The City Magazine August 2015 by Runwild Media Group

Travel

Is Switzerland even better in summer? The allure of the Amalfi coast Riva Vs Frauscher

Sir Michael Caine From The Italian Job to National Treasure

Drugs & the peloton

The CODE OF SILENCE that governed the leading pack

Power Players

Improve your run rate by upgrading your cricket bat

No Added Sugar

How juicing became this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest fitness craze

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TOM A TOM S Z FAURM S Z FAURM NE KA NE K Photo by:Photo Tomasz by: Furmanek Tomasz Furmanek

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issue no.

COVER STORY: r i v a vs f r a u sc h er

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contents

Both these renowned companies can build boats, but which one floats yours more?

p 15

on the cover 28

SIR MICHAEL CAINE Liz Parry explores the early life of London legend Sir Michael Caine and finds out how the celebrated actor is getting on with old age

DRUGS & THE PELOTON GB rower Josh Tonnar explores the code of silence that had governed the leading pack for more than a century

POWER PLAYERS With the Ashes as inspiration, The City Magazine rounds up the best bats to improve your run rate

NO ADDED SUGAR How juicing became this year’s biggest fitness craze

98 is switzerland even better in the summer?

Could Switzerland be the ideal summer destination for you? Chris Allsop takes a tour

106 the allure of the amalfi coast

James Lawrence experiences the splendour of a luxury break in Positano, on the Italian coast

REGULARS 19

NEWS: CITY SOCIAL The City Magazine uncovers Shoreditch’s newest quirky answer to fun-filled nights out

LIFESTYLE: LIFE IN THE CITY We get the inside scoop on exciting new holiday destinations with Abercrombie & Kent’s private client manager, Aurelia van Lynden

FASHION: CUT FOR THE CAPITAL Timeless tailoring with a touch of ’60s style makes for a well-thought weekend wardrobe

MOTORING: SPINNING A YARN Jeremy Taylor travels to Italy to discover how fashion giant Ermenegildo Zegna is diversifying its luxury offering

LIFESTYLE: TECH TALK Tablets come in all shapes and sizes; The City Magazine rounds up a few of the best for your perusal

ART & INTERIORS: VIVE LA DISRUPTION We meet the founder of Artsper, the latest tech startup to bring the power and reach that the internet affords to the previously closed world of art sales

Southpaw, 2015

102

TRAVEL: Luton hoo – land of leisure Private residence of yesteryear, Luton Hoo is now a Home County haven, set in a vast, rural expanse of inspiring beauty

154

HOMES & PROPERTY: LONDON HORSEPOWER Six bronze horses by British sculptor Hamish Mackie have been unveiled at the Berkeley Homes’ development, Goodman’s Fields

NOW RECRUITING

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It’s really no secret that we’re all about impeccable service at Small Luxury Hotels of the World. That’s why we’re looking for a further 20 mystery inspectors to embark on free undercover missions at our 520 luxury hotels around the world. It’s not a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Apply now at slh.com/mi

issue no.

A U G US T 2 0 1 5

Contributors

E d i t o r - in-Chi ef Lesley Ellwood

E d i tor Richard Brown

a s s i s ta nt Editor tiffany eastland

M o t o r i n g Editor Matthew Carter

C o l l ect i on Editor Annabel Harrison

S ta f f Writer gabriella dyson

E d i t o r i al int ern

CHRIS ALLSOP

DOMINIC NICHOLLS

JAMES LAWRENCE

Chris is a Bath-based freelance

Dominic has shot a wealth

A self-confessed wine

journalist and photographer

of fashion, advertising and

obsessive, James is our go-

who mostly writes about travel,

celebrities – Anthony Hopkins

to grape connoisseur. This

film and cheese. On page 98,

and Rod Stewart to name drop

month, James takes a tour of

Chris uncovers the dark horse of

a few… In our August issue,

the capital’s top venues for

summer holiday destinations,

Dominic captures ’60s style that

exciting, unusual or just plain

as he recalls the insights of

is as dapper as Don Draper’s,

decadent plonk. Catch the

his mountain-guided tour

during a weekend city break at

highlights on page 96.

of Switzerland.

The Dorchester (p. 56).

OMAR ALI

Sen i o r Design er Grace Linn

B RAND C ONSIST EN CY Laddawan Juhong

Ge ne r a l Manag er Fiona Fenwick

P r o d uc tion Hugo Wheatley Oscar Viney Alice Ford Jamie Steele

P r ope r t y D irec to r Samantha Ratcliffe

E x ecu t i ve D irecto r Sophie Roberts

M a n a g i n g D ir ec to r Eren Ellwood Hedgehog Fastpack Lite Goretex, £120, The North Face, thenorthface.co.uk

Navy and Blue Check Linen & Wool Spirit Jacket, £275, Richard James, richardjames.co.uk

1983 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol, £199, 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen, 2850.co.uk

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One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AX T: 020 7987 4320 rwmg.co.uk

JOsephine O’DONOGHUE

MARK WESTALL

JEREMY TAYLOR

Based in the Cotswolds,

Mark is editor-in-chief of online

Jeremy Taylor is a freelance

Josephine has worked as a

art and culture magazine FAD,

feature writer specialising in

writer and editor for six years,

creative director of FAD Agency

motoring, travel and celebrity

Members of the Professional Publishers Association

specialising in lifestyle, travel ,

and our regular source of

interviews. He is a regular

culture and local features. As

information about interesting

contributor to the Financial

Jake Gyllenhaal’s latest smash

artists. This month, Mark

Times, Sunday Times Magazine

responsibility for unsolicited

Southpaw hits the big screen , the

discusses the emergence of

and Rolex Magazine. For The City

submissions, manuscripts and

Hollywood heartthrob talks tough

online art platforms – specifically

Magazine, Jeremy travels to Italy

acting, that torso and taking

French marketplace Artsper –

and discovers that the master of

change and Runwild Media Ltd. take no

things up a level (p. 38).

in a world where art is being

menswear, Ermenegildo Zegna,

responsibility for omissions or errors.

incresingly traded online (p. 88).

is diversifying (p. 80).

Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept

photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to

Pro3 Gel Glove, £42.99, Everlast, ukstore.everlast.com

Pro Arte Sable Brush Cass Exclusive Set of 6, £18.50, Cass Art, cassart.co.uk

Braided buffalo-leather loafer, £515, Ermenegildo Zegna, zegna.com

on our website: rwmg.co.uk/subscribe

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issue no.

A U G US T 2 0 1 5

f r o m t h e E D I TOR

ow that not all Tour de France riders are on drugs, average stage times are slower. Cyclists are producing less power per kilo and no one has climbed Alpe d’Huez in under 40 minutes since Lance Armstrong shot up the mountain, after shooting up in the toilets. Cycling is now more mired in doping controversy than any other sport on the

planet. After a series of high-profile scandals and criminal investigations, you’d think that the public would have turned its back on the peloton. Not so. Cycling, as both a spectator and participant sport, is more popular than ever. And it’s not anti-doping measures that have saved it. It’s technology. Like many endurance sports – sailing, running, and 24-hr motor racing included – technology has injected a much-needed shot of excitement into cycling. It’s now possible to watch a “Cyclists had no choice but to dope. Doping provided them with a level playing field; if they were all on drugs, it was fair”

tour in its entirety, hour after hour, in high definition and from the handlebar point-of-view of its riders. We see every slip, crash, elbow and fist fight in real time. We can then replay them over and over again. It’s the same with Formula E, which, as anyone who attended the Battersea

joshua tonnar, P. 74

Park meet before watching the highlights on TV will attest, is far better with the addition of on-screen statistics and on-board cameras. Polo, that sport famed for being perpetually played over the other side of the pitch, is useless to watch unless you’re sat in a grandstand. Happily, organisers have now introduced drones, which film the action from above. It’s made polo much more than a Champagne sport. Golf, tennis, football; technology has improved how we consume them all. So, stay in, save some money, and embrace the benefits of being an armchair enthusiast.

Richard brown, editor

Other titles within the RWMG portfolio

On the cover (p. 15) The Frauscher 1017GT Image courtesy of Frauscher Boats

ICONIC HOTELS IN ICONIC PLACES

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| LIFESTYLE |

THE CITY EDIT The commodities and consumables raising our interest rates this month

1017 GT, Frauscher Boats

BOAT WARS

Riva 88 Domino Super

Riva 88 Florida

or Clooney and his Laglio-dwelling pals, there are two ways of ferrying yourself across Lake Como in the summer; on-board a wooden-hulled Riva, or with the help of a head-turner from Frauscher. When it comes to super stylish, high-performance powerboats, these two yacht builders are the Rolls-Royce and Maserati of the waves. Riva is set to premiere two new creations at next month’s Cannes Yachting Festival. Despite finding room for four staterooms, the convertible-topped Riva 88 Florida is capable of 40 knots (46mph), while the

‘London Grey’ hull of the Riva 88 Domino Super will ensure it stands out in the world’s white-fibreglass-crowded marinas. Outstandingly fast, agile and outrageously beautiful was how the hosts of London’s 2014 Motorboat Awards described Frauscher’s 1017 GT, a ceremony where it won motorboat of the year. The largest vessel in the Frauscher fleet, the 1017 GT can accommodate eight people above deck and reach speeds of almost 52 knots (70mph). See it too in Cannes. frauscherboats.com / riva-yacht.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

THE CITY EDIT

The commodities and consumables raising our interest rates this month

ABOVE BOARD The Hoverboard, the fourth project in Lexus’ Amazing in Motion series, has us thinking we’ll be travelling like The Jetsons sooner rather than later. Representing true engineering innovation, the Hoverboard uses magnetic levitation to achieve frictionless movement, while liquid nitrogen-cooled superconductors and permanent magnets combine to create a truly futuristic mode of transport. The Hoverboard uses materials found in the brand’s cars, from high-tech metals to natural bamboo.

STRAPPED FOR TIME Give your Apple Watch an added touch of style with this American Bridle Leather strap from Bexar Goods & Co. Featuring the time honoured saddle stitch, this Apple Watch strap is available in three different hardware finishes to match your model. Apple Watch strap, £84, Bexar Goods & Co., bexargoods.com

The Hoverboard, £POA, Lexus, lexus.co.uk

HIDDEN GEM The Mirage house in Tinos, Greece, by Kois Associated Architects consists of three bedrooms, a kitchen, an outdoor living room and, oh, a rimless rooftop pool. Blending seamlessly with the view of the Aegean Sea, Mirage is a breath-taking piece of invisible architecture. koisarchitecture.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| LIFESTYLE |

RUN, FORREST, RUN! The Flyknit Racers are choice footwear for when life keeps you running. Crafted with a marathon runner’s needs in mind, the Flyknit Racers feature lightweight, breathable mesh, a waffle base grip for excellent traction and Phylon rubber foam soles that are light yet responsive. The trainers look good in the pub too. Flyknit Racer Sneakers, £130, Nike Running, mrporter.com

DOWN TO EARTH French graphic designer, Nicolas Amiard, takes our excitement levels to unheard of heights ahead of the Star Wars saga continuation this December. Amiard has released a series of photos that put various Star Wars battleships near recognisable landmarks, as though they’ve crash landed on earth. nicolasamiard.com

WORK OF ART First published 30 years ago, Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant’s Subway Art remains a highly sought-after documentation of the decades that formulated the graffiti and subway art movement. The ultimate book for fans of graffiti, Subway Art captures 1980s-cool and the movement’s transformation from controversial and subversive to popular and money-making. Subway Art, £14.95, Thames & Hudson, thamesandhudson.com

TURN BACK TIME Gramovox has reimagined turntable technology with the Floating Record, a high-performance turntable that plays your records vertically through builtin, full-range stereo speakers. Not just a pretty face, the Floating Record uses audiophile-grade materials and components to achieve exceptional results. A mechanically sound way to experience the best vinyl music. Floating Record, £225, Gramovox, kickstarter.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

L A

P l e a s e

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R E C H E R C H E

d r i n k

D E

L ’ Œ U V R E

r e s P o n s i b l y

29/01/2015 14:38

| NEWS |

CITY social

KEEPING the epicure nourished WITH the square mile’s Latest launches and CULINARY CRAZES

Let’s Bounce W

hat do you get when you cross the work of interior design maestro Russell Sage, with a shedload of ping pong balls? Bounce, of course – Shoreditch’s newest and quirkiest answer to fun-filled nights out. Known for its unique combination of table tennis and drinking and dining, Bounce first launched in 2012 as Europe’s first ‘social ping pong club’, taking its cue from the explosion of stylish table tennis venues stateside and the resurgence of interest in the game in the UK. Following the success of its original Farringdon site, Bounce’s latest venture promises to offer a relaxed atmosphere and quality entertainment within walking distance of Tech City. The self-described ‘adult playground’ will contain seven bespoke ping pong tables, a well-stocked bar and a 25-foot pizza counter. Like all Bounce venues, the new

site will be decked out in signature offbeat style courtesy of Russell Sage Studios, complete with glow in the dark elements. Gastronomic offerings include traditional Italian pizza, stone baked in an open flamed oven, alongside a selection of antipasti sourced from local suppliers. There’s also a full table service, so if you’re too competitive to stray from the game, you can enjoy a slice of pizza as you play.

The Hurricane cocktail – a winning combination of Pampero white rum, vanilla syrup, and fresh lime – comes with a special recommendation and if gin is your tipple then you’ll be pleased to discover that an emphasis on premium spirits is high on the agenda. Adam Breeden – CEO and co-founder of Bounce – is no stranger to what makes a successful venue. He’s the brains behind highend bowling business All Star Lanes, as well as Notting Hill’s award-winning Lonsdale bar. Aiming to combine ‘the best of fun activities with the finest hospitality’, Breedon forecasts £19 million in revenue with the opening of Bounce’s Shoreditch venue, alongside its first international outpost in Chicago. So, if you fancy making pizza and ping pong a staple of your Friday nights then head online and book your table now. GD Bounce, 21 Holborn, EC1N, bouncepingpong.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| NEWS |

CITY social

Surf and Turf Hawksmoor Guildhall made a brave move by making room on its menu for something other than steak. When The City Magazine heard that Hawksmoor had gone (somewhat) pescatarian, we had to investigate. Far from it scaring off meat enthusiasts, however, we loved the idea of adding a healthy side of lobster with garlic butter to juicy rib-eye and Chateaubriand steaks, or easing into a meal with one of the lighter starters – from octopus carpaccio to roast scallops with white port and garlic. Available Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner (it’s proving popular for business meetings). The new a la carte menu is more evenly weighted between steak and seafood, inspired by the popularity of special fish dishes at other Hawksmoor sites. Hake with green harissa and charcoal grilled monkfish (pair with slow-braised maple bacon for a twist) are worthy to trade a steak in for, but if you’re not quite ready for that, the new anchovy hollandaise sauce works particularly well with aged cuts. The team’s skill in drinks pairings also saw us enjoying gin-based cocktails – from the citrusy Champagne Charlie to the restaurant’s take on shandy, with gin, homemade ginger syrup and lemon juice topped with London Pride.

Sterling Service

30 St Mary Axe, EC3A, thesterlingbar.co.uk

This summer, the Gherkin’s Sterling Bar treats us to a new menu and outdoor eating experience. While we can’t guarantee the weather, you will receive a warm service and all the cheese and charcuterie you can chew

through. Sip on one of the many professional cocktails on offer and sit down to an evening of fresh, sharable food in the form of grilled sandwiches, hand-pulled pizzettas, and dips and bits to enjoy with your favourite tipple.

10 Basinghall Street, EC2V, thehawksmoor.com

Chanced Upon And I’m glad we did, for this hidden gem is one to watch. Head chef Graham Long’s been at its helm since late last year, in which time he’s showcased a level of culinary skill only acquired from years of working with some of London’s most revered chefs. The marinated, raw handdived scallop starter is a must-try in our books. 9 Cursitor Street, EC4A, thechancery.co.uk

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Escape to Kentisbury Grange - the ultimate boutique country hotel.

Discover fine dining at The Coach House by M ichael Caines.

Set in the heart of North Devon on the edge of Exmoor National Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just three hours from London Paddington.

Kentisbury Grange, Kentisbury, Barnstaple, North Devon EX31 4NL reception@kentisburygrange.co.uk | 01271 882 295 www.kentisburygrange.co.uk

| LIFESTYLE |

Bon Viveur

Our man-about-town, Innerplace’s Nick Savage, gives you the insider lowdown on London’s most luxurious haunts

A-listers descend on West End

hen it comes to theatre, London has boasted an embarrassment of riches since the Elizabethan era. However, this autumn looks set to produce a bumper crop that will put previous seasons to shame, with a number of Hollywood stars making the journey to the West End. Hamlet, Barbican – 5 Aug-31 Oct In August, Benedict Cumberbatch will return to his native turf to telegraph the teenage angst of Shakespeare’s Danish prince. One of the most celebrated British thespians of the moment, it’s a rite of passage for him to take on the role, and ticket sales have reflected London’s eagerness to watch. Audiences can expect theatrical pyrotechnics with direction from the brilliant Lyndsey Turner, Ciarán Hinds playing Polonius, Anastasia Hille as Gertrude and Siân Brooke as Ophelia. Jon Hopkins scores the production.

FROM TOP Hamlet; Ben Whishaw in Bakkhai; Nicole Kidman in Photograph 51

Bakkhai, Almeida – 1 Aug-19 Sep Bakkhai is one of the most sensual, seductive and subversive Greek tragedies, and Anne Carson’s new translation of Euripides’ seminal work brings these themes to the foreground. Directed by James MacDonald, Bakkhai utilises a chorus and three actors – Kevin Harvey, Bertie Carvel and the coruscating Ben Whishaw as Dionysus. The play centres on the battle between religious morality and ecstasy, and Whishaw seems the perfect fit to channel the wine god’s chaotic and disruptive energy.

ABOVE and right Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench in The Winter’s Tale

BELOW The Curious Incident

Innerplace is London’s personal lifestyle concierge. Membership provides complimentary access to the finest nightclubs, the best restaurants and top private members’ clubs. Innerplace also offers priority bookings, VIP invitations and insider updates on the latest openings. innerplace.co.uk

The Winter’s Tale, The Garrick – 17 Oct-16 Jan London will have the opportunity to watch two titans of the stage and screen collide at the Garrick Theatre this autumn. Judi Dench will play Paulina in The Winter’s Tale whilst Kenneth Branagh will both star as Leontes and co-direct alongside Rob Ashford. The star-studded ensemble will include Tom Bateman, Jessie Buckley, Jack Colgrave Hirst, Hadley Fraser and Michael Pennington. Anybody who has watched Kenneth Branagh’s productions will know that he brings a nuanced sensitivity to the Bard’s oeuvre. Opportunities to see actors of this calibre are rare. Photograph 51, Noel Coward Theatre – 5 Sep-21 November The mesmerising Nicole Kidman is set to bring Anna Ziegler’s awardwinning play to life during the UK premiere of Photograph 51. Directed by Michael Grandage, the stage production follows English chemist and X-Ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin as she races to discover DNA in a field crowded with rivals, walking the tight rope of love, science and a place in history. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Gielgud Theatre – Now-Feb 2016 It may not boast the big name cast of other productions, but when it comes to industry awards, The Curious Incident is practically peerless. It won seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Play, when it debuted in the West End in 2013, and, having recently won five Tony Awards for its Broadway adaptation, has extended its London run until February 2016. The play takes us inside the mind of 15-year-old, Asperger’s sufferer Christopher Boone, as he attempts to solve the mystery of his neighbour’s dead dog. It’s a fascinating examination of human relationship, one that employs high-tech staging, innovative visual effects and a theatre-shaking sound system. Don’t miss it.

burg © Brinkhoff Mögen

genburg © Brinkhoff Mö

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

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| LIFESTYLE |

Life IN Fifteen minutes with the Square Mile stalwarts of which every City sybarite should be aware…

ounded in 1962 by Geoffrey Kent (when he set off for the Kenyan bush in a Land Rover adapted with a fridge and his mother’s silver ice bucket), A&K has been setting the tone for bespoke luxury travel ever since. Today, clients can experience the company’s peerless service in more than 100 countries, on all seven continents.

Aurelia van Lynden

Private Client Manager at Abercrombie & Kent

What do you love about your job? The opportunity to travel to so many different destinations has been incredible. I’ve also loved building relationships with some of my clients, knowing exactly what they want from a holiday and what they like and don’t like. Where does everyone want to go in 2015? Europe is always very popular over the summer. For autumn half term, places such as Morocco, Dubai and Oman are really good as you can get autumn sun without having to travel too far. During winter, the Maldives and the Caribbean are exceptionally popular. Do you have any new routes you’re excited about? Turkish Airlines fly via Istanbul to the Maldives, so you can combine a city break in Istanbul with beach relaxation in the Maldives. There are lots of fantastic new hotels opening, such as the Six Senses in the Duoro Valley in Portugal and in the Seychelles next year. The Brando opened last year in Tahiti, and Vina Vik and Vira Vira in Chile are also highly recommended.

