A Guide to Living in Borough of Westminster

Westminster’s famous landmarks

Despite its modest eight or so square miles, this slice of Central London positively packs in the tourist attractions. Walking tours run all year round, charting thousands of years of history to the delight of millions of visitors. Favourite stop-offs include the Churchill War Rooms, Westminster Cathedral and the Florence Nightingale Museum.

Art fans from all over flock to the Tate Britain on Westminster’s Millbank. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of British art, and residents of Berkeley’s Abell & Cleland development can count it as a neighbour. These stunning apartments were designed by award-winning architecture and interiors studio, Project Orange, and are tucked among landscaped grounds close-by.

There is also, Buckingham Palace, Britain’s most famous landmark of all needs little introduction. Those in-the-know avoid the awestruck crowds in its immediate vicinity, and admire it in the peace and quiet of neighbouring St James’ Park – a glorious 23 hectares of meadows and walkways.

Westminster residents

Naturally, living near the Queen is a privilege that doesn’t come cheap. With home prices here falling largely into the multimillion pound bracket, residents tend to be politicians, celebrities and those born into fortunes.

Just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace is Westminster Quarter, a collection of luxury apartments by Taylor Wimpey Central London spread over three different sites on Monck Street. There are 90 design-led units here, housed across three properties – 73 Great Peter Street, 1 Chadwick Street and Ashley House.

“While some new developments strive to stand out both in height and appearance, the eight-storey Westminster Quarter quietly slots into its prestigious SW1 neighbourhood – a chic and classy addition to the streetscape. And on closer inspection its intricate brickwork façade, which looked to local architecture as its inspiration, adds further depth and interest to the building.” – HomeViews Property Pro

Development in Victoria

The central Victoria neighbourhood is undergoing extensive regeneration. Once a cluster of tired office blocks, developers have breathed new life into the area with a shedload of contemporary apartments. A plethora of new bars, restaurants and stores have followed suit.

Right opposite Victoria Station, The Nova Building is turning heads. This Land Securities scheme features an ultra-modern exterior, complete with a pink angular front. Rated as one of the best places to live in Westminster, scroll down to read reviews from residents who rent in Westminster.

“It offers up a wealth of luxury shopping and fine dining, including the likes of Aster by DandD London to Rail House Cafe by Adam White. Residents will also enjoy first-class amenities like a 24-hour concierge service, a private residents’ lounge, gym facilities, a cinema and a business centre. There’s also secure underground parking available for a fee of £85,000. Topping everything off, figuratively and literally, is the ninth floor roof garden and terrace, which affords residents views over the palace’s gardens and the capital’s cityscape. ” – HomeViews Property Pro on The Nova Building

Kings Gate is an alternative – another Westminster base by Land Securities. This one’s got a prime spot on Victoria Street, and overlooks the Royal Parks and Westminster Cathedral. Its 100 private apartments have been designed by Patrick Lynch, Millier and Spinocchia Freund.

ving in some of the best places to live in Westminster. Alternatively, do you own or rent in Westminster? Click here to leave your review. 

High-end living

Westminster’s local amenities tend to cater to the wealthy occupants. Expect top schools, members-only clubs, fine dining – including a reputable clutch of Michelin-starred restaurants – and designer boutiques. Bond Street, in particular, offers some of the biggest names in fashion. Chanel, Cartier and Dolce all have flagship stores here. Westminster is also the place to dip in and out of London’s finest establishments, like Harrods, Sotheby’s and The Ritz.

Soho & Covent Garden

It’s not all grandeur and glamour, though. Edgy Soho offers a great mix of laid-back bars, restaurants and live music venues, while Covent Garden is alive with quirky street performers and bohemian market stalls. For high street names like Zara and Topshop, there’s no beating Oxford Street. As well as this, traditional selections such olde-world shops and pubs are to be found in St James’s.

Read more about living in Westminster. Click on the developments below for reviews from residents li