All house-hunters are fixated on location, but buyers with a generous budget often want more — a perfectly situated area with strong historical credentials. Such addresses include Royal Avenue, a square in Chelsea, southwest London. The square has links not only to the monarchy, but also to one of Britain’s greatest architects. In 1682 King Charles II founded the Royal Hospital in Chelsea as a refuge for soldiers. The building, designed by Christopher Wren, cost £152,000 (£22.1 million in today’s money).
About a decade later, Royal Avenue, which led from the Royal Hospital to the Kings Road, was built. Once again Wren was responsible for the design. Kings Road then was a private thoroughfare.
The four-storey terraced properties that line Royal Avenue were built in the mid-19th century. Was the western, sunnier side of the square immediately seen as superior? Who knows, but this is the case and good news for a house on the western side, on the market at £6.75 million through Strutt & Parker (pricey, but still about 10 per cent less than you would have paid a year ago).
For this you get a grade 11 listed, five-bedroom, 2,870 sq ft house with a garden, and an atrium that brings light into the whole house. The ground floor is laid out for a family, with a kitchen, dining room and sitting room. Climb one flight of stairs and you will find yourself in the drawing room. In a similar arrangement (the affluent like to entertain or sleep in spacious surroundings) the master suite occupies the entire second floor.
Such is Royal Avenue’s blend of luxury and heritage that it is said to be James Bond’s London lair. Real life neighbours include one of the star architects of this era — Richard Rogers.
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Jonathan Inglis of Strutt & Parker, says: “In a difficult market you get a flight to quality and you’d be hard-pressed to find another house like this.”