The City Magazine July 2011 by Runwild Media Group

the city magazine j u ly 2011

business • current affairs • fashion • health & beauty • finance • food & drink • motoring • uk & international property n

the city m a g a z i n e

THE FINAL

COUNTDOWN One Year to London 2012

ENTER THE DRAGON James Caan’s Newest Venture

Collection

The Best of The Best from The World of Watches: Greubel Forsey’s £403,000 masterpiece

finance gadgets motoring interiors property july 2011 i s s u e 4 5

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† † oror visit visit www.bentleymotors.com www.bentleymotors.com For For more more information information call call 01270 01270 535032 535032

TheThe name name ‘Bentley’ ‘Bentley’ andand thethe ‘B’ in ‘B’wings in wings device device areare registered registered trademarks. trademarks. © 2011 © 2011 Bentley Bentley Motors Motors Limited. Limited. Model Model shown: shown: Bentley Bentley Continental Continental GT,GT, mrrp mrrp £135,760. £135,760. Price Price correct correct at time at time of going of going to press to press andand includes includes VAT VAT at 20%. at 20%. Price Price excludes excludes road road fund fund licence, licence, registration registration andand delivery delivery charges. charges. †Calls †Calls willwill be be recorded recorded for for training training purposes. purposes.

Fuel Fuel economy economy figures figures forfor the the Continental Continental GT GT inin mpg mpg (l/100km): (l/100km): Urban Urban 11.1 11.1 (25.4); (25.4); Extra Extra Urban Urban 24.9 24.9 (11.4); (11.4); Combined Combined 17.1 17.1 (16.5). (16.5). CO CO Emissions Emissions (g/km): (g/km): 384. 384. 2 2

feature 12 The Final Countdown… With one year to go, Matt and Martin Rogan offer an insiders’ view of the London 2012 Olympic Games

17 Is the Book Dead? Amy Fletcher pits the traditional form of the book against the 21st century tablet

It’s the final

Countdown… With just one year to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Matt and Martin Rogan offer an insiders’ view

n the surface, the six years since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted in Singapore to award Britain the Olympic and Paralympic Games have flown by with minimal controversy and relatively few column inches. Behind the scenes, however, things have been somewhat more challenging. Our domestic security agenda was forever changed on 7 July 2005 by the bombings taking place just a single day after the Singapore vote. The economic model for the Games and delivery of a ‘legacy’ plan has been challenged by staggering levels of public debt on the back of financial meltdown. It is tougher for us all to sign up to expensive tickets when wages are static and inflation is climbing. Similarly, commercial purse strings have been increasingly tightened, and so balancing the books through sponsorship has become a huge challenge. The creation of temporary venues around Britain’s capital to host events is impossible to justify when public budgets are under pressure like never before. The perfect storm, you might say. Incredibly, Britain has seen far worse. When Britain last hosted the Games in 1948, the country was following on from Hitler’s theft of the Olympic ideals in Berlin. The Berlin airlift was beginning as the Games began. Public debt was far higher than today’s levels, running at 200 per cent of GDP. The government did not contribute in any way to the Games and there was no blueprint for commercial funding of any sort. Rationing was far worse than even during the war years and Britain’s working population was malnourished and disillusioned. The challenge was less about erecting new venues than locating and refurbishing those still standing. Given the scale of the challenge, the organisers of the 1948 Games teamed a former athlete with a talented entrepreneur. Lord Burghley worked the corridors of political power, whilst Sir Arthur Elvin used his commercial experience and skills to ensure the Games were delivered using a tattered infrastructure without cost to the public purse. The backgrounds of the London 2012 leaders – Seb Coe and Paul Deighton (who joined the Organising Committee from Goldman Sachs) – are strikingly similar. Elvin was a former Royal Flying Corps observer for whom the context of austerity created permissions for creativity and entrepreneurship. He started out as a tobacco kiosk proprietor at the 1924 Empire Exhibition, and initially made his money from taking down stands and

Olympic Delivery Authority Unveils Olympic Stadium Plans

re-assembling them elsewhere, so they did not become white elephants. He understood that the Games needed to be run on a shoestring, and did exactly that. Britain was too busy rebuilding its critical infrastructure and creating the new NHS to finish the Wembley Stadium refurbishment before the Opening Ceremony, so he borrowed some German prisoners of war to finish the job. The finished article included a running track and broadcasting facilities which would keep it at the vanguard of live sporting television transmissions for years to come. Once the swimming was finished at what was known as the Empire Pool, Elvin hoisted a boxing ring above the still-full pool and hosted the boxing. Now known as the Wembley Arena, the same venue will be hosting the Badminton and

feature

Rhythmic Gymnastics in 2012 – chosen in the height of our recession to replace a temporary venue deemed unjustifiable in the current climate. Not all 1948 venues prospered as well. The Empress Hall in West Kensington was home to Wrestling and Weightlifting and, when the weather defeated the scheduled outdoor facilities, Gymnastics. The 31-storey Empress State Building now occupies the site, offering spectacular views of the city and housing Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police, who will have their own crucial roles to play in 2012. Happily, venues such as The O2 and ExCeL Centre are already far more integrated into the fabric of East London living to risk a similar fate to the Empress Hall.

contents

olympics

interview collection

collection 24 Time-Honoured Tradition Annabel Harrison speaks to Thierry Stern about his role as President of Patek Philippe

