The City Magazine February 2013 by Runwild Media Group

the city m a g a z i n e

i-Candy

envy- inducing gadgets and techno wizardry

has the trend for gold plating and diamante embellishments on everyday items gone too far?

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FEBRUARY 2013 91

COVER IMAGE: Etch Shade in Brass, £230, Tom Dixon. tomdixon.net See our feature on Tom Dixon Designer, Interiors p. 82

interview

10 HAYE FEVER

As the sun threatens to set on the career for former heavyweight champion David Haye, the London-born hard man pleads for one last chance at glory, and there’s only one man he wants to steal it from, says CHRIS BEECH

feature 15 HERE COME THE GIRLS?

Sold out cabarets, soaring lingerie sales and the hysteria surrounding THAT book; as the nation grows more promiscuous, is London about to lose its license to lap dance? RICHARD BROWN investigates

collection

28 FAMOUS LAST WORDS

There is nothing more important than getting the ring right when you propose. As we approach one of the most romantic days of the year, Olivia Sharpe explores the top engagement ring services across London for those of you looking to pop the question this February.

comment

44 THINKING BIG

Timebased Events is responsible for some of the coolest launches and parties of recent years, including the GQ Man of the Year Awards and David Beckham’s Armani underwear range. Emma Johnson meets creative director Richard Dodgson

travel

99 WHERE ELEPHANTS GO

Dave Waddell experiences an African epiphany in beautiful Tanzania

regulars 25 Watches + Jewellery

91 Food + Drink

43 comment

97 travel

64 Sport

106 The Directory

69 Fashion

109 Property

the

w-list

AIMEE LATIMER highlights the key people, places and events in February. As the cold weather thaws, the year heats up with a month of celebration and passion. Whether you are enamoured with another, fashion or the arts, get ready to fall in love with London all over again

RUNWILD M

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Editor

emma johnson

Deputy Editor Richard Brown

Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds

Motoring Editor Matthew Carter

Collection Editor annabel harrison

Property Editor Gabrielle Lane

Editorial Assistants Aimee latimer daniel engelsman

Why? Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s is a day that divides people like no other. Whether you disdain it as a tacky excuse for consumerism, appreciate the nudge to show that person how much you care, or intend to spend it sobbing over a bridal magazine, it is unavoidable. Fortunately, across London there are spas, restaurants and hotels arranging flowers, creating menus and putting on treatments, doing all the hard work so you don’t have to. Chose something you and your partner both will enjoy, book ahead, and try to remember the heart behind it all. At least chocolate will be nearby. Charbonnel et Walker, charbonnel.co.uk

When? The Oscars

The 85th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday the 24 of February. Competing for the covetable Best Film is the crowd pleasing Les Misérables and the controversial Django Unchained. Seeing whether first time host and Best Original Song nominee, Seth MacFarlane will be cruel or kind to the stars is viewing incentive enough.

What?

Designer

Sarah Connell

Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong

Head of Design

What?

Hiren Chandarana London fashion week

London Fashion Week returns this month, showcasing the world’s leading designers’ Autumn/Winter 2013 collections. With the Olympics and London Collections, and Men’s Fashion Week beaming a spotlight on the country’s innovative style, expect the very best from the likes of Burberry Prorsum and Mulberry to fly the flag for Britain.

Production Manager Fiona Fenwick

Production

Hugo Wheatley

Senior Property Manager Samantha Ratcliffe

Head of Finance Elton Hopkins

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

7 Heron Quay, Canary Wharf London, E14 4JB T: 020 7987 4320 F: 020 7005 0045

The Barbican

The Rain Room exhibition at the Barbican is a 100 square metre field of falling water that responds to your every movement, allowing you to control the rain you walk through. The unparalleled experience and free entrance has made it a must-see, so go early to avoid the queues before the installation closes on the 3 March. barbican.org.uk

www.rwmg.co.uk

When? Chinese New Year

On Sunday the 10 February, Chinatown in the West End will be abuzz with dragons, parades and fireworks to welcome in the Chinese New Year and kick off The Year Of The Snake. Everyone is invited to come and experience the food, culture and celebrations. chinatownlondon.org

Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and 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 Canary Wharf Magazine. Visit the subscriptions page on our website. www.rwmg.co.uk/subscribe

P L E A S E E N J OY O U R C H A M PA G N E R E S P O N S I B LY DRINKAWARE .CO.UK

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editor’s letter

FEBRUARY “I play the game and I’m here to live the experience.”

So says David Haye in an exclusive interview with The City Magazine, as he talks about enjoying the trappings and showbiz lifestyle of a sport that ensures its athletes must walk the walk, and even more importantly, talk the talk. Read his fighting stance on p. 10. Bragging rights and bling in boxing has long been as essential a facet of the game as just being able to hit someone really, really hard. And it’s not just in boxing that ostentatious signs of wealth and power are important. On p. 21 Aimee Latimer looks at the growing need for everyday items to be pimped and embellished beyond imagination, and asks whether this desire for showy status symbols has finally gone too far. Impressing your superiors, colleagues and clients is an important part of your job, and years ago there was a very simple formula for taking a client out and ensuring you sealed the deal. Start at a Champagne bar and order more than they can consume, leave some half empty bottles behind to prove your worth; head for a swanky restaurant, recently opened, boasting expensive steaks and even more expensive wine. Order some whisky. Order more whisky. Then move on to an, ahem, ‘gentleman’s club’, and ensure they really are shown a good time. Simple, yes? Well it may not be an options anymore. On p. 15 Richard Brown asks if an economy in decline, changing attitudes to sex and new legislation sounded the death knell for one of the capital’s oldest industries? Impressing people these days is all about big gestures and doing things no-one else has done before – a phenomenon that means the top end of the events industry, serving some of the major brands in fashion, motoring and luxury, is seeing a real boom, and a bigger than ever trend to push the boundaries. Someone who knows about breaking the mould and impressing on a massive scale is Richard Dodgson, creative director of Timebased Events, who has been responsible for such lauded events as the GQ Man of the Year Awards and launches for Emporio Armani, Guess, Fendi and TAG Heuer. I talk to him about setting the bar high on p. 44. February tends to be branded the month of love and, while Valentine’s Day certainly forms a handy halfway point, you don’t need to let it define the next four weeks if you’re not feeling especially romantic. Throughout our fashion, food, drink, interiors, motoring, gadgets and travel pages there’s plenty of inspiration for treating yourself to something special instead. Or someone else, if you are actually that way inclined. Either way, enjoy!

Emma Johnson Editor

FEBRUARY 2013 THE CITY 9

haye

fever

As the sun threatens to set on the career of former heavyweight champion David Haye, the London-born hard man pleads for one last chance at glory, and there’s only one man he wants to steal it from, says CHRIS BEECH

o-one has ever accused David Haye of being coy. “When, or if, Vitali Klitschko fights me,” he begins, “I want everyone to remember when I put him on his back.” The former WBA heavyweight champion has always been one to talk up a fight. And chatter of one last bout, one last shot at glory, has never been far away since his second ‘retirement’ last year. “I want him on my record,” Haye says firmly. But the 32-year-old Bermondseyborn man-mountain admits that if Klitschko decides to pursue a political career, the Ukrainian turning his back on the sport will likely single the end of his own celebrated career. As a former champ, and the great 21st century British heavyweight, ‘The Hayemaker’ deserves to go out with a bang. After all, while his return from firsttime retirement (to fight Dereck Chisora at West Ham United FC on 15 July last year) may have exorcised some demons, it is not enough for Haye, particularly after suffering that ignominious defeat to Wladimir, the

older Klitschko brother, in 2011. So is 6ft 7” Vitali Klitschko the only boxer who can bring Haye out of retirement again? “I think so, yes,” comes the response. “He needs to fight me; he knows he has to take me on.” And if he refuses? “Well that’s sport, isn’t it?” Haye shrugs. “And in a sport like boxing you have very few chances. But if my career does end without having fought him, my next move won’t involve sitting on my arse. I could never do that. “You see some boxers pile on the pounds and lose their way really quickly after retiring, but that’s not me. There will always be something else for me.” Haye finished third in last year’s I’m a Celebrity... and recently the charismatic Londoner has been involved in promoting his new fitness DVD, Box and Tone. Interviewing the father-of-one requires stamina in itself. He mixes long, drawnout, sometimes philosophical answers with punchy anecdotes and controversial statements. “Dieting doesn’t work”, he offers. And, “I’m very into cowboy boots at the moment – everyone needs a pair in their life”. And on it goes. That restlessness is aptly reflective of the sense that he’s not done with sport.

Haye could step into the ring tomorrow and beat 99 per cent of challengers – but he can’t rest until he knows if he can beat that Ukrainian. Born in 1980, Haye began his love affair with boxing as a teenager at the Fitzroy Lodge Boxing Club in Lambeth.

“when, or if, vitali Klitschko fights me, i want everyone to remember when i put him on his back.” Unsurpirsingly, it wasn’t long before the trainers noticed his talent. In 1999, Haye, just 18, boxed at the World Amateur Boxing Championships in Texas as a light-heavyweight, but was beaten by the more experienced Michael Simms. He improved, taking the silver medal in 2001 when the event was held in Belfast, losing to Odlanier Solís in the final. Haye always dreamed of fighting in the heavyweight division, but truly made his name as a cruiserweight, where he became world champion, beating Jean-Marc

interview

february 2013 THE CITY 11

interview

Haye became the only boxer in history to give away a seven stone weight disadvantage and still come out on top. It was his finest moment. Mormeck on 10 November, 2007 for the WBA, WBC, and The Ring cruiserweight titles. The mammoth, all-British bout against Enzo Maccarinelli that followed was perhaps the most lucrative of his entire career. With Haye’s three titles and Maccarinelli’s WBO belt on the line, Haye won comfortably by a knockout in the second. He called it the “final jigsaw piece” of his cruiserweight puzzle, and moved to the heavyweight division. He pulled out of a fight with Klitschko, the elder, with a back injury before beating the giant, 7ft Nikolai Valuev, in a fight billed as ‘David vs Goliath’. Haye became the only boxer in history to give away a seven stone weight disadvantage and still come out on top. It was his finest moment. “That whole ride was awesome. Valuev was a beast, and not a nice one. You look at the guy and there’s something not normal about his genetic make-up. He is a true hulk, and that was an incredible fight.” Throughout his career, Haye has never shied away from controversy, from the infamous ‘beheaded Klitchko brothers’ T-shirt, to the press conference brawl with Dereck Chisora. But since his second hiatus from boxing, he’s been pretty well behaved. “You have to remember a lot of this is bravado,” he continues. “If people take boxing too seriously then they’re idiots. Sure, it’s nasty in the ring, but outside it it’s all about acting. I’ve been acting throughout my fighting career... and my whole life really. The Hayemakercharacter is pretty much an act.” So a career in Hollywood beckons?

12 THE CITY february 2013

“Ha – well, it might actually. I’ve been taking advice from [fellow boxer] Joe Calzaghe, who’s getting into acting himself. He’s taking it seriously and doesn’t want to do just anything. He wants something he can get his teeth into. So he’s someone I’ll talk to about these sorts of things.” Haye’s ultimate role? He wants to be a James Bond baddy, admitting his admiration for Javier Bardem’s character in Skyfall. After all, British hero or not, the boxer has never been afraid to act the devil when it suits. Various stunts have landed him in hot water – Klitschko described that T-shirt as “unspeakable,” seeming genuinely shocked, and the brawl with Chisora rocked the boxing world. “I play the game and I’m here to live the experience,” he says, suggesting an attempt at a partial defence. “I like the trappings outside the sport – I’ve got some lovely cars and doing stuff like I’m A Celebrity... was original and interesting, but it’s all about living it and trying things. We should all be doing that.” Haye wants to be remembered as a great boxer and great character. His self promotion knows no bounds, and he’s secured big fights throughout his career by talking the way he does, so who can say it doesn’t work? If he gets his wish at a closing chapter, it would be a fantastic finale for a fighter we’ve all come to respect. “I don’t do regrets,” he declares. “If Vitali and I fight and I lose – fine. If the fight doesn’t happen – fine. But man, I’d love just one more chance.”

XXXXXX

xxxxxxxx 2013 THE CITY 13

feature

Sold out cabarets, soaring lingerie sales and the hysteria surrounding THAT book; as the nation grows more promiscuous, is London about to lose its license to lap dance? Richard Brown investigates february 2013 THE CITY 15

or the first time in its 51-year history, Crazy Horse cabaret landed in London last year. Promoted as a Parisian temple to womanhood, demand for tickets was already outstripping supply before it was announced that Kelly Brook would be appearing as a special guest in a one week stint that, by popular demand, soon tripled in length. In a ten-week period leading up to Christmas, the Southbank-based show entertained some 50,000 guests, welcoming through its doors the likes of classicalmusician-turned-daytime-TV-presenter Myleene Klass and teacher-turned-mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins. The ‘world’s most seductive cabaret’ had become the place to be seen, even amongst the most wholesome of girls-next-door. Following a year in which the UK’s best-selling novel revolved around the world of BDSM, in which the nation googled frantically to find pictures of Prince Harry in the buff, and in which sex and lingerie shop Ann Summers announced that year on year sales were up by 78 per cent, it seems the country’s appetite for all things sex has never been so healthy (or unhealthy, as you may argue). With stigma surrounding a subject matter once viewed lewd, now removed, and with eroticism and erotic culture now consumed by a mainstream audience, you’d expect London’s lap dancing clubs to be in the raptures of burgeoning times. Instead, and more so than ever, the very existence of such establishments is coming under pressure. That the future of the capital’s ‘gentlemen’s clubs’ is under threat, is in part the product of legislation brought in a decade ago. The Licensing Act 2003 meant that lap dancing

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venues were categorised in the same way as cafes and bars, allowing strip clubs to open just as a wine bar or karaoke venue might. Unsurprisingly, the result was a rise in the number of clubs offering striptease, clubs that engaged in little or no dialogue with the people who lived nearby. Six years later, a response, in part, to the apparent ease at which venues could now offer their clients nude dances, equality lobby groups Fawcett Society and Object, along with Rania Khan – an independent Muslim councillor for Tower Hamlets – successfully campaigned to have the law changed. As of 2009, lap dancing clubs were rebranded as Sex Entertainment Venues (SEVs) and forced to apply for special licenses on an annual basis that councils could then refuse to grant. In Tower Hamlets’ case – an area that’s long provided a playground for the City and its cash – that’s a borough with a councillor in Khan that’s determined to rid the streets of such venues, including clubs that have existed for years. As founder of the Lap Dancing Association and Managing Director of the West End’s Platinum Lace Bar and Gentlemen’s Club, Simon Warr, has discussed the issue in both the Houses of Lords and Commons, as well as given evidence in front of a Parliamentary Select Committee. To him, he tells me, the new legislation was a result of a marginal government scratching for votes. “The initiative found favour with Jacqui Smith – ironically, herself a subject of investigation over a variety of inappropriate expenses and pay per view movies – and other well-positioned sympathetic ears within the Labour government. Many false allegations were made about the industry… It was also stated that there were over 300 clubs in the UK. In reality, at the time, there were 179.” Warr believes the legislation of 2009 was brought

in through desperation and with the benefit of little research. “Due to a government administrative error, anyone with a Premises License – so the 46,000 or so pubs in the country – where adult entertainment was not strictly forbidden, could [pre-2009] provide lap dancing as it was successfully argued by solicitors that a nonrestriction on the Premises License was a silent approval.” Post-2009, classifying lap dancing clubs as Sex Entertainment Venues gave local authorities the power to state the number of licenses they wanted to issue. With that number potentially being zero, existing clubs face the prospective of becoming illegal. David Tunmer, owner of Canary Wharf’s Majingo’s Gentleman’s Club, opened in 2002, feels he is being unfairly persecuted. “The government was railroaded into changing the classification of our clubs because too many sprang up after 2003. Prior to that, to obtain a license was difficult, you had to go through a long and thorough process to ascertain whether you were capable of running this type of club. If the council wants to have more control they should give grandfather rights to the clubs that obtained their license before 2003 and get the rest to reapply.” Across London, Enfield has decided to ban strip clubs altogether, despite never having had one, while Haringey, the City of London and Islington have all said they will not permit the opening of new lap dancing venues (good news, surely, for the clubs that already exist). Tower Hamlets, which currently has around ten SEVs, is one of the last councils to state whether they will be issuing any more licenses, to new clubs or old. “They [the council] conducted a consultation some 15 months ago and said that they would be guided by the

february 2013 THE CITY 17

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outcome,” says Tunmer. “As yet, they have not given the result of that consultation. We can only assume that it didn’t go in their favour and they don’t know what to do. The campaign was lead at national level by human rights organisation Object, and locally with the help of the Muslim community. Perhaps Object’s next move could be against arranged marriages.” The crusade against SEVs, in Tower Hamlets spearheaded by Khan, objected on the grounds that such venues foster a sexist culture, objectify women and pose a nuisance to surrounding, often suburban, areas. Until 2009, Khan said after a public consultation in October 2011, councils were “forced to give licenses for sexual entertainment to premises close to schools, galleries and residential areas.” Of course, the social consequences of the SEV industry, and the financial, carnal and psychological effects of its patrons and performers, transcend far beyond the word limit of this article. But to view the industry purely in business terms, in respect to supply and demand, perhaps the number of punters participating in the sector might tell us something about the current state of its balance books. A good person to ask is Secrets-founder Stephen Less, who, with six strip clubs across the capital, runs London’s largest lap dancing chain. First, I ask Stephen how the number of punters passing through his doors has changed in recent years. “The recession has affected most businesses,” he explains. “Our business has lost the high rollers, people aren’t spending as much per head as they used to.” This, despite the fact that two years ago City AM reported on how a group of 11 City boys blew £29,193 on caviar, Cristal and dances in one night at Secret’s Tower Bridge branch. The recession, says Less, has nevertheless, “forced

18 THE CITY february 2013

us to sharpen our pencils. We’re expanding in the middle market to cover it, widening our customer base.” While the serious spenders may have tightened their purse strings, Less insists the number of people visiting his clubs has actually gone up, with many treating the venues like ordinary bars. “More and more customers come just for a drink. The enjoy talking to the dancers but don’t actually pay for any striptease.” And of the gender demographic? With squeaky-clean names like Klass and Jenkins visiting Crazy Horse, and the not-so-squeaky-clean Rihanna and Katy Perry both pictured leaving different gentlemen’s establishments, is a celebrity penchant for strip joints indicative of a growing popularity amongst women? “Absolutely,” says Less. “We’ve witnessed a dramatic increase in female customers, both in terms of mixed parties, couples and small groups of women. In fact, on a Friday night in our Euston branch we actually sometimes have more female customers than male. That doesn’t happen very often but probably around 15 per cent of our customers [across Secret’s six venues] are now female. The younger element of today, the ladies under 30/35, are finding it more acceptable. They are visiting and having fun.” Whatever their reason for going, whether for pure voyeuristic pleasure or to appease pervy partners, an increase in female clientele is something Warr, who has worked in the industry for almost two decades, has also noted. “In my experience, the industry enjoys more females and couples than ever before. In an average week, we would see in excess of 2,000 customers in our London [Platinum Lace] club – not a vast number compared to mainstream clubs or pubs – with at least 15 per cent being female. We record

Images from Crazy Horse Cabaret courtesy of Antoine Poupel

on a daily basis the number of women who enter our club so that we can counter any argument.” And the reason for the surge in popularity? “[Lap dancing] clubs are known to provide a safe and enjoyable environment where females are not hassled and the overall customer profile is different to a pub or loud mainstream club.” The fact that London’s lap dancing clubs are attracting larger audiences and appealing to an increasing number of women isn’t likely to placate the lobby groups pushing for their abolishment. If Tower Hamlets decides to implement a complete ban, David Tumner will be out of a job. If other boroughs follow suit, so will Simon Warr and Stephen Less. Apart from making the industry’s employees redundant, what might be the other effects of a total nil policy? Tumner believes customers would turn to illegal clubs that “would not have the welfare of their dancers on the agenda.” Less is worried that a ban could mean premises losing their right to offer striptease but retaining the right to sell alcohol, meaning they become “a rowdy pub or late night bar”; something he believes “is against the interests of residents, police and councils. Table dancing produces lower numbers of customers that trickle in and trickle out. They don’t all get chucked out at four in the morning.” Warr echoes Less’ concerns. He says that it has been proven that some clubs actually reduce levels of crime and disorder and points to the fact that “more people have been imprisoned for criminal activity relating to churches than to Lap Dancing Clubs.” And for the City folk who’ve always considered the schmoozing of prospective clients in-front of scantily-clad women a foolproof formula? Well, you may have to say bye-bye to the booby-bar.

is a female celebrity penchant for strip joints indicative of a growing popularity amongst women?

www.bachet.fr

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The dollar idea The ‘World’s Most Expensive’ list is a summation of unparalleled excess, material obsession and unattainable cost. Yet with the luxury market rapidly diluting, AIMEE LATIMER considers the thought behind luxury’s grandest gestures february 2013 THE CITY 21

lthough hailed as ‘recession proof’, the luxury market is becoming increasingly vulnerable to its own success. Suffering from a Catch 22 of its own creation, the industry is constantly balancing between trying to optimise profits, while preventing the dilution of its brands to avoid the consequences of the kind of over-exposure that can pull a brand off the luxury pedestal and into the badly lit high-street. According to research from private firm Global Industry Analysts, the luxury goods industry will exceed $307billion by 2015. An increase in part due an expected rise in incomes as the economy stabilises. The result of this is a market with rapidly diversifying consumers who are shifting luxury’s demographic towards a less affluent majority with each diamante-encrusted perfume purchased.

This change may be wonderful for the consumer, but it is of serious consequence for the industry. Where watches still dominate the luxury market in terms of value – 17 per cent of it to be exact – cosmetics, for instance, are now the fastest growing segment. While companies are set to profit from the bolstered sales of their lower tier products, this accessibility invites the risk for middling brands to lose their justification to charge high-end prices at all. Whereas some businesses combat the fear of losing the luxury title by rustling up a limited edition range every anniversary or so, others defiantly walk a constant tightrope between stocking flash and exorbitantly priced items alongside muted, reliable sellouts. In this way, the brands and the buyer can have GoldVish, Illusion, Like their cake and eat it too. While Heaven, £119,000 everyone gets the keyring, only very few get the car.

