Marsh & Parsons

Area Profile - Brook Green Sales

The best of Brook Green

Paul Price, Sales Manager of the Brook Green office of Marsh & Parsons, which sells flats and houses in the areas of Brook Green, Hammersmith, Barons Court, Chiswick, Shepherds Bush, Kensington Olympia, Brackenbury, White City and East Acton, believes it is a combination of education, transport, employment, shopping and atmosphere that make his patch so special. "Hammersmith has the highest concentration of public schools in the capital, including St Paul's, Godolphine and Latymer, as well the hugely popular French Lycee," says Price. "There are also excellent state and faith schools nearby, such as St Mary's Roman Catholic primary, St Peter's Primary School and Brackenbury Primary School, which was described by Ofsted inspectors as having outstanding features."

The transport links are superb, with the A4 and M4 taking drivers West to Heathrow or East into central London. Bus links are also first-class, but it is the three Tube lines that run from Hammersmith – the Piccadilly, District and Hammersmith & City – that are a big draw for commuters. Mainline trains and the Central Line also run from Kensington Olympia and Shepherds Bush respectively.

"The area has changed dramatically in the past decade and where there were once shabby shopping parades, there are now smart boutiques, pavement cafés and bistros," says estate agent Paul. "Nearby, White City is being transformed into one of the classiest shopping centres in Europe with high-class retailers, such as Chanel, taking space there." For boutiques, there's Oliver Bonas on Shepherds Bush Road W6, which sells candles, clocks, clothes and jewellery; Innes & Innes on Blythe Road W14 is a stunning interiors shop; and Shepherds Bush Market W12 has been selling everything from fish to fabrics since 1914.

As one of the premier estate agents selling properties in the W14, W6 and W12 area, Marsh & Parsons prides itself on its local know how. From the best schools in the area to the finest boutiques, bars and restaurants and the cost of a resident's parking permit, estate agents at Marsh & Parsons have their finger firmly on the local pulse.

So, what will you get for your money in Brook Green?

The price of studio flats start at £200,000, rising to £300,000 for a one-bedroom flat and £400,000 for two bedrooms. Houses start at about £375,000, rising to more than £5 million. "One of the most popular areas is Brook Green itself, which is bounded by Shepherds Bush Road, Holland Park Road and Hammersmith Road and the biggest houses in the best location – overlooking the green – sell for £2.5 million plus" according to Price.

The range of property for sale is as diverse as the people who live here – from French expats with children at the Lycee to wealthy families living in the big houses on the Green and the palatial riverside properties at Chiswick Mall. There are Victorian conversions, grand villas, pretty cottages and mansion flats.

Brackenbury Road W6, is a hotbed of converted flats, and studio and one-bedroom apartments cost from £250,000 and in Brackenbury Village Victorian cottages start from about £750,000. Closer to Shepherds Bush, on streets such as Stowe Road and Godolphin Road W12, there are large Victorian houses, which have been converted into apartments, and studios start from £195,000, rising to £280,000 for two bedrooms.

In Chiswick W4, the Bedford Conservation Area is hugely popular and we would expect to achieve £1.6 million for a four-bedroom house with a big garden on Rylett Road and Hartswood Road for example. Buyers looking for a one-bedroom flat in W6 can expect to pay between £300,000 and £375,000 in Brook Green and two-bedroom flats, which are mostly Victorian conversions, start from £400,000 rising to about £550,000 and up to £700,000 if you want a terrace or garden. There are impressive mansion flats in and around Barons Court, close to the renowned Queens Club Tennis Centre and prices here are similar to Brook Green. The most expensive properties sit beside the river, and at Chiswick Mall prices can rise to many millions.

What else can you expect from Brook Green?

The political landscape has changed. The area was once a Labour stronghold, but the influx of wealthy families – particularly those working in the City – has swung the vote in favour of the Conservatives. The area also has its fair share of big employers, including Coca-Cola, Disney, Innocent Smoothies, Bectel and the Youngs Brewery.

There's plenty to do outside working hours and the area is blessed with some of the best venues in London, including Shepherds Bush Empire, Hammersmith Palais and the Lyric Theatre. There are several gyms, cycle routes along the river and Grand Union Canal, miles of walks along the Thames Path National Trail and boats for hire on the river. If all that's making you thirsty there are plenty of popular pubs – Dick Turpin was a regular at The Queen's Head on Brook Green, which has a wonderful beer garden and first-class food. For more formal dining, there is Chez Kristof on Hammersmith Grove W6, Snows on the Green on Shepherds Bush Road W6 and Pope's Eye Steak House on Blythe Road W14, which serves the biggest and juiciest steaks you'll ever set eyes on.

The Uxbridge Road W12 is also changing for the better and has been likened to Portobello Road 20 years ago, with smart coffee shops, bars and independent boutiques.

Borough: Hammersmith and Fulham.

Best thing: Easy to get into town, easy to get out.