Historic Buildings And Property In Mayfair

Historic Buildings and Property in Mayfair

by

Ben J White.

Mayfair is a district of London, UK. Due to its central location, beautiful homes and high-class amenities, it is now famous as one of the world’s most sought-after areas to live. Because of this global fame, you may assume that Mayfair has a long and foggy history – however, this isn’t the case. Mayfair is thoroughly modern – relative to the historically-rich City of London, at least – having been developed predominantly in the mid-1700s and mid-1800s. It was a fashionable residential district from the outset, though many of the large mansions and other examples of historic property in Mayfair have now been replaced with more contemporary buildings.

Despite this, there are still a fair few buildings that – through architectural notability, because of the stories attached to them, or simply through chance – have escaped the inevitable march of modernisation. In this article, we shall take a look at some of the most notable examples of historic buildings and residential property in Mayfair that have stood strong as the years pass by.

The Punch Bowl – Housed in an attractive Georgian building, this Mayfair public house dates back to approximately 1750. Nowadays, it is known as a popular celebrity haunt – a reputation cemented when Madonna and her then-husband Guy Ritchie bought the pub for a reported 2.5 million in 2008. Despite these associations with modern glitz and glamour, the pub retains many of its Georgian features such as a dog-leg staircase and dado panelling.

Coach and Horses – The Punch Bowl is historically significant, but narrowly misses out on the gong for Oldest Pub in Mayfair’. That accolade goes to the Coach and Horses, located on Hill Street. Whereas The Punch Bowl has moved with the times – adjusting its style as the residents and property in Mayfair have become more modernised – the Coach and Horses remains resolutely old-fashioned. The pub is housed in a Grade II listed building, and complements its period features with real ales and hearty food.

Allens of Mayfair – Opened in 1830, and operating from its current location on Mount Street since 1880, Allens of Mayfair is London’s oldest butchers, and one of the oldest examples of commercial property in Mayfair. Like the Coach and Horses, Allens sells its produce from a Grade II listed building, and is particularly famous for its beef and its butchery classes, which are held on a weekly basis.

Down Street Tube Station – A much more modern building, the former Down Street tube station is still historically relevant in the context of contemporary London. It was originally a stop on the Piccadilly Line, but closed in 1932, and was later used as a bomb shelter during the Second World War. Despite closing so long ago, the surface building – designed by the architect Leslie Green – still stands today.

Aspley House – Located at Hyde Park Corner, Aspley House is also known as Number One, London because it was the first residential property in Mayfair that visitors passed when travelling from the countryside. It is a huge London townhouse which was originally the residence of the Dukes of Wellington, though the property is now run by English Heritage.

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Historic Buildings and Property in Mayfair