BELGRAVIA Resident’s Journal
D E C E M B E R 201 2
I S S U E 007
Proudly published by
RUNWILD M
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Editor Kate Harrison
Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood
Associate Publisher Sophie Roberts
Deputy Editor Elle Blakeman
Production Hugo Wheatley
Project Manager Alice Tozer
Head of Design Hiren Chandarana
Production Manager Fiona Fenwick
Head of Finance Elton Hopkins
Designer Sophie Blain
Client Relationship Director Kate Oxbrow
Managing Director Eren Ellwood
W W W. R E S I D E N T S J O U R N A L . C O . U K
Dear Resident
,
Christmas is finally upon us. And what a year it has been, not only for the country at large but also for the Belgravia Residents’ Journal which has launched itself upon the scene and continues to grow in character. Our readers’ interaction with us encourages us on our way and I would like to thank you for being so proactive. Belgravia’s first public Christmas tree is creating considerable excitement and will be the pièce de résistance around the local festivities with much-anticipated street parties on Elizabeth, Pimlico and Motcomb Streets as they finally pitch up this month. The eclectic entertainment includes carols, steel-brass bands, real-life reindeer, balloon modellers and stilt walkers. It’s sure to be every bit as heart-warming as the summer’s festivities. Don’t miss our new Beauty & Grooming section (page 16) in which we give you pointers for facing up to the festive season, quite literally. If you’ve a neighbourly curiosity about Pimlico you may want to learn about its parallel development to Belgravia in our main story on page 3 and about Jomo Kenyatta’s existence there on pages 14-15 (That was then). Expanding on last month’s suggestions, we give you even more ideas for Christmas presents to be purchased locally on pages 18-20. We also get warm by the fireside with the Chairman of Halkin Street’s Caledonian Club (page 13, The Belgravian), talking all things Scottish. Merry Christmas to all of you!
Alice
Photograph: The Judith Blacklock Flower School - see page 11
The Belgravia Residents’ Journal is published independently by Runwild Media Group with regular editorial contributions from The Belgravia Residents’ Association. To become a member of the BRA, visit www.belgraviaresidents.org.uk.
We would highly value any feedback you wish to email us with: editor@residentsjournal.co.uk; or telephone us on 020 7987 4320.
Peabody’s
Pimlico
From slums to opulence, Pimlico was transformed by the generosity of one American philanthropist who sought to rid the area of her ‘Devil’s Acre’ fame. Charlotte Newman discovers how
P
imlico minds its own business, sitting to the south of Belgravia and enjoying its own community life. But this is not without some important ebbing and flowing between both domains. Paradoxically, Belgrave Road is in the district of Pimlico, whilst Pimlico Road is in the district of Belgravia; they are the means by which one district leads into the other. London master builder Thomas Cubitt, so well known to Belgravians through our own architectural heritage, was also contracted by Lord Grosvenor – who owned much of the land on which Pimlico stood through his marriage – to design the new development of the area in 1825. He designed Pimlico’s heart as a grid system of white stucco terraces, with the largest and most luxurious houses being shining examples of
Regency architecture. He built Pimlico in much the same style as he had Belgravia previously, only on a less grand scale: hence the sense of Pimlico being Belgravia’s diminutive sister. The sites of Thomas Cubitt’s architectural contributions to Pimlico were designated a Conservation Area in 1968, and they remain protected by Westminster City Council to this day. Like Belgravia, the area was developed with stucco-fronted terraces of mid-nineteenth century classical design built along straight streets with three squares. The largest and most opulent houses were built along St. George’s Drive and Belgrave Road – the two principal streets – and Eccleston, Warwick and St. George’s Squares. Not that everything was fine and dandy: slums still existed in the area, to the extent that
Charles Dickens, eternal guardian of the poor and disaffected, labelled the area to the west of Westminster Abbey as ‘the Devil’s Acre’. In response to this poverty, American businessman and philanthropist George Peabody founded the Peabody Donation Fund in 1862 as a means of providing decent quality, affordable housing for London’s poor, who were usually labourers and artisans. He had spent some time in London from the late 1820s onwards, and in 1835 he had established a banking firm there called George Peabody and Co. Having grown attached to the city, he wanted to bequeath it some money to further its improvement. The initial sum given to start the fund was £150,000, but shortly before his death Peabody increased this to £500,000, a staggering amount of money in 1869. The Peabody Donation Fund is now the Peabody Trust, and it continues to house those who cannot afford to rent or buy property on the open market. It now owns and manages more than 20,000 homes across London. Although Pimlico had been gentrified and well-maintained in the early nineteenth century thanks to Thomas Cubitt’s architectural facelift, the area nevertheless fell into decline in terms of its cachet in the latter half of the century, and this – coupled with the persistence of the aforementioned slums – necessitated the Peabody Trust’s new builds for the area’s poor. In the late nineteenth century, the trust began building several Peabody Estates in Pimlico, having bought the land that was to become the site of Peabody Avenue from the London, Dover and Continental Railway in 1874. H.A. Darbishire, who was the trust’s architect from 1862 until 1885, adapted this narrow strip of land to build his trademark tenement blocks, constructing a western block of five storeys and an eastern block of four storeys in yellow stock brick. Work was completed in this first phase of development in the late 1870s. A second phase got underway in the 1880s, and the site was designated a Conservation Area in 2000. These later houses of Peabody Close are more decoratively built than those on Peabody Avenue, as their proximity to the river meant that the Grosvenor Estate demanded more careful attention be paid to the buildings’ embellishments. In 2009, the Peabody Trust began
work on a rebuild of Peabody Avenue. Parts of the original building had suffered from bombings during World War II and had only been patched up with modern materials in the intervening years. The new work on the site rectified this damage and provided new homes for rent and for shared ownership.
Pimlico’s proximity to the river meant that the Grosvenor Estate demanded more careful attention be paid to the buildings’ embellishments This work concluded in March 2011. There is a mixture of different units as well as a community hall. Award-winning architects Haworth Tompkins collaborated closely with existing Peabody Avenue residents in designing the £10.4 million new building scheme, as well as the re-landscaping of outdoor areas to provide more green space for families. The finished build has won the architects several awards including a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Award, and two Housing Design Awards. This indicates that not only is the philanthropic spirit of George Peabody being kept alive with his eponymous housing association, but the Peabody Trust today is committed to his vision of decent housing for all; beyond decent even and towards housing that looks beautiful and is built with the many concerns of its residents in mind.
Illustrations: Mai Osawa
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The Notebook
Who and what is moving and shaking in Belgravia recently? We bring you up to date
Sing, choirs of celebrities!
Opportunities abound to clear frogs in throats and bellow out carols this month and Belgravians can truly revel in the season of goodwill, with not one but two local charity carol concerts held on our doorsteps. St Paul’s Church on Wilton Place will host the perennially popular Breast Cancer Care Carols by Candlelight on 3 December at 7pm. Now in its 22nd year, the ing-song takes place against the soft glow of rows of shadow-casting candles, and raises vital funds for the 500,000 people in the UK currently living with breast cancer. Famous faces will mingle among the congregation, and actress Sally Phillips and Breast Cancer Care patron Cherie Blair will shuffle up their pews to deliver seasonal readings interspersed between the singing. Single tickets for the carol service may already have been snapped up (although those interested can email specialevents@breastcancercare.org.uk to be added to the reservation list). Tickets remain, however, for the combined service and champagne supper (£140) which will take place at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel on Cadogan Place. See the Breast Cancer Care website. A second dose of Christmas cheer follows on Monday 10 December at 7pm when the Place2Be’s Christmas Carol Concert gets underway at St Peter’s Church, Eaton Square. On this occasion, hearty festive performances from Place2Be’s school choir will be punctuated with special readings from Sophie Dahl, Dame Eileen Aitkens, Ed Stoppard and Nigel Lindsay, to name a few. Proceeds from each £25 ticket sold will go towards supporting the 64,000
Illustration: Russ Tudor
school children with whom Place2Be work each year. This way, the charity can continue to offer emotional and therapeutic support to children and families struggling to cope with difficulties like domestic abuse and mental health issues. Book tickets online (www.place2be.org.uk) or by calling 020 7923 5553.
A foraging first
Miles Irving of Forager Ltd has set up a stall at Pimlico Road Farmers’ Market – good news for anyone who has ever harboured thoughts of a simpler, land-to-plate existence but has never quite mustered the get-up-and-go to venture out into the wild and make it happen. A fountain of knowledge on all things foraging, Miles has supplied some of the country’s leading restaurants with wonderful, free-growing rare ingredients, scoured and scavenged from the hedgerows, commons, beaches and meadows of his native Kent. His produce will be a welcome addition to the lively throng who congregate every Saturday between 9am and 1pm at Orange Square. Roll up to purchase unusual fresh leaves, like sea aster and sow thistle, as well as dried seaweeds, exotic-sounding Hogweed seed spices and pickled rock samphire on or before the last market of 2012, held on 22 December. www.lfm.org.uk
Countdown to Christmas
Belgravia Christmas Sunday returns to spread festive cheer the length of Elizabeth Street and Pimlico Road on 2 December. Between 12 midday and 5pm, Elizabeth Street will be sprinkled with a hodgepodge of stalls, peddling an eclectic array of wares to shoppers milling round about. Gourmet delicacies will sit alongside handmade reproductions of rare antique maps, row upon row of jewellery and adorable children’s personalised gifts from returning stallholder Milly Green. These stalls will be joined by a number of shops from the Belgravia Traders Association: Tomtom Coffee Shop, The Thomas Cubitt, Baker and Spice, Grosvenor Stationery Company, Poilâne, The Market Quarter and Il Convivo Restaurant among them. Father Christmas and his real-life reindeer will be popping over too to listen to the little ones rattle off their present lists. The entertainment will continue on Pimlico Road with balloon modellers, stilt walkers and performances from Eaton House and St Barnabus Primary School choirs. A carol-singing finale led by St Peter’s Church Choir accompanied by the Fulham Brass Band will rouse the celebratory mood up a notch higher at 4.45pm.
