The City Magazine October 2012

the city m a g a z i n e

Sir Roger Moore KBE talks girls, gadgets and style as 007 turns 50 this year

bond on bond

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

october 2012 59

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COVER IMAGE Roger Moore “in the bad old days” smoking Davidoffs. c. 1962-2012 Danjaq LLC and United Artists Corporation All Rights Reserved

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Feature 14 BOND ON BOND

The longest standing 007, and a Hollywood legend in his own right, Sir Roger Moore KBE looks back over 50 years of Bond

COLLECTION 24 FROM THE OFFICE TO THE OPEN SEA

Richard Brown sets sail with Panerai CEO Angelo Bonati at the annual Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge

FASHION 64 WHISKY GENTS

Creative gentlemanly alliances are being forged across the premium drinks and clothing brand spectrum, finds Dave Waddell

comment 40 A-CHIC-A WAY TO BUY

Founders of premium online homeware store ACHICA, William Cooper and Quentin Griffiths talk shop with Rajdeep Sandhu

calibre 48 HANGIN’ WITH MR COOPER

Bradley Cooper has a lot to be happy about – a clutch of ladies on his arm, a string of silver screen triumphs, and some notable compliments from the popular press. He’s also quite a nice guy, finds Stephen Milton

travel 96 OUSTANDING ORIENT

Anna Ryder travels to Shanghai and Hong Kong for the first time

regulars 21 Watches + Jewellery

81 Travel

39 comment

101 Food + Drink

63 fashion

104 The Directory

75 Interiors

107 Property

52 Sport

the

w-list

Deputy Editor Kari Rosenberg highlights the key people, places and events in October. Get clued up on your vintage icons from Twiggy and Marilyn at the Artisan Gallery, Audrey and Joan at the V&A and of course, The Beatles, with a new tribute musical to the Fab Four..

RUNWILD M

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Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Editorial Director Kate Harrison

Deputy Editor Kari Rosenberg

Fashion Editor

When?

Lucie Dodds

31 October Practise your apple bobbing and pumpkin carving skills as the end of this month marks Halloween, a chance to celebrate all things ghoulish. Embrace your inner child and get prepped for the trick-ortreaters – what better excuse to overindulge on leftover chocolate? Waste not want not, as my mother would say.

Motoring Editor Matthew Carter

Assistant Editors

Richard Brown, Gabrielle Lane

Editorial Assistants

Olivia Sharpe, Rajdeep Sandhu

Head of Design

Hiren Chandarana

Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong

Why?

Breast Cancer Care Most people know someone who’s been affected by the big C, so sport a touch of girlie glamour for the national Pink Friday campaign in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Round up the lady folk on 20 October for a women only run in Richmond Park. breastcancercare.org.uk

Designer

Sarah Connell

Production Manager Fiona Fenwick

Production

Hugo Wheatley

Head of Projects Ella Kilgarriff

What?

Art throbs Artist Simon Claridge’s latest exhibition features a number of limited edition canvases inspired by “iconic and beautiful women,” and will be showing at the Canary Wharf Artisan Gallery this autumn and winter season. Other portraits include Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. artisangalleries.com

Senior Property Manager Samantha Ratcliffe

Head of Finance Elton Hopkins

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

Who?

The Beatles It will be 50 years on 5 October since the Beatles were first played on British airwaves. Their first single, Love Me Do sparked pandemonium and Beatlemania was unleashed. Twist and shout for the Fab Four this month with a new musical in their honour. LetItBeLondon. com

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.

Where?

The V&A Despite the vivid colour of this dazzling red beaded dress, worn by Joan Crawford in The Bride Wore Red (1937), it appeared only in black and white in the film. Hollywood Costume, sponsored by Harry Winston, the V&A’s major autumn exhibition, has more than 100 of the most iconic costumes designed for unforgettable characters over a century of cinema. vam.ac.uk

When: Stephen Webster Double Headed Skull Ring , £575, stephenwebster.com Where: The Bride Wore Red, 1937. MGM/The Kobal Collection/ George Hurrell

7 Heron Quay, Canary Wharf London, E14 4JB T: 020 7987 4320 F: 020 7005 0045 www.rwmg.co.uk

What: ‘Twiggy II’ by Simon Claridge, signed limited edition of 195, £599 Who: iTunes, apple.com

Subscriptions: A free online subscription service is available for The City Magazine. Visit the subscriptions page on our website. www.rwmg.co.uk/subscribe

18 Royal Exchange, the City

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68/69 Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly

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EDITOR’S LETTER

OCTOBER

“If you fail at the large things it means you have not large ambitions. Concentration, focus; that is all. The aptitudes come; the tools forge themselves.” If anyone knows the key to success, it’s master storyteller Ian Fleming, who wrote his first Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952, followed by a further 11 007 novels. As the illustrious spy celebrates half a century on the silver screen this month, Roger Moore KBE, who personified the secret agent for more than a decade, remembers the good times (p. 14) – with, no doubt one eyebrow raised as he writes.

Inspired by the classic novels, we’ve dedicated this issue to all things vintage: as age-old purveyors of blended Scotch whisky Chivas Brothers team up with Tim Little, we spot a trend for gentlemanly collaborations; exhausted by mass production, the art and value of customisation has never been more important to the discerning consumer for whom good, old fashioned quality far outweighs any values of acquisition for status’s sake (p. 64).

In light of the current financial climate, spending habits are constantly changing and there seems to be a growing number of people investing in collectables such as wine, jewellery and cars.

While some mainstream assets such as hedge funds or private equities may have dwindled due to the recession, alternative assets have produced some impressive results over the past few years.

We explore how to invest wisely while enjoying your assets at the same time (p. 44) and we also compare the Great Depression to the current economic climate (p. 42). On a lighter note, don’t miss our decadently deco fashion story (p. 68), our long-term A/W12 investment pieces (p. 63 and 67) and get interiors inspiration with French classic furniture and retro replicas (p. 75).

Elsewhere, Hollywood A-lister Bradley Cooper has a lot to be happy about. Shrugging off the lothario label with disdain, this man is far more focused on his industry accolades than the ladies right now. One of the hardest working men in the business, he’s also a pretty nice guy (p. 48).

London girl Emily Blunt keeps her feet firmly on the ground as her star continues to rise but admits she still misses England’s grey skies (p. 10): “I certainly daydream about it all the time.

It’s my little fantasy of moving somewhere nice in London, soaking up the rain.”

And rain no doubt it will. As the morning frost settles and the daylight hours get shorter, it’s time to wrap up warm by an open log fire, whisky in hand, as these are the months the British do best: we can handle a bit of wind and rain no bother. As we usher in the autumnal months, reinventing ourselves for the new season ahead, we too have undergone something of a transformation at The City Magazine: think cleaner and classier, with bold new fonts, cutting edge design, and of course, as always, fantastic features, interviews, news and reviews. Take to the Twittersphere and tell us what you think of our exciting new look at @TheCityMag.

Kate

Kate Harrison Editorial Director

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 9

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

interview

being blunt These days Emily Blunt dazzles Tinseltown, but has it gone to her head? Not a chance.

Danny Bowman finds her thanking good fortune in the showbusiness world whilst still yearning for England’s grey skies...

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ome actors struggle their whole lives for a smidgen of success. Emily Blunt, it seems, simply “fell into acting” and is now one of Hollywood’s highest paid leading ladies. So you can imagine she’s not always so popular in working thespian circles. “I came into the business sort of accidentally, with no intention whatsoever, which is a story actors hate, because they’re like, ‘Screw you! I’ve been struggling for years!’”

The actress had the good fortune to be put forward for the cast of Bliss – a musical written by Paul Sellar – while still doing her A-levels at Hurtwood House in Surrey.

Performing it at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2000, an agent quickly swooped in on the 17-year-old star-in-the-making.

“I wasn’t ever sure acting was something I could manage because as a child and early teen I didn’t speak as much – because I couldn’t.” (Blunt suffered from a bad stutter which acting helped her overcome as a teenager.)

“But it just fitted; it felt right and here I am today, doing alright for myself.”

Doing a little better than “alright”, the 29-year-old’s star has continued to rise since her blistering debut in angst-ridden independent My Summer of Love, and Golden Globe-nominated office harridan Emily in Anna Wintour’s faux biopic The Devil Wears Prada, a role with which she’s forever associated. Is this a source of irritation?

“No, that’s not necessarily a bad thing,” she muses. “I owe so much to that film and the reaction that people had to my work. The worst thing would be if people thought I was like that in real life, which I’m definitely not! But to be fair, I think most realise that.

“Actually, I like to think I have a good sense of humour, and when people meet me and then talk about me afterwards, I hope they’ll say that I’m funny and pleasant to be around. I’d be mortified if anyone ever thought I was arrogant or standoffish.”

Tinseltown certainly doesn’t seem to think so.

Everyone wants a piece of the Roehampton girl-donegood. Since Prada, Blunt has notched up an impressive CV, which showcases award-winning period fare The Young Victoria, sci-fi actioner The Adjustment Bureau, and proves she can flex her comedic muscles too in the form of The Five-Year Engagement.

And Tom Cruise himself has just handpicked her as his leading lady for a US reboot of Japanese alien epic All You Need Is Kill. It’s a shame, then, that Blunt doesn’t categorise herself as a leading lady. A little too much self-deprecation, perhaps?

“It’s my little fantasy of moving somewhere nice in London, soaking up the rain.”

“I’m not a leading lady, c’mon. I’m more background artist,” she says. “Okay, if there are four men in the movie and I’m the only female, by default, I’m the leading lady.

But that’s more Julia Roberts, Pretty Woman territory.”

Away from the cameras, Blunt’s been married to cuddly US The Office star John Krasinski for two years now.

The couple may live in Los Angeles but Blunt harbours dreams of returning to London, where most of her family still reside.

“The sunshine, the pace of life – it works for John and I out here and naturally it’s more practical than hauling our asses across the Atlantic at every turn. But of course I miss London.

I savour every chance I get to go back there and see my mum and dad; see everyone.

“Would we move back there? I certainly daydream about it all the time. It’s my little fantasy of moving somewhere nice in London, soaking up the rain.

“It’s my home and to be close to my family is really important.

I think we’ll be filming All You Need Is Kill (out next year) in London so I’m terribly excited for that.”

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 11

interview

DFree / Shutterstock.com

Below from left: Emily Blunt in Looper, Emily Blunt in The Five Year Engagement, as before

Before that film sees the editing room, her latest project Looper looks set to grab positive reviews this summer. Another Blunt ‘leading lady’ performance sees her flirt with the realms of time travel, alongside Jason Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis.

“It’s a nice move into the sci-fi genre,” she says. “I’ve not really done much in that area, so it’s good to get away from the everyday stuff. It’s a new challenge, and the film is superb in its execution.

“I wouldn’t say I was necessarily looking to move in a new direction, but the originality of the script really stood out for me. It’s a real twist on the whole time travel thing.

I enjoyed it.”

Blunt famously turned down director Jon Favreau’s offer to play the Black Widow in Iron Man 2, subsequently taken

by Scarlett Johansson. With the monster success of

12 THE CITY OCTOBER 2012

The Avengers and reports of a spin-off movie, are there any regrets?

“Well, that was more to do with timing than anything as I was doing Gulliver’s Travels at the same time and I couldn’t fit it into my schedule. I don’t know if I could have handled that role as well as Scarlett. I think things worked out the way they were meant to.

But if one of those [superhero] films came along and there was another really interesting role, I might just jump at it.”

As the face of the Yves Saint Laurent Opium fragrance, Blunt, like so many before her, is courting the dual worlds of fashion and film and is now considered something of a style icon.

“I think you would disagree if you saw me at home, that’s for sure,” she laughs loudly. “But wouldn’t that be funny – if actresses were actually photographed at home?

I’m a style icon and I’m wearing these haggard old Ugg boots. I think for things like this, and red carpets and all that, yeah, you are going to step it up…”

Does she feel a pressure to make it on to the bestdressed lists? “I try to take them with a pinch of salt.

I think you get that stomach churn right as you are stepping out of the car; you feel a bit ‘uhhhh’, because it’s scary. It’s a bloodbath out there. I think while you shouldn’t be irreverent about those things, you shouldn’t be terrified of them either. They are good fun and you always see people you know and it’s over and done with in a flash.”

Radiating calm, Emily admits with a smile “I’m much more relaxed than I’ve ever been. It’s a very happy time for me and I think we’re all grateful when we can find that in our lives. In the past I was constantly worrying and I’m glad that I’ve learned to get out of my own way.

If I’m honest, I think it’s probably the only way to survive in this industry.”

Looper is out now

Put ‘em up! Honor Blackman (centre) with Shirley Eaton (left) and Tania Malet inside the Fort Knox set on Goldfinger

Bond On

FEATURE

The longest standing 007, Hollywood legend Sir Roger Moore KBE looks back over 50 years of Bond as the illustrious spy celebrates half a century on the silver screen. Here, he talks girls, gadgets and style

I

n October 1972 I reported for duty as the third actor to play James Bond on screen for Eon Productions. Can it really be 40 years ago? Back then I could leap out of a chair without fear of my knees cracking; could chew on a toffee without fear of losing a filling, or worse still a tooth; could admire my long flowing locks of hair; and as I swooned in front of the mirror, proudly admire my bronzed, slim torso.

Ah yes, with a flex of my toned muscles and a twitch of the old eyebrow I set pulses racing across the world, they say.

These days it’s my pacemaker that keeps my pulse racing and as for my other above mentioned attributes … well, I still have my memories. By calling on a few friendships and with the guidance of one or two people, I have attempted to fill up the spaces between some lovely photos with interesting words, thoughts and memories. What I can’t remember, I’ll just have to make up.

Girls

Bond

How does one describe a Bond girl? In creator Ian Fleming’s novels, as in the films, Bond girls are bewitching, beguiling and memorable but they also possess a great many characteristics in common. The typical girl is in her early to mid-20s, follows a well-developed pattern of beauty, and is considered to be a ubiquitous symbol of glamour and sophistication. Apart from uniform beauty, the other best-known characteristic is a pattern of suggestive names: Suki, Honey, Solitaire, Chew Me, Bibi, Octopussy, Mayday, Lupe, Elektra, and perhaps the most risqué and famous, Pussy Galore. Of course, Bond rarely limits himself to just one conquest per film: in a total of 22 films, 007 has bedded more than 55 girls all over the world, from Japan to Iceland. No wonder that he’s single!

With HIV/AIDS becoming a major issue in the 1980s, writers felt that Timothy Dalton’s Bond should be less promiscuous, and so his character was given a brief fling with monogamy. And brief it was: by the next film his romantic interests were as numerous as before. He may have been described by Judi Dench’s M as “a sexist, misogynist dinosaur” but Bond’s charm always wins.

You might have thought the writers would find it increasingly hard to introduce girls for Bond, but according to Roald Dahl, who wrote the screenplay for Live and Let Die, the formula is relatively simple. You put in three girls. The first is pro-Bond, stays around for roughly the first reel,

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 15

FEATURE

Above: “Another obligatory pose. Do I complain?”

Right from top: The famous vodka Martini; A very early publicity shot of Sean Connery as 007

16 THE CITY OCTOBER 2012

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and then is tragically bumped off by the enemy, preferably in Bond’s arms. Girl two is anti-Bond, lures him into her trap, usually capturing him, but she gets killed in an original (and often gory) fashion mid-way through. The third girl often turns up later on in the film, and manages to survive to the end, where she and Bond ride off into the sunset.

Ursula Andress is often considered the archetypal Bond girl and there have been many attempts to break down the numerous girls into a top ten list for the entire series. The public, recalling that swimsuit scene in Dr. No, voted Andress ‘Best Bond Girl of All Time’ in 2008. Hoping to stir up a similar reaction, writers set hearts aflutter with a bikini-clad Halle Berry in Die Another Day and sultry Eva Green in Casino Royale. Legend has it that appearing as a Bond girl damages an actress’ career, but in other roles both Berry and Green have subsequently won an Oscar and a BAFTA respectively so it can’t be that damaging.

And who could forget Miss Moneypenny? Although perhaps not technically a Bond girl, having had nothing more than a professional relationship with our spy, she is portrayed as being totally smitten with 007. In the earlier films, their encounters are rather sexually charged but in more recent times, the two make do by exchanging witty, flirtatious conversation: “Flattery will get you nowhere, James, but don’t stop trying”. Despite worldwide fame in her role as Miss Moneypenny, Canadian actress Lois Maxwell spent less than 20 minutes in total on screen, although she appeared in 14 Bond films between 1962 and 1985. I remember Maxwell after his death in 2007, stating that he would have liked to have seen Miss Moneypenny become the head of MI6, ‘M’, something I’m sure many fans would not dismiss in future Bond films.

GADGETS Bond’s character would not be complete without the selection of wonderful gadgets, gizmos and accoutrements that are given to him by Q-Branch, the fictional research and development department of the British Secret Service. Desmond Llewelyn played head boffin ‘Q’ from 1962 to 1999, working in a total of 17 films with five different Bond actors. Ironically, off screen Llewelyn was a complete technophobe who struggled even to operate his own video recorder. After it was decided that Bond was relying too much on gadgetry, the writers of Live and Let Die dropped Q from the cast. However, there was such an outcry after the film’s release that he was immediately written back into the next film. In the words of Q, outlandish and improbable though the boys-toys might have been, “If it hadn’t been for Q-Branch, Bond would have been dead long ago.”

These days the technology we see in the early

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 17

FEATURE

STYLE James Bond is the quintessential well-dressed English man, epitomising style and sophistication. Living the Bond lifestyle conjures up images of the very best things life has to offer by way of sharp clothes, fast cars, beautiful women and fine dining. Anthony Sinclair created the classic, pareddown look of the Bond suit that came to be known as the ‘Conduit Cut’. They were lightweight, made entirely of wool in either navy blue or shades of grey with a subtle check, and slim-line, single-breasted, two-button outfits. However, the three-piece suit was another timeless classic that featured heavily in Bond’s wardrobe.

Despite all of the descriptive detail Fleming wove into his adventures, Bond’s wardrobe in the novels was indistinct. He is described it as wearing simply a “dark-blue single-breasted suit, white shirt, thin black knitted silk tie, black casuals”.

Bond’s on-screen look is credited to Terence Young, the director of Dr. No: he wanted to achieve the look of a well-dressed man, but one who didn’t particularly stand out from the crowd. Allegedly, Sean Connery was not used to wearing suits, and so Young instructed him to wear his jacket and trousers everywhere, even to bed.

Alcohol also goes hand-in-hand with the life of the spy. Where would 007 be without his “Martini, shaken, not stirred?” The fleeting moment in Dr. No where the villain handed Bond such a drink literally changed the way drinkers made their cocktails from then on, shifting from the traditional gin to a vodka-based drink, popularising the Martini brand the world over. But it wasn’t always a vodka Martini. Bond has been known to order a Jack Daniels, a Talisker whisky, sake, sherry, and, of course, Champagne. Equally, his wine knowledge is second to none, and once even saves his life: his enemy; Red Grant, gives himself away in From Russia With Love by ordering red wine with fish. Unthinkable.

Bond also smokes in the novels, his preference being Morland Specials with their three gold rings, of which he consumes three or more packs a day. On screen, Connery continued this habit, with George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton doing the same, but I didn’t smoke cigarettes in the films. Nevertheless, I did smoke cigars, much to the interest of the film crew, some of whom would hold my cigar between takes and sneak the odd puff.

Bond on Bond by Sir Roger Moore KBE, with Gareth Owen, £25 (Michael O’ Mara Books LTD) mombooks.com

18 THE CITY OCTOBER 2012

All Images c. 1962-2012 Danjaq LLC and United Artists Corporation, All Rights Reserved.

Bond films is taken for granted, but back then it was revolutionary. It has always been maintained that many of the gadgets were prototypes and forerunners of things that did eventually make it into commercial production. In fact, it is also said that so sought-after were some, that the highest powers in the land occasionally phoned through to the production office for insights into their designs.

Aside from magnetic watches and exploding cigarettes, the one constant of all the equipment available to Bond was his Walther PPK, an automatic pistol. However, it wasn’t all that it appeared: I used to anticipate the ‘bang’ of the gunshot and blink whenever I had to fire the PPK, much to the annoyance of the director and camera crew, who would have to do multiple takes when filming a shootout. Naturally, Bond’s equipment has remained with the times, and when Tomorrow Never Dies came around, the burgeoning mobile-phone market was tapped and Ericsson supplied a concept model loaded with a variety of features, including a 20,000-volt stun gun and remote control for his BMW. When it comes to watches, all the big names, including Omega, Breitling, Piaget, Seiko and Rolex have at some point been featured on the wrist of 007.

As well as luxury watches, Bond has been supplied with a host of expensive cars to escape the enemy – and impress the ladies. For many decades, international carmakers Bentley, Aston Martin, Mercedes, BMW, Lotus and Rolls-Royce have all benefitted hugely from the exposure that the Bond films have given them. However, in tough times, everyone feels the pinch and more recently Bond has been seen driving the humble Citroën and Renault. Perhaps the car most famously associated with the entire series is the Aston Martin DB5. To date, the model has featured in five films: Goldfinger, Thunderball, Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and Casino Royale. The first DB5 used in the films of the late 1960s sold in 2006 for £1.4 million, the second one in 2010 for £2.6 million.

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This page, clockwise from left: Timothy Dalton as Bond; Scaramanga and Bond in The Man With The Golden Gun; Sean Connery and Adolfo Celi as Bond and Emilio Largo in Thunderball; Royal Navy Commander James Bond; Daniel Craig in Casino Royale Opposite: Gadgets and gizmos

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 19

collection

REPORT

time to

shine

As the official partner of the Cannes Film Festival for the 15th consecutive year, Chopard is one of the most sported jewellery companies on the film world’s red carpets, writes Olivia Sharpe

E

very year since 2007, Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, has designed a Haute Joaillerie collection; with inspiration drawn from awards ceremonies attended by top actors and actresses, it has been appropriately named the Red Carpet Collection.

This year, Scheufele has played with the theme of colours: exquisite rubies, emeralds, padparadscha sapphires, amethysts and tourmalines pervaded the 60-piece collection.

In honour of the 50th anniversary of the death of Marilyn Monroe, Chopard created a special Marilyn Monroe Tribute Set. A bib style necklace (worn by Eva Herzigova at this year’s Cannes

Film Festival), it is made up of more than 151 carats of diamond beads, 30 carats of heart-shaped diamonds and almost 19 carats of assorted diamonds. The design echoes Scheufele’s philosophy of the precious stones being “an indispensable ally for women on the red carpet”, not to mention Monroe’s mantra of diamonds being a girl’s best friend. Knockout Chopard pieces shone on the likes of Lana Del Rey, Jane Fonda and Dolores Chaplin at the 2012 Festival and, remaining true to its cinema ties, Chopard was also recently announced as the exclusive jewellery and watch partner for Diana, the upcoming film based on the life of the Princess of Wales. chopard.com

We prefer not to be measured by dimensions.

