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issue no.
88
FEBRUARY 2015
contents on the cover 22
TOP TABLES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY Nick Savage enlightens us to some of the best spots to book for Valentine’s Day; restaurants where tables have become commodities
28
SIR BEN KINGSELY James Lawrence meets one of cinema’s most diverse and compelling actors to discuss typecasting, personal privacy and why he never reads reviews
34
SPACE & TIME The City Magazine catches up with the world’s most famous interstellar photographer and guitarstrumming spaceman, Chris Hadfield
38
THE NEW HUBBLE Discover the James Webb Space Telescope; 100 times more powerful than the Hubble, it will peer back in time to the very edge of the Universe
42
SPARRING PARTNERS: DYSON VS. MIELE Two of the most prominent domestic technology figureheads battle it out for brand dominance
44
WAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Gavin Haines questions whether our jobs are safe from artificial intelligence and the so-called second machine age.
64
cOVER STORY: STAR SHIP The ultimate boys’ toy – a music box resembling the fictional Starship Enterprise
p17
REGULARS
28
15
LIFESTYLE: THE CITY EDIT The commodities and consumables topping our wish list for Febuary
50
COLLECTION: SCREEN TIME lex Doak lifts the lid on the classier side of product A placement with timepieces captured on film
72
FASHION: man of steel Casual attire takes the driving seat on location at Aston Martin HQ
94
MOTORING: SIZE MATTERS Matthew Carter is seriously impressed as he takes to the wheel behind Mercedes’ latest C-Class
104
ART & INTERIORS: SUNSHINE WHEN SKIES ARE GREY A primary colour pop breathes new life into a timeless neutral in our edit of how to revive a has-been home
98
LIFESTYLE: TECH TALK Unplug your acoustic set-up with our roundup of the best premium wireless speakers
106 TRAVEL: NYC: THROUGH THE CONCRETE JUNGLE
T he City Magazine compiles the ultimate itinerary for when you only have a weekend in The Big Apple
142 HOMES & PROPERTY: MARSH & PARSONS
86
The London estate agent is adding to its existing network this month with a new Shoreditch office
M ESUR E ET D ÉMESUR E *
TONDA METROPOLITAINE
Steel Automatic movement Steel bracelet 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 WINDSOR ROBERT GATWARD JEWELLERS
issue no.
88
February 2015
Contributors
E d i t o r - in-Chi ef Lesley Ellwood
M a n a g i n g Editor Emma Johnson (maternity leave)
a ct i n g Editor 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
C HRIS ALLSO P
DO M INI C NI C HOLLS
Chris is a Bath-based freelance
Photographer Dominic has shot
J A M E S LA W R E N C E A self-confessed wine
journalist and photographer
a wealth of celebrities – Anthony
obsessive, James is usually
who mostly writes about travel ,
Hopkins and Rod Stewart to
our go-to-grape connoisseur.
film and cheese. Talking to
name drop a few… For The City
This month, he focuses on
the high-performance, Swiss
Magazine, Dominic captures
all things thespian, meeting
ski manufacturer Zai , Chris
polished precision and casual
one of the most diverse and
discovers the art of
attire on location at
compelling forces in cinema ;
ski production .
Aston Martin HQ.
Sir Ben Kingsley.
Melissa Emerson
E d i t o r i al int ern amy welch
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 Alex Powell Hugo Wheatley Oscar Viney Amy Roberts
P r oper t y D irec tor Samantha Ratcliffe
E x ecu t i ve D irector Sophie Roberts Zai for Bentley skis, £8,640, Zai, zai.ch
William Leather Monk-Strap Shoes, £780, John Lobb, johnlobb.com
The RSC Shakespeare: The Complete Works, £35, Palgrave Macmillan, palgrave.com
M a n a g i n g D ir ec tor Eren Ellwood
Published by
RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP
One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AX T: 020 7987 4320 rwmg.co.uk
J OS E P HIN E O ’ DONOGHU E
M AR K W E STALL
M ATTH E W C ART E R
Based in the Cotswolds,
Mark is Editor-in Chief of
Matthew is a former editor of
online art and culture magazine
Autocar and a noted freelance
FAD, Creative Director of
journalist who’s been writing
Josephine has worked as a writer and editor for six years, specialising in lifestyle, travel, culture and local features. In this month’s Sparring Partners, Josephine looks to two of the most prominent figureheads shaping domestic technology.
Members of the Professional Publishers Association
FAD Agency and our regular
about cars for most of his
source of information about
working life. This month he
interesting artists. This month
takes the new Mercedes C-class
responsibility for unsolicited
he introduces us to the work of
out for a spin.
submissions, manuscripts and
Polish artist Marek Szczesny.
Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept
photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. Subscriptions A free online subscription service is available for The City Magazine.
DC58, £229.99, Dyson, dyson.co.uk
Untitled, 2014, oil on canvas, cardboard, 210 x 170 cm, £POA, Marek Szczesny, markszczesny.com
Visit the subscriptions page Mercedes-Benz C 250, £35,510, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz.co.uk
on our website: rwmg.co.uk/subscribe
88 f r o m t h e E D I TOR issue no.
O
February 2015
n average, we check our phones every six and a half minutes. Three in four of us say we couldn’t go 24 hours without a computer. And, get this: when participants of a study were locked in an empty room for 15 minutes, researchers found that they would rather administer electric shocks to themselves than sit alone and think. In the age of instant gratification, we’d rather
inflict pain on ourselves than do nothing at all; a sign, surely, that the screens we’re addicted to have shortened our “It ’s said that the James Webb Space Telescope will be able to see the heat signature of a bumblebee at the distance of the Moon.”
– P. 38 –
attention spans and made us crave constant stimulus. Unfortunate, then, that this could be just the beginning. Some say we are on the cusp of a technological revolution like no other, a new dawn that could have a greater impact on our work and personal lives than anything that’s come before, including the Industrial Revolution. On page 46 of what we’ve dubbed our Machine issue, Chris Allsop considers the way artificial intelligence, in the so-called second machine age, is poised to revolutionise the economy. Are our digital advances doing
for mental power what the steam engine did for muscle power? When it comes to scientific instruments, the Hubble telescope is undoubtedly one of the most successful machines ever built. Its images have led to more than 11,000 scientific papers, doing more for our understanding of the universe than anything else we’ve ever produced. Imagine, then, what a gadget 100 times more powerful than Hubble might do. Find out on page 38. One man who knows more than most about technology’s potential to enlighten, is Chris Hadfield. He’s the astronaut who live-streamed a guitar-strumming performance while suspended in space. He managed to take some pretty mind-blowing photographs whilst he was up there, too. See a selection on page 34. View the rest in his new book You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes. Purchase it on a screen near you.
Richard brown, acting editor
Other titles within the RWMG portfolio
On the cover (p. 16) Image courtesy of MB&F. mbandf.com
MIXTE storage & ODESSA dining table. Design: Mauro Lipparini. VIK carver chair. Design: Thibault Desombre. HEX HEX rug. Design: Bertjan Pot. TRÉPIED floor lamps. Design: Normal Studio.
Ligne Roset City 37/39 Commercial Road London E1 1LF 0207 426 9670 www.ligne-roset-city.co.uk
| LIFESTYLE |
THE CITY EDIT The commodities and consumables raising our interest rates this month
CLASSIC COBRA
I
n 1965 Carroll Shelby’s small block Daytona Coupé won the World Manufacturers’ Championship. In the same year, the big block 427 Cobra was the winning model on both the track and street. It was an instant success, winning championships for several years running. So triumphant was the car, that it is widely considered to be America’s first super car. To celebrate its 50-year anniversary, Shelby American has produced a limited edition of fifty 427 anniversary Cobras. A collectable even before delivery, each model comes with special gold 50th anniversary badging, logos and features. Buyers can choose from aluminum (with or without
brushed stripes) or fibreglass bodies in Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes. “The big block Shelby Cobra changed the way the world viewed American manufacturers in January 1965,” said Joe Conway, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Shelby American. “Powerful and sophisticated, the big block Cobra represented the bold American spirit. Shelby American’s goal was to create the world’s first hyper car and the Cobra lived up to its potential.” 50th anniversary 427 Cobra, from £79,000 for fibreglass and from £120,000 for aluminium shelbyamerican.com
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
15
THE CITY EDIT PLEASE TOUCH
WEARABLE ENGINEERING Swiss-brand Roland Iten has designed a unique, mechanically performing belt mechanism to rival even the finest high-end watch movements. Incredible, handcrafted bridges, cogs, wheels, springs and pinions interconnect to create a mechanism that allows the wearer to obtain the absolute precise fit, microcustomised to any size. The Bugatti buckle not only allows an adjustment to the exact waist measurement, but affords an expansion range of 22mm. The sort of superfluousness we get excited about.
Chinese artist Xia Hang is all about allowing his audience to interact with art. “Perhaps I am drawn to the shine of metal and its durability” he says. “Metal is much stronger than stone or wood, yet it is still very malleable. I think that the changeable dynamics of metal are similar to the characteristics of humans.” To Poseidon, £25,000, mbandf.com
R22 Mark I Belt Buckle – Bugatti Edition, £POA, rolanditen.com
NYC’s Master & Dynamic hype its MH40 over-ear headphones as a “modern thinking cap”, designed to cancel out all outside distractions. Built with the creative workspace in mind, they’re far too cool to leave hooked up to your home stereo – stow them on your desktop, at your workbench or wherever else it is you let inspiration flow. MH40 Leather Over-Ear Headphones, £320, mrporter.com
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
The Champagne Sabre is designed for opening champagne bottles swiftly and, in case it isn’t obvious, extravagantly. In a method first popular with Napoleon’s French army, users should aim at where the vertical seam of the bottle meets the top lip of the bottle, and strike away from the base. MENU Champagne Sabre by Karim Rashid, £120, amazon.co.uk
HEAD CANDY
16
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
| LIFESTYLE |
THE HEART OF SOUND Truly mesmerising to look at, the Whaletone Royal Digital piano is for “connoisseurs of taste” for whom the form of an object must be equal to its function. Whaletone is not only a musical instrument – it’s also a beautiful, modern sculpture: a work of art. The piano will saturate a small space or, connected appropriately, will fill a stadium of any size with its sound. Fully adapted to the specification of the buyer, choose for yourself the colour of the housing or upholstered finish. Whaletone Royal Digital, from £69,000, whaletone.com
REIMAGINE THE ARTS Created in 1995 and Chosen by Guitarist magazine as one of the most important guitars of the 20th century, the Birdfish certainly ticks the boxes when it comes to collectors’ items, being both work of art and fine musical instrument. The winner of three design awards and on display in several museums, it’s an excellent choice for any fan of the arts.
STAR SHIP Is this the ultimate boy’s toy? Designed to resemble the fictional Starship Enterprise, the mechanical MusicMachine 2, with its rock and sci-fi melodies and innovative resonance soundboard, features all the traditional elements of a beautifully crafted, high-end music box. Created by REUGE, the music box manufacturer with nearly 150 years of expertise, the MM2 is powered by two independent movements playing three melodies: themes from Star Wars and Star Trek on one, and Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and The Clash on the other. MusicMachine 2, £POA, mbandf.com
Birdfish, £8,950, teuffel.com
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
17
200 years crafting a cognac with the perfect blend of aromas, so you can enjoy this moment.
14013 Cake XO 297x210.indd 1
24/11/2014 12:46
| NEWS |
CITY social
KEEPING the epicure nourished WITH the square mile’s Latest launches and CULINARY CRAZES
Sky Garden opens.
Leaves botanists baffled. Words: CONNOR SLANEY
T
he Walkie Talkie continues to cause controversy. Having melted cars with its solar death-glare before being fitted with ‘sun shades’, the muchunloved skyscraper has failed to deliver on its promise of providing Londoners’ with their newest public park in the form of Sky Garden. If, like The City Magazine, you were super-excited about finding a Madagascan rainforest perched atop one of the capital’s tallest buildings – as promised in original artist impressions – then, like us, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Less tropical oasis, more airport departure lounge, the towering palms and exotic plants seen in CGI turn out to be a few potted shrubs, a section of trampled mountainside and a handful of mist-makers. Lucky, then, that the three restaurants comprising the so-called Garden –Sky Pod Bar ( for drinks), Darwin Brasserie ( for traditional British fare) and Fenchurch
Seafood Bar & Grill ( for posh fish and seasonal game) – offer some of the best views in the capital. Except, they do, and they don’t. While the prospect of the Shard shimmering from the south is truly impressive – from Sky Garden you behold the behemoth from a completely unique perspective – the City’s other elevated eateries – Heron Tower’s SushiSamba and Duck & Waffle, Tower 42’s Vertigo and City Social, and the Gherkin’s Searcys – all provide an equally remarkable panoramic. It’s not just the hulking steelwork in which the top of 20 Fenchurch Street is wrapped, but the fact that a series of barriers, benches and hand rails prevent that nose-to-theglass kind of wow. But forget that. When it comes to overall experience, Sky Garden delivers in droves. The space is vast, brilliant for a corporate party or after work drinks, with Sky Pod providing a classier alternative to Madison’s rooftop. Service in Darwin Brasserie was almost
unfaultable, as was the food – the prawn cocktail starter and rib eye steak proving particular highlights. Neither the wine list nor the dessert menu is especially expansive but both cover the essential bases. Perhaps the best time to visit the Brassiere is for breakfast, when you can choose between a healthy or hot menu whilst watching the City come to life below. Had you not been privy to Sky Garden’s original plans, a trip to this rooftop hotspot certainly won’t disappoint. EC3, 20fenchurchstreet.co.uk
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
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| NEWS |
CITY social
Year of the Goat
The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, SE1 9RY, hutong.co.uk
If you’ve already broken your resolutions for 2015, take the chance to start over and celebrate Chinese New Year this month. Hutong’s celebrations begin with a traditional Reunion Dinner on New Year’s Eve (18th February) before a special menu priced at the lucky number of £88 is on offer on the 19th, including dim sum and a traditional Lo Hei mixed raw seafood salad. Chinese musicians, lanterns and a lion dance will add ceremony, while the bar will serve inventive cocktails using Baiju, an aromatic Chinese white spirit. Each table’s bill will arrive in a red envelope and to honour the tradition of giving red money-filled envelopes, one lucky table’s bill will be on the house!
21st Birthday The inimitable Gaucho group has reached its 21st birthday this year. Celebrations kicked off with a special edition of its annual Divine Bovine dinner, hosted by Zeev Godik, Gaucho’s founder and CEO. If it wasn’t already, this year is all about the beef; new menu options in development include sharing platters of popular cuts, and carved-at-the-table roasts – we hope they’ll hit the Broadgate branch first – while new menu boards aim to educate guests on cuts and provenance.
3 for champagne charlie:
Champagne Star Opener, £12, Le Creuset, johnlewis.com
5 Finsbury Avenue, EC2M 2PG, gauchorestaurants.co.uk Somerset Laguiole Champagne Sabre, £280, LINLEY, davidlinley.com
Champagne in Ice Bucket, £80, Laurent Perrier, johnlewis.com
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THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
meet and greet The Thistle City Barbican hotel is a convenient location for those working in or visiting the City on business. With the ease of online check-in, 13 meeting and events rooms, of which the Clerkenwell suite seats up to 170, the hotel is flexible enough for any event. If business becomes too taxing, for a limited time only when staying the night, you can take advantage of late Sunday checkout and 20 per cent off all food and drink. Offer valid until 31 March, Central Street, Clerkenwell, EC1V 8DS, thistle.com
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Bon Viveur
Our man-about-town, Innerplace’s Nick Savage, postulates the perfect place to please the loved one come the 14th of february
The Magazine The Magazine, situated in the heart of Hyde Park, is quite airy and light in comparison with many on this list, not to mention remarkably unique. Stirling Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid has created a free-flowing structure resembling the interior of a giant white lily, with stamenlike columns reaching up towards skylights. The soft tones and scenic surrounds would work equally well for a romantic lunch or lavish dinner. W2, magazine-restaurant.co.uk
Top Tables for
Sketch Sketch is quite possibly one of the most multifaceted restaurants in London, catering to those searching after a café, a bar, an art gallery, a brasserie or a fine dining restaurant. Bringing your partner here, whether it’s to the David Shrigley-adorned gallery or two Michelin-starred Lecture Room & Library, will stand you in good stead for months. W1, sketch.london
Valentine’s Day Ensure that you remain in your significant other’s good books by booking yourself into one of the following restaurants – where tables have already become commodities
Club Gascon Amid all of the flurry and froth surrounding new launches, London is lucky to be underpinned by as superb a restaurant as Club Gascon, which consistently offers some of the best Provençal cuisine in the country. It really comes into its own as a date night destination, particularly for Valentine’s Day. Smart banquettes and a wealth of rose-hued marble are the perfect foil to chef Pascal Aussignac’s enlightened cooking. EC1, clubgascon.com
Coya Though wooing your loved one with rich European food is a time-honoured tradition, if you’re taking the long view on the evening you may want to opt for a cuisine that won’t cloy. Coya, on Piccadilly, boasts a buzzy, sexy subterranean space that could have been cribbed from a spy film. Its robata-equipped open-plan kitchens dish out ocean-fresh ceviches and flame-kissed anticuchos that will put some kick in your evening. W1, coyarestaurant.com
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THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
| LIFESTYLE |
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
Berners Tavern In spite of its unassuming name, Berners Tavern is housed in one of the most striking rooms in the capital. Stratospheric ceilings boast Edwardian cornices that would pique regal envy, whilst its high-frequency buzz and low-lit ambience encourage the sharing of sweet nothings over elegantly appointed tables. It’s difficult to go wrong with skilfully prepared shellfish and steak – and chef patron Jason Atherton has ensured that his diners enjoy the best in the land. W1, bernerstavern.com
Hakkasan
Petersham Nurseries Cafe
Hakkasan still offers one of the most alluring dining experiences in the Smoke, intoxicating its guests with the heady aroma of jasmine incense, atmospheric lighting and lacquered latticed screens. The restaurant was one of the first to demonstrate to Britain just how sophisticated Cantonese cuisine can be, and everything from the dim sum to the honey roasted black cod are just as seductive as the setting. Whether opting for the newer Mayfair location or the original Hanway Place, Hakkasan won’t disappoint.
If there’s a restaurant that could give Clos Maggiore a run for its money in terms of romance, it’s probably Petersham Nurseries. Situated in a beautiful, baroque arbour worthy of a Mughal emperor, guests take their seats at zinc tables among an abundance of verdant vines ascending to the greenhouse’s bamboo-screened ceiling. This year head chef Damian Clisby will be holding a special candlelit supperclub to fete the occasion.
W1, hakkasan.com
TW10, petershamnurseries.com
Clos Maggiore No list would be complete without Clos Maggiore, the restaurant that raised the bar for over-the-top romantic dining. Nestled just west of Covent Garden Market, the dining room feels miles removed from the tourist thoroughfare. It takes some serious pulling of strings to procure a table in the blossom-canopied back section, where white-clothed tables repose atop flagstone flooring, and a roaring hearth imbues the room with rustic warmth. WC2, closmaggiore.com
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
23
a w e t i h w Fast & furious fun at Lee Valley White Water Centre Experience the thrill of white water rafting
t c a g n i h s i n u p e m o l s r i e h w a w f e r t u s ma r e t a w c e i t p i h m y w l o s g d n i pi l d d a p g n n e i r t f d a a r d d l i w ake t e w h s e a v l d p a s s u o i lish r u f t s a f a s l l g i n i p h s i n ir lls s u p We’re wild about white water Book now at gowhitewater.co.uk Licensed bar ∙ BBQ ∙ 40 mins from central London
CityAd_NewSeason_Jan2015.indd 1
20/01/2015 10:33:34
| LIFESTYLE |
Life IN Fifteen minutes with the Square Mile stalwarts of which every City sybarite should be aware…
A Linda Jackson
Sole Proprietor at Linda Jackson Silver at the London Silver Vaults
fter a series of London robberies and banking scandals, the original Chancery Lane Safe Deposit Company was opened in 1876 and a grand reception was held, attended by the Lord Mayor and numerous dignitaries. The building above was damaged in the Second World War and a new building erected, designed by the partnership of Sir Albert Richardson and Eric Houfe, which opened in 1953. The new vaults were made into a series of retail shops specialising in silver and jewellery, now home to the London Silver Vaults. Is there a typical London Silver Vaults client? We get clients, including royalty, from every part of the world. We also get customers from the armed forces, businessmen from the City and numerous barristers from the various Inns of Court. Some families have been buying from the Silver Vaults for several generations. How has the LSV garnered its reputation? Its reputation has been built over a long period of time and is based on the work of the individual businesses with shops in the vaults. Overall, the building houses a truly vast collection of all types, periods and styles of silver with each shop having specialist categories. What products do you predict to be the most popular in 2015? Cocktails are really fashionable again – so anything related to them from the 1930s to 1950s.