Put film first
Entrepreneur Mike Balfour is one of the able pairs of hands at the helm at Bucket List Film, the locally based motion picture memory bank, which recently launched at 39 Sloane Street. This bodes well for the service which enables people to curate a visual legacy of milestone life events to be cherished for years to come. Balfour’s business acumen has been well-honed: in 1992, he purchased a squash club in Bournemouth and transformed it into the first outpost of Fitness First, which today boasts some 550 health clubs in twenty-one countries. Balfour’s prodigious efforts earned him an OBE for services to business in 2008 and he brings this self-same determination and innovation to his latest role as Chairman, together with co-founder and CEO, Jemma Lester. This Christmas, create your own lasting legacy; carefully piece together footage of everyday episodes, and commit it safely and soundly to memory in one feature film. Then sit down to replay these scenes, gathered around with your nearest and dearest. www.bucketlistfilm.com
Take over at Tophams
The historic Tophams Hotel at 28 Ebury Street, a former haunt of neighbour Ian Fleming who once upon a time made the short saunter from his home at number 22b to the hotel’s bar for his Martinis, is now in the hands of the Shamoon family, the owners of the world-renowned MC (Marbella Club) Hotel Group. The fifty-bedroom luxury hotel has been acquired by the Shamoons through their new Imperial Hotels London venture, which aims to add its heavy chain the keys of other hotels and residences across Belgravia, Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Kensington and Chelsea. The joint handiwork of Thomas Cubitt and architect William Wilkins in the late 1820s, the property was originally built as five adjoining mansions which were then converted in the 1930s by the Topham family. An extensive two-year redesign, which took place between 2006 and 2008, bought the boutique hotel up to date. Further redevelopment plans, as of yet unconfirmed, may be on the cards but the hotel will continue to retain its existing management meaning minimal, if any, disruption to guests staying over the festive season. www.tophamshotellondon.co.uk
Poilâne reopens after dust up The hording has come down and Elizabeth Street bakery Poilâne has reopened following a swift make-over to sympathetically modernise the premises without spoiling its rustic Gallic charm. Several licks of paint later and the place is freshly turned out like a shiny new pin and spruced up to welcome back shoppers. They, in turn, are keen to get their morning fill of the store’s wood-fired boules, freshly baked sourdough breads and rye and raisin loaves; and to nab boxes of delightful hazelnut-cookie spoon biscuits for elevenses and anytime in between. 46 Elizabeth Street, 020 7808 4910
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Festive fun on Motcomb Street Remember, remember the sixth of December... or at least make a brightly coloured note in your diaries because the annual Motcomb Street Christmas Event is taking place once again and promises to be even better than last year. Hosted by the Motcomb Street Traders Association, the celebration takes place from 6pm and provides the ideal opportunity not only to get into the festive spirit but also to find the perfect presents for your loved ones. Santa and his Christmas elf will be visiting as many stores as possible, so the children will be delighted by his early appearance, and the whole family can join in with the carols sung beautifully by the Holland Park Opera Singers. The wonderful Ebony Steelband will also be playing. The Christmas lights and decorations for the area are already in place, as well as a spectacular twenty-foot Christmas tree. Last year, the majority of traders stayed open late, supplying drinks, canapés and special offers to customers, and this year is no exception. Sample delicious drinks at Gianni & Claudie, Henry & James, Palm Restaurant, Motcombs Restaurant & Bar, Mayhews Newsagents, Pierre Corthay and Waitrose, with some of these offering festive snacks as well (Patisserie Valerie, a particularly good option). Enjoy mince pies and mulled wine on The Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel patio, as well as free skincare consultations, products and gift vouchers from Dr Barbara Kubicka; have a special treatment at celebrity hairdresser Errol Douglas MBE or educate yourself about candle making (Rachel Vosper) and art (notably Michelle McCullagh) at The Osborne Studio Gallery. The fashion brands will be putting their best (heel-clad) feet forward with a fantastic array of party and winter-worthy wares; keep an eye out for the elegant cart roasting nuts outside Hervé Léger and enjoy winter styling at Louise Kennedy (and champagne on arrival). No Christmas table should be without one of Neill Strain’s table centre pieces or wonderful wreaths. We hope to see you all there; it promises to be a wonderful start to the festive season. Motcomb Street Christmas Event, Thursday 6 December, 6pm-8.30pm
Motcomb Street Traders Amaya - www.amaya.biz Amouage - www.amouage.com Annick Goutal - www.annickgoutal.com Blakes of Belgravia - www.blakesofbelgravia.co.uk C Hoare & Co - www.hoaresbank.co.uk Carolina Buccie - www.carolinabucci.com Chesterton Humberts - www.chestertonhumberts.com Christian Louboutin - www.christianlouboutin.com Dr Barbara Kubicka - www.drbarbarakubicka.co.uk Elias Cleaners - www.eliascleaners.co.uk Eres - www.eresparis.com Errol Douglas - www.erroldouglas.com Gianni & Claudie Grace Belgravia - www.gracebelgravia.com Henry & James - www.henryandjames.co.uk Herve Leger - www.herveleger.com Judith Blacklock Flower School - www.judithblacklock.com Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel - www.jumeirah.com Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel - www.jumeirah.com Jones Lang La Salle - www.joneslanglasalle.co.uk L & B - www.lblondon.com La Stupenderia - www.lastupenderia.com
Louise Kennedy - www.louisekennedy.com Mayhews Newsagents Messila Residential - www.messilaresidential.com Michael John - www.michaeljohn.co.uk Mosimann’s - www.mosimann.com Motcomb Street Dental Practice - www.drpaulgallop.co.uk Motcombs - www.motcombs.co.uk Neill Strain - www.neillstrain.com Ottolenghi - www.ottolenghi.co.uk Palm Restaurant - www.thepalm.com/London The Pantechnicon - www.thepantechnicon.com Patisserie Valerie - www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk Petrus - www.gordonramsay.com/petrus Pierre Corthay - www.corthay.fr Pierre Herme - www.pierreherme.com Rachel Vosper - www.rachelvosper.com Rococo Chocolates - www.rococochocolates.com Starbucks - www.starbucks.co.uk The Halkin Hotel - www.comohotels.com/thehalkin The Osborne Studio Gallery - www.osg.uk.com Waitrose - www.waitrose.com
D SI DE SIGN GNER GN ER WED EDDI DING DI NG DRE R SS S ES S MAD ADE E TO MEA E SU SUR RE R E IN ITTAL ALY Y 81 1 E bu b ry S tr t reee e e t Lo Lon n d on S W nd W1 1 0 20 2 0 7 90 901 1 90 0 20 lee sp p o sed ed d ig i io o .cc om om
The Calendar Bringing you the status quo of local events in December
Sounds of the season Cadogan Hall rounds off a year of marvellous classical performances in high spirits. First up, in a rare performance away from the cloisters, the acclaimed, cherubic choir of Westminster Abbey will enthral those assembled on Thursday 13 December at 7.30pm, with a performance of Renaissance Byrd and Victoria masterpieces and contemporary choral numbers by Bob Chilcott and Jonathan Dove. These will bookend the evening’s centrepiece – a masterful rendition of Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will continue in the festive vein with an uplifting cacophony of carols, Christmas Cracker, from 18 until 22 December. For the series of three concerts (matinee performances at 3pm on Tuesday 18 and Saturday 22 and an evening recital on 18 December at 7.30pm) the orchestra will be joined by celebrated singers Mary Carewe and Michael Dore, who will take the lead on favourite festive tunes, ‘Have Yourself a Merry Christmas’, ‘Mary’s Boy Child’, ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘The Little Road to Bethlehem’ before the sing-along carols commence. For a post-Noël nudge off the sofa, opportunities to hear the best American high-school bands before they hit the streets of Westminster for the New Year’s Day Parade arise on Saturday 29 (7.30pm) and Sunday 30 December (7pm). Cadogan Hall: 5 Sloane Terrace, 020 7730 4500, www.cadoganhall.com
New Year, new financial approach? The directors of Duncan Lawrie Private Bank are delighted to invite neighbours and local business owners to an informal drinks reception at their office in the heart of Belgravia at 1 Hobart Place from 5pm until 7.30pm on Thursday 24 January 2013. You’ll be able to meet your local bank managers and find out about their friendly approach to banking, right on your doorstep. Duncan Lawrie is Belgravia’s genuinely local bank. It was founded in 1971 and has been looking after its clients’ wealth prudently and securely ever since, and ensuring their long-term prosperity. It offers everything you’d expect from a bank – all delivered with tact, discretion and personal service. If you would like to attend this ‘open evening’ please RSVP by Friday 18 January to Zeena Patel (RSVP@duncanlawie.com; 020 7201 3046).
Resolve to relax
Belgravians who are rushed off their feet and wishing to turn down the tempo to balance out frenetic Christmas preparations should head to the spa at The Bulgari Hotel. Blessed with a cabana-flanked, sandblasted Vicenza stone swimming pool and a vitality tub which incorporates fantastical-sounding, muscle-relieving and skin-detoxifying ice fountains, this spa presents an opportunity for complete escapism. An impressive eleven treatment rooms from which visitors can be rejuvenated with bespoke remedies completes the set-up. For those looking to mobilise sluggish metabolisms before all notion of calorie conscientiousness flies out of the nearest tinsel-festooned window, the Detox before Pretox with Bodyism regime will provide a virtuous nudge in the right direction. The celebrity sworn-by Bodyism programme specialises in whipping bodies into long, lean and athletically sculpted versions of their former selves through nutrition and exercise programmes. It is a strenuous commitment but one which warrants an extra, guilt-free serving of Christmas pudding. Guests enrolling on the course will be rewarded with a week of exclusive spa membership, five sessions to choose between personal training, swimming and yoga, five spa treatments and one month’s worth of Bodyism supplements designed to help support the body during detox and improve the digestive system. The Bulgari Hotel & Residences: 171 Knightsbridge, 020 7151 1010, www.bulgarihotels.com
A step ahead in the tea stakes
Turning two in style
Favourite local food haunt The Market Quarter has been keeping our shelves stocked with Mediterranean delicacies for two years. To celebrate its impending birthday, the store will be rewarding loyal customers. Simply turn up to the shop between 3 and 9 December with this issue of the Belgravia Residents’ Journal tucked under your arm and receive a free glass of bubbly and an appealing twenty-five percent off when you spend £25 or more. Admire the exotic, jarred ensembles of cassoulet and confit, fois gras and fricassées and fill your basket with enough of the decadent ‘ready meals’, cured meats, cheeses, speciality oils and wines to see you through to the New Year with the minimum of culinary fuss. The foodstuffs also make great gifts.
