About this office
Working and living in The City, the Hamptons estate agency team of ten members has a wealth of local knowledge combined with sales and lettings experience of over 80 years.
Why move to The City?
The City of London, also known as the ‘Square Mile,’ is widely regarded as one of the most uniquely desirable locations to live in the UK, offering the chance to live right in the middle of Europe’s largest city. A real hotspot for business, the area has an extremely high concentration of employment. Whilst the City of London is an exciting place to live and over half a million people work there, only a paltry 9,000 people live within its boundaries.
The City and its surrounds offer a variety of locations for every taste. For those hoping to be a stone's throw from the office, the Square Mile has many purpose-built developments hidden away down historic streets, lanes, and alleys. The River Thames location offers many stunning waterside apartments on both sides of London's famous waterway. The Barbican complex, well known for its Brutalist architecture, provides a tranquil inner-city location.
A little bit of history
The City of London is a relatively small area found in central London which was originally a Roman settlement. Now a hub for business and financial services, it acts as the beating heart of London and the UK as a whole.
There are simply too many landmarks in the City of London to list, although perhaps the most famous is St. Paul’s Cathedral, an imposing, breath-taking building that has dominated the London skyline for nearly 400 years. Other landmarks include the Museum of London, the Royal Exchange and Mansion House, the official residence of the Mayor of London.
Architecture and property
The City of London is particularly famous for the opulent skyscrapers that can be found there, including the Stock Exchange Tower, Heron Tower and Tower 42. It is often referred to as a city within a city, such is the vastness of the Greater London area.
The property to buy and let in the area includes everything from contemporary apartments to sumptuous penthouses to stunning houses. Nearby Shoreditch and Spitalfields are also known for their spacious converted warehouses and the Georgian townhouses that form part of the Fournier Street Conservation area.
Shopping and amenities
Although compact, the Square Mile has all the amenities you would expect to find in a city, including five libraries. Shops range from high end designer clothing to convenient local supermarkets. On the eastern edge of the City, Shoreditch and Spitalfields provide modern living in an area bursting with East End history. The world-famous Brick Lane and its wide array of local independent shops, coffee houses, art galleries and nightlife further add to the appeal of the area.
Going out
Those living and working in the City are well placed to experience the diverse entertainment London has to offer. The nearby West End, from Holborn through to Covent Garden, is London's cultural and nightlife hub, with many of the world's best restaurants, theatres, shops, and bars, Farringdon to the north is also renowned for its restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
Green space
The City has an abundance of gardens open for public use, including Finsbury Circus, Portman’s Park and St. Paul’s Cathedral, while the Thames River walk offers expansive views towards the architecturally diverse South Bank.
Schools
The City is home to a number of primary and secondary schools, including both public and independent establishments to choose from. Primary School options include Sir John Cass Foundation and St. Pauls Cathedral Independent Preparatory, whilst the main secondary school options are the separate and Independent City of London School for Boys and Girls. Neighbouring Islington, Westminster and Tower Hamlets Councils also offer many further schooling options.
Transport
As you'd expect, the City of London is extremely well catered for in terms of public transport. There are various tube stations dotted in and around the Square Mile, rail services, Overground and the prospect of the Elizabeth Line. Various buses operate an array of routes through the City and there is also an abundance of the traditional black cabs that whizz their way around London.