Favourite Coffee shop: Bar Termini in Soho - it’s tiny but they do amazing coffee (and cocktails in the evening)

Bar: Cahoots in Soho or the bar at Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings

Place for breakfast: Hally’s or Little H by Parsons Green or Hubbard & Bell in the Hoxton Hotel

Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Hotel: Amanzo’e, Greece

What is the world’s next hidden gem? The Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar has the most stunning, untouched beaches, so chartering a boat there is incredible. Mukul is an incredible resort in Nicaragua which a lot of people have heard of. What would you suggest for a honeymoon or anniversary break? I love the idea of combining an active or cultural holiday with some relaxing beach time. Favourite honeymoons I have put together have been a safari in Kenya, coupled with a week in the Seychelles at the end. There are direct flights to the Seychelles from Nairobi (and now from Dar es Salaam for those interested in safari in Tanzania), so they combine really well. Where’s best for a luxury holiday with little ones? Europe is ideal for family holidays: short flights and fantastic hotels. Some of my favourite family hotels are Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, Italy, the Danai in Halkidiki, Greece, Turkey, and the Verdura Resort, Sicily. The Mandarin Oriental in Bodrum, which opened last year, also offers one-bedroom apartments, which allow two children to sleep on a sofa bed for free. What’s the biggest mistake people make when booking a holiday? Waiting until the last minute. Especially for Christmas, summer and half term, people often leave this very late when there is very little availability and the flight prices are sky high. What would you do as Mayor of London? Make cycling safer. There are far too many accidents. Being Dutch, I love cycling but I wouldn’t do it in London at the moment. abercrombiekent.co.uk

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| LIFESTYLE |

Life AFTER The Square Mile alumni making waves away from the fickle waters of finance

fter graduating from the University of Sheffield and working as a lawyer at global law firm DLA Piper, Pete Dowds decided to branch out and start his own business, much like the entrepreneurial clients he worked for in the City. What inspired your move from the City? Life as a lawyer was not for me. It was great to work with such intelligent and driven colleagues, but I had wanted to start my own business since university. When did you first have the idea? Summer 2012. Tom (my co-founder) and I had a nightmare trying to find a cleaner online after a house party. It seemed crazy that you could book flights, restaurants, taxis and other services online but not a cleaner.

Pete Dowds

Co-Founder, mopp.com / Head, Handy UK Age: 28 Previous employer:

VC/M&A Lawyer at global law firm DLA Piper

What was the original vision? The vision was a simple one: allow consumers to book a trusted cleaner online in 60 seconds. How has your background in the City helped you succeed? I think the soft skills I learned have been incredibly useful. Working with a range of clients, bankers and accountants has helped considerably when raising venture capital, hiring new team members. In addition, I think the work ethic instilled in you in the City has been a positive. Did you beg, borrow, steal or earn start-up costs? We bootstrapped Mopp with our own funds for the first eight months and each took out a loan from the Start-Up Loans Company. We then raised £32,000 from some ex-clients to make our first couple of hires before closing a £960,000 seed round in December 2013 from a European VC fund. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in business? With Mopp, growth took precedence at the expense of product development and the scaling of operations, which caused service level issues. Building supply and demand in parity is one of the toughest parts of building a marketplace, so that was a big learning point. Who are your professional role models? Travis Kalanick at Uber and Tony Hsieh at Zappos. What’s your motivation? I enjoy creating things that people find useful. Having thousands of Londoners use Mopp each week is a great feeling. I would love to build a global business that is used and loved by millions of people. What has been your professional highlight to date? Growing Mopp from a £0 to £5m(+) turnover business in 18 months. The most common mistake people make when starting a business is? Not understanding the key metrics that drive your business. As a marketplace, we have different core metrics to e-commerce sites like ASOS, which in turn has different KPIs to social networks like Twitter. Which app couldn’t you live without? Pocket – it allows you to save articles to read offline. I use it every day. mopp.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Favourite Book: Hard Thing About Hard Things, Ben Horowitz

Film: Glengarry Glen Ross Brand: Nike Gadget: Fitbit Surge Restaurant: Bouchon Forchette, Hackney City: Stirling Holiday destination: Croatia

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Sir Michael Caine and wife Shakira at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival ÂŠ Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

SIR MICHAEL Words: LIZ PARRY

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| INTERVIEW |

CAINE

He has one of the most distinctive voices in the world of film and has uttered some of the big screenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most memorable lines. The City Magazine falls under the spell of Sir Michael Caine

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Caine and Madalina Ghenea at the photocall for Youth at Cannes, 2015. © Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com

t 82, legendary actor Sir Michael Caine has enjoyed a long and distinguished career, appearing in more than 115 films, including such classics as Get Carter, Alfie, The Italian Job and Educating Rita. His most recent role is in Youth, a gently sentimental movie in which Caine’s character muses about ageing and the passage of time. But these are not things that appear to concern the actor in real life. “I’m not really worried about ageing because you can’t do much about it,” says Caine. “And I don’t mind playing elderly roles now because the alternative is playing dead people,” he grins. It seems that retirement isn’t on the cards just yet for the famous Cockney, whose acting career spans more than 60 years. Although he admits the thought has crossed his mind. “You say you’re going to retire because you think you’re not going to find good roles any more,” says Caine, “and then you get a director like Paolo Sorrentino or Christopher Nolan, who offer you great parts and then suddenly you’re not retiring any more. “I’ve even been able to play leads in recent years like, Harry Brown, which I wasn’t expecting because at my age you’re usually playing the father of the lead, or the elderly professor. As I’ve said many times, I don’t get the girl any more; I get the part.” Born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite in Bermondsey, south London, in 1933, Caine comes from true working class roots. His mother Ellen was a cook and charlady and his father, also named Maurice, was a fish-market porter. After leaving school at the age of 16, the young Caine worked as a filing clerk and

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messenger for a film company before being called up to do National Service in 1952. During his two years with the Royal Fusiliers he was posted to Germany and Korea; an experience that seems to have had a profound effect on him, as he has been quoted in support of reinstating National Service to help tackle youth violence. “You’re there to learn how to defend your country,” he told The Guardian. “You belong to the country. Then when you come out, you have a sense of belonging rather than a sense of violence.” Following his stint in the army, Caine gravitated towards acting and landed a job as assistant stage manager with the Westminster Repertory Company in Horsham, Sussex. The role included small walk-on parts and prompted him to adopt the stage name Michael Scott. At the age of 22 Caine moved to the Lowestoft Repertory Company in Suffolk, where he met his first wife, actress Patricia Haines, with whom he has a daughter, Dominique. His name change occurred in 1954 when, following a move to London, his agent informed him that there was another actor working in the capital under the name Michael Scott and he would need to find a new moniker. Needing inspiration, he spotted a poster for the film The Caine Mutiny and a legend was born. It was in 1964 that Caine landed his first major film role, playing the role of the snobbish aristocrat Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead in the epic war film Zulu. However, it was the role of Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File (1965) and the title role in Alfie (1966) which propelled Caine to superstardom.

LEFT Caine stars in the film The Fourth Protocol (1987)

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THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

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“That film had the biggest impact, even though when I look back at the character he was a terrible womaniser,” says Caine, referring to his role as Alfie, which netted him his first Academy Award nomination. “That was really the beginning of my career in Hollywood and everything opened up for me as an actor because of that.” Caine went on to play the role of Palmer in four more films: Funeral in Berlin (1966), Billion Dollar Brain (1967), Bullet to Beijing (1995) and Midnight in Saint Petersburg (1995). His bespectacled image has graced many a film poster and the character is perhaps one of the most iconic in movie history. Another legendary role followed in the 1969 classic crime caper, The Italian Job, in which Caine uttered the immortal line: “You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off !” And in the cult 1971 gangster movie, Get Carter, Caine once again proved his talent for playing tough guys and criminals. He has a fondness for playing rough diamonds. “I never wanted to play saints,” reveals Caine. “I’ve never been a saint in my own life, and they’re usually pretty boring kinds of characters. I’d much rather play a criminal who’s flawed and a rogue with a bit of charm. I’ve never played a criminal as a purely evil person. Criminals never see themselves as evil. I’ve always enjoyed making those kinds of characters seem more interesting than the typical kind of hero.” Caine admits that another of his favourite roles was that of Professor Frank Bryant in the 1983 film Educating Rita because the character “is very different from who I am”. But when pressed to name his favourite role he reveals that it was suave conman Lawrence Jamieson in the

“I’ve been willing to adapt as I’ve grown older. At one point you’re no longer a movie star, you’re an actor”

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Oldman, Freeman, Caine, Hathaway and Bale, 2012 © s_bukley / Shutterstock.com; Caine wins a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in Little Voice, 1999 © Featureflash / Shutterstock.com; Hand and Footprint Ceremony, Hollywood, 2008 © s_bukley / Shutterstock.com; Get Carter (1966); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

1988 comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. “That was the funniest film I’ve ever done,” he says. It seems that versatility is key to longevity in the movie business – a philosophy that Caine subscribes to. “I’ve been willing to adapt as I’ve grown older,” he explains. “At one point you’re no longer a movie star, you’re an actor. One day a producer sent me a script and I told him I didn’t want to do it because the role was too small. Then he told me that he wasn’t offering me the part of the lover, he wanted me to play the father! That was the moment when I understood that I had to change my thinking about what types of roles I should expect. But I’m grateful. I feel very fortunate to have lasted this long in the business, made some money, and now I get to work for the pure joy of it,

although I still like to get paid!” Alongside his illustrious acting career – which has netted him two Oscars and three Golden Globes, alongside a swathe of nominations – Caine has enjoyed a long and happy marriage to his second wife, Shakira. The couple married in 1973 and have a daughter, Natasha, and three grandchildren. “I live for them!” he says. As he enters his eighth decade, Caine admits that he is becoming more aware of his mortality, and as a result is taking more care of his health. “I drink less, I eat healthier, and I want to stay reasonably fit for the sake of my grandchildren. The more you move around and travel and keep doing the things you love, the better off you’re going to be. I want to make every day interesting and live as full a life as I can manage.”

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Beefed Up From the military to Michelin stars, Hawskmoor head chef and founder of next month’s Meatopia, Richard H Turner speaks to Hugh Francis Anderson about his ever-expanding meat empire

meet Richard in the basement of Blacklock, the most recent of his meat-themed hangouts. As a former British soldier and security man, Richard has carved an unconventional path through the thick wall of haute cuisine to get where he is today. I ask him how it all started: “I was doing some security work and the clients were always eating in good restaurants; seeing all this great food I thought, ‘I’d quite like to become a chef,’ even though I couldn’t tell the difference between a carrot and a parsnip,” he chuckles. “So after a lot of annoying the Roux brothers, they finally let me in as a commis [chef].” From there, Richard went on to work for Pierre Koffman at La Tante Claire (a three Michelin star restaurant in Chelsea that closed in 2004), before spending five years with Marco Pierre White, who he helped establish The Canteen, Harveys and Restaurant Marco Pierre White. Jobs with Joel Roubuchon in Paris and Alain Ducasse in Monte Carlo followed. Returning to home soil, Turner opened the Albion pub in Islington, a move that drew him away from fine dining and into the realms of more masculine cuisine. “I worked in five Michelin-starred restaurants because it was trendy, it was cool, but I really can’t bear eating Michelin food, it turns my stomach,” says Richard, perhaps surprisingly. “So I set about opening

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the pub doing shepherd’s pie, brazed ox tail, puddings and English cookery. I found my own style and started thinking about steakhouses.” Having already cooked for the likes of Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, and a couple of presidents he won’t name, Richard finally became involved with the food that would bring him fame: meat. “Hawksmoor had already opened and as I wasn’t going to compete with them, I joined them. That’s when I started to work a lot with meat.” With six outposts, Hawksmoor is now hailed by many as the best steak restaurant in London. “Following Hawksmoor, I opened Pitt Cue, the barbecue restaurant, wrote a couple of books, and opened an online steak company that became a butchery called Turner & George. I think that’s about it,” says Turner. “So far.” Physically, Richard cuts an imposing shape; personally, his disposition is direct yet humorous. London was where he was born and bred, and despite leaving, it’s where he “keeps coming back to”. In honour to the carnivore lovers of London, September will see Richard host Meatopia for the second year running. The concept started 10 years ago in the United States; think great steak, good music,

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| INTERVIEW | Richard’s other meateries... craft beers and cocktails, all served in a communal space. In Richard’s words: “It’s pretty much everything you could possibly want in life, all under one roof.” This year’s event takes place at Tobacco Dock, Wapping, and is expected to be huge. “The initial idea was to throw a BBQ, get very drunk and have as many of my mates over as possible,” he says. “But 4,500 people turned up so I was like, ‘Oh, ok, this is more than just a party.’ “This year we’re bringing over loads of chefs from the States, Brazil, Australia, Singapore – from all over the world. Twenty chefs on Saturday, 20 chefs on Sunday, all cooking barbecue or grilled meat.” For many, the concept of a meat-fuelled weekend ranks highly on their ‘time-wellspent’ list. Attendees at Meatopia 2015 expect to number some 6,500. Richard is now considering expanding the concept globally. “I want to do one in Ibiza or

After cutting his teeth under the world’s best chefs, including the Roux brothers, Marco Pierre White, Joel Roubuchon and Alain Ducasse, Richard Turner spurned the Michelin star set in search of the world’s best steak... Hawksmoor Undoubtedly London’s best steak-based restaurant chain, Hawksmoor might just be one of the country’s best restaurants, full stop. You can’t discuss steak with any sense of authority until you’ve paid a visit. thehawksmoor.com

Pitt Cue Co., Soho The Pitt Cue Co. is the permanent premises of what started life as a barbecue shack on the South Bank in summer 2011. The Soho barbecue specialist now serves the smoky flavour of the Deep South all year round. pittcue.co.uk

Foxlow, Clerkenwell A homely, unpretentious establishment situated 100 metres from Smithfield Market, Foxlow has won acclaim among restaurant critics for its honest yet imaginative food. The perfect place to placate a stinking hangover. foxlow.co.uk

Madrid, we’re not sure; we’re definitely going to start doing European ones.” For a man whose life revolves around meat, I wonder what opposition Richard has come across to his ingredient of choice. “We’re the good guys – Meatopia’s about ethical meat, it’s all free range, there’s nothing intensive about it.” Richard proudly adds that even the charcoal used is recycled: “We get all our charcoal from reclaimed wood in the UK, so it’s all environmentally friendly, even to that degree.” You could call Richard something of a hero in the industry, a man who lives life by the motto ‘steak to plate’ and enjoys every minute of being a carnivore. Hog: Proper pork recipes from the snout to the squeak by Richard H. Turner, £25, Mitchell Beazley, octopusbooks.co.uk; Meatopia, tickets from £30, 19-20 September, Tobacco Dock, E1W, meatopia.co.uk

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turner & george, clerkenwell Following the success of the East London Steak Company, Turner again teamed up with co-founder James George to become the new butchers on the block in 2013. Delivering Londoners rare and native breed meats, the pair’s first artisan butcher shop is located at 399 St. Johns Street. turnerandgeorge.co.uk

Blacklock, Soho Turner’s latest enterprise focuses on beef, pork and lamb chops cooked over charcoal and scorched with vintage irons. The result of the intense heat are chops that are hot and crispy on the outside but perfectly pink and juicy in the middle. theblacklock.com

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NO MORE mr nice guy

As Jake Gyllenhaal’s latest smash Southpaw hits the big screen, The City Magazine sat down with the Hollywood hit-maker to talk tough acting, that torso and taking things up a level Words: Josephine O’donoghue

amous as much for the 2001 slow-starter cult classic Donnie Darko as the Oscar-winning picture Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jake Gyllenhaal has been able to reinvent himself countless times and with great accuracy, whether it’s as a hero in a disaster movie (The Day After Tomorrow, 2004), a US Marine (Jarhead, 2005), an Arabian royal (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, 2010), a police detective (Prisoners, 2013), a disturbed cameraman (Nightcrawler, 2014), or a champion boxer, as he portrays in his latest screen role (Southpaw, 2015). Tackling some of the greatest emotions and most challenging circumstances faced in the human condition, this is one actor who doesn’t shy away from the portrayal of mental, emotional or physical pain in film. Gyllenhaal isn’t a fan of frivolity – comedy is the one genre his acting doesn’t really engage with, yet – and today he seems predictably sombre as he arrives at a Soho hotel, preparing to talk about the emotional role he plays in the upcoming Southpaw. “It’s a very human story,” he says in reference to the plot, in which we follow Billy Hope’s powerful struggle

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

with emotional and physical odds. Although technically a sport movie, it’s more “about fragility and loss and life,” according to Gyllenhaal. Lauded as an Oscar-worthy performance, critics are identifying Southpaw as a stand-out performance for Gyllenhaal. I ask if putting all his energy into boxing took away some emotional energy from him. “We worked with the best, the most honest,” he says. “People with pure energy that fed into the film and which hopefully the audience will feel. I watched fights […] it was important to see two men in a ring, asking themselves who they really are.” In the past five years, Gyllenhaal’s choice of roles and powerful performances have been important in asking cinema audiences to examine their own beliefs – shedding light on significant social issues and ethical concerns: war, climate change, sexuality and healthcare, to name but a few. Is this something that he looks for, roles that promote a greater awareness, deeper thought or meaningful questions in his audiences? “It’s not about a genre, or a specific character; I never

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go for that,” he clarifies. “For me…” he pauses in thought, “I want honesty and a beating heart that exists underneath the material.” A true ‘son’ of Hollywood (his father is the director Stephen Gyllenhaal; his mother, the screenwriter Naomi Foner; his older sister Maggie is an actress; and his godparents are Jamie Lee Curtis and the late Paul Newman), Gyllenhaal made his screen debut at the tender age of 11 (City Slickers, 1991). Since then, he’s always craved roles that prove his skill. “I want to feel the emotion of the story. And I seek out friendship and honesty and truth.” And as for some of his ‘darker’ characters, of whom Billy Hope is one, Gyllenhaal is adamant that ‘dark’ just isn’t the right word. “I don’t see that my roles come from a dark place. That’s not how I would describe it. There’s an honesty there that can maybe be misconstrued, easily misinterpreted as dark. “They can operate in darker worlds, but many of them have decent moral compasses; most of them. Dark worlds have an authentic feeling to me. They feel more real to me than happy, shiny bright.” Perhaps Gyllenhaal’s continuous return to difficult roles is also partly due to a profound sense of selfcriticism not often found among the gloriously selfpromoting Hollywood elite. “I get down on myself,” he says, bowing his head for a moment. “I never feel like I truly get a part. Like I really nail it. You constantly hear you should have no regrets, but I do. I always do.” Indeed, coming from an intensely privileged background, with the luxuries of wealth and education ever present, it has been suggested that Gyllenhaal may (consciously or not) choose roles that explore human experiences at polar opposites from his own – in an attempt to explore and meet entirely new demographics of people, through the realities of his characters. “I trust myself to know what’s right,” he reasons. “I’m very proud of the work I’ve done and the people I’ve worked with. And my goal is to keep mining; keep going down and moving towards those depths.” But for all the depth and beauty of its acting performances, Southpaw has worked the reporting media into a feeding frenzy for another reason: Gyllenhaal’s pumped-up torso – a physical transformation that’s been hogging the headlines for weeks, particularly as it comes right after a 30lb loss for his role in Nightcrawler. “It was a lot of training. Training like a boxer, existing like a boxer, or at least how one can play a boxer in a movie,” Gyllenhaal explains. “It was mostly about skill. Learning the skills, the knowledge, and the ability. “I trained for five months, I went to a training camp [and] immersed myself. Not just for the body but also for the mind. I was trying to hone the unconscious, have it become part of my routine, two times a day, and with that, stuff, it just happens to your body. “This film was a full-on commitment. All of them are, and I treat my work the same, but some require more commitment than others and this was fullon. Especially as I hadn’t ever really boxed in my life and within the movie world; there are some really remarkable sport films that raised the bar.” It was also the vision of the director that Gyllenhaal needed to fit into, alongside his own. “Jake is going to change how people see him,” Southpaw director Antoine Fuqua said to US website Deadline last year. “I had him training twice a day in the boxing ring; he did

“When you do your research, you see what real people are doing in the world”

Opposite page: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Southpaw (2015); Gyllenhaal at the 68th Cannes Film Festival (2015) © magicinfoto / Shutterstock.com; Southpaw (2015); Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Los Angeles Premiere (2010) © s_bukley / Shutterstock.com; World premiere of Love & Other Drugs (2010) © Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com; Cannes Carol premiere (2015) © Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

two-a-day, seven days a week. I pretty much had him with me and my trainer every day. I took him to almost every fight. I had him train at Floyd Mayweather’s gym in Vegas and we watched Floyd’s fights, and the Manny Pacquiao fight. He trained in New York at Church Gym with real fighters. We literally turned him into a beast.” Measuring his words, Gyllenhaal contemplates the physical change. “I’m never satisfied to say goodbye to a character because I never feel I get them fully,” he says, touching again on his self-critical manner. “But as regards to the physical, the dedication and the time you have to put into it, the sacrifice […]. I’ll be honest, I’m not planning on doing that again any time soon.” So what will he be doing next? Happily for his fans, there won’t be much of a wait between movies, as September sees the release of epic Everest. “It’s based on that terrible tragedy from 1996,” Gyllenhaal confirms. “It’s such a powerful moment and an amazing movie; it’s going to be with Jason Clarke and Josh Brolin and John Hawkes. It’s a tragic, huge movie. And after that, a film with Jean Marc Valee called Demolition. “I love filmmaking, so that’s sort of where I’m headed [next]. It sounds presumptive of me,” he laughs aloud, “but we all have to have goals. There were questions of doing other things maybe, when I was growing up, even a few years ago. It’s only recently become my true passion. This is what I want to do.” Talking to Gyllenhaal, it’s undoubtedly clear that he holds his audiences in high respect. Having secured a top spot in the Hollywood hierarchy in the past decade, he’s now able to pick and choose the projects he works on, and doesn’t have to take every casting. With such privilege also comes responsibility, and it’s something Gyllenhaal seems to feel acutely. People will pay to see a movie just because he’s in it – so what is he going to deliver? “I do what I do to educate myself about life and to learn to practice empathy. When you do your research, you see what real people are doing in the world. Ultimately, you need an energy and a drive and belief, whatever that is. And that drive, that belief, can change a film from its inception and creation to the result.” Southpaw is showing at cinemas now.

