From its Roman city walls to its medieval churches, London is steeped in history. Evidence of its rich heritage is all around us: you would be hard pressed to walk more than 100 metres without passing an historic site or landmark.

Today’s developers are keen to make the most of such a unique heritage, designing new homes which incorporate and benefit from the city’s history in residential areas that are often already well established. The juxtaposition between historic and cutting edge architecture also adds a new dimension to London’s skyline and it is this combination of old and new, of a city constantly evolving but recognising and celebrating its past, which is so attractive. 

Barts Square, in the City of London, is a great example of this. Close to what is thought to be the oldest church in London – St Bartholomew The Great – and surrounded by medieval streets, the development is a sleek addition to the area. The development has always remained faithful to the historic fabric of the area and the final phase is inspired by the vernacular of the area’s 19th-century industrial architecture, respecting the historic city street pattern and heritage of the existing buildings.

Another example is Landmark Place, situated on the north bank of the Thames with unrivalled views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. It is a distinctive London address located within the original Roman city walls and is inspired by its riverside setting ad central City location. While on the south side of the river, Palace View is an exclusive boutique development opposite the magnificent Lambeth Palace which embodies more than 800 years of history.

While a view over an historic landmark may not directly add a premium to a development, the well-established, often central locations tend to be higher value areas and a spectacular view can definitely add to saleability. Equally, a link to the city’s past gives a new development personality and a story, not to mention prestige.