Inspired by the constantly shifting styles of the fashion world, Prêt-à-Portea, The Berkeley’s designer afternoon tea menu, has just been transformed to correspond to the autumn/winter collections of some of the world’s most covetable fashion houses. While Fendi, Prada, Lanvin et al were preoccupied with sending their pristinely turned-out models sauntering down the catwalk, the chefs at The Berkeley were busy arranging cake stands with innovations on classic afternoon tea components. Priced at £39 per person (or £49 with a glass of LaurentPerrier champagne), the sugar hit seeps its way through a decadent and dainty chocolate ruffle-and-rose ganache-adorned Giambattista Valli red macaroon dress, a classic Burberry trench reworked into a praline chocolate mousse and Marc Jacobs’ chocolate-biscuit jacket with sparkly pink icing. Pull up a chair in The Caramel Room at The Berkeley between 1pm and 6pm daily to partake in the frivolity. The Berkeley Hotel: Wilton Place, 020 7107 8866, www.the-berkeley.co.uk
The Market Quarter: 36 Elizabeth Street, 020 7824 8470 www.marketquarter.com
Wreaths with wow factor
Nothing quite completes the festive transformation of the home like affixing a resplendent ring of pine cones, fragrant foliage and ribbons above the letterbox for all to see; a sentiment shared by Judith Blacklock who is offering a two-hour wreath masterclass on 5 December from 6.30pm (£120) for Belgravians who find shopbought options uninspiring. Judith will demonstrate her exemplar festive creations using seasonal foliage and flowers, all the while guiding participants through the satisfying task of making their own tokens. Classes in the art of Traditional English Christmas flower arrangements (7 and 15 December) and Contemporary Christmas decorations (8 and 14 December) are also offered and will give participants the opportunity to create and take home centrepieces and decorations to complement their own interiors. Places to all of the above courses are limited, so those wishing to participate should enrol now to avoid disappointment. The Judith Blacklock Flower School: 4-5 Kinnerton Place South, 020 7235 6235, www.judithblacklock.com
Do you have an event that you’d like us to cover? Send us an email: calendar@residentsjournal.co.uk Words/ Lauren Romano
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Food for thought We bring you this month’s foremost culinary news from within the Belgravia boundaries
New Year’s Eve dinner splash
A favourite amongst locals and international visitors alike, Petrus restaurant is offering a seasonal menu within which chef Sean Burbidge will gift doggy-bag, homemade mince pies as a midnight snack for guests. The New Year’s menu will then be offering plates such as ‘Loin of Highland venison with smoked chestnut purée, Brussels sprouts, red wine and chocolate sauce’ and, for dessert, ‘chocolate sphere with honeycomb and milk ice cream’; part of the ten-course menu. If you’re already familiar with Petrus and are a Gordon Ramsay follower (the man behind the joint) then branch out to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay instead. Clare Smyth and her awardwinning team’s menu will showcase what is to come from the same in 2013. It will be available for devouring from 6.30pm until 12 o’clock midnight on the thirty-first and costs £250 per person. Petrus: 1 Kinnerton Street, 020 7592 1609 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay: 68 Royal Hospital Road, 020 7352 4441 www.gordonramsay.com
Above / Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Thai extravagance to banish winter blues
Above / Mango Tree restaurant
Mango Tree restaurant sits on the corner of Grosvenor Place. Take a window seat and watch London life whizz by; taxis and buses vie with nosy pedestrians for your attention. Then requestion your notion of Thai cuisine, for coconutty green curry and a few brown rice crackers are the mere basics at this venue. With an original branch back in Bangkok adding to its authenticity, Mango Tree restaurant sports fragrant dishes which are vibrant and celebratory in mood. Impeccable, traditional Thai service is apparent from the outset. A worthy pair of appetisers proved to be ‘Sam Sa hai’ (three classic Thai nibbles, £7) and ‘Plaa Salmon’ (£7.95). The latter being spicier than any salad I’ve ever sliced my way into, do go easy on the lettuce for it is laced with the heat of its chilli dressing. Contemplating mains, Thailand and omelettes seemed polar opposites, such that I had to find out how they would mix. ‘Kai Jeaw Song Kreung’ (£12.50) was no new take on our old eggy friend but the aromatic oils it oozed made it a more worthy than homemade whip-ups. My companion enjoyed crispy sea bass with mango salad (‘Pla boran’, £19.95). Served as wedges, it smacked distant beach café. For dessert, Menu options: mango crème brulée with pistachio biscotti was a variation on the French staple (‘Sang uet menu (£38 pp) Four-dish royal banq ple ka ya mamuang’, £6.50) and the exotic ice minimum order 4 peo cream selection (£5.50) carried an element of d n,‘something good an humour with its anchor wafer aboard. ‘LotIan Pengelley selectio s on pti (o s in rs and ma chong’ (coconut) ice cream came embedded new’, various appetise 5) £4 f, with chunky fruit, but the greater surprise was include wagyu bee the rice clump floating beneath the chocolate carte Full vegeterian À la scoop. This must be an acquired taste. There’s À la carte menu and es) fri r sti d ups, curries an no shortage of adventure at this spacious, fun menu (appetisers, so venue which is buzzing mid-week. 45 Grosvenor Place, 020 7823 1888 www.mangotree.org.uk
Words/ Alice Tozer
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The
Belgravian join our club
Alice Tozer meets David Coughtrie, Chairman of The Caledonian Club, honeypot for Scots and would-bes, hidden on Halkin Street
D
me, is still male-only territory. avid Coughtrie has been a member of The Caledonian To join The Caledonian, which has an instant ‘make-me-yourClub for three decades of his life and Chairman since second-home’ appeal (there’s no stuffiness at all) you need an ounce of June. This private members’ club is a local resource with Scottish heritage or what they call ‘empathy’. You then must convince which some residents will not be au fait, but behind the doors of an interview panel of your zeal, but they’re not in the business of an unassuming-looking edifice at 9 Halkin Street lies a sweeping grilling. In fact, it is David’s personal mission to open the doors trail of five floors of vibrant tartan carpets, a maze of characterful of the club to more people, without of course drifting bedrooms, a drawing room, smoking room, impressive from its identity and purpose. There used library, multiple meeting rooms to be more Scottish circles in and a dining room. In here, I London, he says: ‘Every main have sampled the best smoked county in Scotland had salmon I have ever eaten (my a society here. And they sample size is good) and, all had their meetings at well, heard plenty about the The Caledonian Club. popularity of the haggis and Unfortunately, these ‘gravy’, a term which belies folded as IRA the fact it is straight whiskey. activity increased.’ The man who directs David threw himself the present and the future of into re-energising the events this club, founded in 1891, is arm of the club, with a well-positioned to do so from a Burns Night, Summer Ball business-acumen point of view. and Caledonian Lectures. An architect by trade, David Previous subjects for the Coughtrie was involved in latter have included Eric the Channel Tunnel building, Liddell of Chariots of Fire was MD of London Transport fame. For 2013, David (before the TfL days) and today Livingstone is earmarked. consults in Jedda, previously Residents in the dark across the world. He’s clearly Illustration: Russ Tudor about this local social spot juggling two very different remits; should pop in to the open evening organising Burns Suppers contrasts on 4 and 5 December, and take heavily with ushering the Nigerian a peek at the glorious interiors government into action over their and garden seating out the back, railways. ‘I come to the club regularly. The dining room favourite is haggis whilst lapping up some Scottish My wife would say I’m here all the and ‘gravy’, a term which belies the hospitality. ‘Scots are very inclusive time, but that’s not so!’ he lilts away people, and renowned for being so in a strong Ayreshire tongue, suited fact that it is straight whiskey worldwide,’ affirms David. ‘When to precision as we sit in one of many they have ventured abroad, they high-ceilinged rooms. have tended to do so for self-improvement because Scotland David’s wife is from Glasgow. She is also an active Caledonian is small. This makes them very sociable with all nationalities.’ but wouldn’t always have been allowed. Issues of equality became David is amazed by the effort people go to, to explain their clouded with those of upholding the male tradition, until 97% of Scottish roots. ‘You don’t get it vice versa,’ he laughs. It’s true, members did vote in favour of accepting female counterparts. Not we all have a Scottish cousin somehow. every club in London has conformed; The Garrick, as David reminds
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That was
Then
Kenya’s first Prime Minister and President Jomo Kenyatta was born Kamau Wa Ngengi. He spent fifteen years in Britain, residing at both 23 and 95 Cambridge Street, Pimlico, between 1933 and 1937. It was whilst here that he took the name Jomo Kenyatta, simultaneously studying at University College London and at the London School of Economics. He also published Facing Mount Kenya during this time, an anthropological study of Kikuyu customs. Letters he wrote to The Times and The Manchester Guardian were published under ‘Johnstone Kenyatta’, meaning ‘burning spear’ and ‘light of Kenya’ respectively...
W
e have to recognize the fact that an African who looks at things from the tribal point of view and at the same time from that of western civilization, experiences the tragedy of the modern world in an especially acute manner.
The cultural and historical traditions of the Gikuyu people have been verbally handed down from generation to generation. As a Gikuyu myself, I have carried them in my head for many years, since people who have no written records to rely on learn to make a retentive memory do the work of libraries. Without note-book or diary to jot down memoranda, the African learns to make an impression on his own mind which he can recall whenever it is wanted.
…While Kenyatta came to London in February 1929, another traveller from the Kikuyu country arrived in London in the spring of 1930. He was A.R. Barlow, a member of the Scottish Mission at Kikuyu. Barlow described his impressions of Kenyatta in a long report which he sent to Dr Arthur, head of the Scottish Mission at Kikuyu. Though primarily interested in Kenyatta’s attitude toward the Scottish Church, Barlow also tried to understand Kenyatta’s political mission in London and his European experience. What does Barlow’s report reveal about the man, his plans and his activities? His first impressions of Kenyatta were highly favourable. He happened to run into Kenyatta in Southampton after his arrival in England. He was pleased with the courteous reception he was given and expressed his surprise that Kenyatta was relaxed and at ease as though he had been born and bred in England. Barlow admired his enterprise and courage in undertaking his London mission. He acknowledged ability to mix on equal terms with Europeans and to hold his end up in spite of his handicaps educationally and socially.
…Barlow himself found evidence for the modest way in which Kenyatta conducted himself in London where he spent money carefully and managed to get along on £3 per week. His mastery of English, his pleasant manners and his unassuming attitude impressed Barlow. Barlow was particularly surprised that Kenyatta was so flexible and could adjust so quickly to the modern urban environment without any outward appearance of strain or uneasiness. Even his speech was smooth, almost entirely lacking in African accent. …Kenyatta also met Lord Olivier who got him a seat in the House of Lords at the state opening of Parliament which impressed him very much. He described it as the most wonderful thing he had seen in England. Among his acquaintances on the other side of the fence were persons who were not greatly appreciated by British officials There was Isher Dass for instance an Indian elected member of the Legislative Council who had accompanied Kenyatta to London. The Government considered Dass as tainted by Communist affiliations. …When the missionaries came to Africa, they had the Bible and we had the land. They taught us to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, we had the Bible in our hand, and they had the land.
Extracts, in order, from ‘Black History in Westminster’ booklet, produced by Westminster City Council’s Planning and City Development Department, p. 10, October 2006; B Milinowski’s introduction to ‘Facing Mount Kenya’ by Jomo Kenyatta, pp ix-x, Vintage 1962; Preface to the former, pp xvi, Vintage 1962; ‘Some Observations on Jomo Kenyatta in Britain 1929-1930’ by Ann Beck in: ‘Cahiers d’études africaines’ Vol. 6 N°22. 1966. pp. 308-32, p.316-317
Illustrations: Mai Osawa Complied by Charlotte Newman
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Beauty &Grooming We explore local ways to revitalise your face in the run up to Christmas social gatherings
Lip service
Walk away from Sloane Square down the Kings Road and before long with any luck you’ll find Vagheggi, a boutique clinic offering medical and beauty treatments and beforehand, should you choose, an inhouse glass of Prosecco or a cappuccino. You may think lip balm does the job, but that will change for good once you’ve tried Vagheggi’s revolutionary DL Lip Plumper (from £25). This innocent 15ml tube volumises instantly but behind the scenes will also be providing longterm restructuring, thanks to a unique blend of hyaluronic acid and natural, plant-based fillers. There’s no tingly feeling when applied; just moisturised, collagen-looking, irresistibly luscious party lips. This time of year skin becomes drier than ever and loses a lot of its natural lustre and shine. Vagheggi offers two product ranges specifically designed for such stressed skin. Like all Vagheggi products, these have the highest number of active natural ingredients than any other skincare brand. Not tested on animals, they are paraben-free, dermatologically and nickel-tested too. The Rehydra range is anti-ageing and includes a day/night cream, serums and masks which all work together (from £30) and form a great Christmas-gift ensemble. The Lime range is another great choice, packed to the lid with vitamin C. Vagheggi has specialised in luxury skin rejuvenation for over thirty-five years and is Italy’s number one spa skincare brand. Vagheggi Luxury Beauty: 205 Kings Road, 0207 352 1113 www.vagheggi.co.uk
Face the festive future
Manly moisturiser
Michaeljohn Beauty & Medispa has opened on Motcomb Street. A medispa, you should know, blends the relaxing spa experience with the treatments and expertise of the medical profession. The Anne Semonin Oxygen Facial (£125), exclusive to Michaeljohn, involves eighty-five minutes of salt, rosemary and red grape goodness. A deepcleansing steam massage purifies, whilst a detoxifying mask (smoothed on over a muslin cloth assuring no messy residue) regenerates the skin. There is a massage to either head, hands or feet by the practitioner who takes a deep interest in the minutiae of the patient’s skin type and displays excellent knowledge of the techniques used and tailored products on offer. The ‘extraction’ part of the facial involves black-head outing and is slightly painful but very rewarding. It leaves no red blotches unlike home-spun, bathroom efforts. Skin seems to blossom at optimal levels some forty-eight hours after the facial and continues to look renewed for at least a fortnight. So with Christmas dos on Saturday nights in mind, think of booking in on a Thursday, say.
Even the toughest of skins needs a helping hand to counteract the adverse effects of over-enthusiastic central heating and winds embedded with invisible city grime. Men who have not yet made the leap of faith might use the festive period to change their typically slap-dash skincare routines. Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men (£21-£29) is simple and effective. The vitamin-enriched wake-up cream adds a softer edge to the rough and ready look and will uplift dull, fatigued complexions. A potent blend of vitamins C and E, chestnut extract and soy helps to protect against environmental aggressors and refuel the skin for a fresh-faced look. Before moisturising madly, chisel away stubborn dry skin with Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Scrub (£17). Massage enough of the stuff on the jaw line and neck and it should help combat ingrown hairs for a closer shave.
