The City Magazine November 2012

the city m a g a z i n e

RIGHT SAID FRED

Freddie Ljungberg strikes a pose in this season’s smartest trends

FEELING GOOD

Why big banks deserve thanks for their philanthropic commitment, all year round

on the

face of it

Moustaches have a special place in history. As Movember comes around again, we salute the legendary lip rug

RoyalOak_CHRONO_420x297_m.indd 1

TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM. THE WATCH THAT BROKE ALL THE RULES, REBORN FOR 2012. IN 1972, THE ORIGINAL ROYAL OAK SHOCKED THE WATCHMAKING WORLD AS THE FIRST HAUTE HOROLOGY SPORTS WATCH TO TREAT STEEL AS A PRECIOUS METAL. TODAY THE NEW ROYAL OAK COLLECTION STAYS TRUE TO THE SAME PRINCIPLES SET OUT IN LE BRASSUS ALL THOSE YEARS AGO: “BODY OF STEEL, HEART OF GOLD”.

OVER 130 YEARS OF HOROLOGICAL CRAFT, MASTERY AND EXQUISITE DETAILING LIE INSIDE THIS ICONIC MODERN EXTERIOR; THE ALWAYS PURPOSEFUL ROYAL OAK ARCHITECTURE NOW EXPRESSED IN 41MM DIAMETER. THE AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS.

ROYAL OAK IN STAINLESS STEEL. CHRONOGRAPH.

Audemars Piguet UK Ltd Telephone: + 44 207 659 7300 www.audemarspiguet.com

08.03.12 08:34

November 2012 65

10

30

44

14

20 COVER IMAGE Freddie Ljungberg White cotton pin tucked shirt by Victor and Rolf, £295 at Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com Grey flannel three piece suit by Mr. Start, £895, mr-start.com Silk tie by Nicole Farhi £80, nicolefarhi.com Photographer Antony Nobilo

Feature 14 ON THE FACE OF IT

Moustaches have a special place in history. As Movember comes around again, GAVIN HAINES salutes the legendary lip rug

COLLECTION 30 ROMANCING THE STONE

As Hollywood prepares for The Great Gatsby next year, OLIVIA SHARPE examines the role of fine jewellery in cinema history

FASHION 70 RIGHT SAID FRED

KARI ROSENBERG talks to Freddie Ljungberg about football and fighter jets while he models this season’s smartest trends

comment 46 GIVE IT TO ME

While big banks continue to get bad press, RAJDEEP SANDHU digs deeper and discovers a 24/7 philanthropic commitment

calibre 58 DESTINATION NEWHAM

Two months after the gates shut at the Olympic Park, Richard Brown considers the lasting heirlooms East London, and Newham in particular, is set to inherit from the greatest show on earth

travel 90 OUT IN THE BIG SKY COUNTRY

Escaping city life stress in Montana’s ‘Big Sky Country’ with an activity break, NICK SMITH goes ‘glamping’ at the exclusive Ranch at Rock Creek

regulars 23 Watches + Jewellery

83 Travel

43 comment

99 Food + Drink

65 fashion

106 The Directory

50 Sport

109 Property

the

w-list

Deputy Editor Kari Rosenberg highlights the key people, places and events in November. Dig out your woollies for bonfire night; purchase a poppy to remember those who gave their lives in battle and grow your moustache just a little longer than usual to raise money for prostate cancer

RUNWILD M

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Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Editorial Director Kate Harrison

Deputy Editor Kari Rosenberg

When? 11th November, Remembrance Day

Observed on this day to recall the end of the conflict of World War I, hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” in accordance with the Armistice. The red poppy has become synonymous with Remembrance Day due to the poem “In Flanders Fields”.

The rosy hued flowers blossomed across some of the gravest battlefields of Flanders, their brilliant red shade a symbol for the bloodshed.

Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds

Motoring Editor Matthew Carter

Assistant Editors

Richard Brown, Gabrielle Lane

Editorial Assistants

Olivia Sharpe, Rajdeep Sandhu

Head of Design

Hiren Chandarana

What?

Rolling Stones turn 50 They started out as a blues band and went on to conquer the airwaves worldwide. Performing at the Marquee Club in July 1962, the Rolling Stones have since performed live in front of more people than any band in history. Curated, introduced and narrated by the boys, The Rolling Stones 50 is the only officially authorised book to celebrate the milestone. Who said a rolling stone gathered no moss?

By Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood, published by Thames & Hudson, £29.95

Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong

Designer

Sarah Connell

Production Manager Fiona Fenwick

Production

Who?

Guy Fawkes Remember remember the fifth of November, gunpowder treason and plot. On this date in 1605 Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament with several dozen barrels of gunpowder and was subsequently tried as a traitor. Get the fireworks going, and bring in bonfire night with a bang.

Where?

Canary Wharf With store discounts of up to 20 per cent available in many of Canary Wharf’s fantastic stores, Winter’s Most Wanted will be the perfect opportunity to pick up your Christmas gifts. Fabulous fashion shows in Canada Place and Jubilee Place will provide style inspiration for the festive season ahead while the coveted goodie bag will be distributed to those who produce a receipt showing a minimum spend of £10 in a participating store on the day. Thursday 29 November, 9am-8pm

What: (c) MIrrorpix Where: Corin Mixed Stud Court, £100, French Connection, Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf, E14

Hugo Wheatley

Head of Projects Ella Kilgarriff

Why?

Movember Once registered, each Mo Bro must begin the first of the month with a clean shaven face, and must grow and groom a moustache for all 30 days of November, to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. Rules state that there is to be no joining of the mo to the sideburns (that’s considered a beard), no joining of the handlebars to the chin (that’s considered a goatee) and each Mo Bro must conduct himself like a true gentleman at all times. What do your whiskers say about you? uk.movember.com

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 www.rwmg.co.uk

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 The City Magazine. Visit the subscriptions page on our website. www.rwmg.co.uk/subscribe

editor’s letter

NOVEMBER

"To give away money is an easy matter and in any man's power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large, and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man's power nor an easy matter." Aristotle As Movember comes around again, men across the capital will don the favoured facial furniture amongst despots, doyens and British imperialists, growing their moustaches to raise money for an all-important cause. Around the City in particular, businessmen and big bank employees will no doubt salute the legendary lip rug, and in so doing, drum up funds and awareness for prostate cancer. As the moustache-led charity movement grows far beyond British shores, sprouting, with it, a worldwide craze, we take a look at the somewhat hairy past of the tache (p. 14): you only need to walk through the National Portrait Gallery to observe the moustache’s place in British history; from 16th century aristocracy to Victorian inventors, most of the notable men (and the odd woman), adorning the walls are sporting some kind of whisker, whether it’s a gravity defying handlebar, as favoured by the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson, or part of a rather more expansive beard, as rocked by Henry VIII. Although charitable giving no doubt peaks around the festive season, many companies show a philanthropic commitment all year round. While there’s no denying banks are still getting a pretty bad rap in the press these days, many forget the vast contributions these corporate powerhouses make when it comes to good causes. It may come as a surprise to some that modern-day philanthropy is widely recognised as the result of the work of George Peabody, one of the founding fathers of J.P. Morgan, whose efforts gave forth to the now long established and flourishing relationship between banking and philanthropy. We commend our generous neighbours for their ongoing endeavours (p. 46).

Elsewhere, former captain of England’s test cricket team, Andrew Strauss OBE is looking for his next big challenge as he tells us all about his new self-named cricket academy, as well as his latest project; a luxury hotel and spa eco-resort located on the west coast of St Lucia (p. 20). Retired footballer Freddie Ljungberg strikes a pose in this season’s smartest trends, while discussing post-pitch investments, life’s little luxuries and lending his name to worthwhile causes (p. 70) and Hollywood A-lister Jake Gyllenhaal remembers fondly his brief stint as an East London resident (p. 10).

If you’re looking to get away over the winter break, you could do worse than the wilderness of Montana (p. 90) or the beautiful Faroe Islands (p. 94) but if you plan to stay in town, revel in all the festive glory and book in for a skate, with friends, family or business colleagues at Ice Rink Canary Wharf (p. 62).

Kate

Kate Harrison Editorial Director

JUST

JAKE

interview

J

Oscar nominated star Jake Gyllenhaal talks sibling rivalry and needing a break from the Hollywood game in this UK exclusive interview with Stephen Milton

ake Gyllenhaal made a promise to himself a decade ago: for every three movies he made, he would perform in a play. It was a promise he didn’t keep.

Back then, aged 21, and on a high from his London stage debut in Kenneth Lonergan’s This Is Our Youth at the Garrick Theatre, the young actor also found himself enjoying a taste of Hollywood success with breakthrough roles in Donnie Darko and The Goodbye Girl, but was determined not to forgo the passion of his craft for some enticing dollar signs.

But Tinseltown had other ideas for the handsome newcomer, and flitting off to act in plays wasn’t part of the fast-track plan for a hot young thing making waves in the box office. So Jake reclined instead into big screen drama, finding his feet on the somewhat wobbly terrain of disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow, and the much-mocked Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Yet interspersed with those, he’s made some smart choices down the line, too.

Acclaimed shots such as Zodiac and Brokeback Mountain – which delivered a first Oscar nomination and cemented his status as a power player – proved that the theatre could and should wait. It all leaves the 31-year-old star looking back on the last decade with somewhat mixed feelings.

“It got to the point where I wasn’t really listening to myself about the kinds of projects I wanted to do,” he begins. “I had to figure out what kind of an actor I wanted to be, and needed to feel confident going for that.”

So he took some time out. After filming Duncan Jones’ Source Code he needed a breather, a change, and dropped out of sight. He resurfaced in Clerkenwell, skulking round Exmouth Market, black baseball cap pulled low, engulfing collar pulled up round the ears.

Was he shooting a new movie; working on a new play; charming

friends of friends and had put together a great treatment for a video shoot in London. I said, ‘can I do it with you?’ And that’s all I really did for a while – I did that promo, and then hung out a lot, just reading, watching the world go by. It was nice.”

His therapeutic sojourn complete, Gyllenhaal is back, reinvigorated with a thirst to work. Currently shooting political thriller An Enemy alongside Inglourious Basterds starlet Mélanie Laurent in France before heading to Vancouver for Prisoners with Hugh Jackman and Oscar winner Melissa Leo, we’ll next see the actor in cop drama End of Watch. With World Trade Center actor Michael Pena, the pair play two young Los Angeles officers, marked for death after confiscating a small cache of money and firearms from the members of a notorious cartel during a routine traffic stop.

The actors underwent five months of training for their roles as officers of the Newton Division of the Los Angeles Police Department. The training included 12-hour ride-alongs with multiple Greater LA enforcement agencies up to three times a week.

Gyllenhaal admits the experiences subverted his perception of the police, and more than that, his life. “Jesus, I mean, the experience of this movie, it changed everything for me. I was born and grew up in Los Angeles, but experienced nothing like you see on the south-east side of the city; and yet, it’s only a mile-and-a-half away.

“I had to figure out what kind of an actor I wanted to be, and needed to feel confident going for that.” a local lovely? Actually, he was filming a bizarre music video for obscure indie noise The Shoes, where he was documented liaising with hipsters in East London.

“It really just seemed like the right thing to do at the time,” he drawls in a slightly nasally Pacific coast twang. “I wasn’t really looking to do anything for a couple of months but the band are

Left: Jake Gyllenhaal at the Los Angeles premiere of Rendition (S Bukley / Shutterstock.com) Above: With Gemma Arterton at a ceremony honouring Jerry Bruckheimer, Hollywood (RoidRanger / Shutterstock.com)

november 2012 THE CITY 11

interview

“So it totally transformed my idea of Los Angeles. It actually made me fall back in love with the city. It made me see a side that I think is actually LA. Yes there was violence and cops and gangsters, but that’s only five per cent of that world. The other ninety five percent is all about the cultures that exist there, the class and colour divisions, the family ties, the loyalty – it’s a beautiful thing.

“That side of Los Angeles has changed my outlook. Seeing violence so close and so real, with it not being fictionalised or fantasised was really important; we were right there.”

Gyllenhaal, who’s been linked in the past with stars Kirsten Dunst and Taylor Swift, does admit that research for the movie has left a somewhat traumatising impression on him. “On the first ride I went on, someone was murdered in front of me. I mean, a thing like that changes you,” he somberly recalls. “It’s just that I don’t know how these men and women go on each and every day.

It’s a whole different perspective on life and on work. People talk about post-traumatic stress disorder from veterans who come back from war, but they never talk about police officers or what they experience before they go home and be with their families for two days. There’s never much time taken to consider what that’s like, what they deal with. I had no idea really what these guys do, what they go through, and my perception of law enforcement has totally changed. In fact, my perspective on everything has totally changed as a result of the experience.”

A product of an understated Hollywood background with screenwriter mother Naomi Foner and producer/director father Stephen Gyllenhaal, young Jake was exposed to an exciting and

corner while my sister performed. I never got to be the star.”

But Jake found the spotlight in the end and unusually, so did his big sister, best known for her powerful roles in Secretary and Hysteria, as well as scoring an Oscar nomination two years ago for Crazy Heart. Their shared Hollywood success has pulled the pair even closer over the years.

“To be able to go through this insane process with your sibling, pretty much at the same time, is a gift; a genuine honour that I am so grateful for. But our relationship – big sister, little brother – will always remain. “I am inherently a little brother – that’s just my nature. It has to do with Maggie being very strong and wanting to protect me. It’s the natural order of things. That’s the way my sister feels about me in every aspect of my life – my work, my relationships. Women have to pass her test. That’s very hard for girlfriends. But I love that about Maggie. We care about seeing each other; we want to inspire each other.”

End of Watch in cinemas 23 November

“So it totally transformed my idea of Los Angeles. It actually made me fall back in love with the city” often overwhelming upbringing. “Both my parents are extraordinary people. They were writers, working from job to job, trying to make movies together, and still do to this day.

“We were raised in LA’s unfashionable Eastside and our home was like a circus, with writers and filmmakers coming in and out.

We had a room above the garage rented by Steven Soderbergh – before he was [Oscar winning director] Steven Soderbergh. We were brought up with a great respect for storytelling.”

Older sister Maggie displayed the same ability for performance as her younger brother with the pair often vying for the spotlight in front of their parents. “When we were younger, there was a typical sibling competition between us. She was always telling me what to do. I always lost – no matter what. We would put on a performance of Cats and I would be the poor lone cat sitting in the

12 THE CITY november 2012

Above: Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena at the End Of Watch Premiere in Los Angeles, (Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com)

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23.10.12 14:42

feature

on the

face of it The favoured facial furniture amongst despots, doyens and British imperialists, moustaches have a special place in history. As Movember comes around again, Gavin Haines salutes the legendary lip rug

november 2012 THE CITY 15

feature

16 THE CITY november 2012

the proper whiskers. Nevertheless, King George V, a benefactor of bristles, was loath to let the moustache die out.

“One of my older patients told me that his father was in the army and that he was inspected by King George in the thirties,” explains Rod Littlewood, a chiropodist based in Kingston-UponThames who is also president of the Handlebar Moustache Club.

“King George didn’t like the fact that the troopers looked so young, so he actually ordered them to grow moustaches to make them look older.”

This seems laughable now, but in some cultures a tache is still seen as an assertion of power and authority.

“In today’s society in India I believe that in some states the police get paid a bonus for having big moustaches because it makes them look more manly and threatening,” says Rod, a judge in the International Man of Movember competition. “If you think about the Middle East, in places like Iraq and Iran you won’t see a man without a moustache because it is regarded as a sign of religion and manliness. If you shaved off your moustache, the imam would be very upset in those countries.”

However, back in the West, it seems the moustache has had

Fuhrer fuzz: evil moustache men who have given the tache a bad name Adolph Hitler Heinrich Himmler Joseph Stalin Genghis Khan Talat Pasha

Captain Hook Vlad the Impaler Saddam Hussein Dick Dastardly Osama bin Laden

From Left: Sergey Goryachev / Shutterstock.com, Neftali / Shutterstock.com, mrHanson / Shutterstock.com, Olga Popova / Shutterstock.com, Neftali / Shutterstock.com

Y

ou only need to walk through the National Portrait Gallery to observe the moustache’s place in British history; from 16th century aristocracy to Victorian inventors, most of the notable men (and the odd woman, I add), adorning the walls are sporting some kind of tache.

Whether it’s a gravity defying handlebar, as favoured by the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson, or part of a rather more expansive beard, as rocked by Henry VIII, there is a definite relationship between facial furniture and authority.

Those whiskers hold some weight.

The British were so convinced by the power of the moustache that in 1854 they made it compulsory for officers serving in India to sport these bristly appendages. Dubbed the “moustache movement,” this hairy regulation was implemented to ensure British officers didn’t appear less manly than their Indian comrades, many of whom had cultivated some heroic facial furniture to be proud of.

By 1860, this regulation spread from colonial outposts to the rest of the British Army. Meanwhile, outside the military, the moustache had become de rigeur on the streets of Britain; the Victorians had not only embraced the furry top lip, but made it their own. In fact, the way they claimed ownership of the tache was almost a metaphor for their exploits around the world.

Eventually, in 1916, the British Army relaxed its moustache regulations. It made sense really; during the greatest conflict the world had ever seen, when millions of men were being killed on the battlefield, it probably didn’t seem appropriate to make them cultivate facial hair.

However, others claim it wasn’t compassion that led to the relaxation of the laws, but pressure from young officers, whose authority was being compromised by the fact they couldn’t grow

XXXXXX

xxxxxxxx 2012 THE CITY 17

feature

In the West, it seems the moustache has had its day. Somewhere in the middle of the last century, whiskers lost their appeal its day. Somewhere in the middle of the last century, whiskers lost their appeal. Was it Hitler’s tyrannical lip fur? Or did Stalin put the final nail in the hairy coffin with his rather flamboyant and decidedly un-communist soup strainer?

“Do you know what, I have never really thought about that. I don’t think so, I think to a certain extent moustaches just went out of fashion in the Western world,” says Rod. But are they making a comeback? Could Movember, which is gaining momentum around the world, be starting a tache renaissance?

“I would probably say yes; all fashion goes around in circles,” laughs Rod. “There is a flurry of interest on the back of Movember; there are a few guys out there, who I call closet moustache wearers, who have the ideal opportunity to try it during Movember and some keep them if their partners allow it.”

In spite of my admiration for moustaches, my sole attempt at growing one last year left a lot to be desired. Tinged with ginge and rather patchy, it looked like a mangy fox had settled on my top lip. Nevertheless, I respect the moustache as a form of expressionism.

“That’s exactly why I have it,” says Rod, who grew his 35 years ago, when he worked as a salesman.

“I grew it so that when I went to see a client they recognised me as the guy with the big moustache. It was a unique selling point; some salesmen wear bowties and some will be lucky enough to be six foot six with blonde hair. I grew a moustache.”

moustache icons Salvador Dalí 1904-1989 The Spanish surrealist adopted his trademark tache in his 20s as a tribute to one of his major influences, the 17th-century master, Diego Velázquez.

Edward Elgar 1857-1934 In 1999, physicist Michael Faraday was dropped from the £20 note in favour of Elgar, on the grounds that the Edwardian composer’s face was harder to forge. That was mainly due to his magnificent moustache.

Albert Einstein 1879-1955 In between developing the theory of relativity, the father of modern physics had enough time to cultivate his trademark tache. It was a bushy number that mirrored the scientist’s eccentricity.

Charlie Chaplin 1889-1977 Once the most famous film star in the world, the British comic was also celebrated for his square black moustache, a style made infamous shortly afterwards by Adolph Hitler.

Freddy Mercury 1946-1991 The flamboyant frontman of Queen, Freddy Mercury sparked a moustache renaissance in the seventies although some claim he turned it into a symbol of homosexuality.

Above: Charlie Chaplin character; Right: Albert Einstein (Photo by Georgios Kollidas / Shutterstock.com)

18 THE CITY nOVEMBER 2012

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9/10/12 10:14:46

The Run A Zain Hirani speaks to Andrew Strauss OBE about his cricketing career and plans for the future, including an Andrew Strauss Cricket Academy

ndrew Strauss’ announcement on 29 August 2012 that he was retiring from all forms of cricket almost went unnoticed by a public caught up in the hype and excitement surrounding the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. But Strauss received an unprecedented round of applause from the assembled media as those close to the game were in no doubt that England was losing an outstanding batsman, gentleman and leader.

If inspiring a generation was the theme of the summer, the man I find myself talking to, almost with childlike excitement, has done exactly that throughout his career. It is not only that he led his country to consecutive home and away Ashes series victories, or that under his leadership England sat at the top of the test rankings, but when we

talk about his achievements there is also a humility seen in few top sporting personalities. He is quick to acknowledge the contributions of his team mates, coaches and all those working around the squad.

Behind the humility lurks the ruthlessness of a born winner; and winners are not bowled over easily. His desire to win and be successful is clearly evident. When asked what the stand out moment of his career was, he simply replies “smashing the Aussies� and singles out lifting the urn at Sydney Cricket Ground in front of 20,000 England supporters while the home fans left their seats with their tails between their legs. As an opening batsman, Strauss had his fair share of gladiatorial battles with opposition bowlers delivering 90mph missiles from the other end of the wicket.Yet he identifies the physical and psychological challenge of facing Shane Warne as his favourite.

interview

The aura and persona that ‘Warney’ brought to the wicket made the showdown a battle of skill and strategy.

Under Strauss, English cricket enjoyed one of its most successful periods, but when he took the captain’s armband he inherited a team in crisis following the debacle of Kevin Pieterson’s short-lived reign as England captain. Andrew attributes the success he achieved as captain to an ethos of putting the team first, and one shared by

He is a man looking for the next challenge, not content to spend the next 40 or 50 years on a golf course all his teammates. Informing Andy Flower of his decision to retire, and writing letters to all the players was the hardest and most emotional moment of his career. However, once the decision was made, he knew it was the right one; to take a clean break from competitive cricket.

So what does the future hold for Andrew Strauss? Will he follow Mark Ramprakash and Darren Gough and swap his spikes for dancing shoes, or even follow Andrew Flintoff into the boxing ring? To my disappointment he assures me reality TV is firmly off the cards.

However, his continued passion for the game is clear for anyone to see. As we speak he looks out over the wicket at Lords, probably recalling feelings that I can only dream off. He is articulate and well versed in dealing with the media but his words are honest and there is genuine excitement and desire as we discuss the next phase of his career. He is a man looking for the next challenge, not content to spend the next 40 or 50 years on a golf course.