Favourite Era of silverware: I love jewellery boxes from the 1920s which are decorated with beautiful enamel work.
City restaurant: The Mary Ward Centre or Food for Thought for great vegetarian food. I dream of going to the dining rooms at the Rosewood hotel in Holborn.
City landmark: Lincoln’s Inn.
What type of silver would you buy as an investment? There is a real resurgence of interest in good quality silver from the 20th century by the best designer silversmiths. Prices for some highquality articles by the lesser known craftsmen silversmiths are still quite reasonable. I would buy pieces from the 1950s to 1970s made by some of these. After a boom in the price of silver as a metal, it has settled back to a level at which really fine pieces can be bought on a sensible budget. What has been your favourite silver purchase? A Victorian silver centrepiece for a table with a central trumpet for flowers and tiered dishes for cakes and sweets. From an investment perspective, what should we stay away from? Large heavy trays; customers want trays for drinks and other uses but they must be a manageable size. What is the most amusing claim to fame at LSV? Probably the day the actor Larry Hagman came to the vaults dressed exactly like the character he played, J.R. Ewing. What silver items would you gift to….A dinner party hostess? A Claret jug. Your mother-in-law? A dressing table mirror. The boss? A large plain silver table box. The girlfriend? A hand mirror or jewellery box. What’s the one piece of silver to look out for when antique shopping? A piece with an original coat-of-arms, which links it to a famous person or unlocks an interesting story. lindasilver.co.uk
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
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| LIFESTYLE |
Life AFTER The Square Mile alumni making waves away from the fickle waters of finance
W
ith the dream of creating the first internet-driven golf break business sharp in his mind, Ross Marshall was only 23 years old when he left his City career at ING Barings. Alongside 24-year-old City-based management consultant Andrew Harding, Marshall launched yourgolftravel.com, turning over an impressive £300,000 with 2,000 clients in his first year. Almost a decade later, annual turnover is in excess of £70 million, backed up by 150 staff, 400,000 clients, and connections in 32 countries. Boasting access to 2,500 golf courses, it is the biggest seller of golf holidays in Europe. Building on their empire, spabreaks.com was launched three years ago (£12 million+ turnover) when the pair focused on ensuring that women with breast cancer, wheelchair users and visually impaired guests who had previously been denied access to leading spas, would be made welcome. And in May 2014, the duo went on to announce their latest venture, racingbreaks.com in conjunction with The Jockey Club.
Ross Marshall Co-founder, Your Golf Travel
Age: 34 Previous employer: ING Barings
What inspired your move away from the City? I am an independent person who had the desire to be my own boss. I have a combined passion for sport and travel and had a big idea. What was the original vision for Your Golf Travel? I built the first website with my brother. We originally focused on corporate packages, but then moved to mainstream packages as well as serving the high-end clientele. Did you beg, borrow, earn or steal your start-up costs? £20k savings, £30k on 0 per cent interest credit cards that we had to keep flipping. What’s been the biggest mistake you’ve made since working for yourself? I lost £200k on a PR/marketing promotion that went wrong. Oops – that was expensive!! What’s the most important lesson you learnt from the City? […] That a meritocratic environment in business is important – and a win-at-all-costs attitude is necessary to survive as a start-up entrepreneur. I also understand that due to the bureaucratic nature of ‘big business’, my [City] career would have been short-lived. Who is your business idol? My dad. Having been involved in building successful and unsuccessful businesses from scratch he was never afraid to risk it all for what he believed in. He has been a great inspiration to me. What are the most expensive and most ridiculous things you’ve ever purchased? I breed and race thoroughbred horses. An expensive investment in fun! How do you relax outside work (apart from golf...)? I stay active – cricket, boxing, skiing, and watching car racing and AFC Wimbledon. I drink fine Bordeaux and smooth Barolo red wine, and see friends and family. In the next 5 years, I will…. …be running the largest specialist travel business in Europe with a wife, a toddler and one more on the way! yourgolftravel.com
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THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
Favourite Book: Fantastic Mr. Fox, Roald Dahl. Film: The Wolf of Wall Street – DiCaprio is hysterical!
Brand: Yourgolftravel. com/ Spabreaks.com Restaurant: Beast in Chapel Place; fantastic steak and crab. City: London. Closely followed by New York.
Sir Ben
Kingsley Sir Ben Kingsley is one of the most diverse, successful and compelling forces in cinema. With a career that spans several decades, the Yorkshire-born thespian can turn his hand to anything. At the age of 71, but with no signs of slowing down, Sir Ben Kingsley talks to The City Magazine about his dedication to not being typecast, protecting his personal privacy and why he never, ever reads reviews Words: James Lawrence
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THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
| xxxxxxxxxxxxx | INTERVIEW |
Image 29 by Jeff Vespa. THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015 jeffvespa.photoshelter.com
“T
he interior is like a 1950s Cadillac, or maybe a Buick,” enthuses one of cinema’s greatest icons. Making himself comfortable in the plush interview suite at Claridge’s, Sir Ben Kingsley instantly lights up the room with his enthusiasm for our surroundings. In fact, his relaxed and approachable demeanour is nothing short of remarkable, especially considering that Kingsley has endured countless interviews regarding his recent films. I ask if the film junket is getting tedious – “not at all,” comes the gracious reply. “Every interview is an opportunity, James.” Ever the gentlemen, Kingsley politely requests a strong cup of tea before we begin – “if that’s OK,” he hastens to add. It’s a quintessential reminder of his regimented upbringing; born in Snainton, North Riding of Yorkshire, Kingsley grew up in Pendlebury, near Manchester and attended Manchester Grammar school, before studying at the University of Salford. Today, Kingsley is widely known, of course,
for his role as Gandhi, which won him the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1983. However, the actor is keen to emphasise that the seeds of his career were sown far earlier. “You may believe my career started in the 1980s, but in fact it properly began in the 1960s,” he explains. “I joined the RSC [Royal Shakespeare Company] as an understudy and was basically parachuted into the craft, without any formal dramaschool training. I was working on four plays each week, which involved eight shows in total. So I was constantly holding a diverse set of Shakespeare’s characters in my head; the man who incidentally invented the dramatic ‘science’ of how we perceive human behaviour. This became my template for choosing roles, in that I need to find recognisable patterns of human behaviour in all my characters.” And as fans of his work will testify, Kingsley is anything but a one-trick pony. Rather than seeking out one particular type of role – the villain, the victim – he says that
LEFT Hugo (2011) CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Kingsley plays Fagin in Oliver Twist (2005); Don Logan in Sexy Beast (2000); Mazer Rackham in Ender’s Game (2013); seen again in Sexy Beast; and playing the Oscar-winning lead in Ghandi (1982)
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he was conditioned by the RSC, or “wired up”, as Kingsley puts it, to explore all the possible facets of the human condition. A brief look at the actor’s career shows a man who has moved from the light to dark with admirable ease. He has played a Nazi hunter, a Jewish businessman, an Iranian immigrant, Sweeney Todd and Dr. Watson. So when did he realise he wanted to act? “My passion for this great art form started as a young boy, when my parents took me to see Never Take No For An Answer, directed by Maurice Cloche.” Kingsley explains that he imagined himself playing the character of the orphaned Italian boy, and felt from then that on he wanted to be a storyteller. “This was, in a sense, my epiphany moment and my parents completely supported me.” Many decades later, this disarmingly charismatic man sitting opposite me is arguably the most revered and respected English actor alive today. Yet, despite his fame and knighthood, he maintains that he is an intensely private person. “Celebrity isn’t part of my life, James, I don’t pursue it and I live a very private life in Oxfordshire.” Nonetheless, Kingsley is acutely aware that fame can lead to a certain arrogance if not a lack of privacy. His advice on avoidance is this: “The secret is to solely focus on the work – it’s a very humbling experience to be asked to recreate a person’s thoughts, their patterns of
behaviour and life. Any actor should feel humbled, not arrogant.” The conversation then inevitably turns to playing a certain Indian icon. Surely, though, Kingsley is now fed up with questions on that career defining role? “I love talking about Gandhi,” comes the earnest response. “Imagine if I saw someone else in the street and I knew that they’d taken the part, I’d hate it!” Unsurprisingly, he says that accepting the role was an instant decision, his next statement, however, really stopped me in my tracks. “After accepting the job and watching hours of news footage, I thought to myself, ‘God, I can’t do this, it’s an impossible role.’” It’s hard to imagine an accomplished actor feeling like a freshman on his first day in college, yet he insists that many times during his career, he had doubts about being able to pull off a particular character. “The really thrilling roles are the ones where you consider it might be impossible to do this.” Luckily for the then 37-year-old, he was able to work with a top-class director, the late Sir Richard Attenborough, who helped him “climb that mountain on set”. Of Attenborough, Kingsley has nothing but the highest praise: “He was quite beautiful to work with, like a very kind, emphatic general. His script was so accomplished, and treated Gandhi as a man – a bloke, rather than a saint.” Another justly celebrated role for Kingsley was, of course, the part of Itzhak Stern in Schindler’s List. After viewing that powerful
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| INTERVIEW |
and often horrific film, one wonders how any actor prepares for such a role, and more importantly, how do they not become too emotionally involved. “My voice of the Holocaust was the Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal, who I previously played, and so we spent a lot of time together in Hungary; he become my moral voice and strength for the part,” says Kingsley. Again, though, doubt reared its ugly head and he admits that he initially felt the role was beyond him, until Steven Spielberg convinced him of his vital narrative function as the film’s “conscience”. Kingsley has since taken a continuing interest in the post-war politics of the Holocaust. He has been honoured by the Holocaust Memorial Museum with its national award, and at the time of writing was set to speak at the European Jewish Congress’s Fourth International Forum in Prague in late January, alongside Putin and Henry Kissinger no less. “It’s a wonderful honour because the survivors and the witnesses have now included me as a witness, and allowed me to be their voice, to speak about the unspeakable.” Great praise is also lavished upon the man who brought Schlinder’s List to the screen, a director who, quote, “managed to channel his rage over the Holocaust into art”. But despite his enthusiasm for Hollywood’s premium firmament of film directors, I’m curious if there are individuals who Kingsley would ever refuse to work with? Few in the industry would deny that major disagreements between actors and directors can occur. James Cameron on the set of Titanic is one famous example; another involves the director Michael Bay and actress Megan Fox, who reportedly likened Bay’s directorial style to Hitler. “I won’t mention specific names,” comes the quick as a flash response. “But I would say that sometimes you meet a director, and within five minutes it’s clear that the chemistry just isn’t there.” Many of us would consider our 70s our retirement period; not so for Kingsley. For, although a return to the theatre is unlikely, he has quite a few movies slated for release this year, including Selfless and Learning to Drive, a film directed by Isabel Coixet, which chronicles the budding relationship between a Sikh driving instructor – Kingsley – and a Manhattan-based writer, brought together by fate and mutual marriage woes. It’s the type of role he handles with ease, although Kingsley apparently most relishes the opportunity to play historical figures. “I have a great admiration for the military, to be able to play a man in the midst of great turmoil,” he says. Yet another new project for the actor, he is currently chasing the possibility of making a film about Admiral Jellicoe – a key figure in the battle of Jutland – with Kingsley in Jellicoe’s role. He’s in the
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process of finalising the choice of director. But although Sir Ben has clearly played a diverse repertoire of roles and characters, there is some commonality to his performances, which often involve playing the patriarch, and/or teacher. This even extends to working with directors, especially newcomers to the field. One of his most malevolent roles was as criminal sociopath Don Logan in Jonathan Glazer’s debut film Sexy Beast. “I was able to strike up a wonderful dialogue with Jonathan, who would gladly listen and take suggestions. For example, I encouraged him to change the setting of a key scene with Ray Winstone to a much smaller kitchen, as I felt such intensity of drama needed claustrophobia.” He adds that it took Glazer half a day to dismantle his chosen set, a testament surely to Kingsley’s charisma. Time passes all too quickly in this man’s presence, but I snatch a final question before his publicist wraps things up – does he take criticism of his work personally? “I haven’t read a review since 1985, James,” is his reply. “A storyteller, to a certain degree, must be indifferent to how he or she is perceived. The priority is to be heard telling the story, the energy goes outwards and what’s coming back at me, well, I don’t have time to consider it.” Gently ushered out of Claridge’s as he enthusiastically heads to his next work appointment, the staff are clearly in awe of the famous actor in their midst, who responds with good grace to their greetings. Despite his fame, Kingsley retains a tangible sense of humility, not to mention a great sense of irony. “I changed my name from Krishna Pandit Bhanji to Ben Kingsley in order to eventually get the part of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi – one of life’s brilliant full circles.”
“I changed my name from Krishna Pandit Bhanji to Ben Kingsley to eventually get the part of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi”
ABOVE Kingsley plays Ghandi (1983) BELOW Kingsley as Itzhak Stern in Shindler’s List (1993).
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S p a c e Chris Hadfield’s new book You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes is a greatest hits compilation of the astronaut’s extraterrestrial photography. The City Magazine caught up with the world’s most popular guitar-strumming spaceman to find out how he’s adjusting to life as a celebrity retiree WORDS: Chris Allsop
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or his new book, Chris Hadfield – former International Space Station commander, musician, Canadian and Twitter’s favourite astronaut – whittled down 45,000 images to 150. While for most this might be described as the ultimate postholiday Facebook album ball-ache, for Hadfield it was “fun, reminiscent and delightful”, though he concedes, laughing, that it took a “bunch of time”. Since returning to terra firma in 2013, Hadfield has released a bestseller (An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth) and morphed into a one-man, speech-giving industry, continuing the inspiration/education remit that he began 255 miles up. Twitter – the medium through which he captured the world’s imagination – remains a large part of this. Follow Chris and you’ll find humorous witticisms like “@iPieter1 To write in weightlessness we use pencils, pens and mostly Sharpies” next to provocative lines like “Please look for ways to renew your efforts towards creating a strong and supportive community”. And then there’s the music. When I reach him for our 15-minute slot on an appropriately crackly link to Windsor, Ontario, Hadfield is literally en route to a radio spot – part of the publicity for a sold-out series of performances with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (an extra performance was added due to demand). Strolling along a corridor, he explains that
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the concert will be a suite of music (adapted for a full orchestra) that he composed off planet – making it a world first. Hadfield is quick to highlight that he sees himself as “no wonderful musician”, before regaining his usual rhetorical poise to explain how this concert (and by extension the one he already did with the Houston Symphony) isn’t just something he can do now that he has gained an element of celebrity status, but is part of his way of “explaining and sharing the experience that I have had on behalf of so many people. With music and imagery happening simultaneously.” For imagery, see Hadfield’s new book. It’s a handsome tome, playful and educational as you’d expect, but shouldn’t be referred to as a coffee-table book. “That was something we deliberately avoided,” explains Hadfield, with a hint of his 1980s cold warrior steel. “I have never in my life looked through a coffee-table book. My intent was that if you and I were to have 90 minutes on the space station together, this is what I would show you. For me, the commentary is everything.” But the images are entrancing. As a NASA astronaut, Hadfield received comprehensive photographic training. The images in the book were taken with Nikon D2, D3, and D4S bodies (NASA supplied – a very good thing, he tutors, as in space the camera sensors become corrupted by radiation). When his tightly scheduled
| INTERVIEW |
ABOVE South Asia’s Himalayas, separating the Indo-Gangetic Plain from the Tibetan Plateau
path crosses with those of future space tourists, however, Hadfield has counselled them to leave the cameras at home – for less cosmic reasons. “Something like Virgin Galactic is sub-orbital so you won’t see very much of the world, mostly what’s directly below, and you don’t want to be fumbling with a big camera during your few minutes of weightlessness,” he says, before reinforcing the point with an apparently instinctual tendency to dramatise (a tic that’s helped his TED Talk accrue more than one and a half million hits). “You fall back into the atmosphere and you’re squished in your seat beneath this big camera.” When he was flying missions for NORAD, Hadfield was the first CF-18 pilot to intercept a Soviet bomber in the Canadian Arctic. I ask him about the current situation with Russia – “All of the people involved in building the space station have a history of being enemies in living memory. You need good symbols of cooperation, especially during times of tension.” I have follow-up questions on geopolitics in space, his enthusiasm for Mars exploration, but, with time short, I dump those and cut to the chase: “What was your hairiest moment? Ever think you were going to die?” Hadfield pauses. “The only time the hackles really went up on my neck was when I was watching a meteorite burning up between me and the world. A big rock, over Melbourne, cutting straight north. If that rock had been just a little higher, it would have obliterated us.” It’s an image that doesn’t appear in the book, his strong educating instinct perhaps briefly eclipsed by something more primal. He adds that it was the randomness that these meteorites represented that scared him, but randomness is everywhere. How to cope? “You just need to optimise your odds,” he says. Optimising odds is something that Hadfield has been involved in since age nine, when he first decided to do “whatever was necessary to become an astronaut” after watching the moon landing at his parents’ South Ontario corn farm. Before he goes, I ask the 55-year-old if there’s any stage fright ahead of the weekend’s concerts. “No stage fright,” he laughs. “Nobody ever burst into flames taking the stage.”
LEFT On a clear day, it’s possible to see from Havana all the way to Washington D.C.
You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes by Chris Hadfield is published by Macmillan. Hardback, £20
TOP LEFT The Nile, draining out into the Mediterranean. The bright lights of Cairo announce the opening of the north-flowing river’s delta, with Jerusalem’s answering high beams to the northeast. This 4,258 mile braid of human life, first navigated end-toend in 2004, is visible in a single glance from space
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Hubble’s 2008 image of the Crab Nebula, the remnants of a star that went supernova in 1054. ©NASA
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| FEATURE |
The new Hubble
One hundred times more powerful than Hubble, when the James Webb Space Telescope is launched in 2018 it will peer back in time to the very edge of the Universe Words: Jamie Carter
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t’s taken dazzling images of galaxies, stars, planets and other celestial sights – 38,000 in total – its most famous being the Pillars of Creation and the Hubble Ultra Deep Field that peers back towards the Big Bang. Now in its 25th year orbiting Earth at 17,500 mph, the Hubble Space Telescope is getting near the end of its dazzling mission. It’s been up there since 24 April 24, 1990, when the Space Shuttle Discovery blasted off with the Hubble Space Telescope inside its cargo hold. Continually upgraded and updated throughout its life, Hubble will now be left alone to slowly degrade and, eventually, drift back to Earth and burn up in the atmosphere. Hubble, however, won’t be the last space telescope. Far from it. Hubble’s replacement, the James Webb Space Telescope (‘the Webb’) will launch in October 2018 and be an incredible 100 times more powerful than its predecessor. It’s designed to see back in time to the very edge of the Universe. The Hubble Ultra Deep Field Within the 844 gigabytes of data per month sent back to Earth – and 100 terabytes in all – have been some ground breaking images of planets and remote galaxies that have laid bare the very essence of space and time.
