Belgravia Residents' Journal March 2016 by Runwild Media Group

Resident’s Journal M A R C H 2 0 1 6 • I s s ue 4 6

Knowledge. Integrity. Discretion. Of all our fine properties, these are the most valuable.

At Strutt & Parker, we have unrivalled knowledge of the finest properties in London’s most prestigious areas. We offer access to buyers from all over the world through our affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate. And we provide a trusted and personal service. All of which has helped us become the leading agent for exclusive properties in Knightsbridge and Belgravia for the past three years. Call James Forbes on the number below. 66 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SH +44(0)20 3733 7754 | struttandparker.com

We highly value your feedback: belgravia@residentsjournal.co.uk or 020 7987 4320

w w w. R e s i d e n t s J o ur n a l . c o . u k (020) 7987 4320

Proudly published by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

55 Strutt & Parker offices nationwide | 1350 Christie’s offices worldwide

Dear Resident, First and foremost, thank you to all of our loyal readers who have emailed, telephoned or written in to tell us how much you like our new handbag size and redesign. Your comments are very much appreciated. As always, we have some wonderful articles lined up for you in this issue. With spring in sight, The Journal has rounded up some of the best goings-on in Belgravia. From Mothers’ Day food and drink treats (page 14) to an exhibition at Eleven Fine Art of Norman Parkinson’s prolific fashion photography for Vogue (page 20), we have it all. Elsewhere, as well as speaking to Tom Assheton of Tomtom about his Belgravian empire (page 18), Francesca Lee reviews two tasting menus, Ametsa at The Halkin and Pétrus – find out her verdict on page 16. Finally, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with all your news and updates by tweeting us @thebelgravian or emailing contact@residentsjournal.co.uk and happy Easter!

COVER: An illustration of Hannes Bruwer, by Russ Tudor. Turn to page eight for more information.

Managing Editor Francesca Lee

Senior Designer Daniel Poole

Editorial Assistant Emily Adams

Publishing Director Giles Ellwood

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Executive Director Sophie Roberts

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

Client Relationship Manager Friday Dalrymple

General Manager Fiona Fenwick

Sales Executives Joe Rutherford Kate Emmett Production Hugo Wheatley Jamie Steele Danny Lesar Alice Ford

Distributed to selected homes in Belgravia. The Belgravia Residents’ Journal is published independently by Runwild Media Group with regular editorial contributions from Belgravian residents. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with your news; email: contact@residentsjournal.co.uk and Twitter users, make sure you follow us @thebelgravian Members of the Professional Publishers Association

[LOCAL INTEREST]

Lessons Learnt

Music charity Opera Prelude is holding a succession of lecture recitals entitled Shakespeare in Opera. Throughout March you can head over to Cadogan Hall to hear some of the most wonderful, recitals including “Yet, here’s a spot” – Macbeth through the eyes of Verdi on 15 March, which explores how the composer adapted one of the playwright’s most grizzly pieces. Tickets £25, 10.30am12.30pm, Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ, 07908 894 333, cadoganhall.com / operaprelude.com

Hot dog

It’s hardly a secret that Belgravians take a lot of pride in their appearance, so why shouldn’t their four-legged friends? Ruby Rufus, which creates cashmere sweaters for dogs, has so far collaborated on designs for Internet sensation Tuna the dog, proceeds of which go to The Dogs Trust, as well as fashion brand the Muzungu Sisters – unsurprisingly, the designers have brought their own flair. With a variety of classic or crazy prints to choose from, man’s best friend can stay chic and warm throughout the more temperamental British seasons. Available from Selfridges, selfridges. com / rubyrufus.com Rufus Two Tone Snood, £40

notebook

Keep your finger on the pulse with our round-up of local news

Quick Stitch

Spoke London is offering a simple solution to tailored menswear, allowing its customers to enter their measurements and build online instead of having to go into a store to get measured. Perfect for the busiest of Londoners, Spoke London will do all the legwork, meaning you won’t have to lift a toe before receiving beautiful made-to-measure chino trousers and shorts, made from soft cotton and all available in a range of colours. Prices from £79.99, available from spoke-london.com 4

fashionable food

The annual Mencap Fashion Lunch returns on 21 March at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel. While you enjoy some drinks and canapés, you can browse the selection of stalls with jewellery, clothing and gifts on offer. The fashion show will then take place in the opulent ballroom showcasing Simon Copeland’s designs, known for his couture dresses and bespoke occasion wear. A lunch, auction and raffle will then follow with two delicious courses accompanied by wine, coffee and petit fours. £90, 11.30am-3pm, 21 March, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA. To book tickets call 020 7696 5566, mencap.org.uk

Love the pub? Then donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave.

The Grazing Goat and The Orange offer a total of 12 beautiful hotel rooms with oak floors, king size beds, marble en-suites and complimentary Wi-Fi. To make a reservation call 020 7730 0070 or visit cubitthouse.co.uk

[CULTURE]

[art]

The pull of Pullman Adorn your walls with Art Deco-style posters by Pullman Editions Francesca Lee

Photography © Sarel Jansen

hink of the most glamorous destinations depicted in a 1920s Art Deco travel poster and you have Pullman Editions. Founded by Georgina Khachadourian and her husband Simon in 2010, it’s the sister company of the Pullman Gallery in St James’s. The idea came about when Simon, who is an antiques dealer, noticed the competitive market for winter sports posters. “He would go to auctions and see 1920s and ’30s posters sometimes selling for £30,000 upwards. We had the idea to create a business selling modern posters but in the same style – at £395 each – and it really took off,” says Georgina. Located on Pimlico Road – one of London’s premier design districts – the gallery was formerly an alleyway and is an impressive space with a huge floor-to-ceiling shop window which lets the light flood in. “There are very few streets like this in London where most of the shops are independent – it’s a great place to be,” explains Georgina. “More than half our sales are made online, but passing trade is also frequent. I think it’s important to have a physical presence so customers can see the quality of our products.” Indeed, Georgina and Simon started their first

“We’ve done work for clients all over the world – from Mayfair to Bermuda” collection with 18 ski posters. Such was the success that they then released a collection of car posters (Simon is a classic car fan) and a summer resort collection. The couple, who started off collaborating with a range of artists, now work exclusively with artist and prolific graphic designer Charles Avalon. “We love his Art Deco style – it’s instantly recognisable, and that’s what Pullman Editions is known for,” elaborates Georgina. Produced the same way they were in the 1920s and ’30s, the poster artworks are hand-painted to a size that is about half the size of the final posters. A high-resolution image

is then scanned and it’s printed using traditional methods onto 100 per cent cotton paper. “Our posters are more colourful than vintage posters as in the past printers used restricted colour palettes due to costs – the more colour they had the more expensive it would be in terms of production.” All of Pullman Editions’ posters are limited editions and it currently offers more than 100 different images. But which ones are the most popular? “I’d say Chamonix, Zermatt and Val d’Isère for the ski destinations, while the Côte d’Azur images are the most popular summer posters,” Georgina finds. The company has

commissioned and released several car collections, including Ferrari, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Bentley. As well as carrying on as they are – if it’s not broken don’t fix it as the saying goes, the couple have found there’s a high demand for private commissions. “We’ve done work for clients all over the world – from Mayfair to Bermuda – and we’re currently working on a project in Mustique,” says Georgina. But, which poster is Georgina’s favourite? “It has to be Route du Soleil,” she responds. That’s no surprise: somehow I think both she and her husband have found the road to success with Pullman Editions. 94 Pimlico Rd, SW1W 8PL, 020 7730 0547, pullmaneditions.com

Grace medical. m e d i c i n eG rfaocre mmeend iac na ld. w o m e n . m e d i ca innde sf oo rmmuecnh amnodrwe o. m e n . and so much more.

Our medical practice is dedicated to Our medical is dedicated to improving and practice prolonging your health improving and prolonging yoursense. health and wellbeing in the widest and wellbeing in the widest sense. Preventive medicine and ageing well is Preventive medicine and ageing well is our ethos. our ethos.

