The West End of London is one of the most famous areas in Central London, playing host to many of the city's major tourist attractions, businesses, headquarters and West End theatres. Use of the term, the West End, began in the early 19th century to describe fashionable areas to the west of Charing Cross, and the fashion element associated with this vibrant location has remained constant ever since.
In days gone by, the West End was favoured by the rich elite as a place of residence because it was usually upwind of the smoke and dust drifting from the crowded City. Its popularity was also in part due to its close proximity to the royal seat of power at Westminster; indeed the whole area is largely contained within the City of Westminster. Developed in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the West End was originally built as a series of palaces, expensive town houses, fashionable shops and places of entertainment. The areas closest to the City, around Holborn, Seven Dials and Covent Garden historically housed London’s poorer communities.
There are over 70 serviced offices in the West End. Major landlords include MWB Business Exchange, Regus, MLS and Avanta, but there are also a number of smaller, independent serviced office operators with business centres in the area. The variety of options available combine to cater for most budget and size requirements. Style of centre varies enormously too, ranging from conservative corporate and period properties to more funky and individual premises, and everything in between.
Given that the West End is such a prominent area on the London map, and that London is itself a world-leading economy, it is not surprising that the area commands some of the highest prices per serviced office workstation in London. The West End attracts all types of business looking for an excellent location as well as the gravitas and positive perceptions that go with such a premier address. Almost all sectors seem to be represented in the area, from engineering and finance through to advertising and film. This allows for a very versatile and interesting experience.
The changing economy and current market instability (August, 2008) has had an affect on the West End, with a larger turnover of clients in the Mayfair and St James's areas than is usual, but there are always plenty more clients eager to snap up serviced offices in the area as soon as they become available. Indeed, with demand remaining so high, business centres in the area are still in a very strong position to secure occupancy at high rates, as companies are prepared to pay a premium to establish offices in this wonderfully vibrant and exciting part of London.
Districts in the West End: using the broadest definition, the inner districts of the West End, which were all developed by about 1815, are Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Holborn, Marylebone, Mayfair, Soho, St. James's and Westminster.
Famous streets in the West End: Albemarle Street, Baker Street; Bond Street; Carnaby Street; Charing Cross, Road, Denmark Street, Gower Street, Great Marlborough Street, Great Portland Street, Harley Street, Haymarket, High Holborn, Kingsway, Old Compton Street, Oxford Street, Park Lane, Piccadilly, Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, The Strand, Tottenham Court Road, Wardour Street.