Michaeljohn: 8 Motcomb Street, 0207 752 0652, www.michaeljohn.co.uk
Space NK: 27 Duke of York Square, 020 7730 9841
Words/ Lauren Romano and Alice Tozer
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Floris is delighted to announce the opening of a new Bespoke Perfumery Boutique at 147 Ebury Street, Belgravia, 282 years since Mr and Mrs Floris opened the doors to their first Perfumery at 89 Jermyn Street.
Streetwise
Our hand-picked selection of special Christmas gift ideas, sourced from your local boutiques
All wrapped up
Extra insulation is a necessity at this time of the year, but for the style-conscious the thought of pulling on a misshapen jumper just isn’t an option worth considering. So, eschew baggy sweaters for knitwear of a more luxurious ilk with a comfortingly soft, one-hundred percent cashmere design from Hawick Cashmere. Cardigans, jumpers or accessories purchased here would make the most welcome of presents, wrapped up in squishy bundles and carefully placed beneath the Christmas tree. Fashionable women will appreciate the warming berry-rich tone of the slouchy Whitcombe roll neck (£295) which offers a stylish layering option for both casual and slightly smarter occasions. For men, keep things simple and opt for a chunky navy scarf (£110) and the unfussy ribbed Ian jumper in ivory (£365), or any other one of the paint-box of forty-nine colours available. 51 Elizabeth Street, 020 7259 9995
Seasonal indulgence
The season of guilt-free gluttony has arrived. Intricately crafted treats from chocolatier extraordinaire William Curley will knock the socks off the usual festive tin of Quality Streets, which is good news for those whose taste buds crave a rich, bitter cocoa kick rather than a saccharine smack. The special Christmas Chocolate Hamper (£40) is stuffed with deliciousness in several forms and a dark chocolate bauble, a box of spiced port truffles and treat bars infused with cinnamon and sea salt caramel lie in wait. The William Curley Mayan spiced hot chocolate meanwhile would make the perfect accompaniment to an evening spent wrapped in a blanket, slumped in a favourite armchair. This comforting concoction of seventy percent Toscano chocolate shavings delicately blended with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger can be picked up for £15 for a 250g caddie – perfectly priced for a stocking filler. 198 Ebury Street, 020 7730 5522
For the dapper gentleman Alexander McQueen statement men’s accessories are the way to go for those wanting to add an instant injection of panache into the suited and booted look (or to nudge the men in their life to do so). This season’s silk polka ties (from £90), with a subtle skull motif woven into the design, stand out as an effortless way to update winter office attire. With a touch of timeless McQueen irreverence, they will complete the look of both the most fashion forward and the more traditional gentleman. The compact black umbrella (£330) with its instantly recognisable silver skull handle would make a gift that would come to the rescue endlessly over the coming months and stand out from the crowd. www.alexandermcqueen.co.uk
Dreaming of a pink Christmas? Erickson Beamon, famous for its runway collaborations and run by Detroit natives, has a delicious pink range available. Dubbed Candy Darling, it is sure to appeal to a wide cross-section of females. Rhodium-plated and sitting tall with Swarovski crystals, the items combine an antique air with the most modern of pink hues. Choose from the ring (£326), necklace (£1,008), earrings (£199) or bracelet (£526). Alternatively, select the set to make a much-loved lady very smitten and well set-up this season. 38 Elizabeth Street, 020 7259 0202
A nose for scents
Poured into a flame-red glass brimming with sweet olfactory potential, the new Tubereuse candle (£78) available at scent specialist Les Senteurs will look splendid when lit and placed on mantelpieces and dining tables and its delicate floral notes will complement the woody aromas of Christmas trees and holly wreaths. The new home scent – part of the Home Line collection by Frederic Malle, whose potent blends of vegetal and tallow waxes have long been keeping Belgravian homes smelling pleasantly – is one of the closest renditions of natural Tuberose flower available and is the result of many years of research by fragrance expert Dominique Ropion. For those who continually fret about remembering to extinguish lit flames, the flickerless fragrance of a Fleur Mechanique room diffuser (£190) is a good option. The 11cm wireless red cube, which can be recharged when required, filters a steady stream of uninterrupted floral scent through the home. 71 Elizabeth Street, 020 7730 2322
Soft touch
Given that the focus of most winter festivities is indoors, sumptuous homewares can make thoughtful, not to mention useful gifts. Purveyors of luxurious linens, L&B channel classic, neutral designs and colours and their range of stylish soft furnishings are easily incorporated into both contemporary and more traditional homes. The strokeably soft Canestro cashmere throw available in a cheery red with a complimentary grey trim (£1,400) is a real investment piece that would make a welcome addition to the sofas, armchairs and chaise longues of house proud comfort seekers. A pair of striking Frette luxury pierce cushions (£460 each) available in cream and silver or festive green and red present another fail-safe option. Exquisitely made, using the finest fabrics, they are most definitely designed to last the distance and see couch potatoes through this winter, and many more to come, in total comfort. 6-7 Motcomb Street, 020 7838 9592
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Hampers full to bursting Brighten up a loved one’s day with a hamper, that ever so British of boxes, delivered to their doorstep. A traditional festive gift, it ticks the box for convenience as the precious weeks to the big day slip away. . .
For the whole family (and then some)
The John Lewis Starlight Christmas Hamper (£500) offers a bounteous supply of delectable treats and fine wines, which are stuffed like sardines in a hefty willow trunk. Recipients will be able to stock their larders with morsels like Marc de Champagne truffles, Hawkshead relish Co. traditional English mustard, Henry Lambertz Premium Florentines and a Maxwell & Franks Christmas pudding, nestled among countless other luxury condiments. The two varieties of Camille Jacquet champagne, a Cockburn’s fine ruby port and a Glenfiddich twelve-year-old single malt scotch whisky will also act as welcome reserves to add to the depleted stash of tipples come New Year’s Eve. Peter Jones: Sloane Square, 020 7730 3434
For the non-traditionalists
International delicacies like Spanish habas fritas (moreish roasted broad beans), Tasmanian leatherwood honey and Italian amaretti hailing all the way from the picturesque village of Sassello, top the more unusual options that lie neatly placed within the beautiful wicker basket of the Harvey Nichols’ Le Grand Voyage Hamper (£250). The culinary journey continues with other elegant edible and quaffable options – fig and hazelnut panforte, white chocolate raspberries, marzipan fruits, jars of beetroot relish and mustard with real ale among them. The inclusion of mulled wine spice bundles gives recipients the option to shimmer their own heady brews should they not be tempted by the Prosecco, Champagne Brut Rosé and other wines included in the delightful mix. Harvey Nichols: 109-125 Knightsbridge, 020 7235 5000
For the eco-conscious eaters
Sustainability is the order of the day at the Daylesford farmshop and café on Pimlico Road. The commendable farm-to-fork ethos dictates that any of the produce stocked here which doesn’t hail from the organic Gloucestershire farm, is the labour of love of specially selected artisan suppliers. The Christmas Crate Hamper (£175) is chock-full of such virtuous victuals: organic Penygoat and blue cheeses, farmhouse pickle, rosemary and salt or parmesan and chilli biscuits, a glorious picnic ham and even a convenient slate cheese board to serve it all on. Plum brandy, Château Léoube red wine, chocolate-dipped orange segments and mince pies are also transported in the wonderful vintage crate. Order yours before Friday 14 December for delivery in time for Christmas. Daylesford Farmshop & Café: 44B Pimlico Road, 020 7881 8060
For the French foodies
For a continental interlude to stilton nibbling and fireside port sloshing, The Market Quarter, local purveyors of the finest, authentic foods hailing from across the Channel, offers a range of hamper options. The baskets, which are available for order and priced between £75 and £500, can be heaped with a variety of oils, foie gras and other speciality kitchen-cupboard luxuries to suit individual requirements. From plump and bitter fat green olives to sugar-coated almonds, jars of preserves and delectable cured meats, the selection will provide a welcome respite from traditional British nosh and lend a helping hand in the preparation of continental inspired meals. The Market Quarter: 36 Elizabeth Street, 020 7824 8470
Words/ Anna Castaldi
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Blasts from the past Jim Hanlon appreciates the might of a typically undervalued metal at the Royal Academy of Arts’ exhibition, Bronze
L
ike a trumpeted fanfare echoing from the past, the very first lofty room of this remarkable collection is inhabited solely by a larger-than-life dancing satyr from the fourth century BC. Providing a dynamic opening, despite being as fragile as egg shells in its shattered survival state, this two-metre figure was recovered from the seabed off the coast of Sicily in 1988. Light eschews the surrounding walls, simply bathing the incomplete male form, which dominates the room, compelling the visitor to circle him in awe. Instantly, one is made aware of the incredible durability of bronze, not to mention the inherent strength that allows such compositional freedom. Passing into the main exhibition, the fanfare dies away to a cacophony of mismatched eras, styles and geographical origins, the show’s rooms being grouped by theme. We begin with single human figures and move on to encompass animals, gods, groups of figures, objects (decorative and utilitarian), reliefs and – quite simply – heads, too. It takes a little time to get used to the unusual juxtaposition, for example, of a twentieth-century casting by Pablo Picasso nodding heads with an African sculpture of the late thirteenth century. A metal alloy, bronze is predisposed to capture the grace and vigour of the complete human figure and there are plenty of examples of just how on display. The inclusion of monumental public statues next to the most intimate and domestic of figures, some of which
measure only a few inches, highlights the versatility and sensitivity of this medium. I was immediately struck by the witty ‘Portrait of a Painter’ (1954) by David Smith, and the way it was set against the similarly severe and minimal ‘Capotribù’, an example of the Nuragic culture from Sardinia dating from the eighth to the fourth centuries BC; related stylistically but separated by millennia. Amongst this surprising variety are many examples from the tradition of western art stretching back to antiquity but mingled with a less familiar body of work from Africa dating from the thirteenth century BC, including the serenely beautiful ‘Head with Crown’ from Lagos. Other edifying traditions include those of China, Cambodia and Luristan (for those wondering, a kingdom of ancient Persia). An entire room is devoted to demystifying the lost wax method of bronze casting, with an easily understood series of small models showing the process at each stage. The original wax sculpture, encased in its plaster mould, is both destroyed and replaced by liquid bronze heated to over 1,000 degrees celsius. This technique makes possible an amazing fidelity and intricacy of surface detail; witness the careworn brow and elaborate moustache and beard in ‘Portrait of King Seuthes III’ from the fourth century BC or the immediacy of De Koonig’s ‘Clam Digger’ (1972), bearing the lively impression of the artist’s own fingers and thumbs. The process of bronze casting has the happy ability to retain all the surface qualities of the original modelling material, freeing the craftsman towards greater artistic expression. The heat of the foundry was not without its danger however, as Benvenuto Cellini (1500-71), writing in his autobiography, makes clear when describing the moment when the cap of the furnace blew up: ‘All of a sudden an explosion took place, attended by a tremendous flash of flame, as though a thunderbolt had formed and discharged amongst us.’ It is Cellini who has provided one of the thundering highlights of this show with his monumental ‘Perseus and Medusa’. Looming over four meters high, this superb (if slightly gruesome) statue is not the original but was cast in 1844 by Clemente Papi. Indeed, making copies is one of the virtues of bronze, a fact appreciated by the Romans who thankfully copied many masterpieces of the classical world that would otherwise have been lost to us. Blithely we use the expression ‘cast in stone’ to express absolute permanence but perhaps ‘cast in bronze’ would be more apt. Until 9 December, www.royalacademy.org.uk Above (circle) / ‘Head with Crown’, Nigeria, National Museum, Lagos, 79.R.11, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria, Photo © 2012, Photo Scala, Florence
The reviewer, Jim Hanlon, is a London-based artist: www.jimhanlon.co.uk
Right / ‘Fugitive Moment’ by Jim Hanlon
Above /‘Dancing Satyr’, Greek, Museo del Satiro, Church of Sant’Egidio, Mazara del Vallo © 2012,Photo Scala, Florence
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Planning &Development Keeping you in the know about important street plans affecting Belgravia
Planned Road Works and Closures in AND AROUND DECEMBER STREET
PLANNED WORK
DATES
WORKS OWNER
Hans Place
Laying of new gas supplies (outside nos. 21-22)
26 Nov-3 Dec
Fulcrum Pipelines Ltd 0845 641 3010
Herbert Crescent
Excavation of pipe works to disconnect supply (digging outside no. 7)
28 Nov-4 Dec
UKPN East & Lon Ltd 0800 028 4587
Lowndes Street
Excavation of road crossing and laying of ducts in footpath and carriageway
21 Nov-4 Dec
UKPN East & Lon Ltd
Lyall Mews
Excavation of pipe works to disconnect supply
27 Nov-3 Dec
UKPN East & Lon Ltd
Wilton Row
Digging works in the footway and carriageway
29 Nov-5 Dec
UKPN East & Lon Ltd
Bressenden Place
Excavation in footway for cable diversion and new substation creation between Buckingham Palace Road and Victoria Street
5 Nov-21 Dec
UKPN East & Lon Ltd
Bressenden Place
Excavation in footway to lay new cabling and install new link box
26 Nov-21 Dec
UKPN East & Lon Ltd
Buckingham Palace Road
Connection works at the junction with Eaton Lane
19 Nov-14 Dec
National Grid Gas plc 0845 605 6677
Buckingham Palace Road
Signal modernisation works of temporary signals from junction with Semley Place to junction with Pimlico Road
13 Nov-10 Dec
Transport for London 0845 305 1234
Making Eccleston Place
Grosvenor grants Chester Row property new lease of life A charming Chester Row property currently offered by Best Gapp (located at 81 Elizabeth Street) comes with the welcome and convenient addition of permission granted by Grosvenor to enlarge its existing two-bedroom, bijou terraced frame. The planning consent drawn up covers the extension of the property on the lower ground-floor level and the addition of a mansard roof extension to upscale the existing bricks and mortar into a superb three/four bedroom family home. The property, which also benefits from a 125-year leasehold, has a guide price of £3,800,000 and is well situated between Eaton Terrace and Bourne Street, a mere stone’s throw away from the abundance of amenities found at Sloane Square and Elizabeth Street.
