HOW TO ACQUIRE THE FINEST PROPERTY IN BAYSWATER, LANCASTER GATE AND THE HYDE PARK ESTATE.

Property in Bayswater

I am often asked which areas I think offer the most potential for price increases outside of prime central London. Bayswater, Lancaster gate and the Hyde Park Estate are areas that could offer above trend growth in years to come. Although very central they have historically been much cheaper than neighbouring Notting Hill, Mayfair and the areas south of Hyde Park.

There are good reasons for this: Bayswater was once notorious for being populated by prostitutes. The Hyde Park Estate is too close to the Edgware Road & Paddington for many people’s tastes. Lancaster Gate is sandwiched between the two and although there are some incredible buildings there are not many good shops or restaurants within short walking distance. Consequently many of the grander buildings were hotels or used by associations like the FA.

However, the area is changing at a rapid rate and property in Bayswater is becoming popular. The prostitutes have moved elsewhere. The Edgware Road is slowly changing (very slowly) and they are currently upgrading and rebranding “The Connaught Village”. A vast amount of money is also being pumped into the Paddington Basin development. Meanwhile, Lancaster Gate has become a target for developers, who have spotted the opportunity to convert some of the shabby hotels into fantastic apartments.

The other factor is Cross Rail, which will link Heathrow Airport with the East of London. One of the main hubs will be Paddington and should make the area more accessible. This will lead to further injections of money which will surely benefit the area.

It is important to note that much of the property in Bayswater is on leases granted by the landlords, the Church Commissioners. Despite the leasehold reform act which has allowed many to buy their freeholds, many freehold houses are still liable to come under the estate management scheme. It is essential that you are represented by a solicitor, who is familiar with the property in Bayswater, if you decide to buy here.

The Most Exclusive Addresses for property in Bayswater, Lancaster Gate & The Hyde Park Estate.

Porchester Terrace – There are some beautiful detached and semi-detached houses with off-street parking and nice gardens. The largest of these are over 6000sq.ft. and one or two even have swimming pools in the basement. One word of caution – about half way down there is an “air vent” for the tube. The noise and rumble of the tube does affect a few of the houses.

Palace Court – On the fringes of Notting Hill this street is home to a collection of apartments. Two of the blocks are portered and make fantastic homes or pied-a-terres.

Connaught Square – A beautiful square surrounded by regency terraces. Avoid the houses at the north end of the square which are rather noisy.

Gloucester Square – A mixture of stunning stucco-fronted buildings which have been converted into apartments and individual houses. A few of these open directly onto the square and are over 5000 sq.ft.

Hyde Park Gardens – These huge Regency buildings were once single dwellings. They have now been converted into large apartments, some over 6500 sq.ft., with stunning views over Hyde Park and their own communal gardens.

Orme Square – A small, gated, private road that forms a square. Some of these houses are deceptively large despite only having four floors. The largest are over 9000 sq.ft.

Lancaster Gate – Rather like Holland Park, this is a collection of roads as well as the name of the area. These beautiful stucco-fronted buildings have spectacular ceiling heights and some of the apartments are over 4000 sq.ft. What used to be the Thistle Hotel is also currently being developed into luxury apartments, although no details have been released to date (for more information please contact the developers, Northacre.

Hyde Park Crescent – A delightful sweeping crescent opposite St John’s Church. Some of these houses have large gardens and are over 6000 sq.ft. This is regarded as the heart of the Hyde Park Estate.