BELGRAVIA Resident’s Journal JANUARY 2014 I SSU E 020
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: belgravia@residentsjournal.co.uk; or telephone us on 020 7987 4320.
w w w. R e s i d e n t s J o u r n a l . c o . u k (020) 7987 4320
Dear Resident
,
As we stride into a brand new year with all the best intentions, the Belgravia Residents’ Journal team has thrown itself into experiencing as much as we possibly can locally. If you’ll pardon the reference to resolutions (no one really keeps them anyway), our goal for the New Year is to meet more interesting local residents, businesses and organisations. Please help us along with this task, emailing your thoughts, feature ideas, news and general musings to belgravia@residentsjournal.co.uk. As we ponder the year ahead, many are looking back; celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela one of the last great liberators of the 20th century. Mandela leaves behind a lasting legacy, fighting inequality, poverty and discrimination. Henry Hopwood-Phillips meets Anna Wolford and Laura Hunter, the founders of the Belgravia Gallery, which will be hosting a very personal tribute to the legend this month (p. 7). The Journal also meets the charming duo behind Lulu’s Estate Jewellery, Ian Wilson and Desirée Fixler. The couple have brought their innovative and exclusive jewellery club to Belgravia and all of the great and the good in the area (as well as a whole host of celebrities) are clamouring to be adorned in Lulu’s jewels; read more on page 13.
Managing Editor Katie Randall
Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood
Publishing Director Giles Ellwood
Assistant Editor Lauren Romano
Managing Director Eren Ellwood
Associate Publisher Sophie Roberts
Main Editorial Contributor Henry Hopwood-Phillips
Senior Designer Sophie Blain
Client Relationship Director Felicity Morgan-Harvey
Editorial Assistant Jennifer Mason
General Manager Fiona Fenwick
Communications Director Loren Penney
Editorial Intern Maisy Molloy
Production Hugo Wheatley, Alex Powell Oscar Viney
Head of Finance Elton Hopkins
Above / Impressions of Africa Left Hand, original art work by Nelson Mandela (p. 7). Image courtesy of The Belgravia Gallery
Proudly published & printed in the UK by
Member of the Professional Publishers Association / ppa.co.uk
The Notebook
Who and what have been moving and shaking in Belgravia recently? We bring you up to date
A cut above the rest
The New Year sees world renowned colourist Daniel Galvin Jr offer high-powered business women, for whom time is very much of the essence, a new bespoke service. A standard colour treatment can last anything up to four hours but now, for the first time in the UK, the celebrity hairdresser is halving that time by calling on his protégé, Olyvia, to offer an extra pair of hands. The salon’s diagnostic approach to hair has long been twinned to luxuries more typically encountered in a five-star hotel. A manicure, a pedicure and an Ottolenghi lunch ensure clients feel pampered but, rest assured, there is always a PA and Wifi access on hand to guarantee work gets done when required.
Leather, oak, cognac and smoke
My glance wanders from the Cohiba 2002 cigars resting in their £1.5 million humidor to the Louis XIII cognac squatting in its 11lb crystal jeroboam. These inanimate objects, like modern day relics in reliquaries, are housed better than most sentient beings. Thankfully, I do not just have to look at them. I am here to try some of The Wellesley Hotel’s finest offerings. Louise XIII, made from cognacs stretching back to 1913, tastes initially as a particularly delicate mince pie might, but when paired with the Cohiba, assumes far smokier flavour. The cigar, which flares up in a fanfare of vanilla, takes on a leathery chocolate guise as Giuseppe Ruo, resident expert at the hotel who sits in the world’s premier league of cigar connoisseurship, regales us all on the terrace with stories of Cuba and its best export. Words / Henry Hopwood-Phillips. The Wellesley Hotel cigar terrace, SW1X 7LY, 020 7235 3535 (thewellesley.co.uk)
Power Beauty Service: £1,200 4 West Halkin Street SW1X 8JA, 020 3416 3116 (davidgalvinjunior.com)
Henry and Giuseppe get to grips with the cigars
mas? And what would you like for Christ
Treatment for your tresses
Errol Douglas MBE, widely considered to be one of the most influential hairdressers in the world, is offering a complimentary Moroccanoil treatment or hair gloss when you book a hair colour service with a cut and style or blow dry in January. The offer is only valid for first time clients to the salon. 18 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8LB, 020 7235 0110 (erroldouglas.com)
A Missive from Lapland…
‘Out of sight and out of mind is sometimes how I feel about January, so I just wanted to pop by again with some of the snaps I’ve acquired of the Motcomb Street Christmas Treasure Hunt. I had such a super time meeting all of the wonderful Belgravians and local children. See you all at the end of the year!’ – Santa Claus. Sophie Michell executive chef at Belgraves Hotel
An elf with local children
Phoenix from the flames
The Lanesborough Hotel has stood, a stone sentinel, on Hyde Park Corner in one form or another since 1827. Once a hospital, the hotel has decided to add a few more pages to the tomes of history by electing to give itself an overhaul. It’s furniture was sold off at auctions held between December 9 and 13, and the hotel closed on December 20. The hotel is expected to reopen towards the end of 2014. Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA, 020 7259 5599 (lanesborough.com)
Neville Beauty at The Bulgari Hotel For Belgravians in need of updating their fashion and little beauty black book, Neville Hair and Beauty on Pont Street has opened at The Bulgari Spa in Knightsbridge. The intimate salon with four individual styling stations and two back washes offers a private environment in which to enjoy personalised attention from Neville’s expert stylists and professional colourists. For a complete list of services or to book an appointment at Neville Hair & Beauty at The Bulgari Spa Knightsbridge, call 020 7151 1055 (bulgarihotels.com) Words / Henry Hopwood-Phillips and Briana Handte Lesesne B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
005
“I say! What a corker!”
Three Cubitt House venues in Harden’s London Restaurant Guide “Top 10 Best Pub Food” category, as nominated by you. Thank you.
Shades of
Africa ‘To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others’ ~ Nelson Mandela
The Belgravia Residents’ Journal sends Henry Hopwood-Phillips down to the Belgravia Gallery to see if Nelson Mandela’s artistic imagination was as inspiring as his political qualities
F
inding out Nelson Mandela was an artist was a bit like finding out Daniel Day Lewis is a shoemaker or that Brad Pitt is a vintner. Surprise quickly subsides to a realisation that a reappraisal is overdue. The fundamentals, however, remain. Here is a man who refused to be cowed, even when tested to the limits. Having been imprisoned for almost three decades as a political terrorist, Mandela was freed, pardoned and later rose to
become his nation’s first black president, restoring faith in justice and fairness, both in South Africa, and across the world. Born 18 July, 1918, Mandela graduated in law before rising to prominence in the ANC’s [African National Congress] defiance campaign of 1952. In 1961, he founded the militant Umkhonto we Sizwe [Spear of the Nation], in order to fight apartheid, a campaign which led to his 27-year-imprisonment. During this time, civil
Nelson Mandela by Greg Bartley
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
007
society disintegrated to the extent that President, F.W. de Klerk, felt compelled to enter into negotiations, which would eventually lead to the abolishment of apartheid, the establishment of multiracial elections, and the consequent election of the ANC in 1994. Elected President by the National Assembly and armed with a new constitution, ‘Madiba’ [his clan name] or ‘Tata’ [father], as he was fondly known by his compatriots, led attempts to establish a ‘Rainbow nation’, starting with a broad cabinet. Stepping down in 1998, he continued to occupy himself with a range of charities and philanthropic organisations for the rest of his life, especially targeting AIDS and cancer awareness, up until his sad passing in December 2013. This much, of course, is well documented. His artistic work, however, is still something of a mystery. Enlightening me further on the Mandela behind the headlines today are mother and daughter duo Anna Walford and Laura Hunter, the founders of the Belgravia Gallery, who will be showcasing an exceptional Nelson Mandela exhibition this month. Originally located on Ebury Street, the gallery upped sticks to Albemarle Street in 2004, but has retained much of its original character, as well as its emphasis on raising funds for charity. Hunter and Walford hope to share the late political icon’s attempts to give shape and colour to some of Mandela’s strongest memories. The two were there in New York when Mandela first put crayon to paper in 2002. They found themselves at the leader’s home, chatting to him as he signed his first series of artwork. ‘We were sharpening his pencils as he told us how Princess Diana had really changed attitudes to AIDS on the continent. He’d recalled how whole court rooms would clear if accused parties confessed to having the disease. But perceptions were challenged when people dwelled on the fact a British princess embraced and loved sufferers,’ explains Hunter. ‘He wasn’t afraid to have an opinion: “Blair was Bush’s poodle, the invasion of Iraq was a terrible idea…”. He was very clear about what he believed,’ adds Walford. It was under the tutelage of the young Varenka Paschke, that Mandela channelled his artistic voice. Many of his works suggest Paschke may have encouraged him to look at the heavy, intuitive lines of Picasso’s Peace Movement drawings. Both Walford and Hunter were invited to attend a 100-strong dinner to celebrate the launch
of Mandela’s first series of art in the February that followed. It was no ordinary destination, however. They found themselves getting the boat to Robben Island prison, less than 10 miles off the coast of Cape Town, a place that framed Mandela’s world for 18 years. ‘It was in the games room. It’d been completely done up – not without drama of course – one of the washrooms fell into the sea en route,’ recalls Hunter. And what a superb collection it is. The Struggle Series: five sketches of hands in states of struggle, imprisonment, freedom, unity and future provide a great sweep, a perfect adumbration of both the architecture of the prison itself and the furniture of Mandela’s mind. Each piece features a beautifully handwritten caption that can run into pages. A poignant excerpt of the caption for The Courtyard is as follows: ‘Despite my efforts the [tomato] plant began to wither and nothing I did would heal it. When it died I took it carefully from the soil, washed its roots and buried it in the garden. I felt sad. It once again reminded me of where I was, and the hopeless mess I felt at being unable to nourish other relationships in my life.’ Strong, solid colours and direct, bold lines impart a sheen of innocence onto images that, as Mandela said himself, contrast brilliantly with the grey and green khaki he saw so much of in prison. The colour invades the page almost as grace might; both imposters march into and occupy the page. Therein lay Mandela’s power, his ability to re-enchant the topography of the prison was indistinguishable from his facility for restoring hope in the political landscape.
