Predominantly residential, although a small selection of very high-end commercial property can be found within the area. This is typically popular with Kensington residents looking for a business base close to home.
Due to the fact that Kensington is a highly regarded area of London, office space throughout the region is very luxurious and stylish. This is another largely commercial area of the city so space here is limited which in turn adds to the exclusivity of the serviced office space in Kensington business centres. Journalism is a popular industry throughout the region thanks mainly to the large corporation for journalists that is based here, Northcliffe House. Many similar businesses wishing to align themselves with this corporation have also chosen to rent office space in Kensington. It is not uncommon to find outstanding business lounges with great facilities for both clients and their visitors within Kensington’s managed offices, ideal for liaising with and entertaining guests; many will also feature in-house restaurants and bars for this same reason.
Dean Ridsdill
Expert Opinion
There is certainly plenty to admire in Kensington from academic establishments, famous museums and the Royal Albert Hall. Kensington Palace also sits in the heart of the borough leading to its affluent status whilst amenities from transport links to hotels and dining are simply first class.
Kensington Background and History
Kensington first originated from Saxon settlements and the area is named in the Doomsday Book of 1086. The area was originally a mainly rural site and from the 17th century became popular with the wealthy people of London who liked to be close to the City but enjoyed the sites clean air. During Queen Elizabeth’s reign there was a particularly major event that occurred which changed the face of Kensington and hence lead to the affluent and popular area which it is today.
On May 1st 1851 she opened The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations in Hyde Park. The project was a great success and around 6 million people visited the site throughout its time generating £186,000 by the time it closed in the following October. This was the beginning of something new for Kensington and the commissioners of the time used the profits to purchase 87 acres of land turning the area in to a cultural and scientific centre.
All the tourism that was bought to the area meant there was a serious need for better transport and soon enough the District and Metropolitan railway was extended westward in to Kensington. Growing and developing ever since the area of Kensington is now a perfect mix of business, pleasure and stunning residential buildings creating an amazing location to work.
Local Insight & Information
It is the destination of the Royal Palace and a site which has so much culture, history and luxury. Office spaces to rent or let within this spectacular location is unsurprisingly very highly sought after and hard to come by. The busy high street has every typical high street fashion brand you can think of and plenty of restaurants and cafes to boot. There is art, architecture, and iconic visions throughout the whole place and has been home to royalty since William III moved in to Kensington Palace in 1689. The area is still very residential and the stunning multi-million pound buildings make up a mixture of desirable homes and characteristic offices.
The Kensington High Street once upon a time is where fashion lived. In 1870 John Baker and James Whitehead joined together to create a piece of history within the area. The Baker’s building, which today houses a whole foods market, was once the biggest department store of its time. It first opened as a drapery which provided Baker with enough profit to acquire more and more properties on the street until eventually the vast majority of the High Street was owned by him. By 1892 the establishment housed over 40 departments and workshops. This is where the areas reputation as an iconic shopping destination sprang from and is still home to a great variety of well-known brands and much loved independent stores.
Similarly grand buildings in the area are today the home of luxury hotels, providing a service worthy of their setting. The Kensington Close Hotel had an extensive refurbishment in 2012 at a cost of £45m, creating a stunning, modern location complete with 708 guest rooms and 13 flexible meeting rooms seating up to 250 people. The site is complete with a professional wellbeing spa as well as a health club inclusive of a swimming pool, treatment rooms, steam rooms, sauna Jacuzzi and gymnasium. Guests will experience nothing but professionalism and indulgence within this extravagant hotel.
Even restaurants in this prestigious location have celebrity status with destinations such as Sticky Fingers, owned by Bill Wyman, the bassist for The Rolling Stones being located within Kensington. The name for the eatery is taken from their ninth studio album and has all the vibes of a classic American diner. Buffalo wings, burgers, ribs and steaks are cooked to order and the vibrant rock atmosphere means it is loved by children and adults alike; ideal for group parties and big work celebrations.
Key Transport Links
South Kensington station is one of the busiest and best known stations in London and there is more traffic passing through this small station than at Gatwick Airport. Keeping it in line with the historic and famous buildings and museums which surround it, there are plans to develop the station further allowing it to cope more easily with the amounts of people who pass through as well as updating its surroundings. The area above and around South Kensington is set to see a mixed retail and residential arrangement which will reflect the heritage in the nearby area. Kensington High Street also has a tube station which is in the heart of the locality on the Circle and District lines and plentiful bus routes run regularly through the area for the maximum convenience when commuting to and from work.
More on Location
Entertaining Clients for the day is also something which Kensington takes care of for you. Rich in high culture the area is home to some fantastic galleries and works of art. Richard Young Gallery for example displays the famous faces which he has captured during his time as a celebrity photographer since 1974. Throughout his career he has photographed some of the biggest names in their respective industries including the likes of Dalai Lama, Debbie Harry and even Joan Collins as she met the Queen. Of course one of the Queen’s homes is in Kensington also and Kensington Palace is another spectacular site to take visiting clients. Originally a Jacobean structure built for Sir George Coppin in the 17th century, the Palace has been inhabited by royals such as Queen Anne who died here in 1714, George II who died here in 1760 and was the birth place of Queen Victoria in 1819.
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