Whether you are looking for a GP, Whether you are looking for a GP, acupuncture, hormone acupuncture,bio-identical bio-identical hormone therapy, therapy,colonic colonic hydrotherapy, hydrotherapy, genetic testing, emotional wellbeing, genetic testing, emotional wellbeing, physiotherapy pick-me-upinin physiotherapy or or simply simply a pick-me-up our there are aresoso ourGrace GraceInfusion Infusion Clinic, Clinic, there manyways wayswe we can can enhance enhance your many your health health and physical and emotional wellbeing. and physical and emotional wellbeing. Wecan canalso also create create aa personalised We personalised programme designed programme designed around around your your goals, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s managing stress, goals, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s managing stress, losing weight, getting fit, improving losing weight, getting fit, improving sleep or just feeling happier and sleep or just feeling happier and healthier all round. healthier all round.

To find out more about our full

rTaon gfei nodf os ue rt vmi coerse, palbeoauste oc ua rl l fuusl lo n r a n g e 0 o2 f0 s7 e2 r3 5v i8c9e0s0, ep xl te a2s oe r ceaml al i lu s o n 0m2 e0d 7i c2a3l5@ 8g 9r 0a 0c eebxe tl g2r aovri ae. mc oami l medical@gracebelgravia.com

Grace Medical and Wellbeing Clinic 11a West Halkin Street, SW1X 8JL gracebelgravia.com

the belgravian

[LOCAL INTEREST]

Too many cooks If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen francesca lee

Illustration by Russ Tudor

“I

’m not a chef,” I exclaim to head chef Hannes Bruwer of The Alfred Tennyson. Already feeling that I have to justify my skills (or lack of) in the kitchen, I quickly follow up with: “But I am a baker.” The gastro pub has introduced breakfast to its menus in Belgravia with both weekday and weekend offerings, and I’m here to spend the morning learning from some of the best in the business and to give him and his team help with cooking one of the staple dishes: eggs Benedict with maple-cured bacon, that is cured in-house (a must-try). And one of the kitchen’s daily specials; pancakes with caramelised banana, a hazelnut praline and a chocolate sauce. Dressed in my cooking whites and apron, I certainly look the part in the small but perfectly formed kitchen. Hannes’ team members are in full prep mode, dicing, blending and chopping at their stations while I help to create the hollandaise sauce. “Have you cooked a hollandaise

before?” he asks me. Ashamedly I admit: “Erm… well… from a packet.” If Hannes was French he would certainly be saying sacré bleu by now. As our (and I’m using the plural in the loosest sense of the word) sauce thickens in the pan, we remove it from the heat and have a taste – the white wine vinegar gives it a sharp taste, while the butter makes it creamy.

“My gran was a maître d, while my dad and cousin worked in kitchens” We then move on to making the pancakes and, as I flip (the pancakes that is), Hannes gives me tips on how to avoid them sticking – it’s all about the temperature of the pan and oil, apparently – and once they’re taken off the heat we fold and drizzle them with chocolate sauce and caramelised bananas. Upstairs we enjoy the

fruits of our labour and I ask Hannes all about his career to date. Born in East London in South Africa, Hannes grew up towards the end of the apartheid era. “I come from a family who are all passionate about food – my gran was a maître d, while my dad and cousin worked in kitchens too,” he tells me. Surprisingly though, Hannes finished school with qualifications in mechanics, yet he decided to go straight into the catering industry where he worked as a restaurant manager for many years before relocating. “In 2002 I moved to Cape Town to study through City & Guilds to get my formal qualifications. After a few years in the kitchens at restaurant/entertainment group Madame Zingara, I was thinking about leaving but my boss at the time, Richard Griffin, asked me to stick it out until Christmas 2005. I did, and as a Christmas present he gave me a plane ticket to London.” The city clearly made an impression and

Hannes got his first job at Brasserie Roux in Sofitel St James’ (now The Balcon) where he worked for a year, before moving to Cubitt House, a locallyrun collection of public houses. He started at The Thomas Cubitt, followed by The Pantechnicon, now known as The Alfred Tennyson. Working his way from chef de partie to sous chef, he landed the head chef position in 2010. He has now proudly been with the company for more than 10 years. But what dreams does he have for the future? As well as travelling (he took a year out in 2012 to travel south-east Asia), he’d like to continue the success at The Alfred Tennyson and focus more on sustainability, potentially owning a farm where he could grow fruit and vegetables, keep bees for honey and chickens for eggs. There’s a lot on Hannes’ plate but he’s managing it with aplomb… 10 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8LA, 020 7730 6074, thealfredtennyson.co.uk 9

Peter Donohoe s2 ©Chris Christodoulou BBC Prom

[music]

Music to

your ears The Journal finds out about the annual Eaton Square Concerts and talks to one of the artists, esteemed pianist Peter Donohoe, about his plans for the performance and why being a soloist is a risky business emily adams 10

t Peter’s Church has long been the home of classical music in Belgravia, with outstanding acoustics and striking neoclassical architecture – this spring it warmly welcomes the return of the Eaton Square Concerts, now entering its 19th season. Offering the highest quality chamber music to the community, this spring programme will see five performances from a variety of upcoming artists and established names in classical music. Award-winning cellist Gemma Rosefield will make her debut alongside pianist Tim Horton and winners of the St Peter’s Prize 2016, the Fitzroy Quartet, will join the line-up for the first time. There will also be welcome returns from the London Bridge Trio including violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen, the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge and internationally-renowned pianist Peter Donohoe. This season’s concerts will bring music from across the globe to Belgravia, with European chamber as well as American choral music from some of the greatest composers of all time: Beethoven, Scriabin, Schubert and Brahms, to name a few. Peter Donohoe, who has performed in the region of 2,000 concerts throughout his career, will be coming back to perform at St Peter’s Church. Here he tells us more about this year’s programme and his life in music.

[CULTURE] What has brought you back to the concerts this year?

I remember the acoustic and the atmosphere of the whole area, not just the venue, being excellent and the audience being very attentive and knowledgeable.

Can you tell us a bit more about what you will be performing this year?

I like to try and find something that binds all the pieces together so the programme as a whole is a single statement; on this occasion it’s the key of F minor. It has been an extremely important key through the ages. Aside from that, there is a gigantic triumph at the end and it’s a very optimistic finish.

Clare Choir 2015 ©Nick Rutter

Do you find it challenging being a soloist?

What is your opinion of Belgravia?

It’s incredibly beautiful, that’s for sure. There’s a feeling of great tradition about the place, which I really love. It’s very well-preserved and it still looks extremely British. I’d like to live there!

How difficult was it to make music your career?

I actually tried to avoid specialising in the piano. Maybe I was too much a jack-of-all-trades. I always wanted to be a musician, but I also wanted to try lots of other instruments, possibly try musicology, or conducting or composing. It seemed like becoming a solo pianist was inevitable but I was always trying to avoid it.

What else did you play?

Anything you can imagine that has

Gemma Rosefield ©Marco Borggreve

“It’s wonderful to be surrounded by all that sound and all those people” a keyboard on it! I also played the violin, viola, double bass, clarinet, tuba and percussion instruments. I was a good drummer and I was offered a job as a timpanist of a major orchestra, which I turned down. It was a serious issue, whether or not to take the security of an orchestral job or risk an insecure solo career.

In an orchestra it’s wonderful to be surrounded by all that sound and all those people, but it’s not as rewarding musically as being a soloist is. It’s an incredibly challenging job and it changes all the time because you’re very vulnerable to the winds of agents and record companies.

Is there any specific performance that stands out in your career?

My biggest break was in 1982 when I was 29, at the 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, which opened up the international scene for me. My favourite place to perform is Russia but I enjoy most countries because they’re all so different. It’s down to the personality of a place, the people and their response to the music.

You’ve already had a very impressive career but is there any else that you want to achieve?

I want to carry on doing what I’m doing. I want to be as good as it’s possible to be. I do it because I love it, and I really do. I just want to play all the time.