We were sharpening his pencils as he told us how Princess Diana had really changed attitudes to AIDS on the continent
Nelson Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom runs at the Belgravia Gallery from 5 January to 2 February. 45 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JL (belgraviagallery.com)
Clockwise from top left: The Church, Hand of Africa and The Window all by Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela signs his works for Walford and Hunter. All images courtesy of The Belgravia Gallery
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
009
The Calendar Bringing you the lowdown on local events in January
Art talks
John Carter, one of Britain’s most respected abstract sculptors, is set to discuss his work from the 1960s to the present day. The talk is in conjunction with his current exhibition, Between Dimensions showing at the Tennant Gallery at The Royal Academy, which focuses on Carter’s use of drawing and other works on paper to develop ideas for his sculptures. As an artist who has exhibited widely in Europe, Japan and the US, in a career spanning more than 40 years, it promises to be a fascinating evening. Free entry, 25 January, tickets available to pre-book 3-4pm doors close at 2.50pm (royalacademy.org.uk)
From left: John Carter RA, Study for Monument, 1965, © the artist; John Carter RA, Matrix, 2012 © the artist; John Carter RA, Branched Structure 1983, © the artist. All photos by Peter Abrahams Lucid Plane
Sunflower show
This is a rare chance to compare two of Vincent van Gogh’s iconic ‘sunflower’ paintings when the National Gallery displays them side-by-side – the first time they have been shown together in London for 65 years. The images are two in a series of five paintings of sunflowers dating from 1888, when Van Gogh left Paris to paint in the south of France. Recent scientific research has given us a better understanding of what materials Van Gogh used and this exhibition presents a unique opportunity to explore the artist’s techniques. Free entry, 25 January – 27 April National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN (nationalgallery.org.uk) From left: Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers, 1888, © The National Gallery, London Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers, 1889, © The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (the Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
Final curtain call
One woman show
Tell Me on a Sunday charts the mishaps of an ordinary English girl, recently arrived in New York. It’s Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic tale of love and heartache. You may feel like you’ve heard the story of an optimistic girl, looking for love in the big city one time too many, but this is unlike any imagining you’ve seen. The role will be taken up once again by Marti Webb, the original ‘girl’, and will surely be one of, if not the, final opportunities to witness Webb in the role that gave her two UK chart hits. The show will run for eight performances only, so get it before it’s gone.
Lisa Dwan performs three of Samuel Beckett’s most famous monologues in a production that promises to be unlike anything you may ever see. Not I is performed as a speaking mouth, spotlit in the darkness and spoken at the speed of thought. In Footfalls, we see a woman pace back-and forth outside her dying mother’s room and finally in Rockaby a prematurely old woman rocks back and forth in a rocking chair. The three monologues make for powerful and thought-provoking theatre. Tickets £12-£25, 9-18 January, 8pm, Royal Court
Tickets £21-£48.50, 7-12 January, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, St. James’ Theatre, 12 Palace Street
Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS, 020 7565 5000
SW1E 5JA (stjamestheatre.co.uk)
(royalcourttheatre.com)
Movie magic
If you’re a fan of movie soundtracks, this is the concert for you. The Pink Singers, Europe’s longest-running LGBT community choir boasting more than 80 performers, will perform a host of iconic songs from the silver screen, including Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Ride of the Valkyries from Apocalypse Now, Circle of Life from The Lion King and Take My Breath Away from Top Gun. The singers will be accompanied by special guests the London Gay Big Band, for an entertaining interlude of eight-part harmonies and big band sounds. Tickets from £10, 25 January, 7pm, Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ 020 7730 4500 (cadoganhall.com)
Lisa Dwan, images by John Haynes The Pink Singers in Concert
All hail the haggis
In the run-up to Burns Night 2014 on 25 January, Boisdale Belgravia will be serving up special delicacies including roast Macsween haggis, Hebridean handpicked crab and Drambuie chocolate truffle cake in their week-long celebration. Choose from three menu options featuring a host of scrumptious Scottish fare – and, for a little extra, you can enjoy the pleasure of your own private piper (in full Highland regalia) and a speaker to address your haggis. £45, £55 or £75 menu options the week leading up to 25 January 15 Eccleston Street, SW1W 9LX (boisdale.co.uk/belgravia)
Do you have an event that you’d like us to cover? Send us an email: belgravia@residentsjournal.co.uk Words / Maisy Molloy
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
011
Bejewelled Diamonds, rubies and pearls, oh my! Katie Randall dazzles Belgravia bedecked in Lulu’s Estate jewellery, the unique, expert jewellers with a penchant for providing unparalleled quality, as well as value for money Ian Wilson and Desiree Fixler
S
triding jubilantly down Elizabeth Street with a grin to rival even a Cheshire cat, I feel every inch the sophisticated, Belgravian lady – and it’s all due to adornment. Not just any adornment, I hasten to add. I have been to Lulu’s Estate housed in the Beulah boutique on the aforementioned road. As a part of its exclusive jewellery club – a brand new concept to the UK – Lulu’s Estate owners Ian Wilson and Desiree Fixler have allowed me to trial the service, borrowing thousands of pounds worth of exquisite jewellery. When we begin to chat, Desiree explains in her soft American lilt that jewellery for her has always been nostalgic and able to vividly recall poignant memories from the past, much in the same way fragrance does for others. ‘I personally wear yellow gold; I guess due to nostalgia,’ she smiles. ‘I am 42 years old, growing up in the late 70s and early 80s I remember watching my mother getting ready to go to Studio 54. For me, yellow gold symbolises fun times and glamour; absolutely recalling the elegance of bygone days.’ Proudly donning an eye-catching Champagne diamond ring, encircled with singlecut white diamonds (Ian tells me the style dates the
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
piece back to early last century), I recall childhood days spent playing at my Grandmother’s dressing table, cooing with glee when allowed to try on her glittering rings. On my décolletage rests a necklace featuring concentric circles of 14K white, yellow and rose gold encrusted with diamonds. Wearing it, I feel as though I have been transported back to the swinging 60s, set to stun at a glamourous society affair. ‘That is the power of jewellery,’ I recall Desiree noting earlier in the day: ‘It can transport you to another world.’ Recognising the importance of jewellery in contemporary society but also aware of the effect of the global recession on the economy, Ian and Desiree decided upon a shrewd yet bold business plan. A year ago, the duo launched Lulu’s Estate, purveyors of fine jewellery, who buy, sell, lend and source pre-owned yet beautifully refurbished pieces. ‘We have a collection of some 400 items of jewellery,’ Ian tells me. ‘And we pride ourselves on providing value for money.’ Both hailing from financial backgrounds in investment banking, the couple met during stints at JP Morgan. ‘We left the business in 2008 to try to figure out what we wanted to do with the rest of our lives, so to speak. Our area of banking had become rather dormant and consequently we had to make decisions about what we wanted to do,’ says Ian. For Desiree, this led to pro-bono fundraising work. ‘I raised $200 million (£121,686,190) for micro finance loans, which I then dispersed to women setting up or running small businesses in
013
developing countries,’ the entrepreneur tells me. I spy a glimmer of steely determination behind her gentle exterior and probe for further details. ‘We handed out small business loans predominantly to single mums across 17 developing countries, from Nicaragua and Indonesia to Kenya, Georgia and Bosnia. Micro finance has proved to be the most effective way to get people out of poverty because many of the poor do not have access to credit.’ Showcasing a touch of his own business intuition, Ian started up a diamond trading business approximately a year-and-a-half before the launch of Lulu’s Estate. ‘The reason for creating this type of business was because, apart from precious metals, the majority of value in jewellery comes from diamonds,’ he tells me. ‘So it is important to have a sound grounding there.’ Ian went back to school, undertaking various courses for his ventures into the jewellery market. Desiree adds that he is also certified by the Gemological Institute of America. Setting up Lulu’s Estate signals a return to the family business for Desiree, who hails from four generations of jewellers; her father is the renowned Barry Fixler, a gemologist with four stores in New York alone. ‘I spent quite a bit of time at Desiree’s father’s knee in New York learning how to price diamonds,’ Ian chuckles. ‘Figuring out the grade and clarity of a stone is the easy bit. It is when you come to pricing that everything becomes slightly more complicated.’ The pair’s announcement about the launch