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The Webb Space Telescope will cost US$8.7 billion. © NASA
Perhaps the most important observation was the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, a longexposure image taken in 2004 that captured the light of 10,000 galaxies within the southern hemisphere constellation of Fornax, stretching 13.2 billion years back. Space telescopes are time machines; they capture light that’s travelled since the beginning of time, and present us photographs of things as they were just after the Big Bang.
It’s said that Webb will be able to see the heat signature Pillars of Creation of a bumblebee Hubble’s images have led to more than at the distance 11,000 scientific papers, making it one of the productive scientific instruments ever of the Moon most built. Probably the most recognisable image from Hubble is 1995’s Pillars of Creation within the Eagle Nebula, around 7,000 light years from us within the Milky Way. Showing elephant trunks of interstellar gas and dust, this image of visible light has been made into posters, mugs and T-shirts.
TOP Butterfly Emerges from Stellar Demise in Planetary Nebula NGC 6302. A dying star that was once about five times the mass of the Sun is at the centre of this fury. ©Nasa LEFT Barred spiral galaxy: The largest image Hubble ever took was of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300 near Orion. ©Nasa RIGHT Pillars of Creation: 1995’s Pillars of Creation shows interstellar gas and dust within the Eagle Nebula. ©Nasa
Why is Hubble being replaced? Hubble has covered more than three billion miles in its journeys around Earth, and science and astronomy have moved on massively thanks to its awesome images. In fact, its huge success is the very reason for its imminent demise; although it was the first infrared-optical-ultraviolet telescope in space, it’s in the infrared spectrum where many of Hubble’s greatest discoveries have been made. This is the result of red-shift: because they’re so far away from us, the light we see from distant galaxies has longer wavelengths – the red end of the spectrum. To see further back, a space telescope is needed that’s optimised for infra-red light. Although there have been five astronaut servicing missions to Hubble between 1993 and 2009, no more are planned. A new era It’s time for a new space telescope. The Webb Space Telescope – named after James Webb, who ran NASA in the 1960s during the Apollo Moon landings – will not only be much more powerful than Hubble, but it will also be more expensive. Its budget is
US$8.7 billion; Hubble cost US$2.5 billion. Development began on Webb by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency in 1996, just a few years after Hubble began its career. An infrared telescope that will peer into deep space at supernovae and infant galaxies at the Universe’s edge, Webb will have the power to see through the dustclouds that block Hubble’s view. How is Webb better than Hubble? With a huge 6.5 metre mirror – five times the size of Hubble’s – ultra-lightweight beryllium optics, a massive fold-out sun-shield, and a vastly different orbit around one million miles from Earth, Webb’s view of the Universe is effectively unobstructed either by Earth or the Sun. Contrast that to Hubble, which orbits Earth every 97 minutes from 370 miles out, a device that often has its view blocked. Webb is different. By effectively keeping up with the Earth as it goes around the Sun, both bodies will be permanently behind Webb’s view. That’s crucial because to detect infrared light, Webb needs to remain very cold to avoid detecting other heat sources, including its own radiation. It’s said that Webb will be able to see the heat signature of a bumblebee at the distance of the Moon. Webb’s four missions Designed to observe from six months after its launch in 2018 until 2028, Webb has four missions: The End of the Dark Ages: First Light and Reionization, The Assembly of Galaxies, The Birth of Stars and Protoplanetary Systems, and Planetary Systems and the Origins of Life. It will search for the first luminous glows after the Big Bang and study the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets such as Earth. Able to probe even farther beyond the spectrum of light than its predecessor can detect, Webb will uncover more about the nature of reality than anything or anyone has ever done before. If you think the images on these pages are good, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
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Words: josephine o’donoghue
Sparring Partners SIR JAMES DYSON Age: 67 Company role: Founded the Dyson brand in the early 1990s after working on his innovative designs since the late 1970s. His preferred role is Chief Engineer. Employees: 4,200 + with expansion due Revenue: £6billion+ Best Known For: Famously running through 5,127 prototypes before he perfected his G-Force upright vacuum cleaner. Honours and Accolades: Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1996; in 1997, he was awarded the Prince Philip Designers Prize; in 2000 he received the Lord Lloyd of Kilgerran Award; in 2005, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. High profile backers: “Sir James Dyson knows better than any bureaucrat how you start a business, build it up and start selling to the world,” Prime Minister David Cameron. Standout quote: “Dyson is not only the most celebrated British engineer of his time but also the unofficial technology czar of the new Conservative government.” (New Yorker)
The battle for
brand dominance
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“Aspects of his personality – bold, maverick, patriotic – could certainly be described as Bondlike,” writes Andrew Anthony, describing James Dyson in The Times, “He’s an independent spirit with an international reputation. His licence, however, is to remove dust, not people. And rather than a Walther PPK pistol, the weapon that has brought him unimaginable riches is a Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner.” One of Britain’s biggest success stories, Dyson has recently announced a £1.5 billion investment and expansion plan for 2015 that will drive new developments in vacuum technology, focusing on robotics. One of Dyson’s long-term projects, what he considers to be key to the brand’s success, is the cultivation of professional engineers in the UK. “There’s about a 60,000 engineer shortage in Britain at the moment,” he told The Times, “and
it’s projected to be 200,000 within two years […] It’s holding us back. Give engineers and scientists special visas [to stay].” According to The Telegraph, it was shown that almost 5,200 graduates sought employment in mainland Europe, the Far East and North America last year – up by a quarter since 2008 – with those from the best universities most likely to move abroad. In a letter to the newspaper, Dyson stated that the UK would have a major deficit of engineers by 2017. “Dyson has experienced this first hand,” said James, “and struggled to fill the 200 extra engineering roles created this year.” To this end, Dyson is particularly attentive to British students and pledged £8m to the University of Cambridge in 2014. But despite sharing a number of traits with Miele, Dyson feels strongly that his
| opinion |
As Which? Consumers’ Association encourages shoppers to buy the best-rated vacuum cleaners now, before they fall foul of upcoming EU energy laws prohibiting speedy motors, we take a look at two of the most prominent domestic technology figureheads
DR. MARKUS MIELE Age: 45 Company role: Great-grandson of Carl Miele, who co-founded the German brand in the late 19th century. He has been Managing Partner and Managing Director of Miele & Cie. KG since 2008. Employees: 7,250 (2013) Revenue: €3.15billion+ Best Known for: His company produced the first washing machine with an electric motor (1914); the first vacuum cleaners (1927); Europe’s first electric dishwasher (1929); the first fully automatic washing machine (1956); and the first domestic tumble dryer (1958). High Profile backers: After much research, Steve Jobs opted for a Miele washing machine, He said: “I got more thrill out of them [Miele’s washing machines] than I have out of any piece of high tech in years.” (wired.com) Standout quote: “With ownership of the business shared by an unwieldy 71 descendants, making decisions can take time.” Markus Miele
German competitor isn’t playing fair. He reasons that large German brands unite to influence European standards and “rig” standard tests for energy labels, which bypass Dyson’s performance. “The problem now is the dominance of Europe by one country, Germany, which of course benefits most from monetary union. They bully us.” But despite his dramatic claims, it’s undeniable that Miele was a huge success for decades – and rather than game playing, their cause for success seems to be a relentless thirst for improvement and higher efficiency. Miele is always focused on what will be useful to the consumer. “Ultimately, you have to look at what’s really the consumer benefit,” says Markus Miele in an interview for Yahoo News. “When you look at the connected appliance, does it really make
sense to start it from your office when you still have to manually load and unload it?” While Miele introduced the first iPhone-controlled washing machine (just to prove it could) the engineers are more interested in more sophisticated methods to what the smart home actually needs. “Interconnected appliances offer a broader range of benefits. We have a function called ‘smart start’ — for instance, when you load a washing machine after lunch and you want it ready by 7am tomorrow. The machine looks for the cheapest energy from your energy company and does it at 3am.” Miele too is known for a particularly involved management style that promotes creative development work, even if it means higher expenses. The brand regularly defends its continued location in the relatively
expensive location of Gütersloh, insisting that overseas outsourcing is a false economy. “Most of the manufacturing sites are within 30 or 40 minutes’ driving distance from our headquarters. It’s good because you have frequent discussions, see what’s happening on the shop floor and act very quickly when necessary.” Notably, Miele, like Dyson, is highly focused on a sustained collaboration with universities and colleges in order to maintain the standard of engineering graduates in Germany. With the new EU energy laws bearing down on consumers this year (post April 2015, 1,600 watt motors will no longer be sold) now is the time to pledge allegiance to your brand and snap up a more powerful machine while you still can.
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Wage machine Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionise the economy, but will our jobs survive the so-called second machine age? And are we prepared for this new epoch? Words: Gavin Haines
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hen the government gave the green light for driverless cars to be tested on our roads last year, some thought it sounded the death knell for thousands of professional motorists. Unveiling plans for the UK to be a world leader in driverless technology, it felt like George Osborne was heralding the end of the road for future cabbies, truckers and anyone who might have earnt their salt behind the wheel. Driverless cars will be smarter than human motorists; they will, say scientists, be less likely to crash or break the law, making them far safer. And, with their ability to communicate with each other, they have the potential to make traffic jams a thing of the past. But professional drivers aren’t the only ones who should be worried. Experts claim we are on the cusp of a technological revolution like no other, a new dawn that could have a greater impact on jobs than anything before, including the Industrial Revolution. “Now comes the second machine age,” write the economists Andrew McAfee and Erik Brynjolfsson in their latest book The Second Machine Age. “Computers and other digital advances are doing for mental power – the ability to use our brains to understand and shape our environments – what the steam engine and its descendants did for muscle power. They’re allowing us to blow past previous limitations and taking us into new territory.” As we venture forth, vast swathes of the workforce could be left behind. And we’re not just talking about unskilled, blue collar workers here – the second machine age has skilled, middle class professionals in its sights. Speaking at an event for Policy Exchange – the UK’s leading think tank – the then universities minister, David Willetts, warned accountants, teachers and other high-level professionals, that their
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Last year, Swiss firm Rinspeed took the Tesla Model S and created the XchangE Electric Sedan Concept, a car that provides completely autonomous driving
jobs were at risk of being taken over by robots. Meanwhile, occupations that once seemed safe from machines, such as banking, journalism and linguistics, are now being disrupted by trading algorithms, story creation technology and translation software. Even lawyers, pharmacists and GPs, experts claim, should be looking over their shoulders. Ethical debate So what will this mean for society, the economy and our workforce? A report by Pew Research, titled AI, Robotics and the Future of Jobs, brought together some 1,896 experts, who were evenly split in their predictions. The more optimistic respondents claimed new technology will be a net creator of jobs and that humans will, when faced with increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence, invent new roles that take advantage of uniquely human capabilities. Essentially, competition from machines will push us to be more innovative. “Historically, technology has created more jobs than it destroys and there is no reason to think otherwise in this case,” claimed Vinton Cerf, the American internet pioneer. “Someone has to make and service all these devices.” Less sanguine respondents fear unskilled workers could become unemployable and that skilled workers will gradually migrate to more menial programming jobs. Wealth, they argue, will become concentrated in the hands of those who own the technology, which could cause the breakdown of society. “I’m not sure that jobs will disappear altogether, though that seems possible, but the jobs that are left will be lower paying and less secure than those that exist now,” said Justin Reich, a fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society. “The middle is moving to the bottom.” In The Second Machine Age, McAfee and Brynjolfsson
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As we enter an era of artificial intelligence and smart robots, the decisions we make will determine whether society succeeds or fails in the second machine age
| FEATURE |
occupy the centre ground in the debate. They concede that unskilled workers could be left behind, but claim opportunities abound for those with good educations, a positive attitude to technology and creative ideas. “Ideation in its many forms is an area today where humans have a comparative advantage over machines,” they argue. “Scientists come up with new hypotheses. Journalists sniff out a good story. Chefs add a new dish to the menu. Engineers on a factory floor figure out why a machine is no longer working properly… many of these activities are supported and accelerated by computers, but none are driven by them.” Like the respondents in the Pew report, McAfee and Brynjolfsson warn current curriculums are not adequately preparing the younger generations for tomorrow’s world. They caution, too, that our economic systems will be neither fair nor sustainable in the second machine age – how will we pick up those left behind? “The rise in digital business innovation means we
need innovation in our economic metrics,” they argue. The introduction of a progressive income tax is one of the measures they suggest for distributing wealth. An alternative to GDP, the current yardstick for measuring prosperity, is also proposed. Cynics will worry about our current situation when it comes to economic innovation – at a time when wealth is becoming increasingly concentrated in the hands of the few, how can we be optimistic that the future will be any fairer? As we enter this new epoch – an era of artificial intelligence and smart robots – the decisions we make will, ultimately, determine whether society succeeds or fails in the second machine age. “We have to decide what kind of technology we want in our lives, and, if we decide there is a certain technology we do not want, we must make sure that that technology is not used,” says Alan Winfield, Professor of Electronic Engineering at UWE Bristol. “Technology is a servant of humanity and if it stops being a servant then we have gone badly wrong.”
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ELIZABETH STREET ELIZABETH STREET SW1 SW1 Bespoke fine jewellery We invite you to visit our website www.devroomen.co.uk 59 Elizabeth Street, London, SW1W 9PP +44 (0)207 730 1901
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WATCHES & JEWELLERY Celebrating the delightful and the divine from the world of fine jewellery and haute horology
Swing into Orbit Flying in as part of the new collections for 2015 is Robinson Pelham’s new Asteroid ring. Revolving around the concept of the solar system, the piece has become a staple of the luxury jeweller and every collection sees it reintroduced with a different stone. The Paraiba tourmaline, fast becoming one of the industry’s most fashionable gemstones, takes centre stage this time round, its vivid blue-green hue showcased in all its brilliance. The exceptional rarity of this stone (one Paraiba tourmaline is mined for every 10,000 diamonds) makes it ideal for this particular collection. When it comes to other new pieces launching, this year sees an explosion of kaleidoscopic colour and bold shapes in the Oxygen collections, while the Evoke range brings a more subdued elegance. Paraiba Asteroid ring, £18,000 Robinson Pelham, 30 Elystan Street, SW3 robinsonpelham.com
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Screen
Time
Ever seen a Hollywood hero checking the time on his iPhone? Of course not, says Alex Doak, as he lifts the lid on the classier side of product placement
S
poiler alert (sort of)! Autumn’s smashhit spectacular Interstellar featured two Hamilton watches and one of them plays a big role. No, make that a HUGE role. To the extent that Matthew McConaughey’s dimension-straddling spaceman of the future owes his life to this resolutely oldfashioned concoction of springs and cogs. True watch nerds would have noticed from the screen-filling close-ups (logo nice and prominent) that despite its vintage styling, the watch is actually a custom build. In fact, Hamilton has gladly bent to the wishes of Hollywood costume departments for more than 60 years, garnering more than 400 film appearances as a result, from on Elvis Presley’s wrist in Blue Hawaii to Interstellar’s sci-fi forebear, 2001: A Space Odyssey. But consider this; despite the specific
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requests of Interstellar’s production team, even Hamilton was taken aback when the film started. The team had no idea about its starring role, least of all expected it. Why? Because, unlike the clunking Ford Mondeos of Casino Royale fame, or all those label-forward Pepsi bottles in Back to the Future, the placement of watches in films is a reassuringly gentlemanly affair; the studio approaches Switzerland, not vice versa, and money rarely changes hands. After all, a high-end wristwatch is a highly personal choice – something that speaks volumes of you or a Hollywood idol alike, thus a bigger priority for the costume department than accounts. It also speaks of refinement and quiet expertise, above the gaudy notion of a paid-for appearance. So while you might think
| COLLECTION |
Kingsman: The Secret Service, 2014 Photography: Jaap Buitendijk
that Jeremy Renner’s chunky IWC ‘Top Gun’ chronograph in The Bourne Legacy is a deliberate bit of product placement, as IWC’s PR manager Sophie Hue-Williams reveals, it’s more civilised than that. “Our team in the US market has an excellent relationship with many of the studios,” she reveals, “and they often get approached directly, requesting a selection of watches be sent over to the costume department. No money exchanges hands,” she reiterates. “The watch is chosen purely in line with whether it fits with the character or the film setting.” It’s a common situation, attests Darryl Collis, whose company Seesaw Media is the UK’s most successful product placement agency, and responsible for equipping Mr Renner with a Belstaff jacket to perfectly complement his matt-black IWC. “The first type of product placement is where guarantees are made,” Collis explains. “In other words, ‘I will pay you X, and you’ll give me Y; a nice logo shot for example, in return for you smashing up 85 of our cars.’ But watches,” he continues, “tend to fall within the second type: ‘prop placement’; a scripted necessity, a shorthand for what the director wants to get across about a character or setting. For example, there’s Colin Firth’s Bremont in the new Kingsman film. This reinforces his character’s Britishness, sense of tradition and military background.”
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Kingsman: The Secret Service is the very first cinematic outing for Bremont, after years of casual endorsement from the likes of Tom Cruise, Bear Grylls and Taylor Lautner. And in keeping with the Henley-on-Thames watchmaker’s plucky, keen-as-mustard Britishness, it came about almost accidentally, after the film’s director Matthew Vaughn spotted a Bremont on a colleague’s wrist. “This was a really lovely tie-up,” says co-founder Nick English, “which happened very organically, without placement fees being involved, which is wonderful. Matthew is a big watch fan and one area he was particularly interested in, other than the British angle, was Bremont’s strong tie with the military and other special units around the world. There was real credibility here which I think is important if the watch is going to be taken seriously in this film.” Of course, there are exceptions to the
trend, and you never get far talking product placement without talking James Bond – a cinematic franchise that hasn’t so much made product placement an art form as a cash cow. Necessarily so, it must be said, as EON Productions is obliged to raise as much as a third of its budget through deals with the likes of Sony, Bollinger, Ford, Heineken ( famously trumped in Skyfall by Macallan, who didn’t pay a penny) and Omega watches too, for an undisclosed fee. After all, Bond’s wristwatch has always played a starring role in his outlandish exploits, whether it’s dissecting a train or unzipping a woman’s dress. And in stark contrast to Cubby Broccoli having to provide Sean Connery with his own Rolex Submariner in Dr No (1962) after Rolex declined to loan one, the modern deal is a rare example of a movie watch falling within Darryl Collis’s first category, where deals are struck and guarantees are made. “Which makes for some rather unsubtle moments in the film,” as Collis wryly notes. “At the beginning of Skyfall, when Bond is ripping the train apart with a Caterpillar digger, audiences are left asking questions when the camera lingered on a close-up of Daniel Craig’s left hand, changing gear… Until they spotted
It was costume designer Lindy Hemming who chose Omega for Bond to wear in 1995’s Goldeneye
Telling the Wrong Time Sometimes, Hollywood doesn’t get it quite right but you’d have to be quite the horology connoisseur to spot the examples below: Quartz Watch, Pearl Harbor (2001) Despite so many other historical inaccuracies, it looked like Michael Bay had got it right with Josh Hartnett’s WWIIstyle military watch, until a close-up reveals its seconds hand ticking once a second, as if driven by quartz technology, which didn’t come about until the 1970s. Omega X-33 ‘Bulgari’, Minority Report (2002) Tom Cruise’s character is racing to clear his name from a predicted act of murder and the countdown to the act itself is courtesy of an Omega X-33 Speedmaster digital watch, re-branded by CGI as a Bulgari. Nope, we don’t know why, either. Beeping Panerai PAM074, The Transporter (2002) A getaway driver played by Jason Statham awaits his cue during the tense opening scene of the teenage-boy cult classic. His finely engineered mechanical chronograph ticks down to zero hour, at which point it emits a distinctly electronic ‘beep’. Patek Philippe Calatrava, Drive (2011) Another getaway driver for hire, Ryan Gosling’s Driver wore a Patek gifted by his father in the original book by James Sallis. The dubbed ticking noise was wrong enough in the film but the major gaff was using flimsy fakes rather than the real thing.