The Fitzroy Quartet

Spring season ticket £60, concessions £40 or £18 per concert, concessions £12, until 7 April, see website for performance dates and times, St Peter’s Church, 119 Eaton Square, SW1W 9AL, 020 7288 6511, eatonsquareconcerts.org.uk 11

SWEET INDULGENCE

Located in the heart of Belgravia, discover this friendly, neighbourhood restaurant and enjoy your favourite contemporary classics in relaxing surroundings. From a hearty lunch to an indulgent dessert, you will be spoilt for choice at your local restaurant. To book your table, call 020 7858 7223 or visit lowndesdining.co.uk

[LIFESTYLE] Tropical treats

There’s no escaping chocolate at Easter, but that just makes choosing the right one even harder. Award-winning Brazilian brand Q, created by chef Samantha Aquim, is pretty high on our list with its high-quality cocoa and colourful packaging. It’s already a bestseller in Brazil and now comes in three new formats: chocolate discs, half-moon shapes and chocolate fingers. Each bar, tin and gift box features illustrations of tropical plants and animals native to the cocoa plantation in Brazil – the perfect exotic Easter treat. Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, 020 7730 1234, harrods.com

An apple a day

[news]

food & drink The latest news in the Belgravian food scene

Nutritionist Nicky Clinch is heading to Daylesford farm shop and café on Pimlico Road to host an evening of natural fine dining this month. Born in Hong Kong, Nicky is a life counsellor and macrobiotic chef, meaning her diet consists purely of organic wholefoods. She aims to teach people how to create seasonal plant-based meals while maintaining a healthy and happy relationship with food. This supper club with a difference includes a short meditation session, a talk given by Nicky and a three-course meal complete with healthy cocktails. £45, 6.30pm, 22 March, 44B Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP, 020 7881 8060, daylesford.com

Without further ado

A new Peruvian delicatessen is gracing the world-famous Food Hall this month. Harrods has just welcomed a new range from the owners of Michelin-starred restaurant Lima Fitzrovia and its sister Lima Floral. The deli-menu offers a wide variety of Peruvian dishes for lunch and dinner on-the-go. If you’re partial to traditional and contemporary food from Peru, whether it’s salmon and sea bream ceviche or chicken and beef empanadas, we have a sneaky suspicion we know where you’ll be heading. limalondongroup.com 13

[LIFESTYLE] Crème brûlée

Sticky date pudding

Mum’s menu

This Mothers’ Day, the friendly Lowndes Bar & Kitchen will be serving up a delicious menu of contemporary classics with complimentary chocolate treats for all mums. The menu features dishes including a warm twicebaked stilton soufflé, 28 day aged rib of beef with all the trimmings, white wine steamed salmon with asparagus and a rich double chocolate cheesecake with a salted caramel sauce. As if that was not enough, all mums will receive a tempting box of Rococo chocolates to finish the meal (and win you even more Mothers’ Day brownie points). £27 for three courses, Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, 21 Lowndes Street, SW1X 9ES, 020 7858 7223, lowndesbarandkitchen.co.uk

[news]

MUM’S THE WORD Tasty treats to spoil your mum with this Mothers’ Day on 6 March

Tea for two

Taking your mum to The Lanesborough for afternoon tea will have you in her good books for quite some time. Served in the opulently-decorated dining room Céleste, this afternoon tea has been created in support of charity mothers2mothers with a touch of The Lanesborough’s magic. The charity works to 14

end paediatric AIDS in Africa and will receive a donation of £5 for every tea bought. Head pastry chef, Nicolas Rouzaud has come up with an exclusive tea just for the occasion,

including exquisitely designed intricate cakes featuring the charity’s logo. There’s an array of carefully-selected teas to choose from, finger sandwiches, patisseries

Heartwarming Harvey

Treat your mother to the finer things this Mothering Sunday with a sumptuous three-course meal at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge for £25. Boasting a menu featuring grilled quail, roasted swordfish and a dark chocolate tart with caramel ganache among other mouthwatering options, you can add a glass of Prosecco for £5 or a glass of Champagne for £10 – definitely a step up from last year’s hurriedly bought “Happy Mothers’ Day” card. Three courses for £25, Harvey Nichols, 109125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ, to make a reservation call 020 7235 5250, or book online at harveynichols.com and the all-important homemade scones. As you would expect, every minute detail is covered, the service is impeccable and there are glutenand dairy-free options available too. Afternoon tea at this renowned hotel is sure to make any mum feel treasured. £48 per person or £62 with a glass of Champagne Tattinger, available from 6-24 March, The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA, 020 7259 5599, lanesborough.com

Fully Loaded at the Mess Hall Mon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fri open to 9pm

1 4 E c c l e s t o n ST R E E T , B E L G R A V I A , S W 1 W 9 LT Te l : 0 2 0 7 7 3 0 1 8 4 5

[restaurant reviews]

Let the battle begin Two restaurants go head-to-head with their tasting menus in Belgravia francesca lee AMETSA, THE HALKIN HOTEL

have high hopes as I approach The Halkin hotel to sample the delights of its resident Michelin-starred restaurant, Ametsa with Arzak Instruction. Headed by a team of chefs that includes Elena Arzak, a member of the family who runs the eponymous three Michelin-starred establishment in the homeland of the Basque Country, this offshoot has taken a lot of inspiration – or ‘instruction’ – from the famous Arzak restaurant in San Sebastián. The interior has been thought out in minute detail to mirror the ideals of its parent. The red and gold wave-like ceiling that the restaurant is known for has been specially created using 7,000 glass test tubes, each filled with spices pay homage to the fabled ‘cabinet’ that feeds the culinary laboratory at Arzak. The design embodies the philosophy of the restaurant – precise, yet with an air of informality and playfulness. This extends seamlessly into the dining experience – relaxed, yet well thought out, often with an element of surprise – a top-of-the class 16

7,000 glass test tubes, each filled with spices pay homage to the fabled ‘cabinet’

example of the school of New Basque Cuisine. The five-course tasting menu provides variety, fun and an education. The appetisers alone give the typical ‘let’s be quirky and serve this on a wooden chopping board or slate’ idea a run for its money. Savoury lollipops, ham rolled into test tubes, and beer-soaked mango and black pudding are served on a crushed can of the local Basque brew. “The chef got a bit angry,” I’m told. While each course is artfully complimented by local Spanish wines, the dishes all have a culinary twist. The so-called ‘Monkfish Confetti’, for example, is an exquisitely cooked piece of fish that the waiter showers in an emulsion of oil and different colours of dried peppercorn. The ‘Celery

Illusion’ accompanies the sea bass dish and is another trick up Ametsa’s sleeve and, although I know the secret, there are no spoilers for future diners here. It feels a disservice not to go into depth about the delights of each part of the meal; however, the amount that is served over what is a leisurely four-hour dinner renders it impossible to do each one justice. Stand-out highlights include the beef fillet served with what looks like a green tomato but is actually avocado, the ominouslynamed Trufón: meaning “big truffle” in Spanish; this chocoholic’s dream also has more to it than meets the eye and would even impress Heston Blumenthal. Overall, the experience is a masterclass in culinary art – a lesson that I won’t forget anytime soon. 5-6 Halkin Street, SW1X 7DJ, 020 7333 1234, comohotels.com/ thehalkin/dining/ametsa THE VERDICT Atmosphere: 7/10 Food: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Value for money: 7/10 Total: 32/40

[LIFESTYLE]

Pétrus, Kinnerton Street

he name of Pétrus is one that has deep roots in the culinary world – not just the prestigious wine, but also Gordon Ramsay’s fine-dining venture; which is named after the famous Bordeaux, to embody the restaurant’s French dining inspiration. Having moved from The Berkeley Hotel, and before that from St James’ Street, the latest incarnation of Pétrus is tucked away on Kinnerton Street. As I make my entrance, I am struck by the imposing sight of the cylindrical glass wine cellar rising like a space-age capsule from the centre of the restaurant. It’s clear that a lot of emphasis is placed on the wine here (apparently it holds 1,500 bottles, including 34 different vintages of Pétrus); the rest of the modern interior seems to orbit around this feature. I opt for the six-course

tasting menu with the wine pairing, of course – it would seem rude not to considering the inescapable view of the cellar. After being treated to a couple of different amuse-bouches including ‘beef consommé’, I am guided through what is to be expected from my dining experience. As the first course of roasted quail arrives, I notice the sharpness of the charred lettuce and pancetta offsets the richness of the