A series of pop-up workshops and forums has been set up around Belgravia on the best way forward with Grosvenor’s ambitious project of creating a new neighbourhood. Sara Oliver of the Belgravia Residents’ Association reports visiting Elizabeth Street recently and finding it very interesting. Soundings, the community engagement experts, had put together an exhibition of plans gleaned from local residents, businesses and developers. Sara reports that ideas included low-built mews style houses, harking to the equine past of this place; indeed, a large factory in which elegant carriages for aristocrats and gentry were built was previously based in the area. Other ideas being bandied about, and blending the best of the old and new, were affordable cafes, a boutique hotel, and plenty of green spaces for ventures generally favouring the enjoyment of those who live and work locally. Sara said: ‘Anxious not to make the same mistake again after the Chelsea Barracks fiasco, Grosvenor and the developers are listening closely to what residents would like to see in this vast ten-acre space. With a sensitive approach, the project could be a real, sustainably managed success.’ www.makingecclestonplace.com www.belgraviaresidents.org.uk (see ‘latest news’ tab)
The winning school entry in the ‘Spirit of Belgravia’ photography competition by Kate Sharpe of Francis Holland School
for those who love
BELGRAVIA Established in 1972 we have 40 years’ experience in matters affecting Belgravia and its residents. Local decisions have to be made every day from how new buildings should look to which way traffic should flow.
We know that residents care deeply about the neighbourhood and their way of life and we aim to support them through our initiatives and activities. Join us and discover more about life in Belgravia.
For more information or to join, please visit:
www.belgraviaresidents.org.uk
Residents’ Culture We interact with readers about life in the community
Belgravian
moments
Local resident Briana Handte Lesesne goes out and about
Superior Cuban coffee shipped into town Tom Assheton of TomTom Coffee House on Elizabeth Street reports An important moment has arrived. For several years we at TomTom Coffee House have been searching for high-quality Cuban Arabica beans to supply to our customers. I have always felt it would be a most appropriate crossover between our two businesses: the Cigar Shop and Coffee House. Nigora (the cigar shop’s manager) and I recently drove to Tilbury Docks to collect the first 60kg sack of these green coffee beans. Now we have it; please say hello to Serrano Superior from the Sierra Maestra in the east of Cuba. We are very excited and invite you to pop in and order a cup, freshly roasted on-site and available to drink as a bespoke filter.
Penultimate Eaton Square Concert a theatrical triumph says Alice Tozer Above from left/ David Owen Norris and Sir John Tomlinson
November saw the finale of the ever-popular autumn-winter Eaton Square Concert season, and we now wait in anticipation of the spring repertoire which will be released in the new year. On Thursday 8 November, Sir John Tomlinson graced the acoustically renowned, bright, modern church with his bass tones and costume, as he performed Michaelangelo’s poems to music. Doing a fine job on the piano was David Owen Norris. The church was almost full and the atmosphere one of suspense as local music-goers waited to hear how the next rendition of poetry would differ from its predecessor, each so different in their musicality. Carl Muller, founder and organiser of the series, gave a gentle introduction to the evening, which was punctuated by a very civilised wine break behind the altar. 024
It started with an Italian kiss and ended with a wedding bouquet. But in the middle there was nothing but my own love affair with Belgravia. As a friend and I finished our leisurely lunch at Baker & Spice on Elizabeth Street, our waiter presented us with an Italian kiss. A little assuming of him? In fact, this was an Italian petit four oozing almond, lemon zest, sweet honey, a touch of whiskey and topped off with powdered sugar. The ingredients were so finely combined, they could have been measured out by an expert perfumer. Like bakers, perfumers take great pride in putting together ingredients to create their own recipes, just made for the olfactory senses instead. I took a stroll down Elizabeth Street to 147 Ebury Street and popped into the newly opened Floris. A bespoke perfumery boutique, it allowed my sense of smell and taste to take a journey down memory lane. Exquisitely placed within a mahogany cabinet, Wedding Bouquet was the fragrance that won my heart. Notes of lily of the valley, jasmine, sandalwood and musk landed gently upon my wrist, as hints of fresh citrus twist from the orange blossom and subtle musk lingered keenly. A scent is the most residual of all human senses and, whilst fleeting, its power lies in conjuring up memories and experiences from our past. Women are particularly attune to this. Wedding Bouquet, fashioned by Floris to celebrate the royal wedding of Catherine Middleton and Prince William, rekindled memories of my visiting Catherine I’s Palace at Tsarskoe Selo in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Against the freshly fallen snow of early December, I had ventured into this palace, rivalling Versailles in its grandeur and splendour. The smell from the vast wooden floors, the legions of candelabras with molten wax and vases of carefully arranged fresh flowers sweetly returned to me in this petite shop in Belgravia. More keenly aware, I continued on my way observing leaves on the ground, a chill in the air, grand buildings built long ago, and my own smile; scent and memory accompanying me home.
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
The Residents’ Association’s
December Round-up
Farewell to autumn and welcome to winter with all her festivities, the highlights of which must be turning on Belgravia’s lights, closely rivalled by evenings indoors or those savouring delicious food and drink in the wonderful local restaurants and pubs that abound in this small patch of ours.
It is time to take stock and remember what a great year it has been. Who can forget the summer of 2012; the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee followed by the Olympics? Something has changed and we simply cannot return to what used to be. The sense of joy and community spirit in London during this period has continued to permeate the atmosphere and how exciting it is to be a part of a community in shift. Only time will reveal how it will benefit us all locally.
Our AGM welcomed the six winners of the Spirit of Belgravia Photography Competition, who they received their awards. Simon Ayrton of Ayrton & Wylie Estate agents – our sponsors – gave a short welcome speech and presented the prizes together with the
by Sara Oliver
Thank you to all our sponsors who have truly helped make things happen this year. Your community support has been much appreciated and we look forward to working with all of you and new sponsors in 2013. We have many projects and ideas we want to share and with your support we can really start to make a difference. All will unfold in due course.
It really is such fun living in Belgravia; being able to walk outside your door for a great evening or a day out any time of the week. I collected my husband from work and we decided to take a walk to Kinneton Street, a tranquil mews where we visited The Nags Head, a delightfully cosy and friendly pub with that all-important roaring fire. This unique watering hole is owned by The Duke of Westminster, the first General in the history of the TA who has, on occasion, dropped by for a pint and a quiet chat with fellow soldier and landlord, Kevin Moran, a Scots Guard (circa 57-68). It is a rare gem indeed with its three-hundred years of rich history and curiosities, including a working Victorian range, a ‘what the butler saw’ machine and a couple of penny arcade amusements. There’s lots of memorabilia and a very low bar. Mobiles are banned in this tiny but exceedingly popular establishment.
Another hidden gem is one of our local sanctuaries, Earth Spa. Jane, who gave me a massage, was excellent and an expert in her field. Earth Spa Health & Beauty, jointly owned by Susan King and her Business partner Shirin Elling, has been operating on Eccleston Street for eight years this month. I have been attending this holistic oasis since it opened and find the Zen atmosphere has not changed and the service second to none. The professional staff are caring and understand how to relieve the stresses and strains of everyday life, working their magic with wonderful therapies to restore body, mind and soul.
BRA Chairman, James Wright. Collecting their awards in the adult section were James Barnett (first prize), Alexandra Connil-Lacoste (second prize) and Gavin Gaslett (third prize). Meanwhile, children Kate Sharpe (first) and Cordelia Ostler (third) of Francis Holland School received theirs together with Aimee Morris (second) of Eaton Square School. An exhibition of photographs was featured in the gallery next door to the auditorium and Knight Frank kindly provided the refreshments.
My husband and I had a most enjoyable evening at Motcombs where we had one of our favourite dishes, veal Milanese; a delicious dish of this fair meat cooked in crispy breadcrumbs with spaghetti Neapolitan on the side, washed down with an excellent Chianti Classico and followed by a delectable tiramisu and delightful dessert wine. We sat at a discreet corner table surveying the splendour of this elegant and truly Belgravian haunt. In the other corner, table twenty-five has its place in history as the favourite romantic table of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor (one of Elizabeth Taylor’s Maltese is the great aunt of our beautiful English Maltese, Lucy, a much admired canine resident of Belgravia). We thoroughly enjoyed our impromptu evening at this most famous local restaurant where Belgravia and the international jetset collide.
