House prices increased by 16.9% in 2014
The borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is situated in west London. It incorporates Brook Green, College Park, East Acton, Fulham, Hammersmith, Old Oak Common, Parsons Green, Sands End, Shepherd’s Bush, Walham Green, West Kensington, White City, as well as some parts of East Chiswick, North Chiswick and Kensal Green.
In an agreement between Hammersmith & Fulham Council and Westfield London, more than £20 million will be spent on improving the local area. The investment is part of Hammersmith and Fulham’s Council granting planning permission for a £1 billion expansion of the existing Westfield centre at Shepherds Bush and will include at least 162 affordable homes with scope for this to increase to 250. Property in the borough is above the average for London prices. Hammersmith and Fulham is the fourth most expensive London borough and prices have increased by 16.9% in the last year, so the market is still very buoyant. Hammersmith Fulham’s population has risen by 10% from 165,242 in 2001 to 182,493 in the 2011 census. The population aged under 16 years increased by 9 per cent, the working age population increased by 13 per cent, while the elderly population decreased by 5 per cent.
This shows the borough is becoming ever more popular with young professionals and families. The Virgin Group has its headquarters in Hammersmith, along with Sony Mobile Communications. Other multinationals with their UK headquarters in Hammersmith include CE Europe a subsidiary of Capcom, Coca-Cola, Disney and L’Oréal.
Hammersmith & Fulham is a productive borough which contributes strongly to the local economy. It has good employment levels throughout.
That means Hammersmith and Fulham property investment is ideal for you if you're looking for a London property in zone 1, 2 with that is becoming ever more popular with young professionals and families.
Economy & Employment
Hammersmith and Fulham have two hospitals in the borough and is home to many multi-national companies.
The area is one of west London’s key commercial and employment centres. It is a major transport hub for west London, with two London Underground stations and a bus station at Hammersmith Broadway.
Most of the office space is mainly to the east side of Hammersmith town centre in the Ark, an architecturally unique office complex situated in Hammersmith Road. Some multinational companies reside in these offices; L’Oreal, AOL UK, Accor UK, Disney, Pokémon, US Airways and Royal Jordanian Airlines to name just a few, all creating employment and supporting the borough's economy.
Alongside these, there are two hospitals providing employment, the Hammersmith Hospital and the Charing Cross Hospital which has an A&E department and a teaching department that is run by the Imperial School of Medicine.
Find out more about this London borough with a free Hammersmith and Fulham Property Investment Guide.
Investment
Hammersmith and Fulham’s £20-million investment in the area is the basis of the future.
Planning permission was finalised and granted on 5 September 2014 for a £20 million agreement between Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Westfield London to improve the local area. The agreement aims to achieve:
£12.25 million to support infrastructure and the development of the White City Opportunity Area and the wider borough, including education, skills and public realm.
£600,000 to support local jobs and training including an enhanced Work Zone, working together to create training, employment and procurement opportunities for the local community
Approximately £7 million for transport improvements including rail infrastructure increased bus capacity and road improvements.
Developing openly accessible amenity spaces and public areas that will bring together adjoining development sites, and make the area better for the community.
Around 8,000 new jobs will be created with new restaurants, cafes, leisure facilities, offices, community space and shops.
Transport
Air: Heathrow Airport is easily reached in under 20 minutes by car and has an excellent link via the Piccadilly line with journeys taking 30 minutes from Hammersmith station.
Tube: The borough is well served by 13 Tube stations; Barons Court, East Acton, Fulham Broadway, Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith, Parsons Green, Putney Bridge, Ravenscourt Park, Shepherds Bush, Shepherds Bush Market, West Kensington, White City and Wood Lane these are spread across 3 lines: Hammersmith & City, District and Piccadilly.
Rail: Imperial Wharf is the overground station in Fulham on the West London Line, It was built in 2009 at a former industrial site, which was redeveloped into a 1,800 luxury apartment river-side complex.
Bus: There are too many good bus routes to mention serving all of west London and beyond. The wait for either buses or tubes is never very long.
The borough has great access and very reliable links to Heathrow Airport, central London, Ealing and Richmond.
Education
Schools: The borough is the home of Lady Margaret School (LMS) on Parsons Green, a school that welcomes girls of all academic abilities aged 11–17 years. It has been at the forefront of girls’ education for over 95 years.
The borough is also home to two prestigious independent girls’ schools, St Paul’s Girls’ School in Brook Green (often ranked in first place in the country in league tables, with nearly 50% of each year group gaining entry to Oxbridge)
The Godolphin and Latymer Upper School an independent co-educational school, is also in the borough, on King Street in Hammersmith.
The exclusive independent girls’ preparatory school Bute House is also in Brook Green.
Further Education: Three institutions offer the boroughs FE study’s; The Chelsea Independent College, The Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College and the William Morris Sixth Form Centre.
Higher Education: London College of Fashion, part of the University of the Arts has a building in Lime Grove, Shepherd’s Bush featuring a knitwear studio and life drawing room.
Shops & Leisure
Shopping: There is a weekend market on North End Road, Fulham with loads of fresh produce that’s a great place to stock up with a week’s worth of fresh groceries for a good price. Mark’s and Spencer and v, two of the UK’s premium supermarkets, have shops in Fulham and stocked with some luxury items. Other supermarkets are scattered throughout the borough.
Leisure & Culture: Hammersmith & Fulham is great for live entertainment. It is the home of the Eventim Apollo as well as the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Both are live music venue that hosts some major international acts. Then there are the BBC’s Riverside Studios that showcases experimental theatre and international films. The studios boast a good bar, lively dining area, moody lighting and very comfy sofas. In the summer visitors can use the outdoor terrace overlooking the river with a fantastic view of Hammersmith Bridge.
Sport: There are two Premier League football stadiums: Craven Cottage is home to Fulham and Chelsea play at Stamford Bridge.
Green Spaces: There’s an excellent path along the Thames that stretches from the city into Richmond, with plenty of grassy areas. Ravenscourt Park is the largest in the area with tennis courts, flower garden, a children’s play area and plenty of open space.