In the immediate future, Andrew wants to spend more time with his wife Ruth and sons Sam and Luca. He has recently invested in Freedom Bay, a luxury hotel and spa eco-resort with private residences, located on the west coast of St Lucia, at the foot of the iconic pitons. The investment gives Andrew the opportunity to spend vacations in a part of the world famed for its clear, warm waters and

pristine coral reef. He fell in love with St Lucia while touring the West Indies with England and in partnering with Freedom Bay, he believes it gives him the opportunity to give something back. Strauss and Freedom Bay are also in the process of setting up the Andrew Strauss Cricket Academy, which aims to provide quality coaching and cricketing facilities for St Lucians.

While he is guarded about disclosing too much about his future in cricket, I am left in no doubt that Andrew Strauss will continue his love affair with the sport. English cricket might have lost an outstanding batsman, but it definitely has not lost the gentleman or leader. freedombaystlucia.com

NOVember 2012 THE CITY 21

Harrods Corporate Service offers your business a wealth of gifting ideas to suit all budgets and tastes, this festive season and beyond. For more details, call +44 (0) 20 7225 5994 or email corporate.service@harrods.com

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19/09/2012 10:48

collection

Image courtesy of Sotheby’s

REPORT

Tradition of

Time

All eyes are on Sotheby’s this month as the auction house sells the late, and greatest, watchmaker George Daniels’ personal watch and clock collection, writes Richard Brown

H

is death last October triggered widespread mourning within the watch world. This month, as Sotheby’s auctions the George Daniels Horological Collection, the same industry braces itself for the sale of one of the most important watch collections ever assembled.

Considered by many to be the greatest watchmaker since Abraham-Louis Breguet, Daniels was one of the few modern watchmakers who could create a complete watch by hand. Famous for creating the co-axial escapement, a mechanism described as the most important horological development for 250 years, Daniels is the only watchmaker ever to have received a CBE

and a MBE for his services to horology.

The 130-something-piece lot will comprise Daniels’ entire personal collection, in addition to clocks and watches by some of the 17th, 18th and 19th century’s most famous makers. Featuring a Benjamin Hill 1650 astronomical watch, a Joseph Knibb 1677 silver-mounted table clock and both Daniels’ Grand Complication and Space Travellers’ watches, the auction is expected to realise in excess of £5 million. All proceeds from the sale of the collection will go to the George Daniels’ Educational Trust.

The George Daniels Horological Collection 6 November, Sotheby’s; sothebys.com

Swiss movement, English heart

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02/10/2012 14:50

collection

Montblanc Online The company may have 450 boutiques around the world but you no longer have to visit one to purchase one of its products. Having recently launched its UK online shop, Montblanc’s historic chronographs and iconic writing instruments are just a click away – dangerous perhaps for lovers of the company’s Meisterstück pens and Rieussec timepieces. The online ‘shop’ comes complete with bespoke services, complementary engraving, gift wrapping and a ‘last minute shopping’ section. montblanc.com/shop

Exquisite Artisanship Three years ago, A. Lange & Söhne presented the Lange Zeitwerk, the first mechanical watch that featured a constant-force escapement. Inspired by the success of the timepiece, which has been the winner of multiple industry awards, the company last month unveiled a special edition Handwerkskunst Lange Zeitwerk. Featuring a lever and escape wheel made of hardened 18-karat gold, and decorated with elaborate tremblage engraving, the 30 limited edition watches cast a traditional glance at A. Lange & Söhne’s most advanced creation. alange-sohne.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:

While possessing the characteristic Luminor features, this agedlooking watch has a new, rounded case and cusp-shaped caseband.

As apt in the bar as it is in the boardroom

Going Global Anyone sceptical of the flourishing state of the mechanical watch industry need only look to IWC for proof of the industry’s recession-proof nature. Within the last three months alone, the company has opened boutiques everywhere from Paris to New York and from Miami to the Middle East. Of the IWC watches released this year, the Portofino Chronograph Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation remains our favourite. iwc.com

372, £6,300 (RRP), Panerai Available at Watches of Switzerland, 22 Royal Exchange

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 25

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OUTDOOR EMBRACE Pit yourself against nature’s elements with high performance precision accessories

1 GW4000-1A, £215, Casio G-Shock, gshock.com 2 Fire Opal Soft Cashmere Hat, £87.50, bottegaveneta.com 3 C11 Makaira Pro 500, £499, Christopher Ward, christopherward.co.uk 4 Murdoch square-frame acetate sunglasses, £175, Illesteva, mrporter.com 5 Steamer Trolley Case, £545, Paul Smith, 40-44 Floral Street, Covent Garden 6 Challenge Gym Bag, £110, Lacoste, shop-uk.lacoste.com 7 Movember Leather Bracelet, £65, Links of London, 27 Broadgate Circle 8 X-Mach Chronograph, POA, Hamilton, Ernest Jones, 30 Fenchurch Street 9 Swarovski CL Companion Binoculars 10 x 30, £830, Swarovski Optik, swarovskioptik.com 10 Cotton-canvas Belt, £65, Jean Shop, mrporter.com 11 Ribbed Cashmere-blend Socks, £65, J. Crew, jcrew.com

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CONTESSA To own a rare Argyle pink diamond is to own a truly magnificent heirloom.

Contessa, beautifully handcrafted in Platinum and 18ct Rose Gold, features an exquisite combination of stunning craftsmanship and the rarest of Australian Argyle pink diamonds.

Simply, they are the rarest diamonds in the world and are revered for their unique provenance and intrinsic beauty.

UNITED KINGDOM The Royal Arcade, Old Bond St, Mayfair London W1S 4SW AUSTRALIA Sydney Gold Coast calleija.com

Calleija-CountryTownUK-298x225mm_v1.indd 1

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MIGHTY APHRODITE

Susan Caplan was responsible for providing an added wow factor at Issa London’s S/S13 London Fashion Week show with her wellchosen selection of timeless and luxurious vintage jewellery. Daniella Helayel’s exotic prints, hot colours and billowing fabrics were complemented by Grecian-inspired, chunky, gold embellishments and touches of turquoise. Caplan comments: “Issa approached me to help its looks come to life. The designs this season had a beautifully glamorous ‘goddess’ feel so we looked to Elizabeth Taylor holidaying in the early 70s for inspiration. It was soon easy to find the right pieces and once we did, they really completed the look. Issa designs are timeless and worn by all types of women.

These values are ones that I also try to uphold at Susan Caplan Vintage Collection so it felt like a great fit.” susancaplan.co.uk

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

cutting edge

Man of the moment Stephen Webster has struck (white) gold once again with his latest fine jewellery collection, quirkily entitled Forget Me Knot

Forget Me Knot embodies the spirit of dangerous beauty that is ubiquitous with Stephen Webster designs. It has been created with the alluring perception of danger in mind, punctuated

by FIne barbed diamonds and reFIned cascades of diamond razor ribbons

Clockwise from left: Mini Shield Pendant set in 18-carat white gold with white diamonds and hematite, £3,950 Large Bow Ring set in 18-carat white gold with white diamonds and blue sapphires, £9,300 Ceramic Bracelet set in 18-carat white gold with white diamonds and black ceramic, £6,000 All pieces from the Forget Me Knot Collection by Stephen Webster; stephenwebster.com

AROUND THE WORLD

Cartier certainly caused breaths to be drawn at this year’s Biennale des Antiquaires with its newly-launched Dépaysement collection. The 150 awe-inspiring jewels making up the globe-spanning collection have been interpreted into different landscapes: Temporal, Luxiariant, Solar, Boreal and Urban. Although slightly more diverse than previous years, it was still unmistakeably Cartier, with the much-loved panther showing its face in the form of a stunning sapphire and diamond ring and a striking colour palette of emeralds, sapphires and briolette aquamarines. cartier.com

OUT OF AFRICA With the summer came the arrival of new kid on the London jewellery scene, Joubi. Its unusual name, a reworking of the French word bijou, typifies the one-of-a-kind pieces which the brand creates; from quirky gold lacquer catear rings to red carpet classics, it is a collection that has catered for all. Joubi’s first season collection was inspired

by Creative Director Joanna Bourne’s travels to Africa and Asia, where she was drawn to the vibrant colour, form and geometric patterns of the exotic plants and animals. Joanna comments: “From a purely aesthetic viewpoint, there is no end to the variations you can derive from animals: from their fabulous colourings and markings to the way that they move and take different forms.” joubi.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 29

Keira Knightley wearing Chanel Fine Jewellery in Anna Karenina (2012) © Focus Features © 2012 Universal Pictures International

collection

Romancing the Stone

As Hollywood prepares for the most highly-anticipated film of 2013, Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby featuring Tiffany & Co., Olivia Sharpe examines the role of fine jewellery in cinema history

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hroughout film history, costume has always been considered a vital component in character building and storytelling.

Following the arrival of Hollywood, production companies started to create visionary masterpieces through their actors’ apparel, igniting worldwide fashion trends and influencing global culture – so much so that the Victoria and Albert Museum recently gathered together some of the most iconic costumes from more than 100 years of cinematic history in a groundbreaking exhibition. But what of jewellery? Although playing a small role in the grand scheme of costume design, jewellery has always performed a substantial part in character development and “setting the scene”, as well as being pivotal in the creation of lasting icons.

In 1938, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, director George Cukor contacted ‘jewellery designer to the stars’ Paul Flato to ask him to design the jewels for his upcoming movie Holiday. Starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, the romantic comedy tells the story of a man who has risen from lowly beginnings, only to be torn between his free-thinking lifestyle and the conventions of his fiancé’s family. The character of Linda (Hepburn) is loosely based on American socialite Gertrude Sanford Legendre who, during her lifetime, doubled up as a WWII spy, explorer, big-game hunter and environmentalist.

It was necessary to portray the character’s inward independence and individuality but also her outward persona as a member of an elite American family. This was illustrated not just through the storyline but through the use of jewellery; the Flato diamond necklace and matching brooch worn by Hepburn in the scene where she sings Camptown Races portrays the character’s wealth but at the same time underlines her free-spirited nature through its flamboyant design. During the years 1939-1942, Flato’s pieces would be credited in no less

than six Hollywood films until the last movie featuring his jewellery in 1942, The Lady Is Willing, with Marlene Dietrich. Flato’s name was subsequently in more movie credits than any other jeweller of his time.

Another of Flato’s contemporaries to be making a dramatic impact on the cinematic scene was Harry Winston.

The American jeweller and watchmaker first opened his doors in 1932 and began a rapid process of transformation, revolutionising modern jewellery design and nurturing the most famous jewels in the world. It is therefore unsurprising that, for more than six decades, Winston diamonds have been an integral part of Hollywood’s glamorous history. Renowned for being the first jeweller to loan diamonds to a celebrity on the red carpet (to 1944 Academy Award winner, Jennifer

Cartier’s first recorded appearance was in The Son of the Sheik: the Tank watch shines on the wrist of Rudolph Valentino Jones), he was (and remains) the jeweller of choice when it comes to the silver screen.

In the classic picture Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Winston was immortalised on the silver screen by starlet Marilyn Monroe as she whispered the words, “Talk to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it”, in the song Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. His cinematic jewels have since also starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious (1946) and Mike Nichol’s The Graduate (1967). In the 2002 romantic comedy Maid in Manhattan, the Harry Winston signature wreath design adorns the neck of Jennifer Lopez. Although only a brief cameo appearance, the necklace symbolises one of the film’s main themes: appearance versus reality.

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 31

Keira Knightley wearing Chanel Fine Jewellery in Anna Karenina (2012) © Focus Features © 2012 Universal Pictures International

Above / Cartier’s marquis-cut engagement ‘Daisy’ ring, as worn

by Mia Farrow in The Great Gatsby

Marisa’s (Lopez) outward façade as a rich, successful woman is juxtaposed with her true persona as a maid and it eventually takes her counterpart, Caroline Lane (Natasha Richardson) to expose her true identity after recognising the wreath’s origin.

In How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), the character Andie wears a similar diamond wreath necklace, this time with an attached 84-carat yellow diamond pendant (the Isadora) and a pair of 5-carat radiant-cut yellow diamond stud earrings. The matching dress was designed around the yellow diamond pendant and we see how jewellery once again plays a significant part in the plot as it is the necklace that leads to the exposure of the wearer’s true identity.

This, and the estimated $14,200,000 worth of jewels reportedly lent to the film, indicates the importance that had been placed on jewellery, and not costume design, by the film production company.

Matching Winston in both prestige and notoriety, legendary French jeweller Cartier was no stranger to the big screen (its name likewise hummed by Monroe in Gentleman Prefer Blondes). Cartier’s first recorded appearance was in the 1926 silent film The Son of the Sheik in which the Tank watch shines on the wrist of Rudolph Valentino. As the timepiece mismatched the Bedouin costumes in both style and era, it can only be presumed that it was owned by the actor himself.

Fortunately, silent films at the time paid no heed to

historical accuracy and it is thus indicative of Cartier’s public persona and influence that the watch was given such distinction; the jeweller provided a guarantee as well as artistic support. This was shown notably during the filming of Jack Clayton’s The Great Gatsby, when the newspapers had somehow got hold of the fantastic sums the producers had spent on Cartier jewellery for the film: “The 58 gems worn by Mia Farrow and Lois Chiles aren’t fakes but absolutely genuine. And signed Cartier, no less!

They are rumoured to have cost the trifling sum of five million francs (in old money, of course)”.

Like his competitors, Cartier understood Hollywood’s influence over the public consciousness. For Clayton’s latest feature, it was essential to bring across the excess, wealth and superficiality characteristic of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s American Dream classic. The marquis-cut engagement ring created by Cartier and worn by Daisy (Mia Farrow) reproduces the glamour and free-spirited 1920s. It also serves as a constant reminder that Daisy is no longer the single woman Gatsby once knew and loved, and he is therefore tragically holding on to a false ideal.

Following the film’s release, the ring became as iconic as the actors themselves, inspiring many women thenceforth to walk into Cartier and exclaim, “I want the Daisy ring”.

As well as on-screen, actresses off-screen provided jewellery brands with a powerful source of publicity, caught on camera at red carpet events wearing their preferred designers. For Cartier, one of these actresses was Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who famously attended the Scorpio Ball in Monte Carlo wearing a Cartier necklace featuring a diamond which has henceforth gone down in history under the name of the Burton-Taylor diamond.

Similarly, Bulgari would find the same influential endorsement in the Hollywood actress following the release of the motion picture, Cleopatra. It was during filming in 1962 that the actress first discovered Bulgari; she is quoted in her book, My Love Affair with Jewellery: “Undeniably, one of the biggest advantages to working on Cleopatra in Rome was Bulgari’s... shop.” From then on, the actress was pictured on numerous occasions sporting Bulgari jewels; for example the emerald parure necklace which she wore to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1965. Following her death, the necklace sold for an impressive $6,130,500.

Contemporary Hollywood continues to use notable jewellery designers and brands for its costume design and character development as well as for its promotion.

In the latest film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, Anna Karenina, directed by Joe Wright, it stars British actors Keira Knightley and Jude Law as well as Chanel Fine

collection Left / Rome, 1962. Elizabeth Taylor on the set of Cleopatra at Cinecittà Studio, wearing a Bulgari ‘snake’ bracelet-watch in gold with diamonds and two emeralds. Image courtesy of La Presse Below left / Aquamarine, sapphire & diamond starburst Verdura brooch Lucas Rarities lucasrarities.com

Jewellery, used to convey the extravagance, luxuriousness and wealth of 19th century Russian society. Close up camera shots of Knightley staring at herself in mirrors wearing the sensational three-strand diamond Camelia Poudre necklace or the opulent Pearl Sautoir necklace with matching earrings, also serves to depict the vanity and superficiality of the heroine. Although the jewellery used is not historically accurate, the anachronism was purposefully done by the director in order to “set the character (Anna Karenina) apart from her entourage”, making her the audience’s focal point. This was by no means the French Joaillerie’s first film debut, having been well-received in Gosford Park, Vanity Fair and Atonement.

This October sees the release of the latest James Bond instalment, Skyfall, and it was no doubt more than coincidental that an established British jeweller, Stephen Webster, was chosen to design the pieces for the latest 007 spy epic in collaboration with Swarovski. The designer states: “Without question, collaborating with Swarovski on the jewellery for Skyfall has been exciting from the word go. The themes in the film seem to fit perfectly with the design aesthetic of the jewellery I create and the many creative meetings at Pinewood Studios between Swarovski, ourselves and the Bond team have only added to our enthusiasm for the project. We can’t wait to see the

jewels, shaken not stirred within the movie.” On screen, it fell to French actress, Berenice Marlohe, who plays the character of Severine, to create the all-important link to the fascinating and mysterious world of Bond as interpreted by the designer in his charismatic and edgy designs. In 2013, the releases of Baz Luhrmann’s remake of The Great Gatsby (jewellery by Tiffany & Co.) and Oliver Hirschbiegel’s Diana (jewels courtesy of Chopard) are sure to set Hollywood ablaze.

Thus in film, jewellery has always played its own role. We may consider Vivien Leigh’s opening dress in Gone With the Wind as one of the film’s most memorable images or Keira Knightley’s provocative emerald green dress in Atonement truly iconic, but, in the same vein, we cannot think of Breakfast at Tiffany’s without remembering Audrey Hepburn’s diamond tiara and stunning string of pearls, offsetting her fabulous Givenchy black dress. It is the jewellery that balances the costume and, without it, something essential would be missing (in some cases, the plot). In this way, the film industry has looked to the likes of Tiffany & Co. and other gifted jewellery designers to inspire them and their audiences throughout Hollywood history. “What I’ve found does the most good,” said Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, “is just to get into a taxi and go to Tiffany’s. It calms me down right away, the quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there.”

Naomi Watts in Diana, wearing Chopard

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Silver vaults the London

the home of silver shopping

Seasonal Sparkle Buy Use Collect Treasure

Christmas gift ideas From October through December Fine silver tableware & collectors’ items Vintage jewellery & watches www.thesilvervaults.com

www.thesilvervaults.com

COLLECTION

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liaisons

Opulent, romantic and ornate, accessorise the A/W12 Baroque trend with tiara-headbands, chokers, pendants, and chandelier earrings featuring gold, pearls, diamanté and crystals

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1 Black zodiac necklace, £1,689, Salvatore Ferragamo, ferragamo.com 2 Swarovski crystal necklace, £1,125, Lanvin, lanvin.com 3 Black jade and galuchat bracelet, POA, Bina Goenka, binagoenka.com 4 Filigree gold-plated earrings with Swarovski crystals, resin and glass pearls, £805 Dolce & Gabbana, dolcegabbana.com 5 Swarovski crystal and faux pearl-embellished hair slide, £465, Dolce & Gabbana, NET-A-PORTER.com 6 Floral choker, £479, Salvatore Ferragamo, as before 7 Secrecy faux pearl and crystal ring, £315, Yves Saint Laurent, ysl.co.uk 8 Splashout painted Swarovski crystal earrings, £290, Tom Binns, NET-A-PORTER.com 9 Demeter braided 18-karat gold-plated ring, £110, Aurélie Bidermann, aureliebidermann.com

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Winter’s

MOST WANTED thursday 29 november FAShiON ShOWS

12noon - 2.30pm & 5pm - 8pm

ExcluSivE DiScOuNTS 9am - 8pm

GOODiE BAGS* From 5pm

Canary Wharf

bars & restaurants • fashion & style • arts & events canarywharf.com *in Jubilee Place from 5pm, terms and conditions apply. see website for details.

@yourcanarywharf

SHOPPING Jubilee Beaded Box Clutch, £225, L.K. Bennett, Jubilee Place Effervescence Cuff £220.00 Links of London, Jubilee Place

Metallic Sequin Dress, £265, Karen Millen, Jubilee Place Corin Mixed Stud Court, £100, French Connection, Jubilee Place

Spiegal Sequins Tunic Dress, £275.00, French Connection, Jubilee Place

Scalloped Lace Dress, £199, Jaeger London Womenswear, Cabot Place

WINTER’S MOST WANTED

Karina Flower Leather Cuff Grey, £39, Reiss Womenswear, Cabot Place

With discounts of up to 20%* available in many of Canary Wharf’s stores, Winter’s Most Wanted is the perfect opportunity to pick up your Christmas gifts. Fashion shows on 29 november in Canada Place and Jubilee Place will provide style inspiration for the festivities ahead

Bell Flower Woven Tie, £65, Thomas Pink, Cabot Place

Abanga, Cable knit scarf, £55, Ted Baker, Canada Place

Knowling Classic Single Breasted Overcoat Blue, £249, Reiss, Jubilee Place

The coveted Canary Wharf Goodie Bag will be distributed on a first come, first served basis in Jubilee Place from 5pm to those customers who produce a receipt showing a minimum spend of £10 in a participating store on the day*. *Terms and conditions apply. See website for details.

Oblong Onyx Cufflinks, £69.95, Charles Tyrwhitt, Canada Place

Lambswool V Neck Jumper, £100, Hackett, Cabot Place

TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Gents Watch, £3695, Tag Heuer, Charles Fish, Cabot Place

Connor, £195, Kurt Geiger, Cabot Place

Mayfair Saffiano Business Foli, £460, Hackett, Cabot Place

www.canarywharf.com

@yourcanarywharf

SHOPPING

Celebrate

the Festive Season at Canary Wharf With a fantastic line-up of wintery events, Canary Wharf’s Christmas offering is second to none

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his winter, Canary Wharf will host not only a magical Grotto, stunning ice rink and festive fashion show, but also a range of activities ranging from ice sculpting and face painting to cupcake making and glass decorating. Over 240 shops, bars and restaurants complete the picture to make Canary Wharf the perfect Christmas destination for all the family.

StEP into Santa’s Grotto Launching 1 December, Santa’s Grotto in Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Place returns with a whimsical and magical theme. Open every weekend in December as well as the week before Christmas and on Christmas Eve, excited children can meet Santa in his Grotto and whisper their wish list for the big day. All donations for Santa’s Grotto will be provided to Variety, the Children’s Charity. Meanwhile, Santa and his ‘Little Helpers’ will take to the stage in Santa’s Showtime in the East Wintergarden, keeping the kids (and adults) entertained with a series of shows on 1 and 2 December. Three shows will take place daily at 12noon, 2pm and 4pm.

Tickets are free for under 2s, £2 for children and concessions, £4 for adults and will be available from early November, visit canarywharf.com for further information. All donations for Santa’s Showtime will go to Richard House Children’s Hospice.