Experts predict the luxury goods industry will exceed $307 billion by 2015

Shawish, All-Diamond Ring, £43 million

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GoldVish, Le Million Piece Unique, €1 million

Van Perckens, Champagne Cooler, £457,000

It is this game playing that makes gold plating Lamborghinis understandable, if not in taste, in terms of utilising publicity. If a brand brings out the world’s most expensive version of anything, the story will rocket round the globe, side-lining any thoughts of vulgarity or practicality under the weight of overwhelming curiosity. And it was this gasped reaction that met Shawish’s world’s first all-diamond ring. It took a team of specialists both a year and the creation of new laser technology to cut through a 150 carat diamond transforming it into a solid diamond ring with a suitably staggering £43 million price tag. “The time and effort devoted to accomplishing the successful production of the ring, was worth all the hardship,” explains Mohammed Shawish. “A ring made entirely of a faceted diamond has always seemed like a fantasy, it seemed impossible, so we decided to embark on the adventure of creating the perfect diamond ring that is the epitome of art.” The audacity of the project, artistic or not, embodies the almost romantic entwining of luxury and fantasy that defines the psychology of the industry and keeps it so desirable. It is this playfulness and indulgence of absurdity that perhaps explains why Shawish also make the world’s most expensive USB sticks. Produced in a similarly fairy tale fashion, the USB’s are hidden in diamond and ruby encrusted mushrooms perched on stems of gold and, costing up to £22,900, they are not to be misplaced in the office. Other companies make their mark by taking ordinary luxury items, such as mobile phones, and making them extraordinary. Take, GoldVish’s Le Million’ Piece Unique, the most expensive mobile in the world made with 18 carat white gold mounted with 120 carats of diamonds. The idea of hand-searing diamonds onto a mobile phone

that cannot even play Angry Birds seems a thankless task, but the phone justified its creation with more than just the publicity it garnered for GoldVish – it sold for an astounding million euros to a Russian businessman. Or Clive Christian, who wanted to ‘restore absolute luxury to the world of perfume’ and did so by releasing the tellingly titled No. 1, costing £2,700 by the 30ml crystal bottle. Though advertised as being made from the most decadent ingredients with ‘no reference to cost’, it is clear the extent of its expense was highly calculated. Also available as a 50ml perfume spray for £430, this more inexpensive bottle is still stamped with the product’s status and exclusivity, ‘The world’s most expensive perfume – one of one thousand’. It is statement they had confirmed through the Guinness Book Shawish, Mushroom USB, £22,900 Of Records and the signature of a product made to be expensive. More dedicated still are the small companies that exist solely to sell only one or two deliriously expensive products. For them the pursuit of luxury transcends publicity; it is about shock value, pride and unrelenting ambition to be the best. For instance Van Perckens, the creators of the world’s most expensive Champagne cooler, which comes in at an impressive £457,000, move from one limited edition product to another, keeping the scale of operations small and the attention to detail vast. The Champagne cooler, for instance, plays on Champagne’s age old affiliation with celebration, which sees 20 karat gold glasses suspended from the cooler and a high-gloss wood box for presentation. The elaborate Champagne coolers, rings, and even the USBs, epitomise the prestige essential to perpetuating the ideal of luxury that runs through every tier of the market. This fantasy both protects the status of brands it champions and yet drives increasing masses to purchase even the lowest tier products. Yet the madness of the race to create the world’s most expensive items is not to be taken lightly. Should the globe’s ultimate luxury items be found lacking in innovation or aesthetics they risk crumbling the whole industry under an Emperor’s New Clothes style of disillusionment that no amount of diamonds could fix up.

Clive Christian, No 1 Perfume, £2,700

february 2013 THE CITY 23

collection

REPORT

the ultimate

guardian

It’s a multi-walled, high-security cylinder capable of destroying drills, saws and anything else set against it, says Richard Brown; introducing, Döttling’s first travel safe

his company, Munich-based safe-maker Döttling, has impressed us once again with a unique way of keeping your valuables secure. Capable of housing, and protecting, six watches, in addition to jewellery, cash and important documents, the Guardian employs materials usually used to make bullet-proof vests and anti-riot shields to provide the ultimate travel safe. Stab it, smash it, burn it or blow it up; a hardas-a-diamond carbide component means that the Guardian will make mincemeat of saws, drills, power-tools and even sledgehammers. In

short, the Guardian can only be illicitly opened by a code breaker with a lot of time on their hands – but this is time they won’t have, as the travel case is equipped with a GPS tracking device, meaning it can be located anywhere in the world. Tailor the cylindrical safe to your taste by having its handle brackets engraved or by customising the variation of fabric and leather on its cover. At 35 centimetres in length and 13.5 in diametre, the Guardian is small enough to fit in your suitcase but personally, we don’t know why you’d want to hide it. Prices start from £7,900; doettling.com

news

Cupid’s Arrow Creative genius Paul Flato was based in New York from the 1920s to the early 1940s and is widely credited as the first celebrity jeweller, his long list of Hollywood clients including stars of the silver screen Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn. Flato is celebrated for his often flamboyant designs and Art Deco jewellery and this Flato ruby and diamond bow and arrow brooch showcases his ostentatiously playful style. The piece, along with other exceptional Flato designs and those by the likes of Suzanne Belperron (ring, pictured), is available at Lucas Rarities, which specialises in rare pieces of period jewellery and objets d’art. lucasrarities.com

jewellery Jewels, gems, pearls and diamonds; the essential components of any lady’s jewellery collection

Cutting Edge Luxury jewellery company Maxim Voznesensky recently opened its first London boutique and the Elements collection has been inspired by the four basic principles of Earth, Water, Air and Fire

The Fire pieces are just one part of Maxim Voznesensky’s Elements collection. Featuring bright red rubies, scorching yellow diamonds and blackened gold, the designer vividly captures the element’s characteristics in these pieces

Fire pendant with rubies, diamonds and yellow and blackened gold, available with either a yellow diamond or ruby drop, POA All from the Elements collection by Maxim Voznesensky (maximvoznesensky.com)

26 THE CITY february 2013

Roses are Red... French jewellery house Cartier’s latest creations nostalgically look back to past designs and influences. Following WW2, flowers (particularly orchids) bloomed bright and bold in the form of semi-precious colourful stones and the Caresse Pink Orchid ring, part of the Naturellement collection, speaks to classic design while offering a modern edge. Other heritage icons are parrots, love birds and the Cartier Panthère. cartier.com

My Valentine Joubi has collaborated with Kabiri to create two exclusive pieces. The first uses the signature Joubi Geometric ring as its setting but reinvented in 18-karat rose gold and adorned with pavé pink sapphires. For something more outrageous, the jeweller has designed a Croc ring, a crocodile design conceived of 15 carats of pink sapphires in an 18-karat rose gold setting. Geometric ring, £4,000 Joubi, available at kabiri.co.uk

For the Love of… Say ‘I love you’ differently this year. To coincide with its launch at Harrods, Amedeo is offering an exclusive service whereby customers can create a bespoke portrait cameo. Go in with a photograph of a loved family member or even a pet and Amedeo can create the perfect likeness. The main collection in store includes key motifs of crowns, panthers, snakes and skulls. Amedeo, available at Harrods

Hand mate.

Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month. Ref. 3791: In the days when the Spitfire conquered the skies, there was no shortage of heroes. And where there were heroes, there were bad guys, too. Anyone up there without a wingman could only rely on his instincts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and his IWC. Today, the IWC Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month comes with up to 68 hours power reserve and a glass secured against drops in air pressure, all designed to give pilots a feeling of security. Which thanks to the perpetual calendar will last for centuries to come. Mechanical chronograph movement | Self-winding | 68-hour power reserve when fully wound | Stopwatch function with hours, minutes and seconds | Hour and minute counters combined in a totalizer at 12 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock | Flyback function | Small hacking seconds | Digital perpetual calendar | Leap year display | Screw-in crown | Sapphire glass, convex, antireflective coating on both sides | Water-resistant 6 bar | 18 ct red gold |

IWC. Engineered for men.

Jubilee Place, 45 Bank Street, London, E14 5NY. Telephone : 020 7538 2332 w w w.davidmrobinson.co.uk

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23.10.12 14:42

collection

Tiffany & Co.

Famous

last words

As we approach one of the most romantic days of the year, Olivia Sharpe explores the top engagement ring services across London for those of you looking to pop the question this February

or centuries, men have agonised over the ‘right’ way to propose when, really, this is the easy bit. While there are a million and one different ways to ask, from the clichéd rose petals scattered around the house to sky-writing the words ‘Will you marry me?’, there is one thing which unites them all together, and that is the giving of the ring. And this is where men can really fall into some strife. Having a bad proposal, albeit traumatic, can be forgotten, but a bad ring is something your future wife has to live with for the rest of her life. As Kim Cattrall’s straight-talking character puts it in Sex and the City, “wrong ring, wrong guy”. Knowing which ring will suit your brideto-be best is the crucial test as to whether you truly know her: the Four C’s – cut, clarity, carat and colour – should all be a reflection of her personality, and therefore

be completely unique. Although the choice may seem daunting, there is the right ring out there for everyone; you just have to know where to look.

“Wrong ring, Wrong guy” - kim cattrall, sex and the city

Tiffany & Co. If you happen to pass Tiffany in the Royal Exchange in the run up to Valentine’s Day, it would not be an unusual sight to see bankers queuing outside, all on the hunt for the same treasure: the precious little blue box. The timeless design of the Tiffany setting makes the perfect backdrop for either the Lucida, a square mixed-cut diamond with a step-cut crown and a brilliant-cut pavilion, the Legacy,

which captures the elegance and romance of the Edwardian era with its patented cushioncut centre stone and bezel-set diamonds, or the Novo, which shows how the jewellery house is always looking to innovate with its customised mounting of four sleek, tapered prongs and aligned facets. A recent addition to the repertoire is the Tiffany Soleste; launched in 2011, it features a cushion-cut diamond centre surrounded by a double row of round brilliant accent diamonds, all set in a platinum diamond band. Well aware of the hectic lifestyles of the majority of its clients, the company recently introduced an iPhone Ring Finder app, enabling its predominantly male customers to view ring styles on an on-screen hand model if they can’t make it to the store. The hand’s movement showcases the rings from different angles, highlighting the stones’ cuts and designs. Never going out of style, a Tiffany ring is something that can be passed down from generation to generation.. Tiffany & Co., The Courtyard Royal Exchange, tiffany.co.uk

february 2013 THE CITY 29

Hirsh London

Hirsh London Championing the philosophy that “every piece is a work of art”, British jewellery brand Hirsh has certainly lived up to this mantra through its bespoke engagement ring service. Manager Ben Stevenson believes that it stands out from its competitors by offering a truly individual service, hand-making all of its jewellery in the company’s workshops. It is also committed to bringing the best in the following five elements: design, quality, service, expertise and value. Stocking a selection of staple styles, including Bridge, Cinq, Papillon, Regal, Trio, Solitaire and Artemis, you will begin the design process by looking at these “shoulder designs” with one of the in-store experts and seeing which you prefer. Although there to make sure your every wish is granted, clients will always be steered towards the practical if they start to contemplate wacky design ideas as, while Hirsh would never sell you a ring that you were not happy with, nine times out of ten it is the classic and simple designs that women want. Jeweller of choice for both the City boy and members of royalty, Hirsh can cater to everyone. Hirsh London, 9 Hatton Garden, EC1 hirshlondon.com

Harry Winston

Hatton Garden

Harry Winston

The London jewellery quarter has a longstanding reputation as the UK’s diamond epicentre. Trading in jewellery since medieval times, Hatton Garden is home to more than 300 businesses specialising in jewellery and more than 55 shops. It is here where the largest of these companies, De Beers, lies, with its headquarters in a complex of offices and warehouses located just behind the main Hatton Garden shopping street. 1,000 of Britain’s finest jewellers are also situated here, along with top craftsman and designers, most of whom have generations of expertise in the industry. From antique and classic right up to contemporary and futurist, you are bound to find the right engagement ring style to suit your future bride. ‘A haven for lovers of beautiful jewellery’ Rennie & Co. supplies an eclectic collection of contemporary and traditional diamond jewellery, designed in-house to ensure the highest standard. For the ultimate bespoke jewellery service, David Law has been designing jewellery using innovative 3D technology for more than ten years, making him a veteran of the industry. Here, choosing an engagement ring is just as much an experience for the buyer as it is for the person who will wear it; the modern approach enables you to combine your own ideas with his creative flair.

Harry Winston has earned his stripes over the years as the King of Diamonds. With the legendary Hope diamond, a magnificent fancy blue gem weighing in at an impressive 45.52 carats, being the company’s most coveted treasure, the woman who is true to Harry Winston isn’t afraid to express herself and be powerful while remaining feminine at all times. Carrying everything from round brilliant-cut, square emerald-cut, emeraldcut, cushion-cut, radiant-cut, oval, pear, marquise and heart-shaped diamonds, the company knows that we all have our own idea of what constitutes the perfect ring. Rings can therefore be tailor-made to the individual to ensure each strong personality shines through. And you can be sure that there is no sparkle quite like a Harry Winston diamond, as each goes through a strict vetting process by an expert team of gemologists which evaluates them according to the Four C characteristics to guarantee they pass muster on both beauty and brilliance. At Harry Winston, only stones and not corners are cut, as quality, and not quantity, holds forth.

Hatton Garden, EC1; hatton-garden.net

harrywinston.com Harry Winston

collection

Chaumet

De Beers

“the ring will forever remain the same, as much a part of her personality as a piece of jewellery”

Harry Winston may be known as the King of Diamonds but if this is the case, De Beers remains the supreme ruler, dominating the diamond industry. The romantic Adonis Rose ring, set in either pink gold or platinum, harkens back to the time of the Ancient Greeks, a civilisation to whom we owe the tradition of the engagement ring being placed on the fourth finger of the left hand (they believed that it contained a vein that led straight to the heart). The Promise ring, with white diamonds and set in pink gold, is the perfect symbol of your love and makes the same promise as you do when proposing of remaining eternally loyal to the wearer. In line with the current tradition of the solitaire diamond, you could opt for the elegant, timeless Aura Cushion Cut platinum ring. Also unique to the jeweller is the De Beers Iris; housed in each store, it provides clients with an objective way of seeing the beauty of their diamond through the eyes of an expert. The De Beers woman is strong and independent while at the same time loyal and traditional; investing in both the girl and the ring is worth every penny. debeers.co.uk

A Chaumet ring is destined for the princess. The company’s origin dates as far back as 1780 when Chaumet’s founder, Marie-Etienne Nitot, was the official jeweller to the Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte. During the Romantic period, Nitot’s successors were inspired by the decorative arts of 17th century France and this was shown in their jewellery designs. By 1880, Joseph Chaumet was establishing himself as the master of the Belle Epoque, attracting a predominantly royal and aristocratic clientele. Consequently, aigrettes, tiaras and other such social status symbols became a large part of the house’s sales, producing more than 1,500 different models of tiaras. By the early 19th century, Indian princes were hearing of Chaumet’s genius, leading to a pair of pear-cut diamonds being purchased by the firm for the Maharaja of Indore. Today, the luxury French jeweller prides itself on maintaining its strong sense of heritage. The Bee my Love engagement ring, exclusive to the house, hums back to the regal emblems of the Napoleonic Empire, while the Josephine recalls its long-standing tiara tradition. With more than 200 years of history in jewellery, your love story will have already begun before you place the ring on her finger. Chaumet

chaumet.com

While it may still seem as though there are infinite possibilities available to you when choosing an engagement ring, at least you know that help is always close at hand. You may think that it is the act of proposing that clinches the deal, but remember that this is something that will naturally alter and become embellished over time, whereas the ring will forever remain the same, as much a part of her personality as a piece of jewellery.

february 2013 THE CITY 31

collection

Lange’s Enlightenment A. Lange & Söhne unveiled the latest incarnation of its iconic Lange 1 timepiece at the end of last year and The City Magazine joined Lange CEO, Wilhelm Schmid, and 89-year-old company founder, Walter Lange, in snowy Dresden for the launch. With a dial consisting of semi-transparent sapphire crystal parts, the Grand Lange 1 Lumen reveals the ‘secret’ mechanism behind Lange’s famous outsized date-display for the very first time. The best looking watch we’ve seen for a while, the Lumen comes with a 40.9 millimetre platinum case, a 72 hour power reserve and is limited to just 200 pieces. Expect this impressive timepiece to cost close to the £50,000 mark. alange-soehne.com

watches For treasured timepieces, horological heirlooms and modern masterpieces, watch this space...

One to Watch

Each month we select our timepiece of the moment from the watch world’s most exciting pieces:

Aesthetically, Patek Philippe’s 18-karat rose gold 5123r features the characteristic purity that defines the brand. Mechanically, the watch’s Caliber 215 PS movement highlights the company’s dedication to innovation 5123r, £18,060, Patek Philippe, patek.com

32 THE CITY february 2013

as if By Magic When winter came, so the story goes, and the Swiss farmer-watchmakers left the fields for their workbenches, it was the delicate perfection of snowflakes from which they drew inspiration. In an example of reality mirroring legend, Corum’s latest creation has a similar magic. Suspended weightless at the centre of its case by a sapphire mainplate at its base, the flying tourbillion within the Golden Bridge Tourbillon Panoramique appears to levitate. Delivered with two hand-sewn crocodile leather straps (in black and brown) only 20 of this watch have been made, at £142,000 each. corum.ch

Return to Refinement Love or hate them, if you’re a true watch geek you can’t help but marvel at the mastery of Franck Muller’s inventions. It may not have as many complications as Muller’s other timepieces (the Aeternitas Mega 4 has 36) but Muller’s new 7-Days Power Reserve is surely one of the brand’s most elegant-looking. Part of the Franck Muller Vintage collection, the watch comprises 213 components made entirely in-house and 27 rubies in its movement alone. Well, this is Franck Muller, after all. franckmuller.com

collection

3 1

blue

steel

Strike a pose and embrace the colour of the deep sea and clear sky this season

1 Slim knitted silk tie, £105, Charvet, mrporter.com 2 Moon Machine, from a selection, MB&F, mbandf.com 3 Capeland 10065, £2,940, Baume et Mercier, thewatchgallery.co.uk 4 Crocodile card holder, £150, Santiago Gonzalez, mrporter.com 5 18-karat white gold cufflinks, £4,400, Breguet, breguet.com 6 Grained leather black poker set, £575, Thomas Lyte, thomaslyte.com 7 Paisley-patterned silk-twill bow tie, £95, Drake’s, drakes-london.com 8 Skull enamelled metal cufflinks, £125, Paul Smith, paulsmith.co.uk 9 Albemarle executive bag, £495, Thomas Lyte, as before 10 Woven wax-cotton belt, £280, Loro Piana, 2-3 Royal Exchange 11 Opus 12, from a selection, Harry Winston, harrywinston.com

6 7

34 THE CITY february 2013

Swiss movement, English heart

Bespoke Unitas 6497 hand-wound movement (Calibre JJ02) from master watchmaker, Johannes Jahnke / Each piece, of only 250, personally assembled by Johannes in our Swiss atelier / Supremely engineered, 43mm, 316L stainless steel case with full diameter transparent case-back / Unique serial number engraved on case and movement Premium Louisiana alligator deployment strap / 5 year movement guarantee

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04/01/2013 12:26

arts & events

for the love of february laugh along with friends, reminisce at the cinema, and go back in time with a Valentine’s tea dance – plus a visual feast of sculpture and canvas

CANARY WHARF COMEDY CLUB Featuring* Hal Cruttenden, Mickey Sharma, Angela Barnes, Paul Chowdhry and Julian Deane Canary Wharf Comedy Club returns with five stars of the stand-up circuit! Hal Cruttenden, one of the top comedians working in the UK today, was nominated for ‘Best Club Act’ at the prestigious Chortle Awards in 2012. Angela Barnes, winner of BBC New Comedy Award 2011, brings her deftly crafted material along with Julian Deane who has been wowing audiences across the country with his genius punchlines and deadpan delivery. Joining them on stage is Channel 4’s Stand Up For The Week regular, and the UK’s number one Asian comedian, Paul Chowdhry, and your host for the evening, ex-professional cricketer turned comedian Mickey Sharma. Tuesday 12 February 7.15pm (Doors 6.30pm) East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 Tickets £12 Booking Information: In advance: Visit seetickets.com or call 0871 220 0260 (Booking fee applies) In person: On the door, subject to availability *Line up correct at time of publication Unreserved cabaret style seating, full bar, food & cloakroom. Only items purchased on the premises may be consumed

STARLIGHT CINEMA: THE BREAKFAST CLUB(15) They only met once but it changed their lives forever. Five teenagers, each a member of a different high school clique – a brainbox, a beauty, a jock, a rebel and a recluse – are thrown together when they have to spend a Saturday in detention. Wednesday 13 February 7pm (Doors 6.15pm) East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 FREE* Director John Hughes, (1985); running time 97 mins *Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis Unreserved cabaret style seating, full bar, hot dogs & cloakroom. Only items purchased on the premises may be consumed

Window Galleries The Art & Design galleries in Canada Place are open daily and showcase up-and-coming artists, designers and craftspeople. This month the galleries display:

Christiana Christoforou

VINTAGE DANCE CLUB: VALENTINE’S TEA DANCE Vintage Dance Club takes on a Venice Carnival theme for a Tea Dance with a difference! Start the evening with a taster workshop and enjoy the dazzling displays of classic dances from Ragroof Theatre’s glamorous ladies and gents in gorgeous gowns and mysterious masks. Then take to the floor to waltz, tango and cha cha the night away with scintillating live music from the Berkeley Square Society Band. Come early and enjoy tea, cakes and dainty finger sandwiches. Partners are welcome but definitely not essential. Thursday 14 February 6pm Workshop / 7.30 – 10.30pm Dance East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 Tickets £12 (includes complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival) Booking Information: In advance: Visit seetickets.com or call 0871 220 0260 (Booking fee applies) In person: On the door, subject to availability

Full bar, vintage teas & cloakroom

Canary Wharf Squash Classic

Tickets are now on sale for the sensational Canary Wharf Squash Classic where you can watch the world’s greatest players compete for the tournament title on the gladiatorial glass court inside the magnificent East Wintergarden. 18 – 22 March, Canary Wharf ticketmaster.co.uk canarywharfsquash.com

Christiana Christoforou’s work centres around the contrast between our public and private identities. Leaving clay at strangers’ homes in London, she added a message inviting them to participate in her project by imprinting something of their identity into the material. Her final year college pieces consisted of multiple cast fragments of these collected identities from which she created unique jewellery. christianachristoforou.co.uk

Noor Abuissa

Noor Abuissa’s work stems from, but does not imitate, Islamic design, inspired by the balance achieved through symmetry in this geometric abstract form of art. Her practice developed while at college and she came to appreciate a more open interpretation of Islamic design by incorporating a spiritual form of abstract geometric art. Noor’s intention is to give the viewer a sense of calm and joy, similar to the feeling she experiences upon entering a mosque ornate with Islamic motif. 2012.csmfineart.com/noor-abuissa

Joana Laws

Joana Laws’ work ‘State’ was devised to capture the essence of change and transition. In doing so she questions the viewer’s preconceptions of photography: does it capture the real, or only the reality the photographer wants to project? Joana wanted to capture matter that is in a state of flux; materials that are tangible but impossible to isolate, to freeze the moment and elevate the unrecognised and unseen instant. joanalaws.com

Canary Wharf

bars & restaurants • fashion & style • arts & events canarywharf.com

3 hours

free parking

at weekends and bank holidays when you spend £10 at Canary wharf terms and Conditions apply.

