My Affair with Soho...Properties in
Central London
We fell in love in 1987. She had soul, sex appeal the most
colourful personality and a touch of seediness yet remained
remarkably attractive. Why? Historically, I discovered this
intriguing district had developed its charm and appeal dating
back to the 16th Century when the ancient hunting cry SO-HO!
could be heard in what was then parkland owned by the landlord
Henry VIII.
The list of eminent residents is endless: in 1733 nearly 30
MPs had rooms there; William Blake was born in Broadwick Street
and wrote his Songs of Innocence there.
Mozart gave recitals in Dean Street at the age of seven, with
his four-year-old sister. That old war horse Nelson, for example,
spent the night in Dean Street before leaving for Trafalgar
(the battle, not the Square!) and Casanova was known to spend
a quiet evening in Frith Street!
The metamorphosis of the area has continued through the centuries
ever since. In the 18th Century Soho saw a strong aristocratic
and French influence. By the 19th Century the population had
increased dramatically but the remaining wealthy residents moved
out after the cholera outbreak of 1854. The area continues to
change. Today new restaurants, shops, clubs and social establishments
have drawn a diverse populous to this unique area and in the
past 15 years the style and variety of homes have given a huge
choice to many people from all walks of life. Soho has become
“the” social scene in the West End, it’s all
about style and distinct appeal and whether you’re city,
media, or gay the desire to choose living here, as opposed to
the South Kensington, Chelsea and Notting Hill areas, cannot
be ignored.
Recent developments, in particular the stunningly designed
21 Dean Street above Soho Theatre, provide split level creatively
designed flats which can be purchased from £800,000. In
Bourchier Street, another fine modern block provides two bedroom
flats with private parking and mixed use residential/office,
perfect for the entrepreneur and small businessman. These flats
currently sell for £450,000 upwards.
A stone’s throw from the once vibrant Berwick Street market
a triplex maisonette with roof terrace, 2/3 bedrooms, ½
reception rooms will sell in the region of £500,000. A
town base providing 1 bedroom, reception room, kitchen and bathroom
can be bought in the region of £250,00 off Broadwick Street.
Period conversions will always command appeal and prices seem
to continually hold their value from the sought after pedestrian
streets like Meard Street, St Annes Court, Silver Place, which
are off Dean Street, Wardour Street and Beak Street respectively.
I am convinced that the transformation of Old Compton Street
into the vibrant social scene will not allow us to divorce,
as a short stroll towards the north will enable the quieter
side of Soho to maintain the area’s appeal, albeit still,
and our affair will continue for many years.
Our research indicates that
80% of London Property Buyers use the internet to search
for properties and many begin their searches using the leading
search engines.
Try searching on the search
engines using the keywords you would use to find a property
or estate agents in the West End of London.
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