100 Kensington: Prices and Rental Yields in a Prestigious London District

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Hello everyone. Kensington is one of the first districts that comes to mind when London is mentioned. But did you know that in Kensington you can buy a brand new apartment with a pool and a concierge for £895,000? Today, 100 Kensington is what we are looking at today!

For prices, taxes and the whole buying process, see our guide: UK Property Guide

A 29 storey landmark tower rising on West Cromwell Road and the residential blocks around it. More than 400 homes in total. The developer is SevenCapital. Kensington High Street and Holland Park are within walking distance. Yes, you read that correctly: a modern apartment in one of London’s most prestigious postcodes, and far below Chelsea prices.

Prices

• One bedroom apartments: £895,000and up
• Studio, one, two and three bedroom options are available
• Apartment sizes: 50 m²and up
• A 29 storey landmark tower plus residential blocks, a total of 400+ homes
• Address: 100 West Cromwell Road, London W14 8PB

The scheme is complete and handed over. So there is no waiting: you view the apartment, see the view and decide. the advantages of buying a new build home is a genuinely rare opportunity to catch in a district like Kensington, made up mostly of 100 year old buildings.

Why 100 Kensington?

The postcode itself is an investment: Kensington is one of the most established and most stable areas of London. There is no land here and almost no new scheme comes forward. The district is one of those that loses the least value in market swings and recovers the fastest. Owning a modern apartment where new build supply is this constrained is a long term advantage.

• West Brompton (District Line and Overground), within walking distance
• West Kensington (District Line), within walking distance
• Earl’s Court (District and Piccadilly lines), a 10 minute walk
• on the Piccadilly Line direct to Heathrow, with no change
• Kensington High Street, Holland Park and Westfield London within walking distance or a few minutes away
• Knightsbridge and Hyde Park 10 to 12 minutes by car

The logic of the price: a classic Victorian flat in Kensington usually comes with no lift, no parking, no gym and low energy efficiency. At 100 Kensington, in the same postcode, you get a concierge, a pool, a cinema room and a landscaped garden. What you pay per square metre is similar, but the quality of life you get is very different.

Daily life: in the centre of west London

In the morning Victoria in 15 minutes on the District Line, Heathrow with no change on the Piccadilly Line. A walk in Holland Park at lunchtime. The restaurants of Kensington High Street or shopping at Westfield London in the evening. At the weekend Hyde Park, the Natural History Museum, the V&A and the Science Museum are all a few minutes away, which makes it one of the most practical districts in London for families with children.

100 Kensington rental yield

Tenant demand in Kensington is very strong: international students, academics from Imperial College and the nearby universities, embassy staff, and executives posted to London on a company budget. One bedroom apartments usually let for £2,800 to £3,300, 2+1s £3,400 to £4,300 a month. That puts the gross rental yield in the 3.8-4.4% band.

These rates are normal in prime London; the investment argument here is not a high yield but protection of value and the quality of the tenant. If you are after a higher return, high yield buy to let areas is worth a look.

The shared areas and the details that set 100 Kensington apart

• 24-hour concierge: parcels, security and greeting guests; a service you will not find in Kensington’s classic buildings.
• Swimming pool: an indoor pool for residents only.
• Fitness facilities: a fully equipped gym with no membership needed.
• Cinema room: a screening room for residents only.
• Landscaped gardens: green space between the blocks, open to residents only.
• Large glazed facades: a sense of high ceilings and plenty of daylight; a panoramic city view on the upper floors.
• Modern interior design: integrated kitchen appliances and premium bathroom fittings as standard.

Energy efficiency and comfort

This is the most concrete advantage of buying new build in Kensington. While the typical Victorian flats in the district are in the EPC D-E band, new schemes such as 100 Kensington are at EPC B level. The difference in the bill can reach thousands of pounds a year. If you let the property you are also safe against the tightening minimum energy standards in the United Kingdom, which in older buildings means a serious refurbishment cost later.

Who is buying?

Families whose children will study in London are very heavily represented in this scheme. Because Imperial College, the private schools nearby and the museums are within walking distance, international families in particular choose it. Alongside them, investors who want to catch the Kensington postcode without straining their budget, and business people looking for an apartment to stay in during the week, are part of the buyer profile.