@yourcanarywharf

SHOPPING Abigail Patent Leather Strappy Sandal, £295 L.K.Bennett, Jubilee Place

Heart Lock Pendant £5,800, Tiffany & Co. Cabot Place

Russi Mesh Beaded Dress, £149 Ted Baker, Canada Place

Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles, £22 Charbonnel et Walker Cabot Place Pink Flush Handtie From £40, Brown’s London, Canada Place

Blush Emerald in Fancy Pink £249.50, Carat* Cabot Place Charm bracelet Pandora, see in store for details Cabot Place

Heritage Zenith Watch £3,100, Charles Fish Cabot Place

Valentine’s

wish list

Westbury Box Calf Black, £370 Church’s English Shoes, Cabot Place

Whether for him or for her, canary wharf’s stores let you say ‘i love you’ this Valentine’s day

Albert Einstein Artisan Limited Edition pen £19,656, Montblanc Canada Place

Facial Fuel, £33 Kiehl’s Jubilee Place

Channel Allure Homme Sport, £51, Boots Canada Place

London Cufflinks, £45 Hackett, Cabot Place Travel Backgammon Set In Navy Pebble Calf, £250 Aspinal of London Cabot Place

In addition to over 240 shops, cafes, bars and restaurants at weekends and on Bank Holidays you can enjoy 3 hours’ free parking in any of the public car parks when you spend £10 at any shop, café, bar or restaurant in Canary Wharf. For a full list of Cafes, Bars and restaurants check canarywharf.com.

how do i love thee?

let me count the ways Be it Italian or tapas, Japanese or Jazz, Canary Wharf’s restaurants provide for the perfect evening this Valentine’s Day

If you’re looking for something a little different this Valentine’s Day, Canary Wharf holds the answer. The idyllic setting for romantic brunches for two, exciting shopping, pre-dinner cocktails, fine-dining and live jazz, the area’s 240+ shops, bars and restaurants will mean you and your loved one are spoilt for choice.

Boisdale of Canary Wharf What better way to spend the most romantic night of the year than by listening to some of the most passionate soul music ever written? Boisdale of Canary Wharf presents its Valentine Day special – The Spirit of Luther Vandross and The Gods of Soul: Fil Straughan. As the best Luther Vandross tribute vocalist in the world, Straughan has shared his Luther Show with audiences all over the globe, earning international applause from those who appreciate the heritage of Soul. Enjoy the Luther Experience alongside a special menu featuring foie gras, Wester Ross Scottish salmon and Aberdeenshire fillet of beef. Boisdale of Canary Wharf, Cabot Place 020 7715 5818, www.boisdale.co.uk

Iberica Canary Wharf, Cabot Square

Iberica

Boisdale of Canary Wharf, Cabot Place

Showcasing the true flavours of Spain, and with two rosettes from the AA guide, Iberica Canary Wharf can’t fail to tantalise your tastebuds. Created by head chef Nacho Manzano, Iberica’s menu sees contemporary takes on tapas classics woven amongst more traditional dishes, like the time-honoured Spanish omelette. If you are looking for a contemporary and energetic environment in which to enjoy fine food with your loved one, then the restaurant’s unique take on tapas classics, along with its extensive selection of cheese and cured meats, which includes the famous Jamón Ibérico, is hard to beat. Visit on 14 February for special Valentine’s Day-inspired dishes. Salud! Iberica Canary Wharf, Cabot Square 020 7636 8650, www.ibericalondon.co.uk

SHOPPING

Rocket Restaurant and Bar, Churchill Place

Obikà, West Wintergarden

Obikà Mozzarella bar Set in sleek, stylish, and modern surroundings, Obikà’s innovative contemporary design is as beautifully presented as the cuisine. The menu has been designed around their star product, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP. Adding some soul to the Italian proceedings, Obikà will be hosting The Champagne Jazz Ensemble beiwteen 6.00pm – 9.00pm on 14 February. Having wowed audiences at festivals across the UK, Italy and Switzerland, renowned Italian saxophonist Tommaso Starace will be on hand to serenade dinners. Obikà, West Wintergarden www.obika.co.uk

Rocket Canary Wharf If it’s a fun, lively and stylish restaurant you’re looking for, Rocket is the place for you. Downstairs, a ground floor bar serves fresh cocktails, wine, and Champagne, while upstairs Rocket offers sweeping views of the O2 Arena. This Valentine’s Day Rocket is offering a three course meal with an amuse bouche for £30 or the same deal with a glass of Prosecco or a Bellini for £35. Rocket Canary Wharf, Churchill Place 020 3200 2022, www.rocketrestaurants.co.uk

Roka Overlooking Canada Square Park, Roka is a meeting place where food and drinks are shared with friends (Ro) surrounded by heat, warmth and all-embracing energy (Ka). The menu comprises dishes from a Robata grill, as well as from the restaurant’s main kitchen and a selection of sushi and sashimi. Roka’s renowned black cod and lamb cutlets are sure to appeal to even the most discerning of diners. Widely regarded as one of London’s best restaurants, Roka is jam-packed on ordinary week nights, so make sure you book in advance. Roka, The Park Pavillion 020 7636 5228, www.rokarestaurant.com

Plateau Restaurant, Bar & Grill, Canada Place

Plateau Restaurant, BAR & GRILL Enjoy one of the best views of the towering skyscrapers by celebrating Valentine’s Day at Plateau which overlooks the glittering lights of Canada Square Park. A glass of Champagne will get your evening off to the perfect start before you sit back and enjoy Head Chef Allan Pickett’s stunning five-course menu, which draws on all his Michelin experience. The Valentine’s package costs £65 per person and includes a complimentary glass of Champagne. Plateau Restaurant, Bar & Grill, Canada Place 020 7715 7100, www.plateau-restaurant.co.uk

Quadrato For a taste of Italy, reserve a table at Quadrato. Situated within the Four Seasons Hotel, the restaurant provides a stylish and inviting place where dinners can soak up stunning views of the River Thames. Start your evening in Bar Quadrato, a smart, warm cocktail lounge ideal for pre-dinner drinks, before sampling the rustic and vibrant cuisine of Northern Italy, prepared with the freshest ingredients. Quadrato, Four Seasons London Canary Wharf, Westferry Circus 020 7510 1999, www.fourseasons.com/canarywharf

Roka, The Park Pavilion

Wahaca For a taste of South America, and Mexico in particular, make for the ever lively Wahaca. If it’s beer you’re in to, there’s an offering that’s different from anything else you’ll find in Canary Wharf. Alternatively, spice things up with an El Tesoro tequila, a drink that in Mexico is to be drunk slowly and savoured. Treat the street food selection of the menu like tapas and Wahaca will provide the perfect place to share your food with a loved one. Wahaca, The Park Pavilion 020 7516 9145, www.wahaca.co.uk

www.canarywharf.com

@yourcanarywharf

COMMENT

REPORT

high

flyers

As we usher in the dawn of a new space race, are man’s steps towards exploration being leapt over by mankind’s desire for profit, asks AIMEE LATIMER

he pursuit of knowledge may still be at the heart of space travel but the mindset is changing. New technology allowing for prolonged stays in space is opening up a whole galaxy of financial possibilities. NASA’s latest mission statement pledged to “more efficiently further and sustain the course of human exploration”, and it is this modern notion of utilising time spent in space that has resulted in a surge in satellites. China may have been the third country to send a man into space, but by aiming to launch 20 satellites in 2013,

after the 28 they sent in 2012, they are rapidly instigating the trend for all countries to outsource to the orbits. With satellites already constantly beaming to our phones, affecting the very way we walk and talk by allowing GPS, their scope of influence will only increase with China’s plans to employ them for everything from urban planning to disaster monitoring. The culture shift does not end there: Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic is charging $200,000 a ticket to space tourists wishing to be blasted into the sub-orbit by 2014. With hundreds of civilians soon to become astronauts, the final frontier risks becoming rather mundane indeed.

interview

Thinking

BIG

Timebased Events is responsible for some of the coolest launches and parties of recent years, including running the GQ Man of the Year Awards for 16 years, hosting the reveal of the new David Beckham range for Emporio Armani and launches for Fendi, TAG Heuer and Ralph Lauren. Emma Johnson meets creative director Richard Dodgson

Why do you call yourself a creative director rather than the MD? To let clients know that we’re a creative company and we’re selling creative ideas, not a business model. We don’t mind if you come to us and steal our ideas, because we know we can come up with a better one next year. Ideas to us are free.

When you approached Condé Nast and they offered you the GQ Man of the Year Awards, was that a big moment? In hindsight, yes. At the time no; we didn’t know what it would be. The very first event we did was at Café de Paris, it was a tiny budget, there were no celebrities, we only had a video of David Beckham! It was literally a video and a party and that was it.

Do you think you’ve been instrumental in encouraging the growth of the GQ Awards to what they’ve become today?

Facing Page: Selfridges’ Emporio Armani & Beckham Billboard Reveal, 2009 Above: Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb launch at Elms Lesters Painting Rooms, 2006 Below: Carlos Acosta Dance Foundation Fundraiser at Royal Opera House, 2012

They’ve always wanted it to get bigger, but I think the one thing I was instrumental in doing was not letting it get too big too quickly. There was an option six or seven years ago to do it in a bigger venue broadcast on TV, but I think it would have reduced the quality of the event, leading to less celebrities, and those that were there wouldn’t have felt relaxed. Our show is a very real, live experience where all of these people can be natural and be themselves.

So, from a video of David Beckham to the UK launch of his Emporio Armani underwear range in Oxford Street – things have changed a bit then? I have to say, the Selfridges David Beckham reveal for Emporio Armani was well up there with some of my favourite moments. We had three minutes to get David on stage, do an interview with him

february 2013 THE CITY 45

and Gaby Logan and reveal the banner while Oxford Street was closed. The most terrifying part was that we couldn’t rehearse it. So we had no idea if it would work – plus they had already done it in the States a few days before and the banner reveal hadn’t come down quite right. But ours came down perfectly. We had that as a benchmark; and we made it better. It was incredibly complicated on a 200 year old building and there’s a statue right behind the banner, which we had to offset. It was nerve-wracking. The biggest thing was doing the event in three minutes with 5,000 people on the street.

It sounds like big events with huge guest lists and huge celebrities has become your USP… It has become a lot of what we do. The initial goal was to do theatrical events; it just happened that those sorts of events attract big numbers and celebrities. And we are good at delivering big events, even in tricky circumstances. Last year we were asked to do three events for K.P. Singh in India. One of the events was a sit-down dinner for 450 people, on his front lawn around his swimming pool, another was for 1,000 people on his golf course. It really was on a massive scale. For the dinner, for instance, we had clear roof marquees, on several different levels; he didn’t want the lighting to shine in anybody’s eyes, but we still had to light the space. So we had to use a lot of lights, rig them on top of buildings, and use mirrors, even putting lights in the trees. But for me, and the team, it wasn’t horrifying, it was exciting.

Have you ever had to say no to things? We must have done. But I can’t think of anything right now! Most of the time we find a way. In 2006, we thought about saying no to flying a car across the Thames for Vauxhall. We had to close the river to

interview Far left: Elle Macpherson at the Rodial BEAUTIFUL Awards, Sanderson, 2012 Left: Private event for KP Singh, New Delhi, India Middle: The 15th Annual GQ Men of the Year Awards, Royal Opera House, 2012 Bottom: Tom James, Pete Reed, Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, Royal Opera House, 2012

tailor the jobs to work for the people, so the people stay. A lot of the effort of running a business of this size goes into making sure people are happy.

You ran a couple of events at the London 2012 Olympics; was it important to be a part of that?

fly the car in front of the journalists gathered there and there were logistical issues with the river and the tide. But we did it. That said, the only event that made me cry was the event in India. We had 1,000 people in this marquee on the edge of the 18th green of KP Singh’s golf course, it was unbelievable to have achieved that. The event space was the size of a football pitch. We lit the entire golf course, all the trees, everything – it was absolutely beautiful and really was perfect. And we achieved that with a team of 13 or 14 there, relying mainly on the local Indian workforce. It was a struggle to get them to understand what we wanted, because they don’t have the level of detail we do, which is exactly why K.P. Singh got us over there to do it.

Do you think that you were somewhat of a trendsetter? I think we’ve been lucky with our clients. Selfridges, for instance, have had very unusual ideas which has allowed us to do some fun things. A helter-skelter from the top floor down to the ground floor at Christmas, for instance. Or the Glaswegian performance artist that had to swim through five tons of glass, put hooks through his shoulders and drop through the atrium and then hang in the window with syringes in him. It was all very unusual. The brief of that one was ‘make sure the guy doesn’t die’. The reality of that in a department store is quite complicated…but it was all really logistics and being able to say: ‘Yes, I can do that and my team can make sure these things can happen’.

How do you put together your team? When you advertise a job, you’re advertising what you’re looking to achieve. When you find the right person, you make that job fit around them, rather than the other way around. We have always tried to

We knew we wanted to have one key event at the Olympics, but we ended up doing two. One for the USA, running their hospitality in London, and one for Jamaica running Jamaica House at the O2. It was a 1,000 people facility, free to attend, with Red Stripe on tap, Jamaican catering, bars and VIP areas for all their ministers and government officials. There was a stage area where we had bands on from 4pm till midnight, plus Olympic events on a screen six metres wide. The noise in there was fantastic. The night they won the three medals was amazing. On the BBC News after the events, they said: ‘See you at Jamaica House’. And the upshot from that was we’ve already met with the organising committee for Rio de Janeiro 2016 to see if there is an opportunity to do work over there, and it seems that there is. We’re trying to create a model so we can have local partnerships, where we design and manage an international event from London.

Where do you get your inspiration year on year to ensure events always offer something different? By looking at contemporary culture, trends in fashion and art. Colour plays a huge part in it too. And when there was a real push towards sustainability across the country, we used felt furniture, in a way making a statement there. And we’re often inspired by venues. We did something for Viktor & Rolf fragrances in an artist’s atelier just off Tottenham Court Road recently. It’s a very narrow painting room with two huge canvases on either side. We built a table to go all the way down it and had 25 people for dinner there for the launch of Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb. We decorated the whole venue with the ribbon wrapping and candlestamps of the bottle along the painting frames and had spilled paint down the sides with flowers.

Any dream venues you are yet to work in? I want to do the first event in space. And actually we’re working with Virgin Media at the moment, so there’s a good angle! We’ve also done some events for Richard Branson as well, and it would have to be with him involved, I’m sure. timebased.co.uk

february 2013 THE CITY 47

Global

exchange

The world of foreign exchange has changed radically in the past two decades, with internet and property markets being two major contributors. Peter Ellis charts this dramatic progression

n the early 1980’s the only real need most people had for foreign exchange was changing money before going on holiday – once or maybe twice a year. This, more often than not, would be in volumes where the quality of an exchange rate didn’t make too much difference and people were more interested in the convenience of a high street location or the security of traveller’s cheques. By the early 90’s the situation had changed somewhat, with a significant increase in small privately owned companies choosing to import and export goods, leading to a much greater demand for exchanging and transferring money internationally. To facilitate this growing need, a popular high street travel agent employed a team whose role was to establish trading limits

for firms based on their audited accounts. In theory this was a good idea, but in reality it was fatally flawed as the travel agent appeared to be totally risk averse and the credit lines offered were woefully inadequate. The real explosion in the foreign exchange market came in the mid-90’s when the European property boom led to hundreds of thousands of Brits seeking holiday or retirement properties in the sun. By this time, the banks had realised that foreign exchange was a fantastic additional profit stream as they could make significant margins from private clients (often in excess of four per cent) and really only had themselves as competition. At this time the internet was nowhere near as prevalent as it is today and many people didn’t ‘shop around’, leaving trust with their own bank. At this time I was working in the futures and options market

COMMENT

speculative sector principally trading in FX and had a steadily increasing number of clients asking for assistance in buying currency. This wasn’t for speculation, but for physical delivery to purchase property and was those who were frustrated at being beholden to just one source. In April 1995 I established Currencies Direct, an independent currency brokerage in the UK. The concept and mission was simple, to enable private individuals and SME’s the facility to exchange and transfer larger sums of money overseas in one simple, straightforward transaction (in a similar way to how people had been buying stocks and shares for more than a decade before) while benefiting from commercial exchange rates, which until now had only been available to large multi-national corporations, governments or the banks themselves. By the year 2000, when I launched Foreign Currency Direct online, currency brokerages had become synonymous with international property and the currency specialists employed by them were regularly being quoted in the press for their specialist insight. In addition, with more than 15 million people in the UK already being connected to the internet (figure from royal.pingdom. com), there was less and less need to be in a city location. The rise of the foreign exchange industry over the last two decades has given both private individuals and business owners the ability to take complete control over their foreign exchange requirements, even in the most volatile of times. Understanding the importance of seeking expert assistance from currency specialists should never be underestimated; but failing that, if you stick close to the simple rules below you shouldn’t go too far wrong. Peter Ellis is the founder and chairman of Foreign Currency Direct currencies.co.uk

1 Get comparative quotes: recommendations by a third party could be biased and they could have a vested interest in your transaction. 2 Don’t speculate: naturally you want your currency at the best price, but don’t play the money markets. 3 Be wary of bogus companies: any company that offers to make international payments on your behalf has to be registered with the FSA. Make sure you check the company you choose to deal with has fully audited, up to date, published accounts. 4 Use a currency specialist that will also let you trade on the phone: while online trading might be slightly quicker and more convenient you are left with no ability to negotiate and the broker’s margin will be built into the price you are offered. Speaking to a personal currency broker on the phone allows you much greater control over the rate you will eventually achieve. 5 Research the currency market: read blogs such as poundsterlingforecast.com or newspaper articles about the economy or currency markets to give you a headstart when you speak to a broker.

FEBRUARY 2013 THE CITY 49

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16/01/2013 13:13

london

REPORT

reaching for the

sky

This month, the tallest building in the European Union opens its doors to the public. With unparalleled panoramic vistas of London in its entirety, The Shard is no mean feat, writes DANIEL ENGELSMAN

iercing the heavens, the iconic Shard appears somewhat alien as it protrudes elegantly into the haze. This month sees the official public opening of The View From The Shard, and with most tickets for the coming weeks almost already sold out the newest view of London is in high demand. Numbers are strictly limited, making this a relatively crowdfree and uncluttered experience for guests, while long opening hours mean you can enjoy sunrise, sunset and night views over the City with no time restrictions in the viewing platforms.

Visitors are greeted by jovial, comedic collages of renowned Londoners, before being presented with a photo opportunity prior to entering the lift. Internal lifts climb 68 floors in around 60 seconds, trivialising what may otherwise be a daunting ascent. Up on the viewing platforms interactive tell:scopes identify places of interest via a touchscreen, while further up at Level 72 the outdoor 360Ë&#x161; view is spectacular. The vast span of the city adjusts familiar structures to appear as perfect miniatures. The experience is immersive and succeeds in framing the city as a whole entity; grand, diverse and unique.

IN SEARCH OF GREENER PASTURES

Highgate Golf Club, in North London, is the nearest course to central London and one of the city’s hidden treasures. Segregated from the urban hum, this private members’ golf club sits in picturesque isolation, with a full eighteen holes meandering over undulating countryside. To label the club as exclusive would be an understatement: membership applications are a rigorous process that begin with a written personal appeal, recorded referees and a certificate of handicap. Vigilant examination will then determine the category of membership for which the applicant is eligible. Having celebrated its centenary in 2004, Highgate has a lengthy history of attracting top golfers to the club. Conveniently located within hitting distance of the centre of London, any avid golfer could not deny its alluring appeal. Highgate Golf Club, 020 8340 1906, highgategc.co.uk

IN THE KNOW Be well-informed on the course, the track, the pitch and the street, with our essential guide

GRIP IT

PAPER PUSHERS TO PEDAL PUSHERS Cycle To, the organisation behind the fundraising event Cycle to Cannes MIPIM, has announced that it again has full sponsorship to go ahead with its annual, professional-style event. Departing London 7 March and landing riders in time for the Cannes MIPIM Property Fair six days later, the tour enables the amateur cyclist to ride like a true professional. Precise navigation of six individual stages, traversing over 1500km, will eventually place participants at their destination, relinquishing them of their physical hardship for some due rest and relaxation, and some ardent networking. The 2013 fundraising target is in excess of £200,000. The majority of funds will go to Coram, who have a history of brightening children’s lives for almost three centuries. cycle2cannes.org

& RIP IT

An award-winning research and development department, meticulous engineering and attention to detail attest that the brand new Callaway X Hot and X Hot Pro irons look not only stunning but are also physically superior. A speed frame face constructed with borrowings from Callaway driver technology allows these irons to be even faster and generate explosive distances. Feel management technology promises greater comfort and dynamism with every swing. Each has different technologies to maximise user performance. Whether you are a seasoned professional or enjoy the occasional round on a Sunday afternoon, these sleek new clubs will assist with speed and overall distance optimisation. callawaygolf.com

news

FRESH CONNECTION Locating sufficiently spacious coffee shops with free Wi-Fi is tiresome in the evenings. The solitude and the undersized table that barely fits an open laptop can be somewhat gloomy. Fortunately, UK pubs are recognising that, in the current environment, adaptation is the key to survival. They have since gone on to become multi-purpose establishments, offering hot drinks, food and very soon; a reliable internet connection. The introduction of speedy Wi-Fi will make them a viable alternative to overcrowded daytime coffee shops. Lackadaisical internet speeds will be a thing of the past and a cold beer will serve as a fresh alternative to that coffee you didn’t really want in the first place. Sizable adversary in the UK pub industry, Punch Taverns, along with Wi-Fi provider, The Cloud, will install free internet services across three thousand of its establishments. Increasingly securing deals, The Cloud will service over eight thousand pubs. Caution is advised for those participating in pub quizzes, which may never be the same.

GOLDEN SWING Feted for the craftsmanship of its handmade clubs, Japanese company Honma has introduced 550 limited edition sets to celebrate their 55th anniversary. Dedicated to making only the finest of products, with supreme quality in aesthetics and performance, it’s no wonder astronomic price tags have landed patronisation from the likes of Donald Trump, Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito. Embossed monochrome and gold trimmings are met by a lightweight carbon, while the colour-complementary, cow and synthetic leather caddy bags complete the opulent collection. honmagolf.co.jp

MEET THE MORMONS The visionary creators of South Park and Team America: World Police, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have exported their award-winning passion project across stranger shores. The 25th of this month sees the opening of their controversial and highlyappraised Broadway show, The Book of Mormon. This laugh out loud comedy about an optimistic Mormon missionary duo stacked up nine trophies at last year’s Tony’s. Parker and Stone, who received an Oscar nomination for ‘Blame Canada’ from their South Park feature length film in 1999, have co-written the show with Avenue Q creator Robert Lopez. The Prince of Wales Theatre, Feb 29-May 6 2013, bookofmormonlondon.com

TWO WHEELS GOOD Petrolheads of the helmet-toting variety will this month have somewhere exclusive to amalgamate – the all-new Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle show, which takes place 15 – 17 February at ExCel, promises to be the ultimate celebration of everything in biking. The entire UK motorcycle industry will convene in the exhibition centre for a show with a throng of stages, numerous events and some of the world’s best-known riders. The exhibition area will proffer a plethora of purchasable accessories, merchandise and memorabilia from leading manufacturers and importers. Away from the cardboard displays and glossy debuting machines, Revolution, a live-action show, features stars competing in close quarters over an Enduro style obstacle course. A £20 on the door, £16 pre-ordered, entrance fee affords access to both the full exhibition and the live show. mcnmotorcycleshow.com

february 2013 THE CITY 53

the man behind Having reported record-breaking sales across 177 international markets last year, January 2013 saw Jaguar Land Rover announce 800 new jobs to support future growth. With Jaguar’s and Land Rover’s UK performance up six and 24 per cent respectively, Richard Brown speaks to the company’s managing director Jeremy Hicks

ecoming managing director of Jaguar Land Rover UK in 2011, Jeremy brought to the role a wealth of automotive marketing and sales experience. He began his career with Vauxhall, performing a range of roles including sales operations director and sales and marketing director for aftersales. He then spent a short period in automotive consultancy before joining VW Group UK, where he carried out a number of senior roles. In 2005 he took up the position from which he joined Jaguar Land Rover – managing director of Audi UK.

motoring

the wheel You’ve just announced record sales. What has been the key to the company’s growth? If you were asking me to single out particular models, then the Land Rover Evoque has been a great success. It’s not just the sales; I think Evoque has really helped the Land Rover brand. It’s made us relevant by making us a lot more contemporary. The Evoque has pulled in customers from all areas and from all brands. The bulk of our customers are new to the company, coming from a range of other manufacturers. How do you plan to maintain Jaguar Land Rover’s performance? We can’t continue to grow at that pace forever. As a company, we have big desires to grow our international footprint. If you go back to 2005, Europe took 60 per cent of global sales. Last year it was 41 per cent. What that says is that we are growing sales rapidly elsewhere. We’re still growing sales proportionately in Europe but we’re increasing in other markets too.