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

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WATCHES & JEWELLERY Celebrating the delightful and the divine from the world of fine jewellery and haute horology

Recalling an icon Spotting George Clooney sporting a vintage Omega Constellation in his latest sci-fi blockbuster, Tomorrowland, The City Magazine was reminded of another Omega classic re-imagined earlier this year. Loyal to its original incarnation, the new Speedmaster ‘57 has to be one of 2015’s best-looking chronographs, whether on a stainless steel bracelet or brown leather strap. The watch’s self-winding mechanism can be viewed through its scratch-resistant, sapphire-crystal caseback. It’s available now. Speedmaster ‘57, £5,620 Omega, omegawatches.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Luck be a

Lady

Born into a family of goldsmiths, Carolina Bucci was always destined for career greatness. Olivia Sharpe speaks to the jewellery designer as she celebrates her family business’s 130th anniversary with a new collection, Superstellar

arolina Bucci is a fortunate lady indeed. Born into a family of Italian goldsmiths, it was serendipitous, perhaps, that she didn’t consider doing anything but jewellery design: “I always knew it was something I wanted to do. It wasn’t imposed on me by any means but it never even occurred to me to do anything else.” Now a successful jeweller, she has by no means forgotten her roots. The Bucci family business was founded in Florence in 1885 and this year is its 130th anniversary; to celebrate, Carolina has created a collection entitled Superstellar. Having launched her company in 2007, Superstellar’s celestial theme seems apt given Carolina’s meteoric rise to success. And yet, the idea was actually conceived after she witnessed the astonishing annual Perseid meteor shower last August (the collection therefore, unusually, has its own birthday: 10 August 2014). As though she was being sent signs from above, Carolina began seeing stars everywhere, from Mario Schifano 1960s artwork to Jasper Johns’ flag painting. The

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star-studded range perfectly captures this natural phenomena through the explosion of dazzling gemstones on the random array of pieces, ranging from shield ‘pinky’ rings, chokers and ‘Life’ pendants. It was these pendants, based on diamond gauges, that Carolina designed first and include holes that have deliberately been left empty so that clients can customise them with their chosen stones. In many ways, Superstellar pays tribute to Carolina’s heritage. Several of the pieces have been made using the family’s vintage silk thread and the jeweller has also created a new Lucky bracelet (an iconic design of the Carolina Bucci house that is reinterpreted every year) to feature a miniature balloon charm. However, the jeweller has ensured that her own DNA has not been eclipsed. She has always wanted to “push the limits” in order to create something new and exciting; as she puts it, “If everyone were to make the safe version, it would be pretty boring.” Many of the Superstellar pieces therefore possess

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unconventional qualities, in particular the pearl necklaces. The jeweller last included pearls in the Nana collection eight years ago and she was initially reluctant to revisit them, finding them to be a challenging material: “They have a preconception of being very proper and traditional,” she explains. “So it was hard trying to capture a world where pearls are cool, fun and not traditional, while still not disrupting their form.” Carolina purposely used freshwater pearls because of their irregularities and imperfections, mixing the grey and white hues in a “non-symmetrical way” and punctuating them with multi-coloured pavé stars. The versatile pieces can be worn in a number of different fashions, either long, short or, in the case of the pearl scarf, tied around the neck with a knot. While her family wouldn’t think twice about incorporating a traditional clasp into the design, Carolina was adamant about the matter: “I hate clasps,” she states, vehemently. “My family has always made traditional 18-karat jewellery so what I have created is quite foreign to them.” For the first time in years, the collection features chokers too, which arrive in two different sizes and are reversible. Finally, the range’s diamond studs are being sold separately, to be worn as single pieces or combined with others to encourage a mix-and-match approach. This passion for trying new things relates back to Carolina’s childhood when she would experiment in her family workshop. “I was always fascinated by the process of making jewellery,” she muses. “As early as my teens whenever I was given a gift by my parents I would say, ‘I love it’ but in turn think to myself, ‘How can I change it?’ That has been my nature from the very beginning.” Carolina has always stood firm in creating jewellery that she wants to wear, something that is “fun but fine”. Having

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never been allowed to wear costume jewellery growing up, her jewellery is in some ways a rebellion against this but at the same time retains its timelessness. “Wearing jewellery isn’t about being seasonal. It’s something that constantly evolves and expands as part of your personal collection.” Sitting opposite Carolina, I cannot fail to notice her eyecatching gold necklace, consisting of her favourite pieces from all her collections to date, including the Scarab charm, an owl from the Lucky collection and the newest addition, the Superstellar Drop pendant. Since launching her iconic Lucky bracelets 13 years ago, Carolina has often been struck by talismanic symbols but she assures me that she is by no means spiritual. “Ultimately, it’s about creating nice jewellery. That’s the first thing that needs to attract people.” While fortunate in her upbringing, she insists her career was never handed to her on a plate. “I was lucky to be born into a family of jewellers, yes. But we were three kids and we were never pushed into being involved in the business. From an early age, my father would make me work for it and have me do sketches for him.” At 21, Carolina went off to New York to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology and having already done the preliminary groundwork, she was resolutely set on the path she wanted to take and so would avoid taking certain classes, such as learning how to use CAD design, believing it would be of no use to her in the long run. “I knew it wasn’t something that interested me. I was very focused and good at bargaining so my tutor would let me skip certain classes. I think there are some amazing techniques out there but they’re just not for me.” Her refusal to use modern techniques when designing extends to her personal life; despite having an iPhone, Carolina admits to favouring her paper diary.

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“Ultimately, it’s about creating nice jewellery. That’s the first thing that should attract people” When it comes to the future of Carolina Bucci, the possibilities seem infinite. The jeweller is currently focused on growing her presence globally with more retail outlets but when it comes to London, Motcomb Street will remain the flagship. She is also working on a new project which, while keeping specific details close to her chest, hints will be under a separate umbrella from the Carolina Bucci brand with a “different attitude and price point” but will still possess “the same spirit”. Carolina’s determination to create her own signature aesthetic when it came to her eponymous jewellery brand has evidently paid off. She tells me how one of her favourite moments recently was when she was at a friend’s house and a lady there spotted one of her necklaces and, not knowing who she was, exclaimed how it was “very Carolina Bucci”. “It goes back to how I think designers should be”, she comments. “You should always make something that screams ‘you’ – that is recognisable, like an artist. When that happens I feel like I have done my job.” Superstellar collection, available from August Carolina Bucci, 4 Motcomb Street, SW1X 020 7838 9977, carolinabucci.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

M ESUR E ET D ÉMESUR E *

TONDA METROGR APHE

Steel Automatic chronograph movement Hermès calf strap Made in Switzerland www.parmigiani.ch

ATELIER PARMIGIANI 97 MOUNT STREET, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1K 2TD, TEL. 020 7495 5172 EDINBURGH ROX DIAMONDS AND THRILLS | KENT RIZON JET UK LIMITED LONDON SELFRIDGES, THE WONDER ROOM | ARIJE | HARRODS, MONTREUX JAZZ CAFE WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND | FROST OF LONDON | BEAU GEMS, THE CITY WINDSOR ROBERT GATWARD JEWELLERS

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WATCHes Words: Richard Brown

String Theory

ONE to

WATCH Jack Eldridge, store manager at Fraser Hart in Westfield Stratford, selects his watch of the month: Music provides the inspiration for many of Raymond Weil’s creations, accounting for relationships with the Royal Albert Hall and, since 2008, the Brit Awards. The company recently unveiled its first tourbillon, the Nabucco Cello. The timepiece pays homage to the instrument via hands that are formed in the shape of a bow, a bezel grooved with the five lines of the musical stave, and four tiny strings that are stretched across its dial. Skeletonised and measuring 46mm in diametre, it’s the family-owned brand’s most serious, and certainly most striking, watch to date.

Parmigiani’s Pièce de Résistance Haute horology specialist Parmigiani Fleurier has produced a £500k wristwatch. How does the brand justify the price tag? By incorporating four of the most revered complications in timekeeping into an 18-karat white gold watch that has been hand engraved and enamelled in microscopic detail. The Tecnica Les Carpes de Sandoz is a tribute to sculptor Edouard Marcel Sandoz, founder of the not-for-profit Sandoz Family Foundation, parent company of Parmigiani Fleurier. Behind a hinged, double caseback, a 586-component calibre powers a minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar and chronograph. Not only does the watch chime the hours, quarter-hours and minutes of the day, it also only requires one adjustment per century. Tecnica Les Carpes de Sandoz, £554,135 Parmigiani Fleurier, 97 Mount Street, W1 parmigiani.ch

Nabucco Cello Tourbillon, £27,500 raymond-weil.com

Lange’s Legacy Yacht-Master 40 Everose, £16,650, Rolex Fraser Hart, Westfield Stratford, 020 8555 3568 @fraserhartuk

“With a beautiful black, bi-directional bezel complementing the patented Everose case, the Yachtmaster is a strikingly sporty watch with a luxury feel. It is mounted exclusively on the new patented Oysterflex bracelet and is available in either 40mm or 37mm”

The development of the small town of Glashütte into Germany’s primary centre of watch-making can be attributed almost solely to one man. Not only did A. Lange & Söhne’s founding father, Ferdinand Adolph Lange, set up the world’s first production pocket-watch workshop in 1845, he was also responsible for introducing the metric system to the process of watch-making. To salute what would have been the maverick’s 200th birthday, A. Lange & Söhne has released the 1815 200th Anniversary F.A. Lange. Displaying hours, minutes and seconds only, the watch is reminiscent of the brand’s historic pocket watches – a beautiful tribute to a man dedicated to “the perfection of each and every watch”. 1815 200th Anniversary F.A. Lange, £24,100 alange-soehne.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| COLLECTION |

JEWELLERY NEWS Words: OLIVIA SHARPE

Fink Again With so many now on the scene, there aren’t many rising jewellery designers who really excite us; however, Nana Fink is one of the few who does. The Basel-based jeweller successfully launched her debut collection in 2011 and her name has quickly spread across the Channel, her pieces landing in London at Paul Smith’s flagship boutique not long after. Her third collection, available this summer, is named Adorée and, true to Fink’s individual style, brings together both vintage and contemporary elements to create timeless pieces, on this occasion drawing on designs from the 1880s through to the 1930s. The collection, encompassing bangles, earrings and rings, utilises a mixture of metals, in particular gold and silver variations, with prices ranging from approximately £1,200 up to £1,700. Adorée collection, available at Paul Smith, 9 Albemarle Street, W1S nanafink.com

Cutting

Edge

Last year saw Tiffany & Co. enter into an exciting new age of design with the launch of its contemporary Tiffany T collection, created by newly-appointed design director Francesca Amfitheatrof. A year later and the distinctive, graphic symbol has evolved further into two new pieces, exclusive to Tiffany’s new boutique in Selfridges.

Tiffany T is an icon of a new era, a vision of simplicity and sculptural modernity. The latest combination of sterling silver and black ceramic in the wide contoured cutout cuff and ring exude power and confidence 50

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Tiffany T cutout cuff and ring in sterling silver and black ceramic, POA Exclusive to Selfridges

Garden State In a dazzling display of craftsmanship and exquisite precious gemstones, Bulgari’s latest high jewellery collection, Giardini Italiani, sees the romantic gardens of the Rinascimento (Italian Renaissance) immortalised in a series of 100 one-of-a-kind pieces. The gardens’ geometric hedges and vibrant flowerbeds have been evoked through the floral jewel motifs and colourful stones, while the collection’s standout piece, Love’s Paradise (as worn by Carla Bruni at the launch in Florence last month), featuring a magnificent 125.35-carat sapphire at its heart, conveys the true romance of an era in which artists would attempt to explore new concepts of nature and art through their work. Giardini Italiani collection, POA Available at all Bulgari UK boutiques

String to Her Bow Having worked for the likes of De Beers and the Sotheby’s jewellery department, where she oversaw some of the auction house’s most memorable sales (including the jewels of the Duchess of Windsor and the Graff Pink), it’s fair to say that Vania Leles is an authority on fine jewellery. Leles went on to found her own jewellery brand in 2010, Vanleles Diamonds, which as of this summer has opened its first boutique in Mayfair. The store currently houses the five core collections, including Lyla’s Bow and Enchanted Garden, along with a bridal range and bespoke pieces, all of which combine the jeweller’s commitment to sourcing the finest quality, ethically-mined diamonds and gemstones with innovative design. Vanleles Diamonds, by appointment only 174 New Bond Street, W1S, vanleles.com

www.urvashilondon.com

I Buy,

Therefore I Am

According to a new book, consumption has been unfairly maligned and in fact plays a vital role in how we relate to others and develop our social identities Words: Chris Allsop

“S

o to buy the watch is good?” I ask, hesitatingly. “In fact, it may actually be socially responsible?” I’m on a conference call with Anette Asp, who’s in Sweden, and Steven Quartz, who’s enjoying a balmy California morning. They’re the authors of Cool: How the Brain’s Hidden Quest for Cool Drives Our Economy and Shapes Our World, and they’re helping me get to grips with a new, revolutionary perspective on consumption. Problem is, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m part of an experiment, being quietly observed to see how quickly I shed my morals and buy into their affirmation of debased Western materialism. “Consumption is a human social need,” replies Asp. “No one questions someone who is interested

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

in tennis or art, but somehow consumption, which isn’t too far away from socialising around sport and other forms of culture, has attracted a lot of critique.” As they note in their book: “… of the seven deadly sins, five are sins of consumption—pride, envy, gluttony, lust and greed.” But according to Asp and Quartz, who work in areas of emerging science with intriguing names like neuroeconomics and cultural biology, consumption is something that our biology prepares us for and that the accepted wisdom, that consumerism is generally bad, is “a historically monumental mistake”. To back up to the spring of 2004, where Asp and Quartz were engaged in research at the California

| FEATURE |

DotCool cool has also dropped its punk style, and become more attached to the unconventional rather than outand-out rebellion

Institute of Technology (Caltech), they were approached by broadcast journalist Lisa Ling who was interested in whether ‘cool’ could be measured through brain imaging. “At the time we were engaged in a study about decision-making in the brain, and especially how the brain represents value,” Quartz explains. “Ling’s proposal fit nicely as an extension to that research.” Intrigued, they designed an experiment whereby a group of design students were exposed to a multitude of objects and told to select those that represented either ‘cool’ or ‘uncool’, while their brain responses were monitored. The results were a surprise. “We had both approached this with a jaundiced eye,” says Quartz. “Going in with the accepted wisdom that status needs are generated by mass media and capitalism, and so are not genuine needs.” But what they discovered was that responses concerning economic decisions and social identity flowered in the same region of the brain. “They emerged from the part that we think of as almost a social calculator, that keeps track of how other people are thinking of us,” explains Quartz. “This area of the brain is tied to extremely central emotions such as embarrassment or shame, or positive ones that boost our self-esteem. This makes belonging to groups and feeling valued by its members a crucial human need.” Their findings contradict the widely supported view, as proposed by evolutionary psychologists such as Steven Pinker, that human nature is a result of hardwired brain circuits that owe little of their function to culture, viewing us as essentially Stone Age creatures out of place in a modern world. “On the contrary,” they write, “cultural biology emphasizes the interplay between a flexible brain and culture, in which culture helps to build the brain and its functions.” Simply put, culture is shaping your brain at a physical level. The authors cite Daniel Miller, author of the 2010 Stuff, as an influence – agreeing with his position that it’s not really ‘stuff ’, these items we consume, but material through which we build our social lives and our own identities. So how does ‘cool’ come into it? Well, explains Quartz, traditional consumption (not all consumption is status-related, but a great deal of it is social) has been built around emulation through conspicuous consumption. Imagine that you’re positioned in a linear line of status, where everyone is competing through emulation for the same status – this results in the Status Dilemma, where status becomes a zero-sum game where one person can only acquire some status if somebody else loses some. Quartz and Asp trace the origins of cool – which they refer to in the book as a ‘special kind of consumption’ – back to the 1950s, where a rebel instinct (designated ‘Rebel Cool’) reared its head, rejecting the traditional ‘status through emulation’ path. As they are no longer emulating the other group, the rebel has created a disagreement about

Authors Steven Quartz and Anette Asp

what constitutes status, allowing both groups to have their own local form of status – cue status anxiety relief. Quartz adds: “Consumerism helps solve the Status Dilemma all societies face, as revealed by a new generation of economic research showing a strong link between a country’s wealth and happiness.” Today, in our post-90s knowledge society – designated the ‘DotCool’ era in the book – channels of Status Dilemma relief, AKA ‘diversified social niches’, have proliferated to society’s general benefit. “In the ’50s, work was symbolised by the man in a grey flannel suit and conformity with this bland bureaucratic lifestyle,” says Quartz. “Within a knowledge society, there are many opportunities for work to be innovative and creative, and this is awarded status in the knowledge economy. Cool now applies within the workplace.” DotCool cool has also dropped its punk style, and become more attached to the unconventional rather than out-and-out rebellion. “When you are strongly rebelling it forces you to reject society, whereas when you are being innovative you change society in a productive way,” says Quartz, citing ‘benefit corporations’, with their aim of producing a product contributing to some larger cause, as a good example of current cool. “There is a moral vocabulary that we can express through our consumption patterns.” He goes on to suggest that new forms of hip consumerism could actually mitigate climate change, by swapping conspicuous consumption for conspicuous conservation. So, returning to my earlier question, I should buy the watch. It will reinforce my sense of identity, relieve status anxiety by boosting my personal brand, build bridges with others, and generally enhance my social environment. And does this research also mean that there is now a scientific basis for retail therapy? “Since many products are evaluated via their impact on our social esteem, shopping can definitely be a form of therapy,” says Quartz. “The trick would be to choose products that increase social interaction, such as a new social hobby, rather than a product whose impact will wear off more quickly.” All is revealed: buy the smartwatch.