Unless it’s a new dimension of accuracy.

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

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

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

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collection

Precision Styling

SalonQP Returns Following record numbers of visitors and exhibitors at last year’s event, SalonQP will be returning to the Saatchi Gallery between 8 and 10 November of 2012. Now in its fourth year, the UK’s only fine watch exhibition will present an impressive array of horological delights, including presentations, debates and static exhibitions from the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. With a list of exhibitors stretching from Arnold & Son to Zenith – via the likes of Chopard, Jaeger-LeCoultre, TAG Heuer and Vacheron Constantin, among many others – the event will showcase the watch industry’s finest craftsmanship.

SalonQP opens with a VIP reception on Thursday 8 November, with the exhibition open to ticket holders on 9 and 10 November, including a cocktail reception on the Friday evening.

For tickets, please visit salonqp.com

After the news that Burberry will be making a move into the world of fine watches next month – a story the company insists we can’t print with pictures until then – Ermenegildo Zegna has announced it is doing the same thing. Taking the High Performance concept it pioneered with fabrics as inspiration, the brand has unveiled two High Performance Chronographs (£4,000) and a High Performance Sea Diver (£2,200). The former is black ceramic with ergonomic rubbercoated push pieces and the steel-cased Sea Diver, with an operating depth of 300m, features a blackened aluminium insert. zegna.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 latest releases

Like all Patek timepieces, the 5396/1R-001 has a timeless appeal and elegance that will never fade.

The watch features a mechanical automatic movement, brown sunburst dial and annual calendar complication with day, date and month indications

It’s Complicated It has been providing its clients with the “most affordable, expensive” watches in the world since 2005 but nothing Christopher Ward has produced before offers quite as much value for money as its new C900 Single Pusher Chronograph. An extremely rare example of a luxury watch being put together by just one man (in this case, either legendary watch maker Johannes Jahnke or his assistant Frank Stelzer), each C900 Single Pusher costs £2,450, despite being one of only 250 made. The automatic chronograph can be started, stopped and reset with a single ‘pusher’, or button. christopherward.co.uk

5396/1R-001, £51,680 (RRP), Patek Philippe Available at Watches of Switzerland, 22 Royal Exchange

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 23

From the Office

Open Sea to the

In less than two decades, Panerai has gone from purveyor of military wristwatches to producer of some of the industry’s most popular timepieces. Richard Brown sets sail with the brand’s CEO Angelo Bonati at the annual Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge

All images from Panerai’s British Classic Week © Panerai by Guido Cantini

collection

T

hey’re the archetypal City boy watches.

Bold-faced and portly-proportioned, Panerai’s Luminor and Radiomir timepieces have ridden the oversized wristwatch wave to become the number one choice for any banker looking to make a statement. It’s one reason, among others, that Panerai’s products provoke such a ‘Marmite’ effect. “You hate it or you love it,” admits CEO Angelo Bonati. “There is nothing in between. My opinion doesn’t really make any difference.”

We are talking at the Cowes leg of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge – an annual series of ten races that commence in Antigua and conclude in the waters of Cannes. Despite the difference in opinion that Panerai elicits, Mr Bonati is adamant the company won’t be changing its design direction any time soon. “Panerai is a

“You hate it or you love it,” says CEO Angelo Bonati.

“There is nothing in between” very particular brand with very particular clients. We have a different soul to others, different passions and a very different history.”

That they do. Founded in Florence in 1860, Officine Panerai’s rise to the top of the timepiece industry owes much to the Italian Navy. Having been supplied with precision instruments by the company from before the 20th century, in 1936 the Command of the First Submarine Group turned to Panerai for a watch that would be able to withstand the extreme conditions to which the sea would subject it. The result was the Radiomir, a watch featuring a cushion-shaped case, 47mm diametre and a hand-wound mechanical movement supplied by Rolex. 13 years later – after a World War in which Panerai provided the frogmen of the Decima Flottiglia MAS with timing instruments

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 25

PAM00422 Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days – 47mm.

– came the Luminor. Like the Radiomir, the Luminor took its name from the luminescent material Panerai developed to make its watches legible in the dark and underwater.

For the next four decades the brand continued making watches exclusively for the Italian Navy; not until 1993 did Panerai produce a series of models aimed at the civilian market. Despite the change in clientele, little about the company’s creations changed. The characteristic large dial remained, as did the iconic crown-protecting lever-clamp device. “The history and character of our watches has stayed very strong,” says Bonati. “We are an Italian brand born out of Florence, the city of art, culture and beauty. Our authenticity is one of the things that keep our clients satisfied.”

With its longstanding links to the sea, it is perhaps no surprise that the company is keen to keep its image associated with sailing, and with classic yachts in particular. For the last eight years the Classic Yachts Challenge has run under Panerai’s sponsorship, an event the brand has used to champion the sport, and its own heritage-led persona, across the globe.

“The region of the brand is the waters, the sea,” confirms Bonati. “Panerai needs to be always linked to its origin otherwise it runs the risk of losing its path, or losing its clients because they don’t understand you anymore. We consider the classic yacht, not the modern ones, very linked to our place within the watch industry.”

More than simply paying to have the event prefixed by its own name, Panerai’s commitment to the Classic Yachts Challenge extends to the company fielding its own Bermudan ketch in this year’s series. Discovered languishing in an advanced state of disrepair in Antigua, Eilean was purchased and brought to Italy in 2006. Following exhaustive restoration, the boat made her UK regatta debut in Cowes this year, one of more than 70 vintage boats that made its way to the turbulent tides of the Solent.

“When we found the boat it was sinking,” explains

Bonati. “But as soon as I saw it, I fell in love. We spent four years of our time restoring her and now she is an ambassador for the brand and its future. There is something very special about Eilean: the first Panerai wristwatch was made in 1936; Eilean was made in 1936.”

Despite being one of the worst summers on record, 2012’s Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge attracted enough boats to make it the largest and most historically significant collection of vintage vessels to gather in UK waters for more than a decade. Off the back of such events awareness of the Panerai brand is growing year by year, their products appearing in increasing frequency in bars and boardrooms across the country. Bonati has already discussed the flourishing success of his brand within the UK, but what about elsewhere?

“The watch industry is growing around the world. The biggest markets for us depend on if you are talking about regions or countries. If you consider regions, then Europe; if you consider countries, then sales in Italy and Hong Kong are more or less the same. China is of course a big potential market. But for now we are selling more to the Chinese in Europe than to the Chinese in China.”

Back in Britain, there’s no denying that City-types make up an important contingent of Panerai’s fan-base. How, then, did Panerai suffer when the recession started pinching at the pockets of those in the Square Mile? According to Bonati, it didn’t. “The recession was easy. I think if you have a good business model, a good product and good communication, you can fly over a recession. Maybe you grow less fast than before, maybe you have to work a little

collection

PAM00438 Tuttonero Luminor 1950 3 Days GMT Automatic Ceramica – 44mm.

“For the last 8 years the Classic Yachts Challenge has run under Panerai’s sponsorship” harder, but you can continue. That’s what happened for Panerai. Over last few years, we have grown very well.”

Indeed, within Panerai’s 150-year history the period between 2006 and 2010 represents one of the brand’s most successful spells. In 2007 Panerai announced the launch of three calibres completely designed, engineered and produced in-house while 2008 saw the opening of numerous boutiques across Asia, Europe and the United States. Recession? What recession?

And of the future? Bonati is excited. “We are having a revolution. But one that will see us keep the same soul, the same design and the same positive element that brings Panerai to life. Sometimes I mention Mercedes.

If you compare the latest Mercedes with one made ten years ago you see a huge difference but you continue to feel the same car. That’s what has to happen with Panerai; a continual evolution where the history of the brand is never forgotten.”

It’s a formula that’s served the company well over the last decade and one that will no doubt see it sailing smoothly into the future. panerai.com

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 27

collection

1

2 3

10

9 4

not stirred Aiming to achieve the debonair gentleman look?

Take inspiration from James Bond’s accessory drawer

8

1 Silk polka-dot square, £50, Drake’s London, drakes-london.com 2 18-carat white gold circular cufflinks, £2,050, William and Son, williamandson.com 3 Pocket square and bow tie set, £115, Drake’s London, as before 4 Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M SKYFALL Limited Edition, £4,420, Omega, omegawatches.com 5 Ligne 2 Lighter Windsor, £665, S.T. Dupont, available at Harrods 6 1/18 DB5 scale model, £125, Aston Martin, store.astonmartin.com 7 Round optical cufflinks, £59, Thomas Pink, 24 Cullum Street 8 Silverstone Tourbillion Full Black, POA, Graham, available at Fraser Hart, 8 New Change Place 9 Silver-plated bulldog handle umbrella, £185, Archer Adams, mrporter.com 10 Cross-grain leather briefcase, £1,050, Smythson, 7 Royal Exchange

5 7

6

28 THE CITY OCTOBER 2012

Swiss movement, English heart

Swiss made / Self-winding automatic movement / 38 hr power reserve / Marine grade stainless steel case / Uni-directional bezel / 30m (1000ft) water resistance / 4.0mm Anti-reflective sapphire crystal / SuperLuminova indexes, bezel marker and hands / High density rubber strap / Bracelet, NATO and leather versions also available / Diameter: 42mm / Calibre: Sellita SW200-1 / 5 year movement guarantee TM

E X C L U S I V E L Y AVA I L A B L E A T

ChristopherWard_City.indd 1

christopherward.co.uk

12/09/2012 16:29

RUN WILDbracelet london_UK 13/04/12 09.37 Pagina 1

Buccellati White Gold Bracelet with Violet Jade Centre Stone From the Buccellati Unique Cuff Bracelet Collection

33 Albemarle Street - Mayfair, London WIS 4BP - Tel. 020 7629 5616 MILANO, VENEZIA, FIRENZE, CALA DI VOLPE, CAPRI, PARIS, MONTE CARLO, LONDON, MOSCOW, NEW YORK, CHICAGO, ASPEN, BEVERLY HILLS, TOKYO, OSAKA, HONG KONG, SIDNEY WWW.BUCCELLATI.COM

collection

Wildflowers Haute and ready-to-wear jewellery designer Alidra Alic’s imagination must be an extremely pleasant place; a world filled with beautiful flowers, sumptuous colours and delicate, fluttering shapes. We’ve been fortunate to have access to this fairytale floral universe through Alic’s rare pieces of jewellery, as much statements of art and culture as they are aesthetic adornments.

The uniqueness of her designs is ensured by Alic’s self-invented techniques, as all the pieces are handcrafted using textures and colours free from manufacturing methods. The result is an entirely organic form whereby the flowers are given a lifelike quality. Alic continues her floral theme with her haute jewellery collection, aptly entitled Flora. alidraalic.com

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

cutting edge Since the successful launch of her first collection for the house, Metamorphosis, Eliane Fattal has continued to work with S.J. Phillips to create one-off jewellery pieces. Her latest collection, Pensée, consists of unique jewels based on 19th century American enamelled flowers. The collection signifies a move away from the old that was innovative in its time, towards the new in a way that serves the new woman.

Transposed As much a title as a definition, Jessica McCormack’s latest collection seeks to change our perception of diamonds.

McCormack juxtaposes different styles, cuts and settings of the precious jewel in order to create individual pieces which still remain within the confines of established style codes.

A pair of romantic bow-shaped earrings is contrasted with edgy Torpedo earrings while a minimalist gold Pipe ring is sat next to eternity bands in a classic Georgian cutdown setting. With such unusual but stunning combinations, McCormack plays with our preconceptions of how a diamond can be worn and reveals the endless possibilities it can hold. jessicamccormack.com

Out of the Woods

Think of Me two Pansy ring with American enamel

Contemporary British jewellery designer Shaun Leane has teamed up with established luxury house Asprey for his latest collection. Leane was greatly influenced by the brand’s British roots and heritage and so created a jewellery line inspired by English woodland flora. The Woodland Collection comprises charm bracelets, earrings and bracelets featuring whimsical symbols of nature including mushrooms, blackberries and acorns.

and gold flowers decorated with pearls and

asprey.com

Right, from top: A Bouquet of Thought Pansy and bleeding heart ring with American enamel and gold flowers, £9,750

a single diamond, £6,500 Both Eliane Fattal for S.J. Phillips sjphillips.com

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 31

Canary Wharf

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

3 hours

free parking

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

@yourcanarywharf

SHOPPING

raising a glass at boisdale

Boisdale of Canary Wharf invites you to celebrate great live music and first-rate food

T

he home of world-class jazz and fantastic Scottish cuisine invites you to savour both within its opulent confines. Where else can you enjoy steak with the Sinatra songbook, lobster with Big Joe Louis and His Blues Kings, or truffles with crooner T.J. Johnson?

Ever since Boisdale of Canary Wharf opened last year, Jools Holland – the doyen of boogie-woogie, jazz and R&B – has had his music influence on a programme of live performers which have included Manfred Mann, Georgie Fame, Cuban legend Chucho Valdes and Mitch Winehouse.

The Boisdale menu boasts a stellar line-up of ingredients sourced from the natural larder of Scotland: wild Highland game, Hebridean shellfish, Loch Ryan Native oysters, Dunkeld smoked salmon, and roast Macsween’s haggis. There’s nothing that whets the appetite quite like a delicious cocktail fixed by Boisdale mixologist extraordinaire Hannah Lanfear (recently voted in the top 100 in the world) and a session of feelgood music.

Christmas at Boisdale Canary Wharf To add some glamour to the festive period, experience one of Boisdale of Canary Wharf’s ‘Christmas In Vegas’ packages, which come complete with a nine piece Rat Pack tribute band. Choose from four Caesars Palace menus which include a range of mouth-watering delicacies, starting with venison, shellfish or pickled cranberries. Mains include turkey or a choice of pigs in blankets or poached escalope of Loch Duart Scottish salmon.

For more information on Christmas Packages, please call 020 7715 5818

Boisdale of Canary Wharf also offers one of the largest selection of malt whisky and Cuban cigars on the planet. The restaurant’s humidor contains rare vintage cigars, with more than 110 different varieties, while its whisky selection extends to over 900 malts. Sit in the cigar library or venture out on to the awning-covered heated terrace, to indulge in a handmade Cuban ‘stick’ on upholstered armchairs.

For cocktails, great food and stirring music, check out the programme at www.boisdale.co.uk. Boisdale Canary Wharf, Cabot Place, E14 4QT In addition to over 240 shops, cafes, bars and restaurants at weekends and on Bank Holidays you can enjoy 3 hours’ free parking in any of the public car parks when you spend £10 at any shop, café, bar or restaurant in Canary Wharf. For a full list of cafes, bars and restaurants check www.canarywharf.com. canarywharf.com

@yourcanarywharf

SHOPPING

savour the flavour

of spain The quickest way to Spain isn’t on a flight; it’s through the doors of Iberica Canary Wharf during the Spain NOW! festival. Take a trip to the Mediterranean without venturing too far from home

I

berica Canary Wharf has taken the tradition of tapas to a whole new culinary level. Its contemporary take on Spanish dishes, and menu created by a two Michelin-star chef Nacho Manzano, can transform an evening in London into a warm Mediterranean night.

The restaurant has been designed by Barcelona-based Lazaro Rosa Violan with an integrated open kitchen so diners can share the cooking experience. The décor follows the tone set by the food creating a modern space and combining elements of Spanish culture.

Spain NOW! As a partner of Spain NOW ! Iberica Canary Wharf has laid on a series of events to celebrate the Spanish culture of food. The festival, held from October to December, promotes the latest creative talents from Spain through a number of exhibitions, performances and events across London.

This year, Iberica Canary Wharf is hosting a number of live cooking shows and wine tastings, held inside the restaurant and across Canary Wharf.

Tantalise your taste buds, learn a few Spanish specialities and witness the creation of classic dishes with a modern twist. iberica canary wharf event guide - Highlights Wednesday 3 October

Cooking masterclass, by David Muñoz Wine tasting class, Bruno Murciano Monday 15 October

Live cooking show by Jose Pizarro and César Garcia Tuesday 16 October

Live cooking show by Nacho Manzano and Diego Bello Thursday 18 October

Galician wine tasting class by Bruno Murciano Cooking masterclass by Diego Bello Iberica Canary Wharf, Cabot Square, 020 7636 8650. For more information on the forthcoming events please visit www.ibericalondon.co.uk

www.canarywharf.com

@yourcanarywharf

Nacho Manzano, Iberica’s two Michelinstarred Executive Chef, talks about his culinary influences what inspired you to start cooking?

From a very early age I was used to life around cooking. I remember being very interested in learning more about cooking and managing a restaurant, so at the age of fifteen my father sent me to work in the restaurant of a friend of his. After seven years, I came back to Casa Marcial to help my parents. I realised I didn’t want to copy the recipes of others. I had my own style and way of cooking and wanted to introduce a more gastronomic feel to the menus.

What distinguishes Iberica Canary Wharf from the other restaurants?

Ibérica has the spirit of a traditional restaurant, a fine tavern or “casa de comidas” in Spanish. All our stews are made daily. The idea is that the Iberica client will eat the same food, prepared in the same way, as in Spain’s traditional taverns. This cooking, combined with the variety of tapas - lighter, newer and more creative - is the key.

SHOPPING

If The Shoe Fits

I

Renowned English shoemaker Church’s opens its new Canary Wharf store

t’s weathered the tides of changing fashion trends for over a century to become one of the world’s most renowned footwear specialists.

Now, as it approaches its140th year, Church’s reopens its newly refurbished Canary Wharf store.

Designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi, the store has doubled in size to bring it on par with the company’s West-end flagship stores in Knightsbridge and New Bond Street.

As the first company to create the ‘left’ and ‘right’ shoe in the 17th century, rather than the ‘straight’ shoe, Church’s revolutionised footwear with its groundbreaking creations Today, all of Church’s shoes are still handcrafted in Northampton, the birthplace of the company, using the same materials and manufacturing process that the company has relied upon for years.

Since its earnest beginnings, Church’s has grown into a global brand with stores opening in Hong Kong, Singapore, Madrid and Turin. Now owned by the PRADA Group, the shoemaker opened its first women’s only store last year as they branched out to the female market.

Church’s English Shoes, Cabot Place 020 7538 9730 canarywharf@church-footwear.com

Visit the Canary Wharf store to see Church’s latest men’s and ladies collections, as well as a range of fine leather goods, accessories and ready-to-wear items.

FOR HIM

Diplomat, Black, £370

Westbury Box, Black, £360

& FOR HER Burwood, Antracite, £290

Shannon, Ebony Polish Binder, £245

Burton, Royal Polished Burgundy, £320

Caroline Met, Black, £250

Keats, Black, £355

Burwood Met, Black, £350

www.canarywharf.com

@yourcanarywharf

arts & events

wintertime warmers whether you’re into skating or comedy, art or food, canary wharf’s thriving culture programme has something for everyone this autumn

AFTER HOURS WITH… SCOTT MATTHEWS Celebrated solo artist and Ivor Novello Award winner Scott Matthews plays an exclusive London gig at the East Wintergarden showing off the diverse skills and musical tastes that have impressed fans and critics alike.

Always original in composition and never predictable on stage, Scott Matthews has embarked on his own sell-out headline tours on the back of several successful albums and toured with some of the world’s most respected artists, including Foo Fighters, Snow Patrol, Rufus Wainwright, Tori Amos and Robert Plant.

Don’t miss this exclusive chance to see him live in London in the intimate setting of the East Wintergarden, supported by Mercury Award nominee ESKA. Monday 29 October 7.45pm (Doors 7pm) East Wintergarden, Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 Tickets £17.50* (Max 6 tickets per order) Unreserved cabaret style seating, bar and cloakroom

COMEDY central The ever popular comedy club returns with Australian comedian Damo Clark as MC, known for delivering a relentless onslaught of laughs. Ria Lina is a musical comic with a brilliant line in risqué ukulele songs while Phil Nichol is a much loved comedian and actor, with an unquenchable thirst to break boundaries. Carey Marx, a circuit favourite for years, mixes his own blend of dark humour with a mischievous and gleeful delivery. Headlining is Neil Delamere, one of the top acts working in the Irish comedy scene today, delighting with the lightning speed of his wit.

Tuesday 23 October 7.15pm (Doors 6.30pm) East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 Tickets £12 Unreserved cabaret style seating, bar, food and cloakroom

*coming soon... tickets on sale now....*

Window Galleries The Art, Design & Lightbox Window Galleries, located in Canada Place Shopping Mall, showcase up-and-coming artists, designers and craftspeople.

This month the galleries display:

CANARY WHARF ICE RINK

EXPERIMENTAL FOOD SOCIETY EXHIBITION

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

Experience the culinary industry as never before with an amazing two-day food art exhibition, a must-see for any curious food lover.

Saturday 3 November - Sunday 13 January Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf Mon-Sat 9.45am - 11pm / Sun 9.45am - 7.30pm

Friday 16 & Saturday 17 November Fri 12pm - 7pm / Sat 11am - 6pm East Wintergarden, Bank Street Canary Wharf, E14 Tickets £5

Visit skatecanarywharf.com for more information and details of ticket prices and booking

Visit wegotticket.com/EFS (booking fee applies) Tickets also available on the door, subject to availability

Ellie Ramezani Until 26 October

For Ellie, the ring is a cultural artefact with functions varying from adornment to a symbol of supremacy.

This led her to create a collection centred on the Islamic ring – the Sharaf Al Shams ring – and the role it serves in Islamic culture. Rings that are fully or just partly covered in stones invite people to bury the past and create their own future. elhamramezani@hotmail.co.uk

canary wharf comedy club Featuring Andrew Stanley (MC), Rob Deering, Paul Tonkinson, Julian Deane and The Noise Next Door.

Tuesday 13 November 7.15pm (Doors 6.30pm) East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 Tickets £12 Unreserved cabaret style seating, bar, food and cloakroom After Hours & Comedy Clubs Booking:

Jojo Filer-Cooper Until 26 October

For her latest series of works, Jojo has journeyed back through the ages in search of stylistic inspiration. Long an admirer of the perfection of the still life images produced by artists such as Willelm Kalf and Caravaggio, her images interpret the ‘Old Master’ style almost untouched. jojo1photography.com

In advance: ticketweb.co.uk / 0844 847 2268 (booking fee applies) In person: on the door subject to availability

Benvegnú Cochrane Until 26 October

Claiming inspiration from the BBC’s Blue Planet, Barcelona based studio Benvegnú Cochrane’s jellyfish lamp is born of the sea. Each time you turn one on, a group of jellyfish appear to invade the room, creating a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere and completely changing one’s perception of time and place. thejellyfishlamp.com

comment

Songquan Deng / Shutterstock.com

REPORT

battle of

smarts

Apple has shown off the fruits of its labour, but with rivals circling, legal suits aren’t going to be enough to keep it ahead of the tech tide, writes RAJDEEP SANDHu

A

pple has had a turbulent year with the loss of co-founder Steve Jobs, disappointment over the release of the iPhone 4s and legal battles with Samsung over patent disputes.

