Historic, imposing and unlike anywhere else in London.
WHITEHALL
Whitehall sits at the ceremonial and political heart of the capital, running between Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square with St James’s Park to the west and the Thames to the east.
Best known for government buildings, Horse Guards and Downing Street, it is also home to a small but remarkable collection of private residences. These range from grand period apartments at Whitehall Court to contemporary homes within the restored Old War Office.
At a Glance
For buyers who value history, architecture and an address at the very centre of London, Whitehall offers something genuinely unusual.
Architecture
Monumental Portland stone buildings, Victorian and Edwardian apartments, historic landmarks and carefully restored contemporary residences.
Lifestyle
Exceptionally central, with St James’s Park, the Thames, Trafalgar Square, Mayfair, Covent Garden and the West End all within easy reach.
Property
A limited and distinctive market centred on substantial apartments, landmark buildings and some of central London’s most unusual residential addresses.
At the centre of London’s history
Whitehall has been associated with government and royal power for centuries.
The Palace of Whitehall developed from York Place after Henry VIII acquired the site from Cardinal Wolsey. It became one of the principal royal palaces of Tudor and Stuart England before a devastating fire in 1698 destroyed almost the entire complex. The great survivor is Banqueting House, designed by Inigo Jones and completed in the seventeenth century.
Today, the character of Whitehall is defined by an extraordinary concentration of listed government and ceremonial buildings. Westminster City Council describes the Whitehall Conservation Area as being of international renown, extending between St James’s Park and the Thames and encompassing landmarks including Downing Street, Horse Guards and the surviving Banqueting House.
The Different sides of Westminster
One of the most important things to understand about Westminster is that it is not a single property market.
Whitehall Court
Whitehall Court is the area’s best established residential address.
Built in the late nineteenth century, the southern portion was originally conceived as luxury apartments and remains one of Westminster’s most recognisable riverside buildings. Contemporary records of the building show that it was designed with unusually grand communal spaces, including marble staircases, terrazzo floors and generous proportions.
Apartments here vary considerably in size and outlook, with some enjoying views towards the Thames, Horse Guards or St James’s Park. Current listings continue to show a mix of one and two bedroom homes, larger lateral apartments and occasional penthouses.
The OWO and Whitehall Place
One of the most significant recent additions to the Whitehall residential market is The OWO Residences by Raffles.
The former Old War Office opened in 1906 and later played a central role in British military administration. Following an extensive restoration, the Grade II listed building reopened in 2023 as Raffles London at The OWO, alongside 85 private residences.
The residences combine the scale and character of the original Edwardian building with modern interiors, concierge services, wellness facilities and access to the wider Raffles destination.
The Embankment and Northumberland Avenue
Towards the Thames and Trafalgar Square, the character becomes more mixed.
Large historic buildings sit alongside hotels, private clubs, offices and a smaller number of residential apartments. The position is particularly convenient for anyone wanting immediate access to the West End while retaining the riverside and St James’s Park within walking distance.
Eating and drinking locally
Whitehall’s immediate dining scene has changed considerably in recent years.
The Old Shades at 37 Whitehall is a traditional listed pub close to Trafalgar Square, serving British pub food and seasonal dishes.
At the northern end of Whitehall Place, Corinthia London provides several restaurants and bars, including Kerridge’s, The Garden and Velvet, alongside afternoon tea and all day dining.
The arrival of The OWO has added another collection of restaurants and bars, making the immediate area much more of a dining destination than it once was.
Beyond Whitehall itself, St James’s, Covent Garden, Soho and Mayfair are all close enough to provide a far wider choice.
A few of our Westminster favourites
For a traditional pub
The Old Shades on Whitehall
For dinner
Kerridge’s at Corinthia London.
For a drink
The Clarence on Whitehall
History, culture and green space
Whitehall’s greatest advantage is the sheer concentration of London landmarks on the doorstep.
Horse Guards, Banqueting House, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, the Palace of Westminster and Trafalgar Square are all within a very compact area.
St James’s Park provides the most significant nearby green space, with Buckingham Palace beyond. The park sits directly behind Horse Guards and is open daily from early morning until midnight.
The Thames is equally close, with Victoria Embankment offering a direct riverside route towards Westminster in one direction and the Strand and City beyond.
Our view
Whitehall is one of the most unusual residential locations in central London.
It does not offer the neighbourhood scale or volume of housing found in Pimlico or Belgravia. Instead, it offers rarity, architectural significance and a position at the very centre of the capital.
A period apartment in Whitehall Court and a residence at The OWO may share the same immediate location, but they represent very different styles of ownership and living. Understanding those distinctions is particularly important when buying, selling or letting here.
Looking for a home in Whitehall?
Whether you are looking to buy or rent in Whitehall, or would like advice on selling or letting a property here, our team would be pleased to help.
With decades of experience across Westminster and central London, we can provide informed advice on individual buildings, values and the wider SW1A market.
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