Fitzrovia is Fizzing: Fitzrovia’s “first genuine loft apartments”

Fitzrovia is attracting smart new home builders, says David Spittles in The Evening Standard.

The West End’s most quirky and bohemian quarter has never commanded the status that its location, at the very heart of London, deserves. One reason is the virtual absence of grand period architecture (Fitzroy Square is the exception). Much of the area was developed by small landowners rather than a single aristocratic estate. This led to a predominance of small and irregular streets rather than a grid-like network of roads and squares, which now gives Fitzrovia a distinct villagey charm.

Today, the area is popular with media companies, especially around the Charlotte Street heartland of bars, brasseries and boutique hotels, and it is here that Fitzrovia’s “first genuine loft apartments” have arrived on the market.

A Twenties office block has been remodelled to provide eight rental apartments. It is a tasteful transformation by niche developer Urban Evolution, which is returning to its West End roots after undertaking a string of projects in Belgravia. Its trademark is classy, not opulent, architectural interior design.

Called Rathbone Lofts, the Fitzrovia scheme is a handsome brick-façade building with new factory-style, grey-framed Crittall windows.

The apartments are above new ground-floor commercial premises already let to an advertising agency and have antique parquet flooring throughout, as well as bespoke oak joinery, column radiators, marble-clad bathrooms, handmade kitchens, exposed beams, high ceilings and double doors. It is a warm, comfortable and stylish look.

Perched at the top of the building is a three-bedroom duplex penthouse with floor-to-ceiling windows, a big open-plan living space and a wrap-around terrace with views over the Soho rooftops.

Rents range from £575 to £1,950 a week. For more information, call 020 7580 1010.

“They’re really cool pads and will strike a chord with local creatives,” says Laurence Glynne of West End estate agent LDG.

“Renters tend to be a lot fussier than buyers. They want to live somewhere for a set period and if the place is not right, they won’t go for it, whereas buyers will say ‘I could do something with this’.

” Property transactions on this patch are continuing despite the wider market malaise, he adds. “I’m not saying it’s insulated from a recession but the West End is a dynamic place and much more complex than other areas; there’s always someone who wants to buy, sell, invest or rent.”

London: The Next Emerging Property Market?

The weak pound, the tumbling property prices, the lowest ever interest rate has turned the UK into the newest European emerging property market. It has been predicted that property prices could fall a further 15% to 30 % in the first half of 2009 and that the pound will fall even further. The experts talk of a 2010 turnaround for the property market, making 2009 the year for Europeans to make that investment in the UK.

Once the market begins to swing in the other direction, anyone who has invested in it will be seeing some fantastic returns on their initial investments. London is the obvious destination for investment, and any investigation onto the property market will tell you that London is definitely a buyers market at the moment; London comes in at number 3 on the International Law Partnerships list of 2009 property investment destination (behind Paris and Miami)

The current market means that there are many people who will be looking for rental accommodation in the coming year; London's international student community continues to thrive as many students are drawn to the capital, one of the most exciting and culturally diverse cities in the world. Almost 83,000 Higher Education students studying in London are from outside the UK, representing 1 in 5 of all students studying in London.

The annual influx of tourist and businessmen looking for short lets comtinues. Any property purchase in London should let well until the capital gain is made. Central London and the West End as the obvious choice for the overseas investor. It is here that you will find well known landmarks such as Nelson's column, tourist attractions such as Madame Tussaud's and the National Gallery and the shoppers' paradise of Oxford Street and Regents Street. Here too are the London School of Economics, RADA, UCL and many other institutions of learning.

For residential 'West End', think Fitzrovia, Marylebone, Soho, Covent Garden, Mayfair, and Bloomsbury. The purchase of a property in one of these areas, even as a short term investment for the duration of a degree course, could see the bills for tuition fees, student accommodation and living expenses for their child seem very affordable. Factor in the extra rent potential of sub letting and the comfort of knowing your main tenant is going to look after your investment and central London property purchase in 2009 is all the more appealing.

London Property To Let: Great Titchfield Street, London W1W

A unique 2 bedroom apartment on the top floor of this period building on Great Titchfield Street close to the junction of Foley Street in the heart of Fitzrovia.

The bright accommodation offers a fully fitted kitchen, modern bathroom, mezzanine study (off the reception room) and a private roof terrace with views over central London.

Benefiting from ample storage throughout there is a large skylight illuminating the lounge, study and dining hall.

This exciting neighbourhood is well known for the quality of its restaurants, bars and art galleries whilst the underground connections of Oxford Circus, Goodge Street and Great Portland Street are within easy reach.

West End office, showroom or retail outlet lease for sale

A rare opportunity to lease an attractive, ground and lower ground floor unit moments from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road underground stations. Presented in good condition, the accommodation would suit an office, showroom or retail outlet.

West End office, showroom or retail outlet - Leasehold (lease ends 2011) - £29,000

With outside space, storage vaults, kitchenette and a WC/shower room, early viewing is recommended. The term of lease is 5 years from 28th July 2006 although a new lease can be arranged.

Fitzrovia is bounded on the east by Tottenham Court Road, south by Oxford Street, west by Portland Place and on the north by Euston Road.

The area encircling Fitzrovia is dotted with tube stations. Bus routes regularly traverse Tottenham Court Road, Euston Road, Great Portland Street, Portland Place and Oxford Street.The Nearest Tube Station to this property is Tottenham Court Road.