Cool: How the Brain’s Hidden Quest for Cool Drives Our Economy and Shapes Our World, April 2015, £17.17, by Steven Quartz and Anette Asp, amazon.co.uk

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

STYLE HIM

Look the part, feel the part, from Breakfast to boardroom to bar

Lord of the Manor Look sharp this shooting season with the aid of Bladen’s AW15 collection. Having first caught the attention of the heeled gentry back in 1917, the Great British outfitters continues to demonstrate its timeless appeal with its latest range of luxe velvet jackets, country tweeds and smart tailored pieces. Bladen, bladentailoring.co.uk

Suits You Sir! Over the past three decades, Oliver Brown has established itself as the ultimate shopping destination for quintessentially British, ready-to-wear clothing. Now, thanks to the launch of its easily navigable website, the sartorially aware gentleman can browse everything from tailored eveningwear to heritage shooting clothing at the click of a button. Oliver Brown, oliverbrown.org.uk

Eyes on the Prize The right pair of shades can make or break an outfit, so head over to Farfetch to browse this season’s newest designer labels – from Oliver Peoples to Linda Farrow. Farfetch.com

£416, Oliver Peoples

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

£402, Linda Farrow

£91, Ray-Ban

£523, Oliver Peoples

| FASHION |

Summer Staples Nothing puts a spring in your step like a fresh pair of kicks, which is precisely why you need to upgrade your wardrobe with Christian Louboutin’s latest range of staple accessories. Keep your game on point with a brand new pair of boat shoes or bounce the briefcase and opt for the Aliosha Messenger to take you from boardroom to boardwalk. eu.christianlouboutin.com

Destination Denim If there’s one fashion that is never going out of style it has to be denim. Andy Warhol once famously declared that he would die happy if he died in his blue jeans, and James Dean singlehandedly made denim the uniform of choice for an entire styleconscious generation. Ralph Lauren’s newest Supply & Denim range injects a rugged edge to this timeless look and shakes up your tired wardrobe with everything from ripped-andrepaired jeans to faded tees with a distinctly urban feel. From £35, Ralph Lauren, ralphlauren.com

Perfect Fit Discover the right cut, fit and style for you with Dockers’ online trouser finder. Start with your preferred fit or body type and let the app do its magic. Whether you’re the smart chino type or a fan of the brighter, statement look, there’s guaranteed to be something for you. From £80, Dockers, dockers.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Grey three-piece suit, £975, Richard James, richardjames.co.uk; Pink shirt, £99, Tie, £65, both by Brooks Brothers, brooksbrothers.com

CUT FOR THE CAPITAL

Timeless tailoring with a touch of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;60s style makes for a well-thought weekend wardrobe Photographer: Dominic Nicholls Stylist: David Hawkins @ Frank Agency

Opposite page: Charcoal sheepskin coat, £2,495, Charcoal cotton trousers, £175, Grey merino knit, £250, all Gieves & Hawkes, gievesandhawkes.com; Stateside sunglasses, £450, Dita, available from selfridges.com; Harris Tweed briefcase, £330, Brooks Brothers, as before. This Page: Cotton Cable College V Neck, £95, Gant, gant.co.uk; Pocket shirt, £64, Abercrombie, abercrombie.co.uk

This Page: Blue Harris Tweed coat, £595, Richard James, as before; Check shirt, £175, John Varvatos, johnvarvatos.com Opposite page: Clay blue technical bonded canvas wool nylon “tube rope” coat, £POA, Jumper, £POA, both Hardy Amies, hardyamies.com; Sunglasses, from £400, Valentino, valentino.com

Groomer: Jennie Roberts @ Frank Agency using MAC cosmetics and Paul Mitchell haircare Photographer’s assistant: Inna Kostukovsky Model: Gary Greenwood @ Storm Shot on location at The Dorchester, Park Lane, W1 The Dorchester’s ten exquisite banqueting rooms lend a special distinction to any event or celebration and have long been the preferred choice of celebrities, world leaders, royalty and high society. Whether you desire an intimate dinner or a cocktail party for a thousand guests, The Dorchester’s chefs can create a menu tailored to your specifications and an inhouse designer florist can deal with all decorative requests. Among the most imposing rooms is the Ballroom Suite at The Dorchester, featuring the Crush Hall, Silver Room, Gold Room and the classic, art-deco Ballroom, which reflects the opulence of Oliver Ford’s original 1930s design. dorchestercollection.com/en/london/the-dorchester

Grey two-piece suit, £795, Richard James, as before; Star USA polo top, £55, John Varvatos, as before; Chiffre rouge A02 steel watch with black dial, £4,650, Dior, dior.com

| LIFESTYLE |

all hail hedione We reveal the secret ingredient in the ultimate scents of seduction

hedione heroes

ccording to Anchorman’s Brian Fantana, “Sixty per cent of the time, it works every time.” He was of course referring to the seduction power of Sex Panther by Odeon, a rather “pungent” cologne. If you thought those odds were good, Ea

Hedione

No 14, £45, Gruhme, roullierwhite.com

co m

L’eau D’Hiver, £140, Frederic Malle, fredericmalle.com

. ds Sa rro va ha ge , r o Extr ême, £55, Di

(Methyl dihydrojasmonate)

OLFACTIVE NOTE: An elegant, transparent floral, jasmine note with a citrus freshness. Hedione achieves a natural smoothness and radiance in various fragrances. PERFUMERY USAGE: Over the years, Hedione has become an indespensable material for perfumers around the world. Hedione gives original effects in virtually all fragrance types. Generally used at a concentration of two and 15 per cent, it can also be used at a level of 35 per cent and above. firmenich.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

allow me to introduce you to Hedione, an ingredient that some claim is responsible for making Steve McQueen the heartthrob he was. I’ll explain… Hedione (or rather methyl dihydrojasmonate) is a compound invented by Swiss fragrance company, Firmenich. It was first used in Christian Dior’s Eau Sauvage, which was released in 1966 and famously worn by the man himself. A recent report from NeuroImage, claims that catching a whiff of Hedione results in sex-differentiated human brain activity. What does this mean? Basically, Hedione stimulates the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that releases sex hormones in women. So, gents, if you’re looking to attract a Veronica Corningstone, you’re going to want to get your hands on a bottle of Sex Panther, or better yet, something a little less pungent, like one of our Hedione Heroes. TE

ck one, £27, Calvin Klein, harrods.com Voyage d’Hermès Parfum, £94, Hermès, uk.hermes.com

Uomo Absolute, £46, Ermenegildo Zegna, zegna.com Momento Chapter 5, £200, MiN New York, harveynichols.com

Mare Pacifico EDP, £149, Linari, harrods.com

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BANK TOWER GATEWAY

RAMEN ROYALTY

Affirming Canary Wharf’s international food offering, Japanese ramen noodle restaurant IPPUDO, is now open at Crossrail Place

ne of the world’s most authentic Japanese restaurants, IPPUDO, has arrived in Canary Wharf. Company founder Shigemi Kawahara, (widely known as the ‘King of Ramen’),

launched the brand in Hakata, Japan in 1985, with a mission to spread ‘Smile’ and ‘Arigatou’ through bowls of very high quality ramen noodle soup. Diners visiting the Canary Wharf branch will find a stylish and ambient environment; the service is warm and highly hospitable, making it the ideal venue for entertaining friends, clients or work colleagues. Operated with meticulous precision, Kawahara ensures that every move within his restaurants, from cooking to serving, is choreographed to perfect timing. His philosophy – to continuously innovate to remain true – is clearly visible in IPPUDO dishes, redefining recipes that emerged over 300 years ago and creating his own ‘Tao’ or way, of ramen. Consisting of a delicate balance of ingredients, broth and freshly made noodles, Japanese tradition dictates that a ramen chef is similar to a story-teller in the kitchen.

D Ippudo Canary Wharf, Crossrail Place, 020 3326 9485

Kaedama (£1.50) is a system that offers you an extra serving of noodles. To order, almost finish the noodles in the ramen first, then ask for Kaedama. Within a few minutes, a waiter will bring you another serving of noodles. Remember, you must save enough soup in the bowl to accommodate the new noodles.

If you try only one dish at IPPUDO, the Hakata-style tonkotsu (pork-based) ramen (£10) with its signature, delicate, creamy broth is quite literally, mouth-watering. Vegetarians are also well catered for, with a choice of ramen noodle dishes (from £11), salads and steamed buns containing tofu, cashew nuts or vegetables.

MENU PICKS Gyoza £5 Seared Japanese chicken and vegetable dumplings (5pcs) served with soy and vinegar dipping sauce. Hirata Bun £3 Steamed bun filled with your choice of either pork or vegetable croquette served with Ippudo’s original spicy bun sauce, lettuce and Japanese mayonnaise. Akamaru Modern £11 A bolder translation of the original pork broth; homemade thin noodles topped with Ippudo’s secret Umami Dama paste, pork belly chashu, bean sprouts, sesame kikurage mushrooms, spring onions and fragrant garlic oil. Shiro Vegetarian £11 Our original seaweed and mushroom dashi broth; homemade thin noodles topped with fried tofu, sesame kikurage mushrooms, bean sprouts and spring onions.

canarywharf.com

@yourcanarywharf

STYLE HER

The leading ladies and latest looks guiding style this season

Faye bag, £POA, Chloé, chloe.com Round-frame acetate sunglasses, £205, Miu Miu, net-a-porter.com

The Trunk Clutch, £495, Aspinal of London, aspinaloflondon.com

Gucci

Jackie soft python hobo, £2,880, Gucci, gucci.com

Emilio Pucci

Chloé

Bag Bugs twilly, £110, Fendi, fendi.com

– American Hustle costume designer,

Michael Wilkinson

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Fendi

“Clothes were less structured, had less underpinnings – it was like people didn’t give a damn”

Gucci

Disco hoops, £155, Coco’s Liberty, cocosliberty.com

| FASHION |

Elie Saab

Emilio Pucci

show

Gucci

70 S ’

sychedelic prints, maxis and bell-bottom trousers are making a comeback this pre-autumn, with models emerging in a kaleidoscope of colour. Deemed the decade of decadence, the ’70s were all about excess, and that has been honoured throughout this year’s catwalks. The season’s highlights include bold prints, silk shirt dresses, neckties and billowing blouses from our friends at Gucci, while Emilio Pucci embraced skin-tight minis, thigh-high boots and an outstanding pair of metallic flares. Fendi celebrated the denim revolution, while Chloé favoured flower power with floaty floral ensembles taking us back to the wonderful world of Woodstock. If you’re looking to achieve a completely authentic head-to-toe ’70s look, why not opt for a pair of round shades, like the tortoiseshell pair from Miu Miu, or a touch of snakeskin, with this Jackie soft python hobo from Gucci. When paired back with Tory Burch’s block-heel sandals, you can just about call yourself Farah Fawcett. And as we transition from preautumn to autumn proper, prepare to step up the ’70s style, as even more designers showcase the very best of this decadent and daring decade. Now on to the salon for my Farah Flick. TE

Hand-braided leather belt, £325, Gucci, gucci.com

Graphic sleeveless full-length dress, £190, Mary Katrantzou, hervia.com

Chunky heel panelled sandals, £365, Tory Burch, farfetch.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Emilio Pucci

that

Zac Posen

Snake chain-trimmed rabbit-felt hat, £490, Lanvin, net-a-porter.com

www.wtrlondon.com 0207 243 3776 188 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RH

| LIFESTYLE |

sun salutations get the summer glow you were after before you’re forced to greet autumn

bright eyes At Burberry’s AW15 womenswear show, models previewed the new Eye Colour Cream, a buildable shadow that gives an easy-to-apply wash of luminising colour to the eyelids. Currently available in eight shades, this product can be effortlessly worn alone to give tone and depth, or combined to achieve a truly dramatic finish. Eye Colour Cream, £25, Burberry, burberry.com

INSTANT GLOW Chanel’s Les Beiges is the colour story for any woman who’s struggled to achieve the summer glow she had hoped for. Drawing inspiration from Gabrielle Chanel’s time in the holiday resort, Deauville, Les Beiges allows you to at least pretend you caught some rays this summer. Les Beiges 2015, from £18, Chanel, chanel.com

one fine shine Dolce&Gabbana make-up takes us to Capri with a collection inspired by this island oasis. The Summer Shine collection’s offering starts at the face with an illuminator, blush and skincare, before moving to the eyes, with stunning eyeshadow duos and quads to choose from. The lips are not forgotten, with creamy lipsticks in daring shades, but nor are the hands and feet with key summer nail polish shades for that vibrant burst of colour. Summer Shine collection, from £20, Dolce&Gabbana make-up, dolcegabbana.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

It’s never too late...

LUXURY BODY BUTTER IN WHITE CASHMERE FROM THE BATH & BODY COLLECTION

www.lilouetloic.com

| LIFESTYLE |

HEALTH & FITNESS The tips, tricks and training kit you need to stay at the top of your game

NO MORTALS ALLOWED Nope, this isn’t the Alps. It’s the mid-Welsh countryside. Last year, GB downhill champion Dan Atherton set out to build the world’s toughest mountain bike course. Six weeks later, he’d turned a piece of Welsh hillside into one of the most demanding racetracks ever seen. The subsequent inaugural Red Bull Hardline was an invite-only event, reserved for the sport’s best riders, who took on perilous rock gardens, giant slab rolls, tight woods sections and a giant man-made road gap that could have been lifted straight from downhill’s flagship freestyle event, Rampage. Next month, England’s Danny Hart will be looking to defend his Hardline title when the event returns. And this time, you’re invited. Red Bull Hardline 2015, 12-13 September, Dinas Mawddwy, Wales. For tickets, visit redbull.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

HEALTH & FITNESS Survival of the fittest;

how drugs ruled the peloton

Words: JoshUA Tonnar, GB rower & pro rugby player

secret law, a code of silence. The peloton omertà was a well-kept secret among professional cyclists, which, if spoken could result in the fierce extradition of a cyclist from his social peer group and the sport he loved. A cyclist who knows full well the consequences of revealing the secrets of the peloton is Christophe Basson, who, during the 1999 Tour de France, wrote an article claiming that all top-flight cyclists were on drugs. After publication, the Frenchmen was subject to complete ostracism from the peloton and was, during one stage, given a foreboding message from the then tour leader, a Mr Lance Armstrong. Armstrong, who has subsequently admitted this, told Basson that what he said “wasn’t good for the sport” and that he should “quit cycling” as he “had no right to be a professional”. In 2001, just two years after revealing the secret of the peloton, Basson was effectively bullied out of the sport, quitting professional cycling forever. The truth, we now know, is that doping in the tour had always been the norm. Since its inauguration in 1903, when riders took drugs to numb the pain of the stages, the science of drugs and usage has silently evolved behind the closed curtains of the

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

omertà. From post-war amphetamines to the modern-day protein hormone EPO, the development of performance-enhancing drugs had produced an increase in average tour speeds year after year. Cyclists had no choice but to dope. They needed to if they had any chance of competing. Anything else would mean they simply wouldn’t be able to keep up with the pack. Ironically, doping provided them with a level playing field; if they were all on drugs, it was fair. Drugs were to cycling what a club is to golf. It was Darwin’s survival of the fittest in action. Nobody thought it could change; nobody but Basson. He was willing to break the silence to uncover the secret that was dictating his sport. Once the lid was lifted, a long line of drug cheats were forced to come clean in the hope of public reconciliation. The world finally saw how bad the blood was that ran through cycling’s veins. Public awareness has forced cycling to change. Stronger and stricter anti-doping measures and policies are now in place; cyclists are being tested more frequently and with more advanced technology. Skeptics say cycling is too far gone, but, the fact is, slowly the sport is changing. A recent study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine looked into whether the average speeds of elite performance cyclists correlated with

Image by miqu77 / Shut terstock.com

the austerity efforts of anti-doping methods. Research found a decrease in tour average cycling speeds since 2004, when anti-doping austerity measures were introduced. The measures have had an immediate effect. The 2012 Tour de France was the first in more than a decade in which not one of the top three podium riders had been found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs. Tour times are slower, but the popularity of the sport is at an all time high. There is a future for cycling and it doesn’t involve a needle. Just heart, lungs, and legs like pistons.

| LIFESTYLE |

Getting out what you put in

OFF THE BAT

Juicing has exploded. The latest get-slim-quick attention-grabbers claim to eliminate the added sugars and preservatives of supermarket juices, leaving only the good stuff. Juicers, it’s said, extract the nutrient-dense liquid from fruit and vegetables to leave a dense, detoxing pulp. Blenders, conversely, pulverise whatever gets thrown into them, making them better for smoothies. The City Magazine got juicing... Le Duo XL, Magimix

Nutri Juicer Pro, Sage

Omni Juicer, l’Equip

VRT350, Omega

Inspired by the ashes? Improve your run rate with the sport’s finest willows... Carbine, Affinity Simple, slick design that suits slightly bouncier pitches, the bat’s middle hitting-zone is in its middle-to-upper part. £350, affinitycricket.co.uk

Magimix has been pulverising fruit long before the current craze took off. Its Le Duo XL is a multifunctional juicer that caters for all your juicing needs by combining a citrus press, juice extractor and a smoothie mix. £199, magimix.uk.com

Brought to you by Heston Blumenthal, the Nutri Juicer Pro is equipped with a powerful, five-speed motor, as well as the ‘Frooji juice’ attachment. Together, these features offer versatility for juicing both hard and soft fruit, and cement the product’s place as one of the best centrifugal juicers on the market.

The Omni juicer will juice root vegetables, leafy greens, wheatgrass and any fruit you chuck at it. While the Magimix and Sage models are centrifugal juicers, which means that they use extremely fast motors, the Omni is a masticating juicer – it grinds fruit at a much slower rate to extract even more nutrients.

£249.99, sageappliances.co.uk

£199, ukjuicers.com/l’equip

The catchy-named VRT350 is a compact, ergonomic unit that employs an ultra-slow, masticating motor that crushes fruit rather than annihilating it to induce an oozing flow of nutrient-dense liquid. £379.99, omegajuicers.com

MC 1000, Spartan Made from English Willow Grade 1 wood and endorsed by the West Indies’ mighty Chris Gayle, this bat suits the power stroke player. £312, spartansports.com

Kahuna 1500, Kookaburra All-round classic; suits the player who likes to play a wide range of shots, from delicate sweeps to hardhitting rippers. £152, kookaburra.biz

kicking off Long-time shoemaker Saucony has released the vibrant and athletic Kinvara 6. This trainer combines luxurious comfort with unprecedented performance. The PRO-LOCK lacing technology allows for a cosy midfoot fit, while the newly designed breathable mesh graces runners with a cool breeze as they descend upon the track. Moreover, the FLEXIFILM overlays have been adjusted to help the shoe move better with your foot. The Kinvara 6 feels natural and looks sharp. We’re soled. Kinvara 6 Trainer, £105, saucony.co.uk

Did you know? The fibre in juice pulp is an important part of a healthy diet. It can help prevent heart disease and massively improves digestive health. Your body absorbs far more nutrients from fresh juice compared with raw fruit and vegetables as the fibre contained within these slows down nurtient absorption.

Cricket Fireworm Test Elite, Woodworm The latest Woodworm willow is crafted for balance with a generally lighter pick up; suits the aggressive batsmen with its lower middle and wide wedges. £199.99, woodworm.tv

Icon F4.5 DXM, Gunn & Moore With a concave back profile and substantial contoured edges, this powerhouse has an extended sweet spot for those clean drives. £99.95, gm-cricket.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| INTERVIEW |

The GOAL-DEN ERA? Former England captain Gary Lineker has never been afraid to speak his mind when it comes to the politics involved in the Beautiful Game Words: James Evans

t the centre of the multi-billion pound, foreignowned Premier League, Gary Lineker cuts a traditional silhouette. A national hero from a bygone era when the common fan still felt an intrinsic connection with those who wore the club’s badge, Lineker occupies a space between football’s glorious preSky Sports past and its slick, cash-obsessed present. As presenter of Match of the Day – a televisual institution fronted by a sporting legend – the 54-yearold is approaching national treasure status. He’s done so by positioning himself as the game’s moral arbiter. Humorous, opinionated, mischievous and spikey, everything from FIFA’s murky operations to Spanish football’s racism problems have felt Lineker’s ire. It is for these reasons and more – the 48 goals he scored for England make him joint second only to Sir Bobby Charlton (Rooney has now also netted 48) – that to speak to the former Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Leicester City striker is to be in the company of football royalty. If that wasn’t evident from the military precision in which his trusted PR insists the interview is conducted – we’re not a second over schedule, for Gary’s time is scarce – it is with the familiar, languid way in which he tackles any issue he fancies, seemingly oblivious to the safety first approach of his BBC paymasters. Lineker, refreshingly, speaks his mind. On his mind at the moment is the record £5.1bn Premier League TV rights deal. The astronomical sum –

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

one that makes Burnley richer than four times European Cup winners Ajax – constitutes a 71 per cent increase on the current deal. I ask him if the ‘product’ of Wayne Rooney, Sergio Aguero, Jose Mourinho et al is worth the fee paid. He puffs out his cheeks. “Well, what is anything worth?” is his not unreasonable initial response. “Is anything worth £5bn? You’re generally worth what people are prepared to pay for you. Whether unfortunately or not, that is the price tag we have arrived at, so perhaps we have to say that those players are worth that amount. After all, those who run football aren’t idiots – it’s supply and demand and they have the price point exactly right.” He makes a valid point. People thought the £2.8m Barcelona paid Everton for Lineker’s services in 1986 was an indicator that money was destroying football. That was nearly three decades ago and, as a transfer fee, it now seems trivial. Still, the £5bn rights contract is in another stratosphere. “Oh, it’s a huge deal, there’s no question about that. Football is seriously growing, the Premier League in particular is incredibly popular, and will be worth a lot more once they have finished all of the foreign TV deals as well. So it’s big business. And while you can never justify the figures involved at the very top, it’s a prosperous game.” Of that there is no doubt, but it is not an evenly remunerated one. This is one area where Lineker

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THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| INTERVIEW |

Gary Linekar on the trading floor of BGC Partners during the BGC Charity Day 2012. Image by Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

uses his platform to great effect. He rallies that “we always want more investment into the game at all levels,” and the three-pronged governance of the Football Association, the Premier League and Football League “is not the ideal circumstances because not everyone is favoured by the same things.” He also wishes for lower ticket prices at games to make it more affordable for real football fans. Most of the clubs are against cheaper match day ticket prices. I suggest to Lineker that reducing costs for fans is a forlorn hope as money needs to continue making its way into the pockets of players and agents. His answer is matter-of-fact. “Well lots of money will always go to the players.” Why is that so inevitable? “Because clubs are competing to stay in the Premier League so they can get the big money, and to do that they obviously need to spend it on players, which puts players in a position of strength. So that’s just a given. “The other issue is that changing the framework in England could put the game here at a huge disadvantage if similar concessions weren’t adopted abroad. We like the Premier League to be independent, but actually it’s intrinsically linked it with all the others, like it or not.” Lineker left Tottenham, with whom he had won the FA Cup, for Japanese side Grampus Eight in 1992. That was the summer before the Premier League was launched, and it always seemed ill-fitting that a player who had done so much to raise the profile of football post-Italia 1990 missed the gravy train of Sky TV’s high wages. He isn’t bitter – “not at all” – but I wonder if he