But the long awaited iPhone 5 finally arrived on our shelves last month, with a sleeker design and new software.

In recent months, Apple’s shares hit a record high, becoming the US’s biggest company. Analysts at JP Morgan believe that eight million iPhone 5s will be sold in the US during the fourth quarter,

forecasting that sales could increase GDP by 0.25-0.5 per cent.

With Apple rolling out the new model faster than any other, it is predicted to sell twice as many in its first week than the iPhone 4. The company’s market share will be propelled higher as loyal customers have patiently waited for the new model.

Rivals Samsung and even Nokia, who recently made a comeback with the launch of the Lumia 920 and 820, will need to ensure that future releases impress, and possess original and innovative ideas – especially after the legal action between Apple and Samsung that led to injunctions against the latter’s models in the US.

A-CHIC-A

WAY TO BUY

Founders of online homeware store ACHICA, William Cooper and Quentin Griffiths, talk to RAJDEEP SANDHU about their rapidly growing, and seemingly recession proof, business

L

uxury lifestyle website ACHICA has become a phenomenon. In just two and a half years it has accumulated 1,000,000 members and this year is expecting to record triple digit growth. It has defied the recession and expanded into Europe via France, Spain and Germany.

The first of its kind to set up flash sales in the UK, the membersonly website offers huge discounts of up to 70 per cent on highend furnishings and fashion. Best of all, it doesn’t offer last year’s inventory; the stock is as current as Harrod’s and Selfridge’s home departments. The catch? Offers are only available for 48 hours.

Why did you decide to set up ACHICA? WC: If you look at homeware online you’ve got Ikea at the bottom, John Lewis in the midmarket doing a really good job, but you’ve got no one offering premium. Homeware is underrepresented online, so that’s what we decided to do.

QG: We wanted to disrupt the underdeveloped home and garden category online by building an international retail brand.

Quentin Griffiths

How did the company begin?

WC: We launched to the public in February 2010. ACHICA was born out of the private sales model in the fashion space like Vente Privée, which was the originator of the model. It’s a French company worth more than a billion euros. I started thinking that, actually, this is a great model that isn’t being applied to any other category apart from fashion.

Did you anticipate the company would do so well?

QG: ACHICA surpassed our expectations in its first two years of trading. It's now up to senior management to continue hiring a talented team to maintain this impressive growth.

WC: When you set up a business you try and de-risk it as much as possible from the outset. We were confident in the opportunity around homeware and in the ability of this business model to work – they were two key components that gave us the confidence to invest. But you can never guarantee success; you never know for certain what consumer appetites are going to be.

Describe the typical ACHCIA customer WC: The typical ACHICA customer is a female in her early 40s who is wealthy and educated. She is a home owner and she has got to

interview

William Cooper

the stage whereby she is looking to re-do or refurbish her place, or she and her family are moving house.

What’s the biggest risk you have ever taken in business?

QG: Taking the plunge to come off my then employer's payroll in my late twenties and become a self-sufficient entrepreneur.

WC: That initial jump out of the City after five years, and into the start-up, just as the dot com bubble burst. Everyone thought I was mad and that I’d be coming back in a few months. But like everything in life there is always a healthy amount of luck. We got lucky and managed to raise finance at the right time and made a success of it.

Running a business can change so much from day to day so you need determination and focus to get through the peaks and troughs What has been your biggest challenge?

WC: One of the biggest challenges is to cater for the fast growth that we’ve experienced. It has grown month on month very quickly; we’re now just short of 100 employees in two and a half years and we outsource logistics which is another 100-150 people. You have to put a lot of systems and processes in place in order to cope with that growth, so that you can continue to offer a good level of service to the consumer.

What qualities do you think are most essential in being a successful businessman or woman?

QG: Determination, leadership, hard work and the ability to choose good people to work with.

WC: You need to be focused, have empathy for those around you and respect for the people you work with. Running a business can change so much from day to day so you need determination and focus to get through the peaks and troughs. Most importantly, you need to be supported by a really good team that are incentivised and believe in the vision of the business.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in business?

QG: Just do it!

WC: Don’t worry too much about where you start; you need to do whatever you can to get yourself on the ladder. Prove to people that you can develop and grow; if you are any good, you‘re going to rise to the top quick enough anyway.

What do the next few years hold in store for ACHICA? WC: We want to maintain UK leadership and grow a really profitable business next year in the UK. At the same time, we want to continue investing in Europe; we launched in France and Spain early this year, and more recently into Germany. We’re about to launch into Poland. There are some great opportunities out in Europe, but the main thing is to make sure we’re growing across all businesses in the UK and the rest will take care of itself. achica.com

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 41

&now

Then

Comparing the Great Depression to the Great Recession, by Janice Atkinson

T

he Roaring Twenties, the decade of excess and extravagance that led the next decade to crash and burn, is very comparable to the global recession which has taken hold from 2007 until now. Across the major cities of the USA, Paris and London, the era saw large-scale growth with the use of automobiles, telephones, motion pictures and electricity, unprecedented industrial development, accelerated consumer demand and aspirations, and significant changes in lifestyle and culture. The media focused on celebrities, especially sports heroes and movie stars, as cities rooted for their home team and filled the new palatial stadiums. The dour, formal years of the Victorian era and the spectre of World War One were swept aside, women were getting the vote and people thought it could never end. Then it did.

Our Noughties were similar: an obsession with celebrity, film and pop stars, the new must-have gadgets in mobile phones and computers, new kitchens, new cars, multiple holidays and more unnecessary borrowing saw excessive consumer spending – the UK had the highest consumer debt in the Western world. This predicated rising house prices, easy credit, relative job security, a Labour government that had inherited a healthy balance sheet then accumulated a massive debt that now stands at over £1 trillion, and a belief that it would never end. Then it did. So what are the financial and political similarities between the two eras?

The Great Depression was based on the US stock market which saw investors speculating as never before by investing heavily in the stock market and borrowing money to buy more stock. Brokers were routinely lending almost three quarters of the value of the stock and

COMMENT

more than $8.5 billion was out on loan, more than the entire currency that was circulating in the US at that time. On 24 October 1929, with the Dow just past its 3 September peak of 381.17, the market finally turned down, and panic selling started. Economists argue whether this act was the only factor causing the depression but they all agree that it depressed consumer spending. That was the starting gun; what followed with the banking collapse of 1930-33 led the world into a great depression. More important was the international banking crisis which followed the collapse of the Austrian bank, Creditanstalt, in 1931.

During this time, some parts of the UK were more affected than others. In heavily industrialised areas such as the north of England, unemployment rose to 70 per cent but in the less industrialised

What followed, with the banking collapse of 1930-33, led the world into a great depression Midlands and the South, the effects were short-lived. In 1931, one out of every six Americans was unemployed; today, one in 16 is out of work.

This time we have not had major weakness in share prices but we have had a major asset price collapse, namely in real estate prices in America, Spain and Ireland, with the added cause and effect of the euro crisis. As a direct result, we have certainly had a major banking crisis. The depressing aspect of this situation is that the banks are so weakened by the combination of losses on past loans and fears of euro meltdown that even official interest rates close to zero are not having much of a stimulative effect. Moreover, tighter regulation has made banks more risk averse at the time that economic recovery demands that they should be more enterprising. With no gold standard, banks today could and did liquefy their assets much quicker.

The seeds of the Great Recession were planted in the US when the government in the 1990s began pushing homeownership, even for uncreditworthy people. Mortgage-backed securities built on dubious mortgage loans became “toxic” when the housing market took a downturn, and many American banks verged on collapse.

The government’s urgent desire to bail out various banks and corporations created uncertainty and instability, and this may have widened the recession.

A similar scenario was happening here.

Then, as now, lending was the root cause, leading to excessive consumerism and lack of political foresight, planning and leadership. Today’s answer for the political Left is raising both income and excise levels. Politicians across the world believe that by pushing up the top rate of marginal tax, entrepreneurs having to hand over more than 50 per cent of their income above a certain level is the answer, rather than reducing income tax and corporation tax to encourage investment. It is set to fail as it has always done.

During the Great Depression Roosevelt raised both income and excise taxes. In 1935, with FDR’s push, the top marginal tax rate hit 79 per cent. Few paid that rate but thousands of Americans were in the 50 per cent bracket. Entrepreneurs had to hand over more than half of any income above a certain level. Facing disincentives to make capital investments, many entrepreneurs used their wealth cautiously – investing in tax-exempt bonds, art collections, and foreign banks. Does this sound similar to today?

Then and now there has been a type of ‘class warfare’, with campaigns for redistribution supplying large amounts of money to subsidise favoured groups. Roosevelt did it back then. Obama is trying to spend his way out of a recession but is failing to reduce unemployment and the deficit. Here, the Conservative-led government continues to spend at 2010 levels, with the so-called cuts looking like a scratch on the surface. Resentment aimed at those who create wealth and pay higher taxes has been fuelled by politicians’ rhetoric both here, across the euro-zone and in the US. The Left of politics believes in spending our way out of a recession and higher taxation. Higher taxation is the politics of envy and anti-aspiration and ‘twas ever thus.

The banks, having been cast as the villains, continue to play hard-ball. They do not lend because of a lack of confidence in the economy, the continued debacle of the euro-crisis and waiting to hear whether a Conservative chancellor and prime minister will introduce punitive measures to ‘curb’ their industry because of public opprobrium. In this vintage issue, history repeats itself, not only in fashion but in financials and politics too.

Janice Atkinson is a political and social commentator in the media, writes for the Daily Express and the Daily Mail’s Rightminds and runs a public affairs agency

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 43

Better With

Age

In the current financial climate spending habits are fluctuating, and a growing number of investors are looking to collectables to add tangible value to their portfolios. Daniella Isaacs investigates the growing trend

V

intage has been a buzzword in the fashion world for a number of years now but the term is no longer exclusive to those fashionistas accustomed to trawling through charity shops for the ultimate collector’s find. Investors worldwide are increasingly realising the potential of adding unique, classic goods to their portfolios, many of which only increase in value with age.

Lucy Evans, the founder of the luxury online vintage store Vintage Seekers, says the term vintage has become “somewhat a grey area in the retail market”. The influence of celebrity icons such as Kate Moss and Sienna Miller helped to form a mainstream trend for vintage and therefore many retailers saw the term as just another sales hook. Evans defines items as vintage if they are “between 25 and 100 years in age.” After 100 years the item becomes an antique. The globalisation of brands and repetition of the same styles on shop floors has lead many of us to seek out the craftsmanship and heritage of items from yesteryear.

In light of the current financial climate, spending habits are constantly changing and there seems to be a growing number of people taking a punt on investing

in collectables such as wine, jewellery and cars. The alternative investment enables the investor to luxuriate in their asset whilst hopefully watching its worth increase at the same time. While some mainstream assets such as hedge funds or private equities may have

Investors worldwide are realising the value of adding unique, classic goods to their portfolios dwindled due to the recession, alternative assets have produced some impressive results over the past few years.

The Financial Times noted that since 1988, The Wine Investment Fund has shown a positive return in all but one five-year period.

Compare that with the FTSE 100 index which has had 63 negative periods and it is clear to see why the interest in alternative commodities is increasing.

Of course, as with any other investment, the alternative commodities have risks associated with them. Unless buyers have some form of expertise one has to be careful of buying into fakes, damaged goods and fads. Steve Carson, the managing director of Searle & Co. says that when a consumer buys a piece of vintage jewellery, “they are buying into a dream”, a pastiche of another age. When choosing what to buy, one must be careful of being influenced by the current fashion; “Something that is on trend now might not be trendy in the future”, says Carson. Therefore with jewellery, you

Charm bracelet: £5500, Kojis, kojis.co.uk; Car: 290 MM Ferrari racing car from 1956; Necklace: c1915 Opal & Crystal Necklace with “Acorn” Pendant £1,875 Searle & co ltd; Wine: Petrus, 1982

COMMENT

have to go with your gut. Like any investment, buying into a piece of jewellery is a gamble. Undoubtedly one of the main attractions for buying a vintage piece is that “you are passing on an heirloom”, says Murray Feely from Kojis Jewellery store. Alongside the fact that you are wearing something that represents a moment in history, there is also the impeccable craftsmanship – which has now on the whole been replaced with machinery. Feely explains that over the past 30 years the demand for handmade vintage jewellery has been on the increase and the supply is decreasing; “The quantity of artisans around today is negligible in comparison to the Edwardian era.” In terms of giving yourself the best chance of an increase in value, “stick to the classics”, says François Curiel, the head of International Jewellery sales at Christie’s. Finally, be aware of fakes: “Art Deco pieces don’t always have their original stone,” he says. So when buying, ask the jeweller or auction house if they are sure the stone is an original. The most exciting aspect of investing in vintage jewellery is that unlike shares, this alternative investment has an immediate benefit as Carson aptly puts it; “You can’t wear an equity around your neck”.

Unlike jewellery, when considering wine the term ‘vintage’ is insubstantial. David Elswood, the head of International Wine sales at Christie’s London, poses the all-important question: “Is it a good vintage?” As wine is produced every year, to describe it as vintage means nothing really. Elswood explains that an investor studies the year of the wine in order to research the weather at that time and other conditions within the region. An example being a bottle from 1982: “A legendary vintage in Bordeaux but in Burgundy it was very disappointing.” In a similar vein to jewellery, “wine has become more popular, both for the drinker and the investor alike,” says Elswood. Over the past five years the biggest new market for investors is from mainland China. So what would the golden rule be for someone looking to expand their portfolio? Elswood says: “There is really only one word to remember; Bordeaux”. Bordeaux seems to be the stable king for safe, future investment. It is still possible to get a case of Chateau d’Yquem, 1998 vintage for under £2,000; Elswood advises that “this would appeal to the Chinese market as the number eight is also considered lucky in Asia.”

Like any other investment, research is key. Auction houses like Christie’s can offer advice to ensure that buyers get the best value for money. Online retailer Vintage Seekers provides customers with a splendid service for the novice investor; shoppers have the opportunity to ring the luxury store and choose a great vintage from any birth year. Buy a bottle when a baby is born and then let it mature until they are old enough to appreciate its worth. Make

note that wine is not a short-term investment, Elswood warns; “Be prepared to wait around five years to see a move up in price.” If all else fails, make sure you buy what you like to drink so if your plan is unsuccessful, at least you can drink to your sorrows!

There is no doubt that the vintage enthusiasts ooze passion for their trade. Andrew Hall, a Vintage and Classic Car dealer, believes that owning a vintage car “makes life more interesting, particularly in the sanitised modern world.” Similar to the other commodities, the term ‘vintage’ is a confusing affair in the car market. If a car was manufactured between World War One to 1930, it is described as vintage, then the Post Vintage Thoroughbred (PVT to the experts) and finally Post War Cars, known as the classics. The HAGI index (the Classic Car markets equivalent of the FTSE 100) began tracking the market in 2009. The index has risen by 31.5 percent since it began. Oliver Newton, a vintage collector, astutely warns “if the price seems to be too good to be true, in most cases it really is too good to be true.” Therefore it is essential that when investing “pay for the best that you can afford”, says Hall. Adrian Boulding, a pensions strategy director at Legal & General, explains that “a successful investment in classic cars will require foresight to guess which vehicles will become more popular over time.” The interest from Asia in the wine trade has not yet been seen in the classic car market. “A speculator might go for marques that have some historical connections in the East, such as Daimler or Lanchester, which are still very modestly priced over here,” says Boulding. One thing is certain: there’s a limited supply of classic cars; look for originality, provenance and condition.

It is hard to find an alternative asset that hasn’t beaten equities in recent years. Citi Private Bank’s Wealth Report showed that the proportion of individuals expressing a greater interest in alternative investments has increased by 25 per cent compared with 2010.

Perhaps this is due to investors wanting to savour their assets in this unstable economic climate. Of course there are risks and many portfolio mangers would not show an interest in alternative assets. The Financial Times recently quoted Alexander Goodwin, a global head of asset allocation at Citi Private Bank, who explained that “equity indices record times of crisis, which alternative indices conveniently ignore.”

As the alternative commodities are not rational or transparent it is hard to give a precise indication of value. However, equities cannot be drunk, worn or driven. These assets hold economic benefits, both potential and immediate, for the investor, which in today’s climate is more important than ever.

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 45

www.bachet.fr

calibre

REPORT

big

spenders

Shopping has generally been a female sport but now it seems men are ready to play ball, writes RAJDEEP SANDHU

A

fter Andy Murray’s spectacular sporting year, his sponsor Rado must be very pleased.

Murray may have scrambled around his bag before finding the company’s watch, but it was given prize position as he picked up his trophy at the US Open.

Watches and sport sponsorship have gone hand in hand and Rado’s place on Murray’s wrist will no doubt raise the company’s sales in the upcoming months. In general, trends in men’s spending on luxury items have been increasing

and, according to a report by American Express’s business arm, it is mostly down to generation ‘Y’ – those born after 1982, like the British tennis star himself.

These men are not only spending more on luxury goods, but are spending more online, as iProspect’s research on affluent males found. Sites like Mr Porter are taking full advantage of this, offering the ease of buying luxury brands over the internet while understanding its clients’ needs. As the high-end market continues to grow, an industry that traditionally focused on women is expanding to supply men with what they demand.

Hangin’

with Mr Cooper

Bradley Cooper has a lot to be happy about – a clutch of ladies on his arm, a string of silver screen triumphs, and some notable compliments from the popular press. He’s also quite a nice guy, finds Stephen Milton

B

radley Cooper has adopted several titles since his ascension onto Hollywood’s A-list. Celebrity bible People magazine branded him ‘the sexiest man alive’, while that most esteemed of all publications, the National Enquirer, once labelled the 37-year-old ‘Tinseltown’s premiere ladies’ man’, after a series of romances and trysts with Renée Zellweger, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz and Charlize Theron.

Both awards he carries with great and seemingly genuine unease, however, the former produce a notable squirm and posture shift. “Look, it was very shocking,” he stammers, throwing his Paul Newman blues heavenward. “I think maybe someone made a mistake but, yeah, it’s, you know, fun.”

The lothario label barely receives acknowledgement from the notoriously private Philadelphian, currently dating Avatar actress Zoe Saldana. It seems, rightly so, that he’d rather dance on searing coals than discuss his personal affairs. Although a glimpse of visible pride, quickly shrouded by hastened indifference, is hard to conceal when the topic comes up.

Lately however, Cooper has adopted a new stamp of approval – ‘Hollywood’s hardest worker’, churning out movie after movie as if the four horsemen were on the horizon. With 14 projects in the pipeline, he has four titles awaiting release between now and Christmas, with the remainder set to hit cinemas over the next 18 months.

Cooper seems remarkably underwhelmed by the workload. “It took me years to get to where I am today and I am so unbelievably grateful for the opportunities coming my way. It just wouldn’t feel right turning any of them down, so I do them all.”

Comfortably attired in a navy v-neck sweater and faded jeans with hair looking a tad slept on, he exudes an X Factor, megawatt glow that’s made him one of the industry’s busiest actors, though there’s no denying he’s worked hard for his success. Bit-part obscurity formed the foundations of his early career, as the Georgetown graduate paid his small-screen dues through Sex and the City and Nip/Tuck.

“I am so unbelievably grateful for the opportunities coming my way. It just wouldn’t feel right turning any of them down, so I do them all” A deliciously arrogant turn as Owen Wilson’s steroid chomping nemesis in Wedding Crashers provided the launch pad he needed, and that made The Hangover director Todd Phillips sit up and take notice of this new comedy talent masquerading behind leading man looks.

Made on a shoestring budget, The Hangover produced a box office gross of $467million, creating overnight sensations out of Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis. And after the trio endured an even more lucrative binge in South East Asia for last year’s $580million grossing sequel, the gang has naturally been pulled together for the threequel.

Cooper, however, tight-lipped on the plot devices, is himself

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

interview

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 49

Clockwise from top left: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com, Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com, Hit & Run Photo by Jeffrey Reed © 2012, s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

interview

even a little aghast at how these suburbanite halfwits can somehow find themselves suffering the mother of all sore heads yet again. Haven’t they learned their lesson yet?

“I think it’s third time the charm. They’ll maybe learn their lesson in this one,” he grins, showcasing a set of perfectly formed dimples.

“But I don’t want them to learn, I want to keep going as long as we can with these guys. In real life, lots of people get hammered over and over; it’s not that unrealistic.”

So has Bradley – married briefly to Crash actress Jennifer Esposito – any qualms about returning to the character and, what can only be assumed, the similar premise?

“There are always new things to discover about [his character] Phil. I just got so lucky. Todd Phillips is, in my opinion, the best comedic director around and he’s a real filmmaker. And Zack and Ed are incredible; they’re wonderful actors and we’ve got great guys and girls coming aboard this third one too so I can’t wait. I love Phil. I love that character.

“And who knows where they’ll end up. Vegas is one of the places but they could potentially find themselves on a space station or deep under water. We will have to go full scuba – how do you top what we’ve done? To heighten this movie, we would have to go into Navy SEALs training and take out international assassins. And we’ll still have to explain ourselves the next day!”

Disarmingly charismatic, albeit somewhat overly press trained with an almost timed glint of the eye, Cooper is nonetheless appreciative of his success, confessing an innate fear of accomplishment in the early stages. “When I first started auditioning, like literally first started acting professionally, I didn’t realise – and I’m not even kidding – that you actually could book a job. I remember after a week I was hanging out with my friends and I got a couple of call-backs. I still remember when I booked [a guest starring appearance on] Sex and the City. I was very frightened because I had to actually do the job. I didn’t really understand the concept. So I came at it from another side where rejection was normal and getting [the gig] was odd.”

Jetting around to promote his new film, quirky road comedy Hit and Run, Cooper admits he yearns for some of the red carpet moments.

“I always look forward to getting back to a Leicester Square premiere. The Hangover London premiere was so memorable because no-one knew who we were,” he booms. “We were these random guys in a movie that had still yet to make an impression.

Ed Helms was probably the most notable from The Office.

“I remember getting out of the car, and it being pretty quiet, too quiet for a premiere. We honestly thought the studio rounded up a bunch of Londoners together to make a crowd for us outside the cinema. It felt kind of foolish, striding up the red carpet, not hearing one of our names being called because everyone was waiting for a real star. And they got it when Heather [Graham] arrived. Naturally she got the most attention.

“That just made me laugh, and sometimes I think back to that

night when I find the Hollywood stuff getting a bit, you know, much. I think of being this innocuous nobody in London, feeling a little vulnerable. It’s a leveller.” But after high profile roles in psychological mindbender Limitless and an ill-advised A-Team remake, it’s doubtful the star gets treated like “a nobody” on the capital’s streets now.