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left from top Omega 600m Seamaster; Daniel Craig in Skyfall wearing an Omega Seamaster watch
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the perfectly in-focus Seamaster Aqua Terra on his wrist.” But despite these awkward-butnecessary moments, it will come as a huge relief to watch fans to learn that it was actually Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming who originally chose Omega, not the accountants. The blue-dial Seamaster 300M diving watch to be precise, for 1995’s Goldeneye. “The colour blue really suited Pierce [Brosnan],” she recalls. “I was dressing him in lots of blue shirts and the blue bezel and dial of the Seamaster matched perfectly. Plus, blue-suited Commander Bond’s naval background too. Of course, I had to check that Omega would be interested in placing its watches on Bond!” Hemming adds with a glint in her eye. “But I was utterly convinced that Commander Bond, a naval man, a diver, and a discreet gentleman of the world would wear this tough but sophisticated watch.” Because of Hemming’s careful consideration back in the 1990s, the relationship between Omega and Bond remains a sensible one that, unlike Heineken, we as the audience readily buy into. And it perpetuates what’s arguably
the longest watches-in-movies saga in cinematic history. A saga of such obsessive detail and debate that it has helped inspire a fan site called exactly that: Watches in Movies. All the Bond films are in there, with accompanying screengrabs, but a casual browse reveals the sheer scale of Hollywood’s love affair with a decent watch, from The A-Team to Zulu. “I would say that the prop masters do a fine job,” says James Enloe, the owner and administrator of watchesinmovies.info. “It’s their job, after all, to make the character look ‘right’ and the good ones do that very well. “But while the most popular brands tend to be Rolex, Casio, Omega, TAG Heuer or Breitling, the really fun ones are the lesser known brands, like Sjöö Sandström (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) or Alsta (Jaws). In fact,” Enloe concludes, “the Alsta in Jaws is the perfect example of what makes watch-spotting fun at the movies; just the pride of knowing what the actor is wearing.” So, just as props or costume choose their watches for a very good reason, it’s now down to you to appreciate their choice… and have a good stab guessing what model they’ve opted for in the process.
above from top Interstellar, 2014 Photography: Melinda Sue Gordon; Hamilton Khaki Special Edition Interstellar, worn by Murph (played by Jessica Chastain); IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun
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WATCHes Words: Richard Brown
Saving the Seas Sister brand of that other great purveyor of ‘affordable luxury’, Frédérique Constant, Alpina was revived in 2002 to provide first-time watch buyers with a Swiss-made, mechanical timepiece that they could actually afford. Where Frédérique Constant does it with traditionally-designed watches, Alpina has carved a niche within the sports watch sector. For each purchase of the Alpiner 4 Race for Water Chronograph, the company will contribute a donation to the international charity Race for Water. Alpiner 4 Race For Water Chronograph, £2,180, johnlewis.com
Living Legend Few brands have the ability to unite watch enthusiasts in universal adulation. Rolex is one; Patek Philippe the obvious other. A third is A. Lange & Söhne. See the Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst as to why – an infallibly gorgeous one-minute tourbillon with stop seconds, a black enamelled dial and artisanal finishes. It will cost you £140k. You get what you pay for.
Saxon Sophistication Like A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte Original is a brand that embodies all that is beautiful about traditional fine watchmaking. Taking its dedication to stopwatches further than ever before, the company’s Calibre 37-01 is the first movement it has conceived specifically for a chronograph. It debuts inside the Senator Chronograph Panorama Date, which is available with either a platinum or red gold case.
Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst, £140,000 alange-soehne.com
Senator Chronograph Panorama Date, £36,800 glashuette-original.com
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Family Affair If, in the age of mass market luxury, you aspire for something that still remains faithful to the word exclusive, you might like to learn of a small Swiss watchmaker by the name of H. Moser & Cie. The company produces only 1,000 pieces a year and manufactures eight of its own calibres. The end of last year saw the brand’s Venturer Small Seconds come second at Montres Passion magazine’s Watch of the Year Awards. Not bad for a firm that employs just 50 people. Venturer Small Seconds, £12,300, h-moser.com
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Trident_ redefined.
THE NEW
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013_ChristopherWard_TheCity.indd 1
13/01/2015 12:09
| FEATURE |
CARVED in STONE The City Magazine explores EC1’S Hatton Garden, discovering the illustrious history of London’s diamond destination Words: TIFFANY EASTLAND
I
t has been the epicentre of London’s jewellery trade since medieval times; it was the centre of London’s diamond trade for years thanks to De Beers; and today is the largest and most concentrated cluster of jewellery retailers in the United Kingdom. The face of retail has changed, and the way we purchase commodities has evolved, but Hatton Garden remains the diamond destination of our country, and, some would argue, the world.
Longevity and loyality would suggest that Hatton Garden’s clientele is just as concerned with bespoke craftsmanship as that of Savile Row. If you talk to a Savile Row tailor, they’ll tell you that one of their suits will last 30 years; De Beers will tell you that a diamond is forever. Both are worth the investment. So, how did Hatton Garden come to be home to the best sparklers in the world? In the 1850s and 60s, the authorities at the time put in new roads to
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relieve traffic congestion and clear the area of the underclasses, which transformed Hatton Garden into a commercial locality. Up until this point, Clerkenwell had been the centre for jewellery but growing trade meant Hatton Garden too became a destination for diamonds, gems and precious metals. In fact, many jewellers were drawn to the area by the presence of gold refiner Johnson Matthey. It didn’t take long for Hatton Garden to become the cutting centre for Indian diamonds, and the gold and platinum trade soon followed. In the 1870s the area received another major boost when South Africa’s Kimberley diamond field was discovered. 1885 marked a peak in the diamond business; there were 67 precious stone merchants in Hatton Garden and its adjacent streets. At this time, there were two specialist banks that managed the merchants’ accounts while also storing their precious metal and gems. The Diamond Club was also formed to act as a jewel trading centre and stock exchange. Rachel Lichtenstein’s book Diamond Street, offers a fabulous depiction of Hatton Garden in the 19th century. She describes the street’s underground network of secret chamber corridors and tells of how it was not uncommon to see rough diamonds being sold in the local kosher restaurants. Others argue that it took the Second World War for the area to really flourish. Laurence Graff claims to have opened Hatton Garden’s first retail jeweller in 1962. Three decades later, in 1993, the area saw one of London’s biggest gem robberies of the modern era when thieves stole jewels valued at £7 million from Graff ’s workshop in the square. It’s hardly surprising that Hatton Garden had become a target – certainly given that De Beers had taken up residency there. The international family of companies responsible for selling more than 80 per cent of the world’s production of rough diamonds, despite mining around only a quarter, began sending rough diamonds back to London in 1889 after Cecil Rhodes struck a deal with 10 diamond sellers in the capital. During its time in Hatton Garden, De Beers offered rough stones to selected trade customers 10 times a year. Concerns were raised over the future of Hatton Garden in 2013, when De Beers shifted its global sightholder sales to Botswana, maintaining its Charterhouse Street-base to focus on marketing and other corporate matters. Indeed, it’s continually argued that the famous diamond destination won’t be able to compete with the big brands on Bond Street forever. However, venture to Hatton Garden and it’s not hard to appreciate it as the diamond in the rough that it is.
In 1993 the area saw one of London’s biggest gem robberies, when thieves stole jewels valued at £7 million from Graff ’s workshop
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| FEATURE |
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT The De Beers sorting bench during the 1960s, Sorting layouts at De Beers in the 1970s, St Andrews House in 1947. All images courtesy of De Beers.
HATTON GARDEN HIT LIST HOLTs JEWELLERY For something truly bespoke 98 Hatton Garden holtsgems.com
HATTON GARDEN ENGAGEMENT RINGS For a ring she can’t refuse 9 Hatton Garden hattongardenengagementrings.com
A&S JEWELLERS For an extensive selection of wedding bands 23 Hatton Garden aandsjewellers.co.uk
ANDREW R. ULLMANN For antique and second-hand jewellery 36 Greville Street arullmann.com
REBUS For signet rings to mark an occasion 59 Leather Lane rebussignetrings.co.uk
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| FEATURE |
ABOVE Diamond sorting at De Beers. Image courtesy of De Beers.
Furthermore, it seems easily possible to accept that the two areas can coexist, mutually benefitting from each other. As any jeweller will tell you, it comes down to the individual and what it is they’re after. If you’re determined to find something that is truly unique, Hatton Garden provides what Bond Street cannot.
A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Belle Amie Jewellery
From dazzling diamonds to statement studs, Belle Amie Jewellery may be just eight months old, but it boasts the quality of craftsmanship and design that one would expect of a brand that’s been around for centuries. Already inspiring and exciting the most discerning clientele, Belle Amie’s jewellery is refined, rare and truly precious. Its talented team of designers have years of experience sourcing the finest unique gemstones. Be it diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies or semi-precious stones, the company’s skilled craftsmen cut and polish with industry-leading care and skill. As for the rough gems, they’re sourced from all over the world, are Kimberleycertified and carefully selected on the basis of the 4Cs (colour, clarity, cut and carat). And while an increasing number of jewellers look to craftsmen in low-cost countries, Belle Amie is turning to small workshops here in the UK, guaranteeing a locally made product. This is crucial from a bespoke point of view as it allows the team to closely monitor the execution of its designs. belleamiejewellery.com
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Nala – Pair of Natural Ruby and Diamond Cluster Earrings in 18ct Yellow and White gold, £POA, Belle Amie Jewellery, belleamiejewellery.com
Lola – Natural Fancy Yellow Cushion Diamond Ring with White Diamond Petals in Platinum, £POA, Belle Amie Jewellery, belleamiejewellery.com
Propose with one of our dazzling, high-grade diamond and platinum engagement rings, and let the ring speak louder than words......
Contact one of our diamond experts on 07917724918-info@hattongardenengagementrings.com www.hattongardenengagementrings.com
Table
for two
Whether your dream date is a cosy, candle-lit table for two or something out of the ordinary, book the perfect table this Valentine’s Day in Canary Wharf
Ibérica Canary Wharf Enjoy the informality of tapas in an upmarket setting at Ibérica Canary Wharf. From sharing platters of cheese and slices of Iberico ham, to light dishes of fried fresh squid and chickpea puree with chorizo, the menu of regional Spanish dishes has been created by executive chef Nacho Manzano, whose two restaurants in Spain have three Michelin Stars between them. And Ibérica’s extensive wine list, featuring bottles hand-selected from around the world, means there’s the perfect pairing for each dish. D Cabot Square, 020 7636 8650
tapas twist
Roka
Time to impress
If you are looking for an experience that’s extra special, why not visit Roka? Its glowing reputation, earnt for its fantastic Japanese robatayaki cuisine, is well-known throughout London, making it one of the best places to dine in Canary Wharf – if not the capital. To really experience the chefs’ skills, try the tasting menu and enjoy an evening of Japanese delicacies, which range from sashimi to black cod marinated in yuzu miso. Or, there’s the excellent à la carte menu to choose from, which spans salads to wagyu sushi. Fine dining in an intimate setting, how can you go wrong? D The Park Pavilion, 020 7636 5228
Plateau Restaurant, Bar & Grill It’s an exciting time to visit Plateau Restaurant, Bar & Grill, with the French restaurant having just welcomed a new head chef, Daniel McGarey. McGarey’s impressive restaurant background includes working at two Michelin-starred restaurants: as the executive sous-chef at the Galvin at Windows restaurant, and having worked at Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley. In addition to introducing a new contemporary and seasonal French menu to Plateau, McGarey has created
an exclusive menu for Valentine’s Day. For the 14th, diners have a choice between a table in the main fine-dining restaurant for £75 per person, or in the less-formal bar and grill for £35 per person. Both menus span five decadent courses, beginning with canapés and featuring a pre-dessert course – ideal if you or your date has a new sweet tooth. D Canada Place,
chef
020 7715 7100
ICE RINK CANARY WHARF For a date with a difference, why not get your skates on? Ice Rink Canary Wharf is one of the few London ice rinks still open in February. Plus, its location in the middle of four shopping centres means you can easily pick up any last minute gifts or flowers. After lapping the ice, warm up with some mulled wine and dinner at the onsite Q on Ice bar. Open until 28 February, book tickets at icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk; Q on Ice, Canada Square Park, 0203 8183 889
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Boisdale of Canary Wharf is known for its live music, so for Valentine’s Day it went all out inviting former London Community Gospel Choir singer Wayne Hernandez to perform a velvety mix of romantic soul, with songs from Otis Redding and Stevie Wonder to John Legend. The tunes will be accompanied by a
live music
special four-course Valentine’s Day menu followed by coffee and petit fours, with highlights including red wine risotto and chargrilled radicchio, and baked Bourbon vanilla cheesecake. Tickets for the meal and performance start from £80. D Cabot Place, 020 7715 5818
canarywharf.com
@yourcanarywharf
STYLE HIM
Look the part, feel the part, from Breakfast to boardroom to bar
Dressing like a Gentleman With awards season well under way, we’re looking towards 2015’s new crop of films for style inspiration. Kingsman: The Secret Service, released on 29 January, is based on a graphic novel where a spy service recruits a rookie street kid just in time to take on an evil tech genius. It brings to life the British gentleman’s wardrobe, with Colin Firth at the helm, and as such provided inspiration for a new range from MrPorter.com. By collaborating with the film’s director and costume designer, a 60-piece collection, ranging from suits and briefcases to watches and umbrellas, has been created and is now available to shop online. from £45, mrporter.com
Sock Subscription The sometime-neglected accessory of the sock has a champion in the form of the London Sock Company, as seen at London Collections: Men. Its Sock Club subscription service is a convenient way to make sure your sock wardrobe never gets tired thanks to finelyknitted, colourful designs on demand. Delivery of socks of your choice ( from one to three pairs) is arranged monthly, and can be cancelled at any time, while it’s good to know its Pull Your Socks Up campaign also donates socks to the homeless. from £10, londonsockcompany.com
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| FASHION |
Remembering Churchill For the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death, Turnbull & Asser has released a capsule collection of limitededition pocket squares, along with a dressing gown and silk bow tie. Turnbull & Asser made numerous suits for its famous patron. His favourite suit was the Siren, which included a special cigar pocket. An original of this piece can be seen in the Science Museum’s Churchill: Science in War and Peace exhibition. from £55, turnbullandasser.co.uk
Made to Measure
Square Gear Cufflinks, £135
Mechanical Rotondo Gear Cufflinks, £150
Aquascutum is refreshing its made-to measure service this month. Its varied fabrics in classic shades will first launch in the Great Marlborough Street and Jermyn Street stores. Head of menswear design Thomas Harvey (right), says: “it’s a great opportunity for us in terms of the market. We expect it to start around the £700 to £750 mark”. The brand has also appointed Andrew Chan as chief executive. aquascutum.com
“We design clothes for real people and always ask ourselves what the average gentleman would feel comfortable wearing” - Thomas Harvey, Aquascutum
Trio Gear Cufflinks, £150
Telling Time
Cogs and Gears Now in its 25th year, Tateossian finds inspiration in motion and movement; the industrial and mechanical cufflinks utilise watch gears and cogs, with different size gears rotating freely and watch-inspired skeletonisation. Finishes include silver, gunmetal and rose-gold plating. tateossian.com
New British brand Shore Projects is inspired by the sea, elements and classic explorer watches. Stainless steel cases house Japanese quartz movements, protected by scratchresistant sapphire crystal glass. Faces remain clean and minimalist but straps are interchangeable. To support the Marine Conservation Society, the brand has also pledged to donate £1 from every watch sold. from £115, shoreprojects.com
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The
Countdown
begins The World Cup kicks off in eight months’ time but before then, there’s the RBS 6 Nations to decide. Ahead of a massive year for English rugby, The City Magazine talks to three men keen to impress coach Stuart Lancaster in the coming weeks: Alex Goode, Ben Youngs and Lee Dickson
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etween them, Alex Goode, Ben Youngs and Lee Dickson have more than 70 caps for their country. Yet none is assured of their place on the pitch come Rugby’s biggest occasion this autumn. We spoke to the trio just before the RBS 6 Nations got underway, a tournament that each agrees they need to win if England is to lift the Webb Ellis trophy come October. Will England approach this year’s RBS 6 Nations differently knowing that the World Cup is around the corner? AG: I don’t think we’ll approach it differently. Firstly, we want to make sure that we’re playing well. We want
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| INTERVIEW | From left to right Ben: Grey Polo £74, Shorts £74 Alex: Jeans £122, Jacket £466 Lee: Sweat £97, Shirt £110, Trousers £114, all Eden Park
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| INTERVIEW |
an international level. It’s a phenomenal feeling getting your first cap and playing with your mates as well. BY: The second Test of the Lions tour 2013 against Australia at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. The biggest game by a mile, biggest honour, loved every minute of it. Unfortunately we didn’t get the result but it was the biggest game I’ve ever been involved in. AG: England v Wales in a 6 Nations decider at the Millennium Stadium. The atmosphere and the build up to that were massive. It was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever faced. Who was your rugby hero growing up? LD: Joost van der Westhuizen. I actually met him for the first time recently – he was a phenomenal player, probably still one of the greatest scrum halves in the world. It was amazing for me to meet him but sad to see what’s happened. I try to model my game on his. BY: Christian Cullen, New Zealand full back. He had unbelievable flair and counter attack. He had all the skills and even though he retired years ago, he would slot into the modern game with ease. AG: Carlos Spencer was pretty cool to watch when I was younger, definitely made me want to play more rugby.
to win the RBS 6 Nations. We’ve come close the last two years, we want to take the next step and win the tournament BY: We won’t approach it any differently. Like all tournaments you go into, you want to win it. LD: We’ve come close the last couple of years. This year it is important for us to go one step further. If we do well then momentum will take us into the warm-up games and then the World Cup. The 6 Nations is a massive occasion, a massive tournament and we’ve got to do well. How do you prepare the night before a big game? LD: My children come down to Pennyhill Park [England’s training camp] with my wife the night before – it’s quite nice to have down time with them, take my mind away from rugby for a couple of hours. AG: I know the next day I’m going to wake up early and be nervous so the night before I try and stay as relaxed as possible. I have a long shower or bath and then put a film on. I try my best to take my mind off the game – not get too wound up too early. BY: I spend time with my family and try not to get worked up. You still have a long time until kick-off and you don’t want to lose sleep. All the work has been done. It’s all about the execution the next day. What’s the biggest game in which you’ve ever played? LD: Probably my first cap for England. That was against Scotland. I actually represented Scotland at Under 19s and was named in the Under 21s squad so the game meant a lot to me. I was quite late coming into the international set up, at 26 years old, so for my debut all my family were there and the atmosphere at Murrayfield was electric. It was amazing to be there and get on for 10-15 minutes to prove that I could play at
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ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT Alex: Leather Jacket £489, Polo Shirt £74, Trousers £93 Lee: Blue Suit £466, Linen Shirt £102 Ben: Jacket £293, Check Shirt £113, Trousers £105, all Eden Park
Access to Alex Goode, Ben Youngs and Lee Dickson was provided by Eden Park, official clothing partner of the England Rugby Team. Eden Park is available at eden-park.com and houseoffraser.co.uk
How much of a boost will playing on home soil in this year’s World Cup provide? AG: Home soil helps us a lot, having the home crowd behind you. When we’re at Twickenham it definitely spurs you on, it makes the team play better. BY: We see Twickenham as a fortress and we like to utilise that, it’s a massive advantage. Everyone is out wearing their England shirt and will be proud to be part of the World Cup. We saw the Olympics in 2012 and how powerful that was. LD: Twickenham has one of the best atmospheres in world rugby. When there’s more than 80,000 fans screaming for you and singing ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’, it brings your hairs up. It really carries you through the game. We have big games coming up in the World Cup and the 16th man will be even more important then. How will the team cope with levels of expectation? AG: I think we expect a lot of ourselves. We’re good players, we’ve grown a lot in two years, and we feel that as a group we’re getting better and better and we expect more of ourselves in the big games, we expect ourselves to be on top. We feel that if we play well, there’s no reason why we can’t win. LD: Stuart’s got us adapted to the fact that the World Cup is going to be a big occasion. There’s going to be a lot of people who will put added expectation on our shoulders, we’re professional rugby players, we have to adapt to that, go out and play rugby. Expectations will always be there, whether it’s the QBEs, 6 Nations or World Cup. In the World Cup, expectations will be magnified, but we have a job to do and we have to make sure we do that and enjoy ourselves while we do it. BY: No one puts more expectation on you than you, every time you get the chance to wear the England shirt you’ve got to play well, if you don’t, someone else will play. You don’t need to worry about all the other stuff, you just need to make sure that you’re bringing your best performance. Use the expectation to drive you.