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

can justify modern-day salaries. “You can never justify a player’s salary. You couldn’t have done it in my day compared with real people with real jobs in the real world. But football isn’t a normal job, it’s part of the entertainment business. Top actors earn way more than top footballers. There are other sports where you will earn more money. Top singers will earn more money. It’s just the way of the world. No footballer is going to turn around and say, ‘Well actually, that’s not quite right. I’ll take a lot less thank you very much’.” If that answer hints at the stereotype of young footballers more interested in flash cars and supermodel girlfriends, don’t be fooled. Lineker is a staunch defender of their reputations. “Generally footballers behave really well and do lots for the local community, lots for society, lots for charity. We need to get away from the perception of footballers being these bad characters, because it’s just not true. That’s often the opinion of those who are just envious of their position, or those who actually don’t follow football.” Despite famously never being booked, Lineker didn’t feel as though he was a mentor when he played: “I don’t think anybody feels like a role model,” he offers. “But when you get some degree of fame, with that comes a degree of understanding.” Is that more pronounced in today’s media landscape? “They are role models even if it’s not something that they necessarily choose to be,” he says. “Just because they have the intrinsic skills to be a footballer doesn’t mean they have to behave in a certain manner (although most do). You have to remember that footballers are a cross section of workingclass people earning a lot of money at a very young age and that it isn’t always that easy. Occasionally some of them misbehave. And we’re all very judgmental of that. “But the truth is the vast majority behave in a really good way, are very professional, work really hard and are very good with the community. But obviously that isn’t as interesting – you won’t see that on the front page of a tabloid!” Being a tabloid turn isn’t a charge you could ever level at Lineker, and it leaves me wishing for some extra time as he is whisked away – reminiscent of his penalty box runs or his studio links to camera – right on cue. Gary and wife Danielle Lineker. Image by Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Spinning

A Yarn

Jeremy Taylor travels to Italy to discover how fashion giant Ermenegildo Zegna is diversifying away from menswear with the help of Maserati

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| MOTORING |

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

he Zegna woollen mill in northern Italy has been in a spin for months. The factory that produces textiles for the luxury men’s clothing brand vibrates with activity as giant looms feed the latest surge in export demand. An entrepreneur started the business in this region in 1910. Now managed by the fourth generation of the same family, it employs 7,000 people around the world and sells designer clothing from 525 stores. While other brands folded during the global recession, Zegna went from strength to strength. Last year it turned over almost £1bn in revenue. Now it has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan that will see new flagship stores in Miami, New York, Osaka and Tokyo. “Fashion changes all the time, but we are still the same family business,” says the current CEO, Gildo Zegna, who has been at the helm since 1997. “We keep up with the times, but the roots of this company are completely linked to our family tree.” I’m chatting with Gildo in the Hemingway Suite of the nearby Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees – an appropriately opulent place to meet a fashion icon. Located on the shores of Lake Maggiore, in the Piedmont region, it was a favourite watering hole of Ernest Hemingway. Part of his 1929 novel, A Farewell to Arms, was also set here. Hemingway is normally associated with Key West, in Florida, which inspired him to write The Old Man and the Sea. But he arrived in Italy as an 18-year-old volunteer ambulance driver in 1918 and later fell in love with Lake Maggiore and the region. Gildo tells me the view from the hotel across the lake has proved an inspiration to him too, but these days he’s too busy to sit still for long. “More than 90 per cent of our output is for export. China is our biggest market, closely followed by America. “I travel a lot and every year we have to bring out new collections. This part of Italy is beautiful and it has inspired my family to create beautiful clothes for decades.” In recent years, the company has taken advantage of the Zegna name and branched out into a raft of other, fashion-related businesses. Milan airport’s Duty Free has a dazzling array of Zegna perfumes, sunglasses and even watches. “You have to expand all the time to keep up. We have carefully picked other brands with our same ethos to find new ways into other markets. Quality and luxury remain our brand ethics,” explains Gildo. The latest involves Italian car-maker Maserati. Zegna launched into a long-term association with the company 18 months ago, producing a limited-edition range of 100 cars to celebrate Maserati’s 100th anniversary. The Quattroporte model featured an exclusive interior that sold

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Car manufacturers have used everything from ostrich skin to Harris Tweed to give their interiors an air of exclusivity out almost instantly. Car manufacturers have used everything from ostrich skin to Harris Tweed to give their interiors an air of exclusivity. Zegna decided to opt for the least likely material – silk. “People thought I was nuts to suggest something like silk because it is so delicate and marks so easily,” says Gildo. “It was a crazy idea but you can weave silk thicker so that it gains longevity [durability] and can be used in many different applications. “In a car, the finish is different to what you can apply to a suit. But because it’s silk, the seats have a shiny sheen, which is impossible to achieve with wool or cashmere.” The silk treatment was an instant hit – so much so that Zenga and Maserati have just launched a special order interior package that will arrive in UK showrooms later this year. It will be available as an option for both the Quattroporte saloon and the best-selling Ghibli model. “It took us months of research to make sure the material we provided to Maserati for the cabin was up to the task. One of the tests we carried out was sitting a 95kg dummy on the seat 250,000 times to replicate a heavy man stepping in and out of the car.

Fashionable Cars Maserati isn’t the first to team up with a fashion brand to add extra cool to its cars.

Victoria Beckham created a special edition Range Rover Evoque with vintage tan leather and mohair mats. Designer Roberto Cavalli added some spice to the Mini Paceman using iridescent paintwork that shimmered from brown to black.

Hermes went the whole hog with the bull calfskin Bugatti Veyron interior, which included made-to-measure suitcases. Fiat unveiled a one-off Barbie special edition of the 500 supermini, complete with pink grille and a crystal encrusted interior. The glove box was loaded with a range of lip gloss too!

The ultimate fashion icon on wheels was a Versace-laced Lamborghini, complete with matching umbrella.

| MOTORING |

“Maserati represents the pinnacle of luxury and neither of our brands could be associated with a product that does not work. We had to get it right – or not offer the silk seating at all.” Later, I sit in a Quattroporte model fitted with red calf leather and Zegna’s special trim inserts. The anthracite silk looks more like tweed but has a silky finish. It’s also fitted to the door panels and looks especially good in a vehicle with grey paintwork. China is now one of the world’s leading silk producers and provides the raw material to Zegna for finishing. Prices for the trim package have yet to be announced, but Maserati doesn’t expect a shortage of takers. There’s no doubt the Zegna finish gives the Maserati an even more desirable air,

but I can’t help but wonder if silk really is a long-term prospect in any car – even a luxurious one such as the Quattroporte. Gildo insists the material will survive years of hard wear: “The silk is woven much thicker than what most people would consider traditional silk to look like. That also means it isn’t slippery, which would be a disaster for a motor car seat.” The plush silk curtains in the Hemingway Suite weren’t the inspiration for the Maserati seats, says Gildo, but he does admit to being on the lookout for new ideas. “We have a long-term commitment with Maserati. There will be more interesting projects in the future. Silk is just the start.” We look forward to the next chapter in the Zegna-Maserati journey. zegna.com / maserati.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Comprehensively designed to deliver performance Insurance you can rely on to protect your most valuable possessions

0845 490 00 00 www.firstpoint.co.uk Specialist insurance provider for car, home, jewellery and ar t

the exceptional place for insurance

| MOTORING |

PICTURE PERFECT Words: Jennifer Mason

ducati and artofbrands team up to offer collectors a unique opportunity

Fans of Ducati will be thrilled to hear that it’s now even easier to find a stunning piece of artwork to adorn their walls, thanks to the recently created Ducati Art Club partnership with ArtOfBrands. The exclusive portal (the first of its kind) allows access to the colourful and varied art collection inspired by Ducati’s work. To mark the occasion, ArtOfBrands is hosting the first Ducati Reverse Blind Auction event – whoever places the lowest unique bid wins and receives that print free of charge. It’s a novel way to source your interior decor, that’s for sure. ducatiart.com Ducati Art collection by ArtOfBrands. Artwork Diavel Sunrise’’ by Daniel Peh Kok Liang

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

TECH TALK

Essential apparatus for keeping ahead of the curve

Flexi-Time T

A platform that continues to evolve, the tablet is thriving – here’s why it remains at the top of our wish list

he multi-modal Yoga 3 Pro breaks the mould with its adaptable functionality. This nifty device can be used either as a tablet or a laptop, as well being able to flex into an upright or tent configuration. What’s more, the Yoga 3 Pro is slimmer and sleeker than ever before. It’s hard not to get lost within the device’s industry-leading software, which is supported by a super high-resolution touchscreen.

Conventional aspect ratio of 16:9; perfect for HDTV programming.

LENOVO Yoga 3 Pro Price: £999.99 Weight: 1188g Hard drive capacity: 256GB Screen Resolution: 3200 x 1800 pixels lenovo.com

Inbuilt JBL® stereo speakers that boast Waves Audio certification.

The Yoga 3 Pro comes with a number of ports for your everyday needs: 2 USB 3.0; USB 2.0 power jack; 4-in-1 reader (SD, MMC, SDXC and SDHC out).

checking out the competition

Microsoft

Apple

Surface Pro 3

iPad Air 2

PRICE: £639 Weight: 907g Hard drive capacity: 64GB Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels microsoft.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

PRICE: £479 Weight: 437g Hard drive capacity: 64GB Screen Resolution: 2048 x 1536 pixels apple.com

Nvidia Shield Tablet PRICE: £299.99 Weight: 390g Hard drive capacity: 32GB Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels nvidia.co.uk

| LIFESTYLE |

Aviation Sensation

Ruark de Triomphe The audiophiles at Skullcandy are renowned not only for their impeccable sonic sense, but perhaps even more so for their unique, unconventional designs. Not many people would think to stick Aviator frames onto a pair of cans, but the result of such stylistic ingenuity is a fine-looking pair of headphones indeed. Endorsed by the rapper-turned-businessmogul Jay-Z, this product offers uncompromising sound quality. These lustrous earphones come encased in a smart, leather pouch, in which there is also a pocket for storing the hardy connecting cord, which features a logo-emblazoned volume control. Aviator, £77, Skullcandy, skullcandy.com

Ruark Audio has realised a vision that it has been working on for years – the R7 home speaker. The idea was to create a product that celebrated the revered radiogram of yesteryear, while retaining the modern features that would allow it to flourish in today’s tech market. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more supreme combination of style and sound. R7, £2,000, Ruark Audio, ruarkaudio.com

You’re Welcome!

Adapt To Your Surroundings Long-range lens specialist Swarovski Optik has created an adapter for the iPhone 6 that allows you to connect your phone to a pair of the celebrate d Swarovski Optik spotting binoculars and shoot enchanting close-up shots. The adapter is perfect for wildlife watchers and sporting enthusiasts.

Welcome is the latest gadget from the clever people at Netatmo. The first of its kind, Welcome is a smart home camera that features state-of-the-art, facerecognition technology. The nifty kit serves a number of functions; for instance, it can learn to recognise family members and notify you when they get home, via a connection to your smartphone. Welcome comes with full HD broadcast in vivid colours and an impressive night-vision capacity. Welcome, £199, Netatmo, netatmo.com

PA-i6 Adapter, £140, Swarovski Optik, swarovskioptik.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Vive La Disruption! French tech firm Artsper is the latest technology startup to bring the power and reach that the internet affords into the previously closed world of art sales. The City Magazine meets the founders Words: MARK & HANNAH HAYES-WESTALL

he idea of using technology to shake up the way that fine art is bought and sold is nothing new. Amazon made its first foray into the field in 2001 with a short-lived partnership with Sotheby’s, but it’s taken a while for a diverse marketplace to build. Initial online marketplaces skewed towards the lower end of the market, in a move that allowed the art world to resist change for longer than expected. But as technology has become more enmeshed in the daily lives of even the most traditional of collectors, a new generation of startup business is boosting the potential of a market in online art sales that insurer Hiscox has forecast to reach £2.4bn by 2018. There has been significant investment into platforms such as Paddle8, Artsy and Artspace, and now French fine art platform Artsper is angling to take on the Anglo market with a UK launch. It’s an interesting time in the art world as technology has forced open a market previously tightly controlled by galleries and dealers. Artsper’s young founders Hugo Mulliez and François-Xavier Trancart, old friends from university who left careers in finance and global marketing respectively to follow their passion for art, have invested careful thought in how to bring the two worlds together.

Technology has forced open a market previously tightly controlled by galleries and dealers

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT The Way to Happiness II, 2010, (270 x 220 x 86 cm), £14,200, Sun Hyuk Kim; Ex Clace Liberatus, 2012, (55 x 30 x 20 cm), £6,750, Alexandre Durand; Trois Beaux Ballons, 2008, (300 x 100 x 100 cm), £POA, Philippe Berry; Fukkatsu, 2008, (95 x 120 cm), £2,800, Thomas Jorion

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| ART & INTERIORS |

At issue is the matter of the gallerycollector relationship and the security it provides those spending money on an artist’s work. Part of the role of a gallery, which may represent an artist for many years, is to build their profile carefully, ensuring that work enters into the right collections and taking care that the collectors who buy the work do not intend to ‘flip’ the work for an immediate profit (an act that damages the reputation of the artist and, in the long term, can devalue their work). In the past, the opacity of the way that galleries managed the relationship with potential collectors led to allegations of snobbery at best, and price inflation at

worst. However, it provided a welcome security for those making a substantial investment in artwork. While aiming to “abolish the barriers to accessing and acquiring contemporary art” by providing access to new audiences, Mulliez and Trancart have layered in a series of measures designed to recreate the processes that have historically provided collectors with reassurance. All the platform’s featured artists, galleries and artworks must pass strict selection tests before inclusion on the site. A committee of art experts meets regularly to decide Artsper’s artistic line and approve new galleries and artists, while the team constantly researches information about

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| ART & INTERIORS |

Average sales on the site fluctuate between £1,000 £3,500 per day they wanted us to add galleries from London so as to view more art/artists,” says Mulliez, adding, “this is also a great thing for the London galleries to know that there is a new market of French speaking collectors who they can show and sell their work to.” Further expansion seems on the cards, with the company going through a second round of fundraising in October/November this year. So what does the future hold for Artsper? “After this we will be expanding into Germany. Berlin is very interesting for us, then we will be looking at Asia.” artsper.com

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Rodrigue, 2015, (145 x 90 x 56 cm), £POA, Bruno Catalano; Histoire D’Amour, 2014, (60 x 40 x 30 cm), £POA, Bruno Catalano; Le Jouet, 2010, (63.5 x 58.4 x 33 cm), £25,500, Alain Godon; Echo, 2010, (40 x 80 x 40 cm), £1,800, Etienne Rey

the works to confirm their authenticity and their exact values. This senior team of expert advisors, includes Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, France’s former Minister of Culture and Communication (2004 – 2007) and tech business leader Steve Rosenblum, founder of Pixmania.com It’s an approach that has succeeded in attracting serious galleries and, importantly, serious collectors. Artsper has established relationships with some 230 of the most prestigious galleries in France, a lesser number than some of its international rivals, but with the result that, as Mulliez says, “Artsper is a much more sales-driven platform. Because we have far fewer galleries on our site, a gallery on Artsper will get many more views.” This seems to have been demonstrated by sales on the site, which average £1,000 - £3,500 per day, and which saw turnover increase by 800 per cent in 2014. Individual orders from French and international collectors regularly exceed the £70,000 mark. Galleries on the platform are now listing works by some of the world’s most famous names, from Damien Hirst, Murakami, Jeff Koons, Lui Bolin and Richard Avedon, among others. Now making a play for the UK’s online art sales market, Mulliez and Trancart have established relationships with 10 British galleries and are aiming to grow substantially. The duo based their choice to expand to the UK first on feedback from Artsper’s collector community. “Our collectors said

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

MALAY ARMCHAIR The Malay Armchair from Brabbu is quite clearly the result of meticulous attention to detail from the expert Portuguese craftsmen. Lavish, velvet upholstery featuring buttontufting recalls the days of oldHollywood glamour, while aged, cast-brass legs help achieve a raw yet refined aesthetic. Its curved silhouette makes it truly inviting, as the design succeeds at combining style and comfort. £2,390, luxdeco.com

FARADAY PENDANT light In 1845, physicist Michael Faraday discovered what became the ‘Faraday effect’ during an experiment with magnetic fields and light. 170 years on, British furniture brand Timothy Oulton pays homage to Faraday with this innovative pendant light and striking centrepiece that achieves an entirely new effect in the home. £700, timothyoulton.com

DECADENT DÉCOR This month, we celebrate the golden ages of design, while incorporating touches of bronze with accents of Art Deco. The result? A truly intriguing home interior Words: tiffany eastland

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

TOLLER SIDE TABLE Breaking free from the confines of traditional form, the Toller side table combines a geometric metal form with a clear glass top for a dramatic and resolute piece. This is the sort of furniture that breathes new life into a tired sitting room. £POA, blaineynorthcollection.com

| ART & INTERIORS |

rovence aged brass p FLOOR LAMP Old meets new in this modern creation with aged charm. The Provence floor lamp features a flattering fine silhouette that can be adjusted to your desired height, and a metallic finish that instantly lifts your room.

RAFALGAR DOUBLE T TANTALUS & COURLIS VASE Linley’s Trafalgar Double Tantalus, which holds two lead crystal decanters and features a spirit level in the front, is a stunning accent for anyone who truly values their spirits. From the bar, we move to the mantel; inspired by the Art Deco movement and designed by René Lalique in 1931, the Courlis vase is today re-imagined in this stunning, deep-green crystal.

£450, luxdeco.com

£3,950, davidlinley.com Approx. £1,064, lalique.com

CAPE LODGE SOFA Take a step back in time with the Cape Lodge Sofa from Ralph Lauren Home. This sleek, 1940s-style sofa features wide-track arms, prominent over-scaled nail heads, three loose back cushions and block feet. The Cape Lodge Sofa

is available in alternative finishes, but we love the pictured Desert Mahogany, especially when teamed with the stunning emerald green, Brabbu armchair. £POA, ralphlaurenhome.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

The Art and Design Window GALLERies: Galleries, located in Canada Place, showcase up-and-coming artists, designers and craftspeople. Showing this month are:

WINDOW

VISUAL ARTS Take a break to explore and enjoy Canary Wharf’s temporary exhibitions and permanent art collection around the estate

Stripping the Willow Sculpture by Julian Wild Until 15 August

 Lobby One Canada Square, Canary Wharf In this exhibition, Julian Wild shows recent work in bronze and stainless steel, the surface of both metals highly polished. He introduces vibrant colour into some pieces as if stripping away a layer of one substance to reveal another. Most of these sculptures were created since Wild moved to the East Sussex countryside, where he observes rural activities such as coppicing, harvesting and managed woodland. This has almost subliminally worked its way into his sculpture, as reflected in the title of this exhibition: Stripping the Willow. Julian Wild had his first solo exhibition in 2003, since then he has shown in a number of exhibitions, including ‘Sculpture in the City 2014’. He has undertaken a number of public and private commissions and is represented by William Benington Gallery.

ART: BOB ALDOUS  CANADA WALK Bob works in a variety of media including painting, poetry, performance and installation. Combining paintings and drawings with lyrical poetry, his meditations follow a journey through love from its beginnings, flowering, beyond break-up and loss to the acceptance that love needs to combine with freedom. Most recently he has experimented with back lighting to produce work with a subtle radiance that complements his poetic style. bobaldous.com

Photography: Nic Serpell-Rand

Community

Window Gallery:

julianwild.com or williambeningtongallery.co.uk

The Community Window Gallery in Canada Place is devoted to exhibiting work by local arts projects.

BOW ARTS

Until 8 September

 CANADA PLACE

DESIGN: Mala Siamptani  Jubilee Walk For Mala, beauty, grandeur, mystery and danger are nature’s messages and her jewellery is inspired by her study of the form and functional characteristics of natural structures. The challenge of her latest collection was the exploration of the effects that infection by agents such as bacteria, micro-organisms, parasites or viruses has on form. malasiamptani.com

Bow Arts takes exceptional artists into schools across East London to improve the lives and learning of children and young people. Artists Ella Robinson and Sara Heywood recently worked with six schools on the Isle of Dogs to create original works of art for each school. Three schools created bold vinyl artworks with Sara, inspired by everyday objects, nature and local architecture. Ella worked with Early Years children to design and make playful and interactive Higgledy-Piggledy Trees. The project also provided teacher training and workshops for families. This display includes photos and models of the artworks and workshops, and children’s work that informed the final designs. bowarts.org

EVENTS

The sun is out and so should you be to enjoy Canary Wharf’s packed summer schedule of free-to-attend events and entertainment

SUMMER SCREENS

Classic Films from the BFI National Archive A rare chance to see nine digitally restored classics from the BFI National Archive in this new series for Canary Wharf ’s Summer Screens.

Until Tuesday 18 August Canada Square Park , Daily

FREE

Catch up on some thrilling sporting action or revel in a spot of culture with our Summer Screens season showcasing an array of events. Watch nail-biting live sporting action or go back in time with BFI archive film classics – our screens cater for sport fanatics and culture lovers alike in a sociable, alfresco setting.

