Our beautiful neighbourhood rests in west London and is situated southwest of the City of Westminster. Merging with the Metropolitan Borough of Kensington in 1965, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea was formed, and our wonderful home came to be known as one of the greatest hot spots in the city.
The refined exclusivity of Chelsea brings a special aura to its property offerings and is home to some of the most established locations across the globe. Whether you fancy a luxury shopping experience on Kings Road or a cultural day out at the Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea has the amenities to please every discerning visitor.
At the start of the 16th century, Chelsea was no more than a matter of dwellings for boatmen, fishermen and gardeners. A manor house rested on the north bank of the Thames and there was also a church that still stands tall today, rebuilt after the damage from World War 2.
Throughout the Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, Victorian and later periods, Chelsea had expanded to the North, East and West, which has now become the famous Chelsea we love and adore today.
Many well-known talents have made Chelsea their home, and its reputation for the finer things in life stems from a period in the 19th century when it became a Victorian artists’ colony.
King Henry VIII acquired the manor of Chelsea from Lord Sandys in 1536, with two of his wives, Catherine Parr and Anne of Cleves, having lived in the Manor House. Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth I also resided there.
In the 19th century, Chelsea began to grow and gained gas streetlight in 1824. In 1853, Chelsea Bridge was built. Chelsea Town Hall was constructed in 1860. By 1694, Chelsea was described as ‘’a village of palaces’’ and had a small population of just 3,000.
The royal connections throughout Chelsea flourished alongside the further developments of the neighbourhood, and at first, that didn’t stop Chelsea from remaining rural – serving London as a market garden up until the rise in development in the 19th century. With the rush to build more developments, the rural reputation of Chelsea ceased to exist, signalling the rebrand as a new addition to the London metropolis.
Established in 1717, the Sloane Stanley Estate remains one of the oldest and most prestigious landowning estates in Chelsea. Originally, the estate was mostly market gardens, which stayed as such until the 19th-century re-development. In recent years, the estate now retains substantial holdings of residential and commercial properties concentrated on King’s Road and Fulham Road all still under the same family ownership.
Today, Chelsea has become one of the most prestigious areas in London, surrounded by residential areas and within reach of stunning cultural and commercial possibilities. While it’s busy with exciting amenities, the neighbourhood of quality streets holds an overall quiet feel, with a calming character that many enjoy living amongst.
Chelsea is known for its creative hub of theatres, museums, art galleries and more. Along with glorious green gardens and restaurants that will make your mouth water, it is a delight that Chelsea is such a central location in the city.
As one of the most established hotspots, Chelsea continues to grow and offers amazing amenities such as the beautiful Royal Court Theatre, the delicious Bluebird Cafe, and many gardens to sit back and enjoy the Chelsea surroundings. Whether you’re simply stopping by or living in one of the stunning, classic properties that the neighbourhood has to offer, Chelsea and its fascinating history will forever capture the hearts of Londoners and those who visit.
Sloane Stanley is one of London’s most exciting, vibrant, interesting, historic and friendly neighbourhoods to date. Come and experience the true charm of Chelsea, whether that be shopping along Kings Road or viewing your dream home. Get in touch today.