How much has the recession affected you? What did you do to combat the downturn? Jaguar Land Rover was hit really hard. We had to re-evaluate the whole business – what we did and how we did it. You can’t rely on one vehicle. We are a manufacturer of cars, not a manufacturer of one car. You need to have a spread portfolio. We occupy different segments. That’s really been the focus. We’ve moved into what we call white space, areas in the marketplace where there is opportunity. That’s what we saw with the smaller-sized SUVs, an opportunity in the £30,000+ area. We went ahead and now we dominate that sector with the Evoque. Below that, the Freelander dominates the area of the market from £25k to £35k. What goals have you set yourself as Managing Director of the company? To continue to grow. To continue to be contemporary, to represent and appeal to a newer, younger audience. With high-end products, you often end up with a demographic profile that’s skewed towards older folks, which is great and they’re very mportant to us, but we want to

FEBRUARY 2013 THE CITY 55

motoring

“People want to buy into a brand now, a strong brand, not just something to get you from A to B” Have cars become luxury products more than just vehicles? People want to buy into a brand now, a strong brand, not just something to get you from A to B. Look at Burberry’s sales growth, for example. People are going to either end of the market, either the budget end or the luxury end. Firms in the middle can find themselves being squeezed.

make sure we maintain a balance across age groups. I want kids to be berating their parents to buy the new F-type because that is the coolest car ever. That’s what’s happening with the Evoque, the opinion former of tomorrow, you’re telling people today that that is what you’ve got to be. How important are the emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China? Very important. From a global point of view, what we have to do is affect a very good spread of sales across the world in a sensible way. That’s what happened over the last 12 months. China’s a great example. I think what we’ve learnt from China is that there’s a huge appetite in the East for British luxury. How important is environmental sustainability to Jaguar Land Rover? Very. At the moment we provide carbon offsets against all new Land Rover sales. Part of the customer policy is that we offset the CO2 on those cars for three years. We’re also looking to the future and asking ‘what do corporate and social responsibilities mean to us?’ There are two things. The first is improving knowledge and education. As one of the biggest motor investors in the UK, we continually need better qualified people and we want to pursue improving education. The second is improving people’s lives, something we can do with things like Land Rover’s association with the British Red Cross.

56 THE CITY february 2013

How will the automobile industry change in the next five years? Five years ago, pre-crisis, the car market was up, around two million units. During the recession that number became significantly reduced. Although corporate sales didn’t fall by such an extent, retail sales fell dramatically. I think the market will begin to rise; we should be up towards the 2/2.5 million mark over the next two to four years. I expect to see strong performance at the premium car end – particularly when it comes to small-engined vehicles, vehicles that will be more economical fuel-wise and produce less CO2. What is the most exciting car in the current Jaguar Land Rover range? There are two. Firstly, the car I’m currently driving: the new Range [Rover]. It makes me love my 50 mile journey to work. Secondly, the new F-type Jag. We’ve not given it to the press to drive yet but believe me, it’s incredible. I think it will really challenge the way people think about sports cars. What do you most love about your job? I love, genuinely love, working for a British-based business. There’s a warmth you get from people, plus an immediate type of genuine feedback. It feels like you are doing something for Great Britain PLC. I’ve been working in the car industry since 1984, so this feels like a reward. What is the most frustrating aspect? Not progressing at the pace you want to. We are constantly coming up with new thoughts and ideas that I wish we could implement immediately.

Kerry Darlington Exhibition – September 15th-23rd Kerry Darlington Exhibition – September 15th-23rd Personal Attendance –flux, September 15th 2pm-4pm With stock markets in a major state of and people experiencing poor or modest Personal Attendance – September 15th 2pm-4pm returns, many are looking for alternative investment angles. Acquiring art has long

been seen as a viableRouge and important the mix of an investment portfolio. Gallery are theelement proudwithin primary representatives

Gallery Rouge are the proud primary of Kerry Darlington in the representatives UK Here we explore the work of three artists who are worth keeping a careful eye on. of Kerry Darlington in the UK Hessam Abrishami Kal Gajoum Kal Gajoum paints in the style of French Impressionism, but with a modern feel. His crisp palette knife oil paintings are both compelling and powerful, conveying real depth and emotion. His skill is undeniable and it is little wonder that he is creating quite a stir.

Born in Shiraz, Iran in 1951, Hessam has been greatly influenced by the ancient history that surrounded him as a child. His style is loose, vibrant and full of movement. Hessam describes his work as expressionistic, being influenced by the Italian masters.

Bill Mack

Kerry Darlington Kerry Darlington

Sculptor Bill Mack works in such a rare art form that there is nowhere to go to learn his art and no one teaches his technique. Combining low and high relief, incised lines, and elements in the full-round in sculpture works that are light enough to be hung on a wall, Bill Mack directly involves the viewer in thea 3-dimensional Year 2012,experience, Fine Artboth Trade Guild Awards textural and tactile, that is often startlingly real.

Artist of Artist of the Year 2012, Fine Art Trade Guild Awards

Please contact the gallery for further details. Please contact the gallery for further details.

GOLF’S

ONLY HANDICAP

“

The latest from Volkswagen sets new standards for the rest to follow. And that’s despite the way it looks, says Mat thew Carter

he trouble with the new Golf is that it’s a Golf.” As the speaker is the head of public relations for VW in the UK, I prepared myself for a business scoop. I could see the headlines: ‘PR Chief Slams Own Company’… or perhaps ‘PR Chief Resigns After Gaffe’. Sensing my increased interest he warmed to his theme. But far from digging himself a deeper hole, he went on to explain the bleedin’ obvious. The new Golf is the seventh generation of a family that stretches back 38 years – since 1974, a remarkable 29 million examples have been sold all over the world. And it’s quite clearly a Golf. What the PR man was trying to get across is that because the newcomer looks so similar to the model that went before… and to the one before that, right back to the Mk1 in fact – many people will dismiss it as merely more of the same. Which, equally clearly, it isn’t. In fact this is probably the most significant

Golf since the original. It is genuinely all new, not a mild facelift or lightly warmed over rehash of what’s gone before. It’s slightly larger than the Mk6, roomier inside, better equipped and safer. Normally making things bigger and then adding more standard goodies piles on the weight. Not this time. Despite the extras, the new Golf is up to 100kg lighter than its predecessor. And that means less energy is needed to drag it around which, in turn, means better performance, better economy and lower emissions. It’s a win all round. The key is VW’s new modular platform (MQB, or Modularer Querbaukasten for fans of strange German words) which makes extensive use of lightweight materials while new production techniques mean it’s simpler to produce. The modular format not only means it can be shared with similar sized models from Audi, Skoda and SEAT – the Audi A3 is essentially a Golf in drag, for example – but also means the clever stuff previously

restricted to larger cars can now be used lower down the food chain. For example, with no re-engineering needed, economies of scale mean the new Golf has all manner of electronic trickery designed to make life within safer and smarter. Trouble is, the PR chief is right. Look at the new Golf and you’d be forgiven for thinking it is just more of the same. Put the new one alongside the Mk6 and you will spot the differences, but even then it would help if ‘Golf’ were your specialist subject. The new one is a little sharper, a little more angular but to the causal observer it’s just a Golf. The real changes can be found inside and on the road. This is a car that’s a cut above the rest. It feels upmarket, a real quality car despite the price – the range starts at £16,285, which is less than the entry level Mk6 model despite all the improvements. Naturally the range topper will be the GTI when it gets here. Until then the top model is the GT, which is powered by either a turbocharged 1.4-litre direct injection TSI

motoring

petrol engine with 140bhp or a 2.0-litre TDI diesel with 150bhp. Performance is very similar, though the diesel is more economical and produces less CO2 emissions. But the petrol unit is the more interesting and, arguably, the more rewarding to drive. Showing how far we’ve come, this little four-cylinder engine bristles with new technology including cylinder deactivation. When you’re coasting, so the theory goes, you don’t need all four cylinders in operation so the system cuts two out to save fuel and reduce emissions. Unless you’ve got a very sensitive ear, the only way you’ll know this is happening is when a warning light on the dash is illuminated. Press the throttle and instantly all four pistons are back in harness to give you the power you need. It all works spectacularly well and will regularly help you to get 60+mpg. And while eight-and-a-half seconds to 62mph isn’t earth shattering, it’s more than enough for most driving conditions: it’s only got 1.4-litres remember. But being petrol, the TSI is smoother and quieter than the diesel and almost as punchy. It comes with a slick six-speed manual gearbox as standard though an extra £1,415 will get you the exceptionally good sevenspeed DSG dual clutch auto. This drivetrain refinement is matched

totally by the interior ambience. It might be a little soulless inside the cabin of the Golf, but my goodness is it efficient. Every new Golf gets a 5.8-inch touchscreen for all the infotainment features, and it has proximity sensors to detect hand movements before you’ve even touched it. On SE models and above it includes buttons to alter the car’s settings: the ECO setting, for example, controls the engine management, air conditioning and ancillary systems to eke out the fuel a little more, while the Sport setting adds more weight to the steering feel. The GT gets all this and adds standard satellite navigation along with larger alloy wheels, sports suspension, Alcantara seats and parking sensors. And then there’s the phalanx of electronic gizmos designed to make life safer. The cruise control, for example, locks onto the car in front and if it slows, so do you. City Emergency Braking scans the road ahead and if it ‘sees’ the traffic ahead has stopped before you do, it will apply the brakes on your behalf. A Driver Alert System checks on how you are performing behind the wheel and when it detects a drop off in concentration will advise you stop for a coffee. And if you’ve had an accident, the Automatic PostCollision Braking System will step on the brakes to avoid or minimise the possibility of a subsequent collision if you’d been

knocked unconscious by the initial impact. The Golf will even park itself. Optional equipment includes Park Assist which will steer the car into a parking slot while you just operate the throttle and brakes. None of these systems are new but until now they’ve only been seen on high-end Audis, Mercs and BMWs. That they can now be found, mostly standard rather than as costly options, on a car of this class underscores how far VW has raised its game . The PR man was right. To regard the car as just a Golf would be to do it a huge disservice. Roll on the GTI.

Car: Volkswagen Golf GT 1.4 TSI Price: £22,960 Engine: 1,395, 4-cylinder petrol, front-mounted Power: 140 hp Performance: 131 mph max, 0-62 mph in 8.4 secs Drive: Front-wheel drive, six-speed manual

FEBRUARY 2013 THE CITY 59

We prefer not to be measured by dimensions. Unless it’s a new dimension of accuracy.

No fewer than four exceptional mechanisms enhance the precision of the RICHARD LANGE TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite”: the tiny fusée-and-chain transmission, the delicate tourbillon, the ultra-thin Lange balance spring, and – not least – the patented stop-seconds device for the tourbillon which makes it possible to

set the watch with one-second accuracy in the first place. Never before has an A. Lange & Söhne watch been endowed with so many complications that simultaneously enhance its rate accuracy, settability, and readability. And so, this remarkable timepiece truly deserves the honorary attribute “Pour le Mérite”.

Arije 165, Sloane Street London • George Pragnell 5 and 6, Wood Street, Stratford-upon-Avon Hamilton & Inches 87, George Street, Edinburgh • Harrods 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London Watches of Switzerland 16, New Bond Street, London • Wempe 43-44, New Bond Street, London Lange Uhren GmbH • Tel. +34 91 454 89 82 • www.lange-soehne.com

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08.02.2012 15:52:48 Uhr

motoring

Bentley’s

THUNDER ROAD Speedy by name, topless by nature, says Mat thew Carter

’ve never quite understood why carmakers insist on trying to make their convertibles go as fast as possible. After all, aren’t convertibles more about posing, about being seen, than they are getting from A to B quickly? Besides, drive one rapidly with the hood down and you’ll only get whiplashed by your passenger’s long hair. Still, that hasn’t stopped Bentley pulling out all the stops to develop the Continental GT Speed, launched in January at the Detroit Motor Show. They’ve done it for two reasons: one, to lay claim to making The World’s Fastest Four-Seat Convertible™ and two, because the company has buyers queuing up to spend the £165,000 or so it will be asking for the car. Based on the GT Speed coupé, the soft top is powered by Bentley’s

twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine developing 616bhp. Forget 0-60mph, zero to 100mph takes just 9.7 seconds. Top speed is 202 mph. It’s quick. To match its prodigious performance, it has uprated and lowered suspension, huge 21-inch alloy wheels, a close-ratio eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. In keeping with the ‘Speed’ name, all the electronic systems have been recalibrated for sharper responses, yet the car is as luxurious as you’d expect from a car wearing the winged Bentley badge. The hood, meanwhile, is a four-layer affair which, claims Bentley, guarantees high levels of refinement and a lack of extraneous noise when it’s up, making the car as, “practical a year-round proposition as its coupé stablemate.” So that’s me told, then.

FEBRUARY 2013 THE CITY 61

i-candy

A complete guide to the best in techno wizardry and glorious gadgets

SOMETIMES IT’S EASY TO FIT IN

WET & WILD

Often a foe to the accident prone, smartphones can be delicate and costly to repair or replace. Sony’s new Xperia Z, however, accepts the shortcomings of the average Joe and has unveiled an anti-shatter, waterproof phone with features that may even make iAddicts raise an eyebrow. Fully submergible in three feet of water for up to half an hour and with an unlimited built-in music app, there are 18 million songs to choose to sing in the bath or shower without any threat of electrocution or the erasure of an entire phonebook. In addition, the handset is 4G capable, boasts a five-inch HD display, and includes an app on the Android operating system which extends battery usage by closing down extrinsic applications. The highlight is its class-topping high-resolution camera, far exceeding the new iPhone by five megapixels, positioning it at the top of the smartphone market. sonymobile.com

If you had stopped someone on the street four or five years ago, and quizzed them on whether or not they predicted that Bluetooth – which then appeared as florid headsets – would still be around in 2013, it’s unlikely they would have responded in the affirmative. Surprisingly, it has survived and flourished and now principally serves to connect in-car phone systems and, increasingly, wireless home entertainment. Invisible and clean, it yields interiors more spacious and expunges the need for those pesky, hazardous cables. Available later this year, Samsung has revealed a new addition to its home entertainment range with the slick HW-F750 wireless soundbar. Able to be positioned horizontally or vertically, it features an internal gyroscope sensor that measures elevation, rotation and incline to augment sound quality and distribute it evenly within the environment. Switching on the television will automatically activate the speakers once they are synced, demanding minimal user effort and delivering maximum product versatility to make this a real winner. samsung.com/uk

three of the best... 3D Smart TV’s

LG 47LM670T, £1,079.99 lg.com

Samsung UE55ES6800, £1,899 samsung.com/uk

Philips 46PFL7007T, £1,299 johnlewis.com

feature

Three of a kind... speakers

CLARITY AFFORDS FOCUS Sony and Samsung gifted audiences with a glance into the future at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Their show stopping attractions; ultra high-definition televisions, will one day supplant the current standard of 1080p ‘full HD.’ ‘Ultra HD’ has four times the number of pixels as HD, rendering it four times clearer. Downloading films will be the choice method of content acquisition and is predicted to become the norm by 2020. Replaced by motion-sensing technology and voice commands, remote controls will be better suited to museums than living rooms, with new Samsung innovations, such as physically asking the television to select programmes that star your favourite actress. Sony’s current 84 inch Ultra HD model wears a hefty price tag of £17,000 and even the smaller models are sure to be out of the reach of most for a few years, despite promises of hopeful mass affordability.

Harmon Kandon Soundsticks Wireless £199.99 uk.harmankardon.com

Bose® Companion 5 Multimedia Speaker System Series 2, £329.95, waitrose food, fashion & home, Canada Place

sony.co.uk samsung.com/uk

Logitech Speaker System Z523 £59.90, logitech.com

five of the best... iphone Apps

Red Laser - Price-check on the go: Accurate bar-code scanner – Free

Zoopla – The portable estate agency: Estimated property valuations with map and grid view – Free Instapaper – Never be bored on the tube: Save web pages for offline reading - £2.49 Temple Run 2 - Crash Bandicoot for adults: Recent sequel to the popular game - Free Clear - Keep your priorities in order: Colour-coded to-do list, 69p

advance booking E-readers are revolutionising the way we read, yet some complain that they ‘prefer the feel of a book’. Plastic Logic has risen to this challenge and shaped something marvellous. The lightweight, near indestructible PaperTab is a glimpse into the future; showcasing a flexible display barely thicker than the width of a sheet of paper. Its clever technology affords a stunning level of detail and a high resolution display. plasticlogic.com

february 2013 THE CITY 63

MONEY MEN

hroughout January, every manager of every football club in the country would’ve knocked on the door of their boss, asking for funds to make improvements to their squad. Some would’ve been told that the pot was empty, while others would’ve been handed tens of millions to buy talent from all corners of the globe. From the pinnacle to the part-timers, British football is littered with examples of the delirious highs and crushing lows that huge investment has brought – the money men have changed the landscape forever. All of the teams that finished in the top six last season are owned by men with a net worth of more than £1 billion, and there are plenty of wealthy owners throughout the football league. As fans of rival clubs like to say, neither Chelsea nor Man City would be in their current positions without huge investment. Last season, City won their

first league title for 44 years and Chelsea became the first ever London club to win the Champions League. Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has invested more than a £1 billion in Chelsea since taking ownership in 2003, while City’s owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan spent at a much faster rate, racking up close to £1 billion in just four years. In the last financial year, buoyed by the £47.3 million in prize money from the Champions League victory, Chelsea recorded their first ever profit under Abramovich’s ownership, a meagre £1.4 million; the previous year they recorded a loss of £67.7 million. And yet, Chelsea are likely to again operate at a loss at the end of this financial year, after investing in players and exiting the European Cup early. Meanwhile, City posted a loss of £197 million just two years ago, and though they have since reined in their spending, their losses in the last financial year were still £97.9 million. On the other hand, one could make a case that two of England’s most successful clubs, Manchester United and Arsenal, are suffering because of their investors. When the Glazer

family bought United, they did so using loans that were secured against the club’s assets, incurring interest payments of over £60 million per year. Although their revenue fell by 3.3 per cent for the year ending 2012, United were still able to announce revenue of £320.3 million with a profit of £23.3 million, and the club entered the New York Stock Exchange. Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke was asked by concerned supporters at the club’s AGM about rumours that he was planning to pay shareholders dividends out of club profits. Arsenal were England’s most profitable club in 2012, revealing results of £36.6 million – but, having not won a trophy in almost eight years, supporters were left bemused at this news. Premier League strugglers QPR, owned by Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, are another club who could find themselves in a desperate struggle if the money was to stop. The club, with small fan base and revenue prospects, brought in a total of 11 new players at the start of the season, some on huge wages, for fees totalling approximately £22 million. In the words of their current manager, Harry Redknapp: “There are a lot of players at this club who earn far too much money for

Iurii Osadchi / Shutterstock.com

The money in football has always been controversial, especially for those clubs that boast billionaire owners. Tom Sheen looks at the chairmen whose spending habits are making headlines

sport

All of the teams that finished in the top six last season are owned by men with a net worth of more than £1bn what they are; far, far, far, too much money for their ability and what they give to the club.” Many clubs have chased the Premier League dream, only for it to have dire long-term consequences. Leeds is one of the most famous examples in recent years – one of England’s most successful and well-supported clubs has now found themselves outside the top flight for nine years. Former chairman Peter Ridsdale secured loans that were used to buy players with big transfer fees on huge wages, against the prospect of the club earning a share of TV and prize money from success on the pitch. When the team faltered, the club rapidly descended, ending up in League One for the

first time in their history; while Portsmouth are now staring at the fourth tier, just five years after winning the FA Cup. In the lower leagues, Crawley Town have seen a rapid rise from non-League thanks to the relatively huge investment of Bruce Winfield and Victor Marley. They were able to attract players on wages that were higher than teams could afford two divisions above them, while many of the teams they played against were employing people part-time. Non-league has also had its scandals, with Chester City sent out of business by the negligence of the Vaughan family, and Darlington suffering several relegations after

former chairman George Reynolds, who was later arrested for money laundering, lumbered the club with a £20 million stadium they could never afford. Glasgow Rangers, who have won more domestic league titles than any other club in the world, were liquidated at the end of the 2011/12 season after years of mismanagement under Craig Whyte. The phoenix club, still known as Rangers, now exist under a new company name and were reinstated into the Scottish Third Division. A timely warning, then, that if the money bubble were to burst, many clubs in England could find themselves in the same position as Rangers.

february 2013 THE CITY 65

G e n t l e m A n

ABOUT TOWN Best of British Luxury Shopping

The Burlington Arcade has been a true luxury landmark in London since 1819. Housing more than 40 specialist shops and luxury footwear brands, including Jimmy Choo’s only UK menswear store, shoppers will find rare gemstones, vintage watches and the finest leather and cashmere accessories. Discreetly located between Bond Street and Piccadilly, the Arcade has long been favoured by royalty, celebrities and the cream of British society. Armour Winston

Looksharp Complement a new suit with a classic timepiece from the world’s largest collection of vintage Omega and Patek Philippe pocket watches at Somlo Antiques or a vintage Rolex from The Vintage Watch Company - you can even have a vintage Rolex watch from your year of birth. Visit the UK’s only in-house Patek Philippe-trained technician at David Duggan’s store, who trades in pre-owned high-quality watches ranging from £2,000-£400,000. For a more contemporary look, head to Almar, who stock Audemars Piguet, De Grisogono, Franck Muller and Hublot.

Heirloom watches A vintage watch is a piece of history that, exempt from inheritance tax, can provide a valuable connection to the past. If it is treated with care and respect it will repay its owner with untold years of reliable timekeeping. Top tips from our experts on looking after your investment 1. A vintage watch should be serviced at least once every three to four years; this replaces the old oils with new and removes any dirt that will affect the performance of the watch. 2. Make sure that you use an authorised vintage service representative. 3. Do not wind your watch whilst it is still on your wrist, as this can cause the winding stem to bend or break. Always take off your watch first. David Duggan The Vintage Watch Company

Heming

follow the leader

Did you know…?

Put your best foot forward with Harrys of London, Crockett & Jones, Church’s and Jimmy Choo – some of London’s finest shoemakers for uncompromising quality and fit. The vast array of luxury and bespoke styles on offer at the Burlington Arcade makes it the shopping destination with the largest selection of men’s footwear in central London.

The Omega Speedmaster Chronograph became the first watch on the moon worn by Buzz Aldrin.

Crockett & Jones

Harrys of London

nicetouch The Arcade houses some of the City’s oldest and best luxury goods stores. To make an impression on the move, head to Pickett for a bag expertly crafted from the finest leather and pick up an unusual umbrella from Church’s. For an eyeTheo Fennell

catching talking point, take a look at signet rings from

Penhaligon’s

Theo Fennell or for an unusual pair of cufflinks, stop by Cameo Corner. Finish the Church’s

perfect outfit with a spritz of fragrance from Penhaligon’s. Still made in England, these scents contain a range of luxurious and rare ingredients, from hand-squeezed bergamot to Jasmine at twice the price of gold.