Santa’s Showtime, East Wintergarden

Children’s Festive Activities Wind your way around Canary Wharf on the Magical Treasure Trail or enjoy a splash of Festive Face Painting in Cabot Place, Canada Place and Jubilee Place. Canary Wharf also allows you to get in touch with your creative side with some cookie and cupcake decorating workshops courtesy of Sweet Couture, Cake Boutique and the little ones can also personalise love heart boxes and stained glass creations. Throughout December, children can spend the weekends enjoying Canary Wharf’s Enchanted Mirror installation, which provides endless fun for young ones, whilst adding to the magic and sparkle of Christmas. Spend £10 or more at any shop, café, bar or restaurant in Canary Wharf at the weekend and enjoy 3 hours free parking in any of its public car parks.

Plateau Restaurant Bar & Grill, Canada Place

A Foodie’s Heaven To add some glamour to the festive period, experience one of Boisdale of Canary Wharf’s ‘Christmas In Vegas’ packages, which come complete with Pete Long’s 9-piece Big Band and the ultimate Rat Pack singers Iain Mackenzie and Steve Pert. On Monday 12 November Iberica Canary Wharf will host a Christmas Cooking Masterclass, while every Sunday the restaurant will provide children with fun Spanish lessons using play, games and songs between 12 – 3pm. To watch the winter world go by, make for the impressive Plateau Restaurant Bar & Grill which overlooks the glittering ice rink below.

www.canarywharf.com

@yourcanarywharf

Boisdale of Canary Wharf, Cabot Place

SHOPPING

BLUSHING BRIDES

find the ultimate dress for that unforgettable day as Canary Wharf welcomes its first bridal store

SILK SATIN DRESS BY AMANDA WAKELEY, AW183

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pening in Canary Wharf’s Canada Place this autumn, Les Trois Soeurs, translated into The Three Sisters, is a leading name in bridal wear.

Taking a global approach, staff travel the world in search of the best hand selected bridal pieces to sit in their fabulous collection. Speaking several different languages including French, Italian, Spanish and Cantonese, they are well equipped to make blushing brides feel at ease whilst navigating the world of weddings.

The three sisters had a passion for design from an early age and several years after moving to London from Norfolk they were inspired to start a new luxury brand. Les Trois Soeurs has earned the respect of designers such as Temperley, Amanda Wakeley, Caroline Castigliano, Sassi Holford and Stewart Parvin which are all stocked in their flagship Canary Wharf shop. Fond of supporting up-and-coming designers, the brand also has pieces from Sarah Janks and has garnered the work of American designers Badgley Mischka, Lazaro and Alvina Valenta.

The new store in Canada Place features unique accessories by the likes of Jenny Packham, Vivien Sheriff, and Polly Edwards. These accessories are carefully chosen by the connoisseurs of the bridal design field, specially selected to be signature pieces for individual brides. The flower girl and page boy outfits are masterfully designed by Nicki Macfarlane who was the designer for the flowergirls of HRH the Duchess of Cambridge.

Les Trois Soeurs offers brides myriad unique bridal gowns to explore from trusted designers as well as personal consultations with bridal experts. Consultants use their fashion prowess and training to provide brides with unique choices for their wedding day.

Les Trois Soeurs, Canada Place, Canary Wharf 020 7987 2177 lestroissoeurs.com

www.canarywharf.com

@yourcanarywharf

arts & events

sweet, sweet november from laugh out loud comedy to family-fun skating and interesting exhibitions, canary wharf has everything you need this autumn

CANARY WHARF COMEDY CLUB Featuring* The Noise Next Door, Andrew Stanley, Rob Deering, Paul Tonkinson and Marlon Davis The amusing banter and warm, welcoming charm of Andrew Stanley makes him the perfect MC for the second comedy club of the autumn. Joining him on stage is Rob Deering, known for his cheesy singing voice and razor-sharp wit, professional northerner Paul Tonkinson and bright young comedian and improviser Marlon Davis who has been described as having all the charm of Chris Rock. Headlining is The Noise Next Door, an improv comedy group who will transform suggestions from the audience into fantastically funny scenes and songs in the blink of an eye. Book early and make a night of it!

Tuesday 13 November 7.15pm (Doors 6.30pm) East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 Tickets £12 Booking Information: In advance: Visit ticketweb.co.uk or call 0844 847 2268 (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

EXPERIMENTAL FOOD SOCIETY EXHIBITION This spectacular display by Britain’s most talented gourmet artists is an awe inspiring mix of sculptors, model makers and futurologists – all using food as their material. Many of them are consultants to Michelin starred chefs and global food organisations as well as exhibitors at some of the world’s top art houses.

Experience the culinary industry as never before with an amazing two-day food art exhibition, a must-see for any curious food lover Featuring installations, demonstrations, sampling and talks, this unique exhibition is an opportunity to meet these pioneering foodies first hand and see them at work. You could even pick up tips on how to get experimental in your own kitchen. Visit experimentalfoodsociety.com for more information Friday 16 & Saturday 17 November Friday 12pm – 7pm / Saturday 11am – 6pm East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 Tickets £5 Booking Information: In advance: Visit wegottickets.com/efs (Booking fee applies) In person: On the door, subject to availability Full bar & cloakroom. Only items purchased on the premises may be consumed

ICE RINK CANARY WHARF Nestled under the soaring buildings of Canada Square and bathed in twinkling festive lights, the Ice Rink Canary Wharf is back with a new team and a sparkling new look for the 2012/13 season.

Surrounded by the shops, bars and restaurants of Canary Wharf, a visit to the ice rink offers a unique skating experience with bar and spectators area, skate lessons and featuring, in addition to a brand new rink design, London’s first skate path, it is perfect for children and grown-ups, solo skaters or office parties and is a wonderful location for that special festive romantic date.

Saturday 3 November - Sunday 13 January Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14 Mon-Sat 9.45am – 11pm / Sun 9.45am - 7.30pm Tickets £12.50 / U13 £8.50 / Family £32

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:

Sara Vaughn

For her Textile Futures MA Sara asked people: ‘if movement were a material, what would it be?’ The answer ‘water’ led her to experiment with PVC tubing, water, colour and textiles to design wearable structures. saravaughn.se

Visit skatecanarywharf.com for details of ticket prices and booking, session times, skating lessons, party bookings and more

Andr’e Dane Parchment Andr’e’s paintings were made while he served in Iraq as an infantry soldier in the British Armed Forces in 200410. His wife would send him paints, brushes and canvases from England.

He now works as a Security Guard in Canary Wharf.

Chris Stoneman

starlight, star bright Sign up now for the Starlight 12 Days of Christmas Run! At 12:12pm on the 12 December 2012, 200 festive runners will complete a 1.2 mile course around Canary Wharf to help raise funds for Starlight’s Christmas of Happiness Campaign.

For more information or to register a team, email gabbi.ray@starlight.org.uk

Chris’s work sits between fine art and design, and draws on his background in moving image and film. In ‘Yolk’ on display here the filament of the bulb leaks from its shell while still illuminated by its successor, the LED. cstoneman.com

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canarywharf’s eastwintergarden The p r e m i e r ev e n t v e nu e for dinners, cocktail receptions, conferences, product launches, exhibitions, parties & weddings. For further information call   ⁄, fax    or email eastwintergarden@canarywharf.com or visit www.canarywharf.com/workwithus/theeastwintergarden

comment

REPORT

brand

new

KARI ROSENBERG makes sense of Interbrand’s 2012 Best Global Brands Report

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oca-Cola, Apple, IBM, Google and Microsoft comprised the top five international brands of 2012 respectively, according to Interbrand’s latest report, taken over 11 years. The criteria used to judge the report constituted financial performance, analysed as economic profit, the role of the brand played in consumer purchase decisions and the general strength of the brand in securing the delivery of expected future earnings.

The automotive industry boasted 13 top 100 brands (more than any other sector) with Toyota securing the greatest brand value

of $30,280m, followed by Mercedes-Benz ($30,097m) and BMW ($29,052m). Ferrari ranked bottom of the 13 automotive brands with a value of $3,770m.

American Express received a top valuation of $15,702m in the financial services sector, with J.P. Morgan receiving $11,471m and HSBC $11,378m. Credit Suisse ranked bottom with a valuation of $3,866m.

Overall, the sector comprised 12 top 100 brands.

Other top performing sectors include Fast Moving Consumer Goods, with 11, technology with nine and luxury with eight top 100 brands. Transportation, energy and home furnishings secured just one top 100 brand.

HEWER

WHO?

Nick Hewer talks to RAJDEEP SANDHU about his love of the countryside, childhood days of apple pinching and why a recession is the best time to start a new business

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ick Hewer is only just starting to feel the full force of the spotlight. After years of stern looks and raised eyebrows on The Apprentice, he has carved out a role for himself as the host of Countdown as well as fronting various BBC documentaries.

Aside from his TV fame, which he describes as “a bit of a surprise” Nick’s business career started at a young age.

“We used to have an orchard and I would sell the apples to the greengrocer. It didn’t cost me anything because I picked them. That wasn’t very entrepreneurial, it was just common sense and a bit mean on the greengrocer.”

Hewer started his actual career after posting an advert for his services and ended up in financial and corporate PR. He religiously believes in hard work and passion, which was clear by the number of times he used those words “If you work hard enough anything is possible”.

Working for someone else was never his ambition – in 1966 he bought the PR company that he had started out in: “I always said that by the time I was 30 I wanted to be in charge of my own destiny.” An advocate of business he is emphatic about motivating future generations by regularly visiting schools and has seen a vast improvement on the quality of teaching and interest in the subject.

Speaking about The Apprentice and its effect on young people he exclaims “It has had a tremendous impact, as has Dragon’s Den. It shows that it is possible to start businesses these days with no real money. Particularly as money is hard to come by and banks are very reluctant to take too many risks on people”.

With the recession making it much harder for start-ups to get access to capital, the number of new ventures has declined. But for Nick, there is a simple solution; easy ideas that require little or no capital with driven people behind them. If he were to create his own start-up now, it would still be in PR, where you only need a telephone, a place to live and a “bit of flair”.

“People say ‘I can’t start a business in a recession’, that it’s too dangerous. Be brave. What better time to start? Especially for those people who have been made redundant, with all their experience.

When a life-changing moment has arrived, take the plunge and use the lessons that you’ve gained. Start your own business and make yourself indispensable in the future.”

He sure knows how to give a rousing speech – so much so, that for a week I was infatuated with the idea of packing in the nine to five and setting up my own business. Talking to Nick, it’s easy

to get caught up in his optimism and enthusiasm and forget about the flailing economy and decline in jobs. “The ability to support yourself requires a certain entrepreneurial spirit and determination when jobs are hard to come by.” He anecdotally tells me about a scrap metal challenge on The Apprentice where contestants made £700 in a day just through collecting and then selling it.

Growing up in the countryside, Nick is attached to the great outdoors, but says the increased alienation of more rural areas is being ignored by politicians, an issue he says is “tragic” as we become an “urban society and I think that is to our detriment”.

Even through this loyal tirade he manages to add “although I love London” which wasn’t so convincing to the ears of a city-lover.

His latest endeavour, apart from his regular gig on Countdown, is supporting the Glenfiddich 125 Business Pioneers which aims to whittle down more than 100 of the best British business minds to just three winners as the whisky makers celebrate its 125th anniversary.

“It’s a great way to examine British business. There are some great names and an increasing number of women there too.” The increasing number of females turns out to be a total of five out of 30. Unsurprisingly, he gushes about a certain businessman: “Sugar, my old friend, was a pioneer in taking the PC to the mass market in a very short time and was a pioneer in satellite TV.” Do a Google search for Nick and you’ll find his Twitter page – while not an incessant tweeter, he does have a profile to be proud of, with more than 160,000 followers.

“People like Lord Sugar can reach two million people in an instant. If I were to tweet and he picks it up and he re-tweets it and then Piers Morgan re-tweets it, suddenly you’ve got an audience of five million. That’s very powerful stuff.”

Unable to resist myself (since he brought it up) I enquire about the ongoing Sugar-Piers feud that has provided those five million people with endless entertainment “I think they are baiting each other, I’m sure there’s no animosity”.

In his recent programme The Town That Never Retired he and Margaret Mountford, the original Apprentice dream team, faced the issues of an ageing population and an increasing retirement age. He has spoken out against raising the age, but doesn’t see retirement on the cards for himself any time soon. “When the work offers go, that will be the time to retire, or when I get too tired or weary.” But it seems there is still fire in his belly yet.

Nick Hewer was fronting Glenfiddich’s 125 Business Pioneers campaign. glenfiddichpioneers.com

interview

“People say ‘I can’t start a business in a recession’, that it’s too dangerous. Be brave. What better time to start? ”

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 45

GIVE

IT TO ME

T

here’s no denying banks are getting a bad rap. And while yes, bonuses and big business dinners are all part and parcel of the industry game, many forget the vast contribution these corporate powerhouses make when it comes to charitable giving. So it may come as a surprise to some that modern-day philanthropy is widely recognised as the result of the efforts of George Peabody, one of the founding fathers of J.P. Morgan, whose efforts gave forth to the now long established and flourishing relationship between banking and philanthropy.

In this month of ‘Movember’, hundreds of bankers and businessmen will be growing their moustaches to raise money for prostate cancer, benefitting a wealth of charities. But often overlooked is the extent to which banks and large corporations donate both money and time, not just during November or in the run up to Christmas, but throughout the whole year.

For his philanthropic activities, George Peabody’s statue now resides outside the Royal Exchange. J.P. Morgan has had a long history of giving back, with donators and philanthropists involved with the firm for more than 160 years. Andrew Carnegie famously warned “He who dies rich dies disgraced” –he sold his steel works to the firm in the 1900’s before dedicating the rest of his life to setting up libraries, schools and universities in the US. By the time of his death he had given away more than $400 million.

The majority of large corporations have whole divisions dedicated to helping communities improve their lives. Most recently, Goldman Sachs, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Citibank launched schemes to take on apprentices as part of the Evening Standard’s campaign to get unemployed young people into work. Many of the towering structures where firms reside back onto some of the most deprived

areas of London. Tower Hamlets and Lambeth are two areas that have benefited from initiatives driven by major companies based in the City and Canary Wharf.

"We're based in the community; our employees live and work there. We support initiatives that empower the local population with required skills for further education and employment. When you operate at a local level it enables you to innovate and some of those innovations benefit other communities as well across the UK" says Hang Ho, Vice President of Philanthropy EMEA at J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan Chase’s Foundation focuses on education and economic development. It has partnered with the Social Mobility Foundation, taking advantage of the Aspiring Professionals programme. "We brought students from low-income communities across the UK into J.P. Morgan in front office roles to give them two weeks work experience, commuting, working and living in London. Now we've matched them with mentors to work with for the next 12 months and beyond. It's a significant initiative and feedback from both the students and the mentors has been hugely positive."

J.P. Morgan Private Bank has become a sponsor of the Beacon Awards, which recognises philanthropic work done by individuals. “We would say how you give your money away is as important as how you invest it,” says Rebecca Eastmond, head of the philanthropy centre at J.P. Morgan Private Bank EMEA. “The Beacon Awards are a wonderful thing because we’re trying to help our clients to give and give well. Having the opportunity to shine the spotlight on good philanthropic giving is a great way of saying ‘you can do this’. You don’t have to be someone like Bill Gates. Giving well is about more than writing cheques. By taking a step back and thinking about what you really care about, what your passion is, what makes you angry, what you would like to change in the world and then realising

Courtesy of JPMorgan Chase Corporate History Program

While big banks and corporate conglomerates continue to get bad press, Rajdeep Sandhu digs a little deeper and discovers a 24/7 commitment to philanthropic endeavours

COMMENT

that you have the wealth, network, and opportunity to do something about it, is something that not everybody gets.”

Credit Suisse selects one charity for the year to focus its fund raising efforts on. This year the chosen charity is Centrepoint where proceeds will fund the learning team that teaches young homeless people literacy and numeracy skills.

Similarly, Morgan Stanley has been working with Kids Company and helped to acquire a building which will provide a sustainable future for the charity. The Morgan Stanley Heart Yard will be a permanent location where the charity can carry out therapeutic work with the children it supports. Since forming the partnership, expectations have been surpassed. “We initially aimed to raise £800,000 over two years and we’re probably going to end up with nearer £1.4 million,” says Emma Tamblingson, head of community affairs at Morgan Stanley EMEA. But corporate giving has seen a change within the last decade. The large cheques and photo-finish smiles aren’t as commonplace as they once were and instead there is a greater hunger for development to sustain charities and communities.

Emma says: “When I started working in corporate social responsibility it was pretty much all about raising as much money as possible and handing over the cheque. Fundraising is still an important part but I think now the evolution of corporate volunteering is about using our skill set and our time to really make a difference to a specific charity. I think both sides have realised that there’s more they can get out of a relationship. So as well as raising money, corporates want to give their time and expertise, encouraging employee volunteers to use their skills to make a real difference to charity partners.”

The financial crisis has taken its toll and charities have had to adapt finding support in other ways. Mike Kelly, head of corporate social responsibility at KPMG says: “Corporates have less cash than they did and charities have far less funding. Charities have had to change. They’ve got to be much smarter around the use of volunteers. If they get it wrong the volunteering would just be a cost, an expense to the charity rather than a return. Gone are the days of the parent child relationship; it just doesn’t exist in any modern partnership.”

Focusing its efforts on Barnado’s, KPMG has raised £1.25 million in two years and will soon announce its latest chosen charity. It has jointly sponsored the Hackney City Academy with the City of London Corporation so that “the pupils get to see different role models and experience what life is like in Canary Wharf rather than just looking at it from the outside." When construction began on the KPMG offices in 2006, it required a percentage of local labour to be used to increase employment around the area.

In May, it also organised the Big Blue Kick and broke the world record for the largest taekwondo display while raising money for Barnado’s as well as awarenessof the sport. “We worked with the taekwondo team in the five years running up to London 2012, working on their corporate governance in their business plan and helping

Employees at large banks are supported to volunteer by making use of donation matching schemes and time off for charitable causes them with their funding applications to the various sporting bodies.”

The firm also provides employees with a volunteering ‘budget’ which lets them take off time to contribute to their communities.

“In the same way that you’ve got a holiday allowance or a training allowance you also have an allowance for all your volunteering activities” says Mike. “We will make it easy for you; you don’t have to go and look for volunteering opportunities. The firm has an array of programmes that are available for the whole country.”

Employees at most large banks are supported to volunteer by making use of donation matching schemes and time off for personal charitable causes. Hang Ho adds: “A number of our employees are supporting Movember here as it’s a very worthwhile cause; from the firm’s perspective we encourage our employees to give back support to the causes they personally relate to. We do provide a number of platforms and structures to facilitate and incentivise, matching the hours they give back and matching to a certain amount that they give.” Royal Bank of Scotland gives its employees similar opportunities with the employee volunteering programme and last year nearly 56,000 employees were given paid time off to volunteer.

While the media storm rages on around Canary Wharf and the City, banks continue to work with communities, donating money and instigating initiatives focusing on long term issues. The days of writing a cheque and feeling the warm tingle of an altruistic act are gone. Last year, Movember managed to raise just under £80 million in one month and has been increasing year on year. The same is expected this year as the enterprise expands into Denmark, Belgium and Norway. Long term commitments from corporations help to transform communities and target issues that would struggle to get funding, advice and the skill set on offer from bankers and corporate business brains.

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 47

e your Indulgs with a client estive VIP F ting Feas ge Packa

OF CHRISTMAS

— A world of festive food and drink — 7-9 DECEMBER - ExCeL LONDON Celebrate a festive feast for the senses at Taste of Christmas - where inspired entertaining gets a glamorous holiday makeover. Learn from celebrity chefs including world famous chefs Michel Roux Jr, Jamie Oliver, The Baker Brothers and Mary Berry. The UK’s finest restaurants will be serving their seasonal specials and cooking up some culinary magic to get your tastebuds tingling. Tick off your Christmas wish list from hundreds of fine food and boutique market stalls.

VIP Festive Feasting Package (£65 per person): • Fast track entry to the event • A delicious 2-course sit down dining experience with half a bottle of wine per person • A welcome glass of mulled wine with your meal • Unlimited access to VIP Lounge • A complimentary glass of champagne and VIP chef Q&As in the VIP Lounge • A Taste Recipe Book (worth £10) and a Complimentary Event Guide • Plus access to all live theatre demonstrations, tastings, masterclasses and the boutique market

For tickets, visit tasteofchristmas.com or call 0870 161 2629 using code VIPFEAST For the latest news and exclusive offers, socialise with us on *Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. Booking and transaction fees apply.

and Scan to view the Taste showreel

calibre

REPORT

START WITH A

BANG

Kari Rosenberg flies to Copenhagen for the global launch of Bang & Olufsen’s new BeoVision 11; the company’s most exquisitely designed and technically ambitious TV to date

I

t was Steve Jobs that said “[Television has] brought the world a lot closer together”. While unfortunately, the late Apple CEO didn’t get the chance to try out Bang & Olufsen’s latest technological TV wonder, there’s no doubting the man would have been just as impressed as we were.

With high-quality and powerful sound, the latest model houses six speakers within its slim interior, each powered with its own amplifier and built-in surround sound module. Available in crystal-clear 2D and 3D, the Smart TV comes with a unique sensor

that continuously adjusts brightness and contrast as well as a selfadapting picture mode.

Sleek and smart, the stunning TV is worth a purchase even if you never switch it on. Choose between six fabric panel hues, a front frame in silver or black, and rear cabinet in black or white. If a standard floor stand is too old hat, a motorised wall bracket will prevent any tiresome neck strains for those not in prime lazy-boy position: you can turn the TV 90 degrees from the wall.

Prices start from £4,995, One New Change, 5 Cheapside Passage, EC2V

calibre

The what, when and where of sport, motoring, gadgets and grooming

1 NEWBURY RACECOURSE

WINTER SPECIAL

2 TALKING TENNIS In the week that the ATP Tour Finals are being contested at the 02 arena, Canary Wharf’s East Wintergarden welcomes the ‘The London Tennis Debate 2012’.

Sponsored by Credit Suisse and in association with the Roger Federer Foundation, the event will feature Pat Cash as one of the esteemed panellists.

Cash will be joined by Justin Gimelstob (outspoken TV tennis personality in the States), Ion Tiriac (billionaire businessman and former grand slam winning tennis coach) and Janine Händel (CEO of the Roger Federer Foundation).

