With London Fashion Week coming to an end, we thought we’d investigate why Soho has been the perfect choice of location for the event with a little bit of insight from our local West End office Sales Manager, James Blacker.
So what is Soho all about?
Previously strongly associated with its vibrant nightlife, Soho has now come to be recognised as a fashionable district, having evolved at a rapid pace since the 1980s.
“Soho is a unique, creative and cultural hub steeped in history that’s constantly changing,” claims James Blackler from our West End office. And it is easy to see from the array of shops and restaurants on offer, catering to the creative individuals who are drawn to the area.
What is there to do in Soho?
Some of the most striking independent fashion labels in the world have set up shop in Soho, sitting shoulder to shoulder with the established vintage boutiques. Lazy Oaf offers up cartoon-style clothing with vibrant colours and bold illustrations, while the Liberty store maintains its reputation from 1924 as an eccentric London icon providing a range of high-quality merchandise.
Exceptional restaurants have also been opening in the area to feed the hungry shoppers that flock to Soho, with menus as creative as the clothing lines on offer.
“Chotto Matte is one of my favourite restaurants to go to for something a bit different, offering up Nikkei cuisine that combines Japanese and Peruvian dishes and there’s plenty to choose from,” enthuses James, “while Babaji, created by Alan Yau, is a twist on the traditional Turkish and Italian cuisines, being a Turkish pizza restaurant.”
What is the lowdown on the properties in the area? (we are an estate agency after all!)
With Soho being the exciting and diverse area it is, it comes as no surprise that the buildings will reflect this.
“Within a relatively small area, Soho possibly offers the greatest variety of different types of architecture available that very much replicate the eclectic mix of restaurants, culture and nightlife that the area offers,” comments James.
“Some of the architecture dates all the way back to 1700s! Even the Luftwaffe played a part in shaping the area. The bombs that fell on Soho during World War II destroyed a number of historic buildings. Now the property market is very diverse, with of a combination of period resales, purpose-built apartment blocks, high end luxury developments, alongside traditional townhouses - so there’s something for everyone.”
Who comes to Soho?
Due to its central location and fantastic range of amenities, Soho understandably attracts a wide range of buyers.
“Over the last 30 years the area has traditionally been a magnet for the LGBTQ community and the theatre community, but Soho is constantly evolving. It’s been stated that one in five creative jobs in London is based in Soho! It has world-class film post-production companies, special effects companies and some of the leading creative agencies.”
This has naturally led to more and more professionals, especially those working in creative industries, being drawn to the area. Other buyers have been attracted by Soho’s increase of high-end properties and shops.
“As the area has been upgraded with better quality accommodation, we have also seen the influx of buyers that would traditionally have gravitated towards other prime central London locations relocating here.”
And the prices?
If you can’t quite get enough of Soho by visiting, then why not up sticks and make the move so you can embrace the Soho vibe? Although it does cost to have such a desirable address…
“A one bedroom apartment is available for approximately £700,000 - £1.2 million, while two bedroom apartments start from £1 million and go up to anywhere around £2.5 million. A house can sell for anything between £3 million and £10 million!”
And finally, why is Soho the venue for LFW?
It may already seem clear from all of the above, but why is it that Soho really is the perfect place for London Fashion Week?
“The importance of Soho as a place for the rag trade was underlined by the move of London Fashion Week to the area, along with being within walking distance of many of the magazines and department store head offices; it's also really well connected to Oxford Street and the high-street stores,” explains James.
Its creative nature, both in the past and the present day, makes Soho an obvious choice for London Fashion Week!
To find out more about what there is to do in Soho, take a look at the Local Life section on the area, or if you are looking to move to the area, see what properties we have available to rent or for sale.