Cameo Corner Pickett

boys day out 3 of the best drinking companions to enjoy a luxurious tipple

LINLEY

Daniel Bexfield Antiques

Pickett

For more information visit www.burlington-arcade.co.uk

style

REPORT

guys

dolls

January’s London Men’s Fashion Week set the bar high for this month’s women’s London Fashion Week. In the battle of the sexes, the damsels will need a lot of fight to come out ahead, writes DANIEL ENGELSMAN

old, varied, and at times, shocking, London Men’s Fashion Week returned for a second year to wow and regale audiences. In terms of quality and entertainment, this dynamic spectacle raises the bar to rival the main London Fashion Week this month. Obscure articles such as Craig Green’s face-mounted planks of wood and Alexander McQueen’s transparent plastic masks left spectators in dazzled bewilderment. International press and buyers were able to scrutinise more than 60 individual shows and presentations which set the

tone for this year’s autumn and winter menswear season. From the 15 - 19 February in assorted locations, the highly anticipated London Fashion Week will showcase many of the world’s most prestigious and renowned designers, as well as emerging talent soon to make a name for themselves. The show, recognized as one of the top five international catwalk influencers, has in recent years generated orders in excess of £90 million, and as a singular event makes a substantial contribution to London in terms of tourism and direct expenditure. Whether or not the women reign victorious, both shows demonstrate that London’s fashion scene is still as colourful as ever.

ALL THE TRIMMINGS Staunton Moods was borne out of the culmination of the ponderings of an Aussie and a German. Deciphering the criteria of the perfect shirt for the working man led the duo to aspire to create it. One year on, the newly launched website advertises something somewhat unique. Subtle and proper for the office environment, the shirts conceal an animated zest underneath. Simply turn up the sleeves and button down after the day’s haul to reveal a sophisticated and colourful patterned trim for evening activity. Conveniently low maintenance, they are noniron, machine washable and fashioned entirely of fine Italian cotton. With an eclectic selection of limited edition patterns and various hues, in a classic slim fit button-down white shirt, they are an admirably aberrant concept. stauntonmoods.com

style: hIM This season’s most wearable trends for the stylish man about town

RUNNING A TIGHT SHIP Architects of the non-iron shirt and the original button-down collar, Brooks Brothers, have launched their new Spring/Summer 2013 range. Established in 1818, the company has a prodigious history of dressing high profile individuals, including nearly every American president and numerous stars of the screen. The company also supplies clothes for the hit television show Mad Men and are behind the men's costumes for Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby due to be released in May of this year. The Spring/Summer collection is reminiscent of the 1950’s, sailing regattas, and the spirit of the sea. In a similar vein, Thom Browne’s Black Fleece collection for Brooks Brothers will have a preppy Palm Beach feel. 1 Old Broad Street

CHINO CHAMPIONS Bear Grylls may conjure up mental imagery of stagnant puddle water and acrid sheepskin, but he is also a beacon of endurance and durability for Dockers, of whom he has now been the face for a year. The leading premium quality chinos and khakis brand has released its Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Conveniently neither smart nor casual, the chinos suit almost all occasions and are this

season released in a full colour spectrum, facilitating coordination with that favourite shirt or pair of shoes. Delivering unparalleled quality, fit and style to its customers is a key aim for Dockers and the contemporary vibrancy of this new range adds even more to its already established appeal. gb.dockers.com

news

three of the best... suede boots

A STITCH IN TIME

Suede Desert Boots, Acne, £330, acnestudios.com

Luxury leather company Caracalla 1947 have launched their new Carbonio Collection, and we are seriously coveting this Monza Italian Racing Stripe design. Silas Desert Boot, Grenson, £180, grenson.co.uk

caracalla1947.com

three of the best... Grey Suede Chukka Boots, Marc McNairy, £220, markmcnairy.com

biker jackets

Guys on film Broad lapels, oversized collars and bold lines are the stand-out features of Prada’s S/S 2013 collection. The sharp tailoring is showcased expertly in the new advertisement campaigns featuring some of Hollywood’s leading figures. Layered shirts and clean-cut minimalism imbue Dane DeHaan, Benicio Del Toro, Harvey Keitel and Aaron Taylor-Johnson with a playful Sicilian insouciance. If Prada was aiming for intensity, this is one of its best offerings yet.

Quilt Detail Leather Biker Jacket, Burberry Brit, £995, uk.burberry.com

store.prada.com

BACK TO THE FUTURE Burberry’s menswear catwalk show bequeathed a luminous insight into this season’s flavoursome new range. From the looks of it, metallics and khakis are back with a vengeance. Bold reflective hues of raincoats, jackets, shirts and bags courageously put this range in the more adventurous category of this year’s premium luxury brand lines. Punctuated between the iridescent silks and leathers, there is, however, a staunch elegance of familiar classic features and beautifully crafted lines. Sophisticated slim-cut suits and decorous khaki jackets represent a quieter and more office-suitable side of the collection. For those who dare to play the peacock, the flamboyant shirts serve as eye-catching evening wear.

Knitted-back Leather Jacket, Lanvin, £2,430, lanvin.com

One Star Perfecto Leather Motorcycle Jacket, Schott, £980 mrporter.com

burberry.com

february 2013 THE CITY 71

news

Suzannah Fifties Dress £1,450, matchesfashion.com

Well-HEELED Blazing neons and tropical animal prints lit up the Spring/Summer 13 runways, proving that this spring bright is beautiful. Since Edgardo Osorio – shoe designer du jour – launched Aquazzura in 2011, he has been creating modern designs with impeccable craftsmanship. Aquazzura’s S/S 2013 collection is unashamedly joyful, with candy colours and bold prints that transform even the simplest outfits. Better still is the collection’s frequency of on-trend ankle buckles and chunky heels that make wear much more comfortable than the average stiletto – which is lucky as you’ll never want to take them off.

style: her This season’s most wearable trends for the chicest woman about town

Why Pick a Valentine when a box clutch is all the arm candy you need? Aspinal Of London, £395, aspinaloflondon.com

“When in doubt, wear red.” - Bill Blass, Designer

aquazzura.com

A CUT ABOVE

Luxury lingerie shop Rigby & Peller have opened a store in nearby Bow Lane. Renowned for its elegant yet seductive pieces, we covet the new Marie Jo Joanne set. Push Up Balcony Bra, £93.95, Bikini Brief £42.95, rigbyandpeller.co.uk

Carolina Herrera’s lifetime love affair with the classic white shirt has made her an American icon of elegant style. Her lifestyle line, CH Carolina Herrera, launches a White Shirt Collection this spring with eight classic cuts in shinning cotton. With a new design to be added each season, prepare to start your own romance with the wardrobe staple. 020 7581 3031

72 THE CITY february 2013

Design by Philippe Starck

STARCK. A CLASSIC REVIVED.

Sanitaryware, bathroom furniture, bathtubs, shower trays, wellness products and accessories: Duravit has everything you need to make life in the bathroom a little more beautiful. More info at Duravit UK, Milton Keynes, Phone 0845 500 7787, Fax 0845 500 7786, info@uk.duravit.com, www.duravit.co.uk

White cutout dress, £2,240, Hérve Léger 020 7201 2590. Sunglasses, £269, The Row by Linda Farrow, Linda Farrow Luxe, lindafarrow.com Grey houndstooth suit, £1,350, white shirt, £125 pink silk tie, £75, pink silk pocket square, £55 rose gold watch, £6,500 , all Dunhill, dunhill.co.uk

spring romance Photography Mike Blackett Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds

XXXXXX

xxxxxxxx 2013 THE CITY 75

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Lime silk racerback top with embroidered neckline, £1,640, Gucci 18 Sloane Street SW1 020 7235 6707, gucci.com Pinstripe suit, £575, white shirt, £95 lilac pocket square, £26, all Hackett hackett.com. Imperiale stainless steel watch, £4,410, Chopard chopard.com xxxxxxxx 2013 THE CITY 77

XXXXXX

Lilac fishnet cardigan, £460, Mark Fast , markfast.net Grey suit, £895, lilac shirt, £135, both Chester Barrie 020 7439 6079, chesterbarrie.com. Lilac bow-tie, £55 and lilac pocket square, £26, Hackett, hackett.com Sunglasses, £617, Linda Farrow Luxe, lindafarrow.com

xxxxxxxx 2013 THE CITY 79

XXXXXX

White shirt, £95, Hackett, as before. Glasses £POA, Tom Ford, tomford.com. White and yellow silk shirt, £150, Jaeger, jaeger.co.uk. Enchanted lotus diamond earrings, £1,975, aura double halo diamond ring, £6,750, both de Beers, 50 Old Bond Street W1, 020 7758 9700, debeers.co.uk Mint fishnet dress, £540, Mark Fast, as before. Cream nikita sunglasses, £198, nude leather Natalia handbag, £2,750, Tom Ford as before Hair & Make-Up: Enzo Volpe at HMS Creative using Nars Cosmetics

xxxxxxxx 2013 THE CITY 81

promotion

trend

earth tones

he wise recognise that nothing of value in this world is ever given away for free. ACHICA, the members-only luxury lifestyle online store, does, however, aim to give the people what they really want at prices they cannot refuse. Signing-up to the website requires no fee, and once registered as a member, the benefits are daily or weekly notifications of exclusive shopping events which provide amazing reductions on numerous normally high-priced items. An enormous range of homeware, gardenware and lifestyle products from luxury labels are available at up to 70 per cent off of their original price. Ideal for home furnishings, there is also a wide variety of gift ideas. The online products are carefully selected by in-house experts whose goal is to give their customers the very best from across the globe at great prices. These events run for only 72 hours, resulting in the most popular products selling out before the sale is due to finish â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so customers must act quickly to get their hands on the best in furniture, soft furnishings, bed and bath, kitchenware, garden furniture, art, travel, fashion accessories, childrenswear and more. Offers, ideas and inspiration may come from the expertsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; blog and free magazine, which are available for browsing while you shop, where there is also news of regular competitions and special offers. Promotions begin at dawn and on Thursdays there is a late night shopping option. Irrespective of the position of the sun in the sky, however, there is no doubt that there will be something on ACHICA that will catch your eye.

Bronte Throws

Hoganis Keramic

Elvang

Leitmotiv

Shopping events daily at achica.com

Anglepoise

Fashionable and elegant, earthy colours of grey, beige and taupe are both timeless and homely. Warm and unobtrusive creams and browns with either maroon, navy or frosted metal echo natural autumnal tones, synthesising a subtle blend that is synonymous With relaxation. Hoganis Keramic

82 THE CITY FEBRUARY 2013

interiors

STATUS

sYMBOL

No sofa is more iconic that the Chesterfield, writes emma johnson

THE CHESTERFIELD... Legend goes that the Chesterfield sofa is so-called after a version of it was first made for Phillip Stanhope, the Earl of Chesterfield, in the 1700’s. Mostly found in the homes of the aristocracy in the 1800’s and regarded as a symbol of luxury and wealth, its understated elegance was desired because it allowed people to sit upright, while still remaining comfortable. Today, this timeless piece, still handmade by a small selection of artisans and craftsmen in England, conjures up an image of a smart study or cigar room, and is a staple piece in many gentleman’s clubs, offices and private homes. Pictured: Benjamin Couch, £1,295, Fleming and Howland, chesterfields1780.com

february 2013 THE CITY 83

the designer:

tom dixon

Typified by a bold, industrial style, Tom Dixonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lighting and furniture is both striking and unique and disco, pieces are crafted in cast iron, metal, stone, felt and plastic, and use a range of curved and boxy shapes to inspire and intrigue. In 2012, the company also launched its accessories collection, Eclectic by Tom Dixon. A new direction for the company, it features kitchenware, doorstops, Champagne buckets and scented candles amongst its striking range. tomdixon.net

All images, Tom Dixon

ighting and furniture from Tom Dixon is proudly and distinctly masculine. Industrial, earthy and raw tones are combined with sleek lines and high-end finishing to produce pieces which enhance and elevate a space from the mundane to the dynamic. A British design and manufacturing company, committed to promoting and reviving the British furniture industry, the brand is inspired by the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique heritage. Finding inspiration from things as diverse as motorcycling

interiors

Flocked Daphne Indigo Floor Lamp by Johnny Egg, £770 Heals, heals.co.uk

Eichholtz Atlantic Floor Lamp in Nickel £1,235, Occa Home occa-home.co.uk

the big

5: lamps

Main Floor Lamp in Orange, £399 Bo Concept boconcept.co.uk

Colour and shape define the trend for statement floor lamps this season, with inspiration coming from fashion and travel

Tripod Floor Lamp £165, Lombok lombok.co.uk

Maschio and Femina Floor Lamps by Jean Paul Gaultier for Roche Bobois £1,590, Harrods harrods.com

february 2013 THE CITY 85

shoes for loafers

A COLLABOrATION BETWEEN SHOEMAkEr HArryS Of LONDON AND THE BOuTIquE THrEADNEEDLES HOTEL IN THE CITy MEANS GuESTS CAN HAVE A BESPOkE fOOTWEAr fITTING WITHOuT HAVING TO LEAVE THEIr rOOM When two brands who really care about service join forces, customers can truly reap the benefits. And so it is with shoemaker Harrys of London and boutique hotel Threadneedles, who, together, now offer guests an in-room bespoke shoe service. By combining traditional cobbling methods and cutting-edge materials, Harrys of London has become a frontrunner in the men’s luxury shoe industry. Each shoe is handmade, using only the finest materials, and produced in small, often limited-edition batches. One of the unique elements of any Harrys of London shoe is its sole. Designed exclusively for the British shoe company by Italian rubber outsole giants Vibram, the Windsurf sole has been crafted to deal with the treacherous nature of wet London streets. These soles offer excellent traction, flexibility and resilience and are one of the boldest elements of the Harrys of London brand due to the range of vibrant colours available. To complement this winter’s trend of tailoring and general ‘dressing-up’, the autumn/winter

collection, The New Bespoke, boasts Genuine Goodyear Welted dress shoes and boots that combine classic lines with the latest technology. Many of the shoes in the new collection have been based on the classic English brogue, interpreted in lace-up styles and as rugged boots. Eclectically mixing old and new designs, Threadneedles is a five-star boutique hotel in the heart of London’s financial district. It occupies an old Victorian banking hall, giving it not only a tangible history, but a real sense of grandeur. Perhaps the most iconic asset of Threadneedles is the striking stained-glass dome that looms above the lobby, dating back to 1856. Threadneedles offers the choice of 74 rooms, including luxury doubles and an impressive penthouse. Accessed via a private lift, this comprises four interconnecting suites, elegant limestone bathrooms and even a private balcony offering stunning views across the City. Threadneedles and Harrys of London have come together to offer an unrivalled service. WWW.theroyalexchange.com

CITY MAG Feb 13.indd 1-2

The service allows residents of the boutique hotel to consult with an expert from Harrys of London, whose shop in The royal Exchange is only a few yards away. In the comfort of their room, guests are taken through every element of the design and fitting process. A choice of

“Threadneedles hotel will stock all sizes of harrys of london’s popular Downing shoe” personalised embellishments is also on offer, including the colour of the Vibram sole. What’s more, Threadneedles Hotel will also stock all sizes of the Harrys of London Downing shoe – one of their most popular styles, perfect for anyone in the City needing a stylish new pair of loafers.

promotion

sIX of The BesT

Gold, dust ↑

Leather lovely ↑

Up in smoke ↑

Available in rose gold and rhodium-plated sterling silver, each piece in Tateossian’s new Diamond Dust range has a window that allows admirers to see the genuine white diamond dust contained within. The collection features rings, pendants and earrings, but we think this rose gold bracelet is the prettiest of the lot, and it will make the perfect gift for someone special this february. Tateossian Bracelet in Rose Gold, £295

Sage Brown has been crafting elegant leather accessories for over 20 years, so you can rest assured that this cute satchel-style shoulder bag will stand the test of time. Twinning classic style with smart utility and fantastic quality, the satchel is handmade in soft calf leather, and lined with suede. And the Angelina Satchel is adaptable, with two interchangeable straps of differing lengths. Handy. Sage Brown Angelina Small Satchel, £195

Tired of all that January health and austerity? feel like treating yourself to something a bit naughty? Take a trip to Smoker’s Paradise, specialising in high-quality smoking equipment and stocking many of the finest tobaccos. Made by the master craftsmen of Peterson Pipes, this is the perfect accessory to stylish relaxation, and can be enjoyed with Dunhill Standard Mixture tobacco. Peterson Pipes, from £119

Prints charming ↑

Beyond cool ↑

Cold remedy ↑

It may be positively Baltic outside, but now and then the sun does decide to poke through the clouds, so make sure you’re sartorially prepared for when the warmer months do roll in. Spanish shoemaker Pretty Ballerinas boasts a range of simple shoes that is as vast as it is diverse. These animal-print pumps with black tassles are the perfect way to make a bold statement; and, with a 50mm heel, they give that little bit of extra lift. Pretty Ballerinas Faye Pumps, £219

This rolex, available at the royal Exchange Jewellers, is simply beautiful. first released in 2007, the Daytona Cosmograph in 18ct yellow gold is only five years old but seems to have everything an iconic timepiece should; stunning looks, subtle class and above all, an outstanding movement. And with its tachymeter bezel, the Daytona is more than a watch, it’s an icon of a motor racing tradition. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, £15,500

With miserable weather outside and the days taking their sweet time to get longer, it can be incredibly hard to get up in the mornings. Thankfully this classic silk dressing gown from Agent Provocateur not only makes that terrible trip from bed to bathroom a little bit easier, but it adds a touch of glamour to your morning routine. Oh, and you will look fantastic wearing it. Agent Provocateur Classic Silk Dressing Gown, £275

agent provocateur, artisan fine art, bachet, boodles, bulgari, church’s, crockett & jones, grand cafe, gucci, harrys of london, hermÈs, imperial city, jo malone, kiehl’s since 1851, kojis, loeWe, l’occitane, loro piana, lulu guinness, mezzanine lounge, molton broWn, montblanc, omega, paul.a.young fine chocolates, paul smith, pavarottis, penhaligon’s, pretty ballerinas, royal exchange jeWellers, sage broWn fine leather, sauterelle, searle & co jeWellers, smoker’s paradise, smythson, tateossian, theo fennell, tiffany & co., vilebrequin, Watches of sWitzerland

the royal exchange, bank, city of london, ec3v 3lr. store trading hours 10am – 6pm restaurants & bars 8am – 11pm

21/01/2013 12:25

A PERSONAL TRAINING PRACTICE THAT PULLS NO PUNCHES WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR DEVELOPMENT

41-44 GREAT QUEEN STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON : WC2B 5AD [ENTRANCE ON DRURY LANE]

T: 020 : 7242 : 0060 INFO@SIX3NINE.COM WWW.SIX3NINE.COM

Six3Nine Advert.indd 1

10/10/2012 10:37

travel

REPORT

bank on

threadneedles

A Victorian bank turned luxury hotel: Richard Brown visits the Square Mile’s first five-star boutique residence

ork anywhere near Bank and chances are you’ll have walked past Threadneedles Hotel without knowing it. While its name betrays its location, an inconspicuous exterior make this a hotel whose entrance you can easily struggle to find (clue: look for an unassuming door framed by two potted plants opposite the Pacific Oriental). Inside, Threadneedles is anything but understated. Beneath a striking stained-glass dome, this former banking hall is a warm mix of walnut

wood, imposing pillars and ornate circular staircases. Upstairs, elegant rooms are decorated in soft hues and rich fabrics. To relax, make use of deep bathtubs and luxurious Italian bathrobes. Feeling peckish? Then take advantage of the hotel’s extensive room service menu (the chicken club sandwich is a winner). Providing for an alternative Valentine’s day, the AVEDA beauty team are offering massages, make up and blow dries for groups of up to 16 people who book a private dining room for dinner. hotelthreadneedles.co.uk

LET THE SUN SHINE

The new terrace at The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant in Knightsbridge is the ideal destination for summer. A secluded and sophisticated venue for morning coffee or light meals, the terrace becomes a cigaristâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise in the evening with an extensive choice of whisky, cocktails and wine complementing a new cigar menu. For more information visit theribroom.co.uk or call 020 7858 7250 Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9PY

12-06-15, City magazine - RR bar ad v3.indd 1

18/06/2012 17:04:52

news

OPEN SEAson

The best new openings in the City

First come, first served

for her, For you

Tom Sellers’ Story which opens in March, starts taking reservations in February. With only 42 covers, prospective diners will have to act swiftly to guarantee a table at one of the most hotly anticipated City openings of the year.

This formidably beautiful bottle of bubbly is aged for five years and produced in limited quantities. Nicolas Feuillatte’s Palmes d’Or Rosé Vintage is a rare 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir grapes from Bouzy and Riceys. A Valentine’s winner.