New movie Hit and Run certainly won’t compound his apparent ability to remain unrecognised, as close friend and director Dax Shepard has the screen hunk sporting the most hideous, unsightly dreadlocks. Cooper is an ex-convict out for revenge against his former accomplice, played by Shepard and his girlfriend (Kristen Bell). “All I’ll say is thank God I got to wear a wig, because I think there was talk of actually getting the dreads put in. And in my late thirties, I really don’t think I could have pulled that off!”

Shepard, best known for TV series Parenthood and side-kick

“I stand in front of the mirror and flex at least one hour every day.

It’s exhaustive work but hey, I owe it to myself” duties to Ashton Kutcher on MTV series Punk’d, wrote the role of Alex Dmitri with his friend in mind, but was mindful of the A-lister’s heavy schedule. Cooper however, was never going to let his pal down. “What I love about Alex, and the movie, is this vulnerability, this real emotion of being locked up in jail while his friend gets off free. It’s all a very tongue-in-cheek comedy but somehow Dax never allowed it to become parody. I knew I had to be a part of it. I would move mountains for him.”

Those opportunities are going to become few and far between if his schedule is anything to go by. Next up is The Place Beyond The Pines, squaring off against fellow man of the moment Ryan Gosling, followed by emotional drama duties with Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook. “I don’t have a week off from now until next May,” he chuckles wearily, “but right now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I like to keep busy, I always have done and I know what it’s like not to work. It’s a struggling industry and you never know what’s around the corner. So it’s a badge of honour being called a busy actor. I know so many who struggle.” And thus we come full circle – will he ever be comfortable with his ‘sexiest man’ standing?

“Are you kidding? I stand in front of the mirror and flex at least one hour every day. It’s exhaustive work but hey, I owe it to myself.”

Flashing that unmistakeably blinding grin, he rubs his face and lets out a yawning groan. “That last comment’s going to get me in trouble now, isn’t it?”

Hit & Run in cinemas from 12 October

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 51

Sporting Heritage

Among the stellar line-up of classic cars wowing the crowds at last month’s Salon Privé was a particularly special line up of ROFGO Gulf racing cars. Brought to the car show by Duncan Hamilton & Co, the motor is just one of many owed by the world’s foremost historic car dealers. Established by the celebrated British racing driver in 1948, the company sources and handles the sales of some of the most significant sportsracing cars ever made, including the most expensive ever to date – the one and only Mercedes-Benz 196 Grand Prix.

For the ultimate in boys’ toys, check out duncanhamilton.com.

The Personal Touch

In less than a minute Six3Nine’s body composition analyser will read your exact height, weight, percentage body fat, BMR, BMI, and 20 other vital statistics. It’s just one of the many high-tech elements that the revolutionary gym is building its reputation around. Gone are the traditional fixed-resistance machines, replaced instead with kettle-bells, free weights, cable machines and gymnastic equipment.

With membership restricted to 200 places, the gym promises that no more than eight people will train at any one time.

Sign up now while places last. six3nine, 41-44 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, six3nine.com

calibre

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

Fold Up Freedom Take it on the train, put it in your boot or stash it under your desk; kansi’s bicycles fold in less than ten seconds, making them the quickest folding bikes on the market. Clean lines and modern styling mean they look as neat as the shape they fold into. kansi has three models to suit your schedule, available in two colours to match your style. kansi.co.uk

Getting Fit Quick

Occupying 100,000 square feet over three floors and boasting more than 170 pieces of cardio equipment, an indoor sports hall and swimming pool, it’s perhaps no surprise that Men’s Health named Canary Wharf’s Reebok Sports Club ‘Britain’s Best Gym’. The club also offers its members more than 160 free classes a week, including everything from Dynamic Yoga to Ballet Fitness. The Reebok Club has recently teamed up with local travel company, South Quay Travel Club to offer members great savings on luxury holidays.

For more information visit sqtclub.co.uk The Reebok Sports Club, 16-19 Canada Square, 020 7970 0900, reebokclub.co.uk

news

of the best... winter attractions

Skating Spectacular

Nestled under the soaring buildings of Canada Square and bathed in twinkling festive lights, Ice Rink Canary Wharf is back with a sparkling new look for the 2012/13 season. Surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants, a visit to the Ice Rink offers a unique skating experience and features London’s first skate path, allowing skaters the chance to leave the main rink and skate through the trees that line the perimeter of Canada Square Park.

Running from 3 November to 13 January, Ice Rink Canary

SNOW GO Whether you’re a ‘gnarly’ freestyler or a skiing novice, the indoor SNO!zone at Milton Keynes offers something for everyone. Beginners can enjoy dedicated coaching sessions on a slope devoted solely to them, as more seasoned skiers hone their skills on the centre’s 170 metre long main slope. Original and varied park layouts provide for the truly advanced skier, while thrill-seekers make the most of the SNO!academy’s slide box, down rails, and 30 foot flat rail. snozoneuk.com/v/milton-keynes 0871 222 5670

Wharf is the perfect opportunity to get into the festive spirit – ideal for children, grown-ups, solo skaters and romantic dates. For 2012 the ice rink will showcase a new look bar and spectators area. During weekends and Bank Holidays visitors can receive free parking by spending over £10 in any of Canary Wharf’s bars, shops, restaurants or at the ice rink itself.

Visit skatecanarywharf.com or purchase tickets online via Ticketmaster or by phoning 0844 847 1556

Wake Up Docklands Don’t let the fact that it’s winter put you off wakeboarding. Once you’re kitted up, your wetsuit will keep the cold at bay. As London’s first and only cable wake park and stand up paddleboard venue, WakeUp Docklands provides a unique way of keeping active during the winter months. Catering for all abilities, the park’s facilities will keep you entertained whatever your aptitude. Head to the western end of the Royal Victoria Dock for one of London’s newest and most exciting attractions. wakeupdocklands.com 07789 395 160

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 53

the resurrection

Shuffle Matthew Carter finds out why investing in an old Aston Martin can be better than money in the bank

motoring

I

t lies in a corner, unloved and unlovely. Its bodywork, partly in primer but mostly faded by decades of wear-and-tear at the hands of the elements, is tatty while its broken canvas roof is stuffed in the passenger compartment. The seats are beyond scruffy while door linings are missing altogether. Park ‘The Heap’ on the street and it would be towed away as scrap. Except this Aston Martin DB4 convertible is far from scrap, even in this condition.

Kingsley Riding-Felce, managing director of Aston Martin Works, takes a lingering look at the wreck – one of only 70 soft-top DB4s built – and declares it’s worth around £250,000. As it stands.

Judging by the hieroglyphics on its number plate, this DB4 has spent the most recent of its 50 years sitting under a hot sun in the Middle East, but now it’s back in a wet and windy Newport Pagnell, the town of its birth, to be, well, reborn. From the mid-1950s, Aston Martin

was Newport Pagnell and vice versa. The cars were built by hand in the old Tickford Coachworks in what were pretty primitive conditions, a far cry from the ultra-modern facilities at Gaydon where today’s Astons are created. These quintessentially British cars were then sold and serviced over the road by Aston Martin Works.

While the old factory (which, back in the day, even had its own cricket pitch) has been torn down to make way for a Tesco supermarket, Aston Martin Works still exists.

Today it’s been transformed into a sleek sales and service outlet, all marble and glass and completely in line with Aston’s Corporate Identity diktat.

One element of AM Works has escaped the attentions of the CI police, however. The heritage and restoration division is charmingly chaotic, with scores of customerowned classic Astons squeezed cheek by jowl into the oldest part of the building, waiting for service, repair,

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 55

upgrades or, as in the case of The Heap, total restoration.

Better still, the place is staffed by the very people who used to build the cars when they were new. When Aston moved to Gaydon, many of these fabricators, engineers, panel beaters, carpenters and trimmers – craftsmen, one and all – elected to stay put in Newport Pagnell rather than face a 100-mile daily round trip to work and back. It was great news for AM Works; nobody knows Astons better.

Old Astons are now big money. Having valued the pile of bits masquerading as a car at a cool quarter of a million, Riding-Felce adds that total restoration will cost the owner another £250,000 to get it to a state where it’s better than new. “But,” he says, “it’ll be worth at least half a million, probably more.” A bold claim? Not really. At May’s Aston Martin Sale, the annual Bonhams auction held at Newport Pagnell that’s become one of the highlights of the classic car year, a 1962 DB4 Vantage Convertible sold for almost £612,000. Bearing in mind it cost just £4,513 when new, that’s a pretty good return on investment.

Driven by their hand-built heritage and their rarity – and helped, no doubt, by the James Bond connection – prices of Aston Martin DB4s, DB5s and DB6s have gone through the roof. At a time when share portfolios are no longer worth the paper they’re written on, a classic Aston

Martin is a rock solid investment that also happens to be fun to own. A painting can’t take you on a trip across Europe and a stash of jewels can’t provide the adrenaline rush a thrash around a race circuit can provide, and that’s why Aston Martin Works is bursting at the seams with cars in for work. If there is a recession going on, it hasn’t yet affected Aston owners.

Many of these are important cars, too. There’s one of the ultra-rare DB4GT Zagatos – value around £4 million – in for some work, while a well-known DB3S racer is having a new chassis constructed. Up on a ramp is a simply stunning DB5 nearing the end of its 18-month restoration to become a car that really is better than when it was new. Under a dustsheet lies an example of the four-door Lagonda from the 1980s, an origami design from a time when straight lines ruled. It looks curiously appealing in bright yellow.

Take a tired Aston to AM Works for restoration and the first question you’ll be asked is how you propose to use the car.

“Some owners want the car to be exactly like it was the day it was made while others might want a car that incorporates sensible upgrades to make it easier to use in today’s traffic conditions,” says Riding-Felce. “Or we can prepare the car for competition if the owner wants to go racing.” If the owner

motoring

does plan to enter the car into concours competitions then originality is the only way to go, but that means no power steering, no air conditioning and so on.

A concours queen is not the most usable car for today.

“We have developed a number of discreet improvements that add usability to the cars without compromising the way they look. We can install modern audio systems within period fascias, for example, or add air conditioning by hiding the plumbing out of sight while the car is stripped to a bare shell,” Riding-Felce adds.

AM Works has also developed a number of upgrades for the engine, brakes and chassis that all improve a car’s dynamic performance. “Heat management is a key area. With traffic conditions being far tougher than when the cars were new, keeping these big, powerful, engines cool is much more critical,” says Riding-Felce. “We’ve re-engineered aspects of the car’s cooling system so it can cope.” Throughout the rebuild process, AM Works also builds in a series of ‘milestones’, points at which clear progress is evident and the owner is invited to Newport Pagnell to inspect the work and make a ‘stage payment’. At the end of the process, the owner is given a photo record of all the work undertaken, in a book bound in the same leather used for the seats. The only downside to this increased interest in classic DB Astons is that finding a wreck to restore is no longer cheap and, thanks to their rarity, far from easy in the first place.

So where should the smart money go now? The Virage?

Riding-Felce winces. In a diplomatic tone, he says: “The Virage was not, shall we say, Aston’s finest hour? Although it had the looks and the power, the rear suspension design doesn’t allow it to handle as well as an Aston should.”

Better, he decides, to consider its successor, the Vantage built from 1994-2000 or, if an older model is required, the six–cylinder DBS and its V8 brother from the late 1960s/ early 1970s. “There’s also the Vanquish,” he adds. “Although it was built here at Newport Pagnell, not at Gaydon, the Vanquish was the first of the really modern Astons using modern materials such as carbon fibre in its construction. It was [designer] Ian Callum at his best.” When new, the V12 Vanquish was lauded for its looks and its performance but slated for the unreliability of the electro-hydraulic paddle shift actuation of its six-speed manual transmission. “We have a solution for that,” says Riding-Felce. “We can convert any Vanquish from paddle shift to a conventional gear change. It makes a great car even better.”

You can pick up a ten-year-old Vanquish for less than £60,000 today. Wonder what it will be worth in 2052?

Aston Martin Works Ltd, Tickford Street Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, MK16 9AN 01908 619264; astonmartin.com/aston-martin-works

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 57

motoring

The perfect

martini

Matthew Carter’s interest is stirred by Porsche’s new limited edition Spyder

T

he future’s getting closer. Development of the next generation supercar from Porsche, the 918 Spyder, has moved into the next phase. A prototype of the advanced plug-in hybrid car is currently charging around the daunting Nürburgring in Germany, wearing a tracksuit that pays tribute to Porsche’s past.

In 1971, the legendary Porsche 917 won Le Mans with sponsorship from Martini and the Italian drinks firm then became the official partner of the Porsche works racing team from 1973-1978.

The new 918, which has a mid-mounted 4.6-litre V8 developing 570hp and a further 200hp from electric motors powering the front and rear axles, has been painted in Martini colours for its stint on the ‘Ring. Its top speed is more than 200mph and it will top 93mph on electric power alone.

Other highlights include fully variable aerodynamics, adaptive rear axle steering and the ‘top pipes’ exhaust system which routes the exhaust upwards at the rear of the car allowing it to influence the aerodynamics.

Yet the car is not just about outright performance. Porsche reckons it will have exceptional fuel economy and low emissions: the company is talking about 70g/km of CO2 and a combined fuel consumption of better than 90mpg.

The new Spyder was first shown as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show where it was meant to highlight Porsche’s work on advanced hybrid technologies and the company’s use of lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastics for the car’s structure.

But such was the 918’s appeal that Porsche had more than 2,000 ‘declarations of interest’. So they decided to go ahead and produce a limited run of the car… and the waiting is clearly nearly over.

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 59

BATTERSEA PARK LONDON 25 – 28 OCT 2012

CONTEMPORARY ART £40 – £4,000 AFFORDABLEARTFAIR.CO.UK

HAMPSTEAD HEATH LONDON 1 – 4 NOV 2012

Fair sponsor

art

Malick Sidib+®

REPORT

MY

GENERATION

Kari Rosenberg looks back to the most memorable decades of the 20th century with the Barbican’s latest photography exhibition, Everything Was Moving

F

rom the swinging 60s through the psychedelic 70s, the world changed dramatically: from design, art and fashion, politics, pop culture and protests, this was the defining period of the modern age, where boundaries were rewritten, human rights reexamined and photography as a medium flowered as a modern art form, documenting it all.

The Barbican’s beautiful photography exhibition Everything Was Moving: Photography from the 60s and 70s presents some of the most inspiring voices in 20th century photography, bringing together more than 400 works. Some have rarely been seen, others recently

discovered and many are being shown in the UK for the first time.

Surveying the medium from an international perspective it includes renowned photographers from across the globe comprisng Bruce Davidson, William Eggleston, David Goldblatt, Graciela Iturbide, Boris Mikhailov, Sigmar Polke, Malick Sidibé, Shomei Tomatsu and Li Zhensheng as well as important innovators whose lives were cut tragically short such as Ernest Cole, Raghubir Singh and Larry Burrows.

Everything Was Moving: Photography from the 60s and 70s until 13 January 2013 at Barbican Art Gallery, barbican.org.uk

Northampton • England

Makers of the finest English shoes since 1879

U.K. 25 Royal Exchange, London EC3 New Shop - 92 Jermyn Street, London SW1 69 Jermyn Street, London SW1 20-21 Burlington Arcade, London W1 25 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3

FRANCE 14, Rue Chauveau-Lagarde, La Madeleine, 75008 Paris U.S.A. 7 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019 www.crockettandjones.com

C&J Rex.indd 1

14/9/11 16:49:53

news

Spy Inspired You’ve been able to mimic his distinctive look with a tailored tux and Omega Seamaster for years.

Now James Bond enthusiasts can smell like the world’s most famous spy thanks to the first ever 007 fragrance. Launched in line with the franchise’s 50th anniversary, the gadget-like aftershave bottle is available exclusively in Harrods. harrods.com

NYC2LDN

Styled Down-Under Thanks to Thomas Pink, the British and Irish Lions will at least be dressed for success when they tour Australia next summer. The suit and shirt specialists will be fitting the squad with travel blazers, formal and casual wear, shirts and related accessories on what is the 125th anniversary of the first ever Lions’ tour. The collection will be available to buy in all Thomas Pink and John Lewis stores. For Christmas gift ideas, check out the collection’s black velvet smoking jacket and the gold and ruby cufflinks.

Any man appreciative of fine leather goods will already be aware of Coach’s premium leather offerings.

Inspired by a well-worn baseball glove, the company has spent more than half a century perfecting its signature glove-tanned cowhide. To inject a slice of New York street style into your wardrobe, check out its A/W12 Bleecker Painted Stripe Boston bag (£645). coach.com

Thomas Pink, 24 Cullum Street, EC3M 7JJ

for him

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

retro revisited Invest in a literary way of life this autumn with these vintage Gregory Peck-inspired frames (£260) by Oliver Peoples. Designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, the photochromic lenses provide the modern man with a way of achieving a classical retro look. David Clulow, 9 Bishopsgate Arcade, EC2 M3YD

3 of the best... biker jackets

Leather Bomber Jacket, £799 McQ Alexander McQueen alexandermcqueen.co.uk

Blouson Leather Jacket, £2,400 Lanvin, harrods.com

Shearling-Collar Leather Bomber Jacket, £2,520 Gucci, mrporter.com

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 63

Tim Little Shoes timlittle.com

Whisky

Gents

Today’s gentleman is good for business. Sophisticated, lean, adaptable, he has a passion for style and heritage. Creative gentlemanly alliances are being forged across the premium drinks and clothing brand spectrum, finds Dave Waddell, where outcomes are bespoke, quality, meaningful, engaging and crucially, devoid of the hard sell

Damian Barr, columnist, playwright, writer and salonniere

omething’s in the air. Chivas Brothers, age-old purveyors of blended Scotch whisky, has teamed up with Tim Little Shoes to release a stunning brogue-inspired limited-edition Chivas Regal 12 Made For Gentlemen tin box. Accompanied by an equally fine pair of Tim Little brogues, the collaboration was launched last month at The Scotch, at a party hosted by that gentleman of many kinds of letters, Tom Stubbs. It represents the first of a three-year long series of collaborations with modern craftsmen who, according to Chivas, share a “passion for style, discernment, heritage and creativity”.

Embossed and decorated in Chivas colours, the tin’s a beauty, while the shoe – very Olympic, very bold – is made for the kind of (gentle) man who knows his Oxford from his Derby.

Tom Stubbs, stylist and writer

Though perhaps the boldest move yet, Chivas’s intelligent courting of Little isn’t the first time a whisky producer has allied itself to the relatively small and niche world of gentleman’s design.

Last year gave us the Dalmore Brogue, the result of a partnering of Dalmore’s King Alexander III to Tony Lutwyche, and further afield, Johnny Walker’s Blue Label union with Bill Amberg has seen the release of a series of gentleman’s luxury travel bags. And you can see why. Whisky making, with its obsessions with detail, high-grade materials, provenance and craftsmanship, sits very comfortably with the likes of, say, Savile Row’s Huntsman. More, the Chivas 12, a guaranteed first on many a Frank Sinatra rider, comes with louche kudos. Two gentlemanly peas in a rakish pod.

Which is not to say that just because popular imagination has Winston Churchill breakfasting on whisky and cigars, or Sinatra

Photographer: Jon Bradley

S

Eli Ankutse, consultant, stylist and writer

fashion

Bill Amberg Leather Design billamberg.com Below: Lutwyche lutwyche.co.uk

et al hammering drams between shows, that Little wouldn’t fly a country mile if he felt, even for a minute, that the relationship compromised the authenticity of his product, his approach and the reason he does what he does. He would, as would Lutwyche and Amberg. And what is true of the independents is equally true of the conglomerates: Universal Breweries Group (Dalmore), Pernod Ricard (Chivas) and Diageo (Johnny Walker) didn’t buy into quality whisky just for the fun of it. No, whatever the disparity vis-a-vis muscle, the relationship is one based on good old-fashioned horse sense: the deal works, beautifully.

Even so, it’s worth asking: why now? And not just with whisky.

Creative gentlemanly alliances are being forged across the premium drinks spectrum. The lack of bling, banners and in-your-face presence is palpable. The story reigns supreme. Experiences such as Hendricks Gin’s tongue-in-cheek literary events – which, in the genteel hands

“The lack of bling, banners and in-your-face presence is palpable.

The story reigns supreme” of writer and salonniere Damian Barr, places the intelligently wellturned out centre stage – are meaningful, engaging and, crucially, devoid of the hard sell.

The Chivas launch was a stylishly low-key affair, funny, sartorial and graced by three of the most delicious whisky cocktails I’ve ever had the pleasure of murdering. Gentlemanly values – style, eccentricity, the bespoke, charm, elegance – are on the up. It is, as Amberg says, “a George Clooney world”, a world in which the gentleman’s ensemble, his luggage, his shoes, his timepiece, is worn with considered carelessness, for life. Handmade, subtle and highgrade materials, the limited-edition, the one-off. Why now?

Two reasons, really: one, the gentleman’s market is bigger, less homogenised; and two, exhausted by the plastic, the digital, the mass-produced, we are, I would suggest, on the cusp of (re)entering the age of the fetish, the customised, the product for one. The growth in what marketers rather blandly call the ‘new mass affluent’, a bracket of consumers for whom quality far outweighs the status of the large and the many, has given the gentleman’s market a timely boost. Only reasonably well-off, and not in the least enamoured by bourgeois values of acquisition for status’s sake, this new type of consumer, while appropriately respectful of the traditions as espoused by, for example, Anderson and Sheppard, recognises a new type of gentleman. This gentleman, says Eli Ankutse (of JOSHUA’s, previously of Ape to Gentleman), is as likely to frequent Dover Street Market as he is Savile Row, one who, while not overtly concerned about the cost of things, will, if necessary, go bespoke in breakaway Soho, shop in Zegna or Liberty’s and finds inspiration as much in the likes of Street Etiquette’s Joshua Kissi as he does Norton & Son’s Patrick Grant.

In truth, today’s gentleman is good for business. Sophisticated, lean, adaptable, he may indeed idealise the perfectly affected gentleman-designer as seen in Adrien Sauvage’s beautiful (and, admittedly, lighthearted) short This is Not a Suit, but lives very well in this world – the real world – a world that, as evidenced

by Stubbs’s amusingly spiky Style & Errors blog, is capable of referencing anything from football to David Bowie to Sophia Georgia’s Girlie Girlie.

For such a gentleman, values are held in relation to the practicalities of making a gentlemanly living. Grant has revived Norton & Sons with a refined mix of time-honoured tradition, the continued use of expert, in-street tailoring and the judicial employment of young British fashion designers like Christopher Kane and Kim Jones.

Lodger Footwear, member of The Lutwyche Group, while continuing to make use of the best of Northumberland shoemaking craftsmanship, has invested heavily in online presence, produces a monthly limited-edition design and, most radically, uses MRI scans to customise lasts. Little’s respectfully modern design – “English shoes without cobwebs” – has Henson back on its feet, walking stick abandoned. Savvy, entrepreneurial and well-built, these are the gentlemen businesses of the future. Death by syphilis is not an option.

Partner them while you can. Chivas has – to great effect.