FROM THE FIRST WHISTLE TO THE LAST Wembley Stadium is home to the most important games in football, from The FA Community Shield and England’s European Qualifiers to The FA Cup Final. To find out how you can guarantee your place at this year’s biggest sport and entertainment events with Club Wembley, call 0800 783 1440 @ClubWembley
| LIFESTYLE |
MEET THE We speak to grooming guru Lee Kynaston about the latest grooming typology as identified by Braun and its expert panel
5 grooming products no Remantic would be without…
A state-of-the-art shaver like the Braun Series 7. The Remantic demands a truly bespoke shave. Series 7-790cc, £299.99 Braun, braun.com
Lee Kynaston
Helena Christensen / Braun
“
remantic Line breaks re/man/tic Pronunciation /ri:ˈmantIk / Definition of remantic in English NOUN 1 The re-born romantic, he’s suave, sophisticated and highpowered. This guy sets trends in the City on a wage that is finally enough to live the lifestyle he’s always aspired to. Fancy cars? Bespoke suits? You name it, of course he has it.
3
”
tell-tale signs you’re becoming a Remantic…
1. You go into a blind panic at airport security when you realise your face cream is 10mls over the allowed limit. 2. Your skincare and grooming gadget haul is bigger than your wife or girlfriend’s. 3. And it’s better.
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The grooming ritual of a Remantic involves… Time, effort and patience. He exfoliates, he turbo-charges skin with a serum, then moisturises with a product featuring a daily sunscreen to keep wrinkles at bay. An eye cream is an essential, not an optional add-on, and because he’s a busy guy for whom time is of the essence an electric shaver is essential. In a Remantic’s wardrobe you’ll find… True classics: the blazer, the brogues, the crisp white shirt. All of it is bespoke. He knows, too, that the devil’s in the detail so no expense is spared on finishing touches. He collects pocket squares like other men collect football programmes. A Remantic checks the time on his… Rolex Cellini 50509 in white gold, with a leather strap. Noble, romantic and timeless, without being ostentatious or showy, it echoes his elegant, understated style perfectly. The last time a Remantic was on holiday… It was all about the spa.
Super 16 Pro-Collagen Serum, £80, OSKIA, uk.spacenk.com
A high-tech, anti-ageing face serum. Moisturisers are for beginners. The latest electric toothbrush. Why do all the work when an electric toothbrush can do it for you? Sonicare FlexCare Platinum, £200, Philips, johnlewis.com
A boutique fragrance. Who wants to smell like every other guy in the street? Masculin Pluriel, £110, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, franciskurkdjian.com
A Remantic drives or is driven in a… Tesla or a BMW i8. Three celebrities a Remantic can best identify with… David Gandy, Gerard Butler, Pierce Brosnan.
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A Santiago Gonzalez crocodile leather washbag. A man’s got to have a decent home for his gear… Wash Bag, £995, Santiago Gonzalez, mrporter.com
Man Photographer: Dominic Nicholls
Stylist: David Hawkins @ Frank Agency
of Steel Navy wool micro check doublebreasted jacket, £575; Navy wool micro check trousers, £215; White cotton/linen shirt, £115; Navy tie, £95 all Hardy Amies, hardyamies.com
this page: Blue 11oz glen check 3-piece suit, £1,675, Thom Sweeney (33a Bruton Place, Mayfair W1J 6NP); White shirt, £330, Brunello Cucinelli (3 Burlington Gardens, London, W1S 3EP) opposite page: Blue cotton Falmouth coat, £995; Navy classic cotton chino, £175; Crewneck jumper £395, all Gieves & Hawkes (1 Savile Row, London, W1S 3JR); Navy tie, £95, Hardy Amies (as before)
opposite page: Pistachio waxed cotton trench coat, £650; Navy denim trousers, £195; Bruno buckle shoes, £390, all Hardy Amies (as before); Black scotchgrain with cognac trim leather, £650, Mulberry, mulberry.com THIS page: Navy suede & knit jacket, £525; White chinos, £145, both Hackett (55 Old Broad Street, EC2); 1975 slim brief bag, £895, Tumi, tumi.com
Grooming: Samantha Cooper @ Carol Hayes using Dermalogica and Bumble & Bumble
Photographer’s Assistants: Aurora Scheftel
and Talie Eigeland
Model: Sam Moore @ Storm Model Management Shot on location at the Aston Martin assembly plant, Gaydon, Warwickshire - astonmartin.com
Wool harrington jacket, Paul Smith, £445, paulsmith.co.uk; Safari chronometer watch, £2,150, Ralph Lauren, ralphlaurenwatches.com
STYLE HER
The leading ladies and latest looks guiding style this season
Myla at Midnight
Ornamental Lace Short Kimono in Marine, £1,200, Myla, myla.com
Flannelette pyjamas may seem cosy and comfortable but we’d argue there’s a time and place for something a little less practical. London’s own Myla knows elegant sensuality and its nightwear is testament to this. Fromglamorous floor length gowns to playful babydolls and stunning silk robes, each individual piece is created with the utmost care and attention to detail.
Couture Corsetry Dita Von Teese says: “Lingerie is not about seducing men, it’s about embracing womanhood.” And as far as we’re concerned, nothing says femininity quite like Maison Lejaby’s Spring/Summer 2015 couture collection.
PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE In 1954, Ada Masotti, a talented and skilled corset maker founded a Bologna-based atelier of corsetry that went on to become one of the most sought-after lines of intimate apparel. Throughout the decades, La Perla has adapted its design to reflect the changing times, and Spring/Summer 2015 is no different. The collection crosses the boundaries between public and private as bustiers, body suits and slips offer the versatility of being worn as both underwear and garments.
Sophia Bra, £149 Sophia G String, £72, La Perla, laperla.com
Daily Design Bustier, £384 Daily Design High Waist Briefs, £116, La Perla, laperla.com
Liberating Lingerie “To reveal its whole beauty, let’s begin by liberating the female body,” declared Simone Pérèle as she opened the doors to a small corset-making shop in Paris. More than 65 years later, her family remains at its helm, and this mission at its very core. So much so, Simone Pérèle’s Spring/ Summer 2015 collection will make you wish you could show a little more. The collection combines pretty pastels with a burst of bold colour, while French embroidery and delicate lace take centre stage throughout the collection. simone-perele.com
Ombrage Top, £150, Ombrage Boxer, £80, Maison Lejaby, maisonlejaby.com
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Tribal Dream Bra, £327 Tribal Dream Thong, £144, La Perla, laperla.com
| FASHION |
A MURDER MYSTERY Taking inspiration from David Lynch’s Lost Highway and Brian De Palma’s Body Double, Agent Provocateur’s Spring/Summer collection follows the dangerous trail of the perfectly executed murder. Ellen von Unwerth steps back behind the lens bringing her signature sizzle to an intriguing exploration of the complex and many-sided woman: coy, duplicitous, siren, saint. With a killer instinct and body to match it, Naomi Campbell is Agent Provocateur’s mercurial femme fatale. agentprovocateur.com
“Life makes detectives of all of us. There’s something at the end of the trail we’re all looking for” – David lynch, American film director
HELLO HEIDI Last year, Bendon announced it would be parting ways after a 25-year partnership with supermodel Elle Macpherson. The market leader also announced a world first, a new partnership that has seen the entire Elle Macpherson Intimates line rebranded as Heidi Klum Intimates. Launching in over 1800 retail doors worldwide last month, on her new role as creative director, the supermodel said: “I want women everywhere to feel sexy, empowered and confident in my collection every time they wear it.” bendonlingerie.com.au
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“ Fast, fun and devastatingly effective at sculpting legs, backside and above all the stomach” S ta n d a r d
W i NNE r B E s t P i l atE s s tu Dio – tat lE r GYM aWarDs 2013 & 2014 Y ou r f i rst class ju st £12.50. Notting Hill, chiswick, Mayfair, st james’s, Hatton Garden, city | www.tenpilates.com
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beauty from within the pills, lotions and potions of the beauty chemistry set
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1. Fabulous Face Cleanser 100ml, £21, Aesop, aesop.com 2. Oh My Cold Face Serum, £82, Codage, selfridges.com 3. Anti-ageing Collagen Drink, from £60 for 20-day package, Skinade, skinade.com 4. Brit Beauty Oil, £28, Skin & Tonic, skinandtoniclondon.com 5. Aura Manuka Honey Treatment Mask, £22, Antipodes, selfridges.com 6. Ellenisia EDP 100ml, £105, Penhaligon’s, penhaligons.com 7. Tinted Peach Pink Balm, £6.95, Dr. Paw Paw, drpawpaw.com 8. The Hyaluronic Molecule, £28, Fountain, fountainbeauty.com 9. Healthy Hair Complex, £24, Hairfinity, hairfinity.co.uk 10. Bar Soap, £3.99 each, Dr. Bronner, drbronner.co.uk 11. Hyaluronic Acid Complex, £35, The Organic Pharmacy, selfridges.com
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FITNESS
The tips, tricks and training kit you need to stay at the top of your game
Eco Yoga Mat, £40, Sweaty Betty, sweatybetty.com
Cryo Counts Beauty salon Treatments at Bank reckons February is still close enough to Christmas to warrant quick fixes. Its Cryopolysis treatments involve freezing fat cells in one stubborn area that are effectively killed, never to return. Two treatments should be enough to see noticeable changes, but patience is key as the full effects are only evident after eight weeks and beyond. The highly publicised 3D Lipo is a similar process, but using Cavitation, boiling the cells more gradually with a laser massage. The process is a longer-term approach and six treatments are recommended for a contoured result. Areas treated include the stomach, thighs, inner thighs and arms. £99 per 90-minute session, treatmentsatbank.com or call 0207 283 7070
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THE SWEAT LODGE One of our favourite City haunts, Coq d’Argent has teamed up once again with wellness community SERENE Social to offer a series of winter yoga classes. Set in the restaurant’s rooftop terrace turned ski lodge, the classes focus on uplifting the body and mind through the cold winter months. An après-yoga breakfast provided by the Coq d’Argent kitchen alone is enough to get us out of bed on a Saturday morning. Every Saturday at 10am until March 28th, EC2, serenesocial.com
Essential accessories for any yogi worth their salt:
Studio Mid Pack yoga shoe, £100, Nike, nike.com
Eva Tote, £115, Gymtote, gymtote.co.uk
| LIFESTYLE |
ASK THE BODYDOCTOR
Best Sports Headphones Lightweight, sweat-resistant buds that won’t budge are ideal for marathon training. These three in-ear headphones top our list
Q. What is more conducive to losing weight, cardio training or resistance training?
Sweet Cheat Come February, many of us are trying to clamber back onto the fitness wagon, our ‘New Year, New Me’ mantra having fallen by the rotund waist side by mid-January. Enter Wheyhey’s line of guilt-free ice cream, crammed with 20.1g of protein, 0.8g of sugar and only 149 calories in a 150ml serving. Banoffee Protein Ice Cream, £6.50 for 500ml, Wheyhey, wholefoodsmarket.com
SIE2i sport headphones £129.95, Bose, bose.co.uk
PT sessions at Ten Pilates If you’re new to Dynamic Pilates, the best introduction is a one-on-one personal training session. Having braved the reformer machine at Ten Pilates’ City studio recently, The City Magazine was seriously impressed with the ‘TenPT’ experience. Personal training sessions from £80, tenpilates.com
A. Resistance is more beneficial to fat loss because muscle is the engine where fat is burnt. It’s a misconception that doing cardiovascular exercise will burn fat. How much fat you burn is only dictated by the amount of lean muscle you have. Think of it as the muscle being the engine; if you have a lot of muscle, you have a big engine. Big engines need a lot of fuel, so you have to create lean muscle, and by that I don’t mean big muscles, I mean lean muscles, so that your body composition is good and your body fat is low. Then you’ll have a higher metabolic rate, and you burn more calories. You can take two genetically identical people and put one of them on a cardio programme and one of them on a resistance programme, and I know from over 30 years of experience that the person doing the resistance programme will always lose more body fat. And they’ll probably increase their cardiovascular fitness just as much as someone doing a moderate cardiovascular programme. Email your fitness and health related queries to bodydoctor@rwmg.co.uk For personal training or to sign up to the six-week fitness programme, contact David Marshall at The Bodydoctor, 36 South Audley Street (020 7499 9990), bodydoctor.com
CX 685 sport in-ear headphones, £49.95, Sennheiser, sennheiser.com
EDITOR’S PICK Biometric sensors analyse heart rate and running style
Zik Sport smart headphones, £TBC, Parrot, parrot.com
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Z e n
and the Art of Ski Production Handmade meets high tech at the Swiss factory of luxury ski manufacturer Zai Words: Chris Allsop
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t’s the Bentleys. I haven’t skied for 15 years, so on this crisp, blue, Swiss alpine morning, when a low profile would be preferred, Zai’s Sam Tinson is handing me a pair of racing-green Zai-for-Bentley skis – a collaboration between the luxury ski manufacturer and the iconic car brand. Not that any Zai ski is particularly innocuous – against the neon speed-freak aesthetic of massproduced ski ornamentation, Zai’s elemental understatement stands out by virtue of its composure. But the Bentleys are the nearest Zai gets to purposefully eye-catching – adorned with a lattice of spring steel and crowned at each tip with the unmistakeable winged B. “Let’s head up,” says Tinson. I heft the skis onto the lift, leaning them oh-so-gently against the metal railings as if they were glass and not a durable compound of natural rubber, cedarwood, and Swiss
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Watch-grade stainless steel. They cost around £8,640. The slopes we’re ascending are those of Disentis/ Mustér, an Alpine resort town east of Andermatt and overlooked by a huge, butter-yellow Benedictine monastery. Simon Jacomet, Zai’s founder and creative director, attended lessons at the monastery as a boy and it’s where he first learned about Zen Archers – monks that become one with their weapon. It’s a theory that’s underscored his sport and his career, which has included turns as an instructor for the Swiss national ski team and as a designer with ski behemoths Völkl and Salomon. “Skiing should be as effortless as possible,” Jacomet explains. “But you need a product that can make this happen.” To achieve this, and frustrated by the limitations and compromises of mass production, Jacomet left Salomon and set up on his own in 2003. He selected his
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Despite how pretty their skis look, nothing is added that isn’t contributing to the skis’ performance. Jacomet even admits that he’d prefer to create skis without logos on hometown as the site for his workshop, and hired a team of local craftsman that included master carpenters and metalworkers – and all passionate skiers. Staffed with employees that shared his obsession with performance, Jacomet commenced an intensive process of R&D. Today, Zai has 10 different types of skis available for purchase on its website, and, despite the demands of a flourishing brand (they sell through 60 select dealerships, and have opened their first boutique in Courchevel this season), you can still find Jacomet zipping down the piste with a prototype strapped to his leg, or in the factory discussing the next design with his craftsmen. The factory, based in an old printing works, has a production run of about five pairs of skis a day (adding up to roughly 900 a year as some, like the Bentleys, take longer to manufacture). It feels more like a carpenter’s workshop sharing office space with a firearms manufacturer. A not unpleasant chemical blend hangs in the air, while the sound of tools mixes with tinny Springsteen. Jacomet’s obsessiveness is everywhere: in its custom-built machinery, in its custom-built carbon fibre compound zaiíra (less brittle, more bounce), and even in the custom-built, Jacomet-designed furniture in his office (just less bounce). Touring the factory, I nod along to the list of materials that Zai pours into its handcrafted skis:
walnut veneer, carbon laminates, natural rubber, Dnyeema fibre (used in body armour), granite. Hang on – granite? Stone bends, apparently. Part of Zai’s patented Carbon Fibre Stone (CFS) technology, the manufacturer creates the cores of its latest Spada skis using green Rofna-Porphyr gneiss from the mountainside about an hour down the road. The stone is pre-stressed by combining it with carbon fibre, allowing it to flex without breaking and resulting in a core with superb damping qualities. One satisfied customer described the ski’s performance as “lying on the snow like a silk tie”. You hear the word “damping” a lot at Zai, along with “resilient” and “durable”. Zai itself means “tough” in the local Rhaeto-Romanic language, and all of the materials they use fall in line with Jacomet’s austere design philosophy: despite how pretty their skis look, nothing is added that isn’t contributing to the skis’ performance (he admits that he’d prefer to create skis without logos on). The result is a longer lasting ski, losing only about five per cent stiffness after a hundred days of skiing (as opposed to an average of 25 per cent after 30 days with ordinary massproduced skis). This is why Zai has a customer base that extends beyond the monied St. Moritz crowd to locals on ordinary salaries who see Zai longevity as an excellent investment.
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| FEATURE |
Why didn’t you set up in a more lucrative market, like St. Moritz? I ask. “Because it all comes together here,” comes the answer During the tour, one of the craftsmen, Duri, breaks off to say hello. He could have been designed by Zai: his arms are as lean as jerky, and his eyes have just enough bright blue in them not to be transparent. I reach for the obvious: “You ski?” Duri blinks. “Yes, I ski.” Of course, Duri, who grew up skiing with Jacomet, is something of a demon. I’m told that he “turns so tight that he’s almost going uphill again”. There’s a photograph on the workshop wall of a grinning Duri astride a lime green sports motorbike while holding a matching pair of Zai Laisas. Having now reached the piste, I clip my boots into the Bentleys and stare down the mountain preparing for injury. Tinson tries to reassure me, “Zai is known for having a very smooth, solid line. Beginners enjoy using them as much as world class skiers.” This is true: Antoine Dénériaz, the 2006 Olympic Men’s Downhill Champion, is one of the company’s ambassadors. As the Bentleys begin to slice through the snow, Jacomet’s words return to me, when, after I asked him why he didn’t set up in a more lucrative market like St. Moritz, he replied, “It all comes together here.” Not for me, unfortunately. But at least I didn’t damage the Bentleys. Broke a pole, though.
