, Jubilee, Central and Piccadilly lines. You can reach the Liverpool Street mainline stations in 12 minutes starting from Mayfair. Marylebone and Paddington are also within easy access to leave the city to the West and North-East. You can catch a taxi or a Uber from the area, as it is often served by private transportation. You may also catch the many Central London buses, giving you a chance to get around outer and inner London alike. If you live within Central London, you will also be an easy distance away from the Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick airports and London City.

Mayfair Properties

The properties available to rent and buy in Mayfair are beautiful, offering both traditional and more modern options for any buyer. There were large and impressive mansions in the area, but they were abandoned during WW2, later to be reused again as office spaces. Many of these offices are still used today.

Eating Out in Mayfair

The clientele in Mayfair has a discerning palate, so there is no surprise that there are many upscale places to eat around Mayfair. For those who prefer meat, Sackville's has a lot to offer with their impressive Wagyu beef. There are other traditional and tasty food like burgers and mac n cheese, ones made with exceptional ingredients and skill.

If you happen to have a preference for Japanese food, then you will find what you seek in Nobu. The interiors will provide you with the perfect setting, while you enjoy the most exquisite sushi. Jamavar offers curry lovers a chance to enjoy Indian food in a similarly thematic experience.

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For the upscale areas of London, you can’t get more luxury than Mayfair. It is the most expensive property area of the London Monopoly board, and for a good reason. There are layers in this famous and unforgettable residential area that go beyond just luxury. Fine dining is something of a local achievement, with no other area around London having so many Michelin Star dining stars.

Home to several luxury hotels, beautiful Georgian townhouses and more, the posh neighbourhood is something many critics and gourmands crave to visit. The 16 Michelin Star star restaurants in the area are greatly sought after. Here are some examples of the restaurants in the area and their Michelin star rating:

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester - 3 Michelin Stars

Alain Ducasse is one of the most famous chefs in the world. His mastery of French Cuisine has made The Dorchester his home, earning it the three Michelin stars. Though many of the Ducasse delicacies he’s famous for are still there on the menu, the head chef Jean-Phillipe Blondet also placed his spin on the quality and excellence of the restaurant’s menu.

Using only the best of British produce, each of the plates is a delight of bold flavours and striking colours, making it a visual spectacle.

Sketch Lecture Room and Library - 3 Michelin Stars

Located in the 19th-century townhouse of Mourad Mazouz and Pierre Gagnaire, Sketch Lecture Room and Library will transport you to a world of bold colours, bright cuisine and lavish decors. You can relax in a plush armchair, enjoying the attentive and professional staff, and their innovative menus. Before you will be tables stacked with French and European meals, with each plate full of generous flavour and immaculate work.

Hélène Darroze at the Connaught – 3 Michelin Stars

From their personally made menus to beautifully decorated interiors, Hélène Darroze at the Connaught is an example of their craft. The menus have dishes using seasonal produce chosen by Hélène and the clientele. Should you take a seat inside one of London’s most impressive dining rooms, you will be given a solitaire board with 16 marbles. You can choose 5-7 marbles and their courses will appear on the table, championing your chosen ingredient. This interesting approach shows a dedication to detail and creativity that simply cannot be denied.

Le Gavroche – 2 Michelin Stars

Considered the ultimate fine dining experience, Le Gavroche keeps setting new standards of professional cooking. Since opening their doors in 167, dining at Le Gavroche has been synonymous with excellence. It was the first of the UK restaurants that received the three Michelin stars, a testament to chef Michel Roux Jr’s skill and incredible cuisine. There is something beautifully daring in the way Roux offers extravagant French dishes in an age of health-conscious meals. You will be satisfied whenever you visit Le Gavroche, as the cuisine establishment will allow you to immerse yourself in the very best French cuisine has to offer.

Hide - 1 Michelin Star

Set on three floors offering a breathtaking view across Green Park, Hide is a delicate balance on the edge of relaxation and refinement. It doesn’t hold a pretentious or predictable air, but it serves to be a restaurant collaboration between Chef Ollie Dabbous and Hedonism Wines. It is a place for any occasion and any visitor. The beautiful interiors are styled to represent the branches of a tree, with each floor being bathed in natural daylight, emulating the shade of an oak tree. You will travel across the branches, sampling their dishes from root to leaf, enjoying the natural ingredients.