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 65

NEW COLLECTION OUT NOW

WHAT 60 YEARS CAN DO FOR SOMETHING NEW New designs. New colours. New materials. It’s great with something new. Especially when it comes from experience. BoConcept has created Urban Danish Design since 1952.

Through three generations, we have learned our lessons so you can be sure that our designs will not only look great, but work too. Taking the best from the past and combining it with carefully, considered designs for tomorrow. See the new collection of Urban Danish Design in store now.

BoConcept TCR · 158 Tottenham Court Road · London W1T 7NH · 0207 388 2447 · tcrlondon@boconcept.co.uk

Call or Email us for a Free copy of our Design Catalogue and ask us about our Free Interior Design Service

486_UK_TCR_1-1Fargo_Ogi_Launch_12_Canary/City/Adv.indd 1

14/8/12 11:10:28

news

Vintage classic

barbour goes glam Having worn Barbour since her childhood, designer Alice Temperley has always had a connection with the classic brand. Following the success of a summer alliance, Barbour has continued the Gold Label collaboration collection for this season. Working with Barbour’s rugged and practical outerwear, Temperley has added signature feminine features in the fine detail, such as leather trimming, classic quilted shoulders, nipped in waists and leopard print lining, mixing fashion with functionality. A marriage of old and new, Barbour’s British heritage brand has been going for 117 years, while Temperley celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. The timeless jackets and cosy knitwear will no doubt become firm wardrobe staples this winter.

The revolutionary Chanel suit is so influential that it continues to be reinvented season after season; generation after generation. This rare and collectable suit features all of its original detailing, including the gorgeous buttons. £990, onevintagedesigns.com

temperleylondon.com

for her

1

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

bride stores Most girls start dreaming of their perfect wedding day gown the first time they watch Father of the Bride. Luxury bridal boutique Les Trois Soeurs has opened up shop in Canary Wharf, boasting a range of styles from vintage inspired to modern romantic, while its new eco friendly range uses organic, natural and sustainable fabrics.

Appointments are essential for browsing exclusively stocked British designers such as Amanda Wakeley, Temperley and Matthew Williamson.

3

leather love songs Let it be leather, whatever the crazy weather 1 Donna Karan, wool-blend felt and leather biker jacket, £1,560 donnakaran.com 2 Rebecca Taylor, leather-trimmed tweed peplum top, £350, rebeccataylor.com 3 Jaeger, leather shift dress, £650, jaeger.co.uk

2

Les Trois Soeurs 020 7987 2177, lestroissoeurs.com

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 67

Photographer Neil Marriott Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds

XXXXXX

Black velvet sportscoat, £1,895, tartan Harrison trousers £485, white dress shirt, £295, black satin bow tie, £100 white pocket square, £95, Ralph Lauren Purple Label 020 7535 4600, ralphlauren.com

SEPTEMBER 2012 CW 69

Black Catherine dress, £1,850, Temperley temperleylondon.com Black single breasted dinner jacket, £320, and trousers, £175, white shirt, £120 All Hackett, hackett.com

XXXXXX Black velvet beaded Corey dress, £8,950, black and gold bootie, POA Velvet beaded clutch, £3,385 Ralph Lauren Collection Deco drop earrings, £195, Merola 020 7351 9338, merola.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2012 CW 71

Black dress, £2,390, Hervé Léger, 020 7201 2590 Square bracelet, £360, Merola as before

fashion Black Catherine dress, £1,850, Temperley temperleylondon.com Black single breasted dinner jacket, £320 and trousers, £175, white shirt, £120 All Hackett, hackett.com Hair & Make-Up Enzo Volpe at HMS Creative using Guerlain A/W12 and Paul Mitchell Shot at the luxurious Stoke Park Country Club, Spa and Hotel in Buckinghamshire. Set within 300 acres of beautiful parkland yet just a short drive from London and Heathrow airport, Stoke Park is a five-star Hotel with 49 luxury bedrooms and suites, a 27 hole championship golf course, a stunning spa, an awardwinning restaurant, Humphry’s, 13 tennis courts, a state-of-the-art gym and much more. stokepark.com

OCTOBER 2012 CW 73

Duravit brings the bathroom to life.

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

news

Add some decadence to your dining room with the Adrianna Chandelier £7,500, ralphlaurenhome.com

old favourites

From neutral paisley in taupes and blues, geometric patterns in clashing hues and bold forest-like florals and ferns, Cole & Son has taken some of its most popular prints and given them an exciting new look for its Contemporary Restyled collection. Merging 50s glamour, 60s colours and 70s, shapes, you’ll be sure to find some retro inspiration, adding a kick of old-school charm to your favoured living space.

french fancies

£67 per roll, cole-and-son.com

This hand-painted chest would give any room an authentic 19th century Parisian feel with its intricate unsymmetrical bird and floral motif coupled with a dusky finish.

Beauty isn’t its only asset; this vintage inspired piece would make a perfect bedside table, dressed with a bronze shabby chic table lamp. Voilà. £375, angelatmytable.com

interiors

designed for a sumptuous boudoir, this chair brings a touch of romance to the bedroom £495, notonthehighstreet.com

Give your abode the attention it deserves with a stylish, seasonal spruce-up

a noble choice Bring a touch of regal style to your manor with Designers Guild’s new autumn collection. Elizabeth, as it is named, has taken inspiration from kings and queens of the past with pieces informed by preserved tablecloths, paintings and plants, all once found in the royal palaces. designersguild.com

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 75

HEART AND SOLE HARRYS OF LONDON COMBINES TRADITIONAL STYLE AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY TO PRODuCE STYLISH, COMFORTABLE SHOES. CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEVIN MARTEL DISCuSSES THE ETHOS OF THE BRAND “My main goal has always been to create the Holy Grail of men’s footwear: comfortable (as men are really wimps when it comes to painful shoes) and chic. We do this by rethinking the traditional methods of footwear construction from the sole up – it’s all about innovation and embracing new technologies in manufacturing, while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Inspiration for me usually starts with the material. We work with some of the best tanneries in England, France and Italy to develop materials especially for Harrys of London. Whether it’s a new finish, colour or texture, the quality of the material will always separate the good from the bad in men’s shoes.

Maintaining a high standard of craftsmanship is very important to me – I was recently told by one of our Italian manufacturers that I was

the only designer they knew who came to the factories to personally inspect the production and perform quality control checks. I may be a bit of a control freak, but these are my standards.

Drawing a pretty picture takes ten minutes but delivering a fine product to our customers

“DELIVERING A FINE PRODUCT TAKES MONTHS OF HARD WORK” takes months of hard work and attention to detail.

For us at Harrys, the autumn/winter 2012 collection was very much focused on the finishing and polishing of the shoes. We put a great deal of time and research into the WWW.theroyalexchange.com

CITY MAG October.indd 1-2

development of our materials and really wanted to show various hand-burnishing and polishing techniques. These special finishes give each pair of shoes a unique character and great depth of colour. I am already wearing a custom pair of our Shelley tassel loafers in the new ‘smoke’ colour which I love; it’s a great neutral dark grey that goes with everything.

There have been some amazing advances in footwear technology since the rise of the trainer in the Seventies. Back then, Nike founder Phil Knight created the first running shoe sole using a waffle iron. We now use state-of-the-art injection technology that can create very precise and sophisticated designs out of rubber and leather. It’s just about using a bit of restraint and keeping the customer’s end use in mind.”

promotion

Floral burst ↑

Well written ↑

In brief ↑

Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufor has modernised an old orange-blossom formula and today the scent, first created in 1976, is as wearable as ever.

Honeysuckle, Egyptian jasmine and narcissus rest gently alongside green top notes of bergamot and violet leaf, and the base notes of sandalwood and Virginian cedar support the richer and more contrasted scent. Orange Blossom has been described as walking from shade into warm sunshine, so it’s perfect for the winter days.

Orange blossom eau de toilette 100ml, £110

Montblanc has been a major name in luxury goods for almost a century, and this beautiful writing instrument would suggest it doesn’t plan on giving up its status anytime soon. Precious black resin is fused with red gold to make the body of the pen, while the white star emblem floats freely in a transparent dome, emphasising the unique silhouette of the writing instuments. As Montblanc says, the art of writing is timeless, so make sure you have the suitable equipment.

StarWalker Red Gold Resin Fineliner Pen, £310

SageBrown has more than 20 years’ experience in creating luxury handmade leather goods for discerning men and women. This ultimate men’s briefcase is handmade from traditional English bridle hide and features a handmade solid brass lock. Style goes side-by-side with substance here as the expandable case is big enough to fit most laptops, and there is even a detachable shoulder strap. If understated elegance is your thing, then look no further than SageBrown.

Bridle Eton Solid Brass Lock, £680

The Cult of Kiehl’s →

Swim star ↑ The first design of a pair of Vilebrequin swimming shorts was made at a café in St Tropez in 1971 on a checked tablecloth. For more than 40 years, Vilebrequin has been the brand for the man looking for fashionable swimwear. The attention to detail, bold colour and outstanding cut means these bright blue trunks will ensure you look perfectly styled, whether you’re lounging on the poolside, or strolling the beaches of southern France.

Vilebrequin cerulean solid swimming trunks, £110

A global skincare brand with a cult following, Kiehl’s remains true to its heritage as an old-world apothecary, founded in New York’s East Village more than 150 years ago. Originally offering homeopathic and herbal remedies, its knowledge of natural ingredients still informs its products today, bolstered by modern science.

Kiehl’s Crème de Corps combines Beta carotene, cocoa butter and sesame oil to create a rich, hydrating moisturiser that has become an international bestseller. Pair with the Crème de Corps body wash cream for the ultimate in hydration. The Midnight Recovery Concentrate (right), is another award-winner. The elixir is designed to work through the night to leave skin replenished and youthful.

And it’s not only products for women that are receiving plaudits, as Kiehl’s range of products for men continues to garner column inches as grooming-editor favourites. Of particular note is the Facial Fuel Transformer, a moisturiser designed to instantly hide visible signs of ageing. The Facial Fuel collection also includes an energising face wash and shave cream – all you need to hide a multitude of sins.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate 30ml, £36

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, 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

18/09/2012 10:04

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

11925_CorpHamperAd_CanaryWharf.indd 1

19/09/2012 10:48

design

National Archives

REPORT

ANONYMOUS. Opening day of Tower Bridge, June 30, 1894

loving

london

Kari Rosenberg celebrates being a Londoner with Taschen’s special edition London. Portrait of a City, designed by Paul Smith

S

amuel Johnson famously said that: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”

From Big Ben to Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace to the street artists of Brick Lane, red buses, telephone boxes, the Queen’s guards and pearly kings, the streets, style and swagger of London’s diverse occupants, this book celebrates the ever changing, ever evolving sprawling metropolis that is the capital.

This special edition collection, designed by Paul Smith, salutes

Londoners and their shared history, who throughout the city’s complex past and shifting present, have kept their humour, unique character, and bulldog spirit.

In addition to the wealth of many never before seen photographs, taken by the likes of David Bailey, Mario Testino and Lord Snowdon, among others, London’s history is told through hundreds of quotations, lively essays, and references from key movies, books, and records.

London. Portrait of a City special edition, POA, Taschen

Mayfair

the heart of

c o c kta i l b a r | lo u n g e | r e s ta u r a n t | c h e f ’ s d i n i n g r o o m | a r t g a l l e r y | l a c a v e 1 0 l a n c a s h i r e c o u r t n e w b o n d s t r e e t lo n d o n w 1 s 1 e y + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 7 5 1 8 9 3 8 8 w w w. m e w s o f m ay fa i r . c o m

news

Tusting Weekender, £599 Tusting.co.uk

King of the Castle This 13th century honey coloured château boasts enchanting original features, including a moat and drawbridge. Located near Lyon, the château casts an impressive shadow on the small village of Bagnols.

Explore the surrounding land and spend a warm evening with a picnic of regional cheese and wine. chateaudebagnols.com

Royal Abode Built for a Maharaja, the Samode Palace, India is without a doubt fit for a king. The restored mansion is the ancestral home for the Samode’s ruling family and upon arrival you’re immediately treated like part of the family. The mansion is full of exquisitely hand-painted marble, mirrors and murals, while the swimming pool is lined with frangipani trees. Walk along the cobbled lanes of the village to reach the market where you’ll find bangle makers, gemstone experts and cloth merchants. samode.com

TRAVEL

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

The Merchant of Belfast With its distinctive architectural style this grade A listed building was transformed from the headquarters of the Ulster Bank into the opulent Merchant Hotel. Located in the historic Catholic quarters in the centre of Belfast, it’s lined with original works of art, velvet, silk and rich wool carpets. It is also home to fashion boutique Harper, the only stockist in Belfast of Valentino, Celine and Christian Louboutin. Its mix of Victorian grandeur and art deco creates a modern mix. Head up to the gym for unbeatable panoramic views of the city or relax in one of the sumptuous bars and restaurants, including the jazz bar, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne lounge or the great dining room. themerchanthotel.com

Top of the Tower Located in Hunter Valley, one of the oldest wine producing areas in Australia, Tower Lodge is surrounded by fantastic wineries that are open to the public. Its 12 rooms are individually decorated and scattered with collectables using rich fabrics and recycled old timber, giving each room its own charm.

The Chairman’s Suite has a 300-year-old hand-carved Rajasthani king bed with a French antique writing desk and chair, and as a separate building, offers extra privacy. Part of the Tower Estate, owned by the late Len Evans, the lodge includes Roberts restaurant serving up the best of Australian contemporary cuisine. towerlodge.com.au

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 81

PROMOTION

beyond Baccarat While Macau’s casinos have brought it to the attention of the world, it has many other attractions to tempt the international traveller. As the city prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its illustrious Grand Prix next year, we pay homage to Macau’s lesser known treasures

W

ord on Macau has spread relatively slowly through the UK. The Chinese city succeeded Las Vegas as the world’s highest grossing entertainment centre back in 2006, yet it is only recently that the destination has begun to appear on the radars of British pleasure-seekers.

The perfect two or three night addition to a Far East business trip or holiday, Macau boasts world class resorts and attractions.

Yet it is a city of two faces; away from the gaming tables is a destination of rich history, fine food and architectural delights.

Culinary pleasures From the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau’s culinary scene embraced a unique blend of international influences, a 400-year-old melting pot of Portuguese, Chinese, South American, African, Indian and Malaysian food types.

Whether it’s Michelin-starred fine dining, or traditional Macanese street food, Macau is a city where authentically traditional and new stylish eateries sit side by side.

To eat like a local, feast on African chicken and stuffed garlic and chilli prawns at O’Manuel, or sample the city’s famous warm egg tarts (pasteis de nata) at the Lord Stow’s Bakery. To eat in style, indulge at one of Macau’s seven Michelinstarred restaurants. See why the city has gained a reputation as one of Asia’s great food destinations by paying a visit to either three-starred Robuchon au Dome, the two-starred The Eight or the magnificent Zi Yat Heen, situated in the Four Seasons hotel.

82 THE CITY OCTOBER 2012

History, Fashion & Creativity As the first European settlement in China, Macau is one of the original points where the west met the east. Today, the city is a hub of Oriental and Mediterranean-inspired treasures. The Historic Centre of Macau includes twenty-five monuments linked by a maze of streets, alleys and picturesque piazzas, and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. To see why, visit the iconic Ruins of St. Paul's, Guia Fortress, A-Ma Temple and elegant Senado Square.

In the leafy north east of Macau, the picturesque St. Lazarus district is a hub of creativity and fashion. The cobblestone streets with their colourful Portuguese facades are now a magnet for creative hothouse types. One of the newest attractions is the Macau Fashion Gallery, an interactive window for fashion art education. Elsewhere, the recently opened Macau Story House highlights Macau’s history and cultural heritage through a collection of books about the city, while at the Albergue SCM visitors can treat their tastebuds to fusion cuisine.

Entertainment, Macau-style There’s no getting away from the fact that Macau is a gamer’s paradise. Last year its 30-something casinos turned over four times as much revenue as their Las Vegas counterparts. Yet you needn’t be a casino fanatic to enjoy this bustling city.

Away from its Baccarat tables, Macau’s splendours cater for a host of pleasureseeking devotees.

Macau’s dazzling nightlife includes a dizzying number of bars and nightclubs and the spectacular House of Dancing Water show at the City of Dreams, with its

high dive acrobatics and somersaulting motorbikes. By day, the Macau Tower - standing at 338-metres high on the southern tip of the peninsula - offers visitors the adrenaline rush of a Skywalk, mast climb and the highest commercial bungee jump in the world.

chilling out Macau’s southern countryside is the place to relax, with green hills and beaches and a variety of sporting options including golf, canoeing, windsurfing, hiking and cycling.

Or for some indoor pampering, head for one of the lavish spas in Macau’s luxury hotels.

Macau is home to many of the world’s greatest international hotel brands – from the Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, to Grand Hyatt, Wynn and Sofitel – and each features its own premium spa.

Special Events With a history of such eclectic influences, it’s no surprise that Macau’s events calendar contains a colourful mix of fascinating festivals. From traditional Asian celebrations such as Chinese New Year and Dragon Boat festivals to more contemporary music, food and fireworks celebrations, there’s plenty to plan your itinerary around. A highlight for motoring enthusiasts is November’s Macau Grand Prix. One of the most demanding circuits in the world – and arguably the finest street circuit on the planet – the Macau Formula 3 championship has been won by illustrious names such as Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard.

With 2013 marking the Grand Prix’s 60th anniversary, expect next year’s meet to be the most glamorous in the event’s history.

macau in brief Macau is located just 40 miles from Hong Kong – accessible via a 45 minute ferry ride It also has its own international airport with direct flights to many international cities Macau became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China in 1999 The city’s Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site It’s one of the most distinguished culinary destinations in Asia and renowned for its sparkling nightlife and entertainment

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Destination...

edinburgh There’s more to Edinburgh than haggis, finds Rajdeep Sandhu, as she samples some local Highland fare and earns some authentic Scottish checks Where to stay… The Prestonfield House Hotel With all the charm of a country estate, the Prestonfield House Hotel is surrounded by 20 acres of garden and parkland, but only five minutes away from the city’s lively main streets. Decadent and luxurious, the A listed 17th century building was once home to Lord Provost, and now its baroque designed interior offers opulent surroundings in which to relax. Hidden in the historic building are a selection of public rooms, filled with art, antiques and log fires. Live like the Lord himself and stay in the Lord Provost suite which has views overlooking the rocky hill, Arthur’s Seat.

Where to eat… The Café Royal While Scotland may be famed for its haggis and deep fried Mars Bars, this historic city has so much more on offer when it comes to tantalising the tastebuds. The Café Royal (caferoyal.org.uk) is a great lunch spot, renowned for its world-class oysters. Try them grilled, wrapped in bacon and drizzled with balsamic vinegar or over crushed ice and lemon for a refreshing taste of the ocean. Head over to The Witchery (thewitchery.com) for locally sourced Angus beef with garlic broth or smoked salmon with leeks and hollandaise sauce, all to be found inside the eerie 16th century building. If you’re still hankering after some haggis, head to Crombies (sausages.co.uk), and take home your own wee piece of Highland fare.

What to do… Retail Therapy

From top to bottom: Edinburgh Castle, man in local dress, Prestonfield House Hotel tapestry room, Edinburgh cityscape, Prestonfield House Hotel suite

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British Airways flies to Edinburgh eight times daily, to Aberdeen three times daily and Glasgow six times daily from London City Airport.

Book now at ba.com

84 THE CITY OCTOBER 2012

Take a stroll down Edinburgh’s twisting cobbled streets and admire the surrounding architecture; the city boasts the highest concentration of listed buildings in the world. Afterwards, wander down into the Royal Mile for a spot of shopping; pick up an authentic kilt from Geoffrey (Tailor) Kiltmaker and Weavers or for something more thrilling, try the Grassmarket and browse its independent shops for unique gifts. For luxury brands head to Multrees Walk.

Don’t miss…Culture Hotspots From Calton Hill enjoy splendid landscapes scattered below and watch the sunset behind the ever-glowing Edinburgh Castle. Soak up the culture and pay a visit to the Scottish National Art Gallery. As a UNESCO City of Literature, it would be a crime not to explore its world of book shops. The Edinburgh Bookshop offers the best in Scottish titles, while the high ceilings, glass tables and original artwork make it both elegant and beautiful. Visit the Spoon Cafe Bistro to see where JK Rowling spent time creating her world of wizardry. A trip to Edinburgh Castle is also obligatory for first timers; just try to get there early to miss most of the crowds.

Aberdeen from London City Airport.

Up to 3 times a day.

With flights to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, we connect Scotland’s 3 main business hubs with one of London’s.

Book at ba.com/ londoncity

With a check-in time of just 15 minutes*, taking the high road to Scotland really will get you there sooner.

To Fly. To Serve.

*15 minute check-in for hand baggage only, 20 minute check-in for baggage in the hold.

Service operated by BA CityFlyer.

0822822 297x210 aberdeen press.indd 1

18/09/2012 16:01

On the

Gabrielle Lane experiences a touch of the Chelsea life in Val d’Isère

Rocks

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F

irstly: a confession. Despite investing

in some very swanky white salopettes and borrowing an obscenely expensive jacket from a semi-pro for my trip to Val d’Isère, I barely skied. In fact, life didn’t get any more strenuous than being towed round the nursery slope by a charming and impossibly patient French instructor called Max, whose only charge was yours truly. I certainly witnessed the tribes of hardcore, fluoro-clad skiers who flock to the area but they skimmed past in the distance as I sat in a hot tub and drank champagne; four days out of London, and just an hour and a half away by SWISS International Airways, I found myself enjoying complete and utter relaxation, Raffles-style.

The members’ club has devised a lifestyle membership package which allows clients to sample a range of memorable experiences around the world. In Val d’Isère, this takes the form of a stay in Le Chardon, a selection of five suitably stylish chalets, and a vibrant social calendar.

From the moment we arrived, our group congregated

My ski instructor Max heroically caught me every time I headed for the fences at 50mph on the terraces, eating and drinking fabulously well and sharing stories from the slopes, past and present. The first evening, we did little more than feast and get acquainted, as Le Chardon’s brilliant staff topped up our glasses, gave out endless tidbits of useful resort advice and made us feel truly relaxed and welcome, before showing each of us to our respective rooms.

Each of the suites at Le Chardon is plush yet rustic, with wooden beams and floors, comfortable double beds, baskets of beauty products and private outside space, but each night I was asleep almost instantly, if not from skiing but from the general buzz that pervaded the trip.

Raffles co-ordinates all of the equipment and lift passes which makes it a real ski-in, ski-out holiday. The team arranged guides who arrived raring to go at 10am every day for those of us keen to take lessons or seek out the top spots for a healthy three hours. Max taught me to duck-step, plough, turn (though I could manage left, never right), bought me cups of tea at regular intervals and heroically caught me every time I headed for the fences at 50mph. It was a real luxury to have personal tuition

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 87

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arranged, not least as it spared me the embarrassment of learning alongside the super-skilled ten-year-olds at ski school. For all my talk of food and champagne, I genuinely loved being out in the snow.

