Maida Vale: Full of properties with character

Maida Vale, located in West London's City of Westminster, is an attractive and affluent residential district situated between Kilburn and St John's Wood. The area is bordered by Maida Vale Road in the north-east, Kilburn Park Road in the north-west, Shirland Road and Blomfield Road to the south-west and Maida Avenue and the Regent's Canal in the south.

The actual name stems from The Heroes of Maida, a public house which was situated on Edgware Road in the early 19th century. Building in the area only started in earnest in the 1830s and due to this relatively late start, the homes found in Maida Vale tend to consist of late-Victorian and Edwardian mansion flats. Good early examples of this type of property can be found around Elgin Avenue and City of Westminster Council also highlights the 'imposing stucco crescents' of Warrington Crescent and Formosa Street as some of the area's most notable features.

More than 350 listed buildings are found in this part of London, with stuccoed houses, villas and flats on Warwick Avenue, Warrington Crescent, Formosa Street and Clifton Gardens being granted protected status. It is not only residential buildings that are considered important, as Maida Vale is the home of the grade II-listed 1896 Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue and St Mary Magdelene church in Little Venice.

People seeking property to rent in London would be well advised to consider Maida Vale. The local council celebrates the attractiveness of the area, explaining: "The tree-lined streets, vistas and major private amenity spaces combine to give the entire area a leafy character and enhance the character of the buildings and the layout of roads."

Indeed, renting seems to be a popular choice in Maida Vale, especially for young professionals. In its profile of the area, upmystreet.com points out that few mortgages are held in the town, with a significant proportion of locals living in rented flats. When it comes to the residents themselves, the website claims they are likely to be younger people who are highly-qualified and focused on advancing their careers.

So, once renting a flat in Maida Vale, what can residents do to entertain themselves? Music lovers will no doubt be aware of the Little Venice Musical Festival, which takes place in the area in October and boasts a number of concerts showcasing classic musical and the delights it can offer.

However, the entertainment found in Maida Vale's Little Venice does not end here. A multitude of cafes, bars, restaurants and cultural venues populate the area, making it a popular option for visitors as well as local residents. Those in search of some unique entertainment can head to any number of venues, such as the Canal Cafe Theatre, the Puppet Barge and the Cascade Floating Art Gallery. Waterbuses can also be found in this part of Maida Vale that will take residents through Regent's Park to more distant attractions such as Camden Lock Market and London Zoo.

Looking outside of Little Venice, those living in flats to rent in Maida Vale will be aware that the BBC has seven music and radio drama studios on Delaware Road. The Maida Vale 1 studio is home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra and can accommodate an audience of up to 220 people for live events and concerts.

In addition, residents will find they are just a stone's throw away from the district of St John's Wood, which is home to the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, and Lord's Cricket Ground - the home of the quintessentially English sport.

With its unique combination of historic buildings, quirky entertainment and cultural attractions, Maida Vale should be considered by any young professional looking for flats to rent in London.
 

Published 31st January, 2011

© 2011 Estates IT Limited