of Lulu’s Estate must have come with some relief for Desiree’s family. She laughs as she explains that she was the ‘black sheep’ studying economics and entering the world of banking. ‘It was time to come into the fold,’ she says. ‘It was definitely daunting but I took to the industry quickly because I was surrounded by it growing up. After some training we felt ready to launch Lulu’s, but it took some time to amass the current collection and to launch the e-commerce site. ‘We then opened our boutique with Beulah in September 2013 after a series of successful pop-up events and sales across London.’ The space on Elizabeth Street is a treasure trove of sparkling treats. Everywhere you turn, pristine glass cases showcasing elegant diamond necklaces, pendants and delicate bejewelled cocktail watches beckon with undeniable allure. The eclectic collection ranges from striking vintage pieces that make a strong statement, right up to contemporary designer items by Bulgari, Rolex, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany’s. Although all of the pieces are available to buy, and Ian and Desiree will happily source specific pieces at wholesale prices for clients, it is the lending scheme which has roused interest in Belgravia and beyond. ‘I think there has been a big shift in consumption patterns today, post 2008,’ Desiree explains. ‘Customers want greater value for their
Lulu’s Estate is taking on the auction houses and the jewellery shops that claim to buy jewellery by offering real value for money to the buyer
spend and they also want more utility. If they are going to make a large investment, they want to make sure that they are going to wear said item. ‘We decided to confront the state of the economy with our club. There is an aspirational set, which perhaps cannot afford to buy fine jewellery but can borrow it. There are also jewellery lovers out there who would like to have an infinite supply of pieces available to them.’ For £500, members can borrow up to £25,000 worth of items, adorning themselves in a new look every month of the year. Clients are loaned the items for as long as they require but are charged per diem, excluding Sundays, when the store is closed. Considering Ian and Desiree mark down the pre-owned pieces in their collection by approximately 50-75 per cent, clients are essentially offered the equivalent of £50,000 worth of fine jewellery. There is also a £1,000 membership, which includes the added bonus of a courier service for the items and allows you up to £50,000 of gems, jewels and precious
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
metals (the equivalent of £100,000 retail). For those keen to purchase a truly special gift, the £5,000 elite package incorporates a personal styling service, whereby a renowned sartorial stylist will visit your home to deliver the jewellery and offer a complimentary style session. ‘Complete luxury,’ Desiree sighs. All members are offered an additional 10 per cent discount on the jewellery if they then decide to purchase. ‘We have not heard of a concept such as this in the UK,’ says Ian. ‘Lulu’s Estate is taking on the auction houses and the jewellery shops that claim to buy jewellery by offering real value for money to sellers.’ I wonder aloud if it is difficult to source these pieces and, if so, where do they find them? The response from Desiree highlights the fact that
015
there is truly an art to this game. ‘We source pieces from individuals selling, perhaps for financial need or because of divorce or a death in the family. We buy both collections as well as single pieces. Lulu’s also purchases from manufacturers that have hit upon hard times and collectors.’ She highlights how embedded within the market one has to be to succeed. The pair indicate that people do not know who to turn to when selling jewellery for fear of being ‘ripped off’. ‘At the lower end of the scale,’ begins Desiree, ‘are the pawn shops and stores that won’t necessarily value the piece for what it is worth; instead they look at its intrinsic value.’ She pulls a ring from her finger and explains: ‘The flower-like ring I have here is by Tiffany’s and features beautiful textured gold with a single diamond nestled in the middle. They might not necessarily appreciate the craftsmanship and the fact that this is a heritage piece from the 1970s. Instead, they are going to say, “Ok, this weighs seven grams, this is going to be worth £140 so I will give you £90.” ‘Whereas, Lulu’s Estate will look at the same piece and appreciate it as a whole, paying £200 to said person, refurbishing the piece, and then selling it ourselves for £300. This still offers an immense discount from the original store price. Tiffany’s might sell a piece such as this for £1,000. ‘With this method, we bring more value to every section of the chain.’ Ian adds that the higher end of the spectrum, the auction houses and boutiques, are much more expensive to deal with. ‘We have an excellent example,’ he says. ‘I acquired a 1940s Rolex and Desiree took it down to Christie’s; they offered her £600. A number of other stores in the Hatton Garden area offered in the region of £800. Lulu’s Estate recently sold another similar 1930s Cartier watch for somewhere in the region of £4,500-£5,000. It was painstakingly refurbished at our jewellers in Hatton Garden [where all of the company’s pieces are transformed to the highest standards, ensuring no-one will be able to tell that the pieces are not brand new] and went on display only to sell the same day.’ Ian illustrates that the auction houses are buying their stock cheaply, in comparison to the figure that they can then sell the items on for. Lulu’s Estate’s competitive prices ensure that Ian and Desiree have a constant stream of the finest jewellery but the team is continuously on the lookout for potential sellers.
Interestingly, Lulu’s Estate also deals in bespoke commissions, revealing that they also manage to undercut the retail market in this arena. Whether clients seek an engagement ring or a specially-designed piece, they will pay wholesale prices avoiding brand inflation. ‘One gentleman visited Lulu’s Estate for a pearshaped diamond pendant. He paid £6,500 from us but noticed that another renowned jeweller featured a similar design which they were selling for £18,500,’ says Ian. The necklace was not perfectly identical but according to Lulu’s Estate, the diamond in the other piece was actually of lesser quality. Who says one can’t have the very best at reasonable prices? Lulu’s Estate will not stay a secret for long, with interest in membership already beginning to surge. Personalities such as Donna Air, Jade Parfitt, Laura Whitmore and Nicole Scherzinger have already been spotted in the brand’s varied collection, as have a number of prominent Belgravians. The only difficulty comes in deciding which pieces to borrow first; one can easily lose oneself amongst the glittering cases in the boutique. So I end this piece, not with a call to arms, but with an invitation to adorn yourself in elegant jewels.
That is the power of jewellery… It can transport you to another world
016
To arrange a consultation with Lulu’s Estate Jewellery, call 0845 257 9720 or email info@ lulusestatejewellery.co.uk. 57 Elizabeth Street Belgravia, SW1W 9PP (lulusestatejewellery.co.uk)
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
Westminster
Village
Henry Hopwood-Phillips meets Westminster Councillor Jean-Paul Floru at The Goring Hotel to discuss all things Belgravian...
‘T
here’s a compulsory hotel spend of $200 per night per person, nobody but the government is allowed to broadcast news, there is no left and right because the constitution is final, and the economy is based on subsistence farming,’ JP begins. Thankfully the Conservative councillor for Westminster is not describing the end days of his political patch. The Belgian Jean-Paul Floru, known to many as JP, has just returned from Bhutan, a tiny kingdom sitting high in the Himalayas, of which he is describing. But with his feet firmly planted on humbler heights, his attention is fixed on some rather more pedestrian, if harder-hitting, facts. ‘Right now the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s council tax is £1,071; Westminster’s is £680,’ he announces proudly. It would be safe to say JP sits on the libertarian end of the Conservative party spectrum. ‘I think that’s where the future lies. A massive majority of under 25s in the party are libertarian,’ he explains. I ask how these views affect day-to-day governance: ‘Well, I’ve been a councillor for seven years now and I can safely say that in every single bit of legislation that has been put in front of me there’s been room for savings,’ comes my reply. JP chairs one of the four licensing committees where he tells me ‘the conditions attached to a license can run into the tens of pages. Some are necessary of course but others are doubtlessly excessive and counterproductive. ‘Belgravia and some of the most beautiful areas of London were built before the 1947 Town & Country Planning Act. Before
JP Floru lobbying outside the House of Parliament
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 sort of legislation that tells us we can’t build over railways, before the sort of prescriptive regulation that tells developers what sort of rooms, facilities and tenant they must accommodate.’ Thankfully, tape-cutting sits squarely at the centre of JP’s political philosophy. He’s quite sure the reason Belgravia operates as a microcosm of London’s social divergence is because enterprise is stifled. ‘In fact, I almost bought a house in a mews off Belgrave Square, but what stopped me was the lack of conveniences,’ he confides. I counter
Right now the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s council tax is £1071; Westminster’s is £680 that the Council could help things by lowering business rates. ‘Business rates are a common compliant,’ JP nods, ‘but although we collect this, and the figure usually hits around £1 billion per annum, we only keep seven per cent, the rest goes to the government.’ I wonder whether the problem is less that the middle is caving, and more that the top is soaring. To my mind, in a free market, the fact that parts of Belgravia are becoming solely assets would be reflected by prices. He doesn’t look convinced. ‘It doesn’t matter if the pie is getting bigger, that’s what we, as Conservatives, want. It’s Labour that worry about redistributing the pre-existing pie,’ he tells me. I bow out to his expertise. I haven’t written a book that’s been lauded by the economic oracle John Redwood MP; JP has.
JP Floru and Mayor of London Boris Johnson
017
The
Belgravian CHUKKA CHAMP
With 12 royal families and 70 billionaires on his books, Ed Olver, one of the founders of British Polo Day, refuses to look back for long on a life not long lived...