I am struck by the imposing sight of the cylindrical glass wine cellar rising like a space-age capsule

accompanying foie gras. I then tackle a couple of healthily-sized seared scallops with the salty flavours expertly matched with a Riesling. I am then stopped with a perplexing statement from the sommelier. “For your fish course, I am going to pair this with a red wine,” upon seeing my look of utter confusion, he reassures me. The dish arrives, a roasted fillet of Cornish cod with capers and beurre noisette potato, which is then doused with a dark jus, and paired with a glass of Burgundy. Having sampled the richness of the fish with the jus and potato, I try the wine – and my faith is restored. The remainder of the meal drifts back into familiar territory, with a more traditional approach. A sublime fillet of beef (together with a fullbodied red) is followed by a cleansing lemon and rhubarb sorbet, and then into the richness of the ‘black forest’: a kirsch mousse and Morello cherry sorbet, accompanied by a light dessert wine. Having resisted the well-stocked spirits trolley, I opt for a coffee instead of a nightcap, I round off the meal; well-armed against the cold, I head out into the chill winter evening. 1 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8EA, 020 7592 1609, petrusrestaurant.com THE VERDICT Atmosphere: 9/10 Food: 7/10 Service: 7/10 Value for money: 8/10 Total: 31/40

[interview]

A man of many

tales

From a cigar shop to a coffee house, Tomtom has become quite a brand in Belgravia francesca lee

or more than 10 years Tom Assheton has made quite an impact and expanded his offerings in Belgravia; from opening a cigar shop in 1997, to a coffee house in 2008, and more recently Mess Hall in 2014, it seems to have become somewhat of an empire. Modestly he replies: “Not quite, I’m currently reading Allan Massie’s book Augustus, now that’s something.” Born in Westminster Hospital, Tom was brought up in Chelsea. After school he went straight into the army. “I was a bit of a naughty schoolboy and said to my dad that I was going to be a soldier, and before I knew it, I was in front of the colonel,” he tells me. Joining the guards’ regiment, Tom went to Sandhurst in the 1980s. “I went to Central America and worked with the UN, I commanded tanks and then back in London I rode ceremonial horses; it was great fun, but when I got married I knew I needed to settle down,” he reflects. Being a renaissance man suits Tom perfectly – both in his career and his personal life, it turns out. After the army, he lived in the country and decided to retrain as a charted surveyor and completed five years of training. However, as soon as he qualified, he took a different path, which has led him 18

Photography © Sarel Jansen

[LIFESTYLE]

to where he is today. “I knew I wanted to run my own business selling cigars – originally through mail order back in the day when there was no internet – and coffee, so I set out on my wife’s Vespa and drove around London to look at different premises,” he says. One of the first shops he viewed was on Elizabeth Street, but although he was inspired by small Cuban coffee bars, he decided it would be too small for coffee and cigars, and instead focused on cigars, selling those of the Cuban variety. “They’re the strongest – my favourite at the moment is a Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill Cigar but I like to change it a bit,” he describes. Tom’s love of cigars goes a long way back and he still has part of a cigar that his grandfather smoked after World War II which was given back to him by Winston Churchill. “My grandfather had given up cigarettes but Winston insisted he had one after they had lunch together. However, it didn’t turn out very well as he ended up running to the window and was ill in a flowerbed.” Cigars aside and never one to give up on an idea, Tom persevered looking for somewhere he could house his coffee shop, when a retail unit also on the corner of Elizabeth Street became available. Previously a fruit and veg shop,

Photography © Sarel Jansen

“I set out on my wife’s Vespa and drove around London to look at different premises” Tom put a coffee kiosk in, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. Housing his grandfather’s dining table in the feature bay window, it is always bustling with customers inside and out. Using coffee beans from all over the world including Columbia, Guatemala and Peru, Tom says his coffee is known for being “smooth and less acidic than ‘trendy’ coffees today”. A product of his own success, Augustus, or should I say Tom, had an idea for a food and drink establishment; and so Mess Hall was created on Eccleston Street. Previously a noodle bar, he has turned it into an all-day dining experience where customers can enjoy whatever takes their fancy; be it coffee, a burger or a glass of wine. “We’re also looking at creating a cocktail bar downstairs, so that people can enjoy a drink or two after work or before going

upstairs for a burger, for example,” he says. “My grandfather would have loved it, he would have been telling everyone about it. He was a big foodie – when he was Commander in Chief of Bomber Command in World War II he would go home to de-stress and make all sorts of dishes such as soups and stews,” he says. True to form, Tom also has a family heirloom in Mess Hall. Above the doorway sits his father’s hat from the army as a nod to his military past. But with all of his ambition, what does Tom do to relax outside of work? “I love tango,” he tells me surprisingly. “Although I’m having some problems with it at the moment – I think I need to go to tango therapy as I’ve reached a certain point where I’m no longer progressing. I’m like King Louie in The Jungle Book – I need the secret of fire.” Whether it’s Augustus or King Louie, it’s clear that the fire in Tom’s belly and empire is very much alight. - Tomtom Coffee House, 114 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QD, 020 7730 1771 - Tomtom Mess Hall, 14 Eccleston Street, SW1W 9LT, 020 7730 1845 - Tomtom Cigars, 63 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PP, 020 7730 1790 19

[CULTURE] Jerry Hall British Vogue 1975 ©Norman Parkinson Ltd

[photography]

strike a pose The Journal visits Eleven Fine Art Gallery to see Norman Parkinson’s most prolific fashion photography for Vogue emily adams

conic fashion photographer Norman Parkinson flawlessly captured elegance on camera throughout his life’s work. Spanning more than 50 years, much of his career was devoted to working for the fashion bible Vogue, and now, to coincide with the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition Vogue 100: A Century of Style, his most memorable works for the magazine have been put on display in Belgravia. Elegance in Vogue is a snapshot of classic glamour and a celebration of 20th-century style. At Eleven Fine Art on Eccleston Street, you can see it for yourself, from Parkinson’s wife and model Wenda Rogerson perched atop an ostrich in South Africa, to Jerry Hall wearing her famous blue swimming cap in Jamaica. The exhibition features a selection of unseen vintage works alongside some of his most influential cover images. The majority of the collection features timeless black and white photographs, with the odd splash of colour, that wouldn’t look out of place on the cover of Vogue today.

Fashion Pure and Simple British Vogue February 1968 ©Norman Parkinson Ltd

More Taste Than Money British Vogue February 1950 ©Norman Parkinson Ltd

Having worked with models like Twiggy, Jan Ward, Susan Abrahams and actress Ava Gardner, his photographs are renowned throughout the fashion industry and have become style icons in their own right. At the exhibition launch, a couple of Parkinson’s muses were in attendance,

swapping stories of glory days in front of the camera and discussing how ‘Parks’, as he was known by the Vogue team, managed to bring a sense of casual elegance to his work. There are women draped in 1950s couture gowns, wearing arm-length satin gloves, lounging on sofas and gossiping in front of New York’s skyline. In every image, the models do the talking, but while the subjects are polished and refined, their poses are genuine and unforced. Known for his towering appearance (standing at 6ft 5ins) and enchanting personality, Parkinson set the tone for 20th-century

fashion photography, capturing women in natural, effortless poses, far removed from the static, staged work of his predecessors. Even today, photographers polish and perfect through editing and remove the naturalness of their models, making Parkinson a one-off ahead of his time. By the end of his career, he had become a photographer to the royal family, been awarded a CBE and was the subject of a National Portrait Gallery exhibition. Now, once again, he is the subject of an exhibition where we can appreciate his influence in how we see fashion in print. Open until 24 March, Eleven Fine Art, 11 Eccleston Street, SW1W 9LX, 020 7823 5540, elevenfineart.com / normanparkinson.com

[LOCAL INTEREST]

[column]

RESIDENTS’ CULTURE Sue Liberman brings us her monthly Belgravian musings

Belgravia in Bloom

As mentioned last month, Grosvenor is launching the first Belgravia in Bloom and plans for this to become an annual event taking place in Belgravia during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show each year. The event in 2016 will take place between 23-28 May. Each year will have a different theme and Belgravia in Bloom in 2016 will have a royal theme by way of celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday and her reign of more than 63 years. Grosvenor is in the process of finalising all details for Belgravia in Bloom and will shortly send letters to residents with information about the residents’ competition, plus the activities taking place from 23-28 May. Very few Belgravia

residents have gardens; many have window boxes, hanging baskets, flower pots but everyone has a front door. The custom of displaying a wreath at Christmas on our front doors is borrowed from ancient Rome’s New Year celebrations. Romans wished each other good health by exchanging branches of evergreens, which they called strenae after Strenia, the goddess of health. It became the custom to bend these branches into a ring and display them on doors. The Christmas wreath has evolved into a sign of welcoming and an acknowledgment of holiday cheer that emphasises generosity, giving and the gathering of loved ones. Today, beautifully-decorated wreaths are not only an integral part of the December holidays, but are popular throughout the year. It would be wonderful if Belgravia created a new tradition of displaying wreaths on front doors during Belgravia in Bloom.