Reservations by phone & online

Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’Or Rosé Vintage,

020 7183 2117, restaurantstory.co.uk

750ml, £120, johnlewis.com

FOOD

DRINK

The best fine dining has to offer, right on your doorstep

Camino, Blackfriars: Traditional Spanish food is very much on-trend in London, and Camino is one brand doing it very well. Their fourth restaurant opens this spring in Blackfriars and promises delectable Basque-style cuisine served in authentic, engaging surrounds. camino.uk.com

Shoreditch Butchery, CITY: Filled to the brim with aesthetic diversions such as graffiti by Portuguese street artists, serving New-York inspired meaty feasts washed down with signature cocktails or international lagers – Shoreditch Butchery is perfect for a mid-week dinner date. 32-37 Cowper Street, EC2A shoreditchbutchery.co.uk

Burger and Lobster, St Paul’s: The winning concept of charging £20 for a burger, a whole lobster or a lobster brioche roll, has seen this renowned restaurant brand become the go to place for London foodies, and saw them open a new restaurant in St Paul’s last month. 1 Bread Street, EC4M

Vaults at Voltaire, Blackfriars: The stunning Grade II Listed Vaults at Voltaire boasts private waiters serving Pommery champagne, cocktails and caviar to guests in spacious alcoves, decorated in silks and animal prints; along with an expansive collection of Cuban cigars available to smoke on the open-air terrace. Opens 14 February. 19 New Bridge Street, EC4V

RARE DELICACIES Food doesn’t always have to be cooked. In fact, sometimes it shouldn’t be. The new raw bar at The Spice Market restaurant in the W Hotel in Soho opens this month and boasts dishes such as wild sea bass sashimi with green chilli, pistachios and mint and a beef tartare with a Chinese mustard sauce and pickled cucumber. Specials that change weekly ensure that it is near impossible to tire of the already rare and spirited menu. spicemarketlondon.co.uk

february 2013 THE CITY 91

eat

First Degree

Taste Sensation

28–50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen makes for a different kind of date, says Richard Brown

New City opening Wabi offers smart surrounds and expert cooking, says Emma Johnson

his quirky wine bar and restaurant has been enjoying a roaring trade on Fetter Lane ever since it opened to much press fanfare in 2009. Just over three years on, this atmospheric basement restaurant complete with floor to ceiling wine bottles, is still a wonderful place for a winter night out. Tucked away and discreet, it offers stools at the bar or tables in the main restaurant space, with plenty of cosy corners if this is a special occasion. With a focus on wine, over food, here you should really pick your wine first, and then add some food in around it as an accompaniment. That’s not to say the food isn’t good – it is – but it’s a best supporting act to an excellent wine list (more on that later). Starters take the form of posh salads, pates and soups, with dishes such as foie gras terrine, white bean veloute and braised squid. Feeling the chill of recent snowfall, we opted for the warming veloute and the squid; the emphasis was on flavour and both were delicious. We had already enjoyed a lovely glass of Jacques Picard, Brut, so we accompanied our starters with a cool glass of 2011 Kerner, Valle Isarco from Italy on the sommelier’s suggestions. Fresh and crisp with overtones of a Riesling, it can handle strong flavours, and even be enjoyed on its own, but worked well with both our dishes. There was a serious gear change as we headed into our main courses, as we both decided to try a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Les Cadrans de Lassègue, a rich, robust selection, perfectly matched with our onglet and confit duck. My onglet was a revelation of tasty meat, juicy and melt in the mouth, while my date’s duck was pink and tender, and went especially well with the wine. Also on the menu are charcuterie platters, oysters, a range of meats and fish, as well as intriguing desserts and varied cheese plates, meaning you can settle in for the night, or day, and work your way through a series of interesting wines, matching them to anything you fancy. Don’t miss the Wine Collectors List; with bottles ranging from £50 to just under £300 there are some really special tipples here too. Finally, if it’s a special occasion and you have a bottle of something specific to drink, then BYO for a very reasonable £15, (£20 for Champagne), just check with the management first.

ince I realised Japanese cuisine didn’t consist entirely of limp sushi going round and round on an endless conveyor belt, a world of divine dishes has been opened up to my palate. Ramen broth is a perfect winter warmer, while grilled Yakitori skewers of chicken makes for great comfort food. Teppanyaki mixes some of my favourite flavours together and has a certain playful theatre to it; and, trust me, you’ve never really had tempura until you’ve had it at a good Japanese restaurant. Luckily, one of the newest additions to the City dining scene is the kind of place you can get all of the above, served in classy, elegant surroundings. Situated on Kingsway, this basement restaurant is decked out in muted tones of beige and dark wood, with a smart pre or post-dinner drinking area, complete with a sleek black glass bar. The menu is vast, and consists of everything from snacks and salads to fire-roasted and BBQ dishes. The head chef kindly offers to compose a bespoke menu for us and, overwhelmed by choice, we agree. Tea-smoked pork scratchings with pickled wasabi dip are up first – deep fried, meaty and crunchy they are a total taste sensation, and set us up well for the beef fillet tataki and yellow tail with smokey aubergine which comes next, the latter a wonderful dish, the smoky aubergine lingering tantalisingly after we’d cleared the plate. Up next is prawn tempura and squid kara-age – crunchy, salty and spicy they are divine, and disappear rather too quickly. Bigger dishes start to appear, including some tea-smoked lamb chops that my date professes might just be the best lamb he’s eaten in months. I am impressed, but also rather too busy negotiating how many of the confit chicken wings with hot sauce I’m prepared to share. A plate of various dim sums and a vast wooden board of sushi comes next, both are little parcels of utter deliciousness that leave us unsure how we ever fitted it all in, and wanting more. A glass of warm sake and pudding in the form of avocado cake and eight textures of chocolate finishes our meal, delighting us as much as everything else we’ve eaten so far. As we sip our sake we take a look around the room – there are various couples and family groups here, but also a number of businessmen clearly entertaining clients. And what a place to make a good impression. Service from start to finish has been both knowledgeable and helpful, while every single dish has impressed. A great new opening for the capital.

2850.co.uk

wabirestaurants.com

92 THE CITY february 2013

drink

a sparkling

future

During the past 12 months, former investment banker Pavel Titov has become the chairman of Russia’s oldest sparkling wine producer, overseen the completion of a new project in Champagne and helped to promote the virtues of Russian gastronomy. James Lawrence meets the man who risked it all for wine and asks: would he ever return to the Square Mile?

f one were to imagine the most likely candidate for heading up a sparkling wine house, former CASS Business School graduate Pavel Titov might, to put it mildly, not come very near the top of the list. Born in Moscow, Pavel spent his early years in Russia before immigrating to the UK and working for Merrill Lynch, where he specialised in the origination and execution of equity markets – hardly an obvious candidate to end up producing fizz. However, Pavel, a long-time wine enthusiast, was presented with an opportunity to help revive the fortunes of ailing Russian wine estate Abrau-Durso, which his father Boris Titov, formerly a petrol-chemical trader, had purchased in 2008. Pavel explains: “Abrau-Durso was founded in 1870 on the shores of Lake Abrau in the Caucasus, initially set up only to serve the Russian royal family’s needs. After the Russian revolution in 1917 the estate became a favourite of Stalin, who was convinced that Champagne should be the people’s drink and set Abrau-Durso on a mission to bring Russian Champagne to the masses. Sadly, after the Soviet Union’s collapse the winery was left to rot and production stopped.” Boris Titov, nonetheless, saw potential in the dilapidated winery and dying vineyards, but he knew he could not go it alone. After some persuasion, Pavel Titov left his lucrative city career behind him and joined his father’s company Solvalub as the project’s financial director in 2009. “The early days were largely uncertain,” Pavel admits. “We needed to recuperate our investment quickly and the estate was a mess. I must admit, the thought that I

had made the wrong decision occurred to me more than once.” Ultimately though, the family stayed the course and oversaw the investment of over €20 million into the project, rebuilding the winery and adding a hotel and spa. Their bold move has paid dividends: in 2011 they sold over 18 million bottles of their sparkling wines, which are now available in such prestigious locations as London’s Sketch restaurant and The Waterside Inn. Pavel now works in collaboration with Russian chef Anatoly Komm, the country’s rising star of molecular Russian gastronomy, to promote his wines on the world stage. Content to let his son run the show, Boris Titov retired in June 2012 making Pavel chairman of the board of directors. Pavel’s success as a wine marketeer is impressive, however, he is not one to sit idly back and enjoy the spoils. He also oversaw the purchase of a derelict Champagne house in July 2010, and recently completed the estate’s new winery. The Titov’s new brand of organic Champagne – Foliage – is selling well and they also plan to release a new ultra-premium brand of Champagne – Chateau D’Avize – to rival the likes of Salon and Selosse. So, the question remains, would he consider giving up his position and returning to the pleasures of investment banking? “It’s unlikely, simply because of the task I have set myself,” is the 28 year old’s reply. “My goals are to continue to raise the quality of our sparkling wines, find new projects to restore and for Abrau Durso to be the first Russian sparkling wine brand known across the world. It’s probably a lifetime’s work. And to be honest, I’d take wine over banking any day!”

february 2013 THE CITY 93

Taste the

revolution

British beer is enjoying a renaissance, but quaffing it back by the pint isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily the best way to appreciate it. Gavin Haines is given a lesson in beer etiquette by the experts

drink

here have been breweries in Britain for a thousand odd years, but it seems we’re only just beginning to give beer the respect it deserves. A recent boom in microbreweries has sparked a craft beer revolution, helping us rediscover our taste for this humble beverage. “There’s the old saying from the Bible that a prophet is never appreciated in his own land and I think that’s definitely true for beer,” says Paul Hegarty of the London-based Beer Academy. “There’s probably more variety of beer in Britain than anywhere else in the world – apart from maybe the USA and Belgium – and I think people are waking up to that.” Leading this journey of discovery are Britain’s first beer sommeliers, who graduated from the Beer Academy in 2011. Like Paul, they’re keen for drinkers to open their minds as well as their mouths and encourage us to have new experiences with beer.

“Appearance, aroma, taste and mouth feel is what makes up the overall quality of the beer.” Presentation is also important; champagne flutes, brandy snifters and wine glasses are great alternatives to the traditional pint glass. “You only need 150ml to have a great experience,” Paul reminds me. I ask him if the language used to describe beer is as snobby as wine chat. “People mock the wine language, but wine sommeliers do a fantastic job of inspiring people to try it,” he says. “Historically you would find that every beer was getting described as refreshing, but that doesn’t tell you very much. With some hops you get lychee, tangerine and marmalade [aromas] and some ales have a leathery character; it’s about getting people “Historically, an awful lot of beers were slopped into a pint glass, and if you’re having a beer in the pub that’s probably the perfect way to enjoy it,” says Paul. “But if you’re having it in a restaurant or with food at home, maybe you want a smaller quantity of beer and maybe you want to try different beers with different courses.” In many ways, we should be treating beer more like wine, starting with the way we drink it. “First, hold it up to the light; in most cases beers should be sparklingly bright although wheat beers would be one exception,” explains Paul. “I would only fill a beer glass about a third full so that you can swirl it around and sniff it. The vast majority of flavour differences in beer are actually on the aroma; the human sense of taste is quite primitive, whereas we have got receptors for something like 200 different aromas.” The next step is to take a sip of the beer and swirl it around your mouth. “You’re looking at the taste – sweet, sour, salt, bitter – but also the broader mouth feel; is it fizzy, what temperature is it?” says Paul.

“In many ways, we should be treating beer more like wine, starting with the way we drink it.” to use their receptor cells and describe what they smell.” What about food pairings; are there any rules when matching beer with food? “Fuller flavoured produce needs stronger flavoured beers and pale lagers are particularly good with seafood,” says Paul. “But we want to get away from hard and fast rules. We want people to try different combinations and see what works for them – one of the best combinations I had was a Belgiam fruit beer with seared tuna. It’s all about personal taste.”

february 2013 THE CITY 95

Captivate Your Senses The first internationally-acclaimed Chuan Spa in Europe is now open at The Langham, London. Rediscover your source with luxurious treatments inspired by the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Langham, London 1c Port land Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA T 44 (0) 20 7973 7550

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AUCKLAND • BOSTON • HONG KONG • LONDON • LOS ANGELES • MELBOURNE • SHANGHAI

ChuanSpa ExclusiveMag.indd 1

15/3/11 13:35:46

news

BLUE VALENTINE If you’re wildly in love or lust this Valentine’s Day then you will likely have something special planned. One by The Five in Paris offers a service at the other end of the spectrum to soppy cards and scarlet heart-shaped boxes of Belgian chocolates. Accepting hedonistic tendencies this single-suite hotel has a list of amenities that may make the average person blush. Beyond the deep red velvet corridor is a refreshingly luxurious room yielding amiable details such as a wall-suspended bed and a cloudy ceiling illuminated by starlight. Despite all the gadgets and gizmos, there is a genuinely welcoming aura to the suite that fashions it neither seedy nor tacky, despite the cocktail station with ingredients for a ‘love elixir’, a video camera and plenty of mirrors. Onebythefive.com

TRAVEL

From long-haul retreats to weekend escapes, chic city stopovers to tropical hideaways, these are some of the world’s top haunts

NOT JUST FOR GIRLS

These days, spa treatments are not just reserved for women, and as if to prove this point, The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore has launched a new series of face and body treatments designed specifically for men. Facial treatments, manicures and pedicures do everything from awakening the weary traveller to brightening the complexion, while the marathon three hour Alpha Male treatment is a tripletiered process beginning in the steam room, moving on to an exfoliating body treatment, a facial and finishing with a choice of two varieties of massage. Gentlemen, don’t be shy: sometimes you have to man up to cool down. mandarinoriental.com

A world Away

Once sporadically frequented by partygoing backpackers, Koh Samui has since developed into an exclusive tropical retreat. Fringed by a surfeit of islands with the enchanting waterfalls and ancient rainforests which comprise Ang Thong National Marine Park, is the Vana Belle. Suites all have private pools and endless ocean views, while two restaurants and an open air lobby lounge provide plenty of places to eat and drink. During the day there are Thai cookery classes or yoga classes, while the spa provides a varirety of locally-inspired signature treatments. luxurycollection.com/vanabelle

Beautiful TORQUAY On the northern side of the miniature Torquay peninsula is the tranquil and little-known Babbacombe Bay. Indented into the landscape and overlooking the bay’s sizeable beach is the Cary Arms, a quaint and charming luxury boutique hotel. Boasting the best of traditional gastro-pub dining, it has bright and spacious seaside-themed rooms which have been designed by Kathleen Fraser. The White Company paraphernalia lines the bathroom shelves, exemplary of the inn’s high standards, while activities such as coastal walks make for excellent daytime diversions. On returning to the hotel, the Cary Arms spa’s offering of hot stone massages will ease your the aches and pains, even if the commodious bed cannot. caryarms.co.uk

february 2013 THE CITY 97

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SOUTH AFRICA

2012/04/30 11:37 AM

Photograph: Angela Sacha 2012

TRAVEL

Where

Dave Waddell experiences an African epiphany in beautiful Tanzania

elephants go

FEBRUARY 2013 THE CITY 99

“E

lephant.” We stand stock still. I hear them – great tearing sounds, followed by a dull crush and then silence. I look up, in the general direction of the noise. At first, all I can see is forest and patches of sand, the odd palm, a dead tree, its uppermost branches three fingers against the skyline. Then, as my eyes begin to behave themselves, I spot a black shape move through the green, and then another, and then they’re everywhere: elephants, a small herd, 25 odd metres away, browsing the trees. They haven’t noticed us. We’re downwind and stood in a dry gully. All the same, we’re close, close enough to be a threat. If something does go wrong, there wouldn’t be much I could do. However, and strangely, I’m not afraid. This is the Selous, in Tanzania, one of Africa’s wildest reserves; I’m on foot, protected only by Hamze Mmole, my guide, and by our scout, the perfectly named Polycarp Pangani, who is carrying a very small looking rifle. I’m not anxious, or afraid. On the contrary: I feel well, truly alive and, dare I say it, like laughing. If walking long distances, as the German film director Werner Herzog would have it, has the power of revelation, a revelation more about the magic of creation than it is getting from A to B,

or even finding something special on the way, then walking the Selous is, in my very unprofessional opinion, the ultimate in what in days gone by might be called making a spiritual quest. Now, to be sure: I’m not religious; and this is not my first experience of Africa, of the wild. I grew up in Kenya, and prior to arriving yesterday at the Selous’s Sands River Lodge, home for two short nights, I’ve spent an eye bogglingly fine week traversing much of Tanzania’s northern circuit, from super-dry Tarangire National Park, to the lush foothills of Ngorongoro Crater to the just greening plains of the Serengeti. I’ve driven through swamps teeming with grazers, slept to the sound of lion, crossed a Mara River jammed with the migrating dead and experienced firsthand the way a tsetse fly will suck your blood – life, beauty; death, pain; the whole shebang, in seven days. Plus, nearly everywhere there has been elephants. I’ve seen a family gore the innards out of a baobab tree, witnessed groups covered in dust, play in water, or appear as flickering blobs on a horizon obscured by heat. Once, near Lake Manyara, with my driver-guide-come-master storyteller, Masaa Kimaryo, I even found myself, our vehicle, in the middle of a herd, elephant crossing in front and behind. Initially a tad distracted by Kimaryo’s

TRAVEL

Nothing compares to being out here, on foot, in the Selous. Nothing - not last week, not yesterday, not even last night most recent tale, a somewhat frighteningly detailed account of the day he was circumcised, I began to pay the elephants due attention when one, instead of crossing the road, turned, flapped its ears (ever so slightly) and began to amble in our direction. In the time it took to wave its trunk, jut the air with its tusks, stamp and pass extremely close to me, I had forgotten how to breathe, think, be. Behold: the idiom ‘frozen with fear’ is hereby revived. Nonetheless, nothing compares to being out here, on foot, in the Selous. Nothing – not last week, not yesterday, not even last night, the sun setting over the Rufiji River, sandbanks spotted with hippo, the prospect of one of Sands River’s legendary suppers in the offing, a most marvellous gin and tonic paving the evening’s way. Out here there is no past, no future. In an hour we will reach Lake Tagalala, where, under cover of a Borasis palm forest, we’ll breakfast (eggs, bacon, the works) and spot crocodile glide log-like through the pale water. This afternoon we will loll in hot springs, watch as 300 odd hippo squeeze into a pool-sized pond, enjoy the rarest of steaks at uber-luxurious Beho Beho. Tomorrow we arrive in Zanzibar, four days of sea, dhows, Stone Town and a beach lodge called Kilindi. It’s going to be great, really great, but right now, it matters not a jot. For now, beneath a vast white sky, surrounded by 54,000 square kilometres of a land without houses, towns, villages, normal human activity, it’s just us, our boots, the rocks, the sand, some trees, a weak morning sun. This is Herzog country. Anything could happen. And it has – already. We have been walking for only two hours, from dawn to now, the grey light thinning, growing brighter. We’ve covered at most five kilometres. Distance-wise, Herzog would call this a jaunt, a magical loosening, small potatoes. Except, of course, I’m no walker, and the Selous is working on me in quick time. I’ve seen birds in colours I have no name for, a pair of giraffes ruminating, bones cleaner than a kitchen plate. I’ve watched as a handful of male impala, excited by the new day, the perfection of their young bodies, chase each other – madly, back and forth – within a rock’s throw of us. The air is hot, the land is something else, and now I am here, in this gully, a million miles from anything I could lay my finger on and say: I know what this is. We are among elephants. My legs ache. I am sweating. I think of nothing. Mmole and Pangani exchange a couple of words. The elephants have disappeared. We move on up to the left of the ridge, single file. It’s steep. I can feel the ground slip beneath

my feet. Up ahead, Pangani vaults a rock. We breast the ridge and make our way down the other side. Mmole kneels - tracks, lots of them, giant circles of flattened dust. He looks up. They went this way earlier, he says, pointing uphill, but circled back. Panagani waits, rifle loose by his side. I study the tracks. I can see how the elephants’ toes bite into the ground, the way the pads move, the direction they point. We look down, the other way. The land falls fast, into more forest, then a lake. Suddenly, Panagani points: ‘Ndofu’. The elephants have spotted – heard or smelt - us. They’re streaking into the forest. They’re too far away to hear, but, for a second, I see them, clearly: trunks raised, their silent backs shrinking through the green. Then, they’re gone, the lot, completely gone. I watch the trees. Nothing, no sign. I smile, and laugh. Magic. Pure magic.

more information Dave Waddell’s trip to Tanzania was organised by Africa travel specialist, Journeys by Design, journeysbydesign.com / 01273 623 790. For a two week private safari through the wilds of Tanzania costs start from £5,200 per person, excluding international flights. Mainland Tanzania safaris can be combined with a trip to the island of Zanzibar to finish the holiday. Flights with Kenya Airways: Return Economy to Dar from LHR - £597.29 including tax. Return Premier World to Dar from LHR - £2576.09 including tax. Reservations - 020 8283 1818 / www.kenya-airways.com.

FEBRUARY 2013 THE CITY 101

travel

Destination...

glasgow Edgy, brash and a product of its spotted cultural history – Glasgow is the city that bites back Where to stay – Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens Very much a home away from home, Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens, set in the chicer West End of Glasgow, is the perfect place for a getaway. The tree-lined Victorian exterior is a prelude to the luxurious and tasteful interiors, which are punctuated with traditional Scottish features and tartan flooring. A boutique hotel with 49 rooms, it can satiate pleasure seekers, offering the indulgence of a whisky room and cigar shack, as well as a wine and cocktail bar. Grand and traditional, it still caters to the modern guest with meeting rooms, gym and high-speed complimentary Wi-Fi. hotelduvin.com

Where to eat – Black Sheep Bistro Multicultural Glasgow boasts a wealth of high quality international dining but there also exists a genuine mastery of the Scottish cuisine. Black Sheep Bistro is a great example of honest, hearty cooking with generous portions that command an equally worthy appetite. Immaculately presented food, atmospheric and with attentive service, this is the place to sample infamous national delicacies such as black pudding and haggis, which are innovatively combined with other complimentary dishes. Elegant and mouthwatering dessert pairings like the sophisticated meringue and puff candy ice cream also exceed expectations.

What to do – Loch Lomond Beyond the urban noise of the city are idyllic watery landscapes and mountainous highlands. The vast, and seemingly untouched, Loch Lomond can expect snow-capped hilltops at this time of year. This tranquil expanse has held National Park status for over a decade and is the largest freshwater loch in the country, exhibiting over thirty individual islands. A sense of wanderlust and a joy for exploration are readily satiable due to the wide variety of indoor and outdoor pursuits. Loch Lomond boasts galleries, monuments and even a distillery and a safari park, making it a choice setting for a day out. Braving the cold is surely a small price to pay for the wondrous allure of this bountiful locale.

Don’t miss – The art scene Glasgow is a vigorous survivor, having struggled through a troublesome past to come back out ahead. Recent courageous art projects have aided in the regeneration and revival of the city’s cultural life. Revamped theatres and classical architecture have melded the old and the strikingly new, creating a vibrant cocktail of culture. The city centre is now

British Airways operates up to six daily flights between London City Airport and Glasgow, in addition to services from Heathrow and Gatwick making it even easier for you to travel between the two cities. Book now at ba.com

102 THE CITY february 2013

awash with performance artists, comedians, musicians, vegetarian cafes and warehouse nightclubs. The newly reopened Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum portrays an honest and uncensored insight into the past of the city through an objective perspective of both the joyous and challenging aspects of Glaswegian life. They are a proud and spirited people and this charismatic resilience is discernible throughout this cultural capital of Scotland.