Bloom at the Performance Space Saturday 1 August Crossrail Place’s Roof Garden FREE but registration required Playtime with the Half Moon Theatre 1-1.45pm, 4.15-5pm An afternoon of music, puppet play and bedtime stories – fun for any age. Drop-in activity sessions exploring all things that might just be hiding in a dusty old suitcase!

Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 August Canada Square Park* Daily, Various times

THE AJ BELL LONDON TRIATHLON

Cheer on the intrepid athletes at Canary Wharf on Sunday as the new bike route takes everyone from elite athletes trying to shave vital seconds off their personal best to complete novices through Canary Wharf. Then meander around Canary Wharf ’s five shopping malls and have a bite to eat in one of its amazing restaurants. thelondontriathlon.co.uk

SUMMER SOUNDS Wednesday 5 August Canada Square Park, 12.30-2pm

FREE

A lunchtime treat for Canary Wharf with a lively music performance by Evelyn Cools - an alternative folk and indie musician Evelyn lets her music do all the talking. Wednesday 12 August Canada Square Park, 12.30-2pm

FREE

Up in the Attic by the Half Moon Theatre and Floods of Ink 2-2.45pm, 3.30-4.15pm An unforgettable bedtime adventure through the attic of an old house – a magical, melodious and interactive tale created through enchanting music and puppetry for ages 3 to 6. halfmoon.org.uk space.org.uk

Sunday 9 August Throughout Canary Wharf All Day FREE

A lunchtime treat for Canary Wharf with a lively music performance by AMY FITZ DOYLEY - a singer, songwriter, innovator and tea drinker! Jazz is Amy’s specialty and her voice is her instrument.

SATURDAY 1 AUGUST • 11AM NIGHT FERRY

In Japanese with subtitles.

1976 • BLACK & WHITE • DIR. DAVID EADY • 58 MINS • U

WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST • 6PM LET’S GO CRAZY

Bernard Cribbins is a dastardly master-ofdisguise who plans to smuggle an ancient Egyptian mummy out of the country. This comedy also stars Graham FletcherCook and John Moulder-Brown. Part of the Children’s Film Foundation Collection.

PING! Ping! arrives in the West Wintergarden inviting all to play, compete and get tips and tricks from professional coaches. Watch professional players battle it out in display matches at Jubilee Place and the Canary Wharf Ping! Corporate Championship trophy for teams of three players is up for grabs again this year. Email arts+events@canarywharf. com to enter your team or to pre-book tables.

Friday 7 – Sunday 16 August West Wintergarden and Jubilee Place Various times FREE

SUNDAY 2 AUGUST • 6PM GODZILLA 1954 • COLOUR • DIR. ISHIRO HONDA • 96 MINS • PG

One of the great classics of sci-fi cinema by noted special-effects director Ishiro Honda with Takashi Shimura and

Raymond Burr.

1951 • BLACK & WHITE • DIR. ANTHONY YOUNG • 32 MINS • PG

A short comedy film marking an early appearance by Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers playing multiple roles. SUNDAY 9 AUGUST • 6PM THE HIDDEN FORTRESS 1958 • BLACK & WHITE • DIR. AKIRA KUROSAWA • 138 MINS • PG

A story of rival clans, hidden gold and a princess in distress - a thrilling mix of fairy story and samurai action movie. In Japanese with subtitles.

RSC Live: The Merchant of Venice Captured live from the RSC Stratford-upon-Avon. A wronged father, Thursday 20 August broken contracts, East Wintergarden simmering racial 7pm (doors 6.30pm) tensions and a £10 / £25 for all despised outsider! three screenings Ticket release date Unreserved 3 August seating. Full bar & **Booking fee applies cloakroom available. onscreen.rsc.org.uk

*Audience space is unreserved and limited and, due to the popularity of these events capacity can be reached within a short period of time. Our advice is to turn up early and be generous to others by not taking up unnecessary space. For everyone’s enjoyment portable furniture is not permitted and for everyone’s safety glass bottles and glasses are not permitted. Due to adverse weather conditions, some activities may be cancelled or moved. Sign up to join our free mailing list or to receive our quarterly brochure – send your contact details to arts+events@canarywharf.com. For all the latest Canary Wharf news, promotions and events follow us on twitter @yourcanarywharf. At weekends and Bank Holidays you can enjoy 3 hours’ free parking in any of our public car parks when you spend £10 at any of Canary Wharf’s shops, cafés, bars or restaurants. Details correct at time of publication but may be subject to change.

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@yourcanarywharf

For exploring the US Cut at 45 Park Lane, W1 Cut’s head chef Wolfgang Puck is clearly a man who loves great wine as much as food, for his list showcases the best of the world, but with a bias towards the US. This is Cut’s singular most-attractive quality, for although the US now produces a large percentage of the world’s finest wines, little of it is seen in London, perhaps because the prices often rival top First Growth Bordeaux. However, anyone who has tasted Harlan Estate Napa red or Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon can vouch for their incredible power, finesse and structure – these are wines that often trump their European counterparts. Just ask Cut’s sommelier Vanessa Cinti, one of London’s most unassuming and friendly wine professionals.

London’s

Best Wine Lists James Lawrence highlights the capital’s top venues for exciting, unusual or just plain decadent wine choices

hirty-five years ago, a

Africa, a time-travelling epicurean

typical restaurant wine

might ask? You would hear a pin drop.

list offered a tour of the classic French regions, a

Today, it is possible to enjoy vintages from all corners of the globe,

German Riesling, maybe a Rioja and

from New Zealand to India. And,

perhaps one or two Italian options, if

more importantly, top restaurants

you were lucky. The cuisine would be

now understand that what you drink

similarly straight-jacketed. But what

and how it’s served will make a major

about a bottle from Chile or, say, South

difference to your overall experience.

For exploring the unknown Fera at Claridge’s, W1 Raphael Rodriguez, sommelier at the justly celebrated Michelin-star Fera at Claridge’s, has dared to be differentt. Rodriguez champions the little guy, the family outfit that no one has heard of. His brilliantly diverse list shows off artisan producers from all corners of the globe. Start with a glass of moreish Eric Rodez rose Champagne, or perhaps a Cotes du Jura Chardonnay, before exploring the delights of Cahors, which is where, incidentally, Argentine Malbec originated. This, of course, is a wafer-thin slice of a much larger pie, over 700 distinct options await you.

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| FOOD & DRINK |

For innovation and value 28-50 Fetter Lane, EC4 It was Xavier Rousset – founder of the 28-50 wine chain – that redefined the concept of a wine bar in London, offering a diverse experience where diners can either enjoy a wide range by the glass, sample wines from the classic list, or delve into the ‘collectors list.’ The latter is a particular highlight, incorporating rare wines sourced from friends and associates of Rousset, with remarkably low mark-ups. The cellar showcases fine vintages from across the globe, everything from Austrian Riesling to Slovenian Sauvignon Blanc. The food, too, merits a mention, not ground-breaking but always delicious.

For sampling fine wines by the glass The Ritz restaurant, W1 The Ritz is possibly London’s most opulent destination, renowned for both its afternoon tea offering and John Williams’ refined and timeless cuisine. Its wine list, too, is a veritable encyclopedia, put together by sommelier Giovanni Ferlito. The Ritz broke new ground in offering Coravin technology; a device that extracts wine without removing the cork, allowing a restaurant to offer hitherto unseen fine wines by the glass. This has revolutionised our enjoyment of wine, allowing the passionate oenophile to sample legendary, but often prohibitively expensive names. Wines like Corton Charlemagne, Le Montrachet and Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion are all available by the glass at the Ritz. Quite remarkable.

For cult wines M Grill, EC2 M was founded by Martin Williams, former MD of Gaucho. Ever the savvy businessmen, Williams hired top sommelier Zack Charilaou, who has put together one of the most interesting and dynamic lists in London. For a start, you don’t have to even venture into bottle territory; the Enomatic machine dispenses a wide variety of wines by the glass. Simply purchase your top-up card, and away you go. But what we are really excited about is the formidable selection of rare and exclusive, hardly-ever-seen cult wines, such as Screaming Eagle (averaging over £1,500 per bottle), which has an extremely long waiting list for allocations. Complementing this hedonistic selection of super-deluxe bottles is a wide selection of affordable, streak-friendly wines, including a diverse array of Argentine Malbecs.

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Gorgeous

Graübunden Peerless natural spectacle, world-beating wines, thermal waters a-go-go – is Switzerland even better in the summer?

Words: Chris Allsop

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

| TRAVEL |

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

Raphael Christinat / Shutterstock.com

iovanni, my white-haired mountain guide, tells stories as we steadily ascend the switchbacks above Thusis in the Graübunden region of Switzerland. How being caught in an avalanche is like walking on “boiling snow”; the time when, cresting a cliff climb, he came face-to-face with a curious ibex; how he walked a half-dead hiker down a snowfield to the nearest mountain refuge, saving his life. I run through some recent life landmarks with which to respond: up-todate on Game of Thrones… baked my own granola… hiking for work? I remain silent as Giovanni describes his trips to Italy to source the right marble for his sculptures. The eastern Swiss canton of Graübunden (aka Grisons) is a bit like Giovanni – it’s not boastful, this is just the way things are: an exemplary alpine landscape crisscrossed by rivers milky with snow melt that carve spectacular stone courses through the steep forest-furred valleys. In winter, Graübunden, for many, shrinks into a constellation of world-class ski and snowboarding resorts – St. Moritz, Klosters, Laax – but in summer the landscape thaws and reveals a network of hiking and mountain biking trails that allow you to access its exquisite terrain up close. Giovanni and I are day-hiking a section of the long-distance ViaSpluga trail – an alpine transit highway that, for 2,000 years shuttled everything from silk to chestnuts across the Alps. Our destination today is the Viamala Gorge where, after scouting it from above, plans are for me to go canyoning in it tomorrow. The roar of the river Rhine, which begins in Graübunden, resounds up the rippling rock walls of the five-mile long gorge. Viamala translates as ‘dangerous way’, and the area’s prevalence of tiny stone churches crumbling to ruin indicates the degree to which medieval travellers sought divine protection while traversing this raw wilderness. Back then, without interference from Switzerland’s hydroelectric power plants, the Rhine’s roar would have been deafening. Local farmers, moonlighting as couriers in the winter, would have had to negotiate this tree root-riddled path in several feet of snow – all while walking beside a sheer 300-metre drop. However, it’s hard to put yourself in their medieval moccasins when the only rotten, wrinkled cloud besmirching the Swiss summertime is Sepp Blatter, when the temperature is in the balmy low 20s and, from somewhere nearby, you can hear the hollow tones of cowbells tonking out of time. We pause a moment to admire the epic views behind us. “I have never been canyoning,” Giovanni admits to my astonishment (and private satisfaction). I don’t affirm that I haven’t either and continue to look back along the gorge, roughly in the direction of Bündner

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT Rhaetian Railway, Landwasserviadukt; Tamina Gorge above Bad Ragaz; Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town; couple hiking; Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

Herrschaft – the “gateway to Graubünden” – where my Swiss sojourn began. Located in the northernmost corner of the canton, the Herrschaft is most famous as the setting for Johanna Spyri’s novel Heidi, and ‘Heidiland’ is a magnet for a curiously eclectic international family of Heidi-lovers (primarily Japanese and Saudi). Less weird is the wine they grow there, and the Herrschaft is home to Europe’s oldest documented wine-growing estate (the Schloss Salenegg). The boutique region is particularly respected for its superb pinot noir (look out for Donatsch’s ‘Passion’ pinot noir, twice a ‘Champion du Monde des Producteurs de Pinot Noir’). An e-bike tour of the Bündner Rhine valley with the knowledgeable and entertaining Gian Carlo Casparis is a fine way to warm up prior to a hike. If that sounds too much like hard work, pop back over the Rhine and head into artsy spa town Bad Ragaz. While the famous Altes Bad Pfäfers – where the likes of Nietzsche, Thomas Mann and Paracelsus used to dip their warts in the renowned thermal springs – has become a handsome museum, the five-star Grand Resort Bad Ragaz has taken over as the place for a health-promoting soak (the hotel even sells the water in beer form if you prefer downing your way to a glowing constitution). Between Bad Ragaz and Thusis is Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town and the canton’s capital. The cobbled streets of the old town are lined with boutiques and open up into peaceful squares ideal for a glass of local Calmuda beer while people-watching. Visit here in winter, and you might see ibex and wolves descend from the hulking Calmuda Mountain to the Rhine. Giovanni and I have also descended to the Rhine to view the extraordinary Viamala up close. The transparent azure-

getting there Fly direct with Swiss International Air Lines from London to Zurich, swiss.com. Fares start from £119 return. Train tickets for Switzerland can be purchased through Swiss Travel System, swisstravelsystem.com. Multiple journey tickets in 2nd class start from £161

Standard rooms at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz start at £275 per night, resortragaz.ch

Book wine tours through the Bündner Herrschaft vineyards with Wine Tours Switzerland wine-tours.ch

Book Canyoning and other waterbased fun at Swiss River Adventures, swissriveradventures.ch

For further information on Graubünden, graubuenden.ch

| TRAVEL |

tinted river rushes past enticingly beneath the midday heat. My guide receives a call from the canyoning people asking for my measurements. After he hangs up he turns to me. “They asked if I wanted to go too,” says the 73-year-old. “So I replied: why not?” The next day, we meet Swiss River Adventures in Thusis. The person in charge is, of course, a long-haired Kiwi who measures his time in the country by “seasons” and goes by the moniker “the Party Yak”. We struggle into heavy duty wetsuits, as armoured as rhino skin. Canyoning depends on the canyon’s character and topography, blending abseiling, leaping off rocks, and a lot of floating happily in the river’s current. Tree roots thrust through the smooth, undulating rock walls while small sparkling waterfalls shatter in the sunlight. Several bankers drift past humming and thumping their chests in unison like Matthew McConaughey in The Wolf of Wall Street. Near the end of the entrancing course, there’s a boulder with a rope and a six-metre high jump from the top. The Yak shouts down, “This is optional, but if you climb up here it’s compulsory.” I scramble up before I can change my mind.

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teeped in grandeur and prestige, Luton Hoo comprises a five-star hotel, 18-hole golf course and luxurious spa centre. Its magnificent architecture has provided a temporary home to the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Mountbatten, Queens Mary and Elizabeth II, and now me. Mansion House stands majestically at the forefront of the esteemed complex, which occupies 1,065 acres of rich countryside at the border of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Inside, authenticity is preserved by way of high ceilings, ornate chandeliers and elegant furniture. From Mansion House I ambled in the direction of the Parkland building, where I would later spend a profoundly relaxing night. A short stroll later, I entered an air-conditioned room, equipped with a flat-screen LCD television and broadband. Of course, guests do not flock to the Luton retreat for its

technological modernity; perhaps most salient, at least in my own conceit, was the roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inviting terrace, from which I enjoyed scenic views of mature woodland and undulating green expanse. Of the venues graced by the touch of celebrated 18th-century gardener Capability Brown, Luton Hoo is perhaps the most astounding. Brown enlarged the Luton Hoo gardens by four times its original size, and dammed the River Lea to create two large, picturesque lakes. It would be rude not to explore them. More than 1,000 acres is rather a lot of land, so I stuck to the estateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18thcentury, octagonal walled garden and circumnavigated the smaller lake. I returned from my walk just in time for afternoon tea, which consisted of an appetising display of smoked salmon sandwiches and delicious, freshly baked scones. Perhaps unwisely, I then decided to

Luton Hoo:

Land of Leisure Private residence of yesteryear, once frequented by royalty and a smattering of other distinguished guests, Luton Hoo is now a Home County haven, opening its doors to those looking to escape life in the City Words: OMAR ALI

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| TRAVEL |

The Wernher Restaurant was significantly remodelled in the early 20th-century by the same architects that had worked on The Ritz take advantage of Luton Hoo’s fitness and well-being facilities. Proving to be elusive at first, I discovered that the gym and spa are housed in the historic stable, designed by revered architect Robert Adam. The gym contained more equipment than I knew how to use. Luckily, the Vitality pool provided a rejuvenating swim and steam, post workout. Upon entering Luton Hoo’s awardwinning Wernher Restaurant later that evening, I was taken aback by the grand spectacle that lay before me. Forming part of Mansion House, the Wernher Restaurant was significantly remodelled in the early 20th-century by the same architects that had worked on The Ritz. The result is that guests dine in the midst of a truly elegant backdrop, which includes stunning marble panels and tall, draped curtains. Fortunately, in my ravenous state, this was no case of style over substance, but instead a cohesive union of the two. Potted shrimp and crayfish, a tender rump of English lamb and

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a delicious chocolate tart proved why head chef Kevin Clark comes as recommended as he does. For more informal dining, both the Adam’s Brasserie, housed within the historic Stables building, and The 19th, located in the Country Club, offer an assortment of tasty snacks throughout the day. As a retreat from the stresses of the City, a Luton Hoo sojourn offers something for everyone. If clay pigeon shooting or bird watching doesn’t take your fancy, then perhaps the prospect of a swing on the par73 golf course or a casual rally on the fullyrestored Victorian grass tennis court, will. There’s also a host of nearby, family-friendly attractions to explore, including Whipsnade Zoo, Woburn Safari Park and the Xscape indoor ski centre at Milton Keynes. For me, though, the estate’s charm was enough to keep me there for the entire duration of my stay. The ideal country getaway, indeed. lutonhoo.co.uk

| TRAVEL |

“P

A room with a view:

Le Sirenuse James Lawrence experiences the splendour of a luxury break in Positano, on the Amalfi Coast

ositano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” John Steinbeck’s eulogy to the most enchanting part of the Amalfi Coast still rings true; Positano is undoubtedly the supermodel on a busy catwalk, always on show, but still managing to retain its sense of individuality and style. It is the most photogenic – and, of course, Instagramed – village in Italy. In fact, the only potential fly in this seductive ointment is the mass of cruise passengers that descend in high summer, my first and last piece of advice is to visit in low season, as we did. And so we found ourselves in glorious, early-evening May sunshine racing towards Positano in our very comfortable Mercedes, courtesy of our host, Le Sirenuse. The journey is either spectacularly exciting or terrifying depending on your point of view; the initial motorway that twists through Naples, past Pompeii and through Sorrento is fine, although Italian driving would obliterate anyone’s nerves. But from this point on, the road that winds down to Positano seems to shrink to nothing, high above emerald blue seas, you dangle precariously over the edge of razor sharp cliffs. It’s like they’ve designed the road to be a little narrower than two cars side by side. Of course, the destination more than merits the journey. Approaching from Sorrento, Positano suddenly appears out of nowhere, an impossibly picturesque village that clambers down a vertiginous slope to the sea. Its pastel facades shimmer brightly at night, soaring up from sea-washed crags towards misty mountains. Transfixed by our first glimpse, our main priority was nonetheless to quickly check in to Le Sirenuse, Positano’s most celebrated hotel. By now approaching 10pm, we delayed our exploration of the hotel and instead headed straight to the inviting Champagne and Oyster Bar. This Moorish influenced al fresco dining patio is both chic and

severely under-lit, meaning that waiters shine torches to enable guests to decipher the menus and make sure they’re actually canoodling with the correct lover. “It’s a nervous first date’s dream,” my companion Lucy exclaimed. Warmly welcomed by the effortlessly charming staff, we imbibed copious amounts of Franciacorta – Italy’s premium bubbly – and a light supper before retreating to bed. We awoke early, the sun shining brightly through our shuttered French doors, which Lucy insisted we leave open during the night. Awoken by the sounds of the gentle waves lapping, we rushed to our balcony to experience our first glimpse of Positano in daylight. Already the beach below was filling up with the young and beautiful, but the real highlight is the unparalleled views of Positano’s Santa Maria Church, with its Byzantine depiction of the Virgin Mary. Our weekend abode was typical of the hotel’s 58 sumptuously appointed bedrooms, most of which boast sea-facing balconies. However,

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ABOVE Amalfi Coast; Le Sirenuse, Positano

Transfers from Swansea to London Paddington were supported by First Great Western – firstgreatwestern.co.uk Singles are available for under £30 each way. Red Savannah (redsavannah.com) offers a two-night stay at Le Sirenuse from £566 per person, including return flights.

regardless of the view, all the rooms are furnished to the highest quality with luxury fabrics, marble bathrooms, i-pod docks and insanely comfortable beds throughout. After breakfast on the sea-facing restaurant terrace, we take time to properly explore the fabled Le Sirenuse. Steinbeck described it as, “an old family house converted into a first class hotel, spotless and cool, with grape arbors over its outside dining room.” I could add that Le Sirenuse is run by the second generation of the Sersale family, Antonio Sersale managing the property since 1992. The 18th-century, poppy red villa was transformed into a country hotel in 1951 by the Marques Paolo Sersale, former mayor of Positano. Today, Le Sirenuse does an impeccable job of ensuring that you never want to leave. There are simply too many diversions: glistening pool, multiple sun loungers, Aveda Spa and gorgeous cocktail terrace. The public areas too are the epitome of a Mediterranean dream: white-washed walls, vaulted ceilings, museum-quality antiques and hand-painted ceramic tiles. The name, incidentally, derives from an archipelago of little islands known as the Sirenusas, Le Sirenuse being a reference to the Sirens that were fabled to live there. But despite the hotel’s grand origins, Le Sirenuse feels surprisingly relaxed and informal; there isn’t a hint of pretension about the place. Despite our strong impulses to bronze and sip cocktails, we felt duty-bound to explore Positano a little before lunch. And you’ll have to forgive me at this point, because Positano really is a place that tests a writer’s ability to temper the use of cliches. You instantly reach for spectacular, idyllic, dreamy, captivating, before quickly realising that millions of writers have done so before you. Instead, let me say that Positano is not a place for the unfit. Its main artery is one narrow street that winds through the village without going near the water. Instead, you are obliged to climb or descend a multitude of stairs, some of them precariously steep. You don’t walk to your dinner date in Positano, you climb or slide. It is incredibly beautiful nonetheless. At dinner we met the legendary Antonio, poster-child for the modern Italian Dolce Vita – multilingual, charismatic and effortlessly charming. A few glasses of Champagne later, we headed to La Sponda, the hotel’s Michelin-star restaurant. Head chef Matteo Temperini is one of Italy’s greats; he served us a mouthwatering selection of dishes from across Italy in portions that were the antitheses of irritating, undernourished nouvelle cuisine. Utilising local produce as much as possible, the cooking was all heart and soul – divine, yet intensely nourishing and homely. Being serenaded by two charming waiters greatly

| TRAVEL |

aided the digestion and, yes, we did demand that famous song from The Talented Mr Ripley. It would have been rude not to. Our final day soon arrived and I’m ashamed to say that we pretty much stayed put. It involved a lazy breakfast on the terrace, a leisurely swim and one final al fresco lunch before we departed for Naples. And that is both Le Sirenuse’s greatest strength and weakness, for so seductive are its charms that you actually find yourself dreading the outside world. Which is a shame, sort of, as the Amalfi Coast does beg to be explored and the town itself is easily accessible from the hotel. But then, Positano is a tiny village, where the greatest attraction is, well, pretty much doing nothing – sit, stare, sip wine and relax. For this medication, sorely needed by stressed-out City workers, there is no finer destination.