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not just a hotel,
a way of life
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MINI Magic Words: Jennifer Mason
A SURPRISE To the right of the central dashboard instrument there’s an inbuilt camera for capturing those important on-the-road memories
CLASSIC CONSTRUCTION The characteristic ‘Touring’ coachline traces a sleek, aerodynamic sense of movement from the front wheels to the rear
UP FRONT Two circular headlights and a hexagonal grille keep to the traditional MINI design accents
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COLOUR PALETTE The Como Blue exterior paint has been specially developed with an almost liquid effect to embody the juxtaposition of classic and modern style
| MOTORING |
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ON THE INSIDE The interior has been stripped back to racing basics; leather and aluminium accents offer touches of luxury alongside a laid-back, distinctly cool vibe
n a new collaboration with Touring Superleggera, the traditionsteeped design and coach-building house based in Milan, MINI has introduced a super-cool new concept model embodying the best of the quirky British MINI personality alongside classic Italian body construction. The MINI Superleggera™ Vision is an intriguing cross between a timeless two-seater sports car and a compact pocketrocket that should make even the most hardened of MINI sceptics sit up and take notice. MINI has remained rather cagey about the intimate engine details of the concept, which premiered at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2014, choosing instead to focus on the collaborative design aspects of the model – which Senior Vice President of BMW Group Design, Adrian van Hooydonk, describes as “an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and hand craftsmanship.” With discreet Union Jack symbols embedded into the design in several innovative ways, including the rear lights and the structural elements on the door interiors, the Superleggera Vision certainly pays tribute to its British racing heritage. Despite the recent decline in the style credentials of this most garish of national symbols, it must be said that the Superleggera Vision handles these flourishes with aplomb and the end result is, fortunately for MINI and Touring, more Bond than Benefits Street. There’s no word yet on whether MINI will put this exciting concept into general production, but I’m sure there are many out there who’ll agree with me when I say that I hope they do. mini.co.uk
JACK’D UP SEAMLESS DESIGN
SET APART
There are very few gaps in the car’s bodywork as it has been engineered by hand from large sheets of aluminium
As with other MINI models, the wheels are set widely on the body for a higher degree of agility
The rear LED lights form the shape of a Union Jack flag divided into two halves, a modern reminder of the car’s British side
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Size
matters Mercedes has looked to the top of its range to shape the latest C-Class, and the result is impressive, says Matthew Carter
I
t was time for a double take. I’d just handed back the latest Mercedes S-Class limo and replaced it with a C-Class saloon. Or so I’d thought. As I settled behind smart piano black interior and gripped the chunky three-spoke steering wheel, I realised my mistake: I’d got into another S-Class. Except I hadn’t. This really was a new C-Class… it’s just that it looked and felt like a 7/8ths scale model of its big sister. And that tells you how much effort M-B has put into its new junior executive, and how high the stakes are getting. Globally the C-Class is Merc’s bestseller, so when it came to developing a new one they pulled out all the stops. They needed to because, frankly, the old C-Class wasn’t the best in class by a long way. In fact if you wanted a compact sports
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saloon you bought a BMW 3-series – it was the default option and was streets ahead of not just the C-Class but also the Audi A4. It’s a lot more complicated today. For a start there’s a new kid in town ready to rattle the establishment cage. No one has driven the advanced new Jaguar XE yet, so we can’t be absolutely certain that it will match or (preferably) better the establishment. But if the recent F-TYPE is anything to go by, it will. Germany is right to be worried about Coventry’s latest. BMW can still afford to ignore the Audi A4, though. Well made, good-looking in a sober sort of way and reasonably high tech, the Audi falls down by being just
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plain dull to drive. But the men from Munich have a fight on their hands with the new C. This is a clean-sheet design, with totally new architecture under the sculpted and swooping body. Making extensive use of aluminium, the new car is longer and wider than the old model, yet around 100kg lighter than before. And nowhere is that better displayed than under the bonnet. The vast majority of C-Class models will be sold as company cars, and that means – for the time being at any rate – they are likely to be diesels. The test car was a C250 diesel, which in the good old days would have signified a sixcylinder engine displacing 2.5-litres.
This is a clean-sheet design, with totally new architecture under the sculpted and swooping body
| MOTORING |
VEHICLE SPECS Car Mercedes-Benz C 250 BlueTEC AMG Line Price £35,510 Engine Front-mounted, 2,143cc, twin turbocharged four-cylinder diesel Power 204 hp Performance 153mph max, 0-62mph in 6.6 secs Drive Rear-wheel drive, seven-speed automatic
Today, it’s lost two cylinders and has shrunk to 2.1-litres but grown a couple of turbochargers… and pumps out a healthy 200+ hp as a result. The top speed is more than 150mph and a 6.6 second time to 62mph from rest. The performance is delivered through a standard and wonderfully smooth sevenspeed automatic, a transmission that perfectly complements the engine. More relevant to the modern world, perhaps, are the impressive 113 g/km of CO2 emissions and the combined 65mpg figures. So it’s quick and efficient, though the engine will be a little too gruff for some. Mind you, this unwelcome noise from the
engine might simply be accentuated by the overall sense of refinement from the rest of the car. Had Merc engineers been developing a car for two or three classes up, they couldn’t have done a better job. And the interior is a Best in Class job: top-quality materials are used throughout, and even though the seats are covered in synthetic leather you’d have to be an expert – or a cow – to tell it apart from the real thing. The use of proper metal rather than silver-painted plastic for the air vents and switchgear adds a touch of class, though the touchscreen tablet display used for the sat nav, the sound system and so on, looks a little too much like an afterthought. Legroom is a little tight in the rear, though whether that’s a problem depends entirely on how often you take an adult or two in the back. Unusually for a Mercedes, the C-Class is reasonably well-equipped. As well as the standard automatic transmission, the C 250 AMG LINE version comes with sat nav, rear parking camera, climate control and a DAB radio as standard, plus a few AMG branded styling and cosmetic extras rather than extra performance kit. This sense of class is repeated on the outside. The swooping lines, abundant use of chrome, LED lights front and rear and trapezoidal exhaust pipes have all been borrowed from the top-of-the-range limo… though that’s something that’s likely to please C-Class owners rather more than S-Class ones. So far, then, BMW has a real fight on its hands. The new Merc is good looking, performs well, and oozes class: it’s a huge step up from its predecessor. There’s just one elephant left in the room – can it match the Bimmer for driving pleasure? On paper it can, in practice not quite. It’s rear-wheel drive, which is a good starting point, while its front suspension uses a sophisticated system also used, you’ve guessed it, in the S-Class. Available on the options list, meanwhile, is an air suspension system, yours for an extra £895. Replacing the standard steel springs, the Airmatic system is designed to boost sporting handling by keeping body roll to a minimum at the same time as providing a magic carpet ride. It works, up to a point. The new C-class is especially comfortable on long motorway runs, but it doesn’t want to handle twisty B roads with quite the same gusto as a 3-series would, despite the fancy electronics that allow the driver to fiddle with the suspension settings. Maybe it doesn’t matter. The C-Class might not be the ultimate driver’s car, but it more than makes up for a BMW’s sense of involvement by being distinctive, well equipped, beautifullymade and with a simply stunning interior. But the real battle is to come. And if the XE can combine the Merc’s classiness with the Bimmer’s driver involvement, then Jaguar will move to the top of the class. Watch this space.
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TECH TALK
Essential apparatus for keeping ahead of the curve
ACOUSTICS UNPLUGGED Portable speakers have come a long way in the last few years. Gone are the days of flimsy plastic shells pumping out a thin and tinny sound as a trade-off for wireless listening. Premium brands have taken the market by storm, with richer sound quality, exceptional materials and sophisticated aesthetics to boot. The Beolit 12 tops our shortlist, offering distortion free musicality and smooth streaming via Apple AirPlay.
Eight-hour, rechargeable battery
Solid aluminium grill and full-grain leather strap Wireless streaming via AirPlay for iOS
B&O Beolit 12 Price £429 USP For the design conscious Best feature build quality and craftsmanship beoplay.com
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Bowers & Wilkins
Crazybaby
Denon
T7
Mars
Envaya Mini
Price £299.99 USP Superior sound quality Best feature Up to 40 hours playback bowers-wilkins.co.uk
Price Pre-order from £125 USP Something a little different Best feature Levitating speaker crazybaby.com
Price £99 USP Big sound for a small price tag Best feature Punchy bass denon.co.uk
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
| LIFESTYLE |
Premium customised cans Despite the cool price tag for buds you’ll barely see, Noble’s Prestige earphones are completely unique, customised to fit the mould of your inner ear. With a truly fantastic sound quality, you’ll struggle to go back to any other in-ear monitors. Prestige bespoke in-ear monitors, from £1,650, Noble Audio, nobleaudio.co.uk
When tech and horology collide Montblanc has announced an unprecedented leap into the wearble tech market, unveiling the TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap. The first luxury brand to marry wearable tech with fine horological traditions, Montblanc’s e-strap features an activity tracker, smart notifications and smartphone controls via Bluetooth for Android and Apple devices. It also looks a damn sight finer than any other smartwatch on the market. The range was officially launched last month at the Geneva watch trade show SIHH. TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap, from £2,350, Montblanc, montblanc.com
#SaveaSpeaker Over 10,000 speakers are sent to one major UK recycling centre alone each month. Kickstarter group The Vamp reckons we should be reviving our forgotten speakers, not chucking them away, to protect the musical heritage they represent. Blazing past their crowdfunding target, The Vamp has created an innovative, cubeshaped device (of the same name) to transform your old audio equipment into a Bluetooth hi-fi for the 21st century. Each The Vamp sold is paired with an acoustically rich speaker or can be bought separately to resurrect your own dusty floorstanders. The perfect synthesis of hi-tech fidelity and vintage aesthetics. The Vamp, £54.99, The Vamp, thevamp.co.uk
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The Art and Design Window GALLERies: Galleries showcase up-and-coming artists, designers and craftspeople and are located in Canada Place. Showing this month are:
WINDOW
Katharine Morling, Shifting Diamonds 2013, photo Stephen Brayne
Ivor Diosi Canada Walk Ivor’s work is a fusion of art and technology. His main obsessions are identity and the existence of space-time, organic life and consciousness. He works in the fields of virtual reality, augmented reality, humancomputer interfaces, game-engine modifications and artificial life. monoskop.org/Ivor_Diosi
VISUAL ARTS Take a break to explore and enjoy Canary Wharf’s temporary exhibitions and permanent art collection around the estate
Drawing on Life: Sculptural Ceramics by Katharine Morling 2 February – 20 March Lobby, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf FREE
Maryam Mottaghi Jubilee Walk For her final jewellery collection at the Royal College of Art, Maryam focused on the concept of beauty surgery and Rhinoplasty in particular. She investigates issues such as beauty, power and pain as well as bringing innovation and a different perspective into the concept of jewellery. maryammottaghi.co.uk
Exhibition tour Tuesday 17 February, 6.30 to 7.15 pm FREE Curator Ann Elliott tours the exhibition with Katharine Morling.
The subject matter of Katharine Morling’s sculptural Contact Canary Wharf Public Art Office ceramics is derived from ordinary, even mundane, at visualart@canarywharf.com objects that surround us every day. However, through her to reserve a place. acute observation they become surreal, imbued with characteristics beyond their ordinary physicality. Her preferred medium is porcelain, defined by black line drawing, in which she creates one-off objects, limited editions, collections and installations on a range of scale. In this exhibition at One Canada Square our aim is to show some of this range and also to demonstrate Katharine’s sense of fun, her acute observation of everyday things, her sense of how strange things can be, and how obsessive human activity sometimes is. Included in the exhibition is a new commission Katharine has created for Balman Gallery, Garden’s Edge 2013-15. It is an extensive installation in which she has built up a full narrative, a virtual novel of mystery and intrigue. The scenario of players and objects is open to many interpretations so that viewers may make of it what they will, although the artist says the installation is about disconnectedness and innocence within an idyllic landscape or garden. D For further information see katharinemorling.co.uk
EVENTS
There’s more happening than Valentine’s Day this February to get your heart racing
Photography by Peter Matthews
Get active this year - read on!
CYCLE CHALLENGE
EcoPrint / Shutterstock.com
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA V SERIES AT CANARY WHARF
Thursday 14 May, Canary Wharf, Register now
Royal Bank of Canada V Series at Canary Wharf is an exciting and unique new inter-company team cycling challenge. Based on Team Pursuit format, corporate teams made up of eight riders will compete against the clock on a 1km closed-road circuit in the heart of Canary Wharf. Register your team now at RBCVLondon.com.
CHARITY JOG
CANARY WHARF JOG IN AID OF BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
Wednesday 17 June, Canary Wharf, Register now
Sign up for this unique street jog and do your bit to raise vital funds that will help save lives. This jog is a great way to share an evening with friends, colleagues or family where you can run, jog or even walk as many laps as you like, up to 10k, within Canary Wharf. Sign up now at bhf.org.uk/get-involved.
And remember, getting to Canary Wharf couldn’t be easier – travel on public transport via the Jubilee Line, DLR Canary Wharf or Heron Quays or the Thames Clippers river bus or there are four underground public car parks at Canary Wharf. At weekends and Bank Holidays you can enjoy three hours’ free parking in any of our public car parks when you spend £10 at any of Canary Wharf’s shops or restaurants. Ts&Cs apply.
LAST CHANCE
ICE RINK CANARY WHARF Ice Rink Canary Wharf closes at the end of the February, so don’t miss your opportunity to skate against the striking architectural backdrop of Canary Wharf, which includes the famous One Canada Square building. And, with the Q on Ice bar on site, warm up afterwards with the excellent menu and cocktails.
Until 28 February, All day, Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf
BOOKING: Book tickets at icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk Booking fee applies for telephone and online bookings.
CANARY WHARF COMEDY CLUB
FEELING FUNNY
A talented line up of comedy genius returns to the Canary Wharf Comedy Club stage this spring with an assortment of laughs, entertainment and wit! With food concessions from some of Canary Wharf’s popular restaurants and a pay bar, you will want for nothing more. Book now to avoid disappointment.
Monday 23 February 7.15pm (doors 6.30pm), East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, £12
BOOKING: Book tickets at seetickets.com or on 0871 220 0260 Booking fee applies Tickets available on the door, subject to availability. Unreserved cabaret style seating. Full bar, food and cloakroom. Only items purchased on the premises may be consumed.
www.canarywharf.com
@yourcanarywharf
Beyond the Frame Mark Westall has been working in, and writing about contemporary art on and off for almost 20 years. Each month, he introduces an artist on the cusp of greatness
This month: Marek Szczesny
Untitled, 2014, oil on canvas, cardboard, 210 x 170 cm
W
hat’s so interesting? No one would doubt that we live in busy times – constantly required to give our attention to new flows of information and with little time to consider what’s been happening to and around us. It can be a bit overwhelming. From Shakespeare’s plays to Picasso’s cubism, we have always looked to artists to help us find ways to think that will enable us to find meaning out of what can sometimes feel like chaos. In our current, hectic era we increasingly looking to our artists to help us find ways to slow down and reflect on our experiences and ourselves. It seems almost inevitable therefore that the art world should be busily reappraising and reintroducing the work of an older generation of artist for whom personal
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Kazimir, 2014, oil on canvas, 162 x 130 cm
White Powder on Glass, 2013, oil on canvas, 195 x 130 cm
experience is as much a material as paint and canvas. Into this environment comes 75-year-old painter Marek Szczęsny, whose large scale paintings and paper works use his own biography, as well as layers of paint to trace the contours of the painter’s life. Born in Poland, and with a career spanning more than 40 years, Szczęsny’s personal history takes in a life in art that began with the young artist gate-crashing lectures at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk in the late 1950s and continues to this day in the artist’s adopted city, Paris. This story is depicted through an almost topographical technique, mapping history, myth and recollection in a physical way, piling up layers of paint, to create an uncertain yet fascinating terrain from which figures and forms are
simultaneously exposed and obscured. There are hints of smoke, of jazz, the smell of oil paints, turpentine and traffic. Works are made on canvas, or, intriguingly, on paper, where, layering, ripping, tearing and drawing, the pieces physically break the two-dimensional frame and expand into ‘real’, non-painterly space. Geometric forms jut out and extend beyond the frame, deliberately dissolving painterly and topographical borders and instilling a sense of motion and movement to static pieces. With a long list of exhibitions in his adopted France, across Europe and in the US, a show at new London gallery L’Étrangère will see Szczęsny’s work shown in the UK for the first time. It comes, perhaps, just at the time we need it most.
| ART & INTERIORS |
Emigrant 2, 120 x 160 cm, acrylic on paper, 2010
Find the work Marek Szczesny 30 January – 13 March 2015 L’Étrangère, 44a Charlotte Road, London EC2A letrangere.net
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MALIBU YELLOW THROW This month, grey skies come as standard and warmth only comes in the form of extra layers. And as we prepare for yet more miserable weather, a cosy throw seems like a practical investment. Wrap yourself up in this gorgeous yellow throw and reminisce of sunnier times. £160, amara.com
FORMULA AND LATTICE LINEN CUSHION Take another lesson in geometry with the Formula cushion from BoConcept. Balance those sunnier accents with just a few shades of grey for a little more depth to your living room. £49, boconcept.com
Add support and decoration to your new Berwick Sofa with Heal’s 1810 Lattice Linen Cushion. Featuring a green geometric design and a contrasting blue-piped edge, these duck-feather filled cushions form part of the Heal’s 1810 collection that’s named after the year in which the company was established. £36, heals.co.uk
Sunshine when SKIES ARE GREY Get scheming – a timeless, neutral palette with a primary pop breathes new life into has-been homes Words: TIFFANY EASTLAND
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BERWICK SOFA A well thought-out and stylish design will make it difficult for you to ever part with the Berwick Sofa. Style and comfort were equally important in the design of this perfectly proportioned sofa. Featuring a deeply button-tufted backrest, sloped armrests and tailored piping, the Berwick offers that refined gentlemanly touch to
| ART & INTERIORS |
ETCH SHADE BLACK Lighting is a crucial consideration when trying to achieve a certain ambience in the home, and Tom Dixon’s approach to lighting design is most certainly well conceived. Inspired by the simple logic of mathematics, this pendant light features a detailed pattern which casts a mass of intricate shadows when lit. Also available in brass, copper, steel and as a candle holder, there’s one to suit every living environment.
JAMAICA DINING TABLE Forming part of the Downtown Modern collection by Ralph Lauren Home, the Jamaica Dining Table offers sleek, urban refinement, something that is seen throughout the entire collection. The square base features cross-braced legs in a cherry finish, while the top has been crafted from black ebony.
£325, tomdixon.net
£6,750, ralphlaurenhome.com
KARTELL I SHINE GIALLO TALL YELLOW VASE
your living room. Choose from a rather extensive collection of high-quality velvets, cottonlinen blends or leathers that suit just about any living space and home. We favour a cool grey as it can be accented with each season’s hottest hues for a thoroughly modern take.
Despite its crystal appearance, the I Shine Giallo Vase from Kartell is, in fact, crafted from PMMA, a transparent thermoplastic that is lightweight and shatter-resistant. Inspired by Catalan designer Eugeni Quitllet, our eyes are drawn to its elegant linear shape and striking central vessel.
£2,998, luxdeco.com
£76, heals.co.uk
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NYC: Words: TIFFANY EASTLAND
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THROUGH
New York is a city you could spend a lifetime in and still struggle to see all that Manhattan has to offer. So, when all you have is a weekend, you really ought to think up a game plan
| TRAVEL |
THE CONCRETE JUNGLE I
t’s one of the most filmed destinations in the world, yet nothing tells the story of New York as vividly as its skyline. On 11 September 2001 tragedy was literally written in the sky, but this was followed by triumph – lower Manhattan was rebuilt and daring construction vied for viewers’ attention further uptown. New kid on the block, 432 Park Avenue, became the tallest building in the Big Apple last year. Prices for the 104 residences that make up the 1,396ft tower begin at £10.8 million and rise to £60 million – evidence, if it was needed, of New York’s appeal amongst the planet’s super-rich. The building is set to earn its co-developers CIM and Macklowe Properties something close to £2 billion. As home to the headquarters of the
United Nations, New York is an important centre for international diplomacy, but beyond this, it exerts a significant impact upon commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education and of course entertainment. And, as a tourist destination, it boasts more restaurants, bars, museums and iconic sights than just about any other city in the world. Attracting more than 50 million tourists each year, you will feel like a drop in the ocean, but Manhattan’s simple grid system will allow you to easily navigate your way around. Just like any big city it’s easy to become overwhelmed by choice, hence why we’ve compiled an itinerary to help you become somewhat more discerning when all you have is a New York minute.
