Property Market
Vauxhall’s property landscape spans from Victorian terraced houses and Georgian conversions to cutting-edge glass towers. The area’s older stock consists primarily of Victorian terraces dating from the 1850s-1890s, particularly around Kennington Lane and South Lambeth Road, alongside converted warehouse spaces from its industrial past.
Modern developments and new homes dominate the riverside, where striking glass-fronted towers now define the skyline. These contemporary buildings feature floor-to-ceiling windows, winter gardens, and high-specification finishes, creating a stark contrast to the period properties found further inland. The architectural transformation reflects Vauxhall’s evolution from industrial district to modern residential quarter.
The most desirable period properties are found along Fentiman Road, Meadow Road, and the conservation areas around Bonnington Square, where original Victorian features remain intact. The riverside presents a different picture entirely – Albert Embankment and the Nine Elms corridor showcase luxury apartments with Thames views, particularly in developments like St George Wharf and the newly completed Thames City towers. Wandsworth Road offers more affordable Victorian conversions, while Stockwell Park Road features larger family homes with gardens. Premium penthouses occupy the upper floors of riverside towers, commanding exceptional prices for their panoramic London views.
Developments: The Nine Elms regeneration programme represents one of London’s most ambitious urban transformations, with multiple landmark projects reshaping the district. DAMAC Tower, completed in 2022, brings 360 Versace-designed apartments across 50 storeys to Bondway. Thames City (formerly One Nine Elms) delivers two towers of residential space with Park Hyatt Hotel occupying the lower floors of one tower. Embassy Gardens surrounds the new US Embassy with luxury residential buildings and commercial space. The Battersea Power Station redevelopment continues to progress, creating over 4,000 new homes and a town centre. These projects collectively add thousands of homes to the area, alongside new public spaces including a 12-acre linear park stretching from Vauxhall to Battersea.
Property prices: According to Rightmove data, the average property price in Vauxhall stands at £713k. Flats, which constitute the majority of sales, average £655k, while terraced properties command significantly higher prices at £1.02m. Semi-detached homes, though rare in the area, fetch an average of £1.95m. Despite recent price corrections, Vauxhall remains substantially more expensive than the London average, with new-build apartments in premium developments often exceeding £1 million for two-bedroom units, and penthouses reaching as high as £10 million.
Transport Links
There are lots of ways to get around the Vauxhall area and beyond, here’s just a few of the options available:
- Car & Road: Vauxhall is close to major roads, including the A202 and A3205, facilitating efficient travel within central London.
- Train: Vauxhall Station is a major railway hub, providing direct train connections to various destinations, including frequent services to London Waterloo.
- Tube: The Vauxhall Underground Station, served by the Victoria Line, offers direct access to key areas across London.
- Airports: London Heathrow Airport is easily accessible from Vauxhall. Residents can conveniently reach the airport for both domestic and international flights.
For more information, take a look here.
Eating & Drinking
Vauxhall hosts a sprawling variety of places to eat and drink, whatever your taste. South Lambeth Road is one of the best places to look, hosting the friendly Estrella Bar and indulgent Casa Madeira – as well as many other Mediterranean eateries. If you’re on the hunt for a classic British pub, then Black Dog, The Rose, or The Beehive are all excellent examples that are well worth visiting.
Other notable spots include Brunswick House, a historic venue known for its seasonal dishes and unique ambiance, including a crypt bar that hosts jazz nights. For a casual pub experience, The Fentiman Arms provides a cosy atmosphere with excellent pub food and drinks. Additionally, The Garden Vauxhall is a lively food and beer garden featuring diverse street food and a festive environment, especially during its Sunday Latin celebrations. Other recommended areas include the riverside venues along Nine Elms, which boast plenty of dining options and scenic views.
Shopping
Greensmiths Market and Cardinal Place Shopping Centre are two of the best places to shop, providing the bulk of fresh produce and high street stores for those who need them. Equally, there’s a broad selection of local supermarkets, including Morrisons, Costco, Lidl, Sainsburys and Tesco for your everyday grocery needs.
Nine Elms Market is another great spot, which offers a mix of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and unique finds. The Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens area also features various independent shops and boutiques. For a more extensive shopping experience, Victoria Place Shopping Centre is nearby, providing a range of retail options including high street brands and local shops.
Things To Do
There are a lot of things to do, see and enjoy in Vauxhall, here’s a short summary of the options available:
- Enjoy Riverside Dining at Vauxhall’s Floating Restaurants: Vauxhall’s riverside boasts a unique dining experience with floating restaurants. Residents can savour a meal while enjoying serene Thames views on the water.
- Visit the Iconic Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens: Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens is a great place to visit, hosting cultural events, concerts, and many places for a pleasant stroll.
- Explore the Vauxhall City Farm: Vauxhall City Farm provides an unexpected slice of rural life in the heart of the city. Residents can interact with animals, participate in workshops, and enjoy countryside life without leaving the neighbourhood.
- Attend Events at The Kia Oval: The Kia Oval is one of London’s premier cricket grounds, hosting a range of events beyond cricket matches. You can attend concerts, festivals, and sporting events there, depending on the week.
- Discover Vauxhall’s Cultural Hub at Beaconsfield Gallery Vauxhall: Beaconsfield Gallery Vauxhall showcases contemporary art in a converted Victorian school building, with many exhibitions, events and workshops for the whole family.