Sky’s Marcus Buckland will host and direct the debate.

‘Beyond the Baseline’ Wednesday 7 November East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, E14

Attracting glamorous race-goers and celebrities alike, the Sportingbet Winter Festival, featuring the prestigious Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse, is one of the top social events of the winter sporting calendar. With its own helicopter pad, race-goers can arrive in glamorous style or take a direct train from London Paddington to the racecourse’s own train station in just an hour. Either head straight for your private box or enjoy a glass of bubbly and oysters in the sophisticated Moët and Chandon Champagne Hall followed by dinner at The Hennessy Restaurant. In either location, enjoy a sumptuous menu designed by head chef Darren Fairminer.

The Sportingbet Winter Festival, 29 November until 1 December 01635 40015, newbury-racecourse.co.uk

of the best... winter attractions

3 COE AND ENNIS BOOK SIGNINGs In 2006, having spearheaded Britain’s bid to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to London in 2012, Coe added a CBE to his list of lifetime achievements, that include twelve world records and gold medals at 1,500 metres in two successive Olympic Games. Replicating Coe’s 2012 achievements off the track, Jessica Ennis stormed to heptathlon gold, capturing the imagination of the nation. Both Coe and Ennis will be signing copies of their autobiographies in Jubilee Place this month, Ennis at 1pm on 9 November and Coe at 12.30pm on 28 November.

news

safe and stylish Bike helmets and suits have never been a match made in heaven. But in the interest of safety first a new Swedish invention – the Hövding – could solve the problem. Worn as a collar and dubbed the invisible helmet, the Hövding works as an airbag which protects the cyclist’s head in the event of an accident. It is controlled by sensors which pick up abnormal movements and then inflates as a protective hood before impact. We’re not sure we’d trust one on the road, but they could provide a laugh if worn in the office. hovding.com

hairy situation Men may not visit beauty salons as much as their respective others, but that doesn’t mean they care any less about their hair. In fact, for some men, thinning hair can be a borderline obsession, knocking confidence and self-esteem. Without sounding like a US infomercial, LA Science’s Follicle Stimulating Shampoo (£14.99) helps to nourish hair and maintains the optimum conditions for a healthy scalp, while its Anti Hair-Loss Serum (£29.99) increases cell proliferation, strengthens the hair shaft and normalises the hair growth cycle.

Because you’re worth it. LA Science is available in Boots and online, la-science.co.uk

so wong its right

science of sport It was voted Brand of the Year by bodybuilding. com, and if you take a quick glance at the website, it’s not hard to see why. Offering detailed information about the science behind protein, nutrition, vitamins and minerals, Optimum Nutrition’s ‘knowledge centre’ contains everything you need to know about maximising your time in the gym.

Whether you’re a seasoned weight-lifter or gymgoing newbie, looking to lose fat or to put on some serious size, Optimum Nutrition will equip you with the facts and stats you require as well as all the supplements. onacademy.co.uk

When Twenty Two Training’s Dalton Wong tells you that getting the body you want isn’t so much about working harder as working smarter, you listen.

One of the world’s leading personal trainers, Wong has spent more than 15 years training people the smarter way, including a number of A-listers in preparation for film roles. For a tailormade exercise, therapy and nutritional plan, visit Wong’s Gloucester Road training facilities, or else let him pay a visit to your office. You’ll be in moviestar shape before you know it. twentytwotraining.com

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 51

OLD SCHOOL

CHARMER

Toyota has gone back to basics with the GT86 coupe and, reckons Mat thew Carter, it’s the best car they’ve made for decades

I

’ve just driven to a fancy rural gastro pub. It’s been booked out by Audi who’s using it as the base for the press launch of three new cars, all high powered ‘S’ models. The main car park is full of S6, S7 and S8 models: dozens of the things. With 400-plus horsepower and price tags that start at £54,000 and rocket ever skyward, you’d think they’d be the centre of attention. But you would be wrong.

As I arrive, all eyes turn to my car. Other journos give a thumbs up. The car in question is a £25k Toyota… but clearly it’s not just any Toyota.

Toyota is an expert in producing cars that appeal to the mass market. And by that I mean, cars as white goods: washing machine, refrigerator, Toyota Auris, tumble dryer. Cars like the Auris do the job well enough but they’re as exciting as a by-

election in an ultra-safe seat. All of which makes the Toyota GT86 such a surprise. It’s a classic, lightweight 2+2 sports coupé with, wait for it, rear-wheel drive. It’s not especially powerful, it doesn’t have super wide, super sticky tyres and the interior is far from plush… but this car is infused with a passion totally lacking in anything else Toyota makes.

In fact, it’s so far outside Toyota’s comfort zone, it’s amazing the high-ups allowed it to be built. The front seats, for example, do not conform to Toyota’s own regulations which prescribe a minimum width to accommodate ample American behinds. You have to be on the slim side if you are to squeeze into the GT86’s figure hugging high-back sports seats – and if you’re not, well tough.

And that’s the beauty of the GT86. It’s a no compromise, old school performance car in which the biggest element is fun. It doesn’t need a hugely powerful engine. It doesn’t need to corner as if on rails –

motoring

the opposite in fact. It just needs to reconnect with the driver in a way that modern cars, with all their nanny-state electronic aids, don’t.

Take the engine. It’s actually not a Toyota unit but is provided

by Subaru, as the car is a joint development between the two Japanese companies. With 200bhp on offer, the slightly agricultural flat-four engine is far from the most powerful or refined engines around – it’s easily beaten by many hot hatches – but it matches the character of the car. In other words, it’s plenty quick enough in real-world driving conditions. But to get the most out of the engine, you have to work it hard, revving it to the 7,400 rpm redline and to hell with the ensuing racket. The transmission – a six-speed manual is the gearbox of choice though an auto is also offered – is a little rough and ready. Shifts are positive enough, but notchy, encouraging you to be as precise as possible when you change gear. And that’s as it should be.

It’s the same with the skinny tyres (exactly the same size as used on the Toyota Prius family hybrid), the rear-drive chassis and the beautifully accurate steering. Because it’s rear driven, the car’s attitude through bends can be influenced as much by the right foot as by the steering wheel and if you are aggressive enough the rear will start to slide – though there is a limited slip differential and a three mode stability programme to prevent any unpleasantness. But – and this is the important bit – it all happens at comparatively low speeds so there’s time to catch the slide (or indulge in a little showoff oversteer if the mood takes).

Enter a corner too quickly in a 300hp front drive hot hatch and you’ll understeer off into the scenery before you’ve had time to utter an expletive. And thanks to the remoteness of that driving experience, you’ll be going faster than you realise when you run into problems.

It’s all about reconnecting man and machine through the seat of the driver’s pants. The GT86 is so well balanced you know exactly what it’s doing all the time. This, then, is clearly a car that’s been lovingly crafted by enthusiasts for enthusiasts and there are many wonderful touches that’ll bring the anorak out in you. The name, for a start. It’s a nod to the old rear-drive Corolla coupé from the early 1980s that was known internally as AE86. It’s also a reference to the engine’s ‘square’ 86mm bore and stroke dimensions and Toyota has even ensured the tips of the exhausts pipes are 86mm in diameter.

The driving position is as good as it gets, with the view of the instruments ahead dominated not by a speedo but by the rev

counter. Those seats are superbly supportive (assuming you don’t have an XXL frame) and the pedals superbly spaced. Ride quality, too, is exceptional partly thanks to the low centre of gravity – helped by that ‘boxer’ engine – and the car’s low overall weight which together have allowed the suspension to be set up as much for comfort as for handling.

What’s not to like? Not much, really. It’s a little noisy inside the cabin, perhaps – but more sound deadening would only add to the weight and remove some of the visceral experience from behind the wheel. It certainly doesn’t need to be any more powerful, nor do you need to plunder the options list to make it habitable. To the £24,995 basic price you’ll need to add £750 for sat nav and a further £450 if you want it in any colour other than red. It’s a bargain.

What brings home the sheer ‘rightness’ of the GT86 is getting back into it after a day spent driving all those mega powerful Audis.

With more than twice as much power, standard four-wheel drive and exemplary build quality on offer it should be an easy German win. But while the super Audis are hugely fast and undeniably efficient the GT86 is still a car to fall in love with.

Car: Toyota GT86 Price: £24,995 Engine: 1,998, flat-four, front-mounted Power: 200 hp Performance: 140 mph max, 0-62 mph in 7.6 secs Drive: Rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 53

It’s

ELECTRIC...

RRP:

£1,499

For stockist and further details: www.ebco-ebikes.co.uk t: 01926 437700

motoring

The

brits are coming

Jag and Range Rover battle it out at the Paris Motor Show, writes Mat thew Carter

W

ith two significant new cars launched at the Paris Motor Show, Jaguar and Land Rover spread a little much needed sunshine over the French capital in October. For elsewhere at the Porte de Versailles, the mood was sombre. Why, there was even a protest from Parisians complaining that home manufacturers Peugeot and Citroen were closing factories and shedding jobs.

There’s no such problem in the UK, where Jag and Land Rover are struggling to keep up with demand. And that position will be even better – or should that be worse – when the F-type and the new Range Rover hit the showrooms next year. As the name implies, the F-type is a two-seater sports car seen as the spiritual successor to the legendary E-type, a car launched more than 50 years ago. Yes, it’s taken Jaguar that long to get around to creating something to fill the gap left by the 150mph legend, a car Enzo Ferrari called ‘The most beautiful car in the world’ when it was launched.

The F-type will initially be available as a soft top with a

coupé version arriving in 2014. It will be powered by either a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 in two states of tune – 340 or 380PS – or a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 with almost 500PS. In time-honoured fashion, the engine will be front mounted and driving the rear wheels. Prices will start at £58,500 meaning the car will slot – both in terms of size and cost – between its two biggest rivals, the Porsche Boxster and 911.

Over at neighbouring Land Rover – both companies are based in Gaydon in Warwickshire and are owned by Indian company Tata – the wraps came off the new Range Rover. The fourth generation Rangie might share a similar silhouette to its predecessors but it is all new, with prices ranging from £71,300 to a smidge under £100,000.

Longer, lighter, more powerful, more luxurious and more expensive than ever, the best news is that the new Range Rover hasn’t gone soft. It remains the world’s most capable vehicle, just as able to cope with Scottish mountain tracks, snow-covered Alpine trails and sand dunes of the Middle East as it is wafting down Broadway, Park Lane and the ChampsElysées. Which is where we came in.

Jaguar F-type

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 55

Canary Wharf hosts

Audi’s ELITE Last month the car giant held court as visitors to Canary Wharf were treated to the company’s latest and most exciting creations, writes William Black

motoring

“As the latest Audi RS model, and the ultimate incarnation of the A3, the RS 3 Sportback got heart-rates soaring”

W

hen Audi decides to showcase its latest talent, it’s hard not to pay attention – a fact you won’t have missed if you happened to emerge from Canary Wharf underground station between the 19 and 21 of last month. For three days, visitors to the area were greeted by the sight of Audi’s newest models.

Following the recent launch of the brand new Audi A3 hatchback three-door, both it and the A3 Cabriolet wowed the crowds, as the Audi flag fluttered over a busy Reuter’s Plaza. Lighter, more muscular-looking and with a more technically advanced drivetrain than its predecessor, the new Audi A3 hatchback three-door has been designed from the ground up. The 2.0 TDI version will get you from zero to 62 mph in less than nine seconds, something that impressed the majority of Canary Wharf’s male contingent.

Joining the A-models on show were the Q3, Q5 and Q7.

Equipped with a start-stop engine system for energy recuperation, a Driver’s Information System (DIS) that provides the driver with fuel saving tips, a gear change indicator, and automated, electromechanical parking brakes, the SUV’s combine technology with luxury and comfort with versatility. As you might expect, it was parents with young families that were drawn to the Q model’s space and practicality.

Nothing gets the heart racing quite like the sight of Audi’s RS models and visitors to last month’s event were treated to the spectacle of at least one model each day. As the latest Audi RS model, and the ultimate incarnation of the A3, the RS 3 Sportback got heart-rates soaring, while the all-powerful 5.2-litred, V10 mid-engined R8 GT Spyder more than whetted the appetite of the red-blooded car lovers present.

The team behind the event, Essex Audi, who have showrooms across Essex and East London, provide new and used vehicles, full financing packages (including contract hire lease and lease purchase) and repair services by qualified Audi technicians. The showrooms also sell Audi’s full range of Audi merchandising and

offer collection and delivery services. 24 hour test drives are available subject to terms and conditions.

For further enquiries, visit essex-audi.co.uk or email enquiry@essex-audi.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 57

© Populous

© LOCOG

© Copyright Anish Kapoor 2012

FEATURE

Destination

Newham

‘Legacy’ was one of the most recycled buzzwords of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Two months after the gates shut at the Olympic Park, Richard Brown considers the lasting heirlooms East London, and Newham in particular, is set to inherit from the greatest show on earth

S

omething extraordinary is taking place in the London Borough of Newham. You will have glimpsed it during the Olympic Games: big, shiny shopping centres and 80,000 seater stadiums emerging from the ground of what was once one of the capital’s most beleaguered boroughs.

Benefitting from acres of underdeveloped and brownfield land, the most diverse community in the UK and the youngest population in the country, Newham is staring at a future unimaginable just a decade ago.

In Stratford, the game-changing Olympic Park has already heralded an exciting future for the north of the borough, while the regeneration of Canning Town and Custom House continues to add to an exciting skyline. Britain's first urban cable car opened back in June and September saw the completion of the iconic £60million Siemens Crystal, a global sustainability centre in the heart of the Royal Docks.

Already home to London City Airport, Newham, on paper at least, offers an investment opportunity on a scale unmatched anywhere in Europe. With potential investment nearing £22 billion, an area equivalent to one third the size of Manhattan Island has now been earmarked for regeneration. That money that is expected to create 35,000 new homes and 100,000 new jobs by 2025.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales: “Decades of investment in transport infrastructure has brought the world to our fingertips. With every major European city within two hours from London City Airport, dozens of rail connections and Crossrail on the way in 2018, Newham provides Europe’s best connected development opportunities.

We are committed to working with our partners and investors to unlock Newham’s extraordinary potential, supporting business to grow and securing job opportunities for our residents. We will build a vibrant waterside neighbourhood, a world-class business and leisure destination and be a global leader in emerging technologies and green enterprise. We will be a borough where people choose to live, work and stay. We’re hugely excited about Newham’s future.”

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 59

FEATURE As Director of Regeneration at Birmingham Council, Clive Dutton OBE won huge praise for revitalising dwindling areas of that city.

Dutton joined Newham Council in 2009 as Executive Director for Regeneration, Planning and Property. I met the redevelopment guru last month to talk about the task at hand.

Explain to us the challenge that East London faces?

At the moment, for every tube stop going eastwards from central London you lose a year from your life expectancy. By the time you reach Canning Town it’s seven years less than the London average.

Now, that’s not right, but it’s a fact we can do something about.

NEWHAM: A NEW HEART FOR LONDON How do you bring East London in line with the rest of the capital?

London is a very young city and East London is the youngest part of that city. We have to look through that prism and work out what would benefit, stimulate, inspire and assist those people to thrive. If people thrive, places thrive.

With billions of pounds having already been committed to a diverse range of redevelopment projects, Newham boasts a lot more than consummate sporting facilities:

Transport - London City Airport offers direct services to New York and routes to

What excites you about London as a whole?

London is a city of surprises. Leave your neighbourhood or adjoining neighbourhood for a couple of months and when you return something will have changed, something will be new. In Newham, it’s about enabling that kind of cultural and entrepreneurial serendipity where different, quirky, interesting things happen.

30 destinations across the UK and Europe - Six London Underground lines and the Docklands Light Railway connect Newham to the heart of the capital - When Crossrail opens in 2018, Newham’s five new stations will provide speedy connections to Heathrow Airport and the rest of the capital

Digital Infrastructure How do you ensure that London, and Newham in particular, continues to thrive?

You can create the conditions for serendipity; create the conditions for people to be confident, whether they’re artists or people in business. It’s about being receptive to people’s ideas. Unusual, quirky, stimulating things make the difference between neighbourhoods being special or mundane.

- The digital infrastructure left behind by the Olympic Games is similar to that normally found in a city of 250,000 people - BT has promised to make Canning Town, Custom House, Beckton, the Royal Docks and the Olympic Village amongst the first London locations to benefit from super-fast broadband

Tech City - Originally a small cluster of high-tech firms, Tech City is home to the

Would Newham be developing to such an extent if it wasn’t for the Olympic Games?

It would’ve taken longer and it would’ve taken a different form, but the capital will always grow, and keep growing, and it can only grow in any significant quantum eastwards. It would always follow the river and because of greenbelt limitations would always have to follow unused or underused post-industrial land. Growth was always going to surge this way, the Olympics have just sped things up by 20 years.

world’s next generation of high-tech entrepreneurs - In just three years, it has expanded naturally from around 15 companies to more than 300 – growth that is set to continue, with the UK government actively supporting the area’s development - The area is host to many of the world’s leading technology companies, including Cisco, Vodafone, Google, Facebook and Intel

Royal Docks Enterprise Zone - The Royal Docks was designated London’s first new Enterprise Zone;

Why should a Newham resident choOse to remain in the area for the next 20 years?

Quality of life, quality of life, quality of life. There’s a particularly bright and optimistic future for young people today as they move towards, through and into adulthood – certainly compared to what their grandparents would have enjoyed here.

recognition by both national government and the Mayor of London of the importance of the area to the future growth of London’s economy - Currently home to London City Airport, the University of East London and the capital’s largest events venue and first ever International Convention Centre, ExCeL London - The Emirates Air Line Cable Car opened in the summer and the Siemens Crystal, a £60 million sustainability centre, opened in September

How do you improve somebody’s quality of life?

It’s all about delivering jobs and connecting people to opportunities. To make sure they are prepared in an advantageous position because of their aptitude, their skills and their training. It’s about getting more money in people’s pockets. With greater prosperity and better resources comes greater choice in the things you can do in your life.

Canning Town and Custom House - The £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House regeneration programme is one of the largest regeneration schemes in the country - The regeneration programme will transform Canning Town and Custom House physically, socially and economically, creating up to 10,000 new homes and 5,000 new jobs - A new retail centre will be built, as will two improved and expanded

Does the sheer scale of the transformation taking place scare you?

No, it thrills me. How could it not?

60 THE CITY OCTOBER 2012

town centres, better quality streets and open spaces

INSIDE TRACK The Street Westfield Stratford City E20 1EJ 0208 534 3446 info@insidetrackshop.com @InsideTrackShop

MCLAREN & ASTON MARTIN COLLECTIONS AT WESTFIELD STRATFORD VIP SHOPPING EVENINGS

Register now for more information on one of our VIP shopping evenings (availability limited) info@insidetrackshop.com

TAKE A SPIN Rajdeep Sandhu gets set for a night on the ice while dusting off her best partridge-in-a-pear-tree outfit

T

he lights are being lit, the festive spirit is taking hold.

And with it, Ice Rink Canary Wharf marks the start of the Christmas period. Now in its eighth year and under new management, the fabulous rink promises to be better than ever.

To be unveiled on 3 November, expect more than a four by four space: the rink this year features London’s first ever skate path. Skaters can glide through twinkling trees and pirouette around the spectacular Big Blue sculpture by Ron Arad.

For the less experienced, lessons are available from the fullyqualified and certified National Ice Skating Association (NISA) coaches. Having competed in numerous British championships, and passed on tips to the celebs on ITV’s Dancing on Ice, you’ll be in safe hands and on your way to becoming a seasoned skater.

And in the spirit of the giving season, students from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets schools programme will be coming to

take a spin on the ice with their classmates along with qualified coaches for a free hour of skating.

For those concerned that skating sounds like thirsty work, fear not: Ice Rink Canary Wharf will feature a pop up Boisdale on Ice bar, brought to you by Boisdale of Canary Wharf. Feast on legendary burgers and a great selection of award-winning wines, malt whiskies and beers. The pop up Boisdale has a fantastic view over the unique skate path; stand on the terrace, tipple in hand, to soak up the festive atmosphere. As well as top British fare including spiced mulled wine, hot mince pies and the famous haggis sausage rolls, expect a range of gourmet canapé supper menus for parties of eight or more which need to be booked in advance.

Every Tuesday night in the run up to Christmas, Boisdale will also be presenting Sinatra on Ice with TJ Johnson & His Band playing old blue eyes’ greatest skating hits. A variety of fun filled family days and exciting themed evenings are also planned at the rink including

feature

a festively flirty Date Night offering romantics a starry-eyed skate followed by all-inclusive menus. For a taste of India, Bollywood themed nights will include top Bollywood tunes, movies and colourful costumes. Magnums of Perrier Jouet NV Champagne are also up for grabs for those skaters who best reflect the theme of the given evening.

For a novel alternative to the traditional Christmas party, gather the office for some skating fun, followed by drinks and canapés in a private area of the rink-side Boisdale on Ice pop-up. With three different menus to choose from there will be one to fit every party.

And if skating isn’t enough to keep colleagues entertained, upgrade your package to include a Boisdale on Ice live band or DJ, guaranteed to get the party going.

Kick-starting at the rink, the Starlight 12 Days of Christmas Run will see hundreds of festive runners raise money for the Starlight Christmas of Happiness campaign. Companies are invited to submit a team of up to 12 runners who can choose to dress up as one of

the categories from the popular Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, whether they decide to enter as two turtle doves, five golden rings, seven swans a-swimming or even a partridge in a pear tree.

Starting and finishing at the ice rink, the 1.2 mile course will be run on 12 December at precisely 12.12 pm around the Canary Wharf estate. Festive refreshments will be given to all participants after they complete the course.

The campaign aims to restore the magic of Christmas to the thousands of children in hospital granting magical wishes and providing festive entertainment to seriously and terminally ill children in London.

For bookings at Ice Rink Canary Wharf contact events@icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk or visit skatecanarywharf.com, or call 020 7536 8400 For more information or to register a team for Starlight’s 12 Days of Christmas Run contact gabbi.ray@starlight.org.uk

november2012 THE CITY 63

James Purdey & Sons Ltd. 57 - 58 South Audley Street, London W1K 2ED +44 (0)20 7499 1801 www.purdey.com

Mayfair_Oct_2012.indd 1

15/10/2012 12:52

fashion

REPORT Kinga Rajzak in flying saucer with members of the West Percy Hunt Eglingham Hall, Northumberland, 2009 © Tim Walker

walker on the

E

wild side

British photographer Tim Walker’s work brings the magic of photography to life.