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LONDON HOMES &

PROPERTY Covering THE CITY, Wapping, Shad Thames, Shoreditch & Islington

The BUDGET BRIEF WHAT IT MEANS FOR INVESTORS, HOME OWNERS AND FIRST-TIME BUYERS

Image courtesy of rume.co.uk

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PROPERTY NEWS

Keep tabs on the market, whether you are living or investing in the capital

SALES NICK MOORE, associate at Knight Frank Islington, comments on the trends in the residential sales market With the General Election now well and truly behind us, George Osborne has just delivered the first purely Conservative budget in almost 18 years. In delivering his budget, the Chancellor announced a number of measures affecting the housing market, including restricting tax relief for buy-to-let landlords, reforming the current rules surrounding non-domicile status and raising the threshold for inheritance on primary residences. At present, buy-to-let landlords can deduct certain costs, including mortgage interest, from their income before they pay tax. Under the proposed changes, the Chancellor has announced that he will restrict the relief on mortgage interest costs that landlords, who are higher-rate taxpayers, can claim. From 2017, this will be reduced gradually to 20 per cent. The government expects to raise £665m a year by 2021 as a result of these changes. In addition, from next April, the ‘wear and tear’ allowance will be scrapped in favour of a new system that only allows landlords tax relief when they replace furnishings, thus adding a further £170m a year to the Treasury’s revenues. First announced in their manifesto prior to the election, the Chancellor also announced plans to increase the tax-free allowance for inheritance tax to £1m for couples who pass on their home to their children. Increasing the inheritance tax allowance will mean that more of the wealth amassed from property will pass down the generations rather than to the Treasury, giving people the chance to save for a deposit on a new home or upgrade their existing home. Finally, from April 2017 anybody who has been a resident in the UK for more than 15 of the past 20 years will be deemed to be domiciled in the UK for tax purposes. In addition, individuals who are born in the UK to parents who are domiciled here will no longer be able to claim non-dom status while they are a resident in the UK. These reforms follow a series of changes in recent years that make it more difficult to argue that residential property is under-taxed. It is therefore unlikely that the rule changes will have a profound effect on the market as the London market is driven by a number of factors and non-doms form only part of that demand. Knight Frank Islington 020 3657 7340 knightfrank.co.uk/Islington

ABOVE HUF HAUS: first UK show house in Weybridge, Surrey

A SHOW STOPPER HUF HAUS, pioneers of high-end prefabricated timber and glass homes, has launched the company’s first-ever UK show house, located at Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey. The show house is likely to be the most engineered house in the UK, featuring unparalleled insulation, air tightness and fabric efficiency. In fact, its photovoltaic panels are guaranteed to generate more electricity than this lowenergy consuming house requires, while its heating system is the most efficient and technically advanced heating and cooling system of its kind. Sustainability aside, this show house realises the concept of ecoluxury and has a truly luxurious interior with quality finishes throughout, not to mention elegant furniture and accessories from leading design company B&B Italia. Georg Huf, CEO of HUF HAUS, says: “Our first UK show house demonstrates the architectural and technological advances achieved by the HUF HAUS engineers […]. We look forward to showcasing the innovative technology that underpins our family business to the next generation of HUF HAUS devotees.” huf-haus.com

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| HOMES & PROPERTY |

LETTINGS NICOLA WILLIAMS, lettings manager at Knight Frank Islington, comments on the trends in the residential lettings market

BUDGET LOWDOWN

SENSORY APPEAL Comprising ‘a blend of curvaceous shapes and highly functional design’, awardwinning designer Kelly Hoppen’s most recent collection of bathware – with luxury manufacturer Apaiser – continues to uphold her values of high quality and timeless design. Apaiser’s handcrafted stone is renowned for its natural organic feel and sculptural lines – and used in this new collection, it incorporates the marble into attractive layered designs such as HARMONY (inspired by the lotus flower), ORIGAMI (with clean lines and angles) and BANDE (based on the sash used in traditional Japanese dress). apaiser.com; kellyhoppeninteriors.com

“Affordability remains one of the biggest risks to government and the only long-term solution is to expand the rate of housing delivery,” commented Adam Challis, head of residential research at JLL, last month. “Investment in apprenticeships will be vital [and] a need to modernise construction, with [more] taking place in off-site factories. Delivery of affordable housing will improve labour mobility and protect the economy. The loss of some buyto-let interest relief will curb the expansion of investment in the sector. Although […] a boost for first-time buyers, it is likely to weaken demand, particularly for new-build[s]. This activity is vital to underpin construction finance and will run counter to the need for higher rates of new supply.” jll.com

The most controversial announcement from the budget, which could affect the lettings market, was a cut in tax relief on mortgage interest payments for buy-tolet landlords. Landlords with a rental portfolio will have a significant change in tax status and those planning to purchase a buy-to-let property will need to factor this into their calculations. As the sales market has steadily increased over the past few years, rental yields remain relatively low in Islington. However, with this extra cost for landlords, we could start to see upward pressure on rent. And although phased from 2017 to 2020 some landlords may look to pass this cost on to the tenants sooner in preparation. Some landlords may decide to sell off their investment properties if their costs were to increase considerably, this will in turn tighten the levels of rental properties and increase rents. Islington will continue to grow as we have many new developments being built, including nine residential towers along and around City Road and the 62-acre site at Kings Cross. This should balance out the loss of landlords exiting the market and cope with the high levels of demand for rental accommodation close to the City. Corporate relocation remains high, bucking concerns that London as a leading hub was under threat. A number of large hedge funds are planning to expand or launch in London, a sign that international investors continue to gravitate towards the capital. We are seeing an increase in families relocating to London and renting for two to three years with budgets that would satisfy West London post codes, but deciding on Islington as it has so much to offer. The summer months are religiously the busiest time for lettings, with the international student market reaching its peak in September and October. This, combined with healthy stock levels, will mean the market will continue to favour both tenants and landlords. Over the past three years the student market has increased by 36 per cent, with student budgets outperforming the finance sector. Today’s students are more desirable tenants but also more demanding, as they are drawn to the sophisticated developments and require peace and quiet. Knight Frank Islington 0203 657 7360 knightfrank.co.uk/Islington

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Braeburn House, Blackheath SE3 Four bedroom detached house A contemporary new build house with double height ceilings, mezzanine floor and double aspect views located within 0.5 miles of The Heath. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, open plan kitchen, garden, balcony, private parking. EPC: C. Approximately 192.03 sq m (2,067 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £1,650,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/canarywharf cwharf@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6112

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/CNW150122

The City-August 2015-crop

16/07/2015 09:46:34

Cit

Yvon House, Battersea Park SW11 Spacious three bedroom flat near Battersea Park An extremely spacious, lateral three bedroom property in a secure development with double height ceiling. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 reception room, terrace, concierge. EPC: D. Approximately 122sq m (1,322 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 124 years remaining

Guide price: £1,300,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/riverside riverside@knightfrank.com 020 3597 7670

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/RVR150097

City Mag August 2015

14/07/2015 09:51:12

WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE? To find out how we can help you or to arrange a complimentary market appraisal please contact us: KnightFrank.co.uk/wapping wapping@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5372

Guide price: £1,100,000

Capital Wharf, Wapping E1W Riverview flat with good sized wrap around balcony. 2 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, dual aspect reception room, kitchen, 24 hour porterage, parking. EPC: B. Approximately 92 sq m (994 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 980 years remaining. wapping@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 5372

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £685,000

Duke Shore Wharf, Limehouse E14 Purpose built flat with balcony and river views. 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, reception room, kitchen, private riverside gardens, garage parking. EPC: D. Approximately 79 sq m (850 sq ft). Share of freehold wapping@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 5372

297h 210w Mayfair Mag

20/07/2015 16:01:15

Nicosia Road, Wandsworth SW18 Located on the Toast Rack An outstanding house located on the “Toast Rack”. 6 double bedrooms (1 en suite), 4 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen/dining room, family room, utility room, downstairs cloakroom, gym/media room, south facing garden, off street parking. EPC: E. Approximately 407 sq m (4,388 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £3,600,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/wandsworth wandsworth@knightfrank.com 020 8682 7777

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WND110216

Kensington & Chelsea Magazine

20/07/2015 17:10:33

The City The City The City There are few places in London that offer

There are few are places in London that offer There few places in London that offer such a diverse shopping experience as Old such a diverse shopping experience as Old as Old such a diverse shopping Spitalfields Market. Once aexperience rural marketplace Spitalfields Market. Once a Once rural marketplace rural marketplace on Spitalfields the outskirtsMarket. of the capital,aSpitalfields on the outskirts of the capital, Spitalfields on the of the today is aoutskirts vibrant hub of capital, activity Spitalfields filled with today istoday a vibrant hub of activity filled with a vibrant hub of activity filled with colourful isfood stalls, restaurants, artisan colourful food stalls, restaurants, artisan artisan colourful stalls, restaurants, produce and food antiques. produceproduce and antiques. and antiques. We are delighted to be joining the Aldgate neighbourhood We arewith delighted tolettings be joining the Aldgate neighbourhood our new office, whichthe will open this summer. We are delighted to be joining Aldgate neighbourhood with our new lettings office, which will open this summer. Whatever your proper ty needs, our team will be able to with our new lettings office, which will open this summer. Whatever your proper ty needs, our team will be able to help, so please contact ustynow on: our team will be able to Whatever your proper needs, help, so please contact us now on: help, so please contact us now on: 020 3463 0418 or at aldgate@knightfrank.com 020 3463 0418 or at aldgate@knightfrank.com 020 3463 0418 or at aldgate@knightfrank.com KnightFrank.co.uk/aldgate

KnightFrank.co.uk/aldgate KnightFrank.co.uk/aldgate

WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE? To find out how we can help you or to arrange your no obligation market appraisal please contact us: KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366

Guide price: £325 per week

Riverside Mansions, Wapping E1W

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Lovely spacious flat looking over the Shadwell Basin. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception dining room, kitchen, parking space and access to the communal gym. EPC: E. Available furnished. wappinglettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 5366

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £525 per week

Telfords Yard, Wapping E1W Characterful warehouse conversion close to Tower Hill and St Katherine Docks. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception/dining room, kitchen, underground parking and porterage. EPC: E. Approximately 115 sq m (1,237 sq ft). Available furnished. wappinglettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 5366

297h 210w Mayfair Mag

20/07/2015 15:35:13

WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE? To find out how we can help you or to arrange your no obligation market appraisal please contact us: KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366

Guide price: £435 per week

Christopher Court, City E1

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Modern and contemporary second floor flat with a designer furniture package close to the City. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, open plan kitchen, reception/dining room, balcony and porterage. EPC: C. wappinglettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 5366

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £950 per week

Cinnabar Wharf, Wapping E1W Modern two bedroom flat on the second floor with lovely river views. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception/dining room, kitchen, balcony and 24 hour porterage. Approximately 100 sq m (1,084 sq ft). Available furnished. wappinglettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 5371

297h 210w Mayfair Mag

20/07/2015 15:35:13

Knight Frank Canary Wharf 020 8022 4381 Knight Frank Tower Bridge 020 8022 4382 Knight Frank Wapping 020 8022 4380

Lettings advert - City Mag

15/07/2015 14:28:16

| HOMES & PROPERTY |

Insider Knowledge

SUPPLY & DEMAND Diana Alam, Head of Residential Development Sales, JLL

JLL’s Mid-Year Market Update outlines a number of challenges preventing long-term rates of higher supply. Of the challenges identified, which is the most considerable and why? The general election result and the move from a coalition government to a Conservative majority rule has prompted a period of continuity and stability for the UK housing market. As the threat of Mansion Tax dissipates and the Stamp Duty reform measures bed down, we are seeing a return in transactional activity and renewed growth in pricing. But the one issue that still remains high on the agenda, and is at the heart of the current housing crisis, is the issue of supply. Since 2010, the coalition government introduced a number of successful housing policies but these largely focused on stimulating the demand-side of the market – help-to-buy and support for the build-to-rent/private rented community (PRC) delivery model being prime examples, rather than addressing the real issue. Many of these policies will continue into this government and while we expect to see continued growth in the market, how we address the under-supply of housing is another problem altogether. Is the current rate of supply a temporary problem that the industry supply chains will sort out in due course, or does the government need to find a radical solution to address the delivery of new housing? George Osborne announced in his Stability Budget and Productivity report recently, further measures to address the UK planning system to speed up house building as part of its wider Productivity Plan for the UK. But while this has been commended in principle, the devil remains in the detail and the industry is already asking how these reforms will work in practice. The emphasis seems narrowly focused on homeownership, with limited scope for alternative housing product. Simplifying the planning regime for brownfield land sounds positive; however, no indication has been given regarding timescales. It will also be interesting to see how, or indeed whether, the government steps in to ensure that the resulting housing delivery is affordable, and how this impacts on viability. A more basic

question is whether housing is being pushed to the detriment of other land uses, and how this sits with the National Policy Planning Framework’s (NPPF) emphasis on sustainable development. In response to these reforms, JLL believes that these changes are likely to have only a modest impact on housing delivery rates in the short term. While it is a positive step forward in addressing the pace of delivery, we are unclear if this will be a success as the industry is already running at capacity. Construction cost inflation is already pushing six to eight per cent as supply chain and labour markets are still recovering from the 2009/2010 downturn. A shortage of construction workers is another problem facing the market, and the simple fact that we don’t have the skilled workers required to meet the needs is another issue addressed by the Chancellor when pledging support for three million new apprenticeships. Long term, the Chancellor has laid down the gauntlet to house builders and developers. The industry must respond to these reforms with new investment in modern methods of construction that bring the UK’s building methods into the 21st-century. JLL 020 7337 4004 jll.co.uk/residential

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

123

1 2

savills.co.uk

HERMITAGE COURT, e1w

NAVIGATION HOUSE, se16

Reception room ø kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø balcony ø concierge ø protected parking ø communal courtyard ø 87 sq m (941 sq ft) ø EPC=C

Open plan reception room/kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø 2 terraces ø gym ø concierge ø garage ø 100 sq m (1,078 sq ft) ø EPC=B

Guide £725,000 Share of Freehold

Guide £850,000 Leasehold

Savills Wapping llaws@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Wapping mmacfarlane@savills.com 020 7456 6800

PARK VISTA TOWER, e1w

STRATA BUILDING, se1

Reception room ø kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø roof terrace ø balcony ø use of residents gym and cinema ø concierge ø protected parking ø 106 sq m (1,138 sq ft) ø EPC=B

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø 24hr concierge ø underground parking ø exceptional views ø 151 sq m (1,625 sq ft) ø EPC=C

Guide £1.139 million Leasehold

Guide £1.4 million Leasehold

Savills Wapping llaws@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Wapping mmacfarlane@savills.com 020 7456 6800

3 4

L L O

1 2

savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

MILLHARBOUR, e14

OLIVERS WHARF, e1w

4 bedrooms (2 en suite) ø 2 reception rooms ø kitchen ø 2 further bathrooms ø 2 terraces ø 2 allocated parking spaces ø porter ø Council Tax=G ø EPC=C

3 bedrooms (1 en suite) ø reception room ø kitchen ø further bathroom ø 2 balconies ø allocated parking ø porter ø Council Tax=H ø EPC=C

Furnished £2,500 per week

Unfurnished £1,600 per week

+ £276 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* Savills Canary Wharf lbushell@savills.com 020 7531 2505

+ £276 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* Savills Wapping kdabrila@savills.com 020 7456 6817

STERLING MANSIONS, e1

MOLINES WHARF, e14

2 bedrooms (1 en suite) ø reception room ø kitchen ø further bathroom ø communal gardens ø 24 hour porter ø Council Tax=F ø EPC=C

2 bedrooms (1 en suite) ø reception room ø kitchen ø further bathroom ø balcony ø allocated parking ø Council Tax=G ø EPC=C

Furnished £695 per week

Unfurnished £690 per week

+ £276 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* Savills Wapping jpuodziukaite@savills.com 020 7456 6824

+ £276 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* Savills Canary Wharf lbrunning@savills.com 020 7531 2523

3 4

*£36 additional tenant/occupant/guarantor referencereference where required. check out fee -check charged at the of or early *£36inc incVAT VATfor foreach each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor whereInventory required. Inventory out fee end – charged at termination the end of or early termination ofofthe andand the amount is dependent on the property and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details For including fee, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees. thetenancy tenancy the amount is dependent on the size property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. moreexample details,inventory visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Butlers Wharf West, SE1 2YA - £1,500 per week (charges apply) River facing apartment finished to a high quality, with views of Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf. Concierge and parking included. EPC: B

Butlers & Colonial Wharf, SE1 2PY- £1,095 per week (charges apply) Rare two bedroom apartment (+guest room/study), with private entrance, wooden floors and contemporary fittings throughout. EPC: C

Tooley Street, SE1 2JX - £923 per week (charges apply) Two bedroom, two reception, open plan kitchen/dining room, with two bathrooms and shower room, roof terrace, and amenities close by. EPC:D

Anchor Brewhouse, SE1 2LY - £675 per week (charges apply) Stunning and recently refurbished apartment, boasting an superb roof terrace, with direct views of the River Thames, City and Canary Wharf Skyline. EPC: B

Evans Granary Apartments, SE1 9LB - £550 per week (charges apply) Fantastic high quality apartment in this superb development located in the heart of Borough Market. With contemporary kitchen and luxury fittings. EPC: B

Tennis Court, SE1 9BN - £495 per week (charges apply) Fantastic one bedroom apartment offered in excellent order, situated in an enviable location moments from the amenities and transport links. EPC: B

Hamptons Tower Bridge Office Sales. 020 7717 5489 | Lettings. 020 7717 5491

Beckenham 020 8663 4433 Bromley 020 8315 5544

The Dale, Keston BR2

Chislehurst 020 8295 4900 Locksbottom 01689 882 988

Orpington 01689 661 400 West Wickham 020 8432 7373

£1,899,995 F/H

Magnificent detached family home occupying a tranquil spot on the edge of the pretty village of Keston. The house has been constructed to the owners’ exacting specification and design, offering accommodation of 5,300 sq ft (approx). Comprises five bedroom suites, four reception rooms, landscaped gardens, infinity pool and gymnasium.

Contact Locksbottom 01689 882 988

Beckenham BR3

£1,075,000 F/H

Imposing semi detached house located on a central and popular road in Beckenham. The property offers potential to improve on what is already a great family home. • Five bedrooms • Four reception rooms

• Extensive garden • Energy Efficiency Rating F

Contact Beckenham 020 8663 4433

Shirley CR0

• • • •

Five bedroom suites Infinity pool Gymnasium Energy Efficiency Rating B

£1,950,000 F/H

Set within 3/4 of an acre of private and sought after surroundings, is this beautifully presented detached house. A stunning home which offers tranquillity and opulence. • Five bedrooms • Landscaped grounds

• Four bathrooms • Energy Efficiency Rating D

Contact West Wickham 020 8432 7373 A member of

The Acorn Group, incorporating:

langfordrussell.co.uk

KENSINGTON APARTMENTS, ALDGATE E1 ● ● ● ●

1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Approx. 625 sq ft (58.1 sq m) Balcony

● ● ● ●

High specification 24 Hour concierge Aldgate underground station EPC rating B

Guide price £625,000 Leasehold For more information, call Bernard Cully 020 7715 9708 or email bernard.cully@eu.jll.com

16-17 Royal Exchange London EC3V 3LL

jll.co.uk/residential

LOLLARD STREET, ALBERT EMBANKMENT SE11 ● ● ● ●

1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Approx. 577 sq ft (53.6 sq m) Large balcony

● ● ● ●

Concierge Residents' gym Waterloo station EPC rating B

Price £395 per week Furnished For more information, call Neil Short 020 7337 4005 or email neil.short@eu.jll.com

Potential tenants are advised that administration fees may be payable when renting a property. Please ask for details of our charges.