On behalf of The Belgravia Residents’ Association, we wish you a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Until next year... What is concerning you about life in Belgravia? Write to us at: letters@residentsjournal.co.uk
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It’s time to discover Belgravia’s local private bank At Duncan Lawrie, we always put our clients’ interests first. Ever since we were founded in 1971, we’ve been looking after our clients’ wealth prudently and securely to ensure their long-term prosperity. We offer genuine, honest, traditional banking – the way we believe it should be. You’ll have a direct line to your own personal Relationship Manager, based at our Hobart Place branch in the heart of Belgravia, and you can be confident of receiving completely impartial advice at all times. We’ll also protect your money by investing it only in assets we understand and trust. To find out more, contact us: Call us on 0845 680 8778 – Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm. Outside these hours you can contact John Hilson on 07590 452440. Email jhilson@duncanlawrie.com Visit www.duncanlawrie.com/bank
Duncan Lawrie Private Banking is a trading name of Duncan Lawrie Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries, represented in the UK by Duncan Lawrie Limited and Duncan Lawrie Asset Management Limited, whose registered office is 1 Hobart Place, London SW1W 0HU. Registered numbers 998511 and 1160766 respectively and registered in England. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. DL/DEC12/BRJ
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08/11/2012 10:38
Children & Education News of interest regarding local schools and little ones
Photo call
Restless youngsters soak up some culture
Many schools around Belgravia have been getting their children to take part in Operation Christmas Child, a charitable initiative organised by Samaritan’s Purse International. Children pack a shoebox full of fun and helpful things that they would like to donate to less fortunate children around the world; this could include toys and games, school supplies like stationery, bathroom products and sweets. The deadline for sending in shoeboxes is 19 November. The charity is also planning on creating a giant shoebox mosaic. If you have any images of your children with their shoebox, send them to socialmedia@samaritans-purse.org.uk using the word ‘Mosaic’ as the subject of your email. Samaritan’s Purse will then add your picture to the giant mosaic being constructed at www.zumyn.com.
Westminster City Council has recently set up Culture Shox, a section of the website dedicated to listings of free cultural events for 13 to 19 year-olds. Whether your teenager is into music or theatre, painting or writing, encourage them to click on the relevant section to reveal lists of exciting events ranging from free art exhibitions and acting opportunities to workshops and arts careers training schemes. Many events are based in the City of Westminster itself, some in other parts of central London, so this is a fantastic way to make the most of the rich artistic culture right on your doorstep. www.cultureshox.org.uk
www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk
Local schools’ Christmas concerts, plays & carol services School
DATE
Event
Cameron House School Eaton House School
Friday 7 December Friday 30 November Friday 7 December Tuesday 11 December Wednesday 12 December Friday 7 December Thursday 13 December Tuesday 18 December Thursday 6 December Tuesday 11 December
Carol Service, 2pm Nativity, St Peter’s Church, 2pm Carol Concert, 2pm Belgravia and Pimlico Nurseries’ Play Years 3-8 Carol Service, 6.30pm Infants’ Christmas Concert Junior Christmas Concert Christmas Service Reception Nativity Play, 2pm Nursery Nativity Play, 9:30 am School Carol Service, 5pm Little GEMS Play Christmas Lunches Christmas Service, 9.30am Christmas Lunch School Carol Service, 9.15am Small School A Christmas Play, 2pm Small School Z Christmas Play, 2pm Middle School Christmas Play School Christmas Carol Service, 11am Lower School Christmas Play
Eaton Square School Francis Holland School
Knightsbridge School
GEMS Hampshire School
More House School Hill House International Junior School
Wednesday 12 December Thursday 13 December Friday 14 December Thursday 13 December Wednesday 19 December Tuesday 4 December Wednesday 5 December Friday 7 December Friday 14 December
Keeping things interactive Eaton Square School is making the organisation of schoolwork increasingly interactive by introducing i-sho to their e-learning. Teachers, pupils and parents will be able to view an online class daybook containing homework, revision documents and website links. The school will also put up photos from sporting events so that pupils can share their school experiences easily with their parents, who can log in via the school website. Not only is this a pioneering way of sharing school information, it will also help prevent the panic of lost homework. www.eatonsquareschool.com
Words / Charlotte Newman
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
027
The Belgravia
Directory
A compendium of the area’s key establishments
Estate Agents Ayrton Wylie 16 Lower Belgrave Street 020 7730 4628
Henry & James 1 Motcomb Street 020 7235 8861
Savills 139 Sloane Street 020 7730 0822
Best Gapp & Cassells 81 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 9253
John D Wood 48 Elizabeth Street 020 7824 7900
Strutt & Parker 66 Sloane Street 020 7235 9959
Harrods Estates 82 Brompton Road 020 7225 6506
Knight Frank 82-83 Chester Square 020 7881 7722
W A Ellis 174 Brompton Road 020 7306 1600
ll Corriere 6 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 2087
The Nag’s Head (classic) 53 Kinnerton Street 020 7235 1135
The Old English Coffee House 1 Montrose Place 020 7235 3643
The Wilton Arms (classic) 71 Kinnerton Street 020 7235 4854
Patisserie Valerie 17 Motcomb Street 020 7245 6161
Como Lario (Italian) 18-22 Holbein Place 020 7730 9046
Tomtom Coffee House 114 Ebury Street 020 7730 1771
Il Convivio (Italian) 143 Ebury Street 020 7730 4099
Valerie Victoria 38 Buckingham Palace Road 020 7630 9781
Olivo (pizzeria) 21 Eccleston Street 020 7730 2505
PUBS
Zafferano (Italian) 15 Lowndes Street 020 7235 5800
Food & Drink BARS Amaya Halkin Arcade, Motcomb Street 020 7823 1166 The Garden Room (cigar) The Lanesborough Hyde Park Corner 020 7259 5599 The Library Bar (wine) The Lanesborough Hyde Park Corner 020 7259 5599 Tiles Restaurant and Wine Bar 36 Buckingham Palace Road 020 7834 7761
CAFÉS Bella Maria 4 Lower Grosvenor Place 020 7976 6280
The Antelope (classic) 22-24 Eaton Terrace 020 7824 8512
Caffe Reale 23 Grosvenor Gardens 020 7592 9322
The Belgravia (classic) 152 Ebury Street 020 7730 6040
The Green Café 16 Eccleston Street 020 7730 5304
The Duke of Wellington (classic) 63 Eaton Terrace 020 7730 1782
RESTAURANTS
Motcombs 26 Motcomb Street 020 7235 6382 Mango Tree Manager: Chai Cuisine: Thai; Capacity: 150 46 Grosvenor Place 020 7823 1888
Nahm Manager: Tarama Archer Cuisine: Thai; Capacity: 100 The Halkin Hotel Halkin Street 020 7333 1234 Ken Lo’s Memories of China Manager: Ardjan Kelmendi Cuisine: Chinese; Capacity: 120 65-69 Ebury Street 020 7730 7734 Petrus Manager: Paulina Trocha Cuisine: French; Capacity: 86 1 Kinnerton Street 020 7592 1609 La Poule au Pot Manager: Lionel Banda Cuisine: French; Capacity: 70 231 Ebury Street 020 7730 7763
Health & Beauty BARBER
DOCTORS
Giuseppe D’Amico 20 Eccleston Street 020 7730 2968
The Belgrave Medical Centre 13 Pimlico Road 020 7730 5171
DENTISTS
The Belgravia Surgery 26 Eccleston Street 020 7590 8000
The Beresford Clinic 2 Lower Grosvenor Place 020 7821 9411 Motcomb Street Dentist 3 Motcomb Street 020 7235 6531 The Wilton Place Practice 31 Wilton Place 020 7235 3824
Michael Garry Personal Training 54b Ebury Street 020 7730 6255
Motcomb Green 61 Ebury Street 020 7235 2228
Yogoji (Yoga) 54a Ebury Street 020 7730 7473
Stephen Casali 161 Ebury Street 020 7730 2196
HAIR SALONS
MEDISPA
Colin & Karen Hair Design 39 Lower Belgrave Street 020 7730 7440
Bijoux Medi-Spa 149 Ebury Street 020 7730 0765
The Light Centre Belgravia 9 Eccleston Street 020 7881 0728
The Daniel Galvin Jr. Salon 4a West Halkin Street 020 3416 3116
earthspa 4 Eccleston Street 020 7823 6226
Ramsay (prints) 69 Pimlico Road 020 7730 6776
Mark Wilkinson Kitchens 10 West Halkin Street 020 7235 1845
Gauntlett Gallery 90-92 Pimlico Road 020 7730 7516
Dr Kalina 109 Ebury Street 020 7730 4805
GYM/ FITNESS
SPA
Home ANTIQUES Bennison 16 Holbein Place 020 7730 8076 Turkmen Gallery 8 Eccleston Street 020 7730 8848
Sebastian D’Orsai (framer) 77 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 8366
Patrick Jefferson 69 Pimlico Road 020 7730 6161
Zuber 42 Pimlico Road 020 7824 8265
ARCHITECTS/ DESIGN
FURNITURE
Marston & Langinger 194 Ebury Street 020 7881 5700 Paul Davis + Partners 178 Ebury Street 020 7730 1178
ARTEFACTS Odyssey Fine Arts 24 Holbein Place 020 7730 9942
FINISHING TOUCHES Paint Services Company 19 Eccleston Street 020 7730 6408 Rachel Vosper (candles) 69 Kinnerton Street 020 7235 9666
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
Ossowski 83 Pimlico Road 020 7730 3256 Promemoria UK 99 Pimlico Road 020 7730 2514
Gordon Watson 28 Pimlico Road 020 7259 0555 John Adams Fine Art 200 Ebury Street 020 7730 8999 The Osborne Studio Gallery 2 Motcomb Street 020 7235 9667
Ciancimino 85 Pimlico Place 020 7730 9959
Soane 50-52 Pimlico Road 020 7730 6400
The Dining Chair Company 4 St Barnabas Street 020 7259 0422
Talisman 190-192 Ebury Street 020 7730 7800
Chester Designs 9 Chester Square Mews 020 7730 4333
Westenholz 80-82 Pimlico Road 020 7824 8090
Coote & Bernardi 59 Pimlico Road 020 7730 6064
GALLERIES
Joanna Wood 48a Pimlico Road 020 7730 5064
Hemisphere 97 Lower Sloane Street 020 7730 9810 Jamb 107a Pimlico Road 020 7730 2122
88 Gallery 86-88 Pimlico Road 020 7730 2728
Lamberty 46 Pimlico Road 020 7823 5115
Ahuan Gallery 17 Eccleston Street 020 7730 9382
Linley 60 Pimlico Road 020 7730 7300
Gallery 25 26 Pimlico Road 020 7730 7516
INTERIOR DESIGN
Living Interiors 57 Ebury Street 020 7730 0545
RESTORATION Humphrey-Carrasco 43 Pimlico Road 020 7730 9911
029
The Belgravia
Directory Fashion
BOUTIQUES Le Spose Di Giò (wedding dresses) 81 Ebury Street 020 7901 9020
Christian Louboutin 23 Motcomb Street 020 7245 6510
Patricia Roberts 60 Kinnerton Street 020 7235 474
Philip Treacy 69 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 3992
Lynton Hotel 113 Ebury Street 020 7730 4032
Belgravia Rooms 104 Ebury Street 020 7730 1011
Tophams Hotel 24-32 Ebury Street 020 7730 3313
Morgan Guest House 120 Ebury Street 020 7730 2384
The Diplomat Hotel 2 Chesham Street 020 7235 1544
LUXURY
Westminster House Hotel 96 Ebury Street 020 7730 4302
Lime Tree Hotel 135-137 Ebury Street 020 7730 8191
BOUTIQUE Astors Hotel 110-112 Ebury Street 020 7730 0158
The Rubens at the Palace 39 Buckingham Palace Road 020 7834 6600
The Grosvenor 101 Buckingham Palace Road 0845 305 8337
The Belgravia Mews Hotel 50 Ebury Street 020 7730 5434
The Sloane Club Lower Sloane Street 020 7730 9131
The Halkin Halkin Street 020 7333 1000
BOOKMAKERS
SOLICITORS
Eaton Square School 79 Eccleston Square 020 7931 9469
Hotels B&Bs B+B Belgravia & Studios@82 64-66 Ebury Street 020 7259 8570 Belgravia Hotel 118 Ebury Street 020 7259 0050 Cartref House 129 Ebury Street 020 7730 6176 Lord Milner Hotel 111 Ebury Street 020 7881 9880
The Berkeley Wilton Place 020 7235 6000 The Goring Beeston Place 020 7396 9000
Services BANKS Duncan Lawrie Private Banking 1 Hobart Place 020 7245 1234 C Hoare & Co 32 Lowndes Street 020 7245 6033 Royal Bank of Scotland 24 Grosvenor Place 020 7235 1882