KARI ROSENBERG takes a peek at his latest exhibition

xtravagant, romantic, eccentric – and sometimes downright weird: Tim Walker’s iconic portraits are instantly recognisable for both their grand ambitions and kooky originality. One of the most visually exhilarating and prominent fashion photographers in the industry right now, Tim Walker: Story Teller draws from the pages of the world’s leading magazines.

From the candy coloured fairytale of Olga Shearer riding on a blue horse through the pillared ruins of a country estate to Xiao Wen and Liu Wen as samurai nuns, Walker’s work never fails to

provoke a reaction. He claims “[the camera] is simply a box put between you and what you want to capture”.

Everything in Walker’s pictures is specially constructed and in a glimpse behind the mechanics, prepare for incredible installations and a selection of the extraordinary props and models on show: giant grotesque dolls for Italian Vogue and an almost life-size replica of a doomed Spitfire fighter plane. The exhibition, sponsored by Mulberry, coincides with the launch of Tim Walker’s new book published by Thames & Hudson.

Exhibition runs until 27 January, somersethouse.org.uk

yellow magic

DIAMONDS ARE RARE, YEllOW DIAMONDS ARE RARER AND THOSE SElECTED BY TIFFANY & CO. – WITH INTENSE COlOuR AND BEAuTIFul lIgHT DISpERSION – ARE THE MOST DISTINCTIVE OF All

In 1877 a magnificent, 287-carat yellow diamond was discovered in South Africa. Rarely seen since, it most famously adorned Audrey Hepburn – appropriately enough, as it was Charles Tiffany who brought it to America.

Only two women have ever worn the Tiffany Yellow Diamond. American society hostess Mary Whitehouse (not the British TV moralist) wore it set into a lavish necklace for the 1957 Tiffany Ball in Newport, Rhode Island. Then the stone was set into a Jean Schlumberger-designed ribbon of smaller diamonds for publicity photos for Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Normally, the Tiffany Diamond resides on the main floor of Tiffany & Co.’s Fifth Avenue store but, earlier this year, the priceless gem was reset into a necklace of white diamonds that totalled over 100 carats and was made the centrepiece of Tiffany & Co.’s 175th anniversary celebrations.

The world has long been intrigued and enamoured by these beautiful yellow jewels.

Coveted by aficionados and admired by gemologists, yellow diamonds are as rare as they are distinctive. Evaluated on their colour, the stones range from fancy light to fancy vivid yellow and only one in 10,000 stones makes the grade. Only a small percentage of those few meet Tiffany’s rigorous selection standards, and the famous jeweller cuts them to maximise their colour saturation and light dispersion.

“only two women have worn the Tiffany yellow Diamond” Aiming to emphasise the famously intense yellow hues, Tiffany & Co. make sure that the final product is always best in class.

Aside from its watches, silver pieces and traditional white diamond rings, the Tiffany & Co. boutique at The Royal Exchange houses WWW.theroyalexchange.com

their latest collection of yellow diamond pieces.

The Tiffany Bezet is a contoured ring on a bezel setting, and features a variety of shaped yellow diamonds set in 18-carat gold, while a pearshape stone set in either platinum or 18-carat gold revives Elsa peretti’s revolutionary design. The Italian designer and jeweller brought a simple and organic aesthetic to Tiffany & Co., forever changing the role of diamonds in fashion, and her influence is still felt today in the hugely popular teardrop necklaces and famous ‘thumb’ vases. The pieces of the new yellow diamond collection can be layered or coupled with one another, for a look that grows richer and more impressive with each addition.

Tiffany & Co. is always reminding us why it is an authority on fine jewellery and, even though the magnificent Tiffany Yellow Diamond will remain an exhibition piece, you can certainly acquire something beautiful with yellow diamonds from Tiffany & Co. at The Royal Exchange.

SiX oF THe BeST

promotion

Watch this Space ↑

Poetry in Potion ↑

Style on point ↑

The essence of Tateossian’s ‘Flottante’ watch is the relationship between light and space, and how these two elements can complement one another to create a minimal, lightweight effect. The ‘invisible movement’ is accompanied by a twin-stitched crocodile effect leather strap, and the face is comprised of rhodium, with blue enamel detailing.

Flottante Watch, £550

Described as the scent of innocence, this cologne from Jo Malone uses tart blackberry juice and ‘just-gathered bay’ to conjure childhood memories of sticky hands from wild fruit-picking and foraging in hedgerows. The cedar wood basenote gives the scent a mossy and balsamic depth, giving the cologne even more of a brambly, autumnal sense.

Blackberry & Bay cologne, 100ml, £76

All of pretty Ballerina’s shoes are ethically sourced and handmade on the island of Menorca, Spain.

Many of the vast selection of pumps have adorned famous feet, with Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer all sporting them in the past. These ‘Marilyn’ pumps are cut low, and boast a healthy decoration of glittering Swarovski crystals at the toe.

Marilyn pumps, £209

Shoe to a Kill ↑

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Founded in Northampton in 1879, Crockett and Jones are synonymous with quality and quintessential Englishness, so who better to make James Bond’s shoes? Aside from these boots, the ‘Skyfall’ range includes a plain-design whole-cut shoe in black calf leather, and even a full brogue Derby boot in dark brown country calf.

Tetbury Chukka Boot, £330

luxury lingerie brand Agent provocateur takes inspiration from the glamorous Thirties this autumn with a beautiful silk collection in rich fuchsia tones.

The super-sleek slip will look great however you care to wear it, but the addition of this ‘Novah’ kimono and a pair of pom-pom mules will finish off the boudoir look perfectly.

Novah kimono, £495

The design of Bulgari’s Serpenti ring dates back to the late Forties, where the design was first used on a bracelet watch. Now almost 70 years old, the design is as unique as ever. The ring comprises a yellow gold coil with a peridot head and pavé-set diamonds. The ultimate style statement, and a nod to Bulgari’s extensive heritage.

Serpenti ring, £8,000

agent provocateur, artisan fine art, bachet, boodles, bulgari, church’s, crockett & jones, de beers, 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

MARK LORD BESPOKE

Menswear: Casual, Work, Occasion Wear.

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news

They might be most synonymous with swim shorts but following the success of ITS Sweats range, Orlebar Brown haS just introduced ITS ‘Bennett’ jumper (£150), ITS take on the classic crewneck sweatshirt. Made from TEN per cent cashmere and available in four dark colours, the sweats are the ideal top as autumn turns to winter and temperatures spiral southward. orlebarbrown.co.uk

Sock it and see When you’ve helped dress the likes of Jon Hamm, Johnny Depp and Hugh Grant, we guess you’re entitled to call your latest collection ‘Icon’. In celebration of its 75th anniversary, that’s exactly what Pantherella has done with its newest sock line. Authentically ‘Made in England,’ the quirky patterned lightweight socks come in Sea Island or mercerised cotton. Fine merino wool from Australia is used for warmth without weight. pantherella.com

for him

From the boardroom to the bar, stay sharp, stay smart, stay stylish

Shopping made simple Shopping just got scientific. StyleGun will take your height, weight and body shape, along with your hair and eye colour, and using its ‘BodyMap’ technology, suggest the best clothes to suit. With access to brands from Sebago shoes to J Brand jeans and Pantherella socks to Hartford shirts, StyleGun promises to makes shopping a whole lot easier. stylegun.com

Whisky City Chivas hosted an evening for modern gentlemen at Gaucho City on 4 October. Celebrating the launch of ‘Made for Gentlemen’, a campaign that will run for the next three years, wherein the deluxe scotch whisky is collaborating with modern craftsmen to release limited edition Chivas 12 products.

Guests enjoyed whisky cocktails, food by Gaucho and styling advice.

The Art of Layering It’s all about layers this autumn and one brand seems to be offering a greater variety than most. With a range of jumpers and roll necks, blazers and peacoats, Reiss has got your layering needs sorted. Whether you’re battling the crowds on your morning commute, or planning a date al-fresco, check out its website for how to stay comfortably warm yet effortlessly cool.

Reiss, Broadgate, EC2M

chivas.com

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 69

fashion

RIGHT SAID FRED He may have retired from the beautiful game, but Freddie Ljungberg still cuts a pretty fine form, both on and off the pitch

F

words Kari Rosenberg Photography Antony Nobilo Styling Graham Cruz

ew men can say they have the ability to stop traffic. So for anyone whose seen Freddie’s fine, Calvin Klein clad form stretched to 30ft (which, unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last decade, that applies to you), it’s hard to imagine the former Arsenal midfielder could have ever felt lonesome.

Coming to London in his early twenties, Ljungberg felt just that, recalling his move as the biggest challenge of his career, over any Premiership matches.

“The biggest challenge for me personally was probably when I moved to England. I’m from a small town in Sweden with a population of around 100,000 people and as a youngster of 20 years old, moving to London was hard. I’m quite a sociable person; I had a lot of family and friends in Sweden and all of a sudden I was on my own in London. The club [Arsenal] told me to be careful about who I trusted because there are people out there who want to be your friend because of what you do. So I was lonely.

“In Sweden, football is on a much lower level than the English Premier League. So most players go to Holland or somewhere like that first so that the jump won’t be too big. But I came to England straight away which was hard because it was such a big jump in level, but at the same time, I think that made me stronger as a human being.”

With an extraordinary nine-year stint at Arsenal where he acquired two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the 2002 BarclayCard Premier League Player of the Year, he was voted the 11th best player in the history in the club by fans in 2008. After a spell at West Ham, Ljungberg signed with Major League Soccer to play with the expansion team Seattle Sounders. When it comes to naming career highlights, Ljungberg – “if I may?” – distinguishes again between the personal and professional, his answers carefully thought out and articulated in slightly broken English, a trait that instantly endears me to the surprisingly down-to-earth footballer.

“It’s a difficult question. Maybe I can divide it between team highlights and personal achievements? As a team, to win the double [Premier League and FA Cup] and go unbeaten for a White cotton pin tucked shirt by Victor and Rolf, £295 at Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com Grey flannel three piece suit by Mr. Start, £895, mr-start.com Hand made shoes by Joseph Cheaney, £275, cheaney.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 71

feature

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been invited by the air force to fly some of its fighter jets. If only that could have been my hobby; I’ve only done it two or three times, but it’s absolutely amazing

Grey wool blend tweed jacket by Alexander McQueen, £1,195 at Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com Scarlett wool polo neck by Vivienne Westwood, £195 at Harvey Nichols. harveynichols.com

72 THE CITY NOVEMBER 2012

fashion

Black suit with leather lapel

by Dsquared, £1,745 at Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com Black cashmere polo neck by Baartmans and Siegel, £350 baartmansandsiegel.com Leopard print shoes by Jimmy Choo £495 at Harvey Nichols harveynichols.com Watch by Gshock, £250 casioonline.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 73

fashion

The club [Arsenal] told me to be careful about who I trusted because there are people out there who want to be your friend because of what you do. So I was lonely. whole season; I think that’s something I was very proud and happy about. But on a non-personal level it would have to be when I got nominated as the BarclayCard Premiership player of the year. It was very nice.

“The most exciting game I ever played in was when we [Arsenal] won the league at Old Trafford. We played very well and that was very special. The rivalry between the two clubs was much greater then than it is now.”

Slightly less enthusiastic when conversation turns to career lows – “I have too many of them” – Ljungberg jokes, but “on a serious note” names the Champions League Final. “We lost to Barcelona and we were winning up to the 70th minute and then we lost. There was some controversy over an equaliser that a lot of people said was offside.That, for sure, was my hardest moment in football.”

Along with the incredible highs and inevitable lows, Ljungberg “always loved the game” but got tired of the early morning training sessions. And despite the fact that most young boys dream of being a footballer one day, Ljungberg’s dream as a young lad was actually to become a fighter pilot, a path he never managed to fulfil, although he’s since had a few opportunities to test out the skills that perhaps, in another life, could have been.

“In Sweden we have compulsory military service and because I played Premiership football from the age of 16, I was exempt. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been invited by the air force to fly some of its fighter jets. If only that could have been my hobby; I’ve only done it two or three times, but it’s absolutely amazing.”

No doubt his football career has left Ljungberg with pretty deep pockets, although, seemingly quite modest, he’s clearly uncomfortable when the subject comes up, loathe to discuss price tags of any kind.

However, he is quick to defend the vast amounts footballers get paid, putting it down, quite fairly, to simple “supply and demand” economics. “The big clubs make so much money that they can afford to pay the best players. So that’s how it is going to be driven. That’s how the business works.” And aside from investing in cars, watches,

74 THE CITY november 2012

Black quilted leather bomber jacket by Qasimi, £864, qasimi.com White cotton shirt by Karl Lagerfeld, £240 at Selfridges selfridges.com Grey cashmere trousers by Mr. + Mr. £755, misterandmister.com Silk tie by Nicole Farhi, £80 nicolefarhi.com

This page: Grey and green polo neck by Mr. Start £149.50, mr-start.com Green and blue check blazer by Tiger of Sweden £365 at Selfridges, selfridges.com Opposite: Grey wool blend tweed jacket, £1,195, trousers, £385 both

by Alexander McQueen at Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com Scarlett wool polo neck by Vivienne Westwood, £195 at Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com Black and grey patchwork pea coat by Alexander Wang, £800 at Selfridges, selfridges.com Art Direction & Production: Wendy Tee Grooming: Jaimee Thomas @ Frank Agency using Sisley Digital Technician: Lehi Pena Thanks to Danny at Shoreditch Studios and Chris at 123 Lighting Exclusive shoot for Canary Wharf Magazine and The City Magazine

fashion

With support from partners such as the Gates Foundation and Nike more than 500,000 kids have graduated from the program or any of the other boys toys he no doubt enjoys, Ljungberg is eager to discuss his new business ventures: “I have started a new property development company called Trifle Group with London property expert Emmanuel Langley and [Addison Lee Chief Executive] Daryl Foster. I try to learn as much as I can from the people I have around me.”

Along with the property investment company, Ljunberg will be launching a ‘Freddie’s’ sports bar franchise in his home town which he plans to expand to New York, the Middle East, and hopefully London one day. But football fans don’t fret: Ljungberg hasn’t given up the game for good, committed to dedicating his time to good causes, especially those that involve an excuse for a kick around.

“I support Grassroot Soccer and I am proud to say that I recently joined this international non-profit organisation as an ambassador.

Grassroot Soccer’s mission is to use the power of soccer to develop healthy, happy and more productive young lives. I got involved following a visit to a township in South Africa. The poor living conditions of many young people in South Africa disturbed me. Footballers Bacary Sagna and Robert Pirès introduced me to Grassroot Soccer.

“Turns out that Andrew Hauptman, the owner of Chicago Fire, is also involved in Grassroot, which is a coincidence. I met the founders and was inspired by what they had to say. They tap into the popularity of soccer to reach kids and empower them through education and support programs. With support from partners such as the Gates Foundation and Nike more than 500,000 kids have graduated from the program and are now part of the team.”

While red cards, mohawks and half-naked billboards are all a thing of the past, there’s no doubt Ljungberg’s form is still as fine as ever.

november 2012 THE CITY 77

WIN!

Competition

time

In an exciting new initiative, we have teamed up with original designer furniture specialist, Sketch Living, to offer one of our lucky readers the chance to win one of its iconic chairs

T

he fortunate winner of this competition will receive from Sketch Living four of each of either the Vitra Eames Side Chair or the Vitra Panton Chair. With its sleek chrome wire base and stylish but practical plastic shell base, which comes in a range of colours, the Vitra Eames chair is the perfect accompaniment to a contemporary household.

Or, for those of you who are looking for something bold and eye-catching, you cannot go wrong with the Vitra Panton chair with its quirky, unique shape.

For more than 20 years, Sketch Living has been supplyingits valued customers with high end, top quality furniture. Since

2007, the company has delivered more than a staggering ÂŁ27 million worth of orders to its clients.Devoted to providing iconic furniture for the residential market, Sketch Living has always made sure that its products are carefully selected in order to provide an exclusive range of designer furniture and accessories at competitive prices. For this reason, we are very proud to be in partnership with Sketch Living for this fantastic, one-off opportunity.

To enter the competition, simply email sketchliving@ runwildgroup.co.uk and tell us which of the two chair styles you would choose if you won, including your name and contact details, by midnight on 15 November 2012. (www.sketchliving.co.uk)

Terms and Conditions: The competition prize is either the Vitra Eames Side Chair or the Vitra Panton Chair from Sketch Living. This prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered. The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 or over, and closes at midnight on 15 November 2012. Entries received thereafter will be discarded. The promoter reserves the right to withdraw or amend this promotion. Employees and directors of Runwild Media Group, Sketch Living and their subsidiaries and affiliates, agents, dealers and their immediate family or household members are not eligible to enter.

news

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2

4

3

hat trick What better way to hide drizzle-victim hair this autumn than under a fabulous hat?

We’re mad for international sustainable style icon Livia Firth’s ‘Eco-Age’ designs which manage to effortlessly combine ethics and and glamour; naturally.

a Stella job A front row favourite and leading environmentalist, all of Stella McCartney’s UK stores, offices and studios are powered

by Ecotricity, a company that invests in sustainable electricity sources. Stella McCartney Ltd is also a certified carbon neutral company that offsets more than 3,000 tonnes of CO2 annually to charitable initiatives. Free from fur and leather, Stella’s designs still shine through; we love this super feminine ornate royal blue crepe top, paired with the matching print trousers.

1 Beulah, £275, beulahlondon.com 2 Reiss, £55, 26-27 Leadenhall Market 3 Maison Michel, £475, net-a-porter.com 4 Livia Firth, £136, yoox.com

£575, stellamccartney.co.uk

for her

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

Conscious cloth Chunky-knit lovers take note: from classic stripes to more dotty designs, with matching minis and chinos to boot, sweater connoisseurs should head to Chinti and Parker to stock up on this season’s cosy closet-staples. Each garment comes with a tag stating its individual ethical credentials, so you can see clearly whether it’s organic, fair trade or made within the EU. chintiandparker.com

wool to win A long-time and avid supporter of the use of wool as a sustainable fibre, queen of green fashion Vivienne Westwood has partnered with The Woolmark Company to create a luxury 12-piece collection made from the finest merino wool. Pieces include lightweight dresses, drop-waist cardigans and classic jumpers.

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 79

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born to

fly

Don’t be fooled by its new location: Abercrombie & Kent’s new store is the very antitheses of Cheap-side travel, writes KARI ROSENBERG

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hether it’s an Antarctica cruise or Fiji’s Dolphin Island, a Tanzanian safari or the Swahili Coast; Abercrombie & Kent has long been the go-to company for luxury travel aficionados. And now it’s opened its first stand-alone store in the heart of the City.

Boasting a mix of old-school opulence with pioneering technology, the store offers a host of innovative experiences, including iPad video calls direct to one of many international A&K

ground-team members. A wall in the 1,300 sq ft location is devoted to a display of electronic photo-frames that will feature inspiring images of worldwide destinations.

With reconditioned furniture from Timothy Oulton, vintage chests filled with bespoke canvas maps made exclusively by British map makers Lovell Johns and modern designs from Tom Dixon, the store combines heritage with innovation. And if it all gets too much, kick back with a gin and tonic at the fully working bar.

82 Cheapside, EC2V, abercrombiekent.co.uk

sloping off ?

CLUB THE

slh.com/city

Small Luxury Hotels of the Worldtm Experience another World

Over 520 hotels in more than 70 countries Whether you are an accomplished skier seeking out the most challenging of slopes, or more of an ‘armchair skier’ lured by the appeal of the après-ski, be sure to experience one of our luxurious ski retreats this winter. - from Verbier to Jackson Hole, we’ve got it covered!

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15/10/2012 09:57:55

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sophie hulme leather-trimmed suitcase, £1,930, net-a-porter.com

City Christmas The Marriott Hotel County Club has created the perfect Christmas package, where your only responsibility will be to unwrap presents and eat until you can’t move.

Stay in the River View Room on Christmas Eve and then visit Westminster Abbey for Midnight Mass. Indulge in a full English breakfast and Gillray’s Christmas Day lunch to tantalise taste buds. After all the delights of the day take advantage of the complimentary spa access to relax. londonmarriottcountyhall.co.uk

float on

Escape the biting chill of London for the relaxing shores of the Maldives; unwind in the Devarana Spa at the Dusit Thani – literally translated as ‘garden in heaven’ – and float sky high with unique relaxation treatments inside suspended tree-top pods. East meets West Thai health and beauty practices are sourced from age-old therapies and updated with modern knowledge to pamper and revitalise. For those who would rather keep two feet firmly on the ground, the Dusit Thani also boasts a prime spot in the country’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, as well as the largest swimming pool in the Maldives. devaranaspa.com, dusit.com

TRAVEL

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

old english charm Greatest Snow on earth Skiing always puts the immense power of mother nature into perspective. This season, pick a lodge that puts the environment first. The Bugaboos Lodge, Canada has an energy conservation programme, on-site composting capabilities and a ‘green roof’ which saves energy and keeps 15 tonnes of rubbish out of landfills. Its eco-commitment and adrenaline-fuelled heli skiing experience is unrivalled in the mountains; the only ski base among these North American peaks and glaciers.

Gloucestershire’s only five star destination, Ellenborough Park, is inviting guests to celebrate a best of British Christmas. The country house hotel, which holds a prestigious Trip Advisor ‘Award of Excellence’ and three AA Rosettes, is offering a two-night Christmas break designed to spoil and relax. On Christmas Eve, guests are treated to a traditional English afternoon tea followed by a four-course dinner. On Christmas Day, guests will wake up to a Cotswolds breakfast and a gift from the hotel before enjoying a festive four-course lunch. ellenboroughpark.com

purepowder.com

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The Spirit

Scotland Pandora Jones escapes to the bonnie land of the Scots for two days of dining, drinking, sport and spa-going at Gleneagles – the perfect long weekend away

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f you have exceptionally high expectations of a place before you arrive, things can go one of two ways. Everyone, whether they had been or not, seemed to have an informed opinion about Gleneagles before I visited, declaring how lucky I was to be going and how amazing my trip would be, amplifying my day-dreamy vision of the place. Happily, expectations were more than met; it is with a heavy heart that I pack to leave, having had the most wonderful weekend.