16-17 Royal Exchange London EC3V 3LL

jll.co.uk/residential

LENNOX GARDENS, KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW1X ● ● ● ●

3 Double bedrooms 1 Bathroom 1 Shower room Guest cloakroom

● ● ● ●

Reception room Fully fitted kitchen Approx. 1,455 sq ft (135 sq m) EPC: current (C) potential (C)

Price £2,250 per week Furnished For more information, call James Grant 020 7306 1630 or email jgrant@waellis.com

Potential tenants are advised that administration fees may be payable when renting a property. Please ask for details of our charges.

174 Brompton Road London SW3 1HP

waellis.com

SWAN COURT, CHELSEA MANOR STREET, CHELSEA SW3 ● ● ● ●

Double bedroom Bathroom Reception room Kitchen

● ● ● ●

Lift Porter Approx. 637 sq ft (59 sq m) EPC rating: D

Guide price £1,350,000 Leasehold with 77 years remaining For more information, call James Burridge 020 7306 1610 or email jburridge@waellis.com

174 Brompton Road London SW3 1HP

waellis.com

Set in the heart of the exciting South Bank, adjacent to the London Eye, Southbank Place is uniquely positioned to embrace all that the cultural South Bank has to offer. This new destination will offer a range of apartments with stunning views over the River Thames, The London Eye and The Palace of Westminster. A development by Braeburn Estates Limited Partnership

Computer generated image is indicative only

LAUNCHING 17TH SEPTEMBER 2015

Aberdeen Court W9 ÂŁ2,000,000 A bright and spacious three-bedroom apartment, ideally located only a short walk from the fantastic array of local amenities in Clifton Road and superb transport links. EPC=D

Little Venice: 020 7993 3050 sales.lve@marshandparsons.co.uk

Bristol Gardens W9 ÂŁ1,900,000 A beautifully presented three-bedroom maisonette benefitting from a sunny terrace and communal gardens, ideally located close to Warwick Avenue and Paddington stations. Share of Freehold. EPC=F

Little Venice: 020 7993 3050 sales.lve@marshandparsons.co.uk

Canary Wharf Office 020 3006 7788

Landmark East Tower, E14 ÂŁ439 per week fees apply

epc 1

Yes

0.2m

1.5m

Landmark East Tower offers some of the highest residential accommodation in Canary Wharf; this one bedroom apartment sits on the thirty fourth floor boasting spectacular West facing views of London. The complex benefits from 24 hour porter and on-site gym, ideally located within a few minutes walk to Canary Wharf business centre and transport links.

Canary Wharf Office 020 3006 7788

Cahir Street, E14 ÂŁ599,950 Freehold

epc 3

Yes

0.2m

1.6m

A fantastic opportunity to acquire a period freehold property ideally located in a quiet, low traffic area. Sitting within walking distance of Canary Wharf and Underground/DLR stations as well as Mudchute Park and Greenwich close by. An ideal purchase for professional sharers or a small family.

Shoreditch Office 020 3535 7788

Baxendale Street, E2 ÂŁ1,100,000 Freehold

epc 2

Yes

0.7m

0.5m

TBC

This stunning two bedroom Victorian house located in the beautiful Jesus Green Conservation Area is superbly located just outside of the City. The property boasts original features including wooden flooring, sash windows and high ceilings elegantly mixed with stylish interiors and modern fittings.

Bow Office 020 8981 7788

Woodstock Terrace, E14 ÂŁ950,000 Freehold

epc 4

Yes

0.1m

1.1m

Arranged over four floors is this impressive Victorian terraced house spanning 1473 square feet and offering flexible accommodation. The property is situated on a tranquil no-through road in Poplar just moments from the High Street and DLR stations, with Canary Wharf also in walking distance. Offered chain free.

122 Newgate Street London EC1A 7AA

T: 020 7600 0026 W: www.scottcity.co.uk e: property@scottcity.co.uk

Charterhouse Square, EC1 £420,000 Leasehold Located in the historic and extremely charming area of Charterhouse Square is this Art Deco building called Florin Court. This studio is situated on the fourth floor of the building and offers entrance hall, small bathroom,re-fitted kitchen and studio room. Key features include a communal roof garden, a basement which includes a swimming pool, sauna and a small gym. There is also a laundry room and a day porter. FLORIN COURT is situated close to BARBICAN(Circle Line), St PAUL’S (Central Line) and the new Crossrail Station, Farringdon (under construction, due 2018). Within walking distance are Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Tesco.

Andrewes House, Barbican, EC2 £900,000 Leasehold Situated on the first floor of Andrewes House is this two bedroom (type 21) flat having a south facing balcony to the front and to the rear a north aspect overlooking the Barbican gardens and lake. The property offers a re-fitted kitchen, reception room with south facing balcony, original bathroom and cloakroom and two bedrooms to the rear overlooking the gardens. Andrewes House is situated close to MOORGATE (Northern Line), St PAUL’S (Central Line) Mansion House and the new Crossrail Station at Moorgate(under construction, due 2018).

St. Pauls, EC1 £385 Per Week

Temple, EC4 £650 Per Week

This ONE BEDROOM property has carpeted flooring throughout, the only exception is the tiled kitchen and bathroom. The Kitchen is completely fully fitted including washer / dryer, dishwasher. Other key features include day concierge and the short walk to either St Paul’s or Barbican Tube Station.

AVAILABLE NOW - This fantastic TWO BEDROOM property has SOLID WOOD FLOORING throughout and is offered FULLY FURNISHED. The kitchen has a very warm modern feel boasting such features as a washer/dryer. Benefits from lift access, DAY CONCIERGE and SECURE UNDERGROUND PARKING.

West Smithfield, EC1 £425 Per Week

Covent Garden, WC2 £465 Per Week

Situated in this modern one bedroom apartment is offered fully furnished and has limestone flooring throughout. As part of the spacious living area there is a fully fitted kitchen. Other key features include a tiled bathroom with shower and the flats locality to either St Paul’s or Barbican.

A ONE BEDROOM flat set within a gated development in the heart of Covent Garden, this lovely one bedroom flat has been recently refurbished by the present owner to include fitted kitchen, bathroom with shower, good size bedroom, reception room, new carpets and new furniture. AVAILABLE NOW.

Capital Wharf, West Wapping E1W ea2 are pleased to offer this bright 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment with stunning River views from the balcony on the second floor within this sought after development. The master bedrooms ensuite comprises of a 4 piece bathroom a separate Wellington Terrace, Wapping E1W suite. The second bathroom is also an ensuite in the second bedroom. Wooden floors throughout and has £695,000 room.bedroom, 24 hour concierge and house use of residents gymthis Secure underground parking. Close toThe transport links to canary the city. 2cloak double 2 storey set within gated CCTV development. property has beenwharf fullyand modernised to include double glazing, replacement ceilings, wood floors, , alarm, central heating system operated via remote control, smart phone or internet. Lounge. Fully fitted kitchen. Double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes. Garden. Secure Underground parking space. Potential to extend into the loft subject to planning permission. Close to Wapping station and local amenities.

£1,175,000

Spirit Quay, West Wapping E1W ea2 are pleased to offer for sale this modern built 2 bedroom ground and first floor duplex apartment.The apartment benefits from lounge, fitted kitchen, 3 piece bathroom suite. Double glazing. LaminateTower wood floors. Views over ornamental canal. Allocated parking space. Close to St Katharine’s Dock and Tower Hill stations. Tudor House, Bridge, SE1

6th floor luxury 2 Double Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Open Plan Reception Room, large balcony. Master bedroom with en-suite and walk in wardrobe. Modern Integrated Kitchen, Balcony, 24 Hour Porter by Harrods Estates, Residents Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Lifts to all floors. Close to Local Shopping Facilities, Walking Distance to London Bridge.

£1,595,000

£545,000

St Katharine’s Way, West Wapping E1W

Croft Street, Tower Hill E1

Rental Price: £485 Per Week

Rental Price: £650 Per Week

Orchid Place, Shadwell E1

Orient Wharf, West Wapping E1W

ea2 are pleased to offer to let this 1980’s built substantial 3 storey, 3 double bedroom, 2 ea2 are pleased to offer to let this 1980’s built 2 bedroom 2nd and 3rd floor duplex bathroom house.The house comprises of fully fitted kitchen, reception leading to southerly apartment within thisWapping popular West Wapping RodingsetMews, E1W location.The apartment benefits from £1,300 per week facing garden. 3 Double bedrooms, 3 piece bathroom and 3 piece en-suite bathroom to 2 double bedrooms, fitted kitchen diner, bathroom with separate cloakroom, lounge ea2 are pleased to be able to show you this 6 bedroom 4 bathroom house for rental with a garden. This property is a master bedroom. Laminate wood floors. Allocated parking space. Backing onto Royal Mint with double doors leading to courtyard garden.The apartment is located close to St very unique property views over the canal. Would suit 6 professional people. Close totoTower Hill and Wapping Gardens. Located close St Katharine’ s Dock, Tower Hill stations and the City of London. Katharine’s Dock and Towerand Hill has station. Overground and close to Waitrose. The property is to be re-decorated prior to the tenancy commencement.

ea2 are pleased to offer you this 2 bedroom river view apartment. It is a duplex ea2 are pleased to offer to let this top floor (8th floor) 1 bedroom modern built apartment with a seperate mezzanine galleried bedroom area as well as the main apartment.The apartment benefits from under floor heating, large storage cupboard, Cascades Tower, Docklands E14 £500 week bedroom. This can be furnished or unfurnished. Wooden floors throughper out. Close to south facing balcony with splendid views towards canary wharf. open plan living room/ 2 double 2 bathroom 11th floor within this secure modern development. Comprising a reception Wapping overground Station and local amenities. kitchen withbedroom, dishwasher. close to Shadwell station andapartment Tower Hill Stations.

room with water/ City views, fitted kitchen, master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe & en suite bathroom, additional Rental Price: £450 Per Week Rental Price: £360 Swimming Per Week shower room. Balcony. pool, Gymnasium & Tennis court. Concierge.

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we will be offering new clients a

discount on our award winning sales,

lettings and management services

off our award winning sales, lettings and management services. This truly is a unique opportunity to receive the very best service in the property industry at a discounted rate.

City Office

Tel: 020 7538 9250

Tel: 020 7377 5788

docklands@lourdes-estates.com

Recent Awards

city@lourdes-estates.com

Accreditations Lourdes Estate Agents is one of the few agencies who are fully accredited by:

Sales Agency

Winner

Female Estate Agent

Winner

• The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) • National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) • Safe Agent • London Rental Standard (LRS)

Newcomer

Winner

Lettings Agency

Winner

• National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) • The Property Ombudsman (TPO)

www.lourdes-estates.com

City office 020 7377 5788 city@lourdes-estates.com

www.lourdes-estates.com

Altitude Point, Alie Street, E1

Braintree House, Malcolm Road, E1

An outstanding, 18th floor, one bedroom apartment with private balcony offering views of the city, in the newly completed and highly prestigious Altitude Point. Conveniently located from Aldgate East tube station and The City, this apartment is ideal for both owner occupiers looking for a prime location and those wanting a solid investment opportunity.

Lovely two bedroom, fourth floor ex-local authority flat. Boasting large bright reception room, leading to its own private balcony. With two good sized bedroom, family bathroom and separate WC, this flat is a fantastic investment in a great location.

EPC = C

EPC = D

£630,000

£395,000

Conant Mews, E1

Dance Square, EC1V

Lourdes present to market this stunning one double bedroom apartment located in the popular Conant Mews development in Tower Hill, E1. The property has been refurbished to a very high standard and specification featuring all mod cons, a marble bathroom and hard wood flooring throughout.

Lourdes present to market this stunning, state of the art, third floor two double bedroom apartment located within the extremely sought after Dance Square development. The property features a spacious reception with under floor heating throughout leading onto a private balcony, a modern kitchen, two extra-large doubles and two bathrooms, one en-suite

EPC = C

£370 Per week

EPC = B

£655 Per week

City office: 20 White Church Lane, Aldgate, London, E1 7QR city@lourdes-estates.com I 020 7377 5788

London’s Finest Properties

LOVE LONDON LOVE LIFE LETTINGS | MANAGEMENT | SALES | SERVICED APARTMENTS City_DPS_Generic.indd 1

13/05/2015 13:47

City_

UK’S LEADING PRIVATELY OWNED

REAL ESTATE AGENCY SPECIALISING IN

NEW LUXURY DEVELOPMENTS

WITH 11 OFFICES IN LONDON

3 INTERNATIONAL OFFICES 120 DEDICATED STAFF WHO SPEAK OVER 32 LANGUAGES 020 8896 9990 | liferesidential.co.uk 13:47

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Your chance to enjoy

village living in the City www.gmv.gb.com 020 8305 2712

Brand new release of contemporary 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments in Greenwich.

Guide prices from ÂŁ350,000 Register your interest now Marketing Suite open every day 10am-5pm

Greenwich Millennium Village is a joint venture between Countryside Properties and Taylor Wimpey in association with the Mayor of London.

Price information correct at time of going to print. July 2015.

5953 CPUK GMV ad 297x210.indd 1

22/07/2015 11:18

THE BEST OF EAST LONDON LIVING

Computer generated images are illustrative only.

LAUNCHING SEPTEMBER 2015 1, 2 AND 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS, MOST WITH BALCONY OR TERRACE Prices from £325,000 Discover Merchants Walk in the Devons Road area between Canary Wharf and the Olympic Village in thriving London E3. Featuring a mix of light and airy, modern apartments designed for open plan living, Merchants Walk is perfectly placed to enjoy the best of East London Living.

DEVONS ROAD Stratford – 5 mins* Canary Wharf – 10 mins Oxford Circus – 15 mins Bank – 16 mins London City Airport – 20 mins * Source: Transport for London. Journey times cannot be guaranteed.

CALL NOW TO FIND OUT MORE

020 3369 8684

M ER C H A N T S W A L K.CO .U K PB_MW_City_Magazine_210x297_July15.indd 1

22/07/2015 11:30

Je ss ops at N ew P rov i d en ce Whar f D ocklands E1 4

IF YOU LIVED HERE, YOU’D BE WALKING TO WORK

A C A N A RY W H A R F POS TCODE COUL D B E YOURS This exciting collection of high specification 1 & 2 bedroom apartments is available now through Shared Ownership with Genesis. Built to the highest standards and in an unrivalled location, living at Jessops is the epitome of stylish, contemporary living. Come and see for yourself how Shared Ownership with Genesis could help cut your commute!

1 & 2 bedroom apartments Prices start from £101,875 for a 25% share*

0203 813 5149

Call or visit genesishahomes.org.uk/new-providence-wharf *Based on a full market value of £407,500. Eligibility rules apply. Details correct at time of going to press. Photographs show typical homes at New Providence Wharf.

L AT E R A L P E N T H O U S E S W I T H S P E C TAC U L A R C I T Y V I E W S

EXCEPTIONAL THREE BEDROOM PENTHOUSE NOW AVAILABLE; ∕ 2,250 SQ FT WITH LUXURIOUS SPECIFICATION ∕ READY TO MOVE INTO FULLY FURNISHED ∕ TWO UNDERGROUND PARKING SPACES INCLUDED ∕ 24 HOUR CONCIERGE / PRICE FROM £2.25M View from Penthouse One and interior images from Penthouse Three.

TO V I E W, CO N TAC T

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INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO RAISING RETURNS We focus on the burgeoning East London housing market this month, as both new and rare properties continue to stoke buyers’ interest. Following the July Budget, there have also been some concerns over how the buy-to-let division of the housing market will be affected, with the Financial Times naming landlords as the new “tax raising target.” So, even if you’re not looking purely to invest for this reason, it’s worth being aware of how strong potential rental yields are for the future.

MERCHANTS WALK This summer, Peabody moves east of the City with its latest addition, Merchants Walk. With the average rental yield expected to be in the region of 5 per cent* in the better performing E3 post-code, these one, two and three-bedroom apartments make for a great investment. David Jubb, Savills Greater London Development & Sales Team says: “As the first of four phases to be launched in the scheme, those buying now can expect to see strong capital growth at Merchants Walk and a good return on their investment in the future.” The development is conveniently located adjacent to Devons Road DLR, and Bromley-by-Bow underground station is a mere 10 minute walk away, allowing residents to be in the City, Canary Wharf or Central London in minutes. Buyers can also enjoy a number of local amenities including Lea Valley walks and a Westfield shopping centre.

From £325,000

Merchants Walk, E3 020 3369 8684, merchantswalk.co.uk

*The estimated yield is dependent on the type and size of the apartment.

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| HOMES & PROPERTY |

THE LISTED BUILDING This stunning four bedroom apartment is located in the Grade II The Listed Building situated in the Wapping Wall conservation area. Such apartments with a wealth of space are rarely available on the open market. This apartment has breath-taking views across the River Thames and towards the iconic Canary Wharf skyline. The accommodation comprises an impressive lounge fronting onto the Thames, fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, four double bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms and a separate WC. The Listed Building further benefits from secure parking, a 24-hour concierge, residents’ swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym and function room. Originally built in the 1780s, The Listed Building was the original Free Trade Wharf where free trade was first conducted with the Dutch. It later became a gunpowder warehouse. This fabulous apartment is located within walking distance of an array of pubs and restaurants in Wapping and on Narrow Street as well as being within easy reach of Canary Wharf and the City.

£2,100,000

The Listed Building, E1W 020 7538 9250 lourdes-estates.com

GREENWICH MILLENIUM VILLAGE The latest phase of one, two and three bedroom apartments is being launched this August at Greenwich Millennium Village, a development by Countryside and Taylor Wimpey, in association with the Mayor of London. Complete with a primary school, nursery, Ecology Park, yacht club and a selection of shops, it’s a promising ready-made community space, and with anticipated rental yields of up to 5.05 per cent, it’s an equally strong investment opportunity. Designed by award winning architects Jestico + Whiles, the development has high environmental standards, with cycle storage for all homes. It also benefits from green space, manmade lakes and easy access to the riverside, while also being located just a few minutes’ walk from historical Greenwich and North Greenwich tube station, with Jubilee line connections to Canary Wharf and Bond Street among others.

From £350,000

Greenwich Millennium Village, SE10 020 8305 2712 gmv.gb.com

THE CITY MAGAZINE | August 2015

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LONDONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S YOUNGEST LANDMARK

An iconic addition to the London skyline Now Launched Berkeley Homes & Foster + Partners are proud to present South Quay Plaza, two iconic buildings just moments from Canary Wharf. At 68 storeys and with world class facilities, South Quay Plaza will redefine London living.

Suites, 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments For further information, please call 020 3811 1532 or email southquayplaza@berkeleygroup.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @BerkeleyStyle and on Instagram @Berkeley_Style Details are correct at time of going to press and subject to apartment type and availability. Computer Generated Image depicts South Quay Plaza. ÂŠ DBOX for Berkeley Homes.

www.southquayplaza.london Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

| HOMES & PROPERTY |

Development Highlight

LONDON HORSEPOWER Commissioned by Berkeley Homes at Goodman’s Fields, Aldgate (where once Mr. Goodman leased out the fields for London’s livery horses), British sculptor Hamish Mackie last month unveiled his six bronze horses at a new public square. Standing proud (or galloping proud, rather) at the heart of a seven-acre, mixed-use development, it is hoped the artwork will bring to life the history of the site. Racing an arc shape through the piazza, the lead stallion rears up dramatically in a striking pose, which is sure to be an iconic meeting place for the new residents and locals who are grabbing an alfresco coffee or meeting friends. In line with the central sculpture, John Murdoch of Murdoch Wickham Landscape Architects, was also commissioned to design a landscape that complements the placement of the horses. Mature trees, pools and waters features follow the curved path of the horses’ charge, creating a truly inviting space for locals to relax. Goodman’s Fields, E1 020 3217 1000 goodmansfields.co.uk

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Central Piazza at Goodmans Fields now open Home to six life-sized bronze horses Studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses available. Prices from ÂŁ735,000. Call 020 3773 5736 or email goodmans@berkeleygroup.co.uk Sales & Marketing Suite open 7 days a week 10am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6pm (Open until 8pm on Wednesdays and 4pm on Sundays) 39 Leman Street, London, E1 8EY Prices and details correct at time of going to press and subject to availability. Photography depicts Central Piazza at Goodmans Fields.

www.goodmansfields.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

ÂŠ2015 TUMI, INC.

Tumi Stores Regent Street and Westfield Also available at Harrods, Selfridges and Heathrow Airport