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The area of Mayfair is located within the West End of London and is without a doubt one of the most exclusive ones not just in the capital of London, but also the entire world. It is largely characterised by traditional buildings and impressive blocks of architecture, as well as impressive restaurants, bars, retail areas and hotels. 

It is also the dream for many corporate headquarters, embassies, hedge funds and many businesses from various industries. To have an office in Mayfair means not just having the benefits of a central location, but also a significant boost in reputation. Offices in Mayfair come with superb amenities, great design and a certain vibe that only a commercial hub like this area can provide. The rates of the offices are very competitive because they are so highly sought after. 

If you are a business owner and you have set your sights on Mayfair, you better consider a few important tips, because securing an office there will take some expertise and knowledge: 

• It is important to do rate research – when it comes to serviced offices in Mayfair, the price can vary a lot, depending on the requirements and location. It is important to ensure that the cost includes all of the amenities, like meeting rooms, internet, administrative support, IT, car parking and all of the necessary equipment your will need from them. If you do your research right, you will find the office space that matches your requirements and needs for the price that your budget allows. 
  
  
• Work with an estate agent – when you invest the time to find a trustworthy commercial estate agent, you can reap a lot of benefits. They know the market well and will share some invaluable information on what you can expect in terms of pricing and location to start looking. They can do the legal work associated with the task and negotiate on your behalf. If you are inexperienced in dealing with it all, your best bet is to work with a commercial estate agent with experience in offices within the area of Mayfair. 
  
  
• Consider what size of an office you need – believe it or not, Mayfair does have many different offices to offer. You just have to consider the requirements of your business, to find the right space. Work with an expert to help you out, and don’t forget to plan for the future as well. What works for your company now may be insufficient for you in the future. 
  
  
• Always place an offer – once you have located a suitable office for your needs, you should put an offer. This is a non-binding step in the lease process, which will allow you to make your intentions clear and set the tone. At a later stage, you can always withdraw the offer without penalty. It is a low-risk move with the potential for great rewards. 
  
  
• Decide if you are doing short- or long-term – if your business is unsure, you should consider a shorter-term lease in Mayfair, because it can be very hard on your budget. If that is the case, then perhaps it is better to consider shared office space or even coworking areas. Consult with your estate agent on moving to Mayfair and they will be able to lend their expertise to your cause. 
  
  

Don’t forget to always consider the aforementioned tips on moving to Mayfair. That way you will be able to make the most for your business and create a favourable environment for it to grow and expand. 

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Many people know that Mayfair is truly popular for its luxury and affluence. There is no area like it in London. All of its shops, hotels, restaurants and bars purvey the finest level of entertainment and cater to those seeking a sufficient award of hedonism. The very air n Mayfair is immaculate, reflecting the state of every aspect of the area – its squares, streets and gardens. 

You might be tempted to call it nothing more than a display case. But there is more to it than meets the eye. It is a buzzing area, part of the great city of London, with much to do any time of the year. Anyone visiting is coming back for more. And here is why that is so: 

• There are many great gardens and parks to take a walk around – Mayfair is bounded by two of the arguably the best parks in the capital – Green Park and Hyde Park. As such, Mayfair is in no short supply of beautiful areas to take a walk around. Other than these big parks, there are other places to walk around. One good example is Brown Heart Gardens. Labelled by many to be a truly hidden oasis in the heart of the city, it stands elevated on a level above the street. Just a close distance away is Mount Street Gardens. Characteristic about this area are the long lines of benches, perfectly well-maintained flower beds and peculiar sculptures. If you need even more interesting places to wander around, then check out Berkeley Square and Grosvenor Square. There are plenty of luxurious showrooms and apartment blocks surrounding these areas. 
  
  
• Check out the streets and mews of the area – if you are someone who values a more different experience, then head out exploring the streets of the area. There is much to see. Whether it is the silent and secluded mews, or some of the busiest thoroughfares around, you will be spoiled for interesting places to check out. Among the favourites are Avery Row, Lancashire Court and Brook’s Mews, all within a close distance to famous Bond Street. With shops, restaurants and curious cafes, you will not feel bored for a second. 
  