‘C
oca-Cola?’ My last syllable trails off into an indignant whinny; only one down from water, the caramel coloured pop’s been sponsoring party-poopers since 1886. Edward Olver has his excuses for ordering a soft drink at our meeting wellrehearsed though. ‘We only returned from the Mexican polo a couple of nights ago! And I was at a business gathering at 10 Downing Street last night,’ he smiles. ‘What, a sort of Cool Britannia mk.ii,’ I wonder? ‘Something like that,’ he says. ‘But this had a bit more substance; the government’s throwing its weight behind British businesses.’ The irony is, as Ed recalls, ‘I had to be flown to England to ensure that if I ever had children, they’d automatically be British.’ A slightly bitter irony if one considers that he is the eldest grandson of Spitfire ace, Peter Olver. Peter had settled in Kenya to farm at the end of the war. ‘But my father’s position in Swire Group meant the family lived quite an itinerant lifestyle,’ he says. A decidedly expatriate existence that had the pint-sized Ed bouncing between boarding school and more countries than a field marshal could shake a baton at. So, what drove him at school? ‘I loved rugby and politics,’ he tells me. In reality, not-so pint-sized, Ed proved his mettle as a flanker. Indeed, after studying politics at Bristol University, it was sport that provided his lucky break at Deutsche Bank: ‘It was during a game of cricket with senior members of the firm that I managed to get on some of the more serious projects DB were running – Red Bull, the Patrons of the Royal Academy and things like that.’ Normally, with a job offer from M&C Saatchi on his desk, a young man can see the professional yellow brick road unfurl itself before him. Not Ed. Raised on a healthy diet of newspaper funeral orations, he explained the tributes ‘gave me a greater sense of the fullness of life. What I was doing no longer felt right. I stopped, reassessed, and decided I needed to push capacity.’ ‘Capacity’ was certainly tested when he won his spurs in the desert. ‘I was in reconnaissance in Iraq, ensuring Iranians didn’t cross the border. It was a bit chaotic with people chasing us, trying to mortar our positions.’ He left the Blues & Royals as an adjutant captain after five years and still looks back with fond memories: ‘I’ll never regret it. The army was the best forge to test your steel in.’ Despite having happily discussed his history, it seems that Edward is keen to look forward, not back. It may be his age – he’s only seen a chalk over 30 summers after all – but I suspect an itchiness to talk about the future is down to his energy for it. ‘It was Ben Vestey [British Polo Day’s MD], who said about my past: “it’s a conspiracy of your former lives, Ed” and I agree with him.’ All the miscellaneous skills garnered have proved perfectly proportioned and assembled for the requirements of the company
that followed his stint in the army: British Polo Day (BPD). The copyrighted name currently sits tight under Britannia Elevation (BE). I ask why he needs a holding company. His eyes light up. ‘I don’t see why BE can’t become a new Virgin, extending its relationships and expertise into all sorts of areas.’ ‘What’s your USP though?’ I venture, prodding his grand vision. ‘Polo events in the past operated on a pay and play business model in which sponsors got little more than advertising and players did their own thing. We think we’ve found a model, in which sponsors, attendees and players get much more from the mix.’ ‘Also, as power shifts in the world, businesses talk a good talk about multicultural relations but rarely walk it.’ Ed carefully outlines how Western business models have infrastructures (ranging from law to bureaucracy) that accommodate the trust deficit, before noting that these are nonexistent in the East and that, in the breach, capital tended to follow rapport. With 12 royal families and more than 70 billionaires on his books, Edward certainly sits at the centre of a large web of good-will. His knack for rubbing people up the right way is effective, even when off-duty. ‘There was an Italian waitress here the other day who’d been a graphic designer in another life. She’d learnt English in a matter of weeks. Later, a chap came bounding in moaning about a lack of graphic designers’. Ed put the two in touch. Not that Mr Olver lets the fact he’s a less-stressful, better-looking version of Guardian Jobs go to his head. ‘We all fly economy class at BPD. I can afford to employ people for two months on a business flight ticket; it’s just not worth it.’ BPD isn’t just some giant vampire squid either; in fact, philanthropy looms so large on its agenda that there have been times when it has earned more for charity than for itself. ‘There’s no skimming, no creaming here. If we pledge a pound, a whole pound goes in the kitty.’ Entrepreneurs tend to have a lot on their plate, and Ed isn’t an exception. So, what happens when he has a bad day? Does it all go to pot? ‘I’ve got a philosophy that often you can be your own worst enemy and that, when you feel grumpy about things, it’s usually a lack of perspective that’s causing it. A situation easily rectified with exercise.’ The sensible answer throws me a tad. I need a bit of drama before the conversation takes a panegyrical turn and we all start feeling uncomfortably Californian. ‘Come on Ed, what’s the worst thing about this entire project?’ I tease. ‘Well, perhaps the fact that if this all goes wrong, I’m unemployable!’ he chuckles. That’s more like it. Underneath every can-do expat, there’s a Brit crying to get out.
If this all goes wrong, I’m unemployable!
(britishpoloday.com)
Words / Henry Hopwood-Phillips Illustration / Russ Tudor
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
019
Beauty &Grooming Outside-in beauty and TLC on our doorstep, for him and for her
The Scent
of Success
Briana Handte Lesesne discusses scent and its power to evoke powerful recollections with the doyenne of French perfumery Camille Goutal, daughter of Annick Goutal the woman and perfumer behind the scenes of the brand
F
or Christmas, my daughter received an exquisite snow globe. Inside was a tiny Parisienne girl, accompanied by a scooter and a bistro table with chairs. She was positioned in front of a boutique along one of Paris’s better known shopping streets. Paris has always been associated with a dreamlike quality, true luxury and, of course, fragrances. The fragrance house of Annick Goutal epitomises the French art of perfumery. With a rich heritage steeped in emotion and tradition, Annick Goutal’s daughter Camille Goutal continues these traditions and shares some fragrance insights with Belgravia Residents’ Journal. What was the first fragrance you wore and what memories would it conjure if you were to wear it today? The first perfumes I ever wore remind me of my mother and her first store. I was six years old when she opened the venture. I loved trying them all: Rose Absolue, Eau d’Hadrien, Eau de Lavande, Heure Exquise. My favorites were always the headiest ones. If you bottled your childhood and your life now, what would they smell of? My childhood would smell of toast and coffee, a reminder of our family breakfasts, the neck of my mother who was always giving me hugs, my artist father’s tubes of paint, the rosin (resin of dried pine) my cellist stepfather used on his bows, and the sea. Today, it would be the smell of my daughters’ skin, Songes (which I created for myself and smells of tiare and frangipani flowers, as well as the beach) and, as always, the sea. What fragrance tips can you share with us? You can perfume your hairbrush rather than your hair to avoid the alcohol damaging your tresses, but it’s quite possible, and satisfying, to spray a bit on your hair from time to time. If you wear heady perfumes that last a long time, you can spray some on your coat and scarf the night before to avoid
overpowering everyone when you arrive at work in the morning. You should always be careful not to put too much perfume on if it’s quite strong. For those who wear light perfumes that don’t have as much staying power, it’s a good idea to use the body cream and shower gel that go with it as well so that the fragrance lasts longer. If you don’t use perfume very often, you can keep it in the refrigerator to protect it from the light and the heat. You can also put perfume on pulse points, for example behind the ears, the knees or the wrists, on the neck, and in the hollow of your arms. These places are extremely good vehicles for fragrance. A few drops are enough. Can fragrance have the power to evoke a specific mood in us? Probably, but it’s a very personal thing and different for everyone. Some say that their perfume can make them happy and boost their morale, while others say it protects them or that they feel stronger when wearing it. It can be a source of comfort and boost self-confidence, and it can also be a means of seduction. Some fragrances have the power to make you feel melancholic, especially when they remind you of someone. What do you love about the London? I love the humour and the English accent, the way the English can say dreadful things and still be chic. I also love their music and literature. I never get tired of walking along the Thames on my way to the Tate. I often take my lunch break or dinner at Borough Market. Recently, we also walked all the way along the eastern side of the Regent’s Canal, starting from Angel all the way to Limehouse Basin — it took us almost five hours. But I prefer this side of the Canal, which is less touristy and wilder. One of my favorite books for exploring London is Londres Insolite et Secrète by Jonglez Publishing, which also exists in English under the name Secret London – An Unusual Guide. I’ve discovered some extremely surprising things thanks to that book. Annick Goutal, 20 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8LB. Fragrances can also be purchased from Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty and Harvey Nichols, as well as online (annickgoutal.com/en)
Beauty by Bamford
The Bamford Haybarn Spa at The Berkeley Hotel is an oasis of calm and relaxation in the heart of London. Upon entering the spa, the soft colour palette of creams and browns, smooth stones and soft cashmere instantly transport me to a quiet enclave in the Cotswolds. My treatment room was aptly named the Willow Room, airy and light and not overpowered by candles and incense but a light fragrant rosemary scent. The Bamford Body Signature Treatment, which I am scheduled to try, combines shiatsu, meridian and Swedish massage. Based on what appealed most to my senses, I choose a scented oil from a selection of three presented to me: chamomile, geranium, and rosemary. I opt for the second. Firstly, I receive a footbath with geranium bath salts with hints of peppermint and lavender that provides cleansing, calmness and relaxation. After this blissful treatment, I am led to the luxurious rooftop pool with stunning views of Hyde Park and London. I tuck into poached native lobster with minted courgettes and baby spinach, accompanied by sweet lime dressing and shaved hazelnuts. For those who want a detox, might I suggest the melon refresher smoothie combining honeydew, mint, grape and natural yogurt. Bamford is a way of life and, in addition to the spa, the brand features a luxurious line of bath and body products that are 100 per cent pure and natural. The recently launched Botanic Facial Oil (£40) is a must for the dry January weather. A delicate oil that is excellent for dehydrated lacklustre and dry skin. Rich in anti-oxidants and infused with oils high in linoleic and omega six and nine, as well as fatty acids. It feeds the skin and aids in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. Bamford Haybarn Spa at The Berkeley Hotel, Wilton Place SW1X 7RL, 020 7201 1699. Bamford products are also available at Bamford, 169 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AJ (bamford.co.uk)
The Light Technique
Listen, treat, transform. This is the mantra of Katie Light, who perfected The Light Technique, an innovative practice which looks at the connection between physical and emotional well-being. Katie achieves results by working with body and mind to shift blockages through intuitive massage and energy balancing, as well as addressing and changing negative thought processes, associated behaviours and patterns. She begins each session with a conversation to learn more about a client’s lifestyle, then, using a combination of NLP (New Linguistic Programming), deep tissue massage and the Japanese art and science of Reiki, based on the seven chakras of energy points within the body, her sessions address the healing of the mind and body. What better way to start the New Year?