Lunch on the first day was an informal affair and we tucked into lasagne, chips and plates of salad in the sun at a great café on the edge of the town centre. We spent the afternoon at leisure, some watching films in the chalet’s cinema room, others taking a nap before the evening’s activities.

After another gorgeous three course dinner, we set off for Dick’s Tea Bar and a full-on party. A slightly more polished version of your classic Euro nightclub, dance music reigned in both rooms and Raffles had commandeered two tables; my lasting memory is the random mix of people – press and media types, chalet staff and guests, tourists and locals – dancing on curved leather booths in a ‘we’re going to be friends forever’ kind of way. As glasses clinked, cameras flashed and

88 THE CITY OCTOBER 2012

everyone clambered to join in. It epitomised the tone of the trip; indulgent without being pretentious and a real departure from home while reflecting the best of London society.

Not surprisingly, the next day’s ski session was subdued but there’s something about the altitude that makes you feel very fresh and ready for La Folie Douce, which is where the official Raffles après-ski was held later in the day. To describe Folie as a café-bar, as it does on its own website, is a slight injustice. It’s very much a little slice of Ibiza, a few thousand feet up. Again we ate; steaks, chicken and everything else we could get our hands on, before the entertainment started: singers, dancers and a very famous DJ (who I can’t pretend to know the name of). The laid-back vibe was infectious and we took court on a designated terrace overlooking the crowd, not before engineering our own rock star moment – waving Raffles flags and jumping around the roof above a crazy crowd below, while one of the Folie team shouted, “I could get in trouble for this!”

more information Raffles (www.raffleschelsea.com) Le Chardon Moutain Lodges includes five lodges and weekly rates start from £7,950 (www.mantiscollection.com) Dick’s Tea Bar (www.dicksteabar.com) La Folie Douce (www.lafoliedouce.com) Veuve Clicquot Champagne (www.veuve-clicquot.com) SWISS International Airways (www.swiss.com) flies to Geneva from London Heathrow on a daily basis Prices one-way start from £121 and include all taxes

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Après hours in

Austria

Gabriel O’Rorke burns the weekend at both ends and heads to St Anton in the Austrian slopes without cutting into office hours

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eing ‘time poor’ is one of the consequences of working life, and there’s very little to be done about it, so I decided to make the most of the weekend and pack in as much as I possibly could. After a Friday evening flight and transfer, we arrive at St Anton’s new Mooser Hotel in the dark.

The clandestine feeling that comes with arriving at night is intensified when the taxi drives into a lift and we are lowered into an underground car park.

For many, the word Mooser means dancing on the tables at the legendary Mooserwirt après-ski bar. And true enough the hotel is owned by the very same Eugen Scalet, the former Alpine farmer who three decades ago turned his mountain barn into a bar.

“At first it was just a small bar for his friends,” says Andy Butterworth, co-owner of Kaluma Travel. “Then it grew and grew, so he moved the sheep out and expanded the bar.”

Having developed a solid reputation for owning one of Europe’s most raucous bars, Scalet decided to expand from booze to boutique. So, he spent three years and 12 million euros transforming his 300-year-old farmhouse into a stone, wooden and glass chalet hotel.

The feeling of entering a lair continues as we walk through a red-carpeted tunnel and into the hotel. The reception is split across two levels, with seating overlooking

the now dark slopes, and stairs leading up to a reception which is behind an antique arch.

Sinking into impossibly soft sheets, we fell asleep within seconds and the alarm goes off all too soon. Rolling out of bed, we stock up on poached eggs and coffee (one of the breakfast options is a Scalet specialty, a highly unappetising raw egg in a glass), get suited and booted and ski out of the door and onto the slopes.

It’s a spectacularly sunny day and we decide to avoid the weekend lift queues by starting over at Rendl. By the afternoon we have covered both sides of the mountain including skiing down to St Christoph, so it is well-deserved when we stop for lunch at Verwallstube, the highest two-toque (similar to Michelin star) restaurant in the Alps.

Settling down on gingham-covered chairs around circular tables, we enjoyed the rare treat of having table service on the slopes.

Again, unusual for ski food, Chef Bernhard Neuholds specialises in seafood (which is flown in several times a week) and I highly recommend the monkfish with fennel, celery and saffron sauce. Pudding is always my weak spot, and I go for chocolate ravioli which is worth having for the presentation alone – the rich pasta pieces are covered in nasturtiums and red berries and the dish looks like a flowerbed.

A few more runs under our belts and we gravitate to the Mooserwirt; making the most of residents’ privileges, we drop our skis and boots in the ski room before heading through

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Images courtesy of Hermann de Meier

Settling down on gingham-covered chairs around circular tables, we enjoyed the rare treat of having table service on the slopes the guest-only secret door joining the luxury hotel to the jam-packed bar.

Squeezing onto a bench, we sit cheekby-jowl hailing down waiters who wield super-size trays brimming with beer, glühwein and jägermeisters. Drinking chants rise and fall, temporarily drowning out the Euro-pop, and wads of cash are passed from the table-dancing, salopettewearing crowds to the waiters.

All this goes on until eight in the evening on the dot when the 62-year-old DJ Gerhard winds up the tunes and sends the merry skiers sliding down into St Anton, the fruits of their beer money standing tall behind them, casting a warm glow over the darkened slopes.

Originally the idea was that the Mooserwirt clientele would stay at the hotel, but as we retreat back inside we discover the hotel’s guests are notably calmer and less inebriated. Heading to the spa before supper, we find ourselves surrounded by families easing off muscles in the outdoor infinity pool, two types of sauna, steam and infra-red room.

At supper people sit at, rather than stand on, the tables; and a pleasant hubbub fills the restaurant.Saturday night is for fondue, and the choice is cheese, oil or soup. We choose the potage and dunk fresh chicken, veal and steak into flavoursome soup which

is afterwards given to us as a drink with an added splash of sherry.

The next morning, Jürgen Pirker, a leatherfaced Arlberg Classic ski guide, meets us outside the hotel. An instructor and guide for 35 years, Jürgen puts us through our paces, leading us around the 280km of pistes and seemingly spotting mistakes without looking.

The only disadvantage to staying on the slopes is that you can spend so long in the sauna that you miss out on village life.

So, for our last night we headed down to another new hotel, M3. Situated smack bang in the middle of town, this is the foodie equivalent of the Mooser. Again, it is family-

owned; this time by the Kaser brothers, Mansuet, Michael and Markus (hence the M3). Where the Mooser has the Mooserwirt, M3 has what is widely considered St Anton’s best restaurant, Hacienda. We drop our things in the spacious room, one of 26 and decorated with Scandinavian simplicity, and stop to marvel at the private infrared cabin before heading down to dinner.

As often seems to be the case with skiing, we have topped up a lot of vertical metres, and consumed even more calories. Still, when the alarm goes off at three o’clock on Monday morning, there are certainly no regrets about either, apart from a few rumbles about returning to work.

more information Gabriel O’Rorke travelled to St Anton in the Austrian Tirol with Kaluma Ski (kalumatravel.co.uk 01730 260263) and stayed at the Mooser and M3 Mooser prices start from £130 per person per night or seven nights B&B, flights (BA from Gatwick), transfers from £1,260. The Kaluma concierge service is included as standard for all guests M3 prices start from £95 per person per night or 7 nights B&B, flights (BA from Gatwick), transfers from £1,015 Ski instruction was provided by the new Arlberg Classic Ski School www.anton-classic.com VIP transfers provided via Kaluma Travel with Loacker Tours, www.airport-drivers.com, Kaluma’s preferred airport transfer service For resort information visit www.stantonamarlberg.com and www.visittirol.co.uk

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 91

Fair Game

Beverley Byrne is well and truly ‘wowed’ by the technicolor wonderland of South Africa

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“T

he first person to see a giraffe gets a prize,” says Jo. Yeah right.

We may be en route to Phinda, a game reserve three hours outside of Durban, but until we get there this cynical Brit isn’t expecting anything more exotic than gum trees and sugar cane. Five minutes later, a shout comes from one of my fellow travellers, “Look, giraffes. I win!” And there they are; a family of giraffes casually nibbling on tall trees not fifty metres from the busy main road. A few miles on, we pass a field full of grazing ostriches – and we’re not even on safari yet. Jo, who has organised this trip to Phinda from our hotel, the Fairmont Zimbali Resort near Durban, smiles knowingly, “There you are. I told you – South Africa is a wonderland.”

When at home in the UK, the only extreme wildlife you’re likely to see is on television, so the idea of watching animals not so much in the wild as in your neighbourhood, makes the South Africa experience all the more stunning. Jo tells

us that the Zimbali Resort, situated on an unspoilt East Coast shoreline between a forest reserve and the shimmering sea, aims to embrace the region’s exquisite natural beauty and reflect the rich Zulu heritage of the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Judging by the beautiful setting and classy local art work distinguishing this modern hotel, it’s a job well done.

Languishing in my suite the size of a tennis court, I’ve become used to monkeys performing tricks along my expansive balcony or mischievously turning on the showers beside one of the five swimming pools. The bird life and butterflies are entrancing and I even spot Dak (a species of antelope) helping themselves to juicy vegetation in the kaleidoscopic gardens.

Who needs a safari?

Tearing myself away from the luxurious Fairmont Zimbali is tough but the Phinda Game Reserve comes with pedigree – and I’m not talking about the big cats.

Everyone from Charles and Camilla to Brad and Angelina has visited Phinda. Set in

56,800 acres of prime wilderness comprising a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, river courses and marshes, Phinda is also a sanctuary for the Big Five.

My sumptous lodge is surrounded on all sides by floor to ceiling windows so I can watch wildlife parading past in the forest as I luxuriate in the freestanding bath or laze in the capacious bed. At night, nocturnal snuffles and rifflings in the vegetation outside offer promises of things to come.

Admittedly, the five o’clock morning call comes as a shock, but as I climb aboard the jeep and watch the rising sun filtering through the trees the excitement is palpable.

Our guide, a grizzled Zulu called Benson and his tracker Nsika, are keen to show us the illusive cheetah. Following great paw prints in the sand, we encounter a new set of collective nouns including a ‘dazzle’ of zebra, a ‘journey’ of giraffe and a ‘creche’ of white rhino and their agile infants

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 93

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more information Seven nights in South Africa with Bales Worldwide, including scheduled flights and accommodation at Fairmont Zimbali Resort on a B&B basis with transfers included. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing a Fairmont King NS balcony with forest view room, and includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices from £1,895.

To book: Call 0845 057 0600 or visit balesworldwide.com

playing like puppies. Suddenly Benson swerves the jeep towards a shrub beneath where a huge male lion is panting in its shade. We are so close I can see his yellow stained teeth and one opaque blue eye – “he lost his sight in a fight,” Benson reveals chillingly.

Two lionesses laze beneath a nearby bush but when one lumbers towards the male and playfully bites his back, he raises a vast paw and growls a resonant warning. Then a cub cheekily peeks out from the undergrowth, followed by another – and another. In all, six cubs appear and we watch entranced as these oversized kittens gambol in the grass.

The cheetah may have proved illusive but sightings such as these are better than any David Attenborough documentary.

That night, we dine by the light of an open fire in the lodge’s enclosed boma.

Chef Sam Nguni has prepared an ‘African kitchen dinner’ and proudly revealed to us that Phinda Reserve has provided the local community with a school and three clinics.

“It is beautiful,” he tells us, concluding with a flourish, “And I kiss you for free, you don’t pay!”

Back at the Fairmont, the Willow Stream Spa seems the best place to wash away safari dust. Thinking of Phinda’s mud-caked rhinos, I choose a mud-based body treatment. After my torso has been slathered with hot mud, leaving me looking like a huge Mars Bar, I’m given a full body massage using Marula oil (Africa’s miracle product) and a stress relieving facial massage using an intonga stick – a sort of African chopstick. I leave

94 THE CITY OCTOBER 2012

feeling serene with skin as smooth as latex.

Apart from game reserves, the hotel can also arrange a wide range of alternative attractions. From world class golf, scuba diving and deep sea fishing, to the uShaka Marine World offering hours of fish based family fun or visits to the bloody battlefields where the Zulu, Boer and British struggled for control of the country, there is something here for everyone. But before leaving, Jo suggests one very special experience – a visit to a local Zulu village.

It is Sunday and the community gathered in a windowless hall greets us like royalty.

Children, their faces stained with mud as a natural sunscreen, welcome us with lusty songs and high kicks as we take our seats amidst the congregation. Beginning with a tiny girl who belts out a song, the men, women and children of the village entertain us with dance and song. With only the slapping of feet, the clapping of hands or the rustle of embroidered skirts as percussive accompaniment, these electrifying performances are met with wild ullulation and applause.

Finally, the congregation bursts into an accapella hymn of joyful thanksgiving.

Swelling harmonies radiate waves of genuine warmth throughout the hall and I am moved beyond words. It is a memorable finale to this technicolour visit to the Rainbow Nation. Jo was right; South Africa is a wonderland and thanks to the Fairmont Zimbali Resort, I’ve witnessed first hand this land filled with marvels.

&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve safaris@andBeyond.com www.andBeyond.com All inclusive suite rates at Phinda Forest Lodge start at around £300 person per night based on two people sharing and include safari activities fairmont.com Seven nights in South Africa from £1,895 with Bales Worldwide, including scheduled flights and accommodation at Zimbali Lodge on a B&B basis with transfers included. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing a Fairmont King NS balcony with forest view room, and includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on travel in May 2012 To book: call 0845 057 0600 or visit balesworldwide.com

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City Magazine Runwild FPSeptember.indd 1

16/08/2012 12:32:14

Outstanding

Orient Anna Ryder travels to Shanghai and Hong Kong for the first time to experience everything China has to offer; from the hustle and bustle of modern city life to the cultural and culinary delights, there’s something for everyone

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L

ike so many Londoners I’m on the go all the time, trying to fit too much into my day. So it was almost a surprise when I suddenly found myself at Heathrow, straight from the office, breathless and booking travel insurance on my iPhone as I ran to check in. I had been so busy that I’d not had a moment to think about my first trip to China; the mysterious, intriguing country that had always captured my imagination. My knowledge of it was rather sparse and full of contradictions – the oldest continuous civilisation in the world, an economic powerhouse and at the frontier of ground-breaking developments, yet it was also a misty-mountained land of ancient tradition, culture and history. I realised I had no idea what to expect.

“Once known as the ‘Paris of the East’, this city is China’s melting pot of old and new” As we took off, all the pressures of modern London living seemed to fall away. I started to look forward to the exciting new discoveries that awaited me in the Orient, but the luxurious indulgences began with the flight. Pure relaxation: the chance to lie back and breathe, without my phone buzzing nonstop. I have to admit – flying is not my sport. I tend to be that passenger not getting a wink of sleep and clutching a whisky. But with the ever-faithful BA, from boarding to baggage collection, the journey was a pleasure. I enjoyed champagne and succulent beef filet (from a deliciously diverse in-flight menu) and snoozed at leisure until I found myself with my luggage in Shanghai.

The city is China’s fastest growing economic metropolis, with an intriguing historical reputation.

Once known as the ‘Paris of the East’, this sprawling city is China’s melting pot of old and new. As we powered down the new expressways into the heart of the city, surrounded by intimidating, gleaming skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle created by a staggering population of 23 million, first impressions did not disappoint. Looking out at the food stalls and push bikes, ancient temples and the hippest of rooftop bars, I felt myself being sucked in by the addictive buzz of the city.

The following morning, bright-eyed and eager, I hit the button to raise the floor-to-ceiling blackout

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 97

MORE INFORMATION British Airways offers flights twice daily from London Heathrow to Hong Kong starting from £659.39. Fares in Club World start from £3,195.39 including taxes, fees and charges.

British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Shanghai every day except Tuesday. Fares in World Traveller start from £739.59 and in Club World from £3,175.59 including taxes, fees and charges.

For more information visit ba.com Stay at The PuLi Hotel and Spa, Shanghai in a Deluxe King from £449 per room per night based on two people sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. Price includes soft drink mini bar, WiFi, free use of health clubs and swimming pool. For reservations or enquiries, please call +86 21 3203 9999 or e-mail reservations@thepuli.com Stay at Hullett House from £812.79 per room per night. For reservations or enquiries, please call +85 23 988 0000 or email hotel@hulletthouse.com

blinds. The view that greeted me (even while standing in the shower) was extraordinary. To my right was the glittering, centuries-old, golden-roofed Jing’an Temple, whilst looming to my left were too many towering structures to count. I spent the day zipping around the busy city, soaking up as much as possible, firstly at the Bund, comprising myriad grand, historical buildings and one of Shanghai’s top tourist spots. It’s the perfect destination if you feel like splurging out on shopping and cocktails. Next was the restored Xintiandi’s stone houses (shikumen), now renovated into an eclectic mix of cafes and restaurants. Finally, TianZiFang; a haven for art lovers, with so much to see and learn about (and even more to haggle over).

Luckily, Shanghai’s wealth of dining options kept me fuelled up and gave me a taste of contrasting but equally delicious Chinese cuisines. I tucked into a traditional Shanghainese lunch – identifiable by its sweet taste and deep red colour – at Ye Shanghai Restaurant. In the evening I indulged in Mountain Mekong region cuisine at Lost Heaven. Seduced by mountains of spring rolls, smoked fish and chilli chicken and the restaurant’s party atmosphere (I’m convinced the group next to us were on a hen party), it seemed only right to end the evening in the open-roofed bar with a G&T in hand.

It is not until you experience a hectic day of Shanghai living that you truly appreciate what a sanctuary the PuLi Hotel and Spa is. From the lighting to the decor, every last detail of the hotel’s design – the textures and layout, the diverse and justifiably tempting dining – has been finely honed to create an oasis of tranquillity. At every turn I discovered artwork and pieces that told a unique cultural or historical story – there was even a traditional pair of

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male and female Foo Dog statues guarding my room from evil spirits. It felt like the hotel had anticipated my every need, from a television screen over the cavernous bath to a beautiful wooden desk, thoughtfully positioned so I could get my work done and still cast the occasional eye out over my new favourite city.

My second day in Shanghai brought delights in the shape of a breakfast street food tour. We were guided through the former French Concession, queuing up with locals grabbing a speedy bite to eat on their way to work. The tour consisted of sampling everything in sight including exquisite shengjianbao (Shanghainese fried dumplings) and jain bing (crêpes with egg, coriander and crispy wonton). A word of warning; there is a technique to eating street dumplings. One mis-bite and all those flavourful juices will end up in your lap! Open-fronted kitchens displayed chefs firing up woks and hand-pulling noodles. We were treated to a trip to the Fuxing Lu Wet Market, overflowing with mouth-watering (and sometimes eye-watering) smells and feisty local shoppers bargaining for squawking live chickens or fish so fresh it was still jumping. I’d experienced a slice of authentic Shanghainese life and somehow still managed to squeeze in a few lunchtime foie gras and chicken dumplings at the famous Ding Tai Feng (luckily still wearing my elasticated, albeit dumpling juice stained, trousers.)

The explorer in me wanted to stay in the city but my feet and back were starting to object. The spa treatment awaiting my return to the hotel was the perfect way to collect my thoughts on the morning’s adventures. A solitary dip in the infinity pool, gazing out in to the lush greenery of the Jing’an Park was followed by a massage treatment, inspired by the healing properties of tea.

Reinvigorated, I headed out for one last glimpse of the city at night. The sci-fi skyline of the Pudong side of Huangpu River is an architectural delight. The towering Shanghai World Financial Centre and the oddly retro Oriental Pearl Tower (for me, it looks like a building from the 60s cartoon The Jetsons) are brought alive in the darkness, haloed with vibrant colours and covered in twinkling lights. I didn’t want to leave.

But it was time for the next leg of my trip: Hong Kong. After a short flight and typhoon warning I arrived to blazing sunshine, starting my short stay with a

breathtaking boat trip on the Aqua Luna, one of Hong Kong’s last remaining red sailed junk boats. As the sun set, I soaked up yet another astounding skyline. Just when I thought the view couldn’t get any better, a spectacular laser and lights display began. The nightly Symphony of Lights, named by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest permanent light and sound show, lit up more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour.

Our hotel was the ideal base to explore all Hong Kong had to offer. As part of a white-stucco colonial building, formerly the Marine Police Headquarters, boutique hotel Hullett House has ten suites designed to capture a part of Hong Kong’s history, a unique blend of Chinese and British. There is the quirky and bizarre Casam Suite, where the walls are covered in tongue-in-cheek sequence scenes of Chairman Mao. In stark contrast is the peaceful green Stanley Suite, with its 26 hand-painted songbirds decorating the walls. My personal favourite was lavish Pui O Suite, reflecting the Art Deco of the 1920s.

The rest of the hotel and Hullett House’s restaurants and bars (which cater for any taste or fancy; everything from a delightful high tea in the sun to a traditional Hong Kong dim sum and Chinese wine) are equally beautiful in their design. I found myself wandering from room to room, tracing the hand-painted murals with my fingers and spotting the difference between the Chinese dragon ornaments (five claws) and English dragon statues (two claws). I even ended up in one of the original Marine Police jail cells and stumbled across Hong Kong’s first flushing toilet.

My last day was spent ticking off all the tourist ‘mustsees’. I rode the Peak Tram up to the highest point on Hong Kong Island to enjoy the astonishing view. The tram journey itself was rather exhilarating; it’s been running since 1888 and is very steep. I indulged in a sleep-inducing foot massage and ‘oooh-ed’ and ‘aaah-ed’ over bags, shoes, unnecessary trinkets and souvenirs.

As suddenly as I found myself at Heathrow, I found myself on the return flight home. I had been privileged to experience two of the world’s great cities in complete luxury – both cocktails of the old and new, pulsating metropolises of contradictions and contrast. Ever growing, ever changing but ever looking back in celebration and respect of their rich history. I can’t wait to go back.

Overleaf: Traditional wooden sailboat in Victoria Harbour From left: PuLi Hotel and Spa: Garden Terrace; cold foie gras with Eastern Caipirinhia; hotel bedroom Hullett House: Loong Toh Yuen main dining room; hotel exterior

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 99

LET THE SUN SHINE

The new terrace at The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant in Knightsbridge is the ideal destination for summer. A secluded and sophisticated venue for morning coffee or light meals, the terrace becomes a cigarist’s paradise in the evening with an extensive choice of whisky, cocktails and wine complementing a new cigar menu.