Local Schools
In Vauxhall, there are a range of schools to cater to young minds. For little ones, nearby options like Charles Dickens Primary and Albion Primary offer solid foundations. Secondary paths branch out, with Harris Academy Bermondsey close by, and faith-based St Saviour’s and St Olave’s a short bus ride away. Bacon’s College, with its rigorous academics and strong co-curricular focus, is a slightly more distant option across the river.
Independent options also abound. Prestigious Dulwich College, with its traditional academics and supportive environment, welcomes boys, while James Allen’s Girls’ School nurtures excellence and opportunities for girls. A unique example presents itself with The London Nautical School, where STEM meets the sea through sailing and marine experiences.
Take a look at the schooling options available in Vauxhall via the local council here.
Local Landmarks
Vauxhall’s transformation from industrial district to cultural quarter has preserved its most significant landmarks, from world-class museums to historic entertainment venues that continue to define the area’s distinctive identity.
- Imperial War Museum – Housing Britain’s foremost collection of military history within the former Bethlem Royal Hospital, this riveting museum presents powerful exhibitions covering conflicts from WWI to present day. The intimidating 15-inch naval guns at the entrance and extensive galleries exploring the human cost of war make this one of London’s essential cultural institutions.
- The Oval Cricket Ground – Surrey County Cricket Club’s headquarters since 1845 hosted England’s first Test match in 1880 and traditionally stages the final Test of each summer. This historic venue also witnessed the first FA Cup final in 1872 and remains a pillar of English sporting heritage beneath its famous gasworks.
- Garden Museum – Occupying the deconsecrated St Mary-at-Lambeth church, this unique museum celebrates British gardening history through the tomb of royal gardeners John Tradescant. The medieval tower offers spectacular Thames views while exhibitions explore horticultural heritage from the 17th century onwards.
- Newport Street Gallery – Damien Hirst’s personal art collection finds home in converted Victorian scenery-painting studios, presenting rotating exhibitions of contemporary works. This catalyst for Vauxhall’s artistic renaissance opened in 2015, establishing a new cultural quarter around the historic railway arches.
- Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens – The small park preserves the memory of London’s original pleasure gardens (1660-1859), once the capital’s premier entertainment destination where princes mingled with performers.
- Vauxhall City Farm – This urban oasis has provided countryside experiences since 1976, housing alpacas, rare breed sheep, and spotty pigs alongside educational programmes for local communities.
- Gasworks Gallery – Contemporary art organisation supporting international artists through residencies and exhibitions in converted warehouse spaces near The Oval since 1994.
- MI6 Building – The striking postmodern headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service dominates the riverside, featuring in James Bond films while serving as Vauxhall’s most recognisable landmark.
- Lambeth Palace – The Archbishop of Canterbury’s London residence for over 800 years sits behind a Tudor gatehouse, its gardens occasionally opening for public visits.
Employment
Vauxhall has emerged as a significant employment centre, anchored by major institutional and governmental employers alongside a growing commercial sector. The arrival of the US Embassy in 2018 marked a watershed moment, bringing thousands of diplomatic and support staff to Nine Elms while catalysing broader business investment. The Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) headquarters at Vauxhall Cross remains a prominent employer, while publishing giants Penguin Random House and Dorling Kindersley have established major offices at One Embassy Gardens. Tech giant Apple maintains a presence in the area, joining the New Covent Garden Market – Britain’s largest wholesale fresh produce market employing over 2,500 people across 200 businesses.
The Nine Elms regeneration programme is projected to create 25,000 new jobs across 6.5 million square feet of commercial space and 3 million square feet of office accommodation. Current employment growth centres on professional services, creative industries, hospitality, and retail sectors serving the expanding residential population. The creative economy thrives around Vauxhall’s gallery cluster, including Newport Street Gallery, while the evening economy supports numerous hospitality roles. Construction and development remain significant employers during the ongoing transformation, though these opportunities will transition to permanent service sector positions as projects complete. Small enterprise clusters along Stewarts Road provide workspace for creative businesses and light industry.
Future employment prospects appear robust, with the completed Northern Line Extension improving access to the City and West End in under 15 minutes. The area’s designation as an Opportunity Area in the London Plan ensures continued investment in commercial development. Proximity to Westminster and the South Bank positions Vauxhall advantageously for businesses requiring central London presence at lower costs than traditional business districts. The forthcoming completion of Battersea Power Station’s commercial elements will further expand employment opportunities, particularly in retail, leisure, and office-based roles.
Why Vauxhall
Vauxhall’s central location along the Thames River provides residents with easy access to key London districts. The area features excellent transport links, including Vauxhall Station and nearby tube options, facilitating convenient commuting and exploration of the city. Ongoing regeneration has transformed Vauxhall into a modern neighbourhood with diverse housing options, ranging from riverside apartments to historic properties.
The ‘Vauxhall, Nine Elms, Battersea Opportunity Area’ continues to transform it, bringing new life to bars, restaurants, shops, and green spaces. Our estate and letting agents can introduce you to Vauxhall’s cutting-edge property scene based on years of local knowledge.
The area offers a dynamic urban lifestyle, with cultural attractions, a thriving nightlife, diverse dining, and green spaces like Vauxhall Park, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a well-connected living experience in London.