Dressed in Scent
‘I wanted to create a modern wardrobe of fragrances. Fragrances that can be very personal to the woman who is wearing them.’ – Aerin Lauder, founder and creative director of AERIN. The brand introduces a collection of fragrances based on emotion, lifestyle and aspiration. Captured in five distinct scents, each fragrance tells its own story. Amber Musk reflects winter with the sensuality of amber and creamy musk; Evening Rose is soft and sensual; Lilac Path represents spring and the blooming of flowers; Gardenia Rattan captures the spirit of summer with essence of gardenia, tuberose and tiare Tahiti and Ikat Jasmine represents the essence of casual chic with a touch of honeysuckle and sandalwood. The only tricky decision to make is which to wear first. £85 for 50ml, The AERIN Fragrance Collection is available at selected John Lewis stores, Harrods and Selfridges London and online at esteelauder.co.uk/AERIN
A treatment package of 60 and 90 minute sessions costs £90 per hour. To book a consultation, contact Katie Light on 07554 003 070 or by email katie@thelighttechnique Words / Briana Handte Lesesne B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
021
Residents’ Culture Exploring the minutiae of residents’ concerns and encounters
Old
Richmond Hill by J.M.W. Turner, courtesy of Tate Britain
Sloper
Old Sloper feels that we are robbing Peter to pay Paul
T
Belgravian
Moments
Briana Handte-Lesesne loves the northern light
A
fter the winter solstice hit its peak on 21 December, a change in the light is evident during the early days of January. The streets of Belgravia are deserted of holiday revellers as residents adjust back into their daily routines. Drinking a single macchiato in my kitchen, I take in daybreak over the buildings of Eaton Place. As the sun rises, a soft pink and yellow light washes the façades of Belgravia’s magnolia hued buildings. I focus on the play of light and the radiance of the skies – an evanescent light that creates an almost ephemeral atmospheric effect within the neighbourhood. Throughout my academic career and while applying to Christie’s London, as well as working in an art gallery in Moscow which specialised in the Russian landscape, I have pursued my interest in northern European oil paintings, the effects of light
at this latitude and the role of cooler light, shade and shadow. Perhaps the one artist who would have appreciated Belgravia’s northern light would have been the English landscape painter J.M.W. Turner. Renowned for his oil paintings, he is also one of the greatest masters of British watercolour landscapes. Referred to as ‘the painter of the light,’ Turner had the unique talent of capturing the pure essence of colours in sunlight, storms, rain and fog. James Abbott McNeill Whistler the American-born, British-based artist painted landscapes along the River Thames. Nocturne: Blue and Silver-Cremorne Lights (1872), a well-known oil of his, captures the blue and grey hues of early evening. He lived in Chelsea but spent time in Belgravia; perhaps this light was his inspiration?
he increase of personal allowances in 2014 is welcome but capital gains tax and inheritance tax for overseas property owners, which it is estimated will yield £120 million at the most, on top of the complicated taxes on overseas property owners, is frankly an act of crass stupidity and kamikaze politics. The Chancellor should first of all get the Office of National Statistics and the Treasury to calculate the figures before embarking on tax legislation which can only deter investment in the UK. The Chancellor should have reduced overseas aid contributions, at least until our economy and national finances are in good order. Money could also have been raised by making foreign governments guarantee student loans made to their students. They currently owe in excess of £100 million to the student loans company ie. the taxpayer. We are expecting an influx of Romanians and Bulgarians which again will be a drain on the exchequer; they should have to wait at least 12 months before claiming any state benefits. Please email our MP Mark Field and tell him to amend the Immigration Bill accordingly.
The views expressed on this page are not held by the Residents’ Journal. The page offers a platform for the voices of our local residents to discuss topics they feel relevant and important.
The Residents’ Association’s
January round-up
by Sara Oliver
The last couple of months on the run up to Christmas were hectic. Here is a taste of what happened in Belgravia
W
e organised Centrepieces in late November, which was a great success. The event involved exploring the shops on Pimlico Road with renowned interior designer Debra McQuin. Each store showcased a special centrepiece, with Mark Ransom choosing an exceptionally rare Willy Razzo granite table. Ossowski’s original chippendale mirror, with its delicate carving and beautifully patinated paintwork, won the heart of Debra, who thought ‘its versatility and elegance would fit comfortably in any reception room.’ Arthur Brett, Pullman Editions and John Adams Fine Art, all participated and each had its own precious pieces to show us. We plan to do more of these special evenings in 2014. Any company or business that would like to support these Images from Centrepieces Photography by Pete Johnson events, please contact us.
Christmas Carols in aid of St Paul’s Knightsbridge Foundation was a fabulous affair with a host of celebrity readings, delicious canapés, mince pies and champagne courtesy of The Berkeley Hotel. A delightful blessing of the Christmas tree in Wilton Crescent, together with more carols and mulled wine followed on afterwards.
Another special carol concert in support of Place2Be, a leading school-based mental health charity, was hosted by Eaton Square Church and readings were given by Joanna Lumley and a host of personalities.
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 Motcomb Street Christmas Party was a great evening with a festive hunt for both adults and children involving looking for stars in participating boutiques, ultimately leading to a treasure of goodies. Sue Liberman and Father Christmas were busy meeting and greeting everyone. The Holland Park Singers and St Peter’s Choir were also in attendance, and we watched a light show for added sparkle.
The Christmas cinema, sponsored by Duncan Lawrie Private Bank and Grosvenor in Belgrave Square, was a fun way for parents and children to pass a Saturday afternoon together with hot chocolate, marshmallows and a tombola of Christmas teddies.
2014 For those who work, rest and play in this fair corner of London, 2014 will be full of possibilities. The Belgravia Residents’ Association, now in its 42nd year, is going from strength to strength offering a great many ways to enjoy the area and make local connections. If you are not already a member, please sign up to the Association today and make the most of where you live.
Until next month... belgraviaresidents.org.uk
023
Putting the bon in
Buonaparte
An Englishman reviews a Scot’s biography on a French general. No, it’s not a bad joke, it’s a book review...