Frequently asked questions

What is the tenure? Leasehold, with newly sold apartments typically given a term of up to 999 years, which in practice gives security close to freehold ownership.

Does it make sense for my child who is a student? Yes, one of the most frequently asked scenarios. Access to Imperial College and the central London universities is very easy; once the child graduates the apartment can be let. This planning needs to be set up together with the tax side, and we can help you with that.

Can I buy remotely from abroad? Yes. For the details, our remote property purchase guide page.

Can I use a mortgage? Foreign buyers can normally borrow up to 65-75% of the value. UK mortgages for foreign nationals sets the process out.

What is the tax cost? For buyers resident outside the United Kingdom, stamp duty carries a 2% surcharge applies. our stamp duty article is worth a look.

How much is the service charge? On schemes with a pool, a concierge and a cinema room it is in the band of £6 to £10 per square metre a year. Do put it in the budget when working out the net yield.

There is almost no new build supply in Kensington. Finding an energy efficient apartment with a pool and a concierge in this postcode will not always be possible. For the apartments currently available and the floor plans, our project page.

For a detailed price list, floor plans or an appointment, reach us on the WhatsApp button in the left corner of the screen.

Total cost: what you actually pay when you buy at 100 Kensington

Many overseas buyers look only at the apartment price and meet a surprise at completion. Let us work out the real cost on an £895,000 apartment. Stamp duty (SDLT) in the United Kingdom is banded: 0% up to £125,000, then 2%, 5%, 10% and 12%. On top of that, non-residents pay a 2% surcharge, and if you already own another home, a further 5% additional dwelling rate applies.

With a mortgage there are also valuation and bank charges, and if you let the property, management commission and income tax. The figures above are indicative, based on an £895,000 entry price; we prepare the exact calculation for your own scenario.

The 100 Kensington buying process, step by step

If you are buying from another country, the process runs like this:

• 1. Choosing the apartment and reserving it. We go through the floor plans, the aspect and the view. The apartment you choose is usually held with a reservation fee of £5,000 to £10,000.
• 2. Appointing a solicitor. An independent English property solicitor (conveyancer) is appointed. That solicitor acts for you, not for the developer.
• 3. Identity and source of funds checks. You will be asked for a passport, proof of address and documents showing the source of your funds. This step is compulsory in the United Kingdom, and having the papers ready shortens the process.
• 4. Exchange of contracts and deposit. Contracts are usually exchanged within 21 days of the reservation, with a 10% deposit. The signature can be given digitally from abroad.
• 5. Stage payments. In off plan projects these follow the payment schedule; for completed apartments the step is skipped.
• 6. Completion. The remaining balance and the stamp duty are paid and the title is registered in your name. For completed apartments this stage can take four to eight weeks.

You can run the whole process from your own country; you do not have to travel to the United Kingdom.

Risks and what to watch for

We have set out the strengths; in fairness there are points to watch as well. For 100 Kensington, these are the ones worth pausing on:

• West Cromwell Road is a busy artery: there is a noise factor on the aspects facing the road; the inner aspects and the upper floors are easier on this.
• Rental yield at prime level: the gross 3.5-4.5% band; the normal rate expected in Kensington.
• Service charge: on schemes with a pool, a concierge and a cinema room it is in the band of £6 to £10 per square metre a year.
• The Kensington name carries a premium: the postcode protects value but the entry price is high too; do not expect a quick short term gain.

None of this makes the project a bad one, but there is a wide gap between buying with your eyes open and finding out afterwards. We give every client this list up front.

How does 100 Kensington compare with the alternatives?

Before you decide, it is worth looking at the other projects in the same budget band:

• Trillium Paddington: a similarly central location in Zone 1 with the assurance of Berkeley.
• Royal Gateway: an alternative on the Central Line in west London, on a more affordable budget.
• Battersea Power Station: for anyone who wants a riverside setting and more generous shared areas.

We can work out together which project fits your goal, judged on budget, intended use and exit plan. For an overview, our guide to UK property investment for international buyers is worth reading too.

Answers to the most common questions on this topic: Is Buying a Home in London a Good Idea?