Time

honoured

Tradition Annabel Harrison speaks to Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe, about new complications presented at Baselworld, keeping the business in the family and what he loves most about his multi-faceted role

f the ten core values at the heart of Patek Philippe, I am hard pressed to choose which Thierry Stern exemplifies most strongly. Tradition? “For Patek there is continuity in terms of product. This is what I really have in mind – to maintain continuity through all the lines”. Heritage? “We have a team working with us but it’s the family which is creating. This is the strength of Patek – it is the heart”. Spoken with a serious expression, his commitment to both Tradition and Heritage is immediately evident, and with that, he ticks the box for Emotion. Stern’s genuine passion for the intricate, fascinating, complex and competitive world of luxury watchmaking could not be feigned. Undoubtedly he inherited this from his father Philippe, who handed the presidential reins over to his son just two years ago. Stern’s earliest memory is watch-related: “I was about six years old and I was opening a drawer in my father’s office... I still remember the smell of the drawer, the pocket watches – I was not allowed to touch them, just look at them! That’s when I decided, ‘this is what I would like to do; create watches’ and since then, I have never stopped”. The first Patek he owned, at 20, was a Nautilus, “a simple automatic movement”, and as we speak, surrounded by gleaming Patek Philippe watches in David M. Robinson, Canary Wharf, he fondly points it out. “It’s wrong to start with too complicated a watch; what I see for Patek is to be able to go step by step for every type of movement and design”. Taking such a linear, cumulative approach to advancement, in terms of personally owned watches and the Patek Philippe watches, suggests a long-seated appreciation

comment 44 Enter the Dragon Richard Brown finds out why James Caan is one of the UK’s shrewdest and most successful businessmen

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of yet another brand philosophy, that of Value. Indeed, Patek has been in Stern hands since it was purchased in 1932 by Charles and Jean Stern, two brothers who owned a fine dial manufacturing company in Geneva. In 2009 the presidency was officially transmitted from the third to the fourth generation; Thierry Stern became President and his father Philippe, Honorary President. While Thierry embraces the traditional approach to watches, woven into his family line and a fundamental cornerstone of a brand celebrating its 160th anniversary this year, the fifth value, Innovation, is “so important – this is my role; to preserve the line in terms of design but also in innovation”. As such, six new Grand Complications were presented this year at Baselworld, including Patek’s second most complicated wristwatch and its first Grand Complication for ladies. Why? Because his customers were asking for it and Stern listened, demonstrating the value Patek Philippe attaches to Service. “People expect it of Patek. They say, ‘you are Patek Philippe. You’ve had the know-how since 1839 and always evolve’. This is in our blood”. However, Stern is extremely careful to keep the right balance between evolution just for the sake of it and evolution in order to better the products: “a watchmaker is someone who would like to improve the product every day. When I say improve, it has to be useful, not a gimmick. We have seen too many of those elsewhere and in the end, you don’t even know where the time is on your dial; this is not something I’m ready to do”. Improvements include a continual dedication to increasing precision, very important to Stern, and making thinner movements because “this is better for design”.

calibre 66 Back On (and off) Track Matthew Carter reports on Jeep’s new Compass

concierge 80 Geek Chic Enter the

Channelling smart girl summer style 44

connoisseur 100 Palace in Wonderland Bel Trew gets to grips with off-roading and

1,000-metre drops in Oman

113 The Real McQueen Annabel Harrison heads into the heart of Shoreditch to sample the offerings at McQueen

Before earning a reputation as the mildest-mannered, most level-headed Dragon in the BBC’s Dragon’s Den, James Caan was already recognised as one of the UK’s shrewdest and most successful businessmen. Richard Brown finds out why

Dragon...

regulars 10 editor’s letter

95 health & fitness

55 sport

99 travel

73 technology

111 food & drink

77 fashion

117 out & about

87 interiors

121 property

contributors...

RUNWILD M

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Editorial Director Kate Harrison

Editor

Annabel Harrison

Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds

1. Chelsey Baker is a business advisor and life

coach, she has been featured extensively in the national media as a leading entrepreneurand runs her own consultancy firm Success Media. Chelsey is a freelance journalist and motivational speaker.

2. David Kuo is one of the UK’s leading

commentators on money matters. He is a director at The Motley Fool as well as providing daily insight and financial news for BBC London’s Breakfast Show.

3. Matthew Carter is a London-based freelance

journalist who’s been writing about cars for most of his working life. A former editor of Autocar magazine, he is a serial car owner.

4. Martin Bamford is one of the youngest and most successful financial planners in the UK. He runs his own firm of financial advisers – Informed Choice – and regularly contributes to various financial publications.

5. Carol Cordrey is an art critic and editor

with popular columns in many magazines. Each year she organises sponsored art competitions offering attractive prize money and judged by distiguished artists.

Motoring Editor Matthew Carter

Assistant Editors Richard Brown Gabrielle Lane

Head of Design Hiren Chandarana

Senior Designer Dalton Butler

Designer

Ashley Lewis

Production Manager Fiona Fenwick

Production

Hugo Wheatley

Senior Project Manager Ella Kilgarriff

Head of Finance Elton Hopkins

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

6. Clare Murray is founder and managing partner of specialist law firm, CM Murray LLP. Clare and her colleagues advise a wide range of companies, professional firms and senior individuals on employment, partnership and business immigration law issues.

Greubel Forsey’s Double Tourbillon 30° Edition Historique See p. 21

16 Heron Quay, Canary Wharf London E14 4JB T: 020 7987 4320 F: 020 7005 0045 www.runwildmedia.com

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from the editor...

is with our judgements as our watches – none go just alike, yet each believes his own”. So 18th century poet Alexander Pope noted. Watches, inherently personal, say a great deal about the person wearing them. How did they choose that particular watch? What emotional significance do they attach to it? Did they inherit it from a parent and will they pass it on to their children? Would they ever leave the house without it?

July

This issue marks the launch of a brand new section, Collection (p. 21), to accompany Comment, Calibre, Concierge and Connoisseur. Collection will cover the world of watches, the finest jewellery and the most desirable luxury goods – in short, everything and anything you’d long to collect. A watch or piece of jewellery is an investment, a statement, a talking point and an integral part of any outfit so each month in Collection, we will bring you interviews, features and the best of the latest and greatest products to ensure you’re on trend. Who better to speak to about the luxury watch industry than the wonderful Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe? Find out how the brand, in his family for four generations, so successfully blends tradition and innovation (p. 24). We take a closer look at what is surely one of the most jaw-dropping watches in the world – Greubel Forsey’s award-winning Double Tourbillon 30° Edition Historique (p. 21) – and the roll-call of big players continues with Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Bremont, Breitling, Longines, Hublot and Bell & Ross.

