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| Park Lane seen from Hyde Park. Sadly the road now has three lanes in both directions which has turned it into a much less attractive place. You cross the road to the park via an underpass now. |
I've just checked on the internet; you can buy a four-bedroom flat/apartment on Park Lane for £16 million ($24m). Hurray, because it's bound to get snapped up quickly at that price. Park Lane runs north-south and forms the western boundary of central London and the eastern boundary of Hyde Park. In former times it had the rural atmosphere of a country lane - now it's one of the busiest thoroughfares in London. At one end it forms a right-angle with Oxford Street at Marble Arch and, three-quarters of a mile away, at the other end it, forms a right-angle with Piccadilly at Hyde Park Corner.
Park Lane is synonymous with wealth and exclusivity in London but it does not have the allure that it once did; there are very many other places in the capital for multi-billionaires to live so no need to worry about them. Also there are locations with much more charm than Park Lane.
I think this quote from Wikipedia sums it up nicely: "Park Lane owes much of its fame to its being the second most valuable property in the London edition of Monopoly."
The next and final element in the London Monopoly board series will be Mayfair - unique among the other properties on the board in that it is a district not a thoroughfare.
18 comments:
Park Lane and Mayfair were always the nuclear deterrent of the Monopoly board. I used to want at least one of those properties, if for no other reason than to stop someone else getting the set and building hotels. I always managed to land on them at the worst possible times.
£16 million? Dear god ...
I lived in London for ten years some years back. I shudder to think how much it's changed.
Interesting post, as usual :)
Botanist: I have similar recollections. Of course there are at least three great hotels in Park Lane now (Dorchester, Hilton & Marriott). I wouldn't mind collecting the rent from any of them!
Wendy: Well one could probably get away with a bit less but it would still be a substantial amount!
Some of London had changed for the better and some for the worse. I still love the 'buzz' that one gets in the West End.
Likewise. I hope to go back there again someday. Special city.
Bit of a schlep from NZ though!
Such a novel idea these posts of yours, but what will you do when the last properties are posted! Move on to Twister and put up a picture a week of all the gymnastics eh? :p
Only $24 million, what a bargain! I'll take two.
It is a beautiful property.and it must be lovely to live there.
AC: Yes, that problem had occurred to me too! I do have a few other 'series' on the go as well.
Maybe I could start doing an 'Inhabitants of Planet Earth' series; that could keep me going for about 6 billion posts!
Arleen: There is a wonderful view over Hyde Park it's true but that $24m is for a four-bed apartment only!
I'll order your two for you later.....
Hey Bazza,
Ah yes and the continued tour around the board. I think you need to be a Monopoly just to afford such properties. I might move back to Chelsea and see if I have enough money for a broom closet. I guess I'd have to win the SWEEPstakes.
Thanks for this, good sir.
Gary
Gary, the property where you used to live probably has Blue Plaque on it now so it might be worth million!
Hi Bazza,
Sounds like a bargain to me! Shame there isn't another one, I would have them both! The only thing I know about Park Lane is that there is a rather nice Aston Martin sales room there, which is obviously where I buy all my cars!
J
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES
Hello John. Just think of the wonderful views with your binoculars over Hyde Park.
I know that car showroom. They probably need to sell four a day just to cover the rent!
I'll always remember our visit to Harrod's for tea. While my daughter and I had tea, my husband strolled around and "had a look" at the restaurant there. "May I help you,"said the MD? "I'm just looking" said my very American husband. "We don't 'look' here," the MD said huffily. Is it still the same?
Ha ha! That's classic image of snooty British attitudes which, I am pleased to say, is quite rare now and very old-fashioned. Our class structure is based upon perceived behaviours whereas in the US it's based on wealth. What you describe seems to be a clash of stereotypes!
Hi Bazza: You gave me an idea for a post--"Why I love the UK." Stay tuned, probably in the next day or so. And I really mean it!
I can't wait! Perhaps best not to mention Harrods.....
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