W1 is a London postcode which covers the West End of London which is highly popular for office space. It is split into four main areas; Soho, Mayfair, Marylebone and Fitzrovia and many believe this area truly lies at the heart of the capital. Most of the postcode lies in Westminster. Piccadilly Circus is probably the most famous landmark in W1 and is renowned for its illuminated advertising boards.
Soho is an area most famous for pornography but in the last 20 years it has been redeveloped into a fashionable district of upmarket restaurants and media offices. Soho’s Carnaby Street led the way for fashion in the 1960’s and still has a large retail market today. Soho lies near the centre of the London theatre area and is home to the Soho Theatre, which was built in 2000 to present new and exciting plays and stand-up comedy.
Mayfair is the most expensive area in W1 and is roughly bordered by Hyde Park to the west, Oxford Street to the north, Piccadilly to the south and Regent Street to the east. It has gained an upmarket reputation due to being featured on the Monopoly board and has some of the most high profile buildings in London including the Dorchester hotel and Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant at Claridge’s. Office rental rents in Mayfair are among some of the most expensive in the world and the market is mainly made up of offices located in converted houses or brand new buildings.
Marylebone is mainly made up of residential and office buildings and, since the opening of the Jubilee Line at Baker Street station, the area is one of the most highly sought after in Central London. Fitzrovia lies partly in the London Borough of Camden and has always been regarded as somewhat bohemian. Today the area’s office space is popular with advertising companies, including Saatchi & Saatchi and TBWA. The area is also popular with television and production companies and is home to Nickelodeon and MTV Networks Europe.
Local landmarks: Harley Street, China town, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus, Carnaby Street, Soho Theatre, CNN Europe, MTV Networks Europe.