Ladies, be enticed by glittering gems this summer; the most beautiful jewellery takes inspiration from nature’s wingéd creatures – brilliant butterflies, birds and bees (p. 28). A much-discussed topic of conversation in June was ticket sales for London 2012 and the rush for second round tickets. In 1908, we first hosted the Games at short notice when Rome pulled out following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Authors of Britain and the Olympic Games: Past, Present, Legacy, Matt and Martin Rogan, look back in time to 1948 when Britain hosted the Games for the second time (p. 12). Now there’s just one year to go until the world’s biggest sporting event descends on London for the third time, bringing with it the distinction of hosting the modern Olympic Games more than any other city (p. 56). With the advent of July, summer holidays are on the horizon. When planning what to pack, take inspiration from Jimmy Choo’s Cruise11 collection (p. 75) or invest in a set of luggage from Globe-Trotter (p. 97) to ensure you travel in style. If you yearn for adventure, follow Bel Trew’s 2,500 kilometre odyssey through Oman (p. 100) as she gets to grips with off-roading and 45° climbs before a palatial pitstop. Whether you’re working, holidaying or both, have a wonderful July.

Annabel Harrison Editor

It’s the final

Countdown… With just one year to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Matt and Martin Rogan offer an insiders’ view

olympics

Olympic Delivery Authority Unveils Olympic Stadium Plans

feature

Rhythmic Gymnastics in 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; chosen in the height of our recession to replace a temporary venue deemed unjustifiable in the current climate. Not all 1948 venues prospered as well. The Empress Hall in West Kensington was home to Wrestling and Weightlifting and, when the weather defeated the scheduled outdoor facilities, Gymnastics. The 31-storey Empress State Building now occupies the site, offering spectacular views of the city and housing Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police, who will have their own crucial roles to play in 2012. Happily, venues such as The O2 and ExCeL Centre are already far more integrated into the fabric of East London living to risk a similar fate to the Empress Hall.

feature olympics

This pragmatic creativity is also seen today in the way that Deighton and Coe have approached the delivery of London 2012. Their energy is infectious and their commercial creativity refreshing. A good example of this is the Lakshmi Mittal funded ‘Orbit’ tower, which will sit above the Olympic Park in the same way the ‘Bird’s Nest’ did in Beijing. It would be easy to write this off as a victory for naked ego over financial common sense. In fact, the £19.1 million costs of the tower have been covered by Mr Mittal (to the tune of £16 million) and the Greater London Authority (the remaining £3.1 million). Additionally, and most critically, the tower is also expected to generate a minimum of £5 million towards the Organising Committee’s budget from sponsors keen to wine and dine clients in a totally unique environment. Coe and Deighton have created a culture where this level of creativity is not just tolerated, but embraced as a way of balancing the books. They are steadfast in their commitment not only to deliver the perfect Games, but also to reinvigorate an area of east London along the way. The Games will regenerate an expanse that would otherwise have taken a minimum of 40 years to redevelop in recessionary Britain without the impetus of the Olympic Games. As Morgan Garfield, a partner at Ellandi affirms, “decades of underinvestment in East London created a practical opportunity for London 2012 as a project – where else in London could you have bought and cleared acres of land to create an Olympic Park only seven minutes by train from the city? The scale of the project has the potential to leave a legacy of infrastructure and seed investment that could yet reunite the east of London with the mainstream property market”.

Of all the nostalgia connected with London 2012, the Paralympic Games coming home must surely be the most emotionally charged. On 29 July 1948, as the Opening Ceremony was taking place at Wembley, 16 paralysed ex-servicemen gathered on the Lawn at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, just 30 miles or so from London, to take part in the inaugural Stoke Mandeville Games. These were the brainchild of neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann, and Stoke Mandeville has since kept the movement alive on more than one occasion when Olympic hosts have been reluctant to accept the Paralympic events. London will be the very first Olympic Organising Committee to deliver both Olympic and Paralympic Games with the same strategic priority from the very outset. London 1948 had to recover the Olympic ideals from the shadow cast by Berlin 1936, and redefine the movement. Beijing 2008 was a Games of unmatchable infrastructure, prioritising political statement over sporting and infrastructure legacy. London now aspires to bring the Games back to its Olympic and Paralympic roots, despite the very immediate challenges in doing so. In the eye of the financial crisis, Seb Coe said, “We meet today in another time of adversity. But in that adversity lies opportunity. Never let a good crisis go to waste.” This gives a great insight into the mindset of Britain’s Olympic leaders. Instead of shying away from the reality of public debt, financial recession, international instability and a creaking Olympic movement, they have embraced this dire context to drive a culture of innovation and regeneration. It will soon be time for us all to play our part. n

Matt and Martin Rogan are the authors of Britain and the Olympic Games: Past Present Legacy, published by Troubador and available now in hardback from www.troubador.co.uk

