BELGRAVIA

ABOUT BELGRAVIA

Belgravia is a Central London district in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and can alternatively be considered to comprise part of the districts of Knightsbridge and/or Chelsea. Belgravia is south of Mayfair and lies to the south-west of Buckingham Palace, and borders Hyde Park to the north, Grosvenor Place and Buckingham Palace Road to the east, Pimlico Road and Chelsea to the south, and Sloane Street and Knightsbridge to the west.

HISTORY OF BELGRAVIA

Belgravia was originally known as ‘Five Fields’, and takes its name from one of the Duke of Westminster’s subsidiary titles, Viscount Belgrave. Prior to its grand development, the area had a reputation for being one of the worst in London, populated with highwaymen, murderers and thieves.

Most of Belgravia was originally owned by Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster, who had it developed from the 1820s. Thomas Cubitt drained the land allowing him to create solid foundations for new houses for the Duke of Westminster. Most of the work was carried out by contractor Thomas Cubitt. It was the Earl of Essex who was the first to buy one of the houses in Belgrave Square, after which others were to follow, making Belgravia one of London’s most fashionable residential districts from the beginning, and remains so to this day. Much of the area is still owned by the Duke of Westminster, known today as The Grosvenor Estate.

PROPERTY IN BELGRAVIA

Belgravia is one of London’s most easily identifiable districts with the ever impressive white stucco fronted buildings. Many of the houses were converted into commercial premises after the Second World War, and it is very popular with embassies, particularly in Belgrave Square. The residential squares are some of the most upper class and prestigious addresses in London, and include: Eaton Square, Chester Square and Lowndes Square. Number 73 Chester Square was previously Margaret Thatcher’s final abode which was not so long ago listed on the market for £30m. The super grand town houses in these squares are amongst the most expensive properties to buy in central London. Eaton Place and Upper Belgrave Street offer prime conversion apartments which are highly sought after. Stunning converted mews properties can be found on Chesham Mews and Eaton Mews North. Belgravia is home to some of London’s most expensive penthouse properties providing super-prime living in London.

LIVING IN BELGRAVIA

Many affluent property owners in Belgravia have multiple homes around the world, making Belgravia a very quiet district, as well as much of Belgravia being residential. Motcomb Street and Elizabeth Street provide a village feel with boutique shopping and gasto pubs and restaurants. Famous department store Harvey Nichols is on the east side of Lowndes Square as well as all the world’s leading designer shops along Sloane Street. To the north of the district you will find renowned hotels The Lanesborough on Hyde Park Corner and The Berkeley on Wilton Place off Wilton Crescent. Restaurants worth a visit are: Italian restaurant Zafferano on Lowndes Street, Ken Lo’s Memories of China on Ebury Street for Chinese, and Boisdale of Belgravia on Eccleston Street for steak and cigars. Also worth a visit, if you have a few hours spare, is Marcus Wareing’s tasting menu at the Berkeley.

SCHOOLS IN BELGRAVIA

The area is popular with families as it is home to some of the best schools: Garden House School, Eaton House and Hill House for primary and St Francis Holland School and Westminster School for primary and secondary schools.