Lastly, Grosvenor is in discussion with its gardens team about opening Belgravia’s private gardens to the public during the event. Belgravia retailers are eager to participate and I’m sure we’ll see some wonderful displays from them. Retailer activity will be listed in a walking guide, which will be distributed in Belgravia and the surrounding area. There will be more updates soon, but in the meantime see grosvenorlondon.com.

Trader NewS

We’re delighted to welcome The Fine Cheese Co. to Motcomb Street. It’s based in historic Bath, a city that was founded by the Romans and is famous for its beautiful Georgian architecture and is a World Heritage City. Bath is set in the heart of the English West Country, the home of the most famous of British cheeses: Cheddar. The Fine Cheese Co. has specialised in cheese for 20 years, and from the start has nurtured and supported the cream of British

cheese-makers. It stocks more than 100 handmade British cheeses: from rediscovered gems such as Devon Oke, a hard but creamy cow’s milk cheese made using the original 17th century recipe, to Lord of the Hundreds, an unpasteurised mature sheep’s milk cheese made in the style of an Italian Pecorino. The Fine Cheese Co. has been owned and run from the beginning by AnnMarie Dyas. A judge at both the British and World Cheese Awards, AnnMarie is committed to the survival of traditional cheese making, and to introducing farmhouse cheeses to as wide a public as possible. The company’s love of cheese extends beyond these shores as it also imports artisan cheeses from France, Italy, Spain and Holland. For more information visit finecheese.co.uk, where you’ll see that cheese is not the only string to its bow, as it also stocks a fabulous range of various products and has a wonderful café.

If there’s anything you would like me to know about, I can be contacted on 07957 420 911 or on sue@sueliberman.com

[great british escape]

Taking the

LEAD

The Journal heads to Newmarket, the home of thoroughbred horseracing, for a one-night stay in crisp Suffolk countryside Tom Hagues

ince I am insensitive, I amuse myself on the train from Cambridge to Newmarket by picturing my destination as a toy town where everything is considerably smaller in order to cater for the jockeys who take over the town during race season. I stroll from the railway station to the high street, through backstreets that look as though they’ve been plucked from the 1950s and then along a wide, straight road lined with famous stables and paddocks. It’s here that I find Bedford Lodge, which is part of Pride of Britain’s hotel collection. It’s a brilliantly white building sandwiched between two stables and it feels very much the horsey retreat most people would expect. Its spa, a new addition, sits separately from the rest of the hotel in its own little area and the perfectly manicured lawns are thankfully hoofprint free. It’s a pleasant contrast to the churnedup paddock greenery that you see on your way in. I mosey in and head to my room, which overlooks the green space often used for summer evening

drinks receptions and have a good root around. The refreshments are well-thought through, with fresh coffee and a cafetière leaving me very happily refuelled. There’s fresh milk in the fridge and, even though it’s a small touch, it makes all the difference, not least because I don’t have to spend 20 minutes attempting to open fiddly UHT milk pots. My next port of call is the bar. It’s a small area but the most important components are all there. Comfy seating, a good selection of alcohol

There’s a relaxed atmosphere here and I slink into the Jacuzzi for some gentle luxuriating

[LIFESTYLE]

and friendly staff making the place feel homely, makes me feel contented. Or maybe that’s down to the glass of red I’m nursing, but either way I’m enjoying myself. I speak with a member of staff who tells me that the bar is about to go through a big refurbishment, to open it up and expand it into the restaurant. The fabulous building it’s housed in is ripe for something grand and glitzy and from what I’m told, as I knock back another glass, the newly-designed place is going to be just that. Bedford Lodge has a gymnasium and pool area attached to it as well as the spa – this has recently been refurbished, so I strip off and test it out (the pool that is). There’s a relaxed atmosphere here and I slink into the Jacuzzi for some gentle luxuriating before hitting the sauna and steam room for a cleansing detox and, in order to feel extra virtuous, I do a few laps of the pool. Before I get too carried away and actually head to the gym for a full

workout, I hurry upstairs to get ready for dinner. Squires Restaurant is almost split into two different feels. The bit where you first walk in enjoys flagstone flooring and plenty of light, but the section further towards the back sits down a few steps and is swathed in red velvet design flourishes – it rather reminds me of a Belle Époque drinking den. I like it, but I’m told that it’s going to change with the upcoming refurb. I’m positioned at the top end of the restaurant and order the seared tuna to begin, which comes with burnt feta (deliberate) and a rainbow of flavours. It’s a real representation of the chef ’s talents and I’m delighted with my choice. Next, it’s pheasant three ways, which is hugely rich as you’d expect, but great care has gone into the preparation of this delicate bird and the tender meat falls apart. It doesn’t last long. While this is being devoured, the staff are dancing around the tables in a perfectly choreographed dance and their attentiveness is pleasing. Bedford Lodge might be the perfect base for people to relax and enjoy a spot of horsing around during the race season, but it’s also a destination in itself. The hotel is a welcoming and comfortable place to visit all year round for anyone after a bit of R&R. NEED TO KNOW Tom Hagues was hosted by Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, a member of Pride of Britain Hotels – a collection of 48 privately-owned independent British hotels. The 17th-century Georgian country house hotel, set among landscaped gardens, is adjacent to Newmarket Racecourse and boasts an award-winning restaurant and state-of-the-art spa. An overnight stay costs from £180 per room (two sharing), including full English breakfast and use of the leisure facilities. Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 prideofbritainhotels.com.

[FEATURE]

[SPOTLIGHT ON...]

SECURITY

Ian Lyons of Vigilance Properties on Eccleston Street rounds up the latest security concerns and how the concept of neighbourhood watch goes a long way

lthough it seems like you cannot pick up a local or national newspaper without reading about the latest security challenges we face, such as a bank or online business that’s had its private customers details hacked, or the ongoing national security threats that face us all, it is worth remembering that London is still one of the safest capital cities to live and work in. As a proud Belgravian and also as someone who makes their living from protecting people and their property, I was pleased to read in The Economist’s Safety Index that London is one of the top 20 safest capital cities in the world. How does that relate to the people of Belgravia though? This has prompted me to think in more depth about the issue of crime in our community and how it affects local residents and businesses. I am probably in a more frontline position to consider this as Vigilance is a manned security company that has hundreds of ex-army Gurkhas on the streets and in the properties of clients in Belgravia and Greater London, so I guess I know about the criminal activity that takes place and discuss prevention on a more regular basis than most. As with London, Belgravia is a relatively safe place to live but can always do more when it comes to crime prevention, and as we saw last year we still face some real challenges. There has been an increase in smash and grab raids on shops in Elizabeth Street, doorstep mugging and burglaries generally and the Met’s Special Projects team 24

carried out a raid on an organised gang of burglars yards from Eaton Square in September last year. As we move into spring, let’s tackle these challenges more proactively. Let’s remind ourselves to be more observant of the people coming and going in the area that you feel look suspicious and don’t be afraid to report any unusual activity to the Met Police’s non-emergency number 101. Get involved in the initiative by the Met’s Knightsbridge and Belgravia’s Safer Neighbourhood forum that is excellent (contact them on knightsbridge. belgravia.snt@met.police.uk or 020 7321 6890) to find out about locally reported incidents, join the monthly meetings or just ask to be kept up to date with things happening locally. This initiative is providing plain clothes patrolling, reporting local incidents to

nearby residents when crime occurs and documenting known offenders as well as liaising with the local community about crime prevention. Our city is amazing, and the nightlife, parks, shopping and eating out are some of the things that make it a wonderful place to live. I think Metropolitan police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe’s comments sum it up: “If you compare it (London) to the rest of the world, it is four times the size of Paris, this is a very safe city” so get out there and enjoy it. Be safe and look out for each other. 20A Eccleston Sreet, SW1W 9LT, 020 3416 5340, vigilanceproperties.co.uk

THE BEST fitNess prograMMe ever in six we e k s ta k e 5 inche s of f you r wa ist, lose a ston e , dou ble you r f it ne ss

“MasHer of tHe coucH potato, sHape-sHifter to tHe stars, tHe Bodydoctor is a god” Saturday Times Magazine

Stronger. Slimmer. Firmer. Fitter.