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www.justerinis.com 0207 493 6174

current affairs

feature

Is the

Book Dead? Upon launching the Kindle in 2007, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos posed this question: “Can you improve on something as highly evolved and as well suited to its task as the book? If so, how?” Four years on, this dilemma still plagues book lovers around the globe; Amy Fletcher questions whether books can be bettered by digital innovation

t is a troubling thought: for many, the appeal of a book is a combination of engaging content and a very particular, familiar experience; the feel of crisp paper, the rustle as pages turn and plots thicken, the smell of a bookshop bursting with paperbound treasures. The book as we know it is a tough act to beat. The benefits of the e-reader were obvious from the outset: they have a huge memory, they’re light and discreet, and screens have been honed to reduce glare. But is this enough to compete with the much-loved book? Statistics suggest not. Despite its benefits, the e-reader doesn’t really offer anything new. It replicates the content of the book almost identically and for the book lover, there is not a huge amount to excite. Sales may be growing steadily but the e-reader has not yet replaced the book. However, digital publishing is moving apace. Applications have developed and technological advances have multiplied. E-readers now exist alongside new tablet devices and android models. A new digital language has evolved. The original electronic book has become a rather standard ‘vanilla e-book’ and we now have ‘enhanced electronic editions’ and ‘electronic versions’. These new developments pose the question of whether or not a book is

feature current affairs

the most suitable medium for containing a story, of enticing one to read on, in a whole new light. There has been much discussion recently of Faber and Touch Press’s app version of The Wasteland. TS Eliot’s famously fragmented poem is reassembled with a host of features that only a digital edition could allow: audio options (one being TS Eliot himself reading the poem); a visual recording of Fiona Shaw narrating; images of the original handwritten transcript; explanatory notes. The experience of reading the poem has been transformed, impressively, and by no means is this the first of its kind. These editions are reminiscent of Tolkien’s maps of Middle Earth or the detailed family trees of A Suitable Boy, which reinforce the world of a novel, and the possibilities are endless. While this type of edition is attractive, it is children’s publishing that is likely to benefit the most. Although developments were slowed by the lack of e-reading devices able to show colour, technology is evolving and publishers are responding quickly. On the fiction side, enhanced versions similar to adult books are now available. Others lend themselves naturally to e-versions: Ihero, by Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore (Hachette Children’s Books), an interactive series in which the reader chooses the fate of the hero, is a prime example. Picture books too, are undergoing an exciting transformation: e-books like Oliver Jeffers’ The Heart in the Bottle (HCUK) or Three Little Pigs

Despite its benefits, the e-reader doesn’t really offer anything new. It replicates the content of the book almost identically and for the book lover, there is not a huge amount to excite. Sales may be growing steadily but the e-reader has not yet replaced the book 18

(Nosy Crow) allow the reader to interact with the stories in numerous and original ways. The text and illustrations are not compromised by the interactive features but the stories feel more alive; they allow the reader to experience the world of story in a whole new way. A particularly exciting aspect of the digital revolution in children’s publishing is the possibility for tie-in material, new avenues which readers can explore to immerse themselves in a story. To celebrate the launch of Malorie Blackman’s novel Boys Don’t Cry, an unflinching account of a teenage father’s life, RHCB launched the My CriBaby app in partnership with software developers, Somethin’ Else. The app is a game in which the ‘player’ has a virtual baby to take care of. A clever marketing tool, yes, but this is also an excellent extension of the themes of the book. Publishers are constantly searching for ways to capitalise on this new platform. HarperCollins, for example, is developing an app of the classic picture book Paddington Bear. For those worried that tie-in material like this could corrupt the heart of a text, fear not. Paddington will still be Paddington, just on a fresh platform. As HarperCollins’ digital publishing manager Tom Conway states that ‘working with the author is absolutely key, but it’s also key that the author understand that it’s not a book: it’s a new storytelling thing”. This is important to remember – we are no longer discussing books as we know them but something completely new. It is equally important that we do not forget that through the ages, the medium through which we feed our hunger for stories has changed: Neolithic man had cave paintings; ancient Egyptians had scrolls of papyrus; the Victorians read Dickens in serialised newspaper instalments; the paperback came into its own in the 1930s. In the 21st century, we should not preoccupy ourselves with the question “Is the book dead?” – we should look forward to its evolution. n

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The moon-phase indication needs to be periodically corrected. About once every four generations.

The SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR provides five different time indications at a glance: the time of day, outsize date, day of week, month, and moon phase. The latter, mathematically speaking, only needs to be adjusted by one day every 122 years. This accuracy of 99.998 % is generated by the bidirectional

self-winding movement. All of the 476 individual parts are finished with the utmost care, even the ones you cannot see through the sapphire-crystal caseback. This micromechanical treasure will still gleam with its original perfection when the moon-phase display needs to be corrected for the first time.

For an overview of the exclusive retailers of A. Lange & Sรถhne please visit or contact: www.lange-soehne.com โ ข Tel. +34 91 454 89 81

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interview thierry stern jewellery butterflies & bees one to watch Iwc portofino ...........................................

. ....................

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greubel forsey’s victory

Before Greubel Forsey sets forth to explore new technical territories, the company honours the watch that earned it a position among the élite

hen a watch wins the coveted Grand Prix L’Aiguille d’Or prize at the annual Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, it enters the history books as one of the greatest watches of its time. When that watch comes courtesy of a company yet to celebrate its eighth birthday, this achievement heralds an illustrious future. Winning last year’s overall prize for the finest watch from all categories – and adding its name to a list that includes Vacheron Constantin’s Tour de l ‘Île and Patek Philippe’s 5102 Ciel Lune

– was Greubel Forsey with its Double Tourbillon 30° Edition Historique. Designed both to conclude and commemorate the watch that launched Greubel Forsey, the timepiece boasts a gold dial with three sapphire crystal plates and is limited to 11 5N red gold pieces (priced at £380,000) and 11 pieces in platinum (priced at £403,000). While the mechanical complexity and aesthetic beauty of the Edition Historique make it the perfect send-off to a range of revolutionary tourbillions, it also whets the appetite for what Greubel Forsey will bring us in the future. n

ALT1-C/CR

Born in the air, defined in the cockpit, created in England, realised in Switzerland: Bremont mechanical chronometers are made by professionals to exacting standards... for the rest of us.

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watches

collection

Three of the best…

collection

Aviation Watches

news

Heritage Retrograde Longines, £2,300 watches of switzerland 22 the royal exchange

Jaeger-LeCoultre Dazzles at Cannes Following the opening of the JaegerLeCoultre Boutique in Cannes last year, 2011 saw the company cement itself as the dominant watch brand on the red carpets of the world’s most famous film festival. As well as the likes of Rob Lowe and Joshua Jackson, a host of other celebrities were spotted sporting a range of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s timepieces. Actress Diane Kruger dazzled at the premiere of Sleeping Beauty with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Art Deco on her wrist, while French star Inès de la Fressange chose to model an exceptional Queen’s Joaillerie 101.