  
• Go out for a drink in the area – if you are more of a pub or bar type of person, you will find that this scene is well-established in Mayfair. There is entertainment of the highest level within places like Mr Frogg’s Residence. It is perhaps the most well-known travel-themed venues in the area. Visiting here will have you thinking about Phileas Frogg’s travels around the world, all the while sipping on your favourite drink. Just up the street is the famous Coach and Horses pub. To a lot of people, this is the best one around, built in the 1770s and still going strong as one of the symbols of Mayfair. The Punch Bowl is another famous place to grab a drink at. It a nice place with some old-world charm and some of the best food you can find around. 
  
  
• Shopping till your heart’s content – Mayfair is one of the best shopping heavens around. This is one of the main reasons so many people visit here. Bond Street offers so many luxury shops, as well as South Molton Street. Mayfair is the home of Savile Row, men’s holy grail for tailoring. There are plenty of interesting places outside shops as well, like the Royal Arcade and the Burlington Arcade. 
  
  

Knowing more about the area of Mayfair is good, as it will allow you to make the most of it on your visit here. 

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Even if you haven’t heard much about Mayfair, you know that it is an affluent area within the West End part of the city of London. Mayfair’s fame is worldwide, with some of the richest people owning properties here. Spanning towards Hyde Park, between Oxford Street, Piccadilly, Park Lane and Regent Street, the area of Mayfair is among the most expensive places to live. 

In the past, this part of London was mostly rural in character. It wasn’t until the 18th century when aristocracy showed interest in it. And the period before that is mostly known for the May Fair that took place here, which was an annual event that was cut short at some time for becoming rather downmarket. It wasn’t before the Grosvenor family acquired the land and started upper-class housing development that Mayfair grew in reputation. Since then, for over three centuries, it has stood as a prime example with its grandeur homes, luxury shops and services that cater to the rich and famous. 

Architecture and property in Mayfair 

World War II proved to be quite devastating on the buildings in London. Because of the war actions, a great deal of the businesses relocated to Mayfair, as it proved to be a suitable location for this. As a result, a lot of the residential homes in the area were simply taken over. The process reverted in the 1990s, leaving beautiful conversions, post-war apartments and freehold townhouses as a reminder. Mostly valued is lateral space, with apartments that fulfil the criteria going for unimaginable prices on the market. Particularly expensive are all townhouses with outside space. 

One common misconception is that Mayfair is mostly reserved for Britons, being highly-exclusive and all. However, it is currently one of the most cosmopolitan areas in London and the UK as a whole. The affluent area attracts both wealthy Londoners and overseas nationalities that can afford it.
 

Places to eat 

An area like Mayfair deserves nothing less than a great number of Michelin-starred restaurants. Well, there are plenty of these around here and certainly more than any other London area. Some of the prime examples include Hakkasan, Le Gavroche, The Greenhouse, Alain Ducasse. Other fashionable venues worthy a visit are Nobu, Sexy Fish and Scott’s. 

Places to drink 

The Connaught Bar is among the most popular places to grab a drink in. Nestled in the Connaught Hotel, it has received special awards for being the best cocktail bar. There are other lively areas as well, such as the Paolo Bar, the American Bar, Mar Frogg’s, the Luggage Room and the Berkeley Street Bar. In the area are also crowd favourites, like the Duke’s, which is the inspiration for Ian Flemming’s world-famous secret agent James Bond and his love for ‘shaken, not stirred’ drinks. 

Culture venues 

Mayfair and the neighbouring area of St James’ are both full of historic buildings, galleries and museums. That is the home of The Royal Academy of Arts. And just beyond Picadilly is what the locals call ‘Theatreland’, where Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Royal Opera House and Theatre Royal Haymarket are located. Also famed are the area’s members’ clubs, the more popular being Little House Mayfair, The Arts Club and the Lansdowne Club. 

Mayfair is an area that is deserving of the label ‘wonder’. It is among the most popular in the whole of London and the world as well. 

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