From palaces to pubs and private houses, there are more than 19,000 listed buildings in the capital, each protected by virtue of its special character and contribution to our heritage.

We know that historic surroundings are one of the factors that influence higher house prices. So is it possible to put a value on the premium you pay to live in an area packed with culturally important architecture?

To do this we’ve analysed the number of listed buildings in every London ward (with the exception of the City of London where we grouped the wards together because of their small size and low population), then compared that with the number of residents.  

What emerges is the strong correlation between heritage in the built environment and house prices. As the table below shows, those wards with the highest proportion of listed buildings relative to population have the highest house price premiums.

There’s also a rarity factor. Of almost 600 wards across the capital, only 10 have two or more listed buildings for every 100 people.

At the top of the list, with just over nine buildings per 100 residents, is the famous West End. This Westminster ward includes Mayfair and house prices approach an average £2.7 million – more than 1.5 times higher than the borough average and more than four times the average for London as a whole.  

High value Knightsbridge and Belgravia comes in at number four, with 4.4 listed buildings per 100 head of population. At an average £3.6 million, house prices are 135 per cent and nearly 500 per cent above the borough and cross-London averages respectively.

And taking eighth place is the Abbey Road ward also in Westminster, featuring desirable St John’s Wood and, of course, the Grade II listed Abbey Road Studios and zebra crossing of Beatles fame.  

Here’s a full rundown of the top 10:

Clearly London’s landmark buildings not only attract admiration and attention, it seems they also play their part in the premiums commanded by the capital’s highest value homes.

Further information

Contact Savills Research