Chronomat 01 Breitling, £6,060 watches of switzerland 22 the royal exchange

Available at watches of switzerland 22 the royal exchange

One to Watch: This month Lyndon Jarvis, Manager at Watches of Switzerland in The Royal Exchange, selects his favourite watch from the newest models

“Available with a Milanese mesh bracelet, reminiscent of popular 60s fashion, the 2011 Portofino Chronograph brings a sporty touch to the elegant Portofino family,”

2011 Portofino, £4,650, IWC Available at watches of switzerland, 22 the royal exchange

U2 Limited Edition Bremont, £3,250 The Wonder Room Selfridges & Co.

interview

collection

Time

honoured

collection interview

Today it’s not because you’re in the family that you deserve to run the business – you need to earn the right to run it

The consideration for the whole process from start to finish embodies the value Patek places on Aesthetics, sure to be protected by Stern, who, with time at the Watchmaking School of Geneva under his belt, has as thorough an understanding of the inner workings of a complicated watch as those making the Patek watches in the workshops. Producing just 45,000 pieces each year, a fraction of some of their closest rivals, Quality and Rarity are assured from Patek; one craftsman can spend a whole year producing a Patek Philippe timepiece. Thierry is emphatic about this point: “you need to know a Patek. Not only the reference or the prices; you need to understand the difficulties of how to realise the case, the bracelet, the components for the movement”.

This takes us back to the critical balancing act of watchmaking traditions and innovation. This is where I see Thierry adding the most value to the Patek brand in his tenure as President because not only does he appreciate this but he also has the vision, requisite knowledge and necessary resources to keep a perfect equilibrium. “You need new technology or new machinery but you have to breed that with the know-how of the past”, he points out. He uses the example of engraving: “The machine will do it even better [than the engraver] but without any life, without any mistakes. This is not what I want. I am ready to keep some mistakes of the artist because that’s his work. I think it’s much more beautiful”. However, despite this whimsical nod to fallible human craftsmanship, his feet are firmly earthed in the practical world: “I’m not ready to do this with the components, because this will affect the precision of the watch”. Stern is already looking to the future, confident about the route Patek will take and why. “Already I see exactly where I will be in ten years – it will be Patek Philippe with new movements, more complicated, definitely. The demand that I can see for men and women is now for complications for Patek”. He ultimately cares about the product more than anything, perhaps more so than his peers: “I often have a hard time in discussions with the CEOs of other brands because they are talking figures... I care about the product”. “Today it’s not because you’re in the family that you deserve to run the business – you need to earn the right to run it.” Stern has certainly earned this right. There is every reason to believe that Thierry and the Stern family will treasure and advance the Patek brand for another 160 years, keeping a firm hold of the tenth and final value: Independence. n Patek Philippe watches available at Watches of Switzerland, The Royal Exchange and Boodles, The Royal Exchange

collection jewellery

This summer, the most beautiful jewellery takes inspiration from nature’s wingéd creatures brilliant butterflies, birds and bees

float like a butterfly sting like a bee

4 5

7 1&2

Butterfly Clip in yellow gold, diamonds and white mother of pearl, £7,050 and Oiseaux de Paradis Earclips in white gold and round diamonds, £41,300, both Van Cleef & Arpels, www.vancleef-arpels.com 3 ‘Attrape Moi’ Pendant in pink gold with diamond head and heart-cut lavender amethyst, £1,660, Chaumet Harrods Limited Edition, www.harrods.com 4 & 5 Tourmaline Bee and Blossom Ring in mint green, £6,950 and Honeycomb Beecuff Bangle, £9,950, both Theo Fennell, 4 The Courtyard, The Royal Exchange 6 Dragonfly Necklace in 22 carat gold-plate, £120, Alex Monroe, www.NET-A-PORTER.com 7 ‘Fly By Night’ Bat Moth Earrings in white gold with white diamonds, £4,100, Stephen Webster, www.stephenwebster.com 8 Firebird Cuff, £245,000, Boodles, 3 The Courtyard, The Royal Exchange

collection men’s luxury

1 3

The Midas touch

Couple the colour most synonymous with luxury with the sophistication and boldness of black and the result is an array of strikingly stylish accessories

7 8 1

Signature Pure Black and Red Gold Vertu with mixed metal front, £18,500, Mappin & Webb, 125-126 Fenchurch Street, from 1 July 2011 2 Big Bang Chronograph in rose gold and ceramic, £19,300, Hublot at Watches of Switzerland, The Royal Exchange 3 Meisterstuck Solitaire Doué Geomtric Dimension Pen, £550, Mont Blanc, The Royal Exchange 4 RCD 81 Mk.I Mechanical Credit Card Dispenser, Roland Iten at Harrods, www.harrods.com 5 BR0192 in rose gold and PVD, £6,500, Bell & Ross at at Watches of Switzerland, as before 6 Blandon Black 48 Hour Bag, £1,295, Dunhill, www.dunhill.com 7 RT Gears Square Cufflinks, £75, Tateossian, 34 Royal Exchange 8 R22 Mk.I -22mm Belt Buckle, Bugatti Edition, Roland Iten at Harrods, as before 9 Santos 100 Chronograph, £9,475, Cartier at Watches of Switzerland, as before