Coming Soon B odydoc to r - Fi t f o r Lov e be s p o k e 1 o n 1 , c o uple & sma ll grou p t ra ining

The Best Trai ni ng In The Wo r l d - A nd i t’s On Yo u r Do o r ste p w w w. bo dy do c to r . c o m / 0207 235 2211 / eaton square, belgrav ia sw 1

DISCOVER A VERY SPECIAL COLLECTION OF HOME FRAGRANCE AND BATH & BODY PRODUCTS INSPIRED BY TEA

DARJEELING

YERBA MATÉ

BLENDED FOR POSITIVITY

B L E N D E D F O R F O C U S & C LA R I T Y

Discover Yerba Maté, a fresh, stimulating aroma, inspired by the steeped leaf infusion of Argentina and South America. Evoking the wild solitude of the Pampas grasslands, Yerba Maté will sharpen your senses and free your thoughts with enlivening petitgrain, a shot of maté, guaiac wood and vetiver. This is pure energy. Yerba Maté joins Darjeeling, our original aromatic infusion, blended for positivity with zesty lemongrass, citrus and warm nutmeg, layered over a rich black tea base. Both blends are captured in candles, room diffusers, bath & shower, hand cleansers and body hydrators, infused with potent natural botanicals. These are scents to surround yourself in. Every day. Every place. From lounge to bath, work space to holiday.

DISCOVER MORE AT T-LONDON.COM

TL DJ YM advert-AW 14.1.16.indd 2

15/01/2016 06:58

[PROPERTY]

[PROPERTY NEWS]

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Important street plans affecting Belgravia

PLANNING APPLICATIONS DATE RECEIVED: 8 January 2016 ADDRESS: Chesham Street PROPOSAL: Internal alterations, including the removal and addition of partitions to properties. DATE RECEIVED: 23 January 2016 ADDRESS: Elizabeth Street PROPOSAL: Internal alterations, details

WHO NEEDS NUMBER 10?

of a new smoke extractor tube and its

Thirty million pounds is what buying ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s old Belgravian home will cost you. The Grade II-listed building is in Chester Square and has undergone extensive refurbishment by the Leconfield Property Group, which added a lift and a new mews house with a private garage and roof terrace. Touches of Baroness Thatcher’s 22-year residency remain in the property, mainly in the form of the sumptuous study, which is connected to the formal dining room through a set of double doors, as well as the steel-lined, bomb-proof front door – so any buyer can rest soundly in their bed at night. The refurbishment also saw the addition of a bar, wine cellar

impact on the building fabric. DATE RECEIVED: 26 January 2016 ADDRESS: Ebury Street PROPOSAL: Installation of secondary glazing to all windows and the roof light.

and gym to the basement, making the property a truly Belgravian masterpiece. The house is close to a number of properties bearing blue plaques and is regarded as one of the most prestigious in London, and anyone who walks past the stone bearing the number 73 knows that Thatcher entertained heads of state and dignitaries within its walls. Steeped in history and remarkably redeveloped, this six-storey mega-mansion is an icon in the area. leconfieldpg.com

Homecoming

PLANNed roadworks and closures , 2-31 March

14-18 March

Brompton Road, SW1X

Haymarket, SW1Y

Traffic signal modernisation works.

Anti-skid carriageway works.

Transport for London

City of Westminster

0845 305 1234

020 7641 2000

8-22 March

29 March – 4 April

D’Oyley Street, SW1X

Bourne Street, SW1W

Paving works.

Installation of a new electricity supply.

Kensington and Chelsea

UKPN East & Lon LTD

020 7361 3000

0800 028 4587

Last month saw the release of Welcome Home, a minute-long commercial produced by London and country estate agent John D Wood & Co. The company worked with Brighton-based video agency SeeThat to create the heart-warming piece of film, which focuses on family life. Richard Page, marketing director of John D Wood & Co, said: “We wanted to communicate more of the personal side of property and evoke positive emotions in our audience. We are really excited by the result – this kicks off a big video push for 2016 with much more content to be released during the year.” John D Wood & Co. has 16 London and five country offices, with consultants in Sussex, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Hertfordshire, and has been selling residential property since 1872. johndwood.co.uk/welcomehome

DIRECTORY

All of the essentials are taken care of in our roundup for harmonious living

Estate Agents Ayrton Wylie 16 Lower Belgrave Street 020 7730 4628

Douglas Lyons & Lyons 33 Kinnerton Street 020 7235 7933

John D Wood 48 Elizabeth Street 020 3151 5724

Marler & Marler 6 Sloane Street 020 7235 9641

Best Gapp 81 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 9253

Harrods Estates 82 Brompton Road 020 7225 6506

Knight Frank Lettings 82-83 Chester Square 020 3740 4539

Savills 139 Sloane Street 020 7730 0822

Chestertons Belgravia 31 Lowndes Street 020 7235 3530 (lettings) 020 7235 8090 (sales)

Henry & James 1 Motcomb Street 020 7235 8861

Knight Frank Sales 47 Lower Belgrave Street 020 3811 2473

Strutt & Parker 66 Sloane Street 020 3553 8393

[CAFĂ&#x2030;S]

[PUBLIC HOUSES/ DINING ROOMS]

[RESTAURANTS]

Food & Drink [BARS]

Amaya Halkin Arcade Motcomb Street 020 7823 1166

Tomtom Coffee House 114 Ebury Street 020 7730 1771

The Garden Room The Lanesborough Hyde Park Corner 020 7259 5599

La Bottega 25 Eccleston Street 020 7730 7411

[DELI]

The Library Bar The Lanesborough Hyde Park Corner 020 7259 5599

[WELLBEING CLUB]

[DOCTOR]

Grace Belgravia 11c West Halkin Street 020 7235 8900 gracebelgravia.com

[HAIR SALONS]

The Daniel Galvin Jr. Salon 4 West Halkin Street 020 7245 1050

Motcombs 26 Motcomb Street 020 7235 6382 motcombs.co.uk Tomtom Mess Hall 14 Eccleston Street 020 7730 1845 Uni 18a Ebury Street 020 7730 9267 restaurantuni.com

Home & Culture

[DENTIST]

The Belgrave Medical Centre 13 Pimlico Road 020 7730 5171

The Alfred Tennyson 10 Motcomb Street 020 7730 6074 thealfredtennyson.co.uk The Thomas Cubitt 44 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 6060 thethomascubitt.co.uk

Health & Wellbeing The Beresford Clinic 2 Lower Grosvenor Place 020 7821 9411

The Orange 37 Pimlico Road 020 7881 9844 theorange.co.uk

[ANTIQUES]

Bennison Fabrics 16 Holbein Place 020 7730 8076 Patrick Jefferson 69 Pimlico Road 07768 510 022

[ARCHITECTS/ DESIGN] Weldon Walshe 20 Grosvenor Place 020 7235 4100

[CLEANING] Kudu Services 27 Mortimer Street 020 8819 3136 kuduservices.co.uk

[GALLERIES] Pullman Editions 94 Pimlico Road 020 7730 0547 pullmaneditions.com

[directory]

Fashion [BOUTIQUES]

Philip Treacy 69 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 3992

Herve Leger 29 Lowndes Street 020 7201 2590

Nevena Couture (clients by appointment only) Lowndes Street 020 3539 8738 nevena.co.uk

[BANKS]

[MOVING SERVICES]

[PSYCHOTHERAPY]