Coral Racing 67 Pimlico Road 020 7730 6516 William Hill 12 Buckingham Palace Road 08705 181 715
CHARITIES British Red Cross 85 Ebury Street 020 7730 2235
Child & Child 14 Grosvenor Crescent 020 7235 8000
EDUCATION
Francis Holland School 39 Graham Terrace 020 7730 2971
Cameron House School 4 The Vale 020 7352 4040
Garden House School Turks Row 020 7730 1652
Eaton House School 3-5 Eaton Gate 020 7924 6000
GEMS Hampshire School 15 Manresa Road 020 7352 7077
Glendower Preparatory School 86-87 Queen’s Gate 020 7370 1927
Queen’s Gate School 133 Queen’s Gate 020 7589 3587
Hill House International Junior School Hans Place 020 7584 1331
Sussex House School 68 Cadogan Square 020 7584 1741
Knightsbridge School 67 Pont Street 020 7590 9000 Miss Daisy’s Nursery Ebury Square 020 7730 5797 More House School 22-24 Pont Street 020 7235 2855
Thomas’s Kindergarten 14 Ranelagh Grove 020 7730 3596
EXCLUSIVE The Caledonian Club 9 Halkin Street 020 7235 5162
FLORISTS
POST OFFICE
Judith Blacklock Flower School 4-5 Kinnerton Place South 020 7235 6235
Post Office 6 Eccleston Street 0845 722 3344
Neill Strain Floral Couture 11 West Halkin Street 020 7235 6469
PRINTING & COPYING Printus 115a Ebury Street 020 7730 7799
LIBRARY
TRAVEL
Victoria Library 160 Buckingham Palace Road 020 7641 1300
Bravo Travel 6 Lower Grosvenor Place 0870 121 3411
MOTORING Belgravia Garage 1 Eaton Mews West 020 7235 9900
Specialty Shops BAKERIES
DELI
NEWSAGENT
Polisher
Baker & Spice 54-56 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 3033
La Bottega 25 Eccleston Street 020 7730 2730
Mayhew Newsagents 15 Motcomb Street 020 7235 5770
F Bennett and Son 9 Chester Square Mews 020 7730 6546
GREENGROCERS
PERFUMERIES
Charles of Belgravia 27 Lower Belgrave Street 020 7730 5210
Annick Goutal 20 Motcomb Street 020 7245 0248
Grosvenor Stationery Company 47 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 4515
The Market Quarter 36 Elizabeth Street 020 7824 8470
Les Senteurs 71 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 2322
Ottolenghi 13 Motcomb Street 020 7823 2707
CIGAR SPECIALIST Tomtom Cigars 63 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1790
BOOKS Belgravia Books 59 Ebury Street 020 7259 9336
CONFECTIONERS Peggy Porschen 116 Ebury Street 020 7730 1316 Pierre Hermé Paris 13 Lowndes Street 020 7245 0317 Rococo Chocolates 5 Motcomb Street 020 7245 0993
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
JEWELLERS Carolina Bucci 4 Motcomb Street 020 7838 9977
Floris 147 Ebury Street 020 7730 0304
Pet accessories
David Thomas Master Goldsmith 65 Pimlico Road 020 7730 7710
Mungo & Maud 79 Elizabeth Street 020 7022 1207
De Vroomen 59 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1901
PharmacY
Erickson Beamon 38 Elizabeth Street 020 7259 0202
Stationer
A. Moore Chemist & Belgravia Health Foods 25e Lowndes Street 020 7235 5887
031
Knight Frank
Grosvenor Gardens Mews North, Belgravia SW1 Five bedroom house with roof terrace and garage
A large five bedroom house benefitting from a 28 foot wide reception room with excellent ceiling heights. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, 3 further bedrooms, 3 further bath/ shower rooms (1 en suite), reception room, kitchen, study/bedroom 5, gym/conservatory, utility, roof terrace, garage. Approximately 366 sq m (3,944 sq ft) Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ7,500,000 (SLA060652)
Knightfrank.co.uk/Belgravia belgravia@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5910
Knight Frank
Eaton Square, Belgravia SW1W Four bedroom lateral apartment
A south west facing apartment on the second floor of this popular building in a prestigious garden square. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, 3 further bedrooms, 2 further bathrooms (1 en suite), drawing room, dining room, kitchen, guest cloakroom, lift, porter. Approximately 204 sq m (2,200 sq ft)
Knightfrank.co.uk/Belgravia belgravia@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5910
Leasehold: approximately 61 years
Joint agent: Charles McDowell info@mcdowellproperties.co.uk 020 3551 2545
(BGV120062)
Knight Frank
Grosvenor Crescent Mews, Belgravia SW1X Beautifully presented three bedroom mews house
A contemporary three bedroom mews house to rent in the heart of Belgravia located in a secure gated mews with a caretaker. Master bedroom with en suite, 2 further bedrooms both with en suite bathrooms, drawing room, dining room, further sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, patio garden, garage. Approximately 192 sq m (2,069 sq ft) Available furnished (not as shown in pictures) or unfurnished Guide price: ÂŁ2,350 per week (BEQ170365)
Belgravia Lettings Knightfrank.co.uk/Lettings belgravialettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6006
EATON PLACE, LONDON. SW1X SHARE OF FREEHOLD THREE BEDROOMS GROSS INTERNAL AREA: 1,787 SQ FT/ 166 SQ M
ÂŁ3,950,000 stc Reception room, Kitchen/Breakfast room, Master bedroom with en suite, Two further double bedrooms, Cloakroom. Redesigned to an exceptionally high standard this three bedroom split level apartment has under gone an impressive transformation. The property, entered on the second floor, has an attractive staircase leading up to the third floor with cloakroom on the mezzanine level. The third floor offers a wealth of entertaining space, which includes a large reception
room featuring three windows, good ceiling height, open fire place and hidden sliding doors leading through to a stunning kitchen/breakfast room. The fourth floor includes master bedroom with vaulted ceiling and en suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms and bathroom.
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861
belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
WILTON ROW, LONDON. SW1X LEASEHOLD THREE BEDROOMS GROSS INTERNAL AREA: 2,336 SQ FT/ 217 SQ M
ÂŁ4,250,000 stc Two reception rooms, Three bedrooms, Bedroom 4/Study, Terrace, Garage. Having been well maintained and presented in good condition the property has been used as a pied a terre by the current owners and is laid out over three floors, facing towards the rectory garden. The accommodation on the ground floor includes dining room, kitchen, utility room and bedroom three with en suite. On the first floor you have a
large reception with inter connecting study/bedroom four. The top floor offers master bedroom with en suite bathroom/ dressing area and second bedroom with en suite. Features in the reception room include windows front to back, cornicing and built in cupboards. In addition there is a lovely roof terrace quietly situated to the rear of the property and garage.
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861
belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
ECCLESTON SQUARE MEWS, LONDON. SW1V TWO BEDROOMS UNFURNISHED
ยฃ850
PER WEEK stc Two bedrooms, Two bathrooms, Large kitchen/breakfast room, Cloakroom, Garage, Off street parking. A newly rebuild and refurbished mews house situated in a charming cobbled mews off Warwick Way. The property has been completely rebuilt behind its period faรงade ans is arranged over three floors to provide an integral garage, large eat in kitchen fitted with Miele appliances, first floor reception room, en suite master bedroom, double bedroom, family
bathroom, guest cloackrooom and balcony. The property has been nautrally decorated and fitted with wood floors thourough. Discreetly situated behind the southern terrace of Eccleston Square, Eccleston Square Mews benefits from its proximity to the many amenities of the area, including underground and mainline rail services from nearby Victoria.
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861
belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
SOUTH EATON PLACE, LONDON. SW1X TWO BEDROOMS FURNISHED
ÂŁ1,950
PER WEEK stc Two double bedrooms, Two bathrooms, Reception room, Separate kitchen, Guest cloakroom, Terrace, Balcony, Housekeeper. A stunning two bedroom maisonette arranged over the first and second floors (lift) of this elegant stucco fronted building. The property has a luxurious reception room with high ceilings and beautiful period features, as well as rich walnut flooring and a private balcony. The accommodation comprises two double bedrooms, two en suite bathrooms,
reception room, separate kitchen, guest cloakroom, balcony and terrace. The apartment has been neutrally decorated and furnished in a graceful modern style and is located on this desirable Belgravia street just a few minutes walk from Sloane Square. There is also a lift and a housekeeper. The property is professionally managed.
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861
belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
Reasons why people moved this year* Want to live in a larger or better property Retirement First time buyer Returning to UK Redevelopment Quality of life Other Personal reasons Better quality of property Better town or area Investment New job or job relocation Want to live in a smaller or less expensive property
We helped many people's wishes come true this year. Here's to doing the same in 2013. More than you’re looking for. *Source: Savills Research
sold
sold
sold
Belgrave Square, SW1 Guide £50 million
Queen Anne’s Gate, SW1 Guide £15 million
Lowndes Square, SW1 Guide £7.25 million
sold
sold
sold
Eaton Terrace, SW1 Guide £6.5 million
Boscobel Place, SW1 Guide £4.35 million
Eaton Square, SW1 Guide £4.35 million
let
let
let
One Hyde Park, SW1 Guide £25,000 per week
Cadogan Square, SW1 Guide £4,500 per week
Eaton Square SW1 Guide £1,600 per week
These are just a few of the properties we have sold and let for our clients in 2012. To see how we can help with your 2013 wish list, call us or visit savills.co.uk. Savills Sloane Street 139 Sloane Street London SW1X 9AY 020 7730 0822 sloanestreet@savills.com
Savills Knightsbridge 188 Brompton Road London SW3 1HQ 020 7581 5234 knightsbridge@savills.com
savills.co.uk
1 GROUND FLOOR FLAT WITH PRIVATE FRONT DOOR AND HIGH CEILINGS eaton terrace, sw1 Entrance hall ø reception room ø kitchen ø master bedroom suite ø 2nd bedroom with en suite shower room ø guest cloakroom ø utility room ø 116 sq m (1,244 sq ft)
Savills Sloane Street
Savills Knightsbridge
Christian Warman cgwarman@savills.com
Katie Rumbellow krumbellow@savills.com
020 7730 0822
020 7581 5234
Guide £2.195 million Leasehold, approximately 123 years remaining
2807
C H E S T E R S Q UA R E B E LG R AV I A S W 1 A well proportioned and elegant Grade II listed townhouse situated in one of Belgravia’s most famous and sought-after squares Chester Square is located in the heart of Belgravia, immediately to the south of Eaton Square. It is one of the largest garden squares in Belgravia, enjoying expanses of private lawned gardens enjoyed only by the residents of the square. Accommodation • Drawing room • dining room • kitchen/breakfast room • study • 6 bedrooms suites • family room/bedroom 7 • 2 guest cloakrooms • media room • laundry • utility area • roof terrace • access to garden square • 441 sq m / 4,746 sq ft Tenure: Freehold Local Authority: City of Westminster Guide: £14.5 million
+44 (0) 20 7730 4628
280740_Savills_BelResJnl Dec12.indd 1
02/11/2012 16:47
ESTATE AGENTS, SURVEYORS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANTS 81 Elizabeth Street, Eaton Square, London SW1W 9PG Tel: 020 7730 9253 Fax: 020 7730 8212 Email: reception@bestgapp.co.uk www.bestgapp.co.uk Over 100 years experience in Belgravia
SOUTH EATON PLACE, SW1 A beautifully refurbished one bedroom flat on the second floor of a magnificent stucco fronted building adjoining and with oblique views of Eaton Square. The magnificent interiors have been finished to the highest of standards and incorporate the latest in audio visual technology.