Canary Wharf A4 advert:Layout 1

24/06/2011

14:35

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BROADGaTE events Broadgate in July is the place to be, whether you enjoy trying new sporting activities, such as surfing or aerial acrobatics, or if you prefer something more relaxed - movies or ping pong Surf’s Up in the City It’s time to swap work suits for wet suits because Naked is bringing the first ever giant surf machine to Broadgate Circle. From 4-8 July take up the opportunity to show off your surfing skills... or biggest wipe-outs. Book your free session on the wave machine as an individual, group or company team. You’ll be loaned a wetsuit and given a quick lesson, followed by 45 minutes of surfing mayhem, or just come along and check out the professionals showing off their surf tricks. All teams are in with a chance to be crowned Naked Urban Surf Champions 2011, also winning a week’s worth of Naked Juice for your company, so book your place now. Born on the beaches of Santa Monica, Naked is dedicated to creating boosting juice made from the highest quality fruit – no added sugar and absolutely no preservatives. Visit www.nakedjuice.co.uk for more information

Range Rover Evoque Check out the stunning new Range Rover Evoque and win a fabulous Nordic Adventure Holiday. The all new Range Rover Evoque is the smallest, lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever. Combining stunning Coupé design with SUV practicality, this new car is set to redefine urban landscapes around the world. On sale in the UK from September 2011, the Evoque has already won several prestigious awards, including being overwhelmingly voted ‘Most Exciting Car of 2011’ by readers of What Car magazine. Visitors to Broadgate on 19-21 July will have the opportunity to see both the five door Evoque and the Evoque Coupé and to enter Land Rover’s competition to win a fantastic Nordic Adventure holiday. This ‘once in a lifetime’ adventure features a variety of experiences, including snow and ice driving in the new Range Rover Evoque through the stunning landscapes of Finland. Visit www.landrover.com for more information

BROADGATEpromotion

EVENTS IN JULY • Balfour Tri-Screen Outside 4 Broadgate throughout July (7am-7pm) • Street Kitchen Finsbury Avenue Square, Monday to Friday (11.30am-2pm), throughout July • Naked Urban Surf Experience Broadgate Circle, 4-8 July (8am-8pm) • Infiniti Cars Broadgate Circle, 12-14 July (7am-7pm) • Farmers’ Market Finsbury Avenue Square, 14 and 28 July (8am-2pm) • Range Rover Evoque Broadgate Circle, 19-21 July (7am-7pm) • Rich Mix Film Screenings Broadgate Circle, 26-28 July (5.30pm start) • Corney and Barrow Croquet League Continuing on Exchange Square throughout July • Ping in the City Continuing on Exchange Square throughout July

Outdoor Summer Screenings Rich Mix and Broadgate Estates present Outdoor Summer Screenings, Tuesday 26 until Thursday 28 July at Broadgate Circle, Liverpool Street. This series of free outdoor screenings is for the whole family to enjoy; dress up as your favourite character from any of the films showing and prizes will be awarded to the best dressed. Bring your picnic rug, food and drink (no glass please). Alice in Wonderland (PG, 108 minutes) Tuesday 26 July / 5.30pm Starring Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter Shrek Forever After (U, 93 minutes) Wednesday 27 July / 5.30pm Starring voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy Toy Story 3 (U, 103 minutes) Thursday 28 July / 5.30pm Starring voices of Tom Hanks, Michael Keaton and Tim Allen

EVENTS IN AUGUST • City of London Festival Broadgate Circle and Exchange Square, 1-12 August (12pm-2pm) Visit www.broadgateinfo.net for more information about any of these events

Ping in the City All ages are welcome to play for free at the Ping Pong tables on Exchange Square. All playing equipment is available from Corney and Barrow wine bar – just a £5 deposit is required. Visit www.broadgateinfo.net for more information

City of London Festival 2011 Monday 1 August 12-2pm - Exchange Square, EC2

Singer-pianist Anthony Strong presents jazz, blues and soul Tuesday 2 August 12-2pm - BROADGATE CIRCLE, EC2

Symposia music programme Wednesday 3 August 12-2pm - Exchange Square, EC2

A lunchtime of enchanting choral works Thursday 4 August 12-2pm - BROADGATE CIRCLE, EC2

The Foremost Young British a cappella group Thursday 4 August 5.45-7.30pm - Exchange Square, EC2

Grupo Lokito: an exuberant mix of Congolese and Latin music Friday 5 August 12-2pm - BROADGATE CIRCLE, EC2

Andrea Quintarelli Quartet Monday 8 - Friday 12 August, 12.30-2pm & 5.30-7pm daily - Broadgate Circle, EC2 Farmers’ Market The Farmers’ Markets will be held on Finsbury Avenue Square on 14 and 28 July from 8am to 2pm. Visit www.lfm.org.uk or call 020 7833 0338 for more information

Wired Aerial Theatre. Performances at 1.30pm and 6.30pm each day. Bungee-assisted 45-minute taster sessions are led by the company at 12.30pm and 5.30pm each day. Places are limited and should be reserved in person from 12pm Visit www.colf.org for more information

SHOPPING

Recognising Restaurant Some of the world’s top architects and interior designers are descending on Canary Wharf's East Wintergarden to find out if they have what it takes to win at the UK and International Restaurant & Bar Design Awards

D esig n

East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf

Totally independent and dedicated to recognising the most original and stimulating ideas from the design world, the UK and International Restaurant & Bar Design Awards are the only concept of their kind. Judging the awards, which feature entries from the world’s top architects, designers and hospitality operators, are a highly influential panel of top design and lifestyle personalities. Following on from Canteen and The Parlour who were included in last year’s award shortlist, Rocket Restaurant & Bar at Churchill Place is flying the flag for Canary Wharf in 2011. Nominated for the Multiple Restaurant award, Rocket will have to fend off competition from London’s Rosa’s, Bicester’s Busaba and Billericay’s Wildwood (soon to open a restaurant in Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf), if it is to take top prize. While the Canary Wharf restaurant may be the newest addition to the family-run Rocket chain, it hasn’t taken long for the venue to earn a reputation as one of the area’s top dining destinations. Already ticking the requisite boxes for great food, great wine, attentive staff and excellent lighting levels, a win at the 2011 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards would see Rocket gain the recognition it deserves for its truly innovative and inspiring decor. The prestigious ceremony and party is being held within Canary Wharf’s East Wintergarden on 7 July from 6.30pm. With the organisers having asked six of this year’s awards shortlisted restaurants (including Rocket) to produce a canapé style catering solution inspired from their own menu, the all-inclusive ‘Cocktails & Canapé’ party promises to be a night of design recognition and gastronomic creation.