Duncan Lawrie Private Banking 1 Hobart Place 020 7245 1234 duncanlawrie.com

Abels Moving Services UK, EU & International 020 3773 5796 info@abels.co.uk abels.co.uk

[EXCLUSIVE]

[IT SUPPORT]

Suzanne Thomas DHC MRes, Hypnotherapist/ Psychotherapist 07770 378791 suzannethomas@ suzannethomas.co.uk suzannethomas.co.uk

The Caledonian Club 9 Halkin Street 020 7235 5162 caledonianclub.com

Dashwood IT Solutions (Contact Jonny Hyam for all your IT needs) 07787 507 407

[BRIDAL] Le Spose di Gio 81 Ebury Street 020 7901 9020 le-spose-di-gio.it

Services

[SOLICITORS] Child & Child 4 Grosvenor Place 020 7235 8000 childandchild.co.uk

[POST OFFICE]

Post Office 6 Eccleston Street 0845 722 3344

[TRAVEL & hotels] Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel 21 Lowndes Street 020 7823 1234

Passepartout Homes Ltd +32 50 69 99 10 passepartout-homes.com info@passepartout-homes.com

Jumeirah Carlton Tower Cadogan Place 020 7235 1234

Speciality Shops [CIGAR SPECIALIST]

Tomtom Cigars 63 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1790

[CONFECTIONERS]

Peggy Porschen 116 Ebury Street 020 7730 1316

Pierre HermĂŠ Paris 13 Lowndes Street 020 7245 0317 Rococo Chocolates 5 Motcomb Street 020 7245 0993

[JEWELLERS]

De Vroomen 59 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1901

VICKISARGE 38 Elizabeth Street 020 7259 0202 Elizabeth Gage 5 West Halkin Street 020 7823 0100 eg@elizabeth-gage.com elizabeth-gage.com

[PERFUMERIES] Floris 147 Ebury Street 020 7730 0304 florislondon.com

[BOOTMAKERS]

[SECURITY]

Stivaleria Cavallin 57 Elizabeth Street 020 3198 3269 stivaleriacavallin.com

Vigilance Properties 20A Eccleston Street 020 3416 5340 vigilanceproperties.co.uk

[NEWSAGENTS]

Mayhew Newsagents

15 Motcomb Street / 020 7235 5770 Mayhew Newsagents is a local Belgravian institution. As well as supplying the area with national and international newspapers and magazines, it provides an extensive range of stationery, computer supplies and postal services. Opening times: Monday to Friday 7am-6pm, Saturday 8am-2pm, Sunday 8am-1pm Local delivery service available

Ebury Square, Belgravia SW1 Two bedroom apartment in an exclusive new development Brand new two bedroom apartment finished to exacting standards. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room with dining area, kitchen, guest cloakroom, utility room, lift, private residents' gym, secure underground parking, 24 hour concierge service. EPC: B. Approximatley 125 sq m (1,346 sq ft). Available furnished

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings belgravialettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6005

Guide price: £2,600 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/BEQ230638 All potential tenants should be advised that as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

BRJ - March Ed - 57 Ebury Square

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

15/02/2016 13:24:04

2, 4

4:04

Eaton Place, Belgravia SW1 A light and spacious two bedroom duplex apartment A 1st and 2nd floor duplex apartment located in a period building on the south side of Eaton Place. With high ceilings and tall windows this flat is flooded with natural light. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, further bedroom suite, reception room, kitchen/dining area, study, terrace, WC. Grade II listed. Approximately 155 sq m (1,671 sq ft). Share of freehold: approximately 987 years remaining

Guide price: £5,500,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/belgravia belgravia@knightfrank.com 020 7881 7722

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/BGV140088

2, 48 Eaton Place - Bel Res Journal

16/02/2016 09:47:56

savills.co.uk

AN ELEGANT FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR DUPLEX APARTMENT eaton square, sw1 Grade II* listed ø entrance hall ø reception room ø dining room ø kitchen ø master bedroom suite ø further bedroom ø bedroom 3/study ø bathroom ø utility area ø guest cloakroom ø lift ø porter ø 207 sq m (2,230 sq ft)

Guide £7.95 million Leasehold

Savills Sloane Street Richard Dalton rdalton@savills.com

020 7730 0822

IMMACULATELY PRESENTED LATERAL FLAT WITH BEAUTIFUL GARDEN VIEWS eaton square, sw1 Grade II* listed ø entrance hall ø reception room ø kitchen ø master bedroom suite ø 2 further bedroom suites ø utility room ø lift ø porter ø 263 sq m (2,832 sq ft)

Guide £15.5 million Leasehold

Savills Sloane Street Richard Dalton rdalton@savills.com

020 7730 0822

savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

MEWS HOUSE LAID OUT ACROSS THREE FLOORS kinnerton street, sw1 Bedroom ø 2 bathrooms ø reception room ø dining room ø kitchen ø 96 sq m (1,041 sq ft) ø Council Tax=H ø EPC=E

Savills Sloane Street Izzy Birch-Reynardson ibreynardson@savills.com

020 7824 9005 Unfurnished £995 per week + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* *£36inc incVAT VATfor foreach each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor whereInventory required. Inventory out fee end – charged at termination the end of or early termination *£36 additional tenant/occupant/guarantor referencereference where required. check out fee -check charged at the of or early 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. of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details including example inventory fee, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

HANS ROAD, KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW3

PRICE ON APPLICATION LEASEHOLD

• THREE DOUBLE BEDROOMS • THREE EN-SUITE BATHROOMS • ENTRANCE HALL • DRAWING ROOM • DINING ROOM • SEPARATE KITCHEN • STUDY • AIR CONDITIONING • EPC C

BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk

henryandjames.co.uk

LOWNDES SQUARE, KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW1X

£4,500 PER WEEK • FOUR BEDROOMS • FOUR BATHROOMS • RECEPTION ROOM • IMPRESSIVE LIVING SPACE • PRIME LOCATION • PORTERED • COMMUNAL GARDENS • LIFT • EPC C

£240 TENANCY FEE AND £60 REFERENCING FEE (per person) BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk

henryandjames.co.uk

JDWXXXX Belgravia Magazine.indd 1

17/02/2016 14:55

JDW

The next opportunity, the next adventure, that next sunrise. View the film at johndwood.co.uk

14:55

JDWXXXX Belgravia Magazine.indd 2

17/02/2016 14:58

EAton tERRAcE, SW1 A superb Grade II Listed house arranged over four floors, with a spacious family kitchen/ conservatory opening onto a mature, landscaped rear garden. Mews parking available (by separate permit). Approx 2,401 sq ft. 2 bedrooms, en suite bathroom, en suite shower room, dressing room, 2 receptions, conservatory/kitchen/family room, dining room, cloakroom, loft, garden. Freehold Guide Price ÂŁ4,650,000

BELGRAVIA 020 7824 7900 belgravia@johndwood.co.uk

JDWXXXX Belgravia Magazine.indd 3

johndwood.co.uk

17/02/2016 14:59

JDW

Eaton SquarE, SW1 An extremely elegant former coach house, situated to the rear of a handsome Grade II* Listed building, refurbished to the highest standard. Approx. 1,772 sq ft. 2 bedrooms, en suite bath/shower room, en suite shower room, dressing room, reception, kitchen/breakfast room, entrance hall, cloakroom, garden, access to private square gardens with tennis court. Lease to 2050 Guide Price ÂŁ4,700,000

BELGraVIa 020 7824 7900 belgravia@johndwood.co.uk

14:59

JDWXXXX Belgravia Magazine.indd 4

johndwood.co.uk

17/02/2016 14:59

Parkside

Knightsbridge SW1X

This newly refurbished 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom apartment of approx. 2,365 sq ft / 220 sq m is located on the 2nd floor of one of Knightsbridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most iconic purpose-built residential blocks. The spacious accommodation benefits from high ceilings, generous proportions & wonderful views over Hyde Park. Parkside is located between Hyde Park & Knightsbridge, opposite the Berkeley Hotel & benefits from 24hr porterage & balcony. EPC rating D

ÂŁ9,250,000 leasehold and share of freehold

Knightsbridge & Belgravia

020 7235 8090

sales.knightsbridge@chestertons.com

chestertons.com

CHN2258 Belgravia Residents Journal March v4.indd 1

12/02/2016 23:00

CHN2

6 23:00

Chester Row

ÂŁ4,100,000 freehold

Belgravia SW1X

A light & spacious 3 bedroom house in the heart of Belgravia. The property has the benefit of a south/west facing terrace leading from the ground floor reception room & a patio leading off the dining area. The property further benefits from 3 en-suite bathroom/shower rooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, guest cloakroom & roof terrace.

