Soho
There are two main theories behind the origins of Soho’s name. According to estate agents in Soho, the slightly more romantic version links it to the area’s past as a royal hunting ground when hunters would call ‘So-ho!’, the far less romantic (and more probable) version is that it is just an abbreviated form of South Holborn.
Following the Great Fire of London in 1666, there was a desire to rebuild the capital in a less compact and vulnerable manner, so the outlying rural area of Soho was developed. It soon became fashionable and provided the flood of refugees fleeing persecution in Europe with a thriving place for them to settle and develop their trades. This granted Soho the cosmopolitan credentials it maintains to this day.
However, when the area was struck by cholera in 1854, anyone with money moved out and the subsequent cheap rents made it a real haven for pubs and brothels, as well as for artists and writers. Fortunately for estate and letting agents in Soho, the resulting creative energy, linked with an established atmosphere of multi-cultural tolerance and hedonism, still characterises the area in the 21st century, although it seems to have calmed down a little in recent decades.
FAMOUS RESIDENTS
The poet and artist William Blake was born on Broadwick Street and, as a child, Mozart lived in a building where the
Prince Edward Theatre now stands. The Italian artist, Canaletto lived in Soho during the mid-18th century, while John
Constable had his home on Frith Street in the early 19th century. The philosopher Karl Marx inhabited 28 Dean Street (above the Quo Vadis restaurant) and the world’s greatest lover, Casanova, lived on (and around) Greek Street.
LOCATION, LOCATION
Kay & Co lettings and estate agents in Soho operate within the borders provided by Oxford Street to the north, Piccadilly Circus to the south, Charing Cross Road to the east and Regent Street to the west. Soho is perfectly positioned to enjoy the benefits of West End living, as well as the underground stations at Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road.
Neighbourhood view
A media and movie district, Soho represents the ultimate in café society. If there is one part of London that never sleeps, this is it. Soho property and letting agents are blessed with a great deal of variety to attract property seekers. From the cool sophistication of Carnaby to the full-on flavour of Chinatown - and the countless streets of chic pavement cafés in between - there is something for everyone.
ESSENTIAL LIVING
Although our Soho estate agents concede that the area (W1) is possibly not an ideal choice for family living, it has a young, vibrant feel with a real sense of community. And although Golden Square and Soho Square provide the best recreational spaces in the area, these are more suited to celeb-spotting than the willful pursuit of traditional ball games. However, there are plenty of practical, everyday shops, including a Marks & Spencer, and a number of traditional Chinese food stores, as well as one of the best street markets in London on Berwick Street. But that’s probably not why you would choose to live here…
From the cool sophistication of Carnaby, to the full-on flavour of Chinatown, this district has something for everyone.
UNDERGROUND CONNECTIONS
Oxford Circus: Central, Bakerloo, Victoria
Piccadilly Circus: Bakerloo, Piccadilly
Leicester Square: Northern, Piccadilly
Tottenham Court Road: Central, Northern
PARKING SOLUTIONS
020 7823 4567
SHOPPING IN STYLE
Kay & Co’s Soho real estate and letting agents are obliged to mention that the area traditionally satisfies a niche market in respect of its retail outlets. Agent Provocateur (6 Broadwick Street), for instance, has some really interesting lingerie on offer. Soho is also home to what is reputedly London’s best bookshop, Foyles (113 Charing Cross Road), the West End’s most flamboyant bespoke tailor, John Pearse (6 Meard Street) and a huge range of streetwear shops, including All Saints (6 Foubert’s Place) and Vans (47 Carnaby Street), as well as several specialist trainer stores such as Foot Patrol (16a St Anne’s Court) and Puma (52 Carnaby Street).
Our knowledgeable Soho estate agents are of the opinion that women’s fashion is best represented by the wonderfully eccentric Shop at Maison Bertaux (27 Greek Street) and the luxurious Anna Lou (11 Newburgh Street). And if you want to say it with flowers, you’ll do it best with the help of Paula Pryke, who has a gorgeous flower stall in the doorway of the world-famous Liberty (Great Marlborough Street), which is one of the capital’s most exclusive and luxurious department stores.
Shopping
Agent Provocateur: 020 7439 0229
Foyles: 020 7437 5660
John Pearse: 020 7434 0738
All Saints: 020 7494 3909
Vans: 020 7287 9235
Foot Patrol: 020 7734 6625
Puma: 020 7439 0221
Shop at Maison Bertaux: 05601 151 584
Paula Pryke: 020 7573 9563
Liberty: 020 7734 1234
LOOK GOOD, FEEL GREAT
To keep in peak condition our letting agents recommend the Third Space health and fitness club (13 Sherwood Street, Soho) and the Asian-themed Sanook Spa at the Courthouse Hotel (19 Great Marlborough Street). Alternatively, you may prefer to indulge yourself at Bloww (4 Regent Place), a modern, holistic spa and hair salon. Other top hairdressers include The Lounge Soho (26 Peter Street) and Fordham White (47 Greek Street), which also offers Aveda beauty treatments.