2011 nominee Rocket Restaurant & Bar, Canary Wharf

“A series of giant, old-fashioned paintings with gilt gold frames are hung in an arc on the ceilings, clashing in a wonderful way with red lampshades, striped chairs and lime green wallpaper. Brilliantly modern, informal and stylish.” One critic’s view of why Rocket Restaurant & Bar at Canary Wharf stands an excellent chance of being awarded the UK Multiple Restaurant accolade For tickets visit www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com UK and International Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 6.30pm, 7 July 2011 East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, E14 5NX www.canarywharf.com

Ten Minutes with Founder of the UK and International Restaurant & Bar Design Awards

This year’s nominees are competing in the following categories:

Marco Rebora and Sophie Douglas from Fusion Design & Architecture who was shortlisted with Canary Wharf’s Rocket Restaurant & Bar

For projects located in the UK: • Independent Restaurant • Multiple Restaurant • Independent Bar or Club • Multiple Bar or Club • Restaurant or Bar in a hotel • Restaurant, bar or club in another space

What was the inspiration behind the first Restaurant & Bar Design Awards?

• Café or fast food • Pub • Identity and website design

For projects based both in the UK and elsewhere: • Lighting

For projects located outside of the UK: • International restaurant • International bar

2011 nominee The Chan, Greece

MP: The inspiration came from the realisation that there were no awards dedicated exclusively to design out there, nationally or internationally. The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards is the only awards of its kind that rewards both the designers and operators for design excellence. With restaurants and bars being very challenging yet rewarding spaces to conceive, practically every architect at some time will have designed one. In addition to companies that specialise in hospitality projects, we have had entries from over 60 countries and from big name architects like Foster & Partners and Zaha Hadid.

What made you choose Canary Wharf as home to this year’s awards? MP: The wonderful Anna Watts (owner of Rocket Restaurant & Bar in Canary Wharf) suggested that we hold the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards ceremony there. Canary Wharf is the perfect location for our Awards in that it is easily accessible, is known worldwide and has every type of food service operation imaginable.

How important is design to the success of a restaurant, bar or pub?

2010 nominee The Parlour, Canary Wharf

SD: Design should not be seen as the most important part of a restaurant bar or pub, but it is a critical part of the overall offer and, along with the food, drink and service, should form a coherent and successful package. The design scheme will set the tone and market position, it can relax, challenge, excite, comfort and reassure. Design will attract the customer in the first place, direct the customer through the process and govern how long the customer stays. A good design may not be immediately obvious but well utilised space, finishes, furniture and lighting will greatly enhance the customers’ experience.

What is the most important element to bear in mind when designing a restaurant, bar or pub?

2011 nominee Wildwood, Billericay

SD: The customer! The design has to be carefully considered around who the customer is and what they are looking for. It should aim to exceed their expectations on all levels.

arts&events

Celebrate S U M M ER

Indulge yourself this summer as Canary Wharf plays host to its biggest programme of free outdoor events and entertainment yet

BP SUMMER BIG SCREENS PRESENTS: Madam Butterfly & Cinderella live from The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Canada Square Park welcomes the BP Summer Big Screens relay of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly for the first time on 4 July, while 13 July will see Massenet’s Cinderella broadcast live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

TWILIGHT DELIGHTS

Monday 4 July and Wednesday 13 July 7.30pm Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf FREE

Wednesdays 6/20/27 July and 10/17/24/31 August 7pm Canada Square Park , Canary Wharf FREE

Canary Wharf’s popular annual Twilight Delights music concert series returns, with a stellar line-up including The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Baroque by Candlelight and Ultimate Motown, amongst others.

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

Alina Jessipovich Until 29 July

THE MAGIC OF MUSICALS The West End comes to the East End as Canary Wharf, in association with The Society of London Theatre, presents excerpts and highlights of some of London’s current top West End shows. Stars from the shows will perform hit songs from Chicago, Zoo Nation’s Some Like It Hip Hop, Mamma Mia!, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Million Dollar Quartet, Rat Pack and more – plus performances from some of London’s best stage schools. These spectacular evenings will be presented by BBC London’s Lisa Vickery. Don’t miss this opportunity to spend a sparkling night out with the stars.

Monday 11 July and Monday 1 August 6.30pm Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf FREE

PACIFIC SOUNDS City of London Festival celebrates its fourth year at Canary Wharf with a three day celebration of musical influences from Australia and New Zealand.

As a child Alina loved to play with ‘Polly Pocket’ toys. This fascination later led her to develop jewellery that creates its own miniature landscapes, inspired by big cities. As a result you can keep your own fairy-tale city right on your finger.

alinajessipovich.com

Create11

Friday 15 - Sunday 17 July Friday from 7pm; Saturday from 1pm; Sunday from 12 noon Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf FREE

Until 29 July

CREATE11, the summer festival celebrating east London returns to Canary Wharf, featuring ‘The Space Between’ – a group exhibition from London College of Communication, Design for Interaction and Moving Image.

BARBICAN BLAZE AT CANARY WHARF A new series of events offering world class outdoor performances from international artists. Highlights include Orquestra Contemporânea Da Olinda, Hackney Colliery Band and Soul Rebels Brass Band.

createlondon.org

Maureen Anne Holley Until 26 August

Friday 8 / Tuesday 19 / Thursday 28 July 7pm Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf FREE

Visit canarywharf.com for regular event updates, pick up a brochure available throughout the Canary Wharf malls or email arts&events@canarywharf.com to be added to our mailing list. Remember, space at outdoor events is unreserved and sometimes limited and portable furniture, glass bottles or glasses are not permitted in Canada Square Park. Details correct at time of print.