Knightsbridge & Belgravia

020 7235 8090

sales.knightsbridge@chestertons.com

EPC rating C

Your property can help you get away with Chestertons To find out more talk to us today or visit chestertons.com/avios

Applies to sellers and landlords. Terms and conditions apply see www.chestertons.com/avios for details. Avios are issued and redeemed in accordance with Avios terms and conditions.

CHN2258 Belgravia Residents Journal March v4.indd 2

12/02/2016 23:00

St Barnabas Street

£995 per week / £11,940 per month

Knightsbridge SW1W

A charming 2 bedroom period house with private garden offering a high quality of living, whilst meeting the world’s highest sustainability standards. The property is located within close proximity to the shops & amenities of Pimlico Road. EPC rating A

Knightsbridge & Belgravia

020 7235 3530

lettings.knightsbridge@chestertons.com

chestertons.com

Additional tenant charges apply: Tenancy agreement fee: £222 (inc. VAT) References per tenant including credit check: £60 (inc. VAT) References per guarantor including credit check: £60 (inc. VAT) Inventory check (approx. £100 – £250 inc. VAT dependent on property size) chestertons.com/property-to-rent/applicable-fees

CHN2258 Belgravia Residents Journal March v4.indd 3

12/02/2016 23:00

[PROPERTY]

[PROPERTY WATCH]

Home is where the heart is Francesca Lee speaks to Stuart Bailey, partner at Knight Frank Belgravia, about stamp duty, sustainability and suitability

tuart Bailey thinks the recent changes in the housing market will have a positive effect in the long term. “Although pricing and purchasing costs are a hot topic and are having an effect, I think in the long term there will be a positive impact and will make the market more sustainable. After all, we’ve had 10 years of growth, with buyers and sellers dipping in and out of the market every two to three years, which couldn’t last forever,” he says. Indeed, he feels that buyers are making more considered choices, whereby they’re buying a property to live in for longer. They’re also decorating and furnishing their properties as homes rather than as an investments, although the latter have been more common over the past decade in Belgravia and prime central London. “In the past, buyers were used to the market going up between five to 10 per cent per annum and with stamp duty being around five to seven per cent. Now the market is more stable and stamp duty will be circa 12-15 per cent, it’s not really a two-year decision that the purchaser is making now, more like a five-year choice,” he says.

This image and below: Eaton Square, Belgravia, SW1

As with many changes, Stuart affirms that it takes a while for the market to adapt. “There’s always going to be a period of transition and adaptability. However, in Belgravia you don’t tend to get price depreciation; it’s more of a slowdown in trading due to decision-making,” he says. There’s also the argument that in Belgravia there are a lot of discretionary buyers who don’t necessarily need to buy if they find the prices are too high, and instead they decide to come out of the market for a year or so and opt to rent. “Our rentals market is flying at the moment,”

“In Belgravia you tend to get sitting on hands rather than price depreciation”

says Stuart. “However, we still have a decent demand from buyers who want to live in this part of town, and the surrounding market is growing too; Victoria, Pimlico and Westminster are attracting interest.” Knight Frank prides itself on its reputation. “I did some research recently and I went through every property that we sold last year and found 70 per cent was repeat business or recommendations. With our vast buyer database, we can match the right people to the right property. It just so happens that homes to enjoy living in are on the up, with an increasing number of buyers making decisions from the heart and not just the head.” 47 Lower Belgrave Street, SW1W 0LS, 020 3733 1322, knightfrank.co.uk 43

THE ART OF MOVING UK RESIDENTIAL, EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS

Abels.

Masters of the art of moving.

• UK Residential Removals • Worldwide Relocations • Weekly European Removals • Storage Services • Car Transportation & Storage • Office & Commercial Moving • Antiques, Fine Art Packing, Storing & Moving Telephone: 020 3740 1849 E-Mail: enquiries@abels.co.uk www.abels.co.uk

Memb No: A001

Crate 297x210mm NEW.indd 2

Certificate No. FS23942

12/02/2016 15:48

Chester Row, SW1 A fine stucco fronted family house, close to Eaton Square, offering excellent entertaining space with an attractive patio garden.

Subject To Contract (fees)

ÂŁ3500 per week

* * * * * * *

2 Reception Rooms Master Bedroom Suite 4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Garden Unfurnished EPC Rating E

Intelligent Risk Management & Execution

EXPERT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY

Why RVB?

Approach

About

If you are needing to convert currency

RVB assists you in understanding

RVB Currency UK Ltd is a UK

to buy or sell a property, RVB delivers

each and every step of the process, so

registered company, number 7586693,

a blend of intelligent and practical

that we can provide you with the best

regulated by the FCA as an Authorised

solutions, with the sole purpose of

tailored solution to meet your specific

Payment Institution (FRN: 593854)

protecting you from losing money

requirements, for any currency scenario.

and by HMRC as a Money Transmitter

unnecessarily due to excessive charges

Our core value is that your interests are

(license number:12653819).

and currency market volatility.

at the heart of every decision.

+44(0) 20 3137 6885

18 Savile Row, London, W1S 3PW

info@rvbcurrency.com

E atoSTREET n P l ac e, SW1 BASiL SW3 E G E R TO N three T Ebedroom R R AC S W 3maintained mansion building in the heart of Knightsbridge. An immaculately presented flat in E this, beautifully A spacious and well-arranged one bedroom flat on the first floor of this white stucco fronted building in The building is ideally located for Harrods and the shops and restaurants of the area, and moments from Knightsbridge Eaton Place. The overlooking flat could Brompton easily be Square rearranged to provide bedrooms. Stunning penthouse arranged across thetwo fourth floor of this Victorian building. Unfurnished. 2000 sq ft. underground station. • Bedroom Three Bedrooms

■ ■

•• Bathroom Four Bedrooms Two Bathrooms • Reception

■ ■

• Dining Room • Three Bathrooms

Reception Room ■ ■ Kitchen/Breakfast Room Price. £1,850,000 £3,250 per week + feesLease

• Kitchen/ • Lift ■ ■ Entrance Hall/Dining Area • Cloakroom • Two Balconies breakfast room • Caretaker ■ ■ Loft Storage Area

■ ■

to 2107 £3,300,000 Subject to Contract

• Kitchen

Porter ■ ■ Lift

• Garden Terrace

■ ■

1397 sq ft

• EE Rating - D

• Additional staff flat • 844• Square Lift feet ■ ■ EE rating E (by sep neg) • EE Rating C

■ ■

Share of Freehold

facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Lowndes Square, SW1

A one bedroom fifth floor flat in a portered block with west facing views of the communal gardens.

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 ollie.blakelock@struttandparker.com

ÂŁ1,950,000 Leasehold

West Eaton Place, SW1

This beautifully presented first floor flat with high ceilings, would make the ideal pied-Ă -terre.

ÂŁ2,250,000 Leasehold

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 bertie.hare@struttandparker.com

facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

William Mews, SW1

This post-war freehold property offers an incoming purchaser the opportunity to undertake refurbishments, to make the ideal pied-a-terre or small family home.

ÂŁ2,500,000 Freehold

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 bertie.hare@struttandparker.com

Resident’s Journal M A R C H 2 0 1 6 • I s s ue 4 6

Knowledge. Integrity. Discretion. Of all our fine properties, these are the most valuable.

We highly value your feedback: belgravia@residentsjournal.co.uk or 020 7987 4320

w w w. R e s i d e n t s J o ur n a l . c o . u k (020) 7987 4320

Proudly published by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

55 Strutt & Parker offices nationwide | 1350 Christie’s offices worldwide

Resident’s 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

Written for the residents of BELGRAVIA march 2016 • Issue 46