Health & Beauty
The Third Space: 020 7439 7333
Sanook Spa: 020 7297 5563
Bloww: 020 7292 0300
The Lounge Soho: 020 7437 3877
Fordham White: 020 7287 8484
ON THE TOWN
According to our experienced and knowledgeable property estate agents, these are the main reasons you’d want to live in Soho…
• The vibrant café life: The legendary Bar Italia (22 Frith Street) is a Soho institution that first opened its doors in 1923. Then there’s the Art Deco-styled Amato Patisserie (14 Old Compton Street), Patisserie Valerie (44 Old Compton Street) or the typically French Maison Bertaux (28 Greek Street).
• Traditional pubs and trendy bars: If you fancy a pint, the most famous lived-in Soho pubs include The Ship (116 Wardour Street), The Coach And Horses (29 Greek Street) and the historic French House (49 Dean Street), while the coolest bars in the area include Akbar at The Red Fort (77 Dean Street), Casino at The Empire (5 Leicester Square), The Club Bar & Dining (21 Warwick Street), Volstead (9 Swallow Street) and the superb Red (5 Kingly Street).
• For more privacy, try Milk & Honey (61 Poland Street), where non-members may sometimes gain entry by booking ahead, Mo*vida (8 Argyll Street), TwentyFour (24 Kingly Street), Umbaba (15 Ganton Street) and, perhaps best of all, Soho House (40 Greek Street).
• World-class restaurants: Restaurant-goers have an equally difficult decision to make. For a tip-top British menu visit Richard Corrigan at Lindsay House (21 Romilly Street), or if you prefer good value, classic Soho-style comfort food head for Arbutus (63 Frith Street). If you fancy a French supper, then book a table at L’Escargot Marco Pierre White (48 Greek Street). For authentic Chinese food our letting agents recommend Fung Shing (15 Lisle Street) in Soho. Zilli Fish (36 Brewer Street) serves the best real Italian dishes, while the energetic Floridita (100 Wardour Street) offers an irresistible taste of Latin America, as well as an authentic Cuban-style bar.
• While The Soho Hotel (4 Richmond Mews) is fab for everything, whether you’re eating, drinking or just taking a breather!
Akbar at the Red Fort: 020 7437 2525
Casino at the Empire: 0870 870 7731
The Club Bar & Dining: 020 7734 1002
Volstead: 020 7287 1919
Red (above): 020 7434 3417
Milk & Honey: 07000 655 469
Mo*vida: 020 7734 5776
TwentyFour: 020 7494 9835
Umbaba: 020 7734 6696
Soho House: 020 7292 0120
Richard Corrigan at Lindsay House: 020 7439 0450
L’Escargot Marco Pierre White: 020 7437 2679
Fung Shing: 020 7437 1539
Zilli Fish: 020 7734 8649
Floridita: 020 7314 4000
Soho Hotel: 020 7559 3000
ENTERTAINMENT
Whether you enjoy movies, theatre or music, Soho will entertain you. Our estate and letting agents in Soho compiled a list of their favourite things to do and places to be.
Popular neighbourhood cinemas include the Curzon Soho (93 Shaftesbury Avenue) and the private Rex Cinema and Bar (21 Rupert Street), while the local Soho Theatre (21 Dean Street) has a reputation for promoting works by the best new writers. If you enjoy jazz, then you’re in for a treat since the world’s best jazz club, Ronnie Scotts (47 Frith Street), is on your doorstep. But if golf clubs are more your thing then get down to the indoor facility at Urban Golf (33 Great Pulteney Street), where you can test yourself on state-of-the-art simulations of the world's finest courses. It even has its own 19th hole!
Entertainment
Curzon Soho: 020 7734 2255
Rex Cinema and Bar: 020 7287 0102
Soho Theatre: 0870 429 6883
Ronnie Scotts: 020 7439 0747
Urban Golf: 020 7434 4300
YOUR LOCAL...
Locksmith: Court Security, 9 St Anne’s Court: 0808 166 2912
Post Office: 19 Newman Street: 020 7636 9995
Police: West End Central Station, 27 Savile Row: 020 7437 1212
Chemist: Boots, 36 Carnaby Street: 020 7734 6217
Refuse department: London Borough of Westminster: 020 7641 2000
DID YOU KNOW?
John Logie Baird first demonstrated his new invention of television in an attic room above Bar Italia (22 Frith Street) on 26 January 1926.
You can view our complete property listings on our website; alternatively you can contact our estate agents in Soho for more detailed information on the property of your choice. Our letting agents in Soho will furnish you with all the information you need regarding rentals in the W1 area.