Belgravia, the swanky London district where homes can fetch a staggering £50 million, is turning into a ghost town, according to an urban explorer. The New York Times has described Belgravia as a place where "practically the only people who can afford to live there don't actually want to". Podcaster Hannah Ricketts took a deep dive into the ultra-affluent area sandwiched between Chelsea and Westminster to uncover why this prime UK spot is eerily deserted.
She spills the beans: "There's hardly anybody here.. the majority of people who own and live in Belgravia, it's not their first home.
They have multiple homes and they're international.." Hannah delves into the colourful past of Belgravia, revealing its transformation from a Tudor-era hotspot for outlaws to a high-end residential quarter thanks to Richard Grosvenor, the Marquess of Westminster, in the 19th Century.
With property prices skyrocketing, Belgravia's real estate is now some of the priciest on the planet, with business tycoons and global billionaires often snapping up these luxury pads, leaving regular Brits in the dust. London's swanky Belgravia district is more of a billionaire's playground than a bustling neighbouhood, with over a third of the well-heeled snapping up plush townhouses and only popping in for a few weeks each year if that. Hitting the high street in Belgravia is a far cry from your typical shopping spree.
Local lass Hannah can't help but notice that the shops seem tailored for a crowd rolling in .