An alternative to Mayfair, Knightsbridge is home to renowned department store Harrods and some of the most prestigious and highly sought-after office space in London.
Knightsbridge is another very fashionable area of London and commonly, businesses dealing in fashion and antiques as well as banking and investment can be found within the area, reflecting the nature of the region itself. Architecture within Knightsbridge is also very beautiful and office space as well as residential properties can be found within stunning period buildings. Grade A, luxurious office space to rent is available within this locality inclusive of lavish furniture and plenty of historical elegance intermixed within a modern fit out; business lounges and client spaces are also of a very high standard in these offices reflecting the status of the companies working here. Plenty of high end retailers also have stores within Knightsbridge including the likes of Louboutin, Burberry and Giorgio Armani whilst the department store Harrods is a world famous Knightsbridge establishment.
Gareth Smith
Expert Opinion
Traditionally, Knightsbridge is an area associated with hedge funds and finance companies. Many period features of the buildings can still be seen within the office décor but a modern feel is added through contemporary furniture. The architecture in Knightsbridge also gives the area a very regal feel.
Knightsbridge Developments and History
The locality known as Knightsbridge, as well as being home to immense and beautiful structures containing many renowned institutions is also a very green area of London. With many squares and gardens, some private, some public to admire there are many perfect settings for employees to enjoy a summer picnic during lunch. Knightsbridge Square Gardens attract millions of locals and tourists alike to its grounds each year, creating a wonderful atmosphere throughout the seasons. Being one of the eight royal gardens within London the 265 acres are always wonderfully maintained and the Italian Gardens, Peter Pan Statue, glorious trees and flower beds and Albert memorial are fantastic features of the landscape.
Knightsbridge’s past is an unusual as well as an uncertain one. For a long time the land was a bit of a no man’s land only really documented as containing the bridge which stood over the Westbourne River on the road between London and Kensington. This bridge, although it is highly disputed, is supposedly the source of the Knightsbridge name thanks to the two knights who got in to a fight upon the bridge, losing their lives through falling into the river. Ledged states that knights would cross the bridge on their way to war in order to receive a blessing from the Bishop of London at Fulham. Other knights who witnessed the quarrel here since named the sight in memory of these two men.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, due to the unclear boundaries and undeveloped expanse, the land was associated with villains, highwaymen and rogues with badly kept roads and otherwise near isolation. In 1790 an act to improve the roads within the area was passed and this saw the start of the developments and new construction within the locality, this merged with the point in which many embassies moved in to the area lead to the impressive remodelling which today presents us with modern Knightsbridge.
Local Insight & Information
As one of the most well off areas of London with a very prestigious reputation and a highly respected postcode for office spaces to rent, being situated within Knightsbridge is a privilege. Known mostly for its extravagant shopping destinations such as Harrods and Harvey Nichols as well as its spectacular fine dining establishments, this location is full of lavish leisure opportunities. Tourists love to visit Knightsbridge as well as there being a dense population of business men and women occupying the busy and electric streets due to the fact that there are plenty of wonderful landmarks, attractions and general beauty within the area.
Harrods Department Store is possibly the most iconic part of Knightsbridge. The magnificent building is compiled of a beautiful terracotta façade with dark green awnings and the interiors are an unforgettable scene of glitz and marble. Home to 27 restaurants in multiple food courts, fashion and beauty products forming stunning collections from the most inspirational designers as well as a shoe lovers heaven on the fifth floor, visiting here is an experience all of its own. Built in 1834 the building was the home to the first escalator in England and is also the home of the legendary Harrods bear which has filled young children with joy for many years. The grand structure is lit up by night with around 11,000-12,000 light bulbs creating a spectacular scene and it is believed that around 300 new bulbs are needed every day.
After a long day of shopping, there aren’t many better locations to treat yourself to a wonderful, although probably expensive evening meal. Mari Vanna combines breath-taking interiors with mouth-watering dishes and exceptional service for the perfect dining experience. Mirrors and chandeliers, porcelains and dolls, books and tapestries as well as numerous more miscellaneous kick-knacks are busting out of this unique and loveable Russian restaurant. Charming Russian staff will warmly greet you at the door and invite you to enjoy traditional comfort food in their ‘sitting room’. Menu choices include beef stroganoff accompanied by cherry dumplings as well as a side shot of cherry vodka, providing a very unique and memorable evening.
Another extremely iconic feature of Knightsbridge is The Royal Albert Hall; built as a memorial to Queen Victoria’s husband in 1874. Hosting the BBC Proms since 1941, the hall showcases some glorious concerts, circus acts by the likes of Cirque du Soleil and more recently pop and comedy gigs all sitting within a regal red and gold hall crowned by a domed stained-glass skylight. The hall is such a sight to behold there is now the option to take a guided tour, exploring the past and many stories of London’s largest hall for hire and offers access to the building’s none public areas.
If nature and biology are more suited to your tastes than the arts, Knightsbridge’s Natural History Museum, built in 1881 and decorated in the appropriately earthy colours of blue and brown, is certainly worth a visit. Conducting research and displaying fascinating exhibits of 22 million insect and plant specimens, a man-sized model of a foetus in the womb, animatronic dinosaurs as well as an amazing array of stuffed birds just to name a few, it isn’t difficult to see why so many return to the site time and time again; the museum now also features the superb Darwin Centre.
Key Transport Links
Having so many stunning attractions and being the location of many impressive structures housing unique office spaces to rent, transport within Knightsbridge is plentiful and easily accessible. Knightsbridge Tube Station is only a five minute walk from the centre of the locality and provides services along the Piccadilly line. South Kensington is also only 12 minutes on foot and connects to the Circle and District lines also. Victoria main line station with many services including buses, Gatwick Express, Southern and Southeastern trains as well as Thameslink and tube services is also only a twenty minute walk or a short taxi ride away meaning travelling throughout London is also convenient from Knightsbridge.
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