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A DAY IN NEW YORK 10:00AM FACIAL AT GUERLAIN SPA – WALDORF ASTORIA You’ve touched down in New York, the flight’s wreaked havoc with your skin, but fortunately you’ve got a ten o’clock at the Guerlain Spa inside New York’s prestigious Waldorf Astoria. The hotel’s team of professionals combine their effective know-how and aesthetic expertise to tailor a treatment to your needs. And gents, they also offer a number of treatments designed specifically with you in mind. You leave feeling rejuvenated, and look it too, especially after the complimentary shoe shine, garment steam and make-up refresher you receive before stepping out the door. Next stop… guerlainspas.com
MIDDAY BRUNCH at the rainbow room
2:00PM New York spring spectacular at radio city music hall Just before Christmas, The City Magazine was blown away by the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, and even more delighted to hear that another performance had been added to the Rockettes’ busy schedule in 2015. Created by the Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning team for Radio City Music Hall and inspired by the magic of spring, this production dazzles audiences with its state-ofthe-art technology and the dynamic dance numbers we’ve come to love. You leave feeling inspired to explore the Big Apple. *The Rockettes are set to storm the stage in the New York Spring Spectacular for a short seven-week run, opening on 26 March and closing on 3 May Tickets start from $46, newyorkspringspectacular.com
NYC CHECKLIST NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM Museum Admission, $24, 911memorial.org
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN thegarden.com
BELOW FROM TOP TO BOTTOM Bloomingdale’s, Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf Astoria / © 2015 Waldorf Astoria OPPOSITE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM The Plaza Hotel, New York Spring Spectacular, Death & Co. / William Hereford
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING Admission, $29, esbnyc.com
TOP OF THE ROCK Admission, $29, topoftherocknyc.com
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART Admission, $25, moma.org
STATUE OF LIBERTY nps.gov
This historic New York City landmark opened its doors during the Great Depression in 1934. Situated on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the site offers incredible views, elegant décor and a truly glamorous setting. In the early days, the Rainbow Room was frequented by the Whitneys, the Astors and, of course, the Rockefellers, and to this day continues to host New York City’s elite. In addition to its evenings of entertainment held on a Monday, the venue hosts a weekly Sunday brunch, where the iconic dance floor transforms into a culinary stage. Diners are taken around the world, with stations dedicated to house-made breads, roasted meats, Asian specialties and a spectacular raw bar. If you miss out on a brunch booking, do be sure to make a reservation at SixtyFive, the opulent lounge bar adjacent to the Rainbow Room. But there’s no time for that now, the show’s about to begin. The prix fixe brunch is $95, rainbowroom.com
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CENTRAL PARK centralparknyc.org
LINCOLN CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS Tours, $18, lc.lincolncenter.org
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM Admission, $16, guggenheim.org
CARNEGIE HALL Tours, $15, carnegiehall.org
| TRAVEL |
3:30PM SHOPPING
STOP OFF AT SAKS Saks Fifth Avenue boasts all your favourite American designers, those cult classics and the best of Europe, not to mention a collection of diffusion lines too. It’s the 10022-SHOE store that really sucks you in, the eighth floor designer salon is a serious vortex for the best-heeled New Yorkers. You’re spoilt for choice, but be decisive, it’s time to head uptown. saksfifthavenue.com
SWING PAST BERGDORF’S An NYC institution, Bergdorf Goodman continues to wow visitors each year with its unparalleled showcase of designer fashion. On one side of Fifth Avenue you’ll find nine floors of perfection, not to mention New York’s most well turned-out women, while across the road you discover three floors dedicated to a genteel group of gents. You spy one or two Hollywood heroes as you depart, but don’t worry, celebrity sightings are just as likely at your next stop. bergdorfgoodman.com
DROP BY BARNEYS A second home to New York’s fashion frontrunners, Barneys is one of the reasons New York is the fashion capital of the world. Both refined and edgy, Barneys New York houses everything from Valentino to Helmut Lang. Just before some serious damage is done, you realise the Barneys experience comes with a rather hefty price tag, fortunately your next stop has a few more brands that won’t break the bank. barneys.com
HIT BLOOMINGDALES You find all the big-name designer labels at this Third Avenue flagship but also an extensive selection of well-priced American brands that take up residency on the second floor for ladies and the lower level for men. You head straight for the fourth floor, you’ve heard a lot about Bloomingdales’ lingerie department. It lives up to all the hype – sheer heaven for women and men.
bloomingdales.com
6:00PM THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING It’s time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the streets below. Perhaps you’ve arranged a rendezvous on the observation deck with someone special (just take care while crossing the road).
The view is truly breathtaking at this time of evening, but you have dinner reservations to make downtown. Admission, $29, esbnyc.com
7:30PM DINNER AT BALTHAZAR It may seem like an obvious choice, but there’s a reason Keith McNally’s French bistro remains an NYC cult classic. Balthazar is unlike most of Manhattan’s must-visits, mainly because it’s had more than a moment in the limelight. It opened in 1997 and to this day continues to host the Beckhams and Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour among others. So you quickly scan the room for any familiar faces before feasting your eyes on the menu compiled by chef de cuisine Shane McBride. As you savour that last mouthful of apple tart tatin, you call for the bill. It’s time to head to the East Village. balthazarny.com
10:30PM DRINKS AT DEATH & CO. From the outside, Death & Co. doesn’t seem like much, but that’s hardly unusual given the increasing number of speakeasy-style bars that have popped up across Manhattan. When you enter through the nondescript doors, you’ll find a small, dimly-lit bar that doesn’t go to great lengths to impress with décor (not that there’s anything wrong with its interior). What you soon learn about Death & Co., is that it’s all about the drink, with time and energy evidently invested in concocting its famous cocktails. The menu is extensive and rather eclectic, but the staff are only too happy to help you choose. deathandcompany.com
1:00AM BEDTIME In the city that never sleeps, it may seem amateur to be calling it a night. You are, however, excused, given that you’re staying at The Plaza. If only you could keep your eyes open long enough to appreciate the sheer decadence of your guestroom, not to mention the incredible views of Central Park, fortunately it will all still be there in the morning. Rates for a room excluding breakfast start from £458, theplazany.com
British Airways flies twice-daily from London City Airport to New York. Lead-in fares on the British Airways London City-New York flight start from £2,703 return, including all fees and charges For reservations visit ba.com or call 0844 493 0758.
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Fall in love with hand-crafted furniture New designs released daily
THE LILLE
THE EVA
The Lille exudes French elegance with its cabriole legs, handcarved detailing and lavish velvet upholstery in Raspberry Pink. Just £299, usually £425 in high-end retailers.
Working an understated glamour, the Eva’s simple lines, solid poplar base and gentle white finish add elegance to any hallway. Just £199.
THE JULIETTE
THE CAMILLE
A piece of timeless beauty, the Juliette reworks the classic Gustavian bench, perfect at the foot of the bed. Just £199, usually £326 in high-end retailers.
Rich in French charm, the Camille has a hand-painted finish in Mint Blue, an intricate white trim and antiqued brass handles. Just £299, usually £499 in high-end retailers.
SAVE £25 With voucher code city3
Visit www.swooneditions.com/city3 or call 020 3137 2464 Save £25 on a £250 minimum spend. Does not include delivery and cannot be used alongside any other offers or promotions – ends at midnight on 23.02.15.
LONDON HOMES &
PROPERTY Covering THE CITY, Wapping, Shad Thames, Shoreditch & Islington
London’s
hot spots Which surprise boroughs to invest in
Gotha gold lux lappato, £72 per square metre. Imagery courtesy of Minoli, minoli.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 Looking back, 2014 wasn’t without its surprises, none more so than the wholesale overhaul of the stamp duty system which seemed to take everyone by surprise in early December. The reform in stamp duty came about after years of debate as to the fairness of the old system, which was often criticised as a “slab tax” with sudden increases in the duty payable as the purchase price rose. The new system, which came in to effect on 4 December following George Osborne’s autumn statement, did away with the old tiered structure and instead replaced it with a more progressive tax, much like income tax, meaning each part of the value of the house is taxed at the appropriate rate. Under the new system, according to Mr Osborne, 98 per cent of homeowners in England and Wales now pay less after the changes than they did under the old system. Only people who pay more than £937,000 will pay more in tax. Over the past few years, there has been much discussion surrounding the possibility of an introduction of a so-called “mansion tax” for properties priced in excess of £2,000,000, in the event that the Labour party are elected in some form in the forthcoming General Election. It is perhaps no surprise that the Chancellor chose to announce the changes to the system when he did, as with an election due, it would be difficult for the opposition parties to argue that buyers of the most expensive properties aren’t now being taxed highly enough, which if anything is likely to bring more stability to this part of the market. The market in the latter part of 2014 was certainly more settled, however, agents in the most popular parts of central London have had a busy start to the year and whilst the property market in general is likely to pause for breath in the late spring as Britain goes to the polls, I think we have a lot to look forward to in 2015. Knight Frank Islington 020 3657 7340 knightfrank.co.uk/islington
The trillion pound market Recent studies may have indicated that housing prices could drop this year, yet collectively UK homes are now worth a staggering £5.7 trillion. Research conducted by Savills has found that London and the South East are accountable for £2.5 trillion of the total sum, with the average London home costing £428,988. Overall, last year the cost of homes in the capital increased by £247 billion, or 20 per cent. savills.co.uk
Old meets new Victoria + Albert Baths has paired heritage designs with a very modern invention, introducing the resin Quarrycast to its new Traditional Collection. Quarrycast is a unique, white material made from a special blend of volcanic limestone. It is lightweight yet strong, scratch resistant and warm to the touch, promising both comfort and durability during those long soaks. The Traditional Collection is inspired by Victorian and Edwardian bath designs, yet can be updated and personalised with a range of metal feet finishes and personalised paint jobs. Plus for peace of mind, so assured are Victoria + Albert Baths with the quality of Quarrycast, that the brand is offering a 25-year guarantee. From £1,525, vandabaths.com
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| HOMES & PROPERTY |
Did you know?
LETTINGS
The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) is predicting that London house prices will drop by 3.3 per cent this year, based on properties taking more time to sell and fewer new buyers making inquiries.
NICOLA WILLIAMS, lettings manager at Knight Frank Islington, comments on the trends in the residential lettings market
cebr.com
For many years the monthly rental market in Islington has been predictable. However, 2014 did not fit this trend and months that were historically successful did not deliver. Many factors led to this imbalance ranging from a large amount of new build apartments coming to the market at the beginning of the year, which outstripped the demand, to record low mortgage rates enticing tenants to the sales market. 2014 was still a successful year, mainly down to the large amount of high-end relocations and the budgets of overseas students increasing. The summer months were record months for Knight Frank Islington and other agents in the area. November was a surprising month, which usually has a high level of activity especially with corporate relocation. However, we found this to be one of the quietest months of the year which continued into the historically quiet month of December. The New Year has kicked off with a substantial increase in relocations with budgets ranging across the market. January, February and March are notoriously busy months with blue chip companies relocating employees before the end of the financial year, so we are hopeful that history will repeat itself. While home owners consider their options and wait for the results of the election, the number of rental properties stays steady. If the levels of applicants registering continues to increase there will be a lack of supply, which in turn should increase rents which will be the first in Islington for many months and will be in contrast to last January. Overall, we are incredibly positive for 2015. As always, landlords will need to present their properties to a high standard and choose their agent wisely as applicants’ and tenants’ levels of expectations towards presentation, decoration and professionalism have risen significantly and will continue to do so.
Substance and Extravagance Renowned for producing deeply expressive fabrics and furnishings, the Venetian company Rubelli has launched its fabric collection for 2015, entitled ‘Substance and Extravagance’. The collection of fabrics and accompanying wall coverings tap into the brand’s interest in different artistic movements and honours the extraordinary capabilities of Italian craftsmanship. Encompassing strong contrasts in palette and texture, the collection creates a simple sophistication, each piece unveiling its own influences. Notably, Rubelli’s Gran Canal Wall covering is a dynamic black and white digital print, inspired by an 18th-century etching by Luca Carlevarijs, the father of Venetian landscape painting. rubelli.com
Knight Frank Islington 020 3657 7340 knightfrank.co.uk/islington
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KnightFrank.co.uk Towerbridge Wharf, Wapping E1W
Uninterupted views of the Shard and Tower Bridge Contemporary flat with large South facing balcony. Accommodation comprises 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, reception room, balcony, 24 hour porterage and underground parking space. EPC rating C. Measuring approximately 76 sq m ﴾826 sq ft﴿. Available furnished Guide Price: £750 per week
Wapping Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 ﴾WAQ210984﴿
Pontifex Wharf, Southbank SE1 Recently refurbished
A luxury new apartment. Accommodation comprises 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, open plan reception room, Gaggenau kitchen, private terrace and bike store. EPC rating B. Approximately 56 sq m ﴾604 sq ft﴿ Available Furnished Guide Price: £1,750 per week
Wapping Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 ﴾RIQ210768﴿
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
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KnightFrank.co.uk China Court, Wapping E1W
Newly refurbished one bedroom flat A smart and recently refurbished flat in the Quay 430 development in Wapping. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception dining room, kitchen and parking space. EPC rating C. Approximately 52 sq m ﴾553 sq ft﴿ Guide price: £395 per week
Wapping Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 ﴾WAQ188866﴿
Capital Wharf, Wapping E1W
South facing balcony with river views The property has recently been refurbished to a very high standard. Accommodation comprises 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, reception room and balcony. EPC rating C. Approximately 90 sq m ﴾971 sq ft﴿ Guide Price: £700 per week
Wapping Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 ﴾WAQ175191﴿
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
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KnightFrank.co.uk Capital Wharf, Wapping E1W Outstanding views
Attractive fifth floorfloor sub penthouse Attractive fifth sub penthouse with 33bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large entrance hall/hall/ diningdining large entrance area, reception room, kitchen, 2 area, reception room, kitchen, 2 balconies, 24 24 hour porterage, balconies, hour porterage, underground parking space space and underground parking and communal gym. EPC rating C. communal gym. EPC rating C. Measuring approximately 131 sq m Measuring approximately 131 sq m ﴾1,451 sqsq ft﴿ ft﴿ ﴾1,451
Leasehold ﴾980 years﴿ Guide price: £1,595,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/wapping wapping@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5372 ﴾WAP140050﴿
Wilkes Street, Spitalfields, E1
Gracious Georgian house Built in 1724 for a Huguenot Silk Merchant, this listed house is full of original features. Accommodation comprises 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 2 shower rooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, patio and summer house. Approximately 211 sq m ﴾2,271 sq ft﴿ Freehold Guide price: £2,495,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/wapping wapping@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5372 ﴾WAP140062﴿
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KnightFrank.co.uk
Langbourne Place, Isle of Dogs E14 Three bedroom penthouse apartment
Immaculately presented three bedroom duplex offering far reaching views of the River Thames, the City and Canary Wharf skyline. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, 2 balconies, private parking, concierge. EPC rating D. Approximately 183.4 sq m ﴾1,974 sq ft﴿
KnightFrank.co.uk/canarywharf cwharf@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6112
Leasehold Guide Price: £975,000 ﴾CNW140169﴿
The City Mag Sales - Feb 2015-crop
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KnightFrank.co.uk
Lyford Road, Wandsworth SW18 Ideally located
KnightFrank.co.uk/wandsworth wandsworth@knightfrank.com 020 8682 7771
Beautiful detached double fronted house directly overlooking Wandsworth Common. 6/7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, garden, private parking. Approximately 419.3 sq m ﴾4,514 sq ft﴿. Freehold £5,500,000 ﴾WND140269﴿
Re
KnightFrank.co.uk
Orbis Wharf, Bridges Wharf SW11 Two bedroom flat with exceptional outside space
2 bedrooms, reception room, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, terrace with views of the river, 24 hour security and concierge. EPC rating C. Approximately 103 sq m ﴾1110 sq ft﴿
KnightFrank.co.uk/battersea battersea@knightfrank.com 020 3597 7670
Leasehold £1,250,000 RVR100291
Resident's Journal Dec 2014
19/01/2015 15:49:07
1 2
savills.co.uk
RED LION COURT, ec4a
GREAT GUILDFORD STREET, se1
Reception room ø kitchen ø bedroom ø bathroom ø 45 sq m (490 sq ft) ø EPC=B
Reception room ø kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø bathroom ø terrace ø 63 sq m (677 sq ft) ø EPC=D
Guide £730,000 Leasehold
Guide £740,000 Share of Freehold
Savills Wapping mmacfarlane@savills.com 0207 456 6800
Savills Wapping twadhwani@savills.com 020 7456 6800
JAM FACTORY, se1
TOWER WALK, e1w
Open plan reception room/kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø 24 hour concierge ø gated development ø 104 sq m (1,121 sq ft) ø EPC=C
2 reception rooms ø study ø kitchen/breakfast room ø 6 bedrooms ø 4 bathrooms ø 3 terraces ø garage ø 375 sq m (4,036 sq ft) ø EPC=D
Guide £775,000 Leasehold
Guide £4.6 million Leasehold
Savills Wapping mmacfarlane@savills.com 020 7456 6800
Savills Wapping twadhwani@savills.com 020 7456 6800
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savills.co.uk
LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY
NEW CONCORDIA WHARF, se1
NEW ATLAS WHARF, e14
3/4 bedrooms (1 en suite) ø reception room ø kitchen ø 3 further bathrooms ø 3 balconies with river views ø porter ø leisure facilities ø Council Tax=H ø EPC=C
3 bedrooms (1 en suite) ø reception room ø kitchen ø further bathroom ø 2 terraces ø allocated parking ø porter ø residents gym ø Council Tax=G ø EPC=D
Furnished £1,950 per week
Furnished £800 per week
+ £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* Savills Wapping djtaylor@savills.com 020 7456 6826
+ £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* Savills Canary Wharf ibates@savills.com 020 7531 2522
DUNDEE COURT, e1w
BECQUEREL COURT, se10
Bedroom ø reception room ø kitchen ø bathroom ø allocated parking ø porter ø Council Tax=E ø EPC=C
Bedroom ø reception room ø kitchen ø bathroom ø terrace ø balcony ø allocated parking ø Council Tax=C ø EPC=B
Furnished £425 per week
Flexible furnishings £310 per week
+ £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* Savills Wapping jpuodziukaite@savills.com 020 7456 6824
+ £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* Savills Canary Wharf lbrunning@savills.com 0207 531 2523
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*£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.
Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
Globe View, EC4 £825,000 Leasehold A recently redecorated two bed flat in a popular riverside block. EPC: C
Plumbers Row, E1 £775,000 Leasehold A stunning larger than average two bedroom apartment. EPC: B
Heneage Street, E1 £1,700,000 A stunning two bedroom loft apartment in a private mews. EPC: C
Globe View, EC4 £599,950 Share of Freehold A smart one bedroom river-facing City flat. EPC: B
Theobalds Road, WC1 £650,000 Leasehold A superb one bedroom rental investment in Bloomsbury. EPC: B
Princelet Street, E1 Price on Application Freehold A Georgian house with period features and luxury fittings. EPC: C
Hamptons City Office Sales. 020 7717 5435 | Lettings. 020 7717 5437
Thrale Street, SE1 £1,185,000 Freehold A freehold, three bedroom house in an outstanding location. EPC: E
Rosler Building, SE1 £1,700,000 Leasehold A split level penthouse apartment with views. EPC: B
Raven Wharf, SE1 £1,285,000 Leasehold A two bedroom 1,313 sq ft apartment in Shad Thames. EPC: C
Luna House, SE16 £899,999 Leasehold A bright two bedroom riverside apartment. EPC: C
Thames Heights, SE1 £750,000 Leasehold A two bedroom apartment in central Shad Thames. EPC: D
Caraway Apartments, SE1 £675,000 Leasehold A 711 sq ft one bedroom apartment. EPC: C
Hamptons Tower Bridge Office Sales. 020 7717 5489 | Lettings. 020 7717 5491
Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
Bridgewater Square, EC2 £550 per week (charges apply*) Refurbished two double bedroom apartment in the popular Cobalt Building. EPC: C
High Timber Street, EC4 £460 per week (charges apply*) A larger style Globe View apartment with a bright outlook over the stunning atrium. EPC: B
Wormwood Street, EC2 £575 per week (charges apply*) A newly refurbished two bedroom apartment in the heart of the City of London. EPC: D
Portsoken Street, E1 £550 per week (charges apply*) A refurbished two double bedroom apartment in this small well kept City development. EPC: B
Hatton Garden, EC1 £795 per week (charges apply*) A stunning three bedroom apartment, superbly located in this modern development in the heart of the famous Hatton Garden. EPC: D
Wood Street, EC2 £600 per week (charges apply*) Stunning one bedroom apartment in this brand new development in the heart of the City with 24 hour concierge. EPC: B
Hamptons City Office Lettings. 020 7717 5437 | Sales. 020 7717 5435
*Tenant Charges Tenants should note that as well as rent, an administration charge of £216 (Inc. VAT) per property and a referencing charge of £54 (Inc. VAT) per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit www.hamptons.co.uk/rent/tenant-charges
Pontifex Wharf, SE1 £1,250 per week (charges apply*) Two bedroom, duplex loft style apartment available in this brand new development in the Heart of Borough Market. EPC: C
Shearwater Court, E1W £495 per week (charges apply*) A beautiful well presented one bedroom apartment with a private terrace which offers charming views of St Katharine Docks. EPC: C
Butlers and Colonial Wharf, SE1 £450 per week (charges apply*) A fantastic one bedroom apartment set within a sought after gated courtyard development. Modern furnishings, private balcony and porter. EPC: B
Springalls Wharf, SE16 £795 per week (charges apply*) A stunning two bedroom apartment boasting two bathrooms, bespoke kitchen and balcony offering river views. EPC: C
Oxford Drive, SE1 £475 per week (charges apply*) A fantastic two bedroom apartment moments from London Bridge Station and Borough Market and in excellent order throughout. EPC: D
Caraway Apartments, SE1 £590 per week (charges apply*) A well presented two bedroom apartment with balcony. 24 hour portered block with Gym and Swimming Pool. EPC: C
Hamptons Tower Bridge Office Lettings. 020 7717 5491 | Sales. 020 7717 5489
We have the Best
UK and the We Valuer have the Best
Best UK Negotiator UK Valuer and the covering your area. Best UK Negotiator covering your area.