To begin with, and importantly, the journey is easy. The start is an essential component of a long weekend, during which you must instil a carefree, ‘really, we’re away for a week, not two days’ attitude. I am full of praise for civilised flight times and the 11am BA flight from Heathrow is indeed praiseworthy; it does not require an unpleasant early start and allows for a leisurely breakfast at the airport. Our Gleneagles experience starts the moment we arrive at baggage claim; a smart driver meets us (and every other guest) to transfer us to the hotel. The hour-long drive offers exceptional views of vivid, verdant fields and clusters of trees.

My room in Braid House, a modern offshoot of the main hotel building but accessible without going outside, is smart and spacious and there are several features with which I am particularly enamoured: the L-shaped sofa in front of the floor-toceiling windows (the view is spectacular from almost everywhere you sit or stand in Gleneagles), the electric fire and the beautiful, shiny, entirely cream and silver chrome bathroom. The middle-level suites are termed the ‘spirit’ suites, each named after one of owner Diageo’s spirits, and are all suitably Scottish and lavish, but if it’s a special occasion, splash out on the Blue Tower Suite. Climb up your own spiral staircase to enjoy the private roof terrace with awesome 360° views of the landscape.

In fact, I am tempted to wax lyrical about this all-enveloping landscape because it is, quite simply, one of the best things about Gleneagles. As far as the eye can see, in

every direction, are the green, rolling hills, beautiful whether bordered by bright blue sky or angry grey clouds, and thousands of acres of land. Daytimes should be devoted to activity here and you’re certainly not short of options. Head out for a neverending run past the immaculate golf course, practice your backhand with a tennis instructor, learn how to fly fish for trout, get back on the horse or challenge your inner Olympian with cycling, shooting and archery. You can even (which I couldn’t quite believe) test your theory that you might be a natural at falconry. However, my favourite activity is, hands down, our golf lesson with Head Pro Andrew Jowett.

My golfing experience totalled two lighthearted driving range sessions years before but after an hour with Andrew, I felt ready to take on Tiger Woods (almost). Cleverly,

Daytimes should be devoted to activity here and you’re certainly not short of options my swing is filmed and slowed down so that Andrew can correct my stance and explain how to improve my technique. The aching arms the next day (and a few after that) are definitely worth it, as the lesson culminates in me hitting a 150-yard-shot.

If you have kids in tow and they want to try golf too, this is not a hotel that would prefer children to be seen and not heard (although most during our stay seem exceptionally well-behaved). I can guarantee your kids won’t be bored for a second, especially at Christmas, which sounds as amazing for children as for adults; imagine a (Scottish) winter wonderland of reindeer, Santa, elves and proper presents for the children. There’s even an ice rink. Book now if you’re interested because the hotel doesn’t run to full occupancy at Christmas; none of the classic rooms are sold and the number of children is capped at 120.

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Make the most of any calorieexpending opportunities because the chances to eat and drink come thick and fast. If you’re a whisky lover, settle down with a Whisky Sour, expertly mixed for us by the smiley Graeme, while having a cigar in the Johnnie Walker Blue Bar in the Dormy Clubhouse; it’s open air with a fire pit in the centre and padded, blue (of course) heated leather seats. Connoisseurs should opt for a whisky tasting with the unbelievably knowledgeable Christopher Peck. In fact, you’ll encounter wonderful staff at every turn; nothing is too much trouble and they are a constant, welcoming presence.

The Dormy Clubhouse (which has recently had a £3 million renovation) is the golfing hub of the whole estate and the all-day restaurant overlooks the closing holes of both the King’s and Queen’s courses. Here you can stock up on golfing essentials (although I don’t think I need these quite yet) or enjoy lunch before/after a golf lesson.

Think gastro-pub dishes interspersed with interesting Indian touches, thanks to the tandoor oven; a chicken tikka caesar salad is unusual but very good. We feel like sleeping rather than golfing, though, after a deliciously comforting lunch of cod loin and chicken, mushroom and leek pie.

If you fancy an equally informal meal in the evening, head to Deseo, right near Braid House; it’s so relaxed that I feel like I could have stayed in my dressing gown, and actually during the day, guests do, as they wander in, blissed out, from the spa. The menu declares: “Deseo means whatever you wish or desire. You’re free to order whatever you like, whenever you like, how you want it”.

88 THE CITY november 2012

There’s a mouth-watering array of antipasto, soups, pastas, pizzas, tapas, meat and seafood on offer and whatever we like turns out to be tapas in the form of meatballs, chicken, prawns, courgettes and white/green asparagus, and decadently rich petit pots chocolate and rich Spanish-baked cheesecake.

The Streathern is perfect for an evening of fine dining after a chilled G&T, peoplewatching, in the busy bar. Our seats are in the conservatory of the otherwise highceilinged restaurant, offering a beautiful view as the sun sets. Our exceptionally lovely waiter Matthew plays an essential part in our evening; he suggested the dish of scallops with ham knuckle and parmesan foam to the chef and it appeared on the menu (luckily for guests as it’s unbelievably good). The promise of classical French/ Scottish cuisine is delivered; the roast of the day, beef Wellington, is tenderly moist and the pastry melt-in-your-mouth. Special mention must be made of the excellent toppings; melted salted caramel, popping honeycomb and drizzly chocolate.

After so much food, naturally I feel the need to lie down and the next morning I am treated to an über-relaxing aromatherapy massage in the spa, which offers all the beauty, body and massage treatments you’d expect, as well as an array of specialised treatments, including Ayurvedic, Oriental and ESPA Life (recently launched and offering intensive, transformative programmes geared towards improved health and wellness). I love the fact it’s above ground and natural light floods in. The ESPA team can also, I am told, organise ‘break-out’ sessions for corporate groups, providing mid-meeting

sessions on anything from keeping fit at work to arranging for the ESPA Life menu to be built into the catering; this seems to me an excellent, recuperating opportunity for burntout City workers.

On the morning we leave, there’s just enough time for a lazy breakfast; waffles and French toast are my favourites. If you need to bring home souvenirs or presents, head to the Shopping Arcade. Mappin & Webb, Dunhill London and Escada cluster along a woodpanelled corridor, tempting guests in. When the time comes to leave, just 48 hours after our arrival, it is too soon. I half want to stage a sit-in and refuse to move but this is hardly in keeping with the genial, well-behaved manner of the place. All I can reassure myself with, as the car drives away, is that I must come back; Gleneagles is a magical place.

The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire Scotland, PH3 1NF, 01764 662231; gleneagles.com

Corporate Ryder Cup Golf Day (Sunday to Wednesday) The PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles® is the Host Venue for The 2014 Ryder Cup matches.

Take up the opportunity to create your own Ryder Cup golf day (from £170 per golfer for groups of eight or more). This includes,, as well as a range of meals and refreshments, a round of golf on The PGA Centenary Course and complimentary use of the 9-hole par 3 PGA National Academy Course as well as the pitch and putt course.

To book or for more information please call the dedicated Events Team on 0800 587 8806 or e-mail group.sales@gleneagles.com

Make it a Ritz Christmas! enquire@theritzlondon.com

www.theritzlondon.com

Telephone: 020 7493 8181

Out in the

Big Sky Country There can be few better remedies for the stresses and strains of metropolitan life than an activity break in the classic landscapes and wide-open spaces of Montana’s ‘Big Sky Country’.

Nick Smith goes ‘glamping’ at the exclusive Ranch at Rock Creek

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t’s like something out of an old Wild West movie. The sun dips over the snow-capped Pintler Mountains while horses are being ridden home along the trail. Tucked away in the lush rolling foothills, surrounded by miles of ranchland a fast, shallow river runs past the Granite Lodge.

Inside, a fire crackles, Champagne is served and all around there is memorabilia from the old days of the great railroad hotels, hard rock quarrying and the ghost towns of the silver mining boom years. There’s a frontier spirit and a pioneering zest with a twist of luxury here at the Ranch at Rock Creek. And it’s paradise.

Twenty-four hours ago I was in London.

But now, here in Montana, I might as well be on another planet. Gone is the impersonal hurly-burley of a city bristling with commerce and bursting with traffic.

Surrounding me is the huge jagged landscape of the bones of old America, where the sky is blue, the grass is green and everything else is… well, there isn’t

much else. Just space. It’s no wonder that the Rock Creek’s owner Jim Manley, after a lifetime’s search for the perfect ranch, chose this utopian pocket of land near a fork in the creek which, if you exclude the small town of Philipsburg (population 914), is fifty miles away from anywhere. To try to understand how peaceful and isolated Montana is you need to savour the statistic that it is the fourth largest of the American states, and yet fewer than a million people live here.

Montana gets its name, with some justification, from the Spanish for ‘mountainous country.’ But it is also the ‘Big Sky Country,’ and absurd as it may sound, this is a region of the world that seems to have been blessed with a disproportionately large canvas of ever changing cloud formations. As we spend our days fishing, riding, shooting and hiking, the sky is a constant source of amazement. If you climb to the Top of the World – a vantage point on the ranch that no photographer can afford to miss – there

are sweeping, uninterrupted 180-degree horizons. This is something you don’t get in the city. And this is why ‘city folk’ come to Rock Creek.

They also come here to experience

Saddle-up, tackle up and prepare for any of the ranch’s dozen activities the rustic simplicity of ranch life. It has to be said though, at Rock Creek there are a few small embellishments that seem to transform rough frontier living into something of a master-class in uncomplicated guilt-free luxury. Everything is thought of and nothing is overstated, but the first order of the day is privacy and seclusion. If you chose, you could spend your whole time here and never see anyone outside your own party. And yet, as I quickly found, evenings are a sociable occasion

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when, after fine dining in the Lodge, there’s 8-ball pool, karaoke and bowling in the Silver Dollar Saloon. Everyone joins in, and it was in the saloon that I met Jim Manley who tells me, as he sits on a bar stool made from a saddle, that his childhood dream was to own such a ranch.

But it is a dream fulfilled with a thread of luxury woven through its fabric. With the distinctive style of Americana, the accommodation works more like a village, where you can stay in rooms in the lodge or log homes dotted around the ranch. I stayed in one of the ‘tents’ down by the creek, a term that does nothing to prepare you for the experience of ‘glamping’ taken to a new level. My classic canvas cabin, named CutBow after one of the six breeds of trout that live in the creek, had a fireplace, screened-in porch and was furnished in a rustic style.

Facing the river, in the early morning the only sounds you can hear are those of the creek rushing past and the breeze in the cottonwood trees.

For outdoor types – and by the time

92 THE CITY NOVEMBER 2012

it comes to leave Rock Creek Ranch, that means everyone – the rhythm of your stay is dictated by the activities that are on offer. What this means is that very quickly you become familiar with the Blue Canteen and the Rod & Gun. The former is where you fill up on coffee and pastries before setting off for the day, and where you sit around the fire with a pre-dinner drink on your weary return. The latter is where you saddle-up, tackle up and otherwise prepare for any of the ranch’s dozen activities that range from archery to clay pigeon shooting, horseback riding to fly-fishing. For many, the main attraction will be to take a horse out along the trail, but for me the jewel in the crown is the creek itself.

After a quick induction on fly-fishing I find myself out on the creek with one of the expert resident fishermen who tells me that we’re on one of Montana’s finest stretches of ‘Blue Ribbon’ water, meaning that it is environmentally pristine with great sport to be had too. Within half an hour I’d caught two trout (and released

them) and was thoroughly hooked myself.

For the rest of my visit, I did little else than fish.

Rock Creek Ranch is one of those places where you vow to return and actually mean it. The people are friendly, the food is sumptuous and you can take ranch life at any pace you like. To walk and ride amongst Montana’s terrain feels like a privilege, as if you are experiencing America at its best, having discovered one of the last great secret places on earth.

more information Carrier is offering 7 nights from £5,745pp, including accommodation in the main Granite Lodge, ranch activities (one morning and one afternoon) and return flights from London Heathrow with United Airlines. The price is based on 18 August 2013 departures and excludes transfers 0161 492 1356, carrier.co.uk

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

far Faroe away Gavin Haines hops over to the Faroe Islands, an archipelago made all the more beautiful by its obscurity

travel

The best way to learn about the Faroe Islands is to explore them for yourself; prop up a bar, hire a car and chat to locals

P

erhaps it’s the geographically-challenged company that I keep, but it seems that very few people actually know where the Faroe Islands are.

“Escaping for a bit of sun are ya?” asked one of my pals, when I told him about my Faroe sojourn, while another has quite laughably attributed my bronze hue to the islands’ climate.

Funny really, because the Faroe Islands are warm and sunny in the same way that Piers Morgan is endearing. Had my friends known these rugged islands in the North Atlantic, which drift halfway between Norway and Iceland, were actually within spitting distance of the Arctic Circle, their response would have been very different – they’d have probably asked why.

The truth is, I was curious; I’m naturally attracted to the obscure and there are few more obscure places within a two hour flight of Gatwick. There are also few destinations which offer such a pleasant contrast to the big smoke, as the Faroes. But it’s not the weather that makes the Faroe Islands great (it receives about 260 days of rain a year, enough to make the Scots despair). No, according to a study by the leading periodical, National Geographic, which claimed the Faroes were the world’s best islands, what makes this archipelago great is its unspoilt environment, social and cultural integrity and well-preserved history, not to mention its positive outlook for the future. Grand statements, but ones that live up to scrutiny.

But before I scrutinise, let’s talk facts. And let’s start with the population, which at just shy of 50,000 makes it about half as populous as Canary Wharf on a busy day. “It’s important not to fall out with anyone on the island, because you’ll be bumping into them for the rest of your life,” was the sage advice one local gave me.

So it’s small. It’s also Danish, technically, using the Krone as legal tender and operating under the sovereign rule of the Scandinavian nation. Think of it as the UK’s Gibraltar, except much, much prettier.

Speaking of the UK, this small archipelago did actually belong to us, briefly; when Denmark fell under Nazi rule, we kindly looked after the islands for them.

I say looked after, but it was more of an occupation; we arrived with guns and they obligingly shared with us their bountiful fish stocks, which are still the islands’ main source of income today. You can find out more about the British occupation and the Faroese involvement in WWII at the War Museum in Leitisvegur.

But really, the best way to learn about the Faroe Islands is to explore them for yourself; prop up a bar, hire a car (not in that order) and chat to locals, who are some of the friendliest people you’re likely to meet.

But before you do anything, make sure you’re booked into a hotel in Tórshavn, the Faroese capital. From what I gather this small port town spends most of the time enveloped in fog, but it has a warm heart; locals welcome you with a surprised curiosity and speak excellent English. One tells me that “faroe” in English means “sheep”. So this archipelago actually translates as Sheep Islands,

which seems appropriate when I learn that these woolly critters outnumber people three to one here.

Torshavn is a pretty town; old wooden houses with grass roofs cling onto antiquity, while a lone sushi bar offers a rare reminder of the modern, outside world. There are a handful of pubs, my favourite being Café Nature, which serves local beer and hosts live music until about 5am at the weekend. The boozer feels like it’s been there since the dawn of time, but pubs and restaurants are a relatively new concept here. There are two main reasons for this.

Firstly, the Faroese belong to the Lutheran church, which extols the virtues of moderation, so boozing and eating out flies somewhat in the face of this. Then there is alcohol rationing, which was in place here until 1992 and wasn’t conducive to a night on the tiles. But attitudes have changed and now, not only are there a handful of great pubs, but there are also some amazing restaurants, which are reinventing Faroese cuisine.

Off to hang out with the birdlife on Mykines, the western island most famous for its puffins, the island remains reachable only by helicopter or boat (most of the islands are connected by under-sea tunnels). I tried both, taking a chopper there (and ferry back); fog hugged the rocky cliffs below, while the surf crashed against its dramatic shores. At Mykines my two hour hike took me along the very same rugged coast and to land’s end. I sat and took in the achingly beautiful scenery, watching puffins fly past with mouths full of fish.

The following day I joined a boat trip from Vestmanna, which took me along a particularly dramatic stretch of the coast. Rocky cliffs soared above us and we had to wear hard hats as the captain explored little nooks and caves in the boat.

Later I visited the historic village of Kirkjubøur, an important cultural heritage site with an unfinished, 13th century cathedral and a colourful collection of ancient timber houses. One of the houses is called Roykstovan, which, although feels like a museum, is a private dwelling that’s open to the public.

Its eclectic artefacts offer a glimpse into Faroese traditions; of whale hunting, seafaring and sheepherding; of festivals, folk music and going to church. These ancient traditions remain a key part of the islands’ identity today and it’s this defiance in the face of modernity, the feeling that progress hasn’t spoilt the Faroes, which makes them so endearing.

more information Atlantic Airways have two scheduled flights per week from Gatwick to Vágar (atlantic.fo), operating between May and Sept. Spring and summer are the best times to visit, but if you’re travelling out of season you can fly via Scandinavia.

Gavin stayed at the Hotel Tórshavn (hoteltorshavn.fo) and dined heartily at the excellent Áarstova (aarstova.fo).

For more information about the Faroe Islands visit faroeislands.com

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Destination...

FRANKFURT Exploring the historical side of Frankfurt, Germany’s financial district, Rajdeep Sandhu discovers Christmas markets, mulled wine and festive trinkets Where to stay... Roomers Loft Even the best hotels don’t always offer complete privacy to discerning guests.

For a taste of luxury solitude, stay at boutique apartment Roomers Loft; the long corridor reveals the room’s great depth while the loft-style exposed brick and hardwood flooring stand out against the neutral toned décor.

A housekeeping and concierge service ensures your break is utterly seamless while the complimentary use of the Audi A8 parked outside makes getting around in style even easier.

Bookings can be made through designhotels.com

Where to eat... Bedroom Dining Brunch in opulence at the Opera House restaurant, dished up every Sunday. Try tagliatelle with truffles or fresh waffles with fruit while seated in the historical foyer. For an authentic German lunch, Adolf Wabner Tavern serves a feast of Frankfurt specialities including schnitzel with home-fried potatoes, meat-filled cabbage rolls and of course, frankfurters, all to be washed down with ebbelwoi (apple wine).

What to do... Festive Markets

Jo Chambers / Shutterstock.com

From top to bottom: Opera House, Römerberg Main Square, Frankfurt Cathedral, Frankfurt Christmas market, Roomers Loft bedroom

i

British Airways flies to Frankfurt up to four times daily from London City Airport with fares available from £76. Book now at ba.com

96 THE CITY NOVEMBER 2012

Germany’s Christmas markets are world renowned and the perfect place to pick up presents. Frankfurt’s markets are especially beautiful, with towering Christmas trees and the Römerberg Main Square covered in bright lights, taking you worlds away from the backdrop of the financial skyscrapers lining the sky. Take a stroll through the 600 year old market as the smell of baked apples, roasted nuts and gingerbread bring Christmas alive. Try the local culinary delights while sipping on warm mulled wine. Dinner should be eaten at the Main Tower restaurant, situated 53 floors up, giving guaranteed spectacular views. Fresh ingredients are used for the seasonal menu, which features continental creations varying from pig’s cheek to sole fillet.

Don’t miss... Imposing Architecture Although much of the city was destroyed in the War and replaced with vast skyscrapers, there are still great architectural designs to be found. Start with the old opera house; it may not be used for opera anymore, but the imposing grandeur and charm remain. Then make your way to Römerberg which has a number of historical buildings dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, including Römer, the town hall. Continuing the search for beautiful buildings, the Frankfurt cathedral is the largest in Germany and its impressive dome can be found right in the city centre.

Swap ice and snow for ice and lemon.

Winter’s really close, but so is London City Airport. It’s the place to go to get away for some winter sun.

And to get you warmed up for your winter break we offer complementary drinks onboard.

What could be better?

How about checking-in just 20 minutes before departure?

You’ll drink to that.

London City to Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Ibiza and Majorca.

Book now at ba.com/ winterbreaks To Fly. To Serve.

Services operated by BA CityFlyer.

0822821 BA City Winter Sun 297x210_V2.indd 1

19/10/2012 13:26

sTAy ImpRessed.

The brand-new Holiday Inn London – Commercial Road hosts a dedicated Academy conference centre, housing state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment and accommodating up to 125 delegates. With over 130 bedrooms, we offer convenience and comfort to ensure you sTAy ImpRessed. perfectly located close to London City Airport, Canary Wharf and the City, welcome to the ideal business destination.

Taking enquiries from July onwards, contact info.hicommercialroad@ihg.com visit hilondoncommercialroadhotel.co.uk Holiday Inn London – Commercial Road Central Reservations 0800 40 50 60

news

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

holding the fort Good news for City workers whose early morning meetings were standing in the way of one of the best breakfasts in town. With the world renowned Fortnum & Mason now offering breakfast from 7am, early risers with a longer commute can enjoy their eggs, Fortnum-style. We opted for the deliciously indulgent eggs Florentine; poached hen eggs with spinach on a toasted English muffin and smothered in a rich and creamy Hollandaise sauce. If you have a big day ahead, and are looking for a lighter option, try the egg white omelette, porridge, muesli or fruit and berries, as well as a selection of delicate tea cakes, crumpets and muffins. A very English affair indeed.

181 Piccadilly, W1A

Booking office bar

A French Affair Sample the taste of every French region at Edwin’s French Wine Bar and Restaurant, recently opened in Shoreditch. With a list that features 3,000 bottles and a rotation of 15 on sale at the bar there is no shortage of choice. Wines are privately imported from Edwin Chan’s first restaurant in Lyon while the rotating menu has been created by Yoan Mebkhout. Regional specialities include saucisson brioche and escalope de foie gras while for dessert, tarte aux pralines is just one of the Lyonnais delicacies on offer.

18 Phipp Street, EC2A

Located just inside the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, the resident bar used to be the ticket booking hall for passengers travelling up north in the 19th century. Remaining largely unchanged after its restoration, with high ceilings and the original clock, its modestly modern furnishings don’t distract from the ageold heritage. Naturally, the menu is an all Victorian affair: sip Charles Dickens Memorial, Victorian Manhattan and the East India cocktails.

Euston Road, NW1

Old Bengal Warehouse London’s oldest surviving warehouse has become a foodie’s paradise. Incorporating a bar, two restaurants, and a wine shop, the Old Bengal Warehouse, built by the East India Company during the 18th century, will be keeping you entertained all day; start with a breakfast of fresh fish from Fish Market, then browse rare and fine wines in New Street Wine Shop while growling stomachs can be silenced at the New Street Grill And there’s no need to leave without a visit to The Old Bengal Bar, serving cocktails inspired by the heritage of the East India Company.