I
had never read a book by Sir Walter Scott before this. Perhaps, because whenever his name appears on shelves, I shelve him in my head. I arrogantly persuade myself that I know his type: a late 18th century litterateur, given unto rationalism or romance – trite and naive in both. Instead, I was treated to the breadth of Edward Gibbon, the fastidiousness of Leopold von Ranke and the common sense of Edmund Burke. Scott’s narrative yields neither to the yoke of procrustean theory or the flights of rhetorical fancy that Plutarch toyed with. What feels special about Scott is that he aspires and, in most cases, hits the old historian’s virtue of engaging with all values and factions at play, sacrificing none. What is more surprising is that he ensures that the balance achieved never detracts from the twinkle in his eye. Indeed, twinkly details are never lost in the wake of history’s arched waves. So we are informed that many men sighed for Napoleon’s sister Pauline. Scott adds suggestively that ‘it is said they did not sigh in vain.’ Also, when the Tree of Liberty was erected in the principle square of Milan, aristocrats observed that ‘it was a bare pole without either leaves, or fruit, roots or branches.’ And, when Napoleon is confronted by a bulky woman at a Parisian barricade exhorting her colleagues to stand their ground, telling them to ‘never mind the coxcombs with epaulets, for they care not if we are all starved, so long as they themselves feed and get fat,’ he defuses the situation, telling her: ‘Look at me, woman, and tell me which is the fatter of the two.’ Not that humour is allowed to drown out the serious insights into either Napoleon or his opponents. In one particularly illuminating episode, Napoleon admits that
‘were I a general officer I would have adhered to the King; being a subaltern, I join the patriots.’ Paul François Jean Nicolas, vicomte de Barras is portrayed as an example of the type of mediocrity who ‘the higher their condition, [the more awkward their demeanour]; for the factious advantages which they possess cannot raise them to the natural dignity of character, unless in the sense in which a dwarf, by the assistance of crutches, may be said to be as tall as a giant.’ The Scotchman can see through the great Frenchman’s ‘empire’. Sitting uneasily between ‘oriental despotism’ and ‘splendid masquerade’, the language suggests he saw the French
Napoleon admits that ‘were I a general officer I would have adhered to the King; being a subaltern, I join the patriots’ empire less as a threat to the pink on the map [the British Empire] than as a revival of Mongol imperium: built on the magnetism of personality and the draw of wealth, but also as ephemeral as both. He doesn’t let this detract from the glory of an ultimately tragic figure that died from stomach cancer on St Helena – one of the remotest spots in the British Empire (interestingly still part of the British Overseas Territory to this day). A man whose star stood so high when Auguste Frédéric Louis Viesse de Marmont, 1st Duke of Ragusa, his aide-de-camp, delivered this speech to the Directory on Napoleon’s first campaign, he said: ‘Italy has been entirely conquered – three large armies have been entirely destroyed – more than 50 stand of colours have been taken by the victors – 40,000 Austrians laid down their arms – and... these deeds have been accomplished by an army of only 30,000 Frenchmen, commanded by a general scarce 26-years-old.’ £25 hardback, The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte by Sir Walter Scott, Gibson Square (1827, 2014)
Words / Tom Hardman
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
025
Planning &Development Keeping you in the know about important street plans affecting Belgravia
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
DATE RECEIVED
ADDRESS
PROPOSAL
12 November
Eaton Terrace
Demolition and rebuilding of garage
25 November
Belgrave Square
Conversion of boiler room into gym
25 November
South Eaton Place
Demolition of existing building for a fivestorey house with three basement levels
25 November
Wilton Street
Installation of external rear stair
25 November
Cundy Street
Amendment to bedroom sizes on current planning permission plans
2 December
Ebury Street
Sycamore tree crown reduction
On Your Bike
Westminster City Council has launched a draft cycling strategy for public consultation. Plans include a central London cycling grid. If you want to make your opinions known on the blueprint, get them in quick as the consultation closes on 20 January. Cllr Ed Argar, Westminster City Council cabinet member for transport and city management, says: ‘The growing popularity of cycling, particularly in London, but also across the country, is clear to everyone. As more and more people choose to cycle for work or leisure… [we need to] help make Westminster a national leader in cycling provision. We look forward to hearing your views.’ (westminster.gov.uk/services/ transportandstreets/cycling/cyclingstrategy)
planned road works
STREET
PLANNED WORK
DATES
WORKS OWNER
Buckingham Palace Road
Installation of specific cables
1 – 31 January
UKPN (0800 028 4587)
Chester Square
Carry out plug in carriageway
6-8 January
Thames Water (0800 9200 800)
Bourne Street
New water connection in footway and carriageway
8-13 January
Thames Water
Eaton Gate
Modernisation of TFL traffic equipment
13 January – 12 April
TFL (0845 305 1234)
Belgrave Place
Footway excavation
15-21 January
UKPN
Duke of Wellington Place
Cycle stand installations
23-24 January
TFL
The new
Victorians
Jo O’Donoghue finds out more about the luxurious redevelopment plans for nearby Victoria, redefining the area as one of the capital’s most desirable postcodes
‘T
here was a time when Victoria was synonymous with business men in monochrome suits,’ says Tom Eshelby, residential director at Land Securities. ‘People visited Victoria as a transport hub, not a destination district. Now Victoria is fast becoming a vibrant, dynamic hub populated by some of the biggest names in fashion, design and technology. ‘Luxury brands, once settled in Mayfair, are moving to the other side of Green Park. Burberry was the first to move in 2009 and since then its new neighbours include Tom Ford, Marc Newson and Jimmy Choo.’ At the start of the New Year, we’re now in the middle of Victoria’s renaissance – you may have noticed the changes happening slowly over the last year or two, but 2014 is expected to be the year of re-birth for the area, in an exciting explosion of new luxury shops and high-end homes. As Land Securities transforms Victoria SW1 into one of London’s most desirable postcodes, Knight Frank expects local housing prices to increase by 25 per cent by 2016, with high demand for the 176 new homes in the architectural showpiece the Nova building and further properties at Kingsgate House. Crucially, Land Securities has committed to long-term development as well as property construction and sales, by ensuring the presence of retail and restaurant brands and new public spaces to benefit the local community and new residents. ‘Overlooking an illustrious neighbourhood of Buckingham Palace, exclusive Belgravia and the lush green of St James’s Park, London Victoria is emerging as London’s newest prime central London property hotspot,’ says Eshelby. ‘Fully functioning society requires a good balance of shops and residential properties. Flats and apartments are more appealing for residents to have facilities on their doorstep. People in city locations in particular search for this. If you are building new homes it is important to build the right infrastructure around them.’ The Nova Building – situated along Buckingham Palace Road – is the largest project in Land Securities’ £2.2 billion investment in Victoria, forming the centrepiece of Nova, Victoria: a mixed-used space in which to eat, drink, shop, live, work and play. The surrounding streets are filled with retail, culture and dining establishments including the fashion headquarters of Burberry and Armani (among numerous others), the Phillips gallery, St James’ Theatre, boutique cinema The Curzon Cinema, Michelin-starred Quilion restaurant, Roux at Parliament Square and of course, already in residence is the famous Goring Hotel. ‘All of this development is shaping a new Victoria and with it are coming new residents attracted by the area’s excellent transport links to the West End, the City and beyond as well as
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
its burgeoning facilities,’ explains Eshelby. ‘The redevelopment of Victoria will entice residents who will be attracted to [the] variety of shops and restaurants, as well as commercial businesses who are attracted to the current fashion and culture businesses that are already based there.’ With properties available for sale this year, and completion expected in 2016, RbLS will have generated 561 residential properties in the ‘new’ Victoria. The cutting-edge Nova project alone accounts for £900 million of direct investment in the London economy. ‘Once complete, Nova will create over 5,000 new jobs, three quarters of which will be for local people,’ adds Eshelby, ‘and Nova’s residents will create a net benefit of £4.2 million per year to the London economy.’ Fast becoming of London’s most dynamic and interesting areas, the ‘new’ Victoria has seen SW1 awaken to place where contemporary living exists alongside high fashion, modern art, fine dining and community spirit. Emerging as a place of both opportunity and investment, it’s definitely topping our ‘what’s hot’ list for New Year 2014. For more information on the Nova Building, visit landsecuritieslondon.com/portfolio/Nova-Victoria
Retail Therapy
The new Victoria already includes a thriving mix of retailers including Erickson Beamon, Space NK, Philip Treacy, Donna Ida, Hotel Chocolat, Molton Brown, Heidi Klein with lots more to come. ‘It’s probably best described as South Molton Lane meets Carnaby Street meets Bond Street,’ says Eshelby.
A New Landmark on the Skyline
Nova boasts some daring new architecture: ‘ultramodern design and an unrivalled prime central London location which gives it that ‘landmark’ factor,’ says Eshelby. Comprising five glass towers, it will crown the ‘new’ Victoria with a glittering landmark for the London skyline.
