Historical London: West End history and area guide

The West End is steeped in rich history, and is home to some of our most prestigious London serviced offices. The area is now primarily known for its theatres and nightlife, which are generally regarded as being among the finest in the world.

The area became popular during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries owing to its proximity to Westminster – the Government and Royal centre of the UK – and was originally built as a succession of palaces, expensive town houses, shops and theatres. This grand influence is still evident today in the architecture of the period buildings and streets.

The West End today is characterised by its districts – much like small “villages” – all of which have retained their own distinct identities. These districts are densely populated with both residential and commercial properties, and resulting real estate prices are high, as businesses and individuals strive to get a piece of the prestigious London office addresses in the area. The areas that make up the West End are as follows:

• Bloomsbury
• Covent Garden
• Fitzrovia
• Holborn
• Marylebone
• Mayfair
• Soho
• St James’s
• Westminster

In addition, Belgravia and Knightsbridge – to the west of the traditional West End ‘core’ – are now often incorporated within the West End.