16 Kirby Street, EC1N

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 99

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fine cooking, with exuberant panache. alluring, honest, thoughtful and interesting

231 Ebury Street London SW1W 8UT www.pouleaupot.co.uk 020 7730 7763

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review

Fish-ticuffs

Wild Thing

How does the newly opened Chrysan fare against its West End rivals? Richard Brown finds out

Rajdeep Sandhu tries dessert in the middle of the afternoon whilst taking in the London skyline

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S

hey’re certainly attentive the waiters at Chrysan. So much so, that when an argument between a group of nearby diners descends into full blown fisticuffs, the shirt buttons lost in the fracas are returned to their rightful owner upon an elaborate serving tray. Had the now shirt-less city worker not already turned the colour of the restaurant’s sun dried tomatoes, he certainly would have done then.

For a recently opened restaurant, having a fight break out in the middle of your main dining area is hardly desirable. And yet, for the majority of the diners in Chrysan that night, the melee seemed to animate an otherwise muted evening.

A Japanese addition to the Hakkasan Group (which already operates the Michelin starred Cantonese restaurants Hakkasan Hanway Place, Hakkasan Mayfair and Yauatcha), Chrysan was designed by world renowned carpenter Yoshiaki Nakamura. As such, minimalism pervades, with clean lines and pale woods dominating the rectangular ground-floor space. Unfortunately, rather than welcoming you in, the restaurant’s airy character and lack of soft furnishing makes everything seem a little too clinical and choreographed – a fact not helped on an unnervingly quiet evening where diners are outnumbered by waiters at least two to one.

Uninspiring interior-aside, we were here to sample a menu prepared by Japan’s highly esteemed Michelin-starred chef Yoshihiro Murata, a menu Chrysan promised would “balance deep tradition, delicate flavours and exquisite presentation with genuine innovation.” We opted for the eight-course Kaiseki Course Menu (£85pp) that started with an umami prawn cocktail and progressed through sashimi, sushi, soups and sorbets to dessert. While the tofu with orange miso (second course) proved hard to fall in love with, the half dozen sashimi selection that followed was truly faultless, a journey of textures and tastes at which you couldn’t but marvel.

The ensuing colourful sushi plate proved just as spectacular, as was the 35 day dry-aged Angus beef rib eye and the lamb chops in three styles.

Located a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street Station, Chrysan will no doubt do well amongst a corporate crowd able to expense the hefty bill they’ll be left with. For anyone else, and particularly for those who appreciate masterfully-done Japanese, Chrysan’s menu will provide more hits than misses.

pending the afternoon drinking cocktails and eating dessert sounds too good to be true, but that’s exactly what Oxo Tower Brassiere is offering with its ‘Not Afternoon Tea’ menu.

It’s difficult to know what to expect when going for afternoon tea, that isn’t afternoon tea. There certainly wasn’t any Earl Grey, scones or cucumber sandwiches to be consumed out of pretty plates and cute cups.

Oxo has taken the traditional and transformed it into something new. Where else is it acceptable to try four different s washed down with a cocktail without being asked whether you will be ordering any main courses? This is an indulgence for true lovers, with no time to waste on sandwiches and tea.

Since starting the ‘Not Afternoon Tea’ menu, Oxo has adapted for each new season. This autumn brings a delight of flavours with four offerings that were hard to decide between. Feeling adventurous, ‘Wild Thing’ seemed to be the one to go for, while my companion couldn’t resist the promise of ‘Chocolate Sensation’.

Seated facing the sublime skyline of London with the dome of St Pauls in the corner of my eye, I tucked into the sea buckthorn sorbet and crab apple. The sweet, fruity berry based sorbet was wrapped inside thin pastry to give the impression of a miniature ice cream cone. Shifting my gaze over the three treats left, my spoon landed on the cobnut cake with yellow plums in whisky and honey. The plums oozed, exploding with a contrast of sweet and sour.

Finally came the rosehip foam, rose petal jam which was light, fresh and still richly flavoursome, topped with rose petals that had been sprinkled with crunchy sugar. All of these were accompanied by a perfectly matched cocktail; whisky and rosehip syrup with crushed lychees and lemon juice, surprisingly sweeter than imagined.

For coco lovers, the Chocolate Sensation selection was divine, with indulgently rich flavours and an accompanying rum based cocktail not for the faint hearted. The milk chocolate peanut brownie with its nutty but gooey texture was complemented by a coffee cream ice cream, but undoubtedly the coco nib macaroon with hazelnut chocolate ganache was the plate’s finest piece.

While delicious, this is definitely not one for the traditional tea lover but offers, I think, something far more exciting, especially coupled with the outstanding views. The only thing it lacks is a real name to assert itself as a necessary meal of the day.

Chrysan, Broadgate West, 1 Snowden Street, EC2A

OXO Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, Southwark, SE1

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 101

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

MY

K

competition

Inn the KNOW

Win a luxury stay for two to celebrate the opening of the new Holiday Inn London, Commercial Road

T

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, email your name, telephone number and the answer to the following question to competitions@rwmg.co.uk with Holiday Inn Commercial Road Competition in the subject bar.

What two local train stations are closest to the hotel?

The closing date for entries is 30 November 2012 To book or for more information, visit hilondoncommercialroadhotel.co.uk or call 0800 40 50 60

o celebrate the opening of the new Holiday Inn London - Commercial Road next month, The City Magazine is offering one lucky winner an overnight stay for two in one of the hotel’s luxury Executive rooms. The prize also includes a full English breakfast, a three course meal in its Traders Restaurant and all day Roamer Thames Clipper tickets to explore the capital by boat.

Holiday Inn London - Commercial Road is perfectly situated for business and leisure guests. Both the Shadwell DLR and Whitechapel tube stations are only a short walk away and guests can be in London’s financial district within ten minutes or shopping on Oxford Street within 15 minutes.

With 133 contemporarily designed and air conditioned bedrooms over six floors, guests will enjoy both style and comfort. Floor to ceiling windows provide fantastic views over the capital and when the sun goes down, black out curtains and a choice of pillows offer a restful night’s sleep.

Add to this free Wi-Fi, HD television, complimentary tea and coffee, 24-hour room service and fantastic health and fitness facilities, it’s easy to see why this Holiday Inn hotel will become an absolute must-visit for travellers.

Buffet breakfast and à la carte lunch and dinner menus are available every day at the hotel’s Traders Restaurant while Traders Lounge Bar is a perfect place to meet for more casual drinks and snacks. Business facilities include four very flexible and modern meeting rooms, which can hold up to 100 people.

Terms and conditions: The competition prize is one overnight stay for two in one of Holiday Inn Commercial Road’s luxury Executive rooms including a full English breakfast, a three course meal in its Traders Restaurant and all day Roamer Thames Clipper tickets to explore the capital by boat. Rates subject to availability and must be used on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Vouchers valid until 31 January 2013. This prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered. The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and closes at 23:59 on Friday 30 November 2012. Entries received thereafter will be discarded. The promoter reserves the right to withdraw or amend this promotion. Employees and directors of Runwild Media Group and their subsidiaries and affiliates, agents, dealers and their immediate family or household members are not eligible to enter. By entering this competition you agree to your details being used

by Runwild Media Group for promotional purposes. Please see www.rwmg.co.uk for full terms and conditions.

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 103

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

0203 405 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

0207 929 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

0207 623 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

0207 929 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

One New Change

1 Finsbury Avenue

Heron Tower

020 7236 4711

0207 871 1213

020 7247 1051

020 3640 7330

searcyschampagnebars.co.uk

gattisrestaurant.co.uk

sushisamba.com

lkbennett.com

NOVEMBER 2012 THE CITY 107

Now bringing

sleep to London

HĂ„STENS FITZROVIA 66-68 Margaret Street (at the corner with Great Titchfield Street) London W1W 8SR +44 20 7436 0646 +44 20 7436 0654 fitzrovia@hastensstores.com

We sleep. Do you? @hastensuk facebook.com/hastensuk

hastens.com

LONDON Homes&

PROPERTY Showcasing the finest homes in your area

C o v e r i n g CANARY WHARF, D OC K L AN D S , WA P P ING & T h e C i t y

Elegant

the latest prime developments

&Exclusive

Ultimate

sophistication london properties continue to shine

The latest phase of Ixia, Crest Nicholson’s flagship Shoreditch development is now available at www.ixialondon.co.uk

Fournier Street, Spitalfields E1 Grand Townhouse Situated by Hawksmoor's outstanding baroque church, Christ Church Spitalfields, this house was built in 1754 and occupies a wider plot than most. 4-5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 en-suite), 3-4 reception rooms, kitchen, dining room, self contained studio, terrace and a roof garden.

Approximately 335 sq m (3,613 sq ft).

Freehold Guide Price: £3,250,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Wapping wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848 (WAP120144)

Telfords Yard, Wapping E1W

Stylish warehouse

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: £1,550,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Wapping wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848 (WAP120086)

SALES City HP Nov 12 - 17 October 2012 - 26967

17/10/2012 18:06:45

Knight Frank Thomas More Street E1W

Three bedroom house A beautifully presented house to rent in a lovely location in west Wapping, overlooking Hermitage Basin and close to the Waitrose supermarket. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room with dining area, fully fitted kitchen, guest cloakroom, wooden floors, communal parking area, garage and a private garden.

Furnished Guide Price: £825 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5871 (ASP158267)

Park Street, Southbank SE1

Duplex penthouse

Interior designed by the up and coming Natalia Higgins of Natalia Design, a spectacular apartment with a large terrace in an enviable location on the Southbank. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room with semi open-plan kitchen, stone flooring, air conditioning, 24 hour security and panoramic views across London.

Furnished Guide Price: £1,695 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5871 (ASP120084)

CITY HP1 November 2012 - 17 October 2012 - 26943

17/10/2012 15:48:14

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4

Knight Frank

Victoria Wharf, Limehouse E14

Bezier Apartments, City EC1Y

A first floor apartment located directly on the river. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room opening onto two private balconies, separate fully fitted kitchen, wooden floors, porterage and underground parking.

A stunning apartment located in this outstanding development on the corner of Old Street and City Road.

1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room. reception room, kitchen, underfloor heating and 24 hour porterage.

Furnished

Furnished

Guide Price: £475 per week

Guid Price: £550 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

020 3641 5871 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

Gun Place, Wapping E1W

020 3641 5871 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

Cormorant Lodge, City Quay E1W

A lovely apartment set in this popular warehouse conversion just off Wapping High Street. Studio room with pull down bed, fully fitted kitchen, wooden floors, underfloor heating, private balcony and a car parking space.

A lovely apartment in this impressive development with charming views across St Katharine Docks. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite), reception room with dining area opening onto a terrace, 24 hour porterage and parking.

Furnished

Furnished

Guice Price: £295 per week

Guide Price: £695 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

020 3641 5871 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

City QP1 Nov 2012 - 17 October 2012 - 26952

020 3641 5871 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

17/10/2012 16:11:39

Capital Wharf, Wapping E1W

Sirius Building, Wapping E1W

A beautifully presented apartment. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (both en-suite), reception room opening onto a private riverside balcony, kitchen, guest cloakroom, hard wooden floors, communal gym, 24 hour porterage and parking.

A spacious apartment to rent in the popular Atlantic Wharf development. Fitted to a high standard, the property comprises 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open-plan kitchen reception room, private patio and a secure parking space.

Furnished

Furnished

Guide Price: £650 per week

Guid Price: £375 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

020 3641 5871 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

Times Square, City Quarter E1

020 3641 5871 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

Stockholm Way, Wapping E1W

A top floor apartment on the edge of the City moments from Tower Hill and Aldgate. 2 bedrooms, 2 luxury bathrooms, open-plan kitchen reception room, air conditioning, wooden floors, porterage and a private balcony.

A well-located apartment in west Wapping close to St Katharine Docks. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite to the master bedroom), reception room with dining area, open-plan kitchen and an underground parking space.

Furnished

Furnished

Guice Price: £495 per week

Guide Price: £460 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

020 3641 5871 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

020 3641 5871 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

Abbott's Wharf, Poplar E14

Adventurers Court, Blackwall E14

A well presented two bedroom apartment with far reaching views. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, open plan kitchen, terrace, concierge, private parking. Approximately 66.4 sq m (714 sq ft)

An extremely well proportioned apartment with riverside views. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, balcony, concierge, private parking.

Approximately 74.1 sq m (798 sq ft)

Guide price £310,000

Guide price £400,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-- Wharf

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-- Wharf

020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Boardwalk Place, Canary Wharf E14

020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Wheel House, Isle of Dogs E14

A well proportioned two bedroom apartment located on the first floor. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, open plan kitchen, patio, concierge, private parking.

Approximately 93.8 sq m (1,009 sq ft)

A wonderfully presented two bedroom apartment. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, balcony, concierge, private parking. Approximately 75.7 sq m (815 sq ft)

Guide price £450,000

Guide price £525,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-- Wharf

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-- Wharf

020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Canary Wharf & City November 2012 - 18 October 2012 - 27045

020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

19/10/2012 11:14:16

C

Basin Approach, Limehouse E14

Imperial House, Limehouse E14

Light south facing two bedroom apartment located on the third floor. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, open plan kitchen, balcony, concierge, private parking.

Approximately 85 sq m (915 sq ft)

A large three bedroom apartment brought to the market in immaculate internal order. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, 2 balconies, concierge, private parking. Approximately 121 sq m (1,300 sq ft)

Guide price £550,000

Guide price £675,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-- Wharf

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-- Wharf

020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

West India Quay, Canary Wharf E14

020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Dundee Wharf, Limehouse E14

A beautifully presented two bedroom apartment offering stunning views across the London skyline. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, open plan kitchen, concierge, private parking. Approximately 126 sq m (1,360 sq ft)

An extremely well presented three double bedroom apartment with river views and terrace. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, terrace, concierge, private parking. Approximately 124.8 sq m (1,344 sq ft)

Guide price £800,000

Guide price £1,250,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-- Wharf

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-- Wharf

020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Canary Wharf & City November 2012 (2) - 18 October 2012 - 27048

020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

19/10/2012 11:17:28

Knight Frank

Barnsbury Street, London N1 N1 Barnsbury Street, London wonderful home in Barnsbury AAwonderful home in Barnsbury

stunning five five bedroom of of Barnsbury Street and and Thornhill Road Road AAstunning bedroomhouse houseon onthe thecorner corner Barnsbury Street Thornhill whichboasts 5 boasts 5 Bedrooms, Bedrooms, 33Reception 2 Bathrooms and a garden designed by by which ReceptionRooms, Rooms, 2 Bathrooms and a garden designed AndrewFisher Fisher Tomlin Tomlin (2008). family home hashas fabulous proportions over over Andrew (2008).This Thiswonderful wonderful family home fabulous proportions fourfloors. floors. Approximately Approximately 203.81sq (2,191sq four 203.81sqmm (2191sqft).ft).

Freehold Freehold

KnightFrank.co.uk/islington islington@knightfrank.com 020 3657 7340

KnightFrank.co.uk/islington islington@knightfrank.com 020 3657 7340

GuidePrice:£2,400,000 £2,400,000 GuidePrice

C

Knight Frank

Arthouse, King's Cross N1C

The opportunity to purchase unique apartments off plan

Apartments of two double bedrooms, two bathrooms (one en-suite) and open plan fitted kitchen/reception area with south facing balconies. The property has natural oak wood flooring and integrated under floor heating. Units are available to be purchased off-plan with practical completion due in November 2013.

KnightFrank.co.uk/islington KnightFrank.co.uk/Islington islington@knightfrank.com islington@knightfrank.com 020 3657 7340 7340

Leasehold Prices From: £865,000

CITY - Full Pg - Arthouse - 11 October 2012 - 26690

11/10/2012 11:02:11

1 2

savills.co.uk

TRINITY SQUARE, se1

BOMBAY WHARF, se16

Reception room ø kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø 117 sq m (1,260 sq ft)

Reception room ø semi-open plan kitchen ø 4 double bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø protected parking ø porterage ø 190 sq m (2,046 sq ft)

Guide £1.3 million Leasehold

Guide £1.299 million Freehold

3 4

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

THE JAM FACTORY, se1

PIERHEAD WHARF, e1w

Reception room ø kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø bespoke architect-design ø factory conversion ø 223 sq m (2,400 sq ft)

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)

Guide £870,000 Leasehold

Guide £529,950 Leasehold

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

1 2

savills.co.uk

NEO BANKSIDE, se1

SHEARWATER COURT, e1w

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø cinema system ø 3 parking spaces ø concierge ø 251 sq m (2,704 sq ft)

Marina views ø 2 reception rooms ø kitchen ø 4 bedrooms ø 4 bathrooms ø 7 terraces ø concierge ø 2 parking spaces ø 368 sq m (3,960 sq ft)

Guide £5,999,995 Leasehold

Guide £4,999,995 Share of Freehold

3 4

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

SANDERLING LODGE, e1w

NORFOLK HOUSE, ecv4

Marina views ø reception room ø kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø balcony ø 1 secure parking space ø concierge ø 165 sq m (1,771 sq ft)

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 double bedroom ø 2 bathrooms ø 2 balconies ø porterage ø parking ø 149 sq m (1,605 sq ft)

Guide £2.68 million Share of Freehold

Guide £2.4 million Share of Freehold

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

LEFT-HAND

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

Victoria Mills, E1 Asking Price £675,000 Leasehold

Fournier Street E1 Asking Price £2,200,000 Freehold

Set on the 3rd floor of a popular warehouse conversion just east of the City, this 2 bedroom apartment is incredibly spacious, has a terrace and secure parking.

Set over 5 floors, this beautifully renovated Georgian house really is a blank canvas allowing a buyer the opportunity to create a wonderful home that suits their needs.

Red Lion Street WC1R Asking Price £450,000 Leasehold

Martha’s Buildings EC1V Asking Price £750,000 Leasehold

On the first floor of a lift-serviced building in Bloomsbury, this 1 bedroom apartment has been beautifully refurbished with access to the City and the West End.

Set on the 3rd floor of a converted office block, this bright and well presented 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment offers superb living space and easy City access.

Bowling Green Lane EC1R Asking Price £1,150,000 Leasehold

Albany Court E1 Asking Price £650,000 Leasehold

Set on the second floor of a former warehouse, this well presented and extremely bright 3 bedroom apartment has direct lift access and exceptional living space.

This recently refurbished and beautifully presented 3 bedroom 2 bathroom flat is on the 3rd floor of a lift-serviced building near Aldgate East, and has a private terrace.

RIGHT-HAND

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

Vogans Mill, SE1 Asking Price £875,000 Leasehold

Empire Square, SE1 Asking Price £825,000 Leasehold

A fourth floor 1238 sq/ft two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a balcony and secure parking. The property also benefits from a communal roof terrace.

A stunning, 12th floor, two bedroom apt with views of St Pauls Cathedral, The Shard, Canary Wharf and London Eye. Balcony & Parking.

Lloyds Wharf, SE1 Asking Price £700,000 Leasehold

Butlers Wharf, SE1 Asking Price £1,875.000 Leasehold

A beautifully presented refurbished dockside apartment, with en-suite to the master, balcony over the water, porter and allocated parking.

A fabulous waterfront apartment in Butlers Wharf benefiting from two bedrooms, both being on the river with views of Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.

Town Hall Chambers, SE1 £1,000,000 Leasehold (Share of Freehold) Clink Wharf, SE1 £999,950 Leasehold (Share of Freehold) A two bedroom 1175sq/ft apartment on the first floor of this striking period building located next to Borough Market and near London Bridge Station.

A 1098 sq ft, two bedroom, two bathroom river fronting warehouse apartment on Clink Street benefiting from views of St Pauls and secure underground parking.

LEFT-HAND

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

Hatton Garden, EC1 £2,000 per week

Scarborough Street, E1 £425 per week

Stunning three bedroom penthouse apartment offering almost 2000 sq ft of high spec living, floor to ceiling windows and roof terrace facing the City.

A newly refurbished one bedroom flat on the first floor of this period conversion designed and finished in a modern contemporary manner.

St. Cross Street, EC1 £850 per week

Thomas More Street, E1 £795 per week

A newly refurbished three double bedroom duplex apartment located in between Farringdon and Hatton Garden.

Fantastic spacious two bedroom apartment in the popular development in St Katharine Docks offering stunning waterside views.

Bridgewater Square, EC2

Middlesex Street, E1 £575 per week

£495 per week

Refurbished two double bedroom apartment in the popular Cobalt Building, superbly located moments from Barbican Station.

Recently refurbished two bedroom apartment in Spitalfields located moments from Liverpool Street station.

RIGHT-HAND

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

New Globe Walk, SE1 £695.00 per week

Butlers Wharf, SE1 £595.00 per week

Superb two double bedroom warehouse conversion in this enviable location offering approximately 1000 sq ft and situated opposite the Globe Theatre.

A fabulous one bedroom apartment, benefiting from a sizeable living space including separate dining area, use of large balcony and a spacious open plan kitchen.

Corbetts Wharf, SE16 £895.00 per week

Ginger Apartments, SE1 £550.00 per week

Two bedroom warehouse conversion is well located for Bermondsey tube and boasts river views, open plan living space, two bathrooms, balcony and garage.

An immaculately presented two double bedroom two bathroom apartment set within a popular development which boasts use of gym, pool and 24 hour porter.

Jacana Court, E1W £600.00 per week

Unity Wharf, SE1 £615.00 per week

Fabulous one bedroom apartment overlooking St Katharine Docks in the prestigious City Quay development. Featuring separate kitchen, balcony and 24 hour concierge.

A beautiful warehouse conversion apartment overlooking St Saviours Dock and boasting stylish living accommodation with exposed beams.

Hamptons Islington

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

Danbury Street, N1 An impressive family home that has been tastefully renovated combining period charm, such as cornicing and wooden flooring, with a sympathetic modern style. This splendid end of terrace house benefits from tall windows providing an abundance of light, in addition to charming garden views to the rear.

ÂŁ1,825,000 Freehold Beautiful family home, Double reception room, Open plan kitchen/diner, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

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

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. Dating back to the 19th century, the house has been well maintained and offers flexible living accommodation.

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

ÂŁ3,100,000 Freehold Stunning semi-detached Victorian house, 4 reception rooms, 6 bedrooms, 3 100 ft rear garden.