027
The Belgravia
Directory
A compendium of the area’s key establishments
Estate Agents Andrew Reeves 77-79 Ebury Street 020 7881 1366
Douglas Lyons & Lyons 33 Kinnerton Street 020 7235 7933
Knight Frank 82-83 Chester Square 020 7881 7722
Ayrton Wylie 16 Lower Belgrave Street 020 7730 4628
Harrods Estates 82 Brompton Road 020 7225 6506
Savills 139 Sloane Street 020 7730 0822
Best Gapp & Cassells 81 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 9253
Henry & James 1 Motcomb Street 020 7235 8861
Strutt & Parker 66 Sloane Street 020 7235 9959
Cluttons 84 Bourne Street 020 7730 0303
John D Wood 48 Elizabeth Street 020 7824 7900
W A Ellis 174 Brompton Road 020 7306 1600
Wellbelove Quested 160 Ebury Street 020 7881 0880
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 Caffe Reale 23 Grosvenor Gardens 020 7592 9322
The Green Café 16 Eccleston Street 020 7730 5304 ll Corriere 6 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 2087 The Old English Coffee House 1 Montrose Place 020 7235 3643 Patisserie Valerie 17 Motcomb Street 020 7245 6161 Tomtom Coffee House 114 Ebury Street 020 7730 1771 Valerie Victoria 38 Buckingham Palace Road 020 7630 9781
PUBLIC HOUSES/ DINING ROOMS The Antelope 22-24 Eaton Terrace 020 7824 8512
The Orange 37 Pimlico Road 020 7881 9844 theorange.co.uk
The Pantechnicon 10 Motcomb Street 020 7730 6074 thepantechnicon.com
The Thomas Cubitt 44 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 6060 thethomascubitt.co.uk
RESTAURANTS Como Lario 18-22 Holbein Place 020 7730 9046 Il Convivio 143 Ebury Street 020 7730 4099
Olivo (Italian & Sardinian) 21 Eccleston Street 020 7730 2505 Zafferano (Italian) 15 Lowndes Street 020 7235 5800
Motcombs 26 Motcomb Street 020 7235 6382 motcombs.co.uk
Mango Tree 46 Grosvenor Place 020 7823 1888 Pétrus 1 Kinnerton Street 020 7592 1609
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
FINISHING TOUCHES
Humphrey -Carrasco 43 Pimlico Road 020 7730 9911
Westenholz 80-82 Pimlico Road 020 7824 8090
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
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 Patrick Jefferson 69 Pimlico Road 020 7730 6161
ARCHITECTS/ DESIGN 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
CLEANING Kudu Services Discreet, confidential cleaning services for offices and homes of distinction 27 Mortimer Street 020 8704 5988 kuduservices.co.uk
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S ’ J O U R N A L
Paint Services Company 19 Eccleston Street 020 7730 6408 Rachel Vosper (candles) 69 Kinnerton Street 020 7235 9666 Ramsay (prints) 69 Pimlico Road 020 7730 6776 Sebastian D’Orsai (framer) 77 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 8366 Zuber 42 Pimlico Road 020 7824 8265
FURNITURE Ciancimino 85 Pimlico Place 020 7730 9959
Ossowski 83 Pimlico Road 020 7730 3256 Promemoria UK 99 Pimlico Road 020 7730 2514
The Dining Chair Company 4 St Barnabas Street 020 7259 0422
Soane 50-52 Pimlico Road 020 7730 6400
Hemisphere 97 Lower Sloane Street 020 7730 9810
Talisman 190-192 Ebury Street 020 7730 7800
GALLERIES
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
INTERIOR DESIGN Chester Designs 9 Chester Square Mews 020 7730 4333
029
The Belgravia
Directory Fashion BOUTIQUES Le Spose Di Giò (wedding dresses) 81 Ebury Street 020 7901 9020 le-spose-di-gio.it
Christian Louboutin 23 Motcomb Street 020 7245 6510
Patricia Roberts 60 Kinnerton Street 020 7235 474
Herve Leger 29 Lowndes Street 020 7201 2590
Philip Treacy 69 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 3992
Lynton Hotel 113 Ebury Street 020 7730 4032
The Belgravia Mews Hotel 50 Ebury Street 020 7730 5434
The Sloane Club 52 Lower Sloane Street 020 7730 9131
Morgan Guest House 120 Ebury Street 020 7730 2384
The Diplomat Hotel 2 Chesham Street 020 7235 1544
Tophams Hotel 24-32 Ebury Street 020 7730 3313
Westminster House Hotel 96 Ebury Street 020 7730 4302
Lime Tree Hotel 135-137 Ebury Street 020 7730 8191
LUXURY
BOUTIQUE Astors Hotel 110-112 Ebury Street 020 7730 0158
The Rubens at the Palace 39 Buckingham Palace Road 020 7834 6600
BOOKMAKERS
SOLICITORS
Nevena Couture (clients by appointment only)
Lowndes Street 020 3539 8738 nevena.co.uk
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 15 Beeston Place 020 7396 9000
Services BANKS Duncan Lawrie Private Banking 1 Hobart Place 020 7245 1234 duncanlawrie.com
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
Child & Child 14 Grosvenor Crescent 020 7235 8000 childandchild.co.uk
Eaton Square School 79 Eccleston Square 020 7931 9469 Francis Holland School 39 Graham Terrace 020 7730 2971
CHARITIES
EDUCATION
British Red Cross 85 Ebury Street 020 7730 2235
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 caledonianclub.com
FLORISTS Catherine Muller 53 Elizabeth Street 020 7259 0196 catherinemuller.com
IT SUPPORT Dashwood Solutions Contact Jonny Hyam for all your IT needs 07787 507 407
Neill Strain Floral Couture 11 West Halkin Street 020 7235 6469
POST OFFICE
Judith Blacklock Flower School 4-5 Kinnerton Place South 020 7235 6235
TRAVEL
Post Office 6 Eccleston Street 0845 722 3344
Bravo Travel 6 Lower Grosvenor Place 0870 121 3411
Speciality Shops BAKERIES
DELI
Polisher
Baker & Spice 54-56 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 3033
La Bottega 25 Eccleston Street 020 7730 2730
F Bennett and Son 9 Chester Square Mews 020 7730 6546
Ottolenghi 13 Motcomb Street 020 7823 2707
GREENGROCERS
NEWSAGENT
Charles of Belgravia 27 Lower Belgrave Street 020 7730 5210
Mayhew Newsagents 15 Motcomb Street 020 7235 5770
CIGAR SPECIALIST Tomtom Cigars 63 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1790
BOOKS Belgravia Books 59 Ebury Street 020 7259 9336 belgraviabooks.com
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 David Thomas Master Goldsmith 65 Pimlico Road 020 7730 7710 De Vroomen 59 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1901 Erickson Beamon 38 Elizabeth Street 020 7259 0202
Elizabeth Gage 5 West Halkin Street 020 7823 0100 eg@elizabeth-gage.com elizabeth-gage.com
PERFUMERIES Annick Goutal 20 Motcomb Street 020 7245 0248 Les Senteurs 71 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 2322
Floris 147 Ebury Street 020 7730 0304 florislondon.com
Pet accessories Mungo & Maud 79 Elizabeth Street 020 7022 1207
031
savills.co.uk
1 IMMACULATE PENTHOUSE WITH SPECTACULAR ROOF TERRACE eaton square, sw1 Reception room ø dining room ø kitchen ø 3 bedroom suites ø roof terrace ø roof storage ø 239 sq m (2,575 sq ft)
Guide £15 million Leasehold, approximately 122 years remaining
Savills Knightsbridge
Savills Sloane Street
Alex Christian achristian@savills.com
Richard Dalton rdalton@savills.com
020 7581 5234
020 7730 0822
savills.co.uk
LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY
1
STUNNING CONTEMPORARY PENTHOUSE hans crescent, sw1 3 double bedrooms (2 en suite) ø bathroom ø double reception room ø open plan kitchen ø guest cloakroom ø lift ø porter ø 206 sq m (2,217 sq ft) ø Council Tax=G ø EPC=E
Savills Knightsbridge Chloe Alexander cjalexander@savills.com
020 7584 8585 Furnished £3,950 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* *£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.
savills.co.uk
LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY
1
STUNNING FIRST FLOOR SOUTH-FACING APARTMENT eaton place, sw1 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø reception room ø kitchen ø 2 balconies ø residents parking ø 87 sq m (939 sq ft) ø Council Tax=G ø EPC=D
Savills Sloane Street Murdi Van Hien mvanhien@savills.com
020 7824 9005 Furnished £1,295 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* *£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.
savills.co.uk
LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY
1
STYLISH PENTHOUSE APARTMENT cadogan square, sw1 2 double bedroom suites ø reception room ø dining room ø eat-in kitchen ø guest cloakroom ø direct lift access ø access to communal gardens ø 164 sq m (1,765 sq ft) ø Council Tax=H ø EPC=E
Savills Knightsbridge Chloe Alexander cjalexander@savills.com
020 7584 8585
Furnished £2,250 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* *£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.
FROM BELGRAVE SQUARE TO EBURY SQUARE
KNIGHT FRANK KNOWS BELGRAVIA BELGRAVIA’S ADDRESSES ARE AS WELCOMING Stuart Bailey, head of our Belgravia office and his team are renowned for their years of experience and their property expertise. They specialise in selling a range of properties from mews and town houses, to pied-à-terres and penthouse apartments. The team’s in depth knowledge of the local market, combined with an extensive network of offices in the UK and around the world, means that it is possible to match properties to the best buyer. To find out more about how Knight Frank can help with your property requirements, call Knight Frank Belgravia
020 7881 7722 KnightFrank.co.uk
AS THE LOCAL KNIGHT FRANK TEAM
KnightFrank.co.uk
Wilton Row, Belgravia SW1
Beautiful three bedroom mews house with roof terrace A charming three bedroom house to rent in Belgravia located in this quiet, charming, cobbled mews. Master bedroom suite with roof terrace, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, 2 cloakrooms, utility room, double garage, balcony. EPC rating B. Approximately 261 sq m (2,810 sq ft)
KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings belgravia@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6006
Available furnished or unfurnished Guide price: ÂŁ3,250 per week (BEQ185218)
(All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, administration fees will apply when renting a property. Please ask for details of our charges).
ELIZABETH STREET, LONDON, SW1W TWO BEDROOMS FURNISHED/UNFURNISHED
£975
PER WEEK stc Two double bedrooms, Two bathrooms, First floor reception room, Eat-in kitchen, Brand new refurbishment A charming and newly refurbished two bedroom maisonette on Elizabeth Street with it’s own private entrance. This beautifully refurbished property benefits from high ceilings and an east/west double aspect that floods the property with natural light. Accommodation comprises of reception room with two large sash windows and feature gas fireplace,
large eat-in kitchen with new integrated appliances, master bedroom with en-suite shower room and bespoke built-in wardrobe, second double bedroom with built-in storage, second bathroom and a separate guest cloakroom. We will make an initial one-off tenancy agreement charge of £240 per tenancy plus £60 referencing charge per tenant. EPC D.
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861
belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
LOWNDES SQUARE, LONDON, SW1X TWO BEDROOMS FURNISHED
£1,600
PER WEEK stc Two double bedrooms, Two bathrooms, Reception room, Seperate eat-in kitchen, Wooden floors, Porter Stunning newly refurbished flat in a prime location and benefiting from a porter and views towards the communal gardens. Situated on the raised ground floor of this period building, this flat has been finished to the highest specification throughout and is furnished in a modern contemporary style with brand new Italian designer furniture. Accommodation
comprises of master bedroom with en-suite shower room, second double bedroom with built-in wardrobes, second bathroom, separate kitchen with breakfast bar and a lovely reception room with views of the communal gardens. We will make an initial one-off tenancy agreement charge of £240 per tenancy plus £60 referencing charge per tenant. EPC D.
