Dolphin Square

What Dolphin Square does

Dolphin Square operates a single-asset residential rental complex comprising 1,200+ apartments across 13 buildings on a 3.5-acre Grade II-listed site in Pimlico, central London. The business generates revenue from three primary streams: long-term residential lettings at advertised rents of £2,200–£6,056 per calendar month; serviced short-stay accommodation (Dolphin House) with a minimum seven-night stay distributed through the Lavanda platform; and on-site amenities including the Terrace Bar & Cafe and the DSQ Fitness Club. The property is marketed through digital channels including virtual tours, an online booking experience, and smart-home/app-based resident services.

The asset is owned and operated by an entity backed by AXA Investment Managers since 2020, and is undergoing a £100M+ multi-year Restoration Programme covering the 1,200+ apartments, 28 lifts, and listed gardens. Operational technology stack comprises standard proptech tooling — smart-home controls, virtual-tour content, HubSpot for bookings, and WiredScore Platinum-certified digital infrastructure — without evidence of proprietary AI/ML systems. Recent product initiatives include a pet-friendly letting policy, an expanded DSQ Fitness Club (pool, sauna, steam room), and the launch of the Terrace Bar & Cafe, all signalling a strategy of growing ancillary revenue per resident.

Customer segments span professionals, families, corporate extended-stay clients, leisure visitors, and pet owners. The 1937-built Art Deco heritage and historic association with politicians and central-government tenants provide a distinct brand identity. Growth is moderate and supported by rent rebase through restoration, ancillary income build-out, and serviced-apartment channel development, rather than by geographic expansion or new acquisitions.

Name

Dolphin Square

Legal name

Dolphin Square Operator Limited

Website

https://dolphinsquare.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Dolphin Square is a Pimlico-based residential complex of 1,200+ serviced and long-term-let apartments plus on-site amenities, serving professionals, families, corporate extended-stay clients, and leisure visitors under AXA-backed ownership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Real Estate Rentals

NAICS

Rental and Leasing Services (532)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Villas & Residences Resorts (THAGACAM)

Keywords

• Residential apartment rentals
• Serviced apartments London
• Property management services
• Long-term housing rentals
• Central London accommodation

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Long-term Residential Rentals: Traditional rental apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments with minimum 6-month tenancies. Pricing ranges from £2,200 to £6,056 per calendar month depending on apartment size and specification.
2. Serviced Apartments: Fully furnished serviced apartments with all utilities included, Wi-Fi, and weekly housekeeping. Minimum stay of 7 nights. Includes Standard, Premium (Restored), and Budget options. Ideal for business trips, extended stays, and leisure visitors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dolphin Square operates a 1,200+ apartment residential estate in Pimlico, London SW1, offering fully furnished long-term rental apartments (studios to three-bedrooms) and short-term serviced apartments under the Dolphin House brand. The estate also provides on-site amenities including a fitness club, swimming pool, terrace bar and café, and 3.5 acres of listed communal gardens, supported by a multi-year restoration programme overseen by AXA as asset manager.

Product overview

Dolphin Square is a residential property complex offering two main product lines: Restored Homes (long-term rental apartments from studios to three-bedrooms with modern interiors and smart home technology) and Dolphin House Serviced Apartments (short-term furnished rentals with inclusive utilities and weekly housekeeping). Supporting amenities include the Terrace Bar & Cafe, DSQ Fitness Club with pool facilities, and extensive communal gardens. The ongoing Restoration Programme is modernizing the estate's 1,200+ apartments while preserving its 1930s heritage character.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Restored Homes (Long-Term Rentals) Fully furnished long-term rental apartments ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, featuring modern fitted kitchens, rainfall showers, built-in wardrobes, smart home technology, and contemporary finishes while preserving the building's historic 1930s character. Available on minimum 6-month tenancies to professionals, families, and executives seeking premium Zone 1 London accommodation.
• Dolphin House Serviced Apartments Fully furnished serviced apartments available for short-term stays (minimum 7 nights), including studios to three-bedroom configurations, with all utilities, Wi-Fi, and weekly housekeeping included. Includes Standard, Premium (Restored), and Budget options targeting business travellers, corporate clients, and leisure visitors seeking hotel-like amenities with more space.
• Terrace Bar & Cafe On-site bar and cafe offering breakfast, lunch, and evening dining with locally sourced British food, artisan bakeries, and independent roasters. Serves as a community social hub for residents and the local neighbourhood.
• DSQ Fitness Club On-site fitness facility featuring squash courts, spin studio, multiple fitness studios, group fitness classes, personal training, reformer Pilates, juice bar, and riverside tennis court. Swimming pool, sauna, and steam room are planned additions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy consumption reduction through 6,000+ window replacements
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GRID Architects (including GRID Inside)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead architects for the Restoration Programme. Responsible for exterior and interior design approach, ensuring consistent design across all parts of the programme. GRID Inside handles interior design aspects.
• Longevity PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESG consultants setting future-proof sustainability strategy. Led by Laure Ferrand (Associate Director), Divya Hariramani (Innovation & Energy Consultant), and Clodagh Cant (Sustainability & Energy Analyst). Overseeing BREEAM certification.
• Hollis (Malcolm Hollis LLP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal Designer ensuring safety decisions and strategies. Also Cost Consultants working with design team to deliver best solutions. Led by Ben Mack (Principal Designer) and Mark Smith (Partner).
• Sally Prothero Landscape Architecture (SPLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architects responsible for restoring and enhancing Dolphin Square's 3.5-acre listed gardens originally designed by Richard Sudell. Led by Sally Prothero (Director).
• Terrace Bar & Cafe Local ProducersminorOthersTerrace Bar & Cafe works with passionate local producers who care about quality, sustainability, and flavour. Includes British farms, artisan bakeries, and independent roasters.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DolphinSquareSW1
• Xx.com/dolphin_square

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dolphin Square