For more information visit theribroom.co.uk or call 020 7858 7250 Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9PY

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

18/06/2012 17:04:52

review

British Fare sarah connell heads to Broadgate to sample the culinary delights of the South Place Hotel, finding it delightfully British

T

Load of Waffle

Kari Rosenberg tries pig’s ears, foie gras with nutella and cod tongues at the barmy Bishopsgate Duck & Waffle

T

ake it from someone that wasn’t born here – the South Place Hotel is wonderfully ‘London’. The interior is frightfully smart with swathes of rich panelling one might expect from a swanky new hotel, but at the same time homely enough that I ended the night a tipple away from dozing off on my table-side sofa. We started in the bar – which I’m told is much less boardroom than dance floor in the wee hours – with a superb Spy Who Loved Me and a From Russia With Love to wash away the day’s tedium. The service was slick, and one of the many matching minions escorted us into the 3 South Place restaurant and the capable hands of our waitress for the evening. Before we knew it the cork was popped on a lovely Chateau-something from Bordeaux.

The restaurant is nothing short of delightful with every detail considered by Conran & Partners, and if you’re not the sort to share the long central table with others, there are plenty of other seating options to accommodate you. The best of British, the old and the new, is well flaunted with water poured from a silver jug your mother would polish for Christmas but the table adorned with cutlery you wouldn’t. And whilst paintings mimic Lichtenstein they celebrate none other than Colman’s mustard and Marmite.

I love a menu pretentious enough to offer whole lobster but, in the next sentence, macaroni pasta. More importantly any restaurant of this quality that isn’t too cool for mini-hamburgers and triplecooked fries is fine by me. To start, we opted for tender, smoky scallops and smoked salmon. The horseradish that accompanied the latter was blander than hoped for but true to form this gave the dish a freshness I had not expected. For the main affair truffle risotto with lashings of goat’s cheese did not disappoint nor did the dry aged rib-eye with just the right sides.

The crisp Tinpot Hut Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough helped me through the oh-so-Derbyshire Bakewell slice, while the other half groaned his way through the most marvellous baked cheesecake, finished fittingly with a Port. If the food and booze weren’t enough, had this not been a school night the teasing music would’ve easily enticed us back to the bar until God knows when. Alas, we agreed the section of the menu titled Pies, Offal & Braised warranted further inspection, and drifted off into the night safe in the knowledge we would return – in the interests of thoroughness.

here aren’t enough words on this half-page to describe, in the detail it deserves, just how fabulous Duck & Waffle is; the new, quirky sweet-meets-savoury eatery that recently opened at the top of Heron Tower. The slightly nerveracking journey in a glass lift, taking less than 30 seconds, made me squeal like a child – the views from the bar, and the restaurant, are equally jaw-dropping. Then there’s the food: oh, the food. One glance at the slightly bonkers menu and either you’ll be salivating for the nuttella foie gras combos, or shaking your head in a supercilious, “they can’t be serious” manner; a non-believer, yet to be converted.

Feeling very gung-ho about the whole gastronomic adventure, my dining companion and I took the advice of the charismatic restaurant manager Gavin McGowan Madoo (yes, he assures us, that is his real name) and ordered the most barmy dishes on offer.

We started off with the BBQ spiced crispy pig’s ears, a delicacy I was pleasantly surprised by. The ears were sliced very thin like bite-sized rashers of crunchy bacon, served casually in a paper bag. The cod tongues turned out to be succulent fish goujons , served in a newspaper cone. Then arrived a refreshing mini-course: heritage tomatoes with summer herbs and raw slithers of scallop with apple, black truffle and lime, served on Himalayan rock salt, which was zesty, light and moreish.

The creamy, runny burrata came with capers and pickled red onion and went perfectly with the tomatoes, but had we known what was to follow, perhaps we wouldn’t have finished every last mouthful.

Next, the foie gras all day breakfast arrived: warm buttery brioche, spread thick with home-made nutella, supporting a caramelised nugget of foie gras and a fried quail’s egg. As we demolished every morsel, the smoked haddock Scotch egg with curry mayonnaise somehow found its way to our table as Gavin grinned, sending over another bottle of Malbec . He really was testing our stamina. And then the pièce de résistance; confit duck, crispy and glistening served –yes, you guessed it – on a waffle, topped with a fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup.

Possibly the best thing I’ve ever tasted.

Although I woke up still bursting at the seams, and spent the rest of the week eating seaweed and queuing up for Crussh Detoxers, it was worth every single calorie – minus the post-waffle drop back to street level, which in hindsight, does not a pleasurable experience make.

South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF

Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 101

STAY FESTIVE.

The brand new Holiday Inn London–Commercial Road, located in the heart of London, is perfect for a Christmas party. We’re full of fun, new ideas and events for the 2012 party season, with three-course festive lunch from £19.95 and dinner from £24.95 per person. So call now to find out more.

Book before 31st October and one person goes free for every ten that you book when you quote LONUK-Christmas 2012.

Visit hilondoncommercialroadhotel.co.uk or call 0871 942 9299 to book Holiday Inn London–Commercial Road Central Reservations 0800 40 50 60 Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

5714 Business Xmas Ad A4.indd 1

13/09/2012 17:22

news

frightfully good treats...

Double Truffle

bubbles in bed Breakfast in bed will never be the same again. Teaming up with Ruinart, Browns Hotel has devised the ultimate in gourmet romance. Reclining in our king-size bed, a bottle of Ruinart Rosé Champagne arrived, and with it, a berry centred feast. We matched the Champagne’s key flavours of guava, raspberry and lychee with the aromas of the miniature scent vials and the stand-out flavours of waffles with cherry compote, dragon fruit, pineapple carpaccio with mint, sugared grapefruit, pomegranate granola and flaky custard filled pastries.

The Ruinart Rose Interpretation Breakfast in Bed package starts at £495 in a Deluxe Room; brownshotel.com

FOOD

DRINK

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

Royal chocolatier Charbonnel et Walker has delighted us once again with two new additions to the already spectacular selection of truffles. Adding some Caribbean flavour, the team has created a truffle filled with 12-yearold Jamaican rum wrapped and dusted in dark chocolate. Milk chocolate lovers should try the sea salt caramel truffle; the caramel is infused with sea salt to give it a new edge.

Charbonnel et Walker, Liverpool Street Station

Trick or Treats Providing you with enough supplies for all those terrible trick or treaters to suffer a sugar induced coma. For your last minute bulk buy of candy for the kids, Waitrose has everything you need to celebrate Halloween including its popping candy chocolate lollies and chocolate pumpkins and eyeballs.

If that isn’t enough to satisfy the army of un-dead then bring in the backups; bat brownies, eyeball and pumpkin cupcakes and witch gingerbread.

Waitrose, Cherry Tree Walk

fright night

the Whisky Show Forget wine tasting; this show is all about whisky, wherby premium whiskies from around the world will be exhibited. All inclusive tickets cover a two course whisky-inspired meal in the Show Brasserie and free samples throughout. Expert mixologists will run cocktail master classes and guests will have the chance to taste Dream Drams and other rare single malts and fine blends. There will also be a room dedicated to food pairing.

Hotel Chocolat’s brand new collection has some frightfully delicious delicacies, including its limited edition Dead Gorgeous casket filled with chocolates each stamped with a 24 carat edible laughing skull. The treats are laid out in a matt black casket trimmed with black satin to give that ‘authentic’ coffin feel. We like the Crystal Skull made from creamy caramel chocolate with cherry crystals.

Hotel Chocolat Chancery Lane

Vinopolis, London Bridge, whisky-show.com

OCTOBER 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, Royal

020 7377 5485

Salon

Exchange, EC3V 3LQ

barberexpress.co.uk

53-54 Leadenhall Market

020 7283 7284

020 7283 3047

City Health & Fitness

boodles.com

chequersbeauty.co.uk

Club London

Bulgari EC3V 3LQ 020 7283 4580 bulgari.com Ernest Jones Unit 3, Plantation Place, EC3M 3BD 020 7929 4491 ernestjones.co.uk Goldsmiths 186-190 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NR 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, EC3V 3LL

Artisan Fine Art 35 Royal Exchange

Boodles

15 The Courtyard, Royal Exchange

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, EC2M 2QS 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 The Royal Exchange, EC3V 3LL

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

Sushi Samba

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

OCTOBER 2012 THE CITY 105

plus a Personal Training session worth £65 ALREADY A MEMBER? Refer a friend to join and receive a £65 Spa voucher

020 7970 0911 Offer ends 31/10/12

info@reebokclub.co.uk

reebokclub.co.uk

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

Staying Strong Experts evaluate London’s property market

Togo Sofa by Michael Ducaroy, from £1,175 Ligne Roset www.ligne-roset-city.co.uk

Spoilt for choice London’s most sought after properties

orge Square,Isle of ogs E14

iscovery ock, Isle of ogsE14

This well proportioned two bedroom apartment is brought to the market in excellent condition and benefits from a huge private terrace. Situated on the top floor (5th), the property also benefits from a private parking space.

A superbly well proportioned three bedroom apartment situated on the second floor of a portered development. The property is presented in good order throughout and extends to 145 sq m (1556 sq ft).

Leasehold

Leasehold

Guide Price: £419,000

Guide Price: £875,000

nightrank.co.ukCanaryWharf

nightrank.co.ukCanaryWharf

 cwharf@knightfrank.com

West India Quay, Canary Wharf E14 Situated on the 29th floor is this wonderfully spacious one bedroom apartment offering far reaching views.

Leasehold Guide Price: £425,000 nightrank.co.ukCanaryWharf

 cwharf@knightfrank.com

 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Seacon Tower,Isle of ogs E14 This wellproportioned two bedroom apartment is located within the popular Seacon Wharf development. The apartment is situated on the ground floor benefiting from a large private patio.

Leasehold  Guide Price: £450,000 nightrank.co.ukCanaryWharf

 cwharf@knightfrank.com

       

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         

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      

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



Exchange Building, Spitalfields E1

Popular Art Deco building

A light and bright flat in excellent internal order with high ceilings in this converted tobacco works in Spitalfields. Master bedroom with en suite shower room, second bedroom, bathroom, reception room with open plan kitchen, entrance hall, lift, porterage and a car parking space.

Unfurnished Guide Price: £795 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848

NEO Bankside, Southbank SE1

A striking development

NEO Bankside offers world-class luxury accommodation in an excellent location adjacent to the Tate Modern and a short walk from the City. Studios-3 bedrooms, 1-3 bathrooms, 24 hour concierge service, wine cellar, business centre and a resident’s gym to be completed by the end of 2012.

Furnished or Unfurnished Guide Price: £450-£3,250 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848

City HP 1 October 2012 - 17 September 2012 - 25736

18/09/2012 10:13:38

Portland Square, Wapping E1W Well presented house A fantastic house spread over three levels to rent in Wapping. Master bedroom with en suite shower room, two further bedrooms, shower room, reception room, family room/study, kitchen, large conservatory, guest cloakroom, garden and garage. The property also has views across the canal and is furnished to an excellent standard.

Furnished Guide Price: £650 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848 (ASP157642)

Olivers Wharf, Wapping E1W

Spectacular warehouse On the fourth floor of this characterful development, a larger than average apartment with exposed brickwork and beams extending to 213 sq m (2,289 sq ft).

Master bedroom with en suite shower room, bathroom, large reception room, semi open-plan kitchen, dining area, utility room, lift, porter and secure parking.

Furnished or Unfurnished Guide Price: £895 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings wappinglettings@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848 (ASP167614)

Lamb's Passage, City EC1Y

St Pancras Chambers, Kings Cross NW1

A stylish and well finished fifth floor apartment to rent in this development in the heart of the City. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom with shower, reception room, kitchen, wooden floors, air conditioning and an interior designed furniture package.

A lovely split level apartment to rent in this sought after development next to Kings Cross St Pancras. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room with mezzanine, wooden floors and south facing views to the front of the building.

Furnished

Furnished

Guide Price: £430 per week

Guide Price: £750 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

020 7480 6848 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

Gun Wharf, Wapping E1W

020 7480 6848 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

Times Square, Aldgate E1

A lovely apartment set in this warehouse conversion on Wapping High Street. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room, open plan kitchen, real wooden floors, under floor heating, porter, parking and a balcony with River views.

A modern fifth floor apartment set in this smart portered development on the edge of the City. 1 bedroom, luxury bathroom suite, open plan kitchen reception room, wooden floors, new furniture package, porter and a private balcony.

Furnished

Furnished

Guide Price: £450 per week

Guide Price: £370 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings

020 7480 6848 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

City QP 3 October 2012 - 17 September 2012 - 25738

020 7480 6848 wappinglettings@knightfrank.com

17/09/2012 17:03:37

Fashion Street, City E1

Lovely roof terrace

If location isn't enough within striking distance of Spitalfields Market and Liverpool Street this tasteful one bedroom flat is also in top notch order with stylish fittings. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room and roof terrace. Approximately 51 sq m (548 sq ft).

Leasehold: 122 Years 11 Months remaining Guide Price: £425,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Wapping wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848 (WAP120014)

Crutched Friars, City Ec3N

Spacious apartment

On the first floor of a small building within the "Insurance Quarter" of the City of London, a charming flat in excellent order perfect for entertaining. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception room, semi open plan kitchen and entrance hall.

Approximately 105 sq m (1,139 sq ft).

Leasehold: 982 Years 6 Months remaining Guide Price: £825,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Wapping wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848 (WAP120097)

SALES October 2012 CITY - 17 September 2012 - 25759

18/09/2012 12:13:59

Gaskin Street, Islington N1 Stunning Penthouse living in Angel

This unique three bedroom property offers fabulous light throughout and views south across the City. 3 bedrooms, reception room, kitchen/dining room, study, cloakroom, lift, courtyard, roof terrace and balconies and off street parking. Approximately 274.89sq m (2959sq ft)

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

Leasehold Guide Price £3,250,000

Willow Bridge Road, Islington N1

An stunning four bedroom period house in a fabulous location A magnificent Victorian semi-detached house at the top of Willow Bridge Road offering superb proportions over four floors. 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, large kitchen, conservatory, utility room, bathroom, garden and off street parking. Approximately 284.27sq m (3060sq ft) Freehold Guide Price £3,500,000

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

Knight KnightFrank Frank

Hepworth Court, Chelsea SW1W A penthouse apartment in Chelsea

A stunning three bedroom penthouse apartment in Grosvenor Waterside with benefits including a roof terrace, 24 hour concierge and leisure facilities. 3 bedrooms, reception room, 3 bathrooms, roof terrace, balcony. Approximately 187 sq m (2,013 sq ft) Leasehold Guide Price: ÂŁ3,795,000 (RVR110225)

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

Knight KnightFrank Frank

Chapelier House, Wandsworth SW18 A unique penthouse apartment on the Thames

A three bedroom penthouse apartment that occupies prime position in this popular riverside development opposite Hurlingham Park. Spectacular views are enjoyed from the large terrace and all principle rooms. 3 bedrooms, reception room, 3 bathrooms, balcony. Approximately 179 sq m (1,927 sq ft) Leasehold Guide Price: ÂŁ2,250,000 (RVR120161)

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

1 2

savills.co.uk

NEO BANKSIDE, se1

SANDERLING LODGE, e1w

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 double bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø 24hr concierge ø 187 sq m (2,010 sq ft)

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

Guide £3,999,995 Leasehold

Guide £2.68 million Share of Freehold

3 4

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands juprowse@savills.com 020 7456 6800

NORFOLK HOUSE, ecv4

CINNABAR WHARF, e1w

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)

Reception room ø open-plan kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø 24hr concierge ø underground parking ø river views ø 120 sq m (1,290 sq ft)

Guide £2.4 million Share of Freehold

Guide £1.399 million Leasehold

Savills Docklands juprowse@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

1 2

savills.co.uk

LAMB STREET, e1

BRUSHFIELD STREET, e1

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 double bedrooms ø bathroom ø terrace ø Development opportunity ø 149 sq m (1,600 sq ft)

2 reception rooms ø kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø bathroom ø terrace ø Development opportunity ø 145 sq m (1,506 sq ft)

Guide £735,000 Leasehold

Guide £699,000 Leasehold

Savills Docklands juprowse@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

BRUSHFIELD STREET, e1

COMMERCIAL STREET, e1

3 4

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 double bedrooms ø bathroom ø guest wc ø Development opportunity ø 86 sq m (923 sq ft)

Reception room ø kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø bathroom ø Development opportunity ø 66 sq m (715 sq ft)

Guide £450,000 Leasehold

Guide £360,000 Leasehold

Savills Docklands juprowse@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

Princelet Street, E1 Asking Price £2,500,000 Freehold

Fournier Street, E1 Asking Price £3,250,000 Freehold

Set over 5 floors, this stunning 3 bedroom Georgian house has been beautifully restored and refurbished by the renowned architect Chris Dyson.

This exceptionally spacious and unique Georgian house offers great potential as a family home with commercial space, a basement flat, and a separate studio.

Fetter Lane, EC4 Asking Price £995,000 Leasehold

Charing Cross Road, WC2H

This well presented 2 bedroom penthouse apartment is on the top floor of Clifford’s Inn, one of the City’s most sought-after blocks, and has a spacious roof terrace.

A 2 bedroom apartment located on the 3rd floor of a period mansion block close to Oxford Street. Ideal for access to central London and the Theatre district.

Pepys Street, EC3N Asking Price £650,000 Leasehold

Bartholomew Close, EC1A Asking Price £750,000 Leasehold

Set on the second floor of an extremely popular block near Tower Hill in the Square Mile, this well presented 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment has a parking space.

This stunning 2 bedroom ground and lower ground floor duplex is one of 9 brand new apartments in a highly sought-after Smithfield location opposite St Bartholomews church.

The right buyers and tenants delivered fast since 1869.

For more information go to www.hamptons.co.uk

Asking Price £699,950 Leasehold

RIGHT-HAND

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

Tunnel Wharf, SE16 Asking Price £700,000 Leasehold

St Saviours Wharf, SE1 Asking Price £495,000 Leasehold

A two bedroom, two bathroom 1044 sq/ft river fronting apartment with a balcony and secure underground parking.

A one bedroom 570 sq/ft apartment in the popular warehouse development with porter services and private parking.

Rotherhithe Street, SE16 Asking Price £475,000 Freehold

Falcon Point, SE1 Asking Price £499,950 Leasehold

A well presented two bedroom, three storey townhouse incorporating an integral garage, with refurbished kitchen and bathrooms with river views.

A 482 sq/ft one bedroom apartment on the second floor that has been refurbished to a high standard with a covered balcony and views of The River and St Pauls.

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

New Globe Walk, SE1 Asking Price £3,450,000 Share of Freehold

An extremely rare opportunity to acquire a duplex penthouse apartment in Tea Trade Wharf with two terraces, two bedrooms and river views. 24hr Concierge and parking.

A 3 bedroom penthouse apartment with West facing skyline views including of St Pauls on New Globe Walk. The reception room is in excess of 1000 sq ft, two terraces & parking.

The right buyers and tenants delivered fast since 1869.

For more information go to www.hamptons.co.uk

LEFT-HAND

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

Priory House, EC4V £400 per week

London House, EC1A £420 per week

A fantastic one bedroom flat situated on the second floor of this popular block, quietly tucked away, yet moments from St Paul’s.

A well presented one bedroom apartment in this portered development situated near the historic area of West Smithfield and two minutes from the Barbican.

Queens Quay, EC4V £420 per week

The Volt, E1 £650 per week

Modern one bedroom with direct river views in this superb location in the heart of the City, close to St Pauls and Bank. Benefits from communal roof terrace.

Brand new two bedroom duplex apartment located close to Aldgate Station, with large patio area, internal space over 1000sq ft and finished to a high spec.

Leman Street, E1

City Wall House, EC2M £550.00 per week

£795 per week

Stunning high specification two bedroom penthouse apartment perfectly located on the edge of the City of London. This apartment offers large outside terrace, fantastic City living and is moments from Aldgate Station.

Two double bedroom apartment on the second floor of this central city location, with equal sized bedrooms and stunning furnishings. The property benefits from a Juliet balcony overlooking tennis courts and church at the rear.

The right buyers and tenants delivered fast since 1869.

For more information go to www.hamptons.co.uk

RIGHT-HAND

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

Terracotta Court, SE1 £595 per week

King George Street, SE10 £5,000 per month

A beautifully presented two bedroom apartment arranged in a modern purpose built block offering bright reception room with floor to ceiling windows.

Fabulous five bedroom family home in this sought after street in Greenwich.

Inclusive of contemporary kitchen, study, living/dining area and rear garden.

County Street, SE1 £900 per week

Butlers Wharf, SE1 £625 per week

Fabulous warehouse conversion in this enviable location with spacious accommodation including open plan kitchen to dining/living room.

A fabulous one bedroom apartment set within a prestigious Shad Thames warehouse conversion benefiting from a sizeable living space and large balcony.

Walpole House, SE1 £650 per week

Thames Heights, SE1 £450 per week

Two double bedroom apartment in this popular portered development in Waterloo, with separate kitchen, two bathrooms and balcony

Fabulous two bedroom, one bathroom refurbished property with open plan kitchen, wood flooring and balcony, situated in the heart of the desirable Shad Thames.

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

Kings Mews, WC1 This fabulous house with three bedrooms has been recently refurbished to an exceptional standard offering underfloor heating, lutron lighting, integrated speakers and Multi-zone Opus audio and video system throughout the house with touchscreen controls.

ÂŁ1,995,000 Freehold Central Bloomsbury location Exceptional kitchen Gaggenau appliances Stunning 3 bedroom house 3 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

Union Square, N1 A beautifully presented, mid-terrace period town house on this superb square in the Arlington Conservation Area. There is a double reception room on the raised ground floor and a contemporary kitchen, dining room and further reception room on the lower ground floor.

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

ÂŁ1,400,000 Freehold Beautifully presented, 3 Reception rooms, Kitchen, Dining room, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms,

Auctions have a lot to offer Next auction: Thursday 29th November 2012

E351-Auction-Footers-A4-MKT.indd 1

14/09/2012 11:42

Hamptons Islington

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

Culford Road, N1 ÂŁ1,150,000 Freehold A charming double fronted period house over three floors on a residential road in a popular conservation area.

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

Linton Street, N1 ÂŁ1,295,000 Freehold A well presented, end of terrace period town house located on a residential road set within the Arlington Conservation Area.

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

Milner Square, N1 ÂŁ875,000 Leasehold A fantastic maisonette with its own entrance offering generous living accommodation over two floors.

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

Sotheby Road, N5 ÂŁ725,000 Freehold A delightful apartment occupying the lion share of a beautiful Victorian house.

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

Auctions have a lot to offer Next auction: Thursday 29th November 2012

E351-Auction-Footers-A4-MKT.indd 1

14/09/2012 11:42

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

greencourt, farnborough park, kent br6 Greencourt is a magnificent detached home occupying an enviable position within the exclusive Farnborough Park Private Estate. Offering 6451 sq ft of luxury accommodation over two floors. Internally this wonderful home offers a grand entrance hall leading onto four principal reception rooms and a bespoke kitchen/breakfast room. A dramatic staircase gives way to a galleried landing and five en-suite bedrooms. Externally there is a carriageway drive, landscaped gardens, detached double garage and a separate two storey studio/leisure hall.