Masks: Brendan Howard / Shutterstock.com

From top to bottom: City Chambers; Loch Lomond; Hotel du Vin; River Clyde and the Squinty Bridge; interior of Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

No £40 admin fee this Jan & Feb. Already in the club? Refer a friend to join for a £50 voucher. reebokclub.co.uk 020 7970 0911

Cool runnings Can you ever really get from the desk to the slopes in a few hours? Elle Blakeman flies from the City to Chambéry to find out

his year you’re going to be more sensible. No more lengthy trips in the first six months only to find that your holiday has run out midAugust, along with most of the bank holiday ones. We don’t even have a royal excuse for a day off this year either. No, this year you’ll be frugal. But you want to go skiing, naturally – no need to be frugal and boring, and you’ve only got a limited time to do it. Wherever you go, the general rule is to write off the first and last days for travelling; endless queues, opening and closing bags and shamelessly stuffing your pockets full of everything that won’t fit in your carry-on before a perilous three- or fourhour drive up the mountains, usually with French or Austrian men that you are certain should have lost their licence at some point in the 80’s, and then finally collapsing happily on a sofa

travel

more information British Airways offers a three-night fly-drive to Chambery from £209 per person based on Feb/Mar 13 departures. This includes return flights from London City airport and Avis car rental. For reservations visit ba.com/ski or call 0844 493 0758. Peak Retreats offers three nights stay at the Grande Hotel des Thermes on half-board basis from £94 per person per night in January. For reservations visit peakretreats.co.uk or call 0844 576 0123. Prices for a three-day lift pass for Meribel start at £87 for children and £108 for adults. A three-day Three Valleys pass starts at £104 per child and £130 per adult. Happy Mountains, Sport 2000 provides ski and boot hire from £33 per child and £47 per adult based on seven days hire. ESF (Ecole du ski Francais) offers group sessions from £115 for five lessons, or a 2.5 hr private session from £85 for a group of up to six people. British Airways offers daily flights between London City airport and Chambery on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Customers benefit from a quick and easy service at London City Airport, with transfer from kerbside to airside just 15 minutes. Check-in closes 20 minutes before departure. In addition to free hold and cabin baggage allowance, all fares include free online check-in, seat selection 24 hours before departure and complimentary food and drink on board.

with a beer, or the reverse if you’re coming home. However, Brides les Bains, a minuscule town at the foot of Les Trois Vallées with its handy ‘backdoor’ access to Méribel, provides a helpful compromise, allowing you to get a good half day ski on both arrival and departure dates, meaning that a long weekend will leave you feeling like you’ve had a proper winter holiday. Flying from City Airport to Chambéry, BA’s big idea is to go from your desk to the slopes in under four hours, and despite an unfortunate experience with a French Sat Nav, we managed this with time to spare. Obviously we then sat down for lunch and simply skied later in the afternoon, but we could have been skiing by lunchtime if we wanted. Getting up to the mountains is a 25-minute gondola away, which is the price you pay for an easier home-to-resort journey, however for a long weekend this is a worthwhile swap and will earn you more skiing time and an easier life in the process. Once there, the three valleys is everything you could want in a skiing holiday: long, impressive runs with incredible views, and a fabulous mix of green, blue and red runs, with the odd sharp black thrown in for some serious fun (beware the ones in the shade, they hide huge patches of ice, usually around half way down). This range of runs means that pretty much anyone can go and enjoy themselves, whether you’re entirely new to the sport or you just missed out on qualifying for the winter Olympics. A lot of the greens filter gently into blues, which will push basic skiers quickly into intermediate level, while the pros can go higher, selecting whether they want to tour the long winding slopes of Val Thorens,

or the tree-lined ones of Courchevel. There are plenty of places to enjoy once you’re up in the mountain, take the gondola as high as you can and try Panoramic for lunch one day – the collective view out over the whole three valleys is incomparable and will leave you feeling like you’re on the edge of the world. Another must-visit is the newly opened La Folie Deuce in Méribel, a fun and superchic restaurant with Ibiza-style music, full of beautiful people and dancing on tables. Brides les Bains itself is fairly relaxed; without the party-hard, après-ski mentality, it really is more of a place to rest up ready for the day ahead. A former spa town, a visit can actually be medically prescribed over the summer months for those looking to lose weight and get healthy (N.B it’s only French doctors who can do this, sadly no NHS GP will fund your trip over). The imposing Grand Hôtel des Thermes is joined onto the town’s Grand Spa des Alpes, a huge spa including sauna, aromatherapy steam rooms, vitality pool, massages and, best of all, two huge outdoor Jacuzzis where you can enjoy the breathtaking views surrounded by snowcapped mountains. The town has retained a quaint, Celtic quality that has perhaps been lost by the more developed neighbouring ski towns, perhaps in part as it has only had access to the slopes since 1992 when the gondola was extended down to the area. You will not find a Cartier outlet here, nor a place to invest in designer clothing, however the people are friendly, generous and interesting and you will be welcomed back by name if you return; how many ski resorts can say the same?

february 2013 THE CITY 105

THE Directory Whether you want to dine or to drink, to purchase gorgeous gifts and stylish outfits, to keep fit or to be pampered, the City is home to a wealth of services and amenities

Collection

Health & Beauty

Bachet

Ajala Spa

12 The Courtyard

10 Godliman Street

020 3405 1437

020 7074 1010

bachet.fr

www.ajalaspa.com

Virgin Active 5 Old Broad Street, 0845 270 4080 virginactive.co.uk Barber Express Ltd

artisangalleries.com

14 Devonshire Row Chequers Beauty

2 & 3 The Courtyard

020 7377 5485

Salon

Royal Exchange

barberexpress.co.uk

53-54 Leadenhall Market

020 7283 7284

020 7283 3047

City Health & Fitness

boodles.com

chequersbeauty.co.uk

Club London

Bulgari Royal Exchange 020 7283 4580 bulgari.com Ernest Jones Unit 3, Plantation Place 020 7929 4491 ernestjones.co.uk Goldsmiths 186-190 Bishopsgate 020 7283 6622 goldsmiths.co.uk

Grange City Hotel, Elysium Spa

8-10 Cooper’s Row

21 Old Broad Street

cityhealthclub.co.uk

020 7256 8624 elysiumfortytwo.co.uk

Kiehls Unit 14/15, Royal Exchange 020 7283 6661 kiehls.co.uk Jo Malone 24 Royal Exchange 08701 925131 jomalone.co.uk L’Occitane

144 Fetter Lane Essential Therapy

29 Royal Exchange

020 7702 3553

39 Whitefriars Street

020 7929 7722

fetterbarbers.com

loccitane.co.uk

F Flit tner

Paul A Young Fine

020 7353 1895 essential-therapie.co.uk

86 Moorgate

Chocolates

Optix

020 7606 4750

20 Royal Exchange

175 Bishopsgate

fflittner.com

020 7929 7007

020 7628 0330 optixuk.com

paulayoung.co.uk London City Runner 10 Ludgate Broadway

Smilepod bank studio

9 Royal Exchange

Leadenhall Market

020 7623 3626

off Fenchurch Street

gucci.com

18-20 Cullum Street

Nicholson & Griffin

020 7836 6866

74 Cannon Street, EC4N 6AE

smilepod.co.uk

020 7489 8551

Hermes

020 7929 5656

Fet ter Barbers Ltd

Gucci

12-13 Royal Exchange

Artisan Fine Art 35 Royal Exchange

Boodles

15 The Courtyard

Retail

020 7329 1955 londoncityrunner.com

nicholsonandgriffin.com

Penhaligon’s 4 Royal Exchange 020 7623 3131 penhaligons.com Smoker’s Paradise 33 Royal Exchange 020 7626 6078 smokersparadise.8m.com

020 7626 7794

The Harley

hermes.com

Medical Group

Ted’s Grooming Room

Links of London

Marc House

120 Cheapside

27 Royal Exchange

Great Street

020 7367 9932

020 7621 0021

0800 022 3385

tedsgroomingroom.com

moltonbrown.com

27 Broadgate Circle 020 7628 9668

Molton Brown

linksoflondon.com

harleymedical.co.uk

Tower Bridge Health &

Paul Smith

Montblanc

The Private Clinic

Fitness Club

Unit 7, The Courtyard

10-11 Royal Exchange

107 Cheapside

47 Prescot Street

Royal Exchange

020 7929 4200

0800 599 9911

020 7959 5050

020 7626 4778

montblanc.com

theprivateclinic.co.uk

grangehealthclubs.com

paulsmith.co.uk

Boodles

SushiSamba

High Timber Restaurant

Madison Restaurant

Fashion

Bars and Pubs

Restaurants

Agent Provocateur

1 Lombard Street

1901 at andaz hotel

5 Royal Exchange

1 Lombard Street

40 Liverpool Street

020 7623 0229

020 7929 6611

020 7618 7000

agentprovocateur.com

1lombardstreet.com

andazdining.com

Grand Café

Grappolo 1 Plough Place 020 7842 0510 grappololondon.com

Bulgari

Anise Bar

Anohka Indian

The Courtyard, Royal Exchange

15 The Courtyard, Royal Exchange

9 Devonshire Square

Restaurant St. Pauls

020 7618 2480

020 7283 4580

020 3642 8679

4 Burgon Street

royalexchange-grandcafe.co.uk

bulgari.com

Anthologist

020 7236 3999 anokha-indian.com

Haz Restaurant Plantation Place

Church’s

58 Gresham Street

28 Royal Exchange

0845 468 0101

Brasserie Blanc

6 Mincing Lane

020 7929 7015

theanthologistbar.co.uk

60 Threadneedle Street

020 7929 3173

020 7710 9440

hazrestaurant.co.uk

church-footwear.com

Balls Brothers

Crockett & Jones

11 Blomfield Street

25 Royal Exchange

020 7588 4643

0207 929 2111 crockettandjones.com Harrys of London 18 Royal Exchange 020 7283 4643

brasserieblanc.com

High Timber Restaurant

Caffé Concerto

8 High Timber Street

One New Change

020 7248 1777

Bar Bat tu

020 7494 6857

hightimber.com

48 Gresham Street

caffeconcerto.co.uk

020 7036 6100 barbattu.com

Madison Restaurant

Chamberlain’s

2 New Change

Restaurants

020 8305 3088

Prism

23-25 Leadenhall Market

madisonlondon.net

147 Leadenhall Street

020 7648 8690

020 7256 3888

chamberlains.org

Vertigo 42

Chez Gerard

020 7600 0992

Tower 42, Old Broad Street

14 Trinity Square

mintleaflounge.com

Hugo Boss

020 7877 7842

020 7213 0540

One New Change

vertigo42.co.uk

chezgerard.co.uk

020 7332 0573

Hawksmoor Guildhall

Cinnamon Kitchen

020 7375 2568

10-12 Basinghall Street

9 Devonshire Square

individualrestaurantcompanyplc.co.uk

020 7397 8120

020 7626 5000

thehawksmoor.com

cinnamon-kitchen.com

020 7236 3635

Counting House

Fora Restaurant

Royal Exchange

1-2 Royal Exchange Buildings

50 Cornhill

34-36 Houndsditch

020 7618 2483

020 7626 2782

020 7283 7123

020 7626 2222

sauterelle-restaurant.co.uk

karenmillen.com

fullers.co.uk

forarestaurants.co.uk

harrysoflondon.com Loro Piana 2-3 Royal Exchange 020 7398 0000 loropiana.com

hugoboss.com Karen Millen One New Change

Mint Leaf Lounge 12 Angel Court

Piccolino Restaurant 11 Exchange Square

Restaurant Sauterelle The Courtyard

Sushisamba

L.K. Bennett

Searcys Champagne Bar

Gat tis Restaurant

Floors 38 and 39

One New Change

1 Finsbury Avenue

Heron Tower

020 7236 4711

020 7871 1213

020 7247 1051

020 3640 7330

searcyschampagnebars.co.uk

gattisrestaurant.co.uk

sushisamba.com

lkbennett.com

february 2013 THE CITY 107

D SI DE SIGN GNER GN ER WED EDDI DING DI NG DRE R SS S ES S MAD ADE E TO MEA E SU SUR RE R E IN ITTAL ALY Y 81 1 E bu b ry S tr t reee e e t Lo Lon n d on S W nd W1 1 0 20 2 0 7 90 901 1 90 0 20 lee sp p o sed ed d ig i io o .cc om om

LONDON Homes&

PROPERTY Showcasing the finest homes in your area

C o v e r i n g Wa p p i n g , S h a d T h a m e s , S h o r e d i t c h , Is l i n g t o n & T h e C i t y

Reasons

to Smile

POSITIVE MARKET PREDICTIONS FOR 2013

Time

for a change STUNNING NEW HOMES

Interior design project at property in Down Street by Casa Forma, www.casaforma.co.uk

Barnsbury Street, London N1 A wonderful home in Barnsbury

A stunning five bedroom house on the corner of Barnsbury Street and Thornhill Road. This wonderful family home has fabulous proportions over four floors and comprises 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms and a garden designed by Andrew Fisher Tomlin (2008). EPC rating: F, Approximately 203.81sq m (2191sq ft). Freehold Guide Price: £2,350,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Islington Islington@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6138

King's Cross Road, WC1X Unique house in King's Cross

This house is of eclectic pedigree offering an abundance of period features and some contemporary touches. The accommodation is set out over four floors with finishes exposing it's fascinating past, once home to a foundary and tobacconist. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room and roof terrace. EPC rating: D, Approximately 158 sq m (1,701 sq ft) Freehold Guide Price: £1,295,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Islington Islington@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6138

WE ARe kn ght frank Let’s face it, with over 48 property agents in Islington to choose from, you need to know who is going to make your search for a buyer, tenant, or new home the easiest and most efficient. We have best in class property throughout N1, N1C, N5, N7, WC1 and EC1, rentals starting from £350 per week, and sales from £350,000. Our expertise are second to none. Passionate, professional and personal service, from start to finish. Simple. Visit our office at 353 Upper Street to find out more or call 020 8166 5293.

KnightFrank.co.uk/Islington

homes & property

Property Showcase Making Waves

very attractive two double bedroom apartment on the third floor of a super riverside development has become available. One of only 13 in the building, the property extends to approximately 1,959 sqft and offers fabulous river views and a balcony. Accommodation comprises a master bedroom suite with a dressing area and bathroom, and a generously sized second bedroom with an en suite shower room and large built in wardrobes. The kitchen has been recently refurbished to an excellent standard and has a lovely breakfast area with views of the river and Canary Wharf while double doors lead to a very attractive split-level reception room with fabulous far-reaching views of the river and the Canary Wharf skyline and a balcony. The flat also has a guest WC and a utility room and is being sold with allocated covered parking. n

Pelican Wharf, Wapping E1W ÂŁ1.4M Share of Freehold Knight Frank Wapping www.knightfrank.co.uk/wapping

020 7480 6848 113

NEO Bankside, Southbank SE1

Brand new penthouse An outstanding apartment to rent in the award winning NEO Bankside development. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en suite), reception room with floor to ceiling windows, open plan kitchen with dining area, roof terrace, wooden floors, comfort cooling and 24 hour concierge. EPC rating C. Approximately 300 sq m (3,230 sq ft) To Let Furnished Guide Price: £3,250 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 (ASP170262)

Dundee Wharf, Limehouse E14 Spacious apartment

A lovely apartment to rent on the second floor of this popular riverside development in Limehouse. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, good size reception room, fully fitted kitchen, new carpets, good storage, private balcony with river views and underground car parking. EPC rating E. Approximately 87 sq m (935 sq ft) To Let Furnished Guide Price: £475 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 (ASP173040)

Hermitage Waterside E1W Newly refurbished

A bright apartment to rent in this purpose built development in the sought after location of west Wapping. 1 bedroom, shower room, nice size reception room, fully fitted separate kitchen, wooden floors throughout and a car parking space. Conveniently located within in close proximity Tower Hill station. EPC rating B. To Let Furnished Guide Price: £370 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 (ASP135436)

Millers Wharf, Wapping E1W

Beautifully presented An immaculate newly refurbished apartment to rent in this lovely riverside development. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, second bedroom, bathroom, reception room with semi open plan kitchen, wooden floors, porterage and a balcony with views to Tower Bridge. EPC rating C. Approximately 115 sq m (1,232 sq ft). To Let Furnished Guide Price: £850 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 (ASP173041)

Capital Wharf, Wapping E1W River views

A good sized apartment located on the third floor of this popular development on Wapping High Street. 2 bedrooms, 2 en suite bathrooms, reception room, separate fully fitted kitchen with a window, entrance hall, guest cloakroom, 24 hour porterage, parking and a private balcony with south facing views of the Thames. EPC rating B. To Let Furnished Guide Price: £650 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 (ASP132283)

China Court, Wapping E1W

Popular development A smart second floor apartment to rent in the extremely popular gated Quay 430 development in west Wapping. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom (with shower), reception room, fitted semi open plan kitchen, wooden floors and a south facing balcony. Recently refurbished, this apartment is close to The City and Tower Hill station. EPC rating C. To Let Furnished Guide Price: £375 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5366 (ASP159467)

Telfords Yard, Wapping E1W

Spectacular apartment A superb apartment finished to the highest of standards situated in this Victorian warehouse conversion. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom and dressing room, 2 further bedrooms, shower room, reception room, open plan kitchen, media room, study, entrance hall, lift and porter. Approximately 244 sq m (2,634 sq ft). Share of Freehold Guide Price: £1,480,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Wapping wapping@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5372 (WAP120086)

New Globe Walk, Southbank SE1 Beautiful penthouse

A spacious apartment with a bright and airy feel. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom opening onto a terrace, 2 further bedrooms, 2 additioal bathrooms (one en suite), reception room with open plan kitchen and dining area opening onto a second terrace, parking and river views. Approximately 213 sq m (2,293 sq ft). Leasehold Guide Price: £3,250,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Wapping wapping@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5372 (RVR120210)

CITY SALES HP Feb 2013 - 18 January 2013 - 29877

21/01/2013 15:33:51

SOLD

Belgrave Court, Canary Wharf E14

Port East Apartments, Canary Wharf E14

Anchorage Point, Canary Wharf E14

Guide price: £1,050,000

SOLD Dunbar Wharf, Limehouse E14

Guide price: £1,100,000

“ We have been very happy with Knight Frank’s management of the sale of our flat. Andy’s initial contact regarding listing the flat as well as his responsiveness were top notch. The photographer was professional and the brochures were excellent. The sale would not have happened without Andy’s efforts, he was always very responsive and available.” SP

Landmark East, Isle of Dogs E14

SOLD City Harbour, Isle of Dogs E14 Guide price: £650,000

Guide price: £765,000

SOLD

Guide price: £1,700,000

“ Thank you so much for the excellent service you have given us-we were both so impressed with your knowledge of the area and the way you stuck to the brief yet used your imagination and offered us a great selection of properties. You were by far the most professional and organised person we met during this process and we have met several!” LJ

Guide price: £600,000*

SOLD Chinnocks Wharf, Limehouse E14 Guide price: £635,000

SOLD

Concordia Wharf, Isle of Dogs E14

Pan Peninsula, Canary Wharf E14

Ocean Wharf, Canary Wharf E14

Guide price: £535,000

Guide price: £297,000

Guide price: £370,000

* sold above asking price

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf Canary Wharf Sales 020 7512 9966 Canary Wharf Lettings 020 7512 9955 18/19 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf London E14 4QW

LHP_283890_CanaryWharfMag_KF_FEB13.indd 1

21/01/2013 17:18

17:18

FOR SALE

West India Quay, Canary Wharf E14

Dundee Wharf, Limehouse E14

Discovery Dock, Canary Wharf E14

Guide price: £1,550,000

Guide price: £1,150,000

Guide price: £875,000

FOR SALE

Boardwalk Place, Canary Wharf E14

West India Quay, Canary Wharf E14 Guide price: £415,000

Guide price: £500,000

FOR SALE

Location matters. WE UNDERSTAND.

FOR SALE

Dunbar Wharf, Limehouse E14

Find out why our clients chose Knight Frank KnightFrank.co.uk/FranklySpeaking

FOR SALE

Elektron Tower, Isle of Dogs E14

Galaxy Building, Isle of Dogs E14

St Davids Square, Isle of Dogs E14

Guide price: £500,000

Guide price: £380,000

RHP_283890_CanaryWharfMag_KF_FEB13.indd 2

Guide price: £425,000

Bartholomew Court, Blackwall E14 Guide price: £250,000

Guide price: £625,000

21/01/2013 17:18

1 2

savills.co.uk

SANDERLING LODGE, e1w

GULLIVERS WHARF, e1w

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø protected parking ø marina views ø 165 sq m (1,771 sq ft) ø EPC = D

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø protected parking ø warehouse conversion ø 167 sq m (1,800 sq ft) ø EPC = C

Guide £2.68 million Share of Freehold

Guide £799,000 Share of Freehold

3 4

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands nefthymiou@savills.com 020 7456 6800

PIERHEAD WHARF, e1w

BATH HOUSE, e2

Reception room ø kitchen ø 2 double bedrooms ø bathroom ø balcony ø protected parking ø daytime porterage ø 66 sq m (712 sq ft) ø EPC = C

Reception room ø open plan kitchen ø mezzanine bedroom ø bathroom ø gated development ø Juliette balcony ø 62 sq m (670 sq ft) ø EPC = G

Guide £499,950 Leasehold

Guide £449,950 Leasehold

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands nefthymiou@savills.com 020 7456 6800

1 2

savills.co.uk

NEO BANKSIDE, se1

TRAFALGUAR COURT, e1w

3 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø balcony with river view ø 24hr porterage ø residents leisure facilities ø EPC = C

3 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms (1 en suite) ø balcony with river views ø porterage ø allocated parking ø EPC = C

£1,325 per week Furnished

£675 per week Furnished

3 4

Savills Docklands brodgers@savills.com 020 7456 6800

PIERHEAD WHARF, e1w

CINNABAR WHARF, e1w

2 bedrooms ø 1 bathroom ø balcony with park views ø porterage ø allocated parking ø EPC = C

1 bedroom ø 1 bathroom ø a separate wc ø private parking ø balcony with river views ø 24hr porterage ø EPC = D

£535 per week Furnished

£485 per week Furnished

Savills Docklands brodgers@savills.com 020 7456 6800

savills.co.uk

1 SUBSTANTIAL FAMILY HOUSE IN A CENTRAL LOCATION barnsbury street, n1 Through sitting room ø drawing room/study ø fitted kitchen/dining/day ø main bedroom with en suite bathroom ø 4 further bedrooms ø further bathroom ø southfacing rear garden ø 235 sq m (2,531 sq ft) ø EPC = E

Guide £2.5 million Freehold

Savills Islington Paul Williams pwilliams@savills.com

020 7226 1313

❖ Savills Fact No.11

There has been a 10% increase in buyers from the financial services buying prime Islington properties in 2012*.

Knowing Islington. Knowing more than the day job is just part of what it takes to truly know Islington. The Savills team are passionate about property - their expertise shows through in every sale and let. Ask them about Islington life and you’ll see that same passion, guiding every potential buyer or tenant towards their perfect property. Tom’s love affair with Islington’s gourmet food for one, has brought many a client to the area for the gastro hot spots.

For a deeper local knowledge contact Tom Saunders, Sales Negotiator, on 020 7226 1313. * Source: Savills Research

Savills Islington 94-96 Upper Street London N1 0NP

savills.co.uk

Tom Saunders Sales tsaunders@savills.com

LEFT-HAND

Hamptons City Office Sales. 020 7717 5435 city@hamptons-int.com

Chandlery House E1 £565,000 Leasehold

Carthusian Street , EC1M £599,950 Leasehold

This well presented 2 bedroom apartment offers a wealth of warehouse features including exposed brickwork, and comes with secure parking.

Set on the first floor of a grand period building in the Square Mile, this beautifully presented 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment would make the ideal City home.

Spaceworks, Plumbers Row E1 £439,950 Leasehold

Jerusalem Passage E1 £435,000 Share of Freehold

Set on the first floor of a contemporary lift-serviced building in Aldgate, this well presented 2 bedroom apartment is exceptionally spacious and perfect for the City.

Set on the top floor of a Grade II-listed period building in the heart of Clerkenwell, this well presented one bedroom would be the perfect home or rental investment.

Rampart Street E1 £775,000 Freehold

The Penthouse, St. John Street, EC1M £1,999,999 Leasehold

This stunning 3 bedroom 3 storey townhouse is set over 3 floors of a brand new development which is being built by Galliard Homes and will have a roof terrace and balcony.

This spectacular 3 bedroom penthouse apartment is situated in the heart of Clerkenwell. It offers superb living and dining space and a wraparound roof terrace.

RIGHT-HAND

Hamptons Tower Bridge Office Sales. 020 7717 5489 towerbridge@hamptons-int.com

Butlers Wharf, SE1 £1,875,000 Leasehold

Butlers Wharf, SE1 £799,950 Leasehold

A fabulous 2 bedroom waterfront apartment in Butlers Wharf, benefiting from views of Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.

A beautifully refurbished one bedroom, riverfront apartment in Butlers Wharf finished to the highest of standards in this landmark warehouse conversion.

Town Hall Chambers, SE1 £629,950 Leasehold

Tea Trade Wharf, SE1 £1,395,000 Leasehold

A two bedroom apartment on the second floor of this popular block located next to Borough Market and London Bridge.

A rare opportunity to acquire a duplex penthouse apartment with two terraces, two bedrooms and river views. Also benefits from 24hr Concierge and parking.

