Drake House, an Overview

While researching this piece I came across a number of old articles discussing the pros and cons of offices being converted into residential developments. Interestingly, developments such as Metro Central Heights & Peninsula Heights came in for some criticism at the time of their conversion and yet have achieved almost iconic status in London’s cityscape and demand remains robust.

Drake House I suspect will take a similar trajectory. Buyers and investors with any degree of commercial savvy will be queuing up to buy an apartment in this Central London, former office building knowing for well that such prime postcodes rarely tarnish and make wise additions to any property portfolio. And so while property journalists may debate the merits of such conversions from the makeshift comforts of their zone 3, (one day it will be up and coming and it’s only a 40-minute standing commute), flats. Drake House residents will reap the rewards of living and investing in SW1.

A History of Drake House

Built-in the 1990’s Drake House doesn’t have any intriguing history itself as such. Originally an office to house the Department of Transport, Drake House has avoided ghostly spectre, sexual scandals or fishy financial dealings. Oh, hang on, that’s not right. The Department of Transport has long been derided for being unable to get the trains to run on time and for civil servants everywhere the threat of being sent to DVLA in Swansea has long been an in-house joke made famous by the television series Yes Minister!

However, as a building, Drake House provides a serious opportunity to own a piece of prime residential property with an SW1 postcode, within earshot of Big Ben, walking distance of Buckingham Palace and Boris Biking distance to City Hall. As a result, Drake House will attract political influencers from both home and abroad as well as senior ambassadorial figures and other international elite.

Situated on the corner of Horseferry Road and Marsham Street, Drake House is in an area that has seen some of the most influential people of England walking its streets. The Houses of Parliament is only a very short walk away and Marsham Street itself was named after Charles Marsham the 3^rd Earl of Romney who owned much of the land in the area. Likewise, many of the streets within the vicinity are named after politicians, philanthropists and landowners. Buildings old and new are steeped in history and paint an interesting picture of how the area developed from an isolated island housing the original parliament surrounded by marshes and fields to, grand manor houses juxtaposed with prisons and slums and now the hustling thrum of modern city life.

While the area has changed dramatically, the air of exclusivity has not. Although many of the great families whom the streets of London are named after may no longer own the land, (except a little old lady in a nearby palace perhaps,) SW1 still remains one of the most sought after postcodes. Whether it is the allure of political power, historical past, commercial real estate or iconic landmarks, SW1 exemplifies London living like no other.

Living & Investing In Drake House

With the show apartment designed by multi-award-winning design studio Honky, Barrett homes have very much set the tone for who Drake House will appeal. While of course, one’s apartment should reflect one’s personality, the demographic who will recognise Honky’s work are most likely a cosmopolitan, international crowd. Christopher Dezille the company founder was featured on the French TV Program ‘The London Sessions’ as one of the hottest interior designers and since 2002, Honky’s work has been featured every year in the Andrew Martin Review, which is considered the bible of the worlds interior design elite.

In short, this means Drake House is for lovers of modern. Indeed Barrett’s own marketing bumph describes Great Minster House as offering a ‘unique perspective on London’. One which encompasses the very best that London has to offer. Certainly living in SW1 gives you a view of London from the inside, much to the envy of those who commute from its suburbs and long for a central London pied-a-terre with access to the best restaurants, galleries and clubs.

Apartments consist of studios, one, two & three-bedroom apartments as well as a number of penthouses. Each boasts engineered wood parquet flooring and has been designed without compromise. Details such as glass splash-backs, natural stone tiles and pure wool carpets all combine to create a sense of luxury. Practical touches such as the independent comfort cooling, the bicycle storage in the basement and led lit balconies take into consideration the functional aspects of day to day life. Likewise, the area has a number of bars and restaurants nearby as well as a Sainsbury’s supermarket, thereby passing London’s famous ‘pint of milk’ test. Of course, there is also a lot to see in SW1 and beyond.

Drake House & Beyond

London boasts some of the best shopping in Europe and Drake House is pretty much in the thick of it with Great British Stalwarts Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Fortnum’s being only a short taxi or bus ride away. However, it is the likes of Mayfair which now attracts the fashionistas. Victoria Beckham’s flagship store can be found on Dover Street as can Dover Street Market. Not that one would find any fish wives in this market, Dover Street Market being a temple to high fashion and some of the world’s most sophisticated design. Bruton Street, also in Mayfair, is home to Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Brioni and Holland & Holland. One wonders which of these shops is donating to the Swindon Scrapstore, whose van is prominently parked outside Ms McCartney’s shop on google maps. Could Swindon be the place to pick up ex-Stella Stock? We doubt it but one can dream!

Nightlife in SW1 can be as varied and as individual, as you are with fancy restaurants, fashionable nightclubs and ‘good old English boozers’ all playing a part in the vibrant after-hours London. While it is likely that Drake House occupants will have a plethora of stiffies to choose from on the mantelpiece there may be times when the charity auction circuit can be tiring and a quiet tete-a-tete is preferable and many discreet restaurants can be found in the Victoria and Pimlico areas of SW1 such as Turkish restaurant Kazan, the perennial favourite Le Poule au Pot or the slightly more raucous Grumbles.

All of the above is within the SW1 vicinity puttingDrake House in the centre of London Life. While further afield new establishments may come and go, Central London is the place for those who deliver a quality offering time and time again after all Drake House occupants have the right to expect it.