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861
belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
EATON SQUARE, LONDON, SW1W TWO BEDROOMS LEASEHOLD GROSS INTERNAL AREA 984 SQ FT/91 SQ M
£2,400,000 Reception room, Kitchen, Two bedrooms, Bathroom, Two balconies, Access to communal gardens This impressively bright second floor apartment is situated at the western end of arguably London’s most prestigious square. The flat has leafy views looking up the length of the gardens and high ceilings throughout. The large sitting room has three floor-to-ceiling windows with a decorative balcony. There are two double bedrooms with an abundance of storage and the
added benefit of a consistently sun kissed, west-facing balcony. In addition to the world-renowned services of Eaton Square, the incoming purchaser would have the advantage of being almost equal distance between Sloane Square and the two villages of Motcomb Street and Elizabeth Street. EPC C.
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861
belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
CHESHAM MEWS, LONDON, SW1X TWO BEDROOMS FREEHOLD GROSS INTERNAL AREA 1419 SQ FT / 132 SQ M
ÂŁ3,950,000 Two reception rooms, Kitchen, Two en-suite bedrooms, Integrated home entertainment system, Garage A picturesque home that has been thoughtfully designed and beautifully presented laid out over three floors. Quietly situated in this highly sought after cobbled Belgravia Mews the property has attractive entertaining space with a first floor reception and separate dining on the ground floor next to the kitchen. There are two double bedrooms, the master
occupying the whole of the second floor, which has a large en suite bedroom/dressing room and a small terrace. The second bedroom also has its own en suite bathroom and is situated on the first floor. In addition there is a guest cloakroom and large integral garage/utility room. EPC E.
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861
belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
A23560-AYR-BEL-DPS-05M.indd 1
09/12/2013 15:17
A235
15:17
A23560-AYR-BEL-DPS-05M.indd 2
09/12/2013 15:17
Eaton Place, Belgravia SW1 • 3 Bedrooms
• Kitchen
• 2 Bathrooms (en suite)
• Direct lift access
• Shower room (en suite)
• Double roof terrace
• Drawing room
• Approx. 1,923 sq ft (178.8 sq m)
• Dining room
• EPC rating: current (C) potential (C)
“ An exceptional third and fourth floor maisonette in stunning condition ready for immediate occupation”
Guide price £6,950,000 Leasehold with 114 years remaining
For more information call Simon Godson on 020 7306 1610 or email sgodson@waellis.com
W.A.Ellis LLP 174 Brompton Road London SW3 1HP
waellis.com
Grosvenor Grosvenor Crescent Crescent Mews, Mews, Belgravia Belgravia SW1 SW1 • • • • • • • •
4 Bedrooms 4 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 Bathrooms Guest cloakroom Guest cloakroom 2 Reception rooms 2 Reception rooms
• • • • • • • •
Kitchen/dining room Kitchen/dining room Garage parking Garage parking Approx. 3,025 sq ft (281 sq m) Approx. 3,025 sq ft (281 sq m) EPC rating: current (C) potential (C) EPC rating: current (C) potential (C)
£5,500 per week £5,500 per week Furnished Furnished
For more information call Lucy Morton on For call lmorton@waellis.com Lucy Morton on 020more 7306information 1630 or email 020 7306 1630 or email lmorton@waellis.com
“ An immaculate house located “ An immaculate house located in one of London’s most sought in one of London’s most sought after areas in Belgravia” after areas in Belgravia”
W.A.Ellis LLP W.A.EllisRoad LLP 174 Brompton 174 Brompton London SW3Road 1HP London SW3 1HP
waellis.com waellis.com
W.A.Ellis will make an initial one-off tenancy agreement charge of £240 per tenancy plus £60 referencing charge per tenant. For further details of our W.A.Ellis and will make an please initial one-off tenancy agreement charge of £240 per tenancy plus £60 referencing charge per tenant. For further details of our services charges visit waellis.com. services and charges please visit waellis.com.
Your reward for all the lonely dinners at your desk.
77-79 Ebury Street, Belgravia, SW1W 0NZ www.andrewreeves.co.uk
Medway Street, Westminster SW1 £1,500,000 Freehold A mock-Victorian three bedroom house set over four floors. In need of modernisation, it comprises a kitchen with dining area, reception room, en-suite master bedroom, two further bedrooms and bathroom and a roof terrace. The property is close to Strutton Ground market and convenient for shopping in Victoria Street and transport connections at St James’s Park, Westminster & Victoria Stations. • Three bedrooms • Reception room • Kitchen with dining area • Two bathrooms • Separate WC • Roof terrace • 1,141 Sq.Ft / 106 Sq.M.
Belgravia Court, Ebury Street SW1 £1,500 per week Furnished A luxurious three bedroom penthouse apartment, on the seventh floor of this modern portered building. Meticulously refurbished to an exceptionally high standard, the property is bright throughout with far-reaching views of Belgravia & across London, and a south-facing reception room opening on to a magnificent terrace. Close to the shops and restaurants of Elizabeth Street & Lower Belgrave Street.
• Large entrance hall & living room • Fully fitted kitchen • 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Spacious terrace • Underground parking space • Porterage • 1,150 Sq.Ft / 107 Sq.M.
Lettings Office: lettings@andrewreeves.co.uk +44 (0)20 7881 1366
Sales Office: sales@andrewreeves.co.uk +44 (0)20 7881 1333
MOORE HOUSE, SW1 An exclusive collection of 1-3 bedroom luxury apartments. Energy Ratings: B/C. Leasehold
JSA Knight Frank
BELGRAVIA 020 7824 7900 belgravia@johndwood.co.uk
Belgravia Residents Journal Jan14.indd 1
johndwood.co.uk
09/12/2013 09:43
THE CLOCK IS TICKING The longer your property’s lease runs down, the more it will cost to renew! We offer expert advice and knowledge in dealing with leasehold enfranchisement and negotiating on your behalf with freeholders.
EST
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
33 Kinnerton Street, London, SW1X 8ED
Whaddon House, SW1 A beautifully presented and well proportioned apartment in this popular portered block, a short walk from Harrods and Motcomb Street. William Mews is a peaceful and tranquil mews located off Lowndes Square. This 1,292 ft2 (120 m2) / 3 bedroom apartment boasts exceptional attention to detail and its own private South-East facing balcony. A secure underground parking space available by separate negotiation.
ÂŁ3,200,000 Leasehold plus Share of Freehold
William Mews, London SW1 A spacious and elegant 3 bedroom mews house with private patio and garage. Located in a quiet mews just off Lowndes Square, 2 minutes walking distance to Knightsbridge Tube and Hyde Park, and a little further to Harrods and all the shops and amenities of the Brompton Road and Sloane Street. This modern house has just been refurbished to an extremely high standard throughout.
ÂŁ1,850 per week Unfurnished
Tel 020 7235 7933 Email enquiries@dll.uk.com Web www.dll.uk.com
facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker
struttandparker.com
St Michael’s Mews, Belgravia SW1
An immaculately presented four double bedroomed house in this very well-run gated development with the rare benefit of underground parking and a resident estate manager.
ÂŁ4,895,000 Share of Freehold
2,511 Sq ft / 233 Sq m EPC rating C Entrance hall | Reception room | Kitchen | Guest cloakroom | Master bedroom with en-suite | Second bedroom with en-suite | Two further bedrooms | Bathroom | Double garage | Terrace | Utility room
Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959
james.gilbert-green@struttandparker.com
Eaton Place, Belgravia SW1
ÂŁ5,350,000 Leasehold
as previously furnished
as previously furnished
A magnificently restored two bedroom duplex apartment on the first and second floors, with a further self-contained studio apartment and roof terrace.
as previously furnished
1,533 sq ft / 142 sq m EPC rating D Entrance hall | Reception room | Kitchen/dining room | Guest cloakroom | Master bedroom | Dressing room | En suite bathroom | Second bedroom | En suite bathroom | Studio room with kitchenette | En suite shower room | Roof terrace | Front balcony
Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959
james.gilbert-green@struttandparker.com
as previously furnished
facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker
struttandparker.com
One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge SW1
A bright end of terrace interior designed and architecturally fully modernised period house with up to six bedrooms, located close to Belgrave Square and Hyde Park Corner.
1,686 sq ft / 157 sq m EPC Rating C Entrance hall | Reception/dining room | Kitchen | Cloakroom | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Guest bedroom with en suite bathroom | Terrace | Private wine storage | Concierge | Cinema | Pool | Gym | Spa | Parking space
Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 james.forbes@struttandparker.com
ÂŁ9,500,000 Leasehold
BELGRAVIA Resident’s Journal O C T O B E R 201 3
I S S U E 01 7
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: belgravia@residentsjournal.co.uk; or telephone us on 020 7987 4320.
w w w. R e s i d e n t s J o u r n a l . c o . u k (020) 7987 4320
Residents
JOURNAL w w w. R e s i d e n t s J o u R n a l . c o . u k 020 7987 4320