New Globe Walk, SE1 £3,250,000 Share of Freehold

St John’s Wharf, E1W £2,999,000 Leasehold

A 3 bedroom penthouse apartment with West facing skyline views of St Pauls. Also benefits from a large reception room, two terraces & parking.

A rare opportunity to acquire a unique river fronting duplex penthouse apartment spread over the 5th and 6th floors of this warehouse conversion in the heart of Wapping.

LEFT-HAND

Hamptons City Office Lettings. 020 7717 5437 citylettings@hamptons-int.com

Upper Thames Street, EC4 £395 per week

Friar Street, EC4 £395 per week

Modern one bedroom apartment with direct River Views in this excellent City location close to St Pauls with a communal roof terrace..

A well presented one bedroom apartment on the first floor of this popular apartment building situated in a quiet street close to St Pauls.

Creechurch Lane, EC3 £395 per week

Aldersgate Street, EC1 £410 per week

A bright apartment in this popular development in the heart of the City with fantastic views of the Gherkin and only a few minutes walk to Bank station.

One bedroom apartment in this portered development situated near the historic area of West Smithfield and minutes from the renowned Barbican Arts Centre.

Monument Street, EC3 £425 per week

Carthusian Street, EC1 £540 per week

A very well presented one bedroom apartment in the heart of the City. Benefiting from daytime concierge and is moments from the river and Monument station.

A stunning newly refurbished two bedroom apartment only a stones throw from Barbican station and the historic Smithfield market.

RIGHT-HAND

Hamptons Tower Bridge Office Lettings. 020 7717 5491 towerbridgelettings@hamptons-int.com

Corbetts Wharf, SE16 £895 per week

Orion Court, E14 £850 per week

This stunning two bedroom warehouse conversion is well located for Bermondsey tube and boasts wonderful River views, open plan living space and garage.

Fabulous riverside two bedroom Penthouse apartment with two bathrooms, open plan kitchen & mezzanine living room affording spectacular views.

Bermondsey Street, SE1 £845 per week

Webber Street, SE1 £650 per week

Fabulous well presented two double bedroom, two en suite bathroom third floor apartment, located on the highly sought after Bermondsey Street.

Stunning top floor two bedroom, two bath flat with fantastic views across to the City. The flat benefits from a large ensuite master bedroom and parking.

Lion Court, SE1 £450 per week

Riverview Heights , SE16 £395 per week

Superb one bedroom apartment in this popular development, moments from London Bridge, with open plan kitchen, wood flooring and underground parking.

A very well presented one bedroom apartment situated within a popular portered development moments from the many riverside bars and restaurants of Shad Thames.

Hamptons Islington

Sales. 020 7717 5303 islington@hamptons-int.co.uk

Highbury Hill, N5 Situated in this highly sought after residential road in Highbury, a magnificent three window wide semi-detached Victorian Villa. This wonderful building boasts well proportioned rooms with large sash windows and many other character features.

ÂŁ2,950,000 Freehold Stunning semi-detached Victorian house, 4 Reception rooms, 6 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 100 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; Rear garden

Hamptons Islington 020 7717 5303 islington@hamptons-int.co.uk

The right buyers and tenants delivered fast since 1869. For more information go to www.hamptons.co.uk

Hamptons Islington

Sales. 020 7717 5303 islington@hamptons-int.co.uk

Danbury Street, N1 ÂŁ899,950 Share of Freehold A delightful two bedroom two bathroom apartment position over the lower two floors of a period conversion. Hamptons Islington 020 7717 5303 islington@hamptons-int.co.uk

Mildmay Park, N1 ÂŁ899,950 Freehold A well presented three bedroom period house offering accommodation over four floors. Hamptons Islington 020 7717 5303 islington@hamptons-int.co.uk

homes & property

AGENT SPEAK London’s best agents give an overview of the market in our areas

Lauren Ireland, head of sales at Savills docklands & canary wharf, comments:

Zak James, sales negotiator at savills docklands, comments:

Canary Wharf offers buyers very good value for money where they can purchase high quality specification and size for a fraction of the price in the West. Notably, here at Savills in Canary Wharf, there has been an increase in buying activity in the over £1m price band since the summer of 2012. Many of our buyers originate from overseas and accounted for nearly 80 per cent of our transactions last year, and have come back in full force in 2013. Another interesting trend we’ve noticed is the resurgence of the buy-to-let market at the top end, with transaction levels on the increase in prime developments. Whilst nearly half of our market is from Asia, we are also still seeing an increase in European buyers, including those from Greece, France and Italy as the wealthy look to move their assets out of sinking economies. It is here that Savills’ global reach comes into its own as we are able to target those buyers from overseas whilst retaining a local knowledge of the area from our office on the ground. One development in particular which has seen a huge amount of interest from buy-to-let investors is Pan Peninsula. Out of around 750 original units, only three Premier apartments are remaining which are likely to generate rental yields of up to six per cent. The development continues to be popular with the international market due to the fantastic facilities which include a private cinema, gym, swimming pool, spa, residents’ cocktail bar and concierge which guarantee some of the largest rental yields possible for the area. Apartments at Pan Peninsula start at £1.35m. n

Here at Savills Docklands we have seen a positive start to 2013. There seems to be a number of good buyers looking at properties in the mid-to-upper market categories. For example, we have recently taken on a substantial three bedroom warehouse conversion of around 1,800 sqft in Gulliver’s Wharf, which during the first three working days of January we arranged over six appointments on. Unlike Canary Wharf, UK buyers make up the majority of our market in Wapping. These are mainly buyers who would have previously bought in traditional investment areas such as Clapham, Fulham and the West of City fringes such as South Kensington. Many of these have been priced out of the market there and have started to move east looking for better value for money. The influx of interest is not confined to one price bracket; rather we have seen increased activity across the board, particularly in the popular City fringe areas such as Spitalfields and Bermondsey. Indeed there seems to be very positive market sentiment. This may be due to the agreement in the US with reference to the fiscal cliff having a knock on affect to the FTSE100 which hit a six month high at 6000 points in the first week in January, the highest since June 2011. It’s difficult to give any direct property predictions at such an early stage in the year but with the markets in Wapping gathering lots of attention from a number of new build schemes, it certainly seems 2013 has started off on a sound basis to progress in a positive manner in the first quarter. n

Savills Canary Wharf www.savills.co.uk 020 7531 2500

Savills Docklands www.savills.co.uk 020 7456 6800

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homes & property

a voice from the country Tom Hudson of Middleton Advisors explores the importance of philanthropy in the year ahead and explains why their chosen charity, Camp Mohawk, is so vital

‘They learn to cook, build and to care for the forest around them’

t’s the time of the year to look into the crystal ball and make wise pronouncements. Well, here’s the only prediction that I’m willing to make this time round: 2013 will bring yet more unpredictable behaviour in the property market. For every trend in 2012, there was a countertrend. Exceptions failed to prove or disprove rules. For advisors such as ourselves, the good thing that comes out of such a turbulent world economy is that our advice becomes even more important. There is no prevailing wind that is simple to spot and easy to follow, so expertise becomes more specific and every transaction has its own dynamic. So, rather than stray beyond the one undeniable fact — that this year will be as unpredictable as the last — we’re going to do the same with this column as we’ve done with a percentage of our profits this year, and hand it over to Middleton’s chosen charity for 2013, Camp Mohawk. Camp Mohawk is a multi-functional day centre for special needs children, set in five acres of beautiful Berkshire countryside. The centre provides activities, facilities and natural space to encourage children with a variety of special needs to play, socialise and learn in a secure and caring environment. The day centre has its roots in a Scout group —

130

which started, in 1973, to take disadvantaged children from the East End of London on trips away from the ‘concrete jungle’. In the woodland outside Wargrave, where Camp Mohawk now sits, they learn to cook, build and to care for the forest around them. Wonderful experiences for both the Scouts and the children evolved into a registered charity and the current camp, which provides holiday activities for special needs children and a venue for special needs support groups and schools in term-time. There is an outdoor swimming pool, playrooms, sensory rooms and garden, a camp fire circle, an adventure playground, art room and a wildlife area. If you would like to know more about Camp Mohawk and get involved in their activities, you can read about it online (www.campmohawk.org). With running costs of £200,000 per year and no direct government funding, despite providing special needs care across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, support from companies and individuals is always required. n

‘A voice from the country’ is a series of articles by Middleton Advisors, who act on behalf of private clients looking to purchase country houses and estates in the UK (01235 436 271; www.middletonadvisors.com)

UNIQUE HOMES, UNIQUE SERVICE, UNIQUE PEOPLE A tailored service from Langford Russell for distinctive and exclusive homes

ORANGE COURT FARM, DOWNE BR6 Orange Court is a beautiful and meandering Estate set in approx 3.7 acres of picturesque grounds with breathtaking views across fields and woodland. The principal residence is a 17th Century, Grade II Listed Country House of over 5000 square feet, which offers versatile yet practical living. Within the grounds lie a Tithe barn, garage, carport and stables. Winding paths lead through extensive lawns past a Koi pond to the heated outdoor pool and floodlit tennis court. Energy Efficiency Rating E.

£2,300,000 F/H Please contact our Chislehurst office for more information: Tel: 020 8295 4900 Email: chislehurst@langfordrussell.co.uk

BROMLEY SOUTH, BROMLEY BR2 A stunning six bedroom home retaining the façade of an original 1928 built property yet internally entirely remodelled to offer a flawless contemporary home with the most amazing unrivalled views across Norman Park. Features include state of the art appliances in the kitchen, limestone fireplaces, oak staircase and Juliet balconies to name but a few. Internal viewing is highly recommended to fully appreciate all that this magnificent property has to offer. Energy Efficiency Rating C.

£1,650,000 F/H Please contact our Bromley office for more information: Tel: 020 8315 5544 Email: bromley@langfordrussell.co.uk

Offices Across South East London & Kent www.uniquepropertiesuk.com

www.langfordrussell.co.uk

UNIQUE is a Specialist Division of Langford Russell

Hamilton House A splendid country house in London

Viewing Weekend 23rd & 24th February By Appointment Only

West Grove, royal GreenWich, london se10 An opportunity to purchase a prime and historic residential property in the heart of Royal Greenwich, London, just a short walk away from the centre of a World Heritage site. Listed as Grade II* by English Heritage this quintessentially elegant 18th Century home offers grand proportions and exquisite period features throughout. C. 7150 square feet of classically presented accommodation including seven en-suite bedrooms and Housekeeper suite. A delightful South facing walled garden of some 90 feet affords privacy and seclusion whilst the front elevation facing East takes full advantage of natural light. Panoramic views of modern day London, Canary Wharf and the River Thames offer an exciting contrast to the period elegance and peaceful setting of this splendid retreat. Full photographic brochure available on request.

Price on Application Chislehurst Office 7a High Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5AB

Tel 020 8378 1222 Email enquiries@uniquepropertiesuk.com Web www.uniquepropertiesuk.com

UNIQUE is a Specialist Division of Acorn & Langford Russell

Times Square, E1

Leeward Court, Wapping, E1W

Price: £499,999

Price: £349,995

Tamarind Yard, E1W

Tradewinds Court, E1W

Price: £419,995

Price: £375,000 Leasehold

2 Double bedroom apartment within this sought after modern development. Positioned close to Tower Hill. Rented out until 09/06/13. 3rd Floor. Balcony. Must be viewed.

West Wapping location. Within this gated secure development. 2 Double bedrooms. 2 Bathrooms. Fitted kitchen. Reception. Timber flooring. Close to Tower Hill and Tower Gateway. Within easy access to the City. Garage.

Situated within this sought after West Wapping development is this 1 bedroom modern 6th floor apartment, south facing with stunning views. Fitted kitchen, reception, bathroom & balcony. Parking. Close to the City and within easy access to Canary Wharf.

Modern 1 double bedroom apartment with reception room, kitchen & Bathroom. Situated in West Wapping within very popular secure development with parking. Short stroll to vibrant St Katherine’s Dock and City amenities and within easy access to Canary Wharf. Good condition throughout. Porterage on site. Must be viewed.

THOMAS MORE STREET, wapping, E1W

Sanderling Lodge, E1W

Rental Price: £500 PW

Rental Price: £795 PW

Swan Court, St Katherine’s Dock, E1W

Teal Court, E1W

3 double bedroom duplex apartment situated very close to the City and Tower Hill. ‘Waitrose’ Super market is opposite. Completely refurbished property which includes a new kitchen, new bathroom suite, new separate WC suite, wooden flooring, new double glazing, re-painted throughout. Benefiting from own garden. Must be viewed.

Unique opportunity to rent this 6th & 7th floor penthouse apartment within the most prestigious location of the historic St Katherine’s Dock, West Wapping. 3 Bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception, fitted kitchen. All rooms have a terrace or balcony. Superb views over the Yacht marina. 24 hour concierge. Secure parking.

Rental Price: £1,750 PW

Wapping’s most prestigious St Katharine’s Dock location. 2 double bedroom apartment offers fantastic water views from this 4th floor luxurious development. Boasting 3 balconies and a bright reception. 24 Hour concierge and secure underground parking. Situated within walking distance to the City.

Situated within the historic St Katherine’s Docks, this superb 2 double bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. Offering a double aspect reception room with wooden floors and overlooks the Marina. 24 Hour Concierge. Situated within easy access to the City and Canary Wharf.

Rental Price: £800 PW

Butlers & Colonial Compass Court, Shad Wharf, Thames, Shad Thames, SE1 £725 SE1pw £540 pw Anlovely A outstanding two bedroom, two bedroom two bathroom apartment furnished with private apartment terraceinand a central parking. Shad Arranged Thamesover development three floors setand behind presented electricingates with daytime excellent condition. concierge.

Butlers & Colonial £495 pw Cold Harbour, E14 Wharf, £350 perSE1 week A 904 lovely sqmodern ft, two bedroom apartmentapartment located just within a stroll a from Canary modern development Wharf. on Shad Thames.

Butlers Luna House, Wharf,SE16 SE1 £550 £450pw pw

A 551bedroom One sq ft, oneapartment bedroom,intop onefloor of the apartment most prestigious featuring a blocks in Shad magnificent view Thames down offering river to Canary a great Wharf. view of Tower Bridge.

Butlers Wharf, Shad Thames, SE1 £899,950 Leasehold

Recently refurbished to an exacting standard, a beautifully presented one bedroom apartment with views over the Thames and Tower Bridge.

Curlew Street,SE16 Shad£419,950 Thames, Leasehold SE1 £2,200,000 Freehold Leeside Court, Norfolk House, EC4V £2,400,000 S/F A two superb freehold propertymeasuring of great 785 quality which combines the edgy, of apartments a warehouseinconversion bedroom apartment sq ft, located Oneurban of thestyle finest the City of with the practicality of a five bedroom house. within a popular riverside development. London.

£1,250,000 Leasehold

£435,000 Leasehold

£435,000 Leasehold| period features | fully 1 bedroom | 1 bathroom | superior specification | moments from tube 1furnished bedroom||concierge 1 bathroom | superior specification | period features | fully

exceptional transport links | beautifully interior designed

furnished | concierge | moments from tube

£875 per week 2 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | fully furnished | peaceful courtyard aspect | moments from Victoria Station & Buckingham Palace

£875 per week 02028446 9524 | 2 bathrooms |020 224 | peaceful courtyard 020 8896aspect 9990 | bedrooms fully8692 furnished

moments from Victoria Station & Buckingham Palace

Hays Galleria Apartments Battlebridge Lane London SE1 A rare opportunity to live in one of London’s most historic addresses. Located adjacent to London Bridge Station and on the banks of the River Thames, Hays Galleria is one of London’s most impressive and vibrant mixed use developments. The apartments benefit from a host of retail outlets, restaurants and café’s on their doorstep. The development, along with 24 hour security and a Day Concierge service, has easy access to The City, Canary Wharf, The West End as well as the restaurants, bars, café’s and shops of London Bridge, Bermondsey Street, Borough High Street and Shad Thames. Available now on a furnished basis.

1 bedroom apartments from £450 per week 2 bedroom apartments & 2 bedroom duplexes from £715 per week

112 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3TX Tel 020 7378 0644 info@madleyproperty.com www.madleyproperty.com

P R O P E R TY S E R V I C E S

CurrellResidential

£635,000 Leasehold Gainsborough Studios, N1 • Larger, 1010 sq. ft. two bedrooms • Balcony, two luxurious bathrooms • Split level reception and dining area • Secure underground parking

£1,795,000, Leasehold Kingsway Place, EC1 • Three to four bedrooms • Conversion apartment • 2293 sq/ft • Secure parking

£699,950 £699,950Share ShareofofFreehold Freehold Baalbec BaalbecRoad, Road,N5 N5 • Two bedroom garden flat • Backing onto Highbury Fields • 879 sq.ft. two bathrooms • Modernised and well presented

£1,100,000 £1,100,000Leasehold Leasehold Waterloo WaterlooTerrace, Terrace,N1 N1 • A luxurious 1339 sq. ft. duplex apartment • Three double bedrooms, two modern bathrooms, balcony • Open plan reception, dining and fitted kitchen • Central Islington location

020 7226 4200

islington@currell.com

www.currell.com

Galliard_CanaryWharf_FPC 23/01/2013 14:54 Page 1

THE DISTILLERY CRESCENT

INVEST WITH 2 YEARS

WEST GREENWICH

5% NET

ADJACENT DLR: 12 MINS FROM CANARY WHARF

GUARANTEED INCOME ON PRE-LET

APARTMENTS* ★ Service charge paid.

• Choice of luxurious new 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments.

★ Ground rent paid.

• 3 communal roof terraces.

★ Maintenance costs paid.

• Completions from Summer 2013.

★ Management costs paid.

• Development includes new Staycity Hotel providing short or long term stays.

THE GREENWICH GROWTH ZONE

FROM

£235,000 MILLHARBOUR VILLAGE

CANARY Lincoln PLAZA

WHARF

LONDON E14

• Luxurious 1 bed suites, and 1, 2 & 3 bed apartments. • Exclusive health spa, sauna, gym and pool. • Private cinema and snooker suite. • 22nd level sky lounge and roof garden. • Secure underground parking.† • 24 hour concierge.

FIRST TIME ADVERTISED ★ SELLING NOW OFF PLAN ★

THE CANARY WHARF LIFESTYLE

FROM

£282 ,500 Red Lion Court TEMPLE LONDON EC4

• An exceptional lifestyle opportunity adjacent to Fleet Street in the heart of London’s legal and financial district. • Exclusive specifications throughout, including comfort cooling and surround sound technology. • Imposing listed façade. • Immediate occupation.

TWO ONLY REMAINING

SAVE £250,000

3 BED WAS NOW SAVE

CITY LIVING SECOND TO NONE

020 7620 1500 www.galliardhomes.com

APARTMENT 1023 sqft. £1,400,000 £1,150,000 £250,000

2 BED APARTMENT 817 sqft. £775,000

Galliard Homes Marketing Suite

sales@galliardhomes.com * Available on selected apartments only. † Parking is at additional cost. All journey times are approximate. Images are computer generated.

New Show Apartment Now Open Nestled beside the Barbican and just moments from the nightlife, Michelin starred restaurants and culture of the Square Mile. The Residences at Roman House boast boutique style interiors, 24-hour concierge, gym and access to the beautiful St Alphage Gardens.

Call: 020 7920 9920 or email: romanhouse@berkeleygroup.co.uk Luxury Studios, 1, 2 & 3 bedroom residences from ÂŁ565,000 Roman House, Wood Street, London, EC2Y 5BA

www.roman-house.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies Selling Agents

Our vision for your future

Details correct at time of press. Computer Generated Image depicts typical interior and is indicative only.

Roman House - the epitome of Boutique City Living

Your reward for all the late nights in the office.

homes & property

HOMEs OF THE MONTH CURLEW STREET, SE1 £2.2M FREEHOLD

Anderson Rose www.andersonrose.co.uk

020 3324 0188

Representing a unique proposition for the Shad Thames area, this is a superb five bedroom freehold property with integral garage and roof terrace. Constructed in the style of a warehouse conversion The Tent House was originally purchased as a shell by the present owners who, with the help of a highly rated local architect, designed the interior to their specification. They have created a living space that combines the edgy, industrial style of an urban warehouse conversion with the practicality of a five bedroom house. It has a magnificent top floor, open-plan living space which has a beamed, cathedral ceiling and a floating staircase leading to a secluded roof terrace which provides fine views of The Shard. The Tent House is located in the highly fashionable area of Butlers Wharf which is just next to Tower Bridge and the largest complex of Victorian warehouses in London. The area, on the banks of the Thames is very close to the City of London is now one of London’s top residential addresses.

ST PAUL’S PLACE, N1 £1.775M freehold

Knight Frank www.knightfrank.co.uk/islington

020 3641 6138

St Pauls Place is a charming residential turning made up of mostly Grade II listed buildings. This house is at the end of the terrace facing west and backing on to St Pauls Shrubbery, a delightful local park. The house itself has been beautifully refurbished, blending contemporary touches and period originality to create a striking, modern, yet inviting interior. There is a bright kitchen opening on to a conservatory/dining room at the rear of the house, and bedroom four, with an en-suite shower room, is to the front. All finished to exacting standards. There is a double reception room on the raised ground floor with two feature fireplaces, ornate ceiling cornicing and stripped wood flooring. The first floor is occupied by a generous master bedroom, en-suite with a free standing bath and marble tiling. There are two bedrooms and a further bathroom on the second floor. The garden is paved with mature shrub borders. There is planning permission for a garden room at the very back of the garden.

WEST GROVE, SE10 £POA

Unique www.uniquepropertiesuk.com

020 8378 1222 146

Hamilton House is situated on a quiet leafy grove in the heart of Royal Greenwich, just a short walk away from the centre of a World Heritage site. This elegant 18th century, Grade II listed home offers approximately 7150 sqft of classically presented accommodation with many wonderful period features throughout. Four receptions on the ground floor include a wonderful dining room with windows affording panoramic views of modern day London, Canary Wharf and the River Thames. On the lower ground there is a stylish fitted kitchen, breakfast room, office and a housekeepers’ suite with shower room. The upper floors present seven bedroom suites which are all individually themed. Externally a delightful south facing walled garden of some 90 ft affords privacy and seclusion whilst the front elevation faces east and takes full advantage of natural light. There is parking for several vehicles at the front and rear of the property.

Stay close, live E1

STYLISH LIVING IN STEPNEY GREEN, E1 Live VIVO from £240,000 READY TO OCCUPY MARCH 2013

vIvO IS A STYLISH COLLECTION Of 1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS, JUST AN 8 MINUTE WALK fROM LIMEHOUSE DLR

– High specification including integrated Bosch appliances, composite stone worktops and underfloor heating

– Landscaped communal gardens

– Private balconies or gardens to all apartments

– 4 minute walk from the, Central, Distict and Hammersmith & City underground lines

– Excellent investment potential – EPC rating: B

STAY CONNECTED AT vIvO STEPNEY GREEN

MILE END 02 mins

WHITECHAPEL 02 mins

LIMEHOUSE 08 mins

LIvERPOOL STREET 09 mins

BANK 15 mins

MARKETING SUITE & SHOW APARTMENT OPEN MON-SUN TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT CALL 0203 069 2073 OR REGISTER ONLINE TODAY AT vIvOLONDON.COM/CW Price is correct at time of going to print. Travel time source: www.tfl.gov.co.uk and walkit.com

LONDON BRIDGE 16 mins

KING’S CROSS ST PANCRAS 18 mins

Brought to you by:

BOND STREET 23 mins

Selling agent:

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