Three good reasons to move with Hamptons International. Whether you are buying or selling, you can rest assured that you are in the safest of hands. Three good reasons to City move&with Hamptons Islington West End International. Whether you are buying or selling, you Sales 020 7717 5456 Sales 020 7717 5434 can rest assured that you are in the safest of hands. Lettings 020 7717 5458 Lettings 020 7717 5436 Islington Sales 020 7717 5456 Lettings 020 7717 5458
www.hamptons.co.uk
www.hamptons.co.uk H013-ReasontoMove-AD-235x300-ISL.indd 1
H013-ReasontoMove-AD-235x300-ISL.indd 1
City & West End Sales 020 7717 5434 Lettings 020 7717 5436
Beyond your expectations
Beyond your expectations
16/01/2015 10:12
16/01/2015 10:12
s
01/2015 10:12
Outstanding views of the city from the fifteen storey tower 1, 2 and 3 bed luxury apartments in Dalston launching in March Prices from £470,000
Contact the selling agent for more details: fiftyseveneast@hamptons-int.com 0207 226 4688
Avantgarde, E1 • 2 Bedroom penthouse • 2 Bathrooms • Approx 1,924 sq ft (178.7 sq m)
• Private roof terrace • Floor to ceiling windows • City and Canary Wharf views • 24 hour concierge • Shoreditch High Street Overground
Price £3,500,000 Leasehold For more information, call 020 3733 1467 or email salescity@eu.jll.com
“A stunning duplex penthouse with magnificent entertaining spaces in the heart of Shoreditch” 16-17 Royal Exchange London EC3V 3LL
JLL.co.uk/residential
PRINCE GATE House, MEWS, KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW3 Parliament SE1 • Studio, 1 and12 Bedroom • Fully fitted point kitchens • Bullet point • Bullet 5 with Siemens appliances • apartments Bullet point 2 • Bullet point 6 • Luxury development • On•site gympoint 7 • Bullet point 3 Bullet • Balconies to s4elected units • Day • Bullet point • concierge Bullet point 8 • Wood flooring • Vauxhall and Westminster stations
new studio, 1 and 2 “ Brand An exceptional apartment, bedroom apartments coming to with excellent ceiling heights the market soon” throughout, maximum quote is four lines.”
PRICE £1,650Per PERWeek WEEK From £350 FURNISHED furnished For more 3733 1467 For more information, information, call call020 Simon Godson or email 020 7306lettingscity@eu.jll.com 1630 or email sgodson@waellis.com
16-17 Royal Exchange London EC3V 3LL
JLL.co.uk/residential JLL.CO.UK/RESIDENTIAL
Potential tenants Potential tenants are are advised advised that that administration administration fees fees may may be be payable payable when when renting renting a a property. property. Please Please ask ask for for details details of of our our charges. charges.
LINCOLN HOUSE, KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW3 • 3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms (1 en suite) • Reception room • Kitchen / dining room
• Porter • Lift • Approx. 1,235 sq ft (114.7 sq m) • EPC rating: current (D) potential (C)
“A recently modernised second floor flat in this Grade II listed block.”
GUIDE PRICE £3,600,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD THIS PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY LET For more information, call Simon Godson 020 7306 1610 or email sgodson@waellis.com
W.A.Ellis LLP 174 Brompton Road London SW3 1HP
WAELLIS.COM
GOOD LUCK ARRIVES It is widely believed that hanging a Fu, the symbol for luck or fortune, upside down outside a dwelling brings prosperity. JLL, expert in maximising investments for the Asian markets, has new property available to buy and to rent in over 50 key developments across London. Contact us for your very own property prosperity.
JLL, 16-17 Royal Exchange, EC3V 3LL jll.co.uk/residential | +44 (0) 20 3733 1467
Period property, extensively refurbished just off Harley Street
Matching people and property in London for 150 years.
122 Newgate Street London EC1A 7AA
T: 020 7600 0026 W: www.scottcity.co.uk e: property@scottcity.co.uk
Charterhouse Square, EC1 £415,000 Leasehold
Barbican, EC2 £885,000 Leasehold
Located in the historic area of Charterhouse Square is this studio apartment situated on the fourth floor. Entrance hall, small bathroom,re-fitted kitchen and studio room. Roof garden, a leisure area in the basement which includes a swimming pool, sauna and a small gym, laundry room and a day porter.
A beautifully presented spacious ONE BEDROOM apartment in SEDDON HOUSE in the BARBICAN with South facing views from balcony towards ST PAULS CATHEDRIAL. The apartment retains many of the original features including kitchen, bathroom, toilet, good size bedroom and study/dressing room.
West Smithfield, EC1 £585,000 Leasehold
Barbican, EC2 £1,150,000 Leasehold
Situated in the heart of West Smithfield close toSt Pauls and Chancery Lane is this ONE BEDROOM apartment measuring approx. 495 sq. feet (46 sq. m). High quality features and fine detailing which include sealed wood flooring, fully fitted kitchen and modern tiled bathroom. 24 hour porterage with impressive main entrance.
2 BEDROOM South facing TRIPLEX apartment offering great City views, located on the 5th/6th/7th floors of BEN JONSON HOUSE in the Barbican. Barrel vaulted master bedroom with a door leading to a ROOF TERRACE. New re-fitted kitchen with glass dividing wall and sliding door and a re-fitted bathroom.
St. Pauls, EC2 £565 Per Week
Bloomsbury, WC1 £395 Per Week
This TWO BEDROOM / TWO BATHROOM property located on the second floor of the block and enjoys a wonderful dual, south and East aspect. Both the bedrooms are double rooms which over look Postman’s park, with the master bedroom having an En Suite shower room.
Brownlow Mews is a very attractive MEWS within walking distance of Chancery Lane Underground Station. This ONE BEDROOM furnished flat is situated on the third floor of the building and offers entrance hall, open plan reception room and fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. AVAILABLE NOW.
Fetter Lane, EC4 £430 Per Week
Barbican, EC2 £295 Per Week
Located just off Fetter Lane, is this fantastic ONE BEDROOM apartment. The property is of a very high standard with a fully fitted kitchen with granite work surfaces. As the flat has Large Windows throughout the reception room it does benefit from good natural light, and is AVAILABLE NOW.
Located the historic Barbican development is this small style 6th Floor furnished studio. Available Now, this apartment is a perfect pied-a-terre for any city client or individual who needs a place to put down their head during the week. The property has been re-painted and benefits from modern furniture.
Leeward Court, West Wapping E1W Ea2 are pleased to offer for sale this 1 Bedroom 4th floor modern built apartment. Lounge. Fitted kitchen. 3 Piece bathroom suite. Double width balcony. Secure parking space.
On-site caretaker. Close to St Katharine’s DockE1W and Tower Hill Stations. Wellington Terrace,Wapping
£695,000
2 double bedroom, 2 storey house set within this gated CCTV development. The property has been fully 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.
£495,000
Capital Wharf, West Wapping E1W Ea2 are pleased to offer for sale this 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, top floor duplex apartment within this sort after riverside development. Lounge with double height ceiling. Fitted kitchen. Balcony with views of River Thames and Tower Bridge. Secure underground parking space. 24 Hour Conceirge. Residents gymnasium. Close to St Katharine’s Dock and Tudor House,Tower Bridge, SE1 £1,595,000 Tower Hill stations.
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.
£1,700,000
ea2 Agency Estate Agency | 35a Wapping StreetStreet | Wapping | London E1W E1W 2PL 1NA ea2 Estate Heritage Court | 8-10High Sampson | Wapping | London t: 020 7702 3456 t: 020 7702 3456 | f: 020 7702 9168 www.ea2group.com | enquiries@ea2group.com www.ea2.co.uk | property@ea2group.com
Dundee Court, West Wapping E1W Ea2 are pleased to offer to let this 4th floor 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom warehouse conversion. Lounge. Fitted kitchen. Character features. Secure underground parking space.
Daytime porterage. Close to St Katharine’ s Dock and Tower Hill stations. Roding Mews,Wapping E1W
ea2 are pleased to be able to show you this 6 bedroom 4 bathroom house for rental with a garden. This property is a very unique property and has views over the canal. Would suit 6 professional people. Close to Tower Hill and Wapping Overground and close to Waitrose.
£1,300 per week
£500 Per Week
Merchant Court, Wapping E1W Ea2 are pleased to offer to let this 1st floor 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom warehouse style apartment. Open plan lounge and fitted kitchen. Character features. Secure parking space. Porterage. Close to Wapping station and local bus routes.
Cascades Tower, Docklands E14
2 double bedroom, 2 bathroom 11th floor apartment within this secure modern development. Comprising a reception room with water/ City views, fitted kitchen, master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe & en suite bathroom, additional shower room. Balcony. Swimming pool, Gymnasium & Tennis court. Concierge.
£500 per week
£550 Per Week
ea2Agency Estate Agency Wapping Street | Wapping | London E1WE1W 2PL 1NA ea2 Estate Heritage| 35a Court | 8-10 High Sampson Street | Wapping | London 020 7702 3456 t: 020 7702t: 3456 | f: 020 7702 9168 www.ea2group.com | enquiries@ea2group.com www.ea2.co.uk | property@ea2group.com
www.lourdes-estates.com
Stylus Apartments, Devonport Street, E1
Naylor Building East, Adler Street, E1
Lourdes are delighted to offer this two bedroom apartment situated in the modern and stylish Stylus House development. The property comprises of two good sized double bedrooms, an open plan fully fitted kitchen and a generous sized private balcony.
Lourdes are proud to offer this two bedroom apartment in the popular Naylor Building development. The apartment features a large main reception room with access to private balcony, integrated kitchen, two ample sized double bedrooms and two bathrooms.
EPC = TBC
£475,000
EPC = B
£585,000
The Old Courthouse, Stepney, E1
Mulberry Court, Stepney, E1
Lourdes are delighted to offer this spectacular two bedroom penthouse apartment situated in the ever popular Old Court house development. What once was the magistrates court built in 1860 is now a charming recently restored conversion within walking distance of the City
Lourdes are happy to offer this spacious two double bedroom in Mulberry Court, a charming recently restored school building within walking distance of the City which has been converted into 34 boutique apartments.
EPC = TBC
EPC = TBC
£629,000
Docklands office: 96 Three Colt Street, Limehouse, London, E14 8AP docklands@lourdes-estates.com I 020 7538 9250
£725,000
Docklands office 020 7538 9250 docklands@lourdes-estates.com
One City North, Finsbury Park, N4
Mulberry Court, Stepney, E1
An off plan 872 sq ft two bedroom, two bathroom apartment is available to purchase in the prestigious One City North development in Finsbury Park. The property is situated on the fifteenth floor and benefits from two balconies with views towards West London.
Lourdes are proud to offer this spacious 1,200 square foot, split level, two double bedroom apartment in Mulberry Court. A charming recently restored school building within walking distance of the City which has been converted into 34 boutique apartments.
EPC = TBC
£820,000
EPC = C
£875,000
Avantgarde Tower, Avantgarde Place, E1
The Canaletto, City Road, EC1V
An immaculately presented apartment situated in the ever popular Avantgarde Tower. The property comprises of an open plan kitchen/ dining and living area with floor to ceiling windows leading through to a south facing balcony and three double bedrooms. The development benefits from 24 hour concierge, gymnasium and residents lounge.
Lourdes are proud to offer this stunning two bedroom apartment which has been beautifully presented to offer contemporary interiors with high-specification fixtures and fittings throughout, boasting a waterside location in Angel.
EPC = C
£899,950
EPC = TBC
£1,095,000
City office: 20 White Church Lane, Aldgate, London, E1 7QR city@lourdes-estates.com I 020 7377 5788
London’s Finest Properties Lettings
Romney House SW1P
£615 p/w
Bridge House SW8
£575 p/w
Two bedroom, Two bathroom apartment | 5th Floor with lift access | Furnished
Two bedroom apartment, Two bathroom apartment | Available now | 24hr concierge
Two allocated underground parking spaces | Spacious private terrace
River facing view | Furnished | Fantastic transport links
West Block SE1
The White House SE1
£450 p/w
£550 p/w
One bedroom | Fully furnished | 24hr concierge | 2nd Floor with lift access
Two bedroom, Two bathroom apartment | Luxury furnishings | Lift access
On-site Leaisure facilities | Prime Southbank location
Secure Underground parking | Concierge | Iconic views
Sales
School Mews E1
£699, 000
Blending modern technology and stylish designs with natural materials, the developers managed to create the perfect interior designed space for people who appreciate both good looks and functionality.
LETTINGS
MANAGEMENT
SALES
Kestrel House SW8
£634,999
A stunning one bedroom apartment at the highly prestigious St George Wharf riverside development. This bright and beautifully presented property offers a stylish and contemporary specification together with a sizeable living space.
SERVICED APARTMENTS
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Specialists in lettings, sales, and property LIFE have dealt with over18,000 tenancies.
LIFE currently manage over 3,000 properties in over 75% of London’s postcodes.
LIFE currently operate from 12 London based offices.
LIFE deal with Landlords from over 85 countries, over all 5 continents.
020 3668 1030
LIFE have sold over
£1.6 Billion
worth of property.
LIFE let on average one property every
120 minutes.
liferesidential.co.uk
| HOMES & PROPERTY |
COMPANY PROFILE: MARSH & PARSONS Mark Kempson
William Copeland
London estate agent Marsh & Parsons is opening an office in Shoreditch this month, adding to its existing network of 22 offices across London
T
he new Shoreditch office, which is on Bethnal Green Road, will cover a large area including Shoreditch, Victoria Park, Whitechapel, Stepney, Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Hoxton and Haggerston. The sales office will be run by Mark Kempson, who has worked in the property industry for more than 10 years, most recently in neighbouring Islington, where he also covered Shoreditch and Hackney. Mark, a local resident, says: “Marsh & Parsons is a great brand, with a long and impressive heritage and Shoreditch is the perfect fit for its expansion plans. I’m excited to join the area and put my local knowledge and expertise to good use.” Will Copeland will be taking up the role of Lettings Manager. Armed with a background in sales, he joined Marsh & Parsons in 2011, starting first in the Clapham office and then assisting in the successful launch of Marsh & Parsons’ nearby Camden office last year. To celebrate the launch of the new office, Marsh & Parsons will be offering homeowners in the area a special zero per cent sales fee for the first three months – saving local residents a substantial amount of money when they sell their property. The offer will be valid for the first 100 sellers who instruct Marsh & Parsons, and the property must be placed under offer within three months of the office opening. In order to qualify, properties must be located within a specific map boundary, details of
142
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
“Marsh & Parsons is a great brand, with a long and impressive heritage and Shoreditch is the perfect fit for its expansion plans” which can be found on Marsh & Parsons’ website. You may think it sounds too good to be true. But, the estate agent has used this formula in other parts of London before – in particular when it opened in nearby Camden – and promises to an apply the same level of enthusiasm and determination as it always does. It’s a simple “loss leader” strategy, and one that local residents should take advantage of if they’re considering selling. Marsh & Parsons – Shoreditch 70-72 Bethnal Green Road London, E1 6GQ 020 8128 0618 marshandparsons.co.uk
Beckenham 020 8663 4433 Bromley 020 8315 5544
Chislehurst 020 8295 4900 Locksbottom 01689 882 988
Orpington 01689 661 400 West Wickham 020 8432 7373
A member of
Duggan Drive, Chislehurst BR7
£1,495,000 L/H
A truly stunning penthouse apartment offering 3,600 sq ft of sumptuous living accommodation that briefly comprises three double bedrooms, four bathrooms/WCs, three reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room and utility room. Features six balconies, two garages with OSP and two large storage cupboards.
Contact Chislehurst 020 8295 4900
West Wickham BR4
£740,000 F/H
Substantial four bedroom detached house within close proximity to numerous excellent schools and amenities. • •
Four bedrooms Garage & separate workshop
• •
Stunning garden Energy Efficiency Rating E
Contact West Wickham 020 8432 7373
The Acorn Group, incorporating:
• • • •
Three double bedrooms 3,600 sq ft of living accommodation 1/4 mile from Elmstead Woods station Energy Efficiency Rating C
Bromley BR1
£1,000,000 F/H
Stunning five bedroom detached house occupying a wide plot and located in the heart of Sundridge Park Village. • •
Five bedrooms Spacious kitchen/diner
• •
Large secluded rear garden Energy Efficiency Rating D
Contact Bromley 020 8315 5544
langfordrussell.co.uk
COVET THE
SKYLINE United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty offers a wealth of coveted and rare homes for the true enthusiast. For a free market appraisal or to register with us to find your piece of London call 020 7495 9580.
| HOMES & PROPERTY |
Insider Knowledge
The investment properties you need to know about Diana Alam, Head of Residential Development Sales, JLL
What new launches can we look forward to this year and are there any particular areas to watch? There are a number of schemes coming to the market in 2015 offering purchasers a diverse range of product in terms of location and price. We saw sizeable growth in the residential market in 2014 and although it is predicted that the pace will be slower this year, it is still a very good time to buy. London is still an extremely attractive proposition and developers have adjusted to market conditions accordingly, meaning we have already had a very strong start to the year. Smithfield Square N8, one of our most recent instructions, has seen an extremely positive start with its location in a Zone Two growth area on the boarders of Crouch End. We also have prime central London stock launching soon such as Westminster Quarter in SW1, which – with its 91 apartments and penthouses – will offer a perfect investment opportunity in the capital. This scheme is located in Victoria – one of the Prime Central London locations that we believe has not achieved its real value for a central London
146
THE CITY MAGAZINE | February 2015
hot-spot. In 2015, investors will have a variety of choice which is great news indeed. City bonuses are on the horizon, what do you think will prove popular in terms of London real estate for those that are keen to invest? Investors need to see real return on their investment, so looking at buy-to-let properties is ideal in today’s market, and with lending becoming so competitive it is a great time to lock into the attractive mortgage products available if you can. Off-plan properties are often ideal due to the small initial investment required for purchase and if you buy well, the return will be is substantial. In today’s market, the best advice I can give to all my investors is when you are looking, knowing that property will be an attractive investment for a long time to come, choose carefully and think long term. JLL 020 7337 4004 jll.co.uk/residential
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