Flat available for sale in adjacent building by separate negotiation

Hamptons Islington

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

Tottenham Road, N1 ÂŁ599,950 Leasehold A stunning 3 bedroom 2 bathroom lateral apartment complete with gated parking and lift.

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

Amwell Street, N1 Prices from ÂŁ730,000 Leasehold Creating a selection of luxury two bedroom, two bathroom apartments with the option of secure parking. A Grainger PLC development.

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

Canonbury Square, N1 A truly stunning maisonette positioned over the lower two floors of this immaculate Grade II listed building. The property has undergone a wealth of refurbishment whilst beautifully maintaining the main character features you would expect to find in a property of its age. This magnificent property is positioned on a prime garden square in Canonbury.

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

ÂŁ1,150,000 Share of Freehold Immaculate finish, Reception room, Kitchen/breakfast room, 3 Bedrooms, Glass box extension, Family bathroom

homes & property

HOT PROPERTY: The Glamour of the City

This particular penthouse is unique to St. Katharine Docks. Occupying the 6th and 7th floors, it offers far reaching views across the City of London and benefits from a dominant south westerly aspect, with five of the property’s seven terraces overlooking the waterfront.

Renovation works have increased the square footage by nearly a third of its original floor print, forming grand and spacious accommodation. The

four bedrooms all have en-suite bathrooms — one consisting of a Tueco Jacuzzi bath and a stunning Dornbracht rain shower, while two of the bedrooms also have bespoke beds and attractive dressing rooms.

Style is key throughout the property, whether evident in the open glass staircase which links the two floors, a designer lighting, sound and heating system which can be centrally controlled, solid wooden floors or the custom-made BBC kitchen

with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Downtime can be enjoyed in a lavish reception room with its stunning Burr walnut back drop or the sixth floor cinema room which features a 60� TV and a further drop down projector system with built in THX audio system.

This property has something to offer every sense; its beautiful interior is a testament to modern craftsmanship. n

Star Place, E1W ÂŁ4,999,995 SHARE OF FREEHOLD Savills www.savills.co.uk

0207 456 6800 129

homes & property

Company Profile JON BYERS, FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ANDERSON ROSE, REFLECTS ON A SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR IN BUSINESS

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s we celebrate our first birthday, it gives me a chance to reflect on our achievements so far, to consider whether we are fulfilling the promises we made when we launched Anderson Rose, and to make certain that we offer the very strongest proposition to our clients.

Firstly, you will see on our website that in one year we have received many wonderful testimonials from our customers. In May we also won Gold in the Best Newcomer category at the Sunday Times Letting Agency of the Year awards. The award ceremony was the culminating event in a rigorous and thorough judging process carried out over a four-month period by a panel of industry experts, which included hundreds of telephone interviews

Anderson Rose 020 3324 0188 www.andersonrose.co.uk

130

and mystery shopping exercises. The whole of the judging process was overseen by The Property Ombudsman; Christopher Hamer. This award provided us with an eagerness to keep up the good work.

We pride ourselves on a culture of teamwork across both the sales and lettings departments which ensures that no opportunity is squandered and the relationship is consistent no matter whether a client is a landlord or a vendor. Furthermore we maintain an acute sense of urgency in order to achieve the very best results at all times.

To build on our great start, I am now making a large investment in search engine optimisation to ensure that our website is on page one of the results when buyers or tenants from anywhere in the world search for property in this area. Our website is continuously evolving and I am very pleased with its current look and feel.

I would like to sign off by thanking everyone who has supported us since we launched; we will make a difference to this industry with continued hard work and your invaluable support. n

homes & property

An Everyday Necessity

Simon Barnes explains why buying agents have become essential aides when purchasing a property in central London

T

imes have changed; over the past 15 years, buying agents have gone from being a luxury for the cash-rich, time-poor buyer to a regular (dare I say, everyday?) necessity in order to secure your desired property in central London. Such is the scarcity of supply and the uptake in demand that the cut and thrust involved in doing the deal requires a full-time advisor and negotiator, experienced in uncovering the right property and navigating through the choppy waters of negotiation, requiring nerves of steel and an element of emotional detachment.

However, with this emerging trend, every week seems to see a new firm of buying agents setting up. It’s important, with so much choice, to choose your buying agent carefully and how one does this is key. A buying agent does as the name suggests, acting for the buyer, so it is not so much quantity as quality you should be looking for. Ask yourself whether an agent with too many clients is going to be able to dedicate enough time to help you? The answer is no, if all their clients are looking for the same thing; for example, a good family house in Notting Hill, or a lateral flat in Knightsbridge. Register with any estate agent in London and they are likely to tell you: “We have hundreds of buyers looking for the same thing”.

A buying agent with a few serious clients can give you the time needed to understand your requirements in detail and advise you properly. From the outset, the agent will steer you in the right direction, understanding your wants and needs. Their knowledge of London property will tell you if what you are looking for is realistic, and assuming it is, they will know where to find it. It will be their

job to do the running around, looking at everything for you and chasing the agents on a regular basis to ensure they hear about the right property first.

Drawing on their established contacts, experienced buying agents will often approach private owners directly to investigate ‘offmarket’ property opportunities. If you’re not available when the estate agent calls to offer you a new property, they will call their next buyer. If an agent can sell a property making one phone call, they won’t always bother making two calls.

It’s not always about shaving money off the price by skilful negotiations; your buying agent will be able to quote comparable sales and give an idea of the value of the property once identified.

On the flip side, should you lose that property, they will also be in a position to give you an idea of how easy it is to find it again. So often it is not just a matter of negotiation; you may have to pay the asking price, or more if there is other interest and supply is short. Your buying agent will advise you on every step and ensure you are the preferred bidder if there are other buyers. There is no point trying to be clever and save a few pounds, if at the end it costs you the property.

Dealing directly with an estate agent may save you the commission you are paying a buying agent, but is it worth the cost of missing your perfect home, or having to pay more because of competing bids? A good buying agent should save you time and money in the long term and certainly alleviate some of the problems encountered when buying property; but as with everything, do your homework before choosing your agent. n

Simon Barnes Property Consultants www.simonbarnes.com 020 7499 3434 131

homes & property

Property Showcase City Slicker

A

stunning one bedroom apartment has become available in Bézier, an outstanding 24 hour portered development on the corner of Old Street and City Road, seconds from Old Street underground station and a short walk in to The City. This beautiful apartment is facing to the front of the block and has been finished to a very high standard. The bedroom, open-plan, fully fitted kitchen and reception room are all bright and modern spaces and tasteful furniture is included throughout. Other features include porcelain flooring with under floor heating, comfort cooling and good storage.

In addition to its great location, Bézier — an attractive, contemporary landmark, benefits from two communal terraces and a fully equipped gym with the addition of an adjacent sauna and steam room, which makes it a great option for active young professionals. n

CITY ROAD, EC1Y £550 per week Knight Frank Wapping www.knightfrank.co.uk/wapping

020 7480 4470 132

homes & property

expert comment LETTINGS:

SALES:

Onwards and upwards

Overseas investment is crucial

RAHNA STROUD, ASSOCIATE AT KNIGHT FRANK

JOANNA BEALE, ASSOCIATE AT KNIGHT FRANK

IN WAPPING, COMMENTS ON THE STATE OF THE

IN WAPPING, COMMENTS ON THE STATE OF THE

RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS MARKET

RESIDENTIAL SALES MARKET

Our lettings office in Wapping bucked the trend in terms of activity during and after the Olympics. The majority of our London offices saw a peak in activity prior to the Games. Many tenants moved ahead of the end of their tenancies as they feared their landlords would opt for short lets over that period and end their leases early. Our office however saw a dip in activity prior to the Games but peaked after. We had extremely busy months in both August and September, with a record amount of new tenancy starts in September.

This rise in activity after the Games could be accounted for by applicants waiting to see what would happen to the market. Some people had speculated a flood of rental property would come on to the market once all the short let tenants had moved out. Perhaps applicants hoped, as a result of this speculation, that prices would come down and there would be more choice. However as landlords generally were unable to cash in on the short let market as they had hoped, this flood didn’t happen. Although stock levels were at the highest they had been for a number of years, the demand was still strong so rents remained positive.

Alternatively, this surge in activity after the Olympics might be due to people returning to London after having fled the City, thinking the Olympics would cause havoc to London’s transport system and London would come to a standstill. This, to our amazement and delight, also did not happen.

So in conclusion, it turns out that the Olympics did not have such a dramatic effect on the rental market as predicted. As we knew and Knight Frank’s research department confirmed, the Prime London rental market is mostly affected by London’s economy, which we know is not at its best at the moment. The Eurozone Crisis, confidence and less recruitment opportunities will all have a negative impact on growth and thus rental values. However due to a 22 per cent increase in activity in the London Prime Rental market in the first six months of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, I don’t think we have anything too much to worry about. n

The usually busy autumn market was delayed by a month to the beginning of October, probably as a result of the various distractions in London this summer: we were disappointed to find that September did not bring the quantity of new property we had all hoped for.

We think where we will end the year depends on the continued appetite for London property from overseas buyers as the autumn progresses. Miami is the only major global city to have outperformed London in terms of price growth over the past year and as London is still a hotspot we hope to capitalise on the continued interest. The bulk of international buyers in Prime Central London over the past three years were from Russia, India, Italy, the US and France and certainly in Wapping, the desire to buy from European nationals continues to be very strong.

With 245 offices in 43 countries across six continents and 556,000 visitors per month to our global residential search - which is available in eight languages, we are well placed to manage the exciting front line of international demand.

In and around Wapping and the City we have been pleased to recently take instructions from European clients wishing to make the most of the strong pound. In a couple of cases we have seen the tricky void between seller and buyer expectations eroded by the exchange rate when the final destination of the sale proceeds has been in the Eurozone. In one case where a house had been for sale for three years with five different national agents, we were able to agree a sale for our German client just at the right time to a central London buyer Knight Frank had known for many years.

The Euro/£ rate favoured a lower offer than might have been entertained in the past. In another case, an Italian client sold at full asking price within a week to a Bulgarian buyer, all with differing needs and expectations for their pound and Euro.

Interest in property to the east of the City continues to grow and certainly the summer festivities and Games provoked a new interest from those traditionally focusing on west London. City airport is now also a governing factor in where to buy. n

Knight Frank Wapping 020 7480 6848 www.knightfrank.co.uk/wapping

Knight Frank Wapping 020 7480 6848 www.knightfrank.co.uk/wapping

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

CRANFORD HOUSE, BROMLEY, KENT BR2 Cranford House is one of the finest period properties in the Bromley Borough. Built in 1904, the main house offers in excess of 5000 sq ft of living space including five exceptional double bedrooms with four bathrooms and five reception areas. The entire property has undergone a complete refurbishment programme incorporating a luxurious specification whilst retaining the original features and character of the building.

ÂŁ1,295,000 Please contact our Bromley office for more information: Tel: 020 8315 5544 Email: enquiries@uniquepropertiesuk.com

THE GLEN, FARNBOROUGH PARK, KENT BR6 A magnificent Mock Tudor detached house with a contemporary feel throughout, situated on a generous plot, in one of Farnborough Parks premier roads. A feature of the property is the beautifully crafted bespoke kitchen, with a dining area and double height conservatory with bi-folding doors on to the private rear garden. Upstairs a galleried landing gives access to five generous double bedrooms, three with en-suite facilities as well as a family bathroom.

ÂŁ2,395,000 Please contact our Locksbottom office for more information: Tel: 01689 882 988 Email: enquiries@uniquepropertiesuk.com

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

www.acorn.ltd.uk

www.langfordrussell.co.uk

UNIQUE is a Specialist Division of Acorn & Langford Russell

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

WILDERNESS ROAD, CHISLEHURST, KENT BR6 This wonderful property occupies an enviable plot of approx ¾ acre with views over Chislehurst golf course. There are five bedrooms with five bathrooms and three principal receptions, a superb indoor heated pool and changing facilities plus over 2000 sq ft of basement prepared for gym, cinema and entertainment areas. Located within ½ mile of Chislehurst Village and Chislehurst station with services to Charing Cross and the City.

£3,500,000 Please contact our Chislehurst office for more information: Tel: 020 8378 1222 Email: enquiries@uniquepropertiesuk.com

CAMDEN PARK ROAD, CHISLEHURST, KENT BR7 A magnificent, newly constructed detached house with 7 en-suite bedrooms and 4 reception rooms, bespoke kitchen and occupying a mature ½ acre plot with heated swimming pool. Finished to the highest specification including under floor heating, integrated sound and audio system and computer controlled lighting. Located within ½ mile of the High Street, Royal Parade and Chislehurst Station.

£3,000,000 Freehold Please contact our Chislehurst office for more information: Tel: 020 8378 1222 Email: enquiries@uniquepropertiesuk.com

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

www.acorn.ltd.uk

www.langfordrussell.co.uk

UNIQUE is a Specialist Division of Acorn & Langford Russell

Wheat Wharf, Shad Thames, SE1 £800 pw A superb and spacious (1410 sq ft) 2 bedroom warehouse apartment showcasing numerous authentic features and wonderful open plan living within the centre of Shad Thames.

Cardamom Building, SE1 £675 pw

A large, 2 bedroom apartment with parking in central Shad Thames.

Providence Square, SE1 £600 pw

Located to the upper floor and parallel to the Thames, a large 2 bedroom apartment with roof terrace.

Spice Quay, Shad Thames, SE1 £1,895,000 Leasehold

Recently refurbished to a superb standard a 1421 sq ft, 2 bedroom apartment with balcony overlooking the Thames and Tower Bridge. All contents of the apartment are to be included in the sale.

New Concordia Wharf, SE1 oieo £1,450,000

An impressive, 3 bedroom warehouse apartment with views of St. Saviours Dock and the Thames.

The Circle, SE1 £770,000 L/H

A superb, 2 bedroom, 915 sq ft apartment with 2 balconies and allocated parking in central Shad Thames.

Tradewinds Court Asher Way, Wapping E1W 2JB

Davenport Street, Shadwell E1 0EF

Price: £375,000 Leasehold

Price: £385,000 Leasehold

Park Lodge,Wapping E1W 2RN

The Highway, Wapping E1W 3DH

Price: £329,995

Price: £379,995

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.

Superb 1 double bedroom apartment within this gated modern development. Situated within easy access to the City & Canary Wharf.

Reception with Balcony. Fitted kitchen. Bathroom. Laminated wood flooring. Close to Wapping station & near to the Docklands Light Railway.

Secure parking space.

Ex-Show flat. Spacious 2 double bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment (Approx. 937 sq ft) ideally located for access to both the City and Canary Wharf. The property benefits from wood flooring, balcony, concierge.

Parking space. The property in our opinion has been maintained to a very high standard throughout. This is not to be missed.

2 Double bedroom house. Offering reception, fitted kitchen, first floor bathroom with separate wc. Wood flooring. ‘Walk in’ storage room.

Garden. Close to Tower Hill and within easy access to the City and Docklands.

ea2 Estate Agency Heritage Court | 8-10 Sampson Street | Wapping | London E1W 1NA t: 020 7702 3456 | f: 020 7702 9168 www.ea2.co.uk | property@ea2group.com

Olympian Court Fairfield Road, Bow E3 2PU

Kingsley Mews, Wapping E1W 3HZ

Rental Price: £340 PW

Rental Price: £415 PW

Dunbar Wharf Narrow Street, Limehouse E14 8BB

Spirit Quay, Wapping E1W 2UT

Situated close to the Olympic grounds. The apartment consists of 2 Double bedrooms, fitted kitchen, bathroom, communal roof terrace.

Balcony. Close to Bow Road station.

Superb 2 double bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment situated in the heart of Limehouse. The propertyhas a reception room with balcony and views along Limehouse Cut towards the river. The property features wooden floors and has a secure parking space. Situated within easy access to Canary Wharf or the City.

Rental Price: £550 PW

Situated within this modern development and situated close to Tower Hill and the City is this spacious 2 double bedroom apartment. Fitted kitchen, reception and bathroom. Timber flooring. Good condition throughout.

Must be viewed. Secure parking.

Canal views from this 3 bedroom 3 storey modern house within the West Wapping location. Benefiting from bathroom plus cloakroom, reception area, fitted kitchen. Own rear garden. Parking. Close to the City. Within easy access to Tower Hill. Must be viewed.

Rental Price: £595 PW

ea2 Estate Agency Heritage Court | 8-10 Sampson Street | Wapping | London E1W 1NA t: 020 7702 3456 | f: 020 7702 9168 www.ea2.co.uk | property@ea2group.com

London's Finest Properties

LETTINGS

SALES

Baltimore Wharf, Canary Wharf, E14

Cobalt Point, Lanterns Court, E14

Aquarius House, St George Wharf, SW8

41 Millharbour, Canary Wharf, E14

• Studio Apartment • Fully Furnished • 3rd Floor • Concierge Service • Onsite Leisure Club • Within easy reach of Canary Wharf

• One Bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • Local Amenities • Parking Included • 24hr Concierge Service • Walking Distance to Canary Wharf

£300 per week

£335 per week

£699,950

£479,000

Wharfside Point South, 4 Prestons Road, E14

Cobalt Point, Lanterns Court, E14

• Two Bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • Balcony • 21st Floor • 24hr Concierge Service • Nr. Multiple Transport Links

• Two Bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • Balcony • 7th Floor • 24hr Concierge Service • Nr. South Quay DLR

Strata, Elephant & Castle, SE1

Barge Walk, City Peninsula, SE10

£375 per week

• Corner apartment • Waterside views • Immaculate condition • Concierge and gym • Close to Canary Wharf tube

• Stunning London views • Air conditioning • Next to Vauxhall tube • Under floor heating • Balcony

• Iconic London landmark • 24 hour concierge service • Close to shopping centre • Next to Bakerloo Line tube • 12th floor with stunning views

• Heart of Greenwich • Two double bedrooms • Large ‘Winter garden’ terrace • Views of the River Thames • Easy access to Jubilee Line

£450 per week

£415,000

£390,000

Gainsborough House, Canary Central, E14

Denison House, Lanterns Court, E14

• Two Bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • Balcony • 4th Floor • Parking Included • Walking Distance to Canary Wharf

• Two Bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • Balcony • 6th Floor • 24hr Concierge Service • Nr. South Quay DLR

Denison House, Lanterns Court, E14

Trentham Court, Westgate Apts, W3

£450 per week

• Close to Canary Wharf • Luxury specification • 24 hour concierge • Balcony • Close to transport

• Close to North Acton central line • Fully integrated kitchen • Available furnished • Day porterage • Short distance to Heathrow

£330,000

£230,000

£465 per week

Sales | Lettings | Corporate Services | Property Management | Short Term Worldwide www.liferesidential.co.uk

Central London 020 7582 7989

Docklands 020 7476 0125

North London 020 8446 9524

South London 020 8692 2244

West London 020 8896 9990

LAWRENCEWARD_CITY_MAG_NOV2012 19/10/2012 17:08 Page 1

homes & property PROMOTION

NEWS UPDATE Ixia, Shoreditch

T

To make an appointment to view the development, contact the Crest Nicholson Sales & Marketing Suite 11am-7pm Monday to Friday 11am-4pm Saturday/Sunday 120-132 East Road, London, N1 6AA on Alternatively, visit www.ixialondon.co.uk

ALMOST 144

0207 101 0214

he final, stunning penthouse apartments have been released for sale at Crest Nicholson’s flagship development, Ixia, in Shoreditch, where just ten properties remain for sale.

The luxurious penthouses have high ceilings and light, bright interiors with each apartment featuring a private terrace providing the rare opportunity to enjoy far-reaching views across a number of famous London landmarks, including Canary Wharf, the Shard and the O2 arena.

Ixia continues to prove extremely popular with purchasers, with the majority of the apartments so far selling to UK-based owner occupiers rather than to overseas investors. Thanks to its up-and-coming location and the high specification on offer, sales levels have exceeded all expectations in the four months since the properties launched to the market.

The apartments offer the perfect blend of a fantastic location and high specification interiors and embody excellent value for money when compared to other developments on the market in the surrounding area.

A stylish two bedroom show apartment features elegant cream interiors off-set with rich chocolate brown and creamy cappuccino-coloured accents to create a sophisticated design scheme which has appealed to the wide range of buyers at the development.

Prices for the penthouse apartments at Ixia range from £620,000 to £1.25m for a two or three bedroom penthouse. Prices for the two remaining one bedroom apartments start from £389,950 and two bedroom apartments start from £595,000. n

80 PER CENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT NOW SOLD

Vibrant, sophisticated and diverse, London is one of the world’s most exciting cities.

Located at its heart, The Residences at W London offer a world-class lifestyle complete with all the perks of being a guest of W Hotels.® The Residences at W London are comprised of eleven exclusive two and three bedroom duplex penthouses situated on the top two floors of W London offering stunning views in a world –class location. wlondonresidences.com

Contact Kate Townrow 020 7499 1012 Gary Hall 020 7480 6848 coventgardenlettings@KnightFrank.com www.knightfrank.co.uk/lettings

homes & property

DEVELOPMENT FOCUS Views and Viability

W

aterside Park is an exceptionally appealing development for first-time buyers or investors looking to buy in the Royal Docks area. Consisting of a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments and three bedroom penthouses, prices start from £224,000 (£482 per sq ft) and Barratt London offers a rental guarantee service as well as schemes for first time buyers such as Newbuy and First Step.

Within Waterside Park there are landscaped courtyards, a 24 hour concierge service, a car club and a residents-only gymnasium.

As well as the riverside aspect, the contemporary development overlooks the award-winning, 22 acre Thames Barrier Park.

The modern interiors of the apartments include floor-to-ceiling windows and open-plan living areas, which maximise light and space. Many apartments have waterfront views and a balcony or terrace, and allocated parking is available at an additional cost.

The Royal Docks area has been very popular with international buyers, who choose the picturesque location for its investment potential and close proximity to the City. The area is also being considered as a London centre of Chinese business.

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Pontoon Dock station, on the DLR, is next to Waterside Park and provides direct services to Canary Wharf in ten minutes and the City in 20 minutes. For international travel, City Airport is only one stop on the DLR. The area is also home to London’s only cable car, the Emirates Air Line, which runs between the Royal Docks and Greenwich in around five minutes, offering the fastest journey across The Thames. Waterside Park is located under a mile away from the Excel Centre and ten minutes from the O2 Arena. n

North Woolwich Road, E16 FROM £224,000, LEASEHOLD Barratt Homes

Taylor Wimpey

www.barratthomes.co.uk/london www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

0845 871 9994

0845 871 0035