Leasehold 118 Years
ÂŁ1,850,000
* Reception Room * Bedroom * Kitchen * Bathroom * West Facing Terrace
ESTATE AGENTS, SURVEYORS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANTS 81 Elizabeth Street, Eaton Square, London SW1W 9PG Tel: 020 7730 9253 Fax: 020 7730 8212 Email: reception@bestgapp.co.uk www.bestgapp.co.uk Over 100 years experience in Belgravia
Chester Row SW1 A charming period house situated on the corner with Bourne Street close to the amenities of Sloane Square and Elizabeth Street. The property is arranged over four floors with excellent entertaining space opening onto the garden or a balcony. There is also a fabulous roof terrace with magnificent roof top views.
Freehold
ÂŁ3,100,000
* Reception Room * Kitchen/Dining Room * Three Double Bedrooms * Two Bathrooms (1 en suite) * Garden * Roof Terrace
Grosvenor Crescent Mews, Belgravia, SW1 A low-built 3 bedroom Mews house in this private gated mews, moments from Hyde Park. Accommodation comprises of reception/ dining room, kitchen, large master bedroom with en suite bathroom and dressing room, two further bedrooms with a separate shower room. Grosvenor Crescent Mews is a gated Mews in the heart of Belgravia close to all the world class amenities Knightsbridge and the West End has to offer.
ÂŁ4,650,000 Subject to contract 020 7893 8044 Hassan.basma@harrodsestates.com
KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: +44 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: +44 020 7409 9001
HARRODSESTATES.COM
Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1 A beautiful Grade II listed four bedroom house for rent in a quiet location on Wilton Place. The property benefits from four bedrooms and four bathrooms, reception room, dining room, kitchen, shower room, roof terrace and patio garden. Available immediately unfurnished for a long let.
ÂŁ5,950pw 020 7225 6602 Karen.boland@harrodsestates.com
KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: +44 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: +44 020 7409 9001
HARRODSESTATES.COM
www.ayrtonwylie.com +44 (0) 20 7730 4628
Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Chelsea
CHESHAM STREET
A substantial period house ( not listed) at the western end of Belgravia. The property has many spacious rooms with high ceilings and appealing period features, including a fine stone staircase and cornice work. Further notable assets are roof terraces and a lift to all floors. 6,178 sq ft / 573.9 sq m
FREEHOLD £14,000,000 16 Lower Belgrave Street, Belgravia, London SW1W 0LN
ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES
Master Bedroom with Ensuite Bathroom • 5 Further Bedrooms • 3 Further bathrooms/Showerooms • 4 Reception Rooms • Kitchen/Breakfast room Study • Media Room • Music/Playroom/Games Area • Staff Bedroom/Gym with Ensuite bathroom • Laundry Room • Guest WC • 2 Vaults • Lift to all floors • Patio • 3 Terraces • Access to Belgrave Square Gardens (subject to annual fee)
sales@ayrtonwylie.com
www.ayrtonwylie.com +44 (0) 20 7730 4628
Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Chelsea
CAMBRIDGE STREET
A rare opportunity to purchase this handsome and beautifully ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES restored 5 bedroom corner house. Having recently undergone a Drawing room • Kitchen • Dining Room • TV room • Playroom • 5 Bedrooms comprehensive programme of refurbishment the house offers light 3 Bathrooms (En Suite) • 1 En Suite Shower room • Cinema/Media Room and elegant entertaining space as well as modern clean lined kitchen and bathrooms. Secondary Kitchen • Utility Room/ 2 Cloakrooms • Study area • Balcony 4290 sq ft / 390.53 sq m
FREEHOLD £4,150,000
Cellar • External Vaults
JSA Douglas and Gordon 020 7931 8200
sales@ayrtonwylie.com
2012-11-20 16:52:11
1
BELGRAVIA
Burton Mews London SW1W This well presented terraced house is situated on a quiet Belgravia Mews with a lovely light reception room and kitchen. The property benefits from parquet flooring, plenty of storage, parking and is conveniently located in this cobbled mews within easy reach of the shopping, transport and entertainment facilities of Sloane Square, Elizabeth Street and Victoria reception room | 1 double bedroom | 1 single bedroom/study | bathroom | kitchen | parking
ÂŁ700 per week furnished
cluttons.com/london
020 7730 0303 belgravia@cluttons.com
2
1
2012-11-20 16:44:25
1
BELGRAVIA
Caroline Terrace London SW1W This superb part stucco fronted townhouse occupies an excellent position in one of Belgravia's most appealing addresses. The house which is mainly laid out over four floors is beautifully presented and sensibly arranged double reception room | family room | main bedroom (en suite) with dressing area | 3 further bedrooms | 1 further bathroom | kitchen/breakfast room | guest cloakroom | south-facing roof terrace
Guide price ÂŁ3,850,000 freehold
cluttons.com/london
020 7730 0303 belgravia@cluttons.com
Wellbelove Quested PROPERTY CONSULTANTS 160 Ebury Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W 9JR www.wellbelove-quested.com 020 7881 0880
Eaton Place, Belgravia SW1 An elegant first and second floor two bedroom maisonette with fantastic high ceilings in one of Belgravia’s most desirable locations. The accommodation comprises a good sized reception room with fireplace and three large windows across, kitchen / breakfast room, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, second bedroom, bathroom, guest cloakroom and balcony (not demised).
Reception Room | Kitchen / Breakfast Room | Master Bedroom with En-Suite Bathroom | Second Double Bedroom | Bathroom | Guest Cloakroom |Entrance Hall | Coat Cupboard | Balcony (not demised) | 1,533 sq. ft.
£4,250,000 Subject to Contract Leasehold
Chester Square, Belgravia SW1 A five / six bedroom house to rent in the much sought after Chester Square. The property comprises a dining room, kitchen, sitting room, study, first floor drawing room and terrace, master bedroom suite with dressing area and en-suite bathroom, second bedroom suite, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. The lower ground floor comprises sitting room, bedroom, kitchen, media room/bedroom and two bathrooms. Mews Parking is available.
£5,000 pw Long Let Unfurnished
Five/Six Bedrooms |Four Bathrooms | Kitchen | Dining Room | Sitting Room | Study | First Floor Reception Room with Balcony| Secondary Kitchen | Guest Cloakroom | Large Terrace | Mews Parking
Wellbelove Quested always have a number of off-market opportunities available. Please contact the office for further details
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From all of us at Wellbelove Quested, we join in wishing you a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Wellbelove Quested PROPERTY CONSULTANTS 160 Ebury Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W 9JR www.wellbelove-quested.com 020 7881 0880
SALES
LETTINGS
MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT
KNIGHTSBRIDGE +44 20 7589 4452 knightsbridge@messilaresidential.com www.messilaresidential.com
BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OVER MOTCOMB STREET Chelsea House, Lowndes Street, Belgravia SW1X
ÂŁ1,850 Per Week
A light and spacious four bedroom, third floor apartment in the very heart of fashionable Belgravia, situated opposite Motcomb Street and just moments from Sloane Street and Harrods. Contemporary throughout and benefiting from a 24 hour porter and lift access. Rent includes heating and hot water.
MAYFAIR
KNIGHTSBRIDGE
MARYLEBONE
REGENTS PARK
51-53 South Audley Street
20 Montpelier Street
65 Weymouth Street
137 Park Road
www.messilaresidential.com
SALES
LETTINGS
MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT
KNIGHTSBRIDGE +44 20 7589 4452 knightsbridge@messilaresidential.com www.messilaresidential.com
AMBASSADORIAL RESIDENCE OVERLOOKING COMMUNAL GARDENS Wilton Crescent, Belgravia, SW1X
ÂŁ32,000,000 Freehold
An exceptional Grade II Listed, Freehold residence, once home to the late Baronet, Sir Percy Loraine, a British Diplomat. Now adjoined to the Mews house at the rear providing extensive, ambassadorial style accommodation including four reception rooms, seven bedrooms, internal lift, partial air conditioning, several terraces, two garages and three private entrances.
MAYFAIR
KNIGHTSBRIDGE
MARYLEBONE
REGENTS PARK
51-53 South Audley Street
20 Montpelier Street
65 Weymouth Street
137 Park Road
www.messilaresidential.com
Chelsea Fulham & Parsons Green Kensington & Holland Park Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Mayfair Notting Hill & Bayswater West Chelsea & South Kensington
Sales 020 7225 3866 Sales 020 7731 7100 Sales 020 7938 3666 Sales 020 7235 9959 Sales 020 7221 1111 Sales 020 7373 1010
Lettings 020 7589 9966 Lettings 020 7731 7100 Lettings 020 7938 3866 Lettings 020 7235 9959 Lettings 020 7221 1111 Lettings 020 7373 1010
City Office Professional Valuations UK Commercial & Residential Residential Investment Property Management
020 7600 3456 020 7318 5039 020 7629 7282 020 7318 5196 020 7052 9417
struttandparker.com
Pont Street | Knightsbridge | SW1 1,115 sq ft (103.6 sq m)
A well configured two bedroom property in a portered period building with a terrace and patio garden. Entrance hall | Reception room | Kitchen | Two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms | Guest cloakroom | Patio garden | Terrace Asking price ÂŁ1,750,000 Leasehold
Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959
Scan this QR code with your camera phone to read more about this property. Free QR code readers are available to download from our website at struttandparker.com/qrcode
Wilton Row | Belgravia | SW1 3,422 sq ft (317.9 sq m)
A stunning newly refurbished, low built house with private parking set in the most charming and tranquil Belgravia mews. Entrance hall | Drawing room | Dining room | Kitchen/breakfast room | En suite master bedroom | 3 further en suite bedrooms | Study | Cinema | Patio | Private parking Asking price ÂŁ11,250,000 Freehold
Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 JSA Savills 020 7581 5234
Scan this QR code with your camera phone to read more about this property. Free QR code readers are available to download from our website at struttandparker.com/qrcode
Chelsea Fulham & Parsons Green Kensington & Holland Park Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Mayfair Notting Hill & Bayswater West Chelsea & South Kensington
Sales 020 7225 3866 Sales 020 7731 7100 Sales 020 7938 3666 Sales 020 7235 9959 Sales 020 7221 1111 Sales 020 7373 1010
Lettings 020 7589 9966 Lettings 020 7731 7100 Lettings 020 7938 3866 Lettings 020 7235 9959 Lettings 020 7221 1111 Lettings 020 7373 1010
struttandparker.com
South Eaton Place | Belgravia | SW1 4,040 sq ft (375.32 sq m)
A truly stunning and newly redecorated seven bedroom house, located in the very heart of Belgravia boasting secure off street parking. Drawing room | Dining room | Media room | Kitchen/breakfast room | Study | Seven bedrooms | Four bathrooms | Cloakroom | Utility room | Roof terrace | Secure off street parking ÂŁ6,500 per week Unfurnished
Knightsbridge Lettings 020 7235 9959
Scan this QR code with your camera phone to read more about this property. Free QR code readers are available to download from our website at struttandparker.com/qrcode
Where will we find your perfect buyer? At Strutt & Parker, we’ve always gone to great lengths to bring the right buyer to your door, using our knowledge, contacts and total commitment to achieve the sale you want. But now we go further than ever. As partners in the Christie’s International Real Estate network, we can reach quality buyers in 42 countries via 1,049 offices and a website visited 135,600 a month. There’s no better way to open your door to the world. struttandparker.com/christies 66 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SH 020 7235 9959 knightsbridge@struttandparker.com
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