£2,350,000 Please contact our Locksbottom office for more information: Tel: 01689 882 988 Email: enquiries@uniquepropertiesuk.com

trinity church square, london se1 A fantastic opportunity to acquire a unique, 1280 sq ft property in Trinity Village, a beautiful conservation area set around two Georgian squares, located just off London’s Borough High Street; minutes from the City and with great views of The Shard from a private roof terrace.

A stunning duplex apartment configured over three floors with double and triple height ceilings.

£1,102,012 Please contact our London Bridge office for more information: Tel: 020 7089 6500 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

newton park place, chislehurst, kent br7 Built by St James in 2009, this magnificent contemporary home offers 4500 sq ft of light and well proportioned living accommodation over three floors. The first floor features five double bedrooms and four bathrooms whilst the ground and first floors provide flowing reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, two cloakrooms and laundry room. There is a double garage and generous gardens plus you are just ¼ mile from Elmstead Woods station (London Bridge 20 mins).

£1,595,000 Please contact our Chislehurst office for more information: Tel: 020 8378 1222 Email: enquiries@uniquepropertiesuk.com

Mavelstone close, bickley, kent br1 A perfectly positioned newly built luxury home on an elevated private plot with views towards the City. Under a mile from Chislehurst and Elmstead Woods stations with journey times to London Bridge in 20 minutes. The picturesque Chislehurst village is nearby with specialist shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants as well as many well reputed schools. Accommodation comprises five bedrooms, four bathrooms, three receptions, gym and home cinema.

£1,750,000 Please contact our Chilsehurst 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

homes & property

expert comment LETTINGS:

The sales market continues to flourish

Rental declines hide demand growth in central London

ANDREW GROOCOCK, ASSOCIATE AT KNIGHT FRANK

TOM PEEL, ASSOCIATE AT KNIGHT FRANK IN

IN CANARY WHARF, COMMENTS ON THE STATE OF THE

CANARY WHARF, COMMENTS ON THE STATE OF THE

RESIDENTIAL SALES MARKET

RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS MARKET

London’s prime residential sales market has defied the global economic downturn. Over the past three years every twist in the financial crisis has been greeted by yet another affirmation of the city’s exceptionalism.

Since March 2009, when the tide began to turn after the global credit crunch, prices for prime London properties have risen 49 per cent. In fact, prices have now stand 14 per cent above their pre-crisis peak back in March 2008.

Prices are not the only market metric to have surged. The nature of the market has shifted; in 2008 Knight Frank sold prime London properties to buyers of 36 nationalities while in 2011, the total hit 62.

In recent months the market has had to absorb a 40 per cent rise in the top rate of stamp duty with new, and still undefined, rules for an annual charge on £2M+ properties held in certain ownership structures, and the reform of non-resident capital gains tax rules.

In addition, the performance of London’s economy has been weaker than hoped, with only a slow recovery from the 2008 recession. The diversification of the economy away from financial services has however gathered some traction.

More recently, while the Olympics were an undoubted success for London, they had the effect of keeping some prospective buyers away from the market during late July and August.

Despite these and other setbacks, the London market has thus far retained its spark. Prospective buyers have been fairly evenly matched with available properties in both sectors, although stock volumes have begun to creep upwards over the past six months.

Rental declines are hiding demand growth in central London.

Prime central London rents continued on their downward trajectory in August with a fall of 0.4 per cent, taking the degree of annual change to a fairly modest -1.7 per cent.

Rents have been falling since October 2011, bar June 2012 when they remained flat. The market for houses has seen bigger falls than that for apartments, at -2.9 per cent and -1.7 per cent respectively. Rents have also fallen more in the £1,500 per week bracket (-2.8 per cent) than in the £500 to £1,500 per week bracket (-1.6 per cent) in the year to August.

Properties in the City are bucking the trend, however, with a 0.6 per cent rise in average rents in the three months to August and a 1.8 per cent rise over the past year. Notting Hill also saw a 0.5 per cent rise in the past three months and a 4.1 per cent rise over the year.

The main factor affecting rents has been the state of the London economy. Since the end of 2011 the economy has weakened as the Eurozone crisis put downward pressure on growth, confidence and recruitment.

Knight Frank Canary Wharf 020 7512 9966 www.knightfrank.co.uk/canary-wharf

Knight Frank Canary Wharf 020 7512 9955 www.knightfrank.co.uk/canary-wharf

130

*figures taken from Knight Frank August Residential Review 2012

SALES:

homes & property

invest insightfully

PROPERTY CONSULTANT SIMON BARNES ADVISES ON INVESTING IN PROPERTY IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE

D

espite the on-going economic slow-down and challenging commercial environment affecting the country as a whole, it is still true that central London’s property market continues to buck the trend and remains strong.

As always when investing in property, whether inside or outside the capital, location is key. As far as London is concerned, we would always advise clients to buy as close to the heart of prime central London as their budget allows. It is far better to opt for a small flat in a prime location, than to invest in a larger flat in a secondary peripheral location.

Compared with other assets as an investment, bricks and mortar continue to prove a solid bet in terms of returns, providing they are in the prime areas of the capital such as Belgravia, Chelsea and Notting Hill. However, investors need to remember that time is a key factor and must allow for a reasonable timescale for the property to sell.

Unforeseen delays can occur that are outside of the vendor’s control, and so property investment does not allow for as quick a release of cash as investments in banks or the stock market might do.

With London rents reaching an all-time high (and yet still rising) there is certainly a potential market for would-be buy-to-let investors to take advantage of. With such investments, it is best to avoid large new developments, again sticking to prime locations and, preferably,

well run portered blocks. Again, it’s better to acquire a small buy-to-let flat in a prime location than a larger flat in an up and coming or fringe area; any potential credible tenant will place much value on a good convenient central location.

Outside the established prime areas of London, common sense would advise looking at highly populated working areas like the City and Canary Wharf.

Once you’ve chosen an area, aim to focus on smaller well managed blocks rather than the larger 200 plus flat developments. You will find that in these larger blocks competition for tenants is fierce, resulting in far lower rents. In contrast, smaller developments are more attractive to tenants and tend to command a higher rental return.

Whether you choose to invest in a period or contemporary property is of less importance. Providing it is in a good, established location, as an investment it really would be hard to go wrong. Experts predict that central London will remain a safe bet for the foreseeable future.

If there is a word of caution for would-be property investors, it is just to be mindful that when contemplating making such an investment patience is important. Any vendor must be patient when it comes to selling; unlike a simple cash withdrawal, the time frame of securing a buyer and the selling process means this is not an instant cash-cow.

And remember, a desperate vendor can be spotted quicker than it takes to run a lap of the Olympic Park. n

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

homes & property

Property Showcase Charm and Splendour

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his attractive and deceptively large mews house is situated in the heart of Bloomsbury. Located on a quiet row off Theobald’s Road, the property measures approximately 1830 sqft and is arranged over three levels.

It has been newly converted to a very high standard and includes three double bedrooms, all with en-suite, a large reception room, a further open plan lounge/kitchen, separate utility room, further WC and an outdoor terrace.

Multizone Opus speakers are fitted in the ceiling of the master bedroom, lounge, reception room/kitchen while a compatible video system with touchscreen controls and iPad compatibility; surround sound wiring and Lutron lighting, make this a sophisticated and ambient home and an ideal entertaining venue.

The kitchen incorporates Gaggenau appliances and striking Siematic units, while Grohe axor fittings are the designer choice for the beautiful Italian marble bathrooms and underfloor heating is used to excellent effect throughout.

The mews is located a short walk from both Holborn and Chancery Lane underground stations, as well as Kings Cross/St Pancras Mainline and International stations. The Brunswick Centre is also a short walk away and features a Waitrose supermarket and a number of much-loved boutique shops and restaurants. n

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KINGS MEWS, BLOOMSBURY, WC1 ÂŁ1.99M FREEHOLD Callum Roberts Property Consultants www.callumroberts.com

020 7242 9977

homes & property

DEVELOPMENT FOCUS Architectural Appeal

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esigned by award-winning architects Michael Squire and Partners, the iconic No 1 West India Quay is a prestigious building of stunning contemporary design. The Tower is set on the axis of the grand sweep of the quayside, providing the perfect setting for 158 luxury apartments within the 32-storey glass tower, while it’s gently curved profile maximises the apartments’ appeal, giving them a southerly aspect and an outlook over the dock.

The Grade I listed warehouses in West India Quay date back to the 1800s and house an extensive choice of restaurants, boutique shops and the Museum of London Docklands. The newer buildings on the estate provide a multi-screen cinema complex and health club along with public and private parking facilities. The development is also linked to the business district of Canary Wharf by the West India Quay footbridge.

With West India Quay DLR station situated on the estate itself, and Canary Wharf Jubilee Line tube station, City Airport and

major road connections within easy reach, all possible transport requirements are met.

Knight Frank are pleased to have taken instruction of three apartments within the development, including a luxury two bedroom duplex apartment that features incredible views. n

Hertsmere Road, E14 From £425,000 Leasehold Knight Frank Canary Wharf www.knightfrank.co.uk/canary-wharf

020 7512 9966 133

homes & property

a voice from the country With the inevitable advent of house-hunting ‘apps’ and websites, it’s a question that many in the property industry are pondering. Is it possible for the automated reasoning of an algorithm to establish a valuation for a home? asks Rob Jones-Davies

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here are certain sections of the market where the reduction of a property to a series of data could give a fairly accurate guide price, but others where the art of the experienced advisor is undiminished.

In simple terms, it’s city versus rural. Think of city properties as commodities and country properties as works of art. To value a work of art, any database-driven app would have to quantify the idiosyncrasies of personal taste, whether a particular artist is in vogue, rarity and of course the competition between buyers which can drive prices sky-high. City property is always easier to price, because in the majority of cases there will be virtually identical products to compare and trade-off against. That is just not the case in the country house market where no two properties are the same.

Two similar-sized houses north of the M4, for example, have the same amount of land and would both be seen as having good addresses. One has recently sold for £2.5m and the other can be bought for closer to £1.15m. That came down to a series of factors 134

that you would be very hard pushed to quantify but would be selfevident to any experienced advisor.

Generally, house-hunting apps are still in the gimmick phase. But however sophisticated they become, it’s hard to see them being able to factor in anomalies such as flight paths, rights of way, pylon lines, localised smells and noises, traffic density, school runs and so on.

It may be possible for an app or a website to provide some useful, basic, step-by-step information for inexperienced buyers; however, it’s doubtful whether this could replicate or replace the more sophisticated negotiation process involved in identifying and purchasing a large country property. n ‘A Voice From the Country’ is a series of articles by Middleton Advisors, who act on behalf of private clients looking to purchase country houses and estates in the UK (01235 436271; www.middletonadvisors.com)

London's Finest Properties

LETTINGS

SALES

Streamlight Tower, Province Square, E14

The Landmark, East Tower, E14

• One Bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • 16th Floor • Balcony • 24hr Concierge Service • Nr. Blackwall DLR

• One Bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • 24th Floor • 24hr Concierge Service • On-Site Gymnasium • Nr. South Quay DLR

£380 per week

£395 per week

£459,950

£725,000

Ceram Court, Seven Sea Gardens, E3

Gainsborough House, Canary Wharf, E14

• Two Bedroom Apartment • 4th Floor • Balcony • Fully Furnished • 24hr Concierge Service • Nr. Multiple Transport Links

• Two Bedroom Apartment • 4th Floor • Balcony • Fully Furnished • Allocated Parking • 24hr Concierge Service

Sugar House, Leman Street, E1

• Immaculate 4th floor one bed apartment • PeriodVictorian architecture • Superior fixtures and fittings.

• Smart furniture pack.

• 24hrConcierge • Well placed for the City and Canary Wharf.

Royal Arsenal, Cadogan Road, SE18

• Stunning 3 bedroom duplex apartment • Historic grade II listed riverside property • Secure underground allocated parking.

• 24 hr gym and concierge service • Moments from the DLR and mainline train

£400 per week

£450 per week

£445,000

£359,950

Marina Heights, Basin Approach, E14

New Providence Wharf, Canary Wharf, E14

• Two Bedroom Apartment • 2nd Floor • Balcony • Fully Furnished • Underground Parking • Nr. Limehouse DLR

• Two Bedroom Apartment • 6th Floor • Balcony • Fully Furnished • Onsite Leisure Facilities • 24hr Concierge Service

New Providence Wharf, Canary Wharf, E14

• 6th floor two bedroom, two bathroom • Highly prestigious development.

• Garden and river views • Contemporary fixtures and fittings..

• Moments from Blackwall DLR and Canary Wharf

• Stunning 3 bedroom apartment • 14th floor • Unsurpassed river views • Recently refurbished to exceptional standard • Lift and 24 Hr concierge

£550 per week

£495,000

£2,400,000

£500 per week

Strata, Elephant & Castle, SE1

St George Wharf, SW8

• Superb riverside apartment • Two bedroom/two bathroom • Immaculate condition • Balcony and river views • Exceptional transport links • 24hr concierge

• Ultra contemporary two bedroom • Capital's newest landmark development • Cutting edge architecture and design • Moments from the South Bank and transport links • Far reaching views across London

St George Wharf, SW8

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

Bench Apartments, Kings Bench Street, London, SE1 £675 pw A modern and contemporary duplex apartment of about 1,100 sq ft with a decked roof terrace and secure car parking.

Admirals Court, London, SE1 £850 pw

An amazing living space spanning three floors with two terraces and parking.

Luna House, London, SE1 £400 pw

A beautifully presented one bedroom furnished apartment on the fifth floor of Luna House.

Tea Trade Wharf, Shad Thames, London, SE1 £995,000 Leasehold

Second floor 947 sq ft two bedroom apartment with two balconies overlooking the Thames and featuring magnificent views downriver to Canary Wharf.

Spice Quay Heights, London, SE1 £499,950 L/H A large and bright one bedroom apartment in a prestigious riverside building.

Tea Trade Wharf, London, SE1 £2,000,000 L/H

An immaculate waterfront apartment with direct view of Tower Bridge.

Codling Close, Wapping E1W 2UX

Arta House Devenport Street, Shadwell E1 0EF

Price: £549,995 Freehold

Price: £414,995 Leasehold

Park Lodge 65 Wapping Lane,Wapping E1W 2RN

Lime Close, Wapping E1W 2QP

Price: £399,995 Share of Freehold

Price: £399,995 Freehold

Superb 3 bedroom modern house which has been refurbished throughout to a good standard. Open plan kitchen and reception, dining area, first floor bathroom and solid oak wood flooring. Garden & Garage to rear. Situated within the canal side of West Wapping and close to Tower Hill stations.

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. The property is decorated to a good standard.

Ex-Show flat. Spacious 2 double bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment ideally located for access to both the City and Canary Wharf. The property benefits from wood flooring, balcony, concierge. The property in our opinion has been maintained to a very high standard throughout. This is not to be missed.

2 bedroom house situated within this popular West Wapping canal side development. Fitted kitchen. Reception. First floor bathroom. Garden.

Allocated parking. Within easy access to the City & Docklands. Wapping & Tower Hill stations nearby. Near to ‘Waitrose’ supermarket.

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

Tower Walk, Wapping E1W 1LP

Wapping High Street, Wapping E1W 2JL

Rental Price: £1,400 PW

Rental Price: £550 PW

Riverside Mansions Milk Yard, Wapping E1W 3TA

Pierhead, Wapping E1W 2UT

Rare opportunity to rent this 4 bedroom, 4 storey townhouse (in excess of 4000sqft) within St Katherines Docks. 3 Receptions. En-suite to all bedrooms plus additional bathroom. 2 Terraces with Dock views.

Spacious kitchen/ diner. Garage. Situated within the prestigious location of St Katherine’s Dock with views overlooking St Katherine’s Yacht Marina.

Fabulous 2 bedroom, 2nd & 3rd floor duplex apartment within this sought after gated development. Offering spacious and bright accommodation throughout. Fitted kitchen. Reception & upper floor bathroom. Timber flooring. The hallway is ideal as a small study area.

Secure parking space. On site Gym. Porterage. Close to Wapping station.

Rental Price: £550 PW

Spacious 2 Double bedroom, 3 storey house. Bathroom plus additional ‘Wet’ room. Situated close to Wapping station and within easy access to the City & Canary Wharf. Fitted kitchen/ diner. Reception. Garden.

Allocated parking space. ‘Waitrose’ supermarket is nearby. Good condition throughout.

Superb opportunity to rent this 1 double bedroom spacious apartment within this Georgian’ style development of West Wapping. Offering a large lounge, fitted kitchen and spacious double bedroom. Georgian’ style windows. Bathroom. Close to Tower Hill.

Rental Price: £400 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

Royal Arsenal Riverside is a 76 acre mixed use regeneration scheme on the banks of the River Thames in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, just a short distance from Overground and DLR stations. On-site benefits include 24 hour concierge, residents’ gym, Young’s pub and dining, Tesco Express, a proposed forthcoming Crossrail station, health and wellbeing studio and Zipcar car share club.

1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments from £252,500. For more information call 020 8331 7130.

Sales and Marketing Suite and Show Apartments open daily 10am to 6pm (until 8pm on Thursdays).

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

Proud to be British

C E L E B R AT I N G

A GREAT BRITISH SUMMER

Prices and details correct at time of going to press.

Photography depicts Royal Arsenal Riverside.

Heritage location and a whole new lifestyle

A short stroll from Bond Street and the vibrancy of Oxford Street lies one of central London’s hidden gems. A village of boutiques, independent traders, beautiful squares and an eclectic mix of cafés and restaurants. Welcome to Fitzrovia.

Now something new is coming to Fitzrovia that’s as unique as the area itself. Fitzroy Place, a collection of prestigious homes gathered around a stunning landscaped square.

Apartments from: £750,000 to over £12,500,000* For further information or to register your interest please contact: Fitzroy Place Marketing Suite 19/21 Mortimer Street London W1T 3JE T +44 (0)20 7323 1077 E enquiries@fitzroyplace.com fitzroyplace.com

A development by

Sales representation by

*Prices correct at time of going to press

H7377 FP Ad City 297x210mm AW V1.indd 1

04/09/2012 16:52

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

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Love to sleep in?

Stylish living, at affordable prices.

New FirstBuy 1 & 2 bed apartments available now, for a limited time only.

Bond Street 35 mins

Bank 28 mins

Stratford 21 mins

London Bridge 21 mins

Prices from

ÂŁ210,000

Canary Wharf 21 mins

London City Airport 6 mins

Woolwich Arsenal

www.woolwichcentral.com Call to register on:

020 8855 7290 Price and details correct at time of going to press. Please be aware that the property details are intended to give a general indication and should be used as a guide only. The developer reserves the right to alter these details at any time. Where a period for completion is stated this is intended as a guide only and purchasers should refer to their legal representatives for further clarification. Where finance is stated it is a general reference and independent financial advice is strongly advised. Journey times provided from www.tfl.gov.uk from station to station.

The contents herein shall not form any part of any contract or be a representation including such contract.

CWmag_A4bleed_AWK.indd 1

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avant-garde SHOREDITCH E1

E 1 EGANT THE HEIGHT OF LOND ON LIVING...

... C OM I NG S O ON

LUXURY HOTEL STYLE RECEPTION WITH 24HR CONCIERGE • SUPERB SPECIFIC ATION • PRIVATE GYMNASIUM • PRIVATE ROOF TERRACE

Exquisite and well placed one, two and three bedroom apartments & penthouses set in the heart of Shoreditch, London’s new cultural and vibrant hotspot.

Set just two minutes from Shoreditch High Street station, making the whole of London accessible. Just a short walk from Bishopsgate and The City.

Shoreditch High Street 2mins

Liverpool Street 10mins

West End 11mins

Canary Wharf 15mins

LAUNCHING OCTOBER 2012 from a bespoke Sales & Marketing Suite. Register now to avoid disappointment.

0203 538 3364

avantgardetower.com

Computer generated images of development. Times are approximate and courtesy of tfl.gov.uk.

Insider trading?

In today’s prudent world – when no one wants to be seen to be advertising their private affairs – the portion of the market covered by ‘under the table’ deals is more prevalent than ever.

Insider knowledge gives you a head start in the market: here is someone who knows who is looking, who is selling and will even approach those people who might not be thinking of doing either – yet.

work smarter, not harder.

T: 020 7499 3434 M: 078 3146 5414 E: simon@simonbarnes.com

www.simonbarnes.com

homes & property PROMOTION

DEVELOPMENT SPOTLIGHT Picture Perfect

*Computer generated images of Ixia; indicative only

L

ocated just minutes from Old Street Roundabout in N1, Crest Nicholson’s development, Ixia, comprises a mix of one and two bedroom apartments and two and three bedroom penthouses. Ixia has proved extremely popular with 50 per cent of homes sold since its launch in July.

Combining contemporary design with clever technology, both externally and internally, Ixia is a striking and stylish scheme. The open-plan apartments have been designed specifically for buyers seeking a home that offers a sleek, modern interior and high-end specification in a hip London location. The eye-catching exterior will create a new landmark for Old Street, with its stunning titanium shutters which clad the facade.

A two bedroom show apartment demonstrates the highspecification luxury that buyers at Ixia can expect. All homes offer spacious open-plan kitchen/dining areas which feature high gloss kitchen cabinets with stone worktops. Other features include underfloor heating throughout, comfort cooling, a full house 146

ventilation system allowing for fresh filtered air 24 hours a day and a heat recovery system.

Old Street is a vibrant, fashionable and evolving area of London, offering a broad spectrum of amenities as well as excellent transport links to the City and beyond. n

EAST ROAD, N1 £384,950 - £1.25M LEASEHOLD Crest Nicholson www.ixialondon.co.uk

020 7101 0214

IWC Pilot.

Engineered for aviators.

Don’t fly too high!

Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph. Ref. 3778: A watch? Or a machine? A 46-mm stainless-steel case, mechanical double chronograph movement with a split-seconds hand for intermediate time and a soft-iron inner case to protect the movement against magnetic fields make this timepiece an indestructible, and at the same time high-precision masterpiece from the Schaffhausen-based watch manufacturers. All it needs to make it fly is a pilot. IWC. Engineered for men.

Mechanical chronograph movement | Self-winding | 44-hour power reserve when fully wound | Date and day display | Small hacking seconds | Stopwatch function with hours, minutes and seconds | Split-seconds hand for intermediate timing (figure) | Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields | Screw-in crown | Sapphire glass, convex, antireflective coating on both sides | Water-resistant 6 bar | Stainless steel

IWC Sc haf f hause n, Sw it ze r la nd. w w w.iwc.c om T he wor ld’s f ine st time pie c e s a re exclusi ve l y ava ila ble f rom se le cte d watc h s p e cia lists.

For a n illustrate d c atalogue or list of nationw id e c onc e s siona ire s ple ase c ontact IWC UK . Te l. 0 845 337 186 8.

E-ma il : info -uk @ iwc.c om

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