Maureen’s ‘Perspectives’ is a new work, composed of three steel illuminated lightbox towers, evocative of Canary Wharf’s skyline. Many images were taken during the ‘Magic Hour of Twilight’ and capture the vibrancy of the sunset colours and clouds reflecting on the steel and glass of the towers.

londonphotoarts.co.uk

For more information visit canarywharf.com

CREATE CREATE11 at Canary Wharf

CREATE is an urban summer festival that celebrates the Olympic Host Boroughs, where more than12,000 artists live and work. This year, as a festival sponsor, Canary Wharf Group hosts four headline events Create House: Restaurants in Residence 25 June – 23 July 2-4 Heron Quays

Restaurants in Residence celebrates the new era of ‘pop-up’ dining sweeping through London. Four of the very best restaurants from London’s underground dining scene will take over a floor of Create House, a 1980s office building in Canary Wharf transformed for a collective feast of talent. Kicking off the festivities was The Clove Club, featuring Young Turks. With a sold out opening weekend, James Lowe and Isaac McHale proved why their cutting-edge food is the future of British cuisine. On 5 July, A Bit More Of What You Fancy, the spin-off of acclaimed Dalston café A Little Of What You Fancy, will showcase the best local London produce, from salmon smoked in Stoke Newington to fennel tops grown in Old Street. Week three of this pioneering venture sees Shacklewell Nights spread the joy of seasonal British food from 12 to 16 July. The leading players on the pop-up scene will leave their old Dalston clothing factory for Restaurants in Residence’s retro office set-up for five nights of experimental dining. For the final week, East London institution Bistrotheque unveils its latest venture - Eighty Eight. This celebration of 80s excess and glamour will offer a menu with an amalgamation of dishes from the culinary giants of the decade.

Portavilion 2011: The Floating Cinema 14 and 15 July Wood Wharf

The Floating Cinema is navigating the waterways of the Olympic Host Boroughs this summer. Created by architects Studio Weave and artist duo Somewhere, this customised narrow boat hosts a varied, vibrant programme of free on-board screenings, canal tours, workshops and talks. Portavilion 2011, commissioned by The Olympic Delivery Authority as part of its Arts and Cultural strategy and funded by Arts Council England, is an important part of the cultural participation programme in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Artist Ian Giles, commissioned by the Floating Cinema in collaboration with Canary Wharf Group and the Live Art Development Agency, is producing a site-specific film to be shown on 15 July at Wood Wharf.

For more on The Docklands Bell, go to www.floatingcinema.info

Menus and tickets are available at www.restaurantsinresidence.com

Create House: The Exhibitions Photo credit: Ben Morgan

28 June – 23 July 2-4 Heron Quays

Search Party

23 July Throughout the Estate As part of the London 2012 Open Weekend, supported by BP, there will be a party in East London. But there’s a catch: the location is undisclosed and Londoners have just three hours to find their way. East London will be transformed into an immersive urban playground where participants must collaborate, take risks and interact with strangers. Three trails will lead and mislead participants and one of these routes comes straight through Canary Wharf. Spaces are limited, so register online at createlondon.org/searchparty

Celebrating the wealth of creative and artistic talent in East London, visitors with an appetite for art can enjoy some of the Capital’s most inspiring interactive collaborations at Create House. The Space Between, an exhibition by graduating students from the London College of Communication, offers an intriguing approach to interactive art. In collaboration with award-winning production company and animation studio, Nexus Productions and Interactive Arts, a series of live events will explore the concept of space. PROTOCOL #1 is an intercultural exhibition by Swiss artist Yann Gross and UK artist Bronwen Parker-Rhodes offering a ‘laboratory’ that facilitates exchange between the two creative forces. Brainchild of the Helvetic Centre, the project consists of a series of exhibitions and talks dedicated to photography. Rounding out Create House will be a pop-up shop from the East London Design Show. This offers the best of east London’s independent product, jewellery and interior designers.

For all information on the festival programme please visit www.createlondon.org

A gentleman’s stainless steel automatic Breitling Hercules bracelet watch. Estimate £900 - £1,200

A gentleman’s 18k gold manual wind Zenith Elite HW Chronometer wrist watch. With box and papers. Estimate £1,500 - £2,000

A lady’s bi-metal rose gold and stainless steel automatic Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust. With box and papers. Estimate £2,600 - £3,000

A gentleman’s 18k gold automatic Patek Philippe Annual Calendar wrist watch, circa 2002. With box and papers. Estimate £8,000 - £12,000

Auction of Vintage & Modern Wrist Watches Monday 18th July 2011

www.watchauctions.co.uk/thecity Augusta House | 19 Augusta Street | Birmingham B18 6JA | Tel 0121 212 2131

interview james Caan personal finance investment risk global living petrol prices ................................................................ ........

..................................

SUSTAINABLE FISHING

From 11 May to 12 June, Selfridges ran a five week initiative called Project Ocean; this was a creative and public call to action to defend the fish in the sea

n 2009, The End of the Line made a huge splash; this feature-length documentary tackled the unthinkable prediction that the world’s fish stocks could run out by 2050 if global action is not taken. Food retailers immediately pledged to source their fish more responsibly, celebrities spoke out in support and the protection of the ocean cemented itself at the forefront of retailer consciousness. Selfridges’ Creative Director Alannah Weston, working in partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), came up with Project Ocean in the hope that the “increasingly eco-

engaged customers would make sustainability a part of their everyday lives”. Practising what it preaches about environmentally responsible practices, Selfridges has eliminated endangered fish stocks across its restaurants and food halls. The project provided a forum to address the issues of sustainability, overfishing and marine protection. Jonathan Baillie, its co-creator, deemed it “the biggest ever retail activism campaign designed to ‘sell’ and engage public mindsets on overfishing, an issue that needs mass support”. n www.selfridges.com/projectocean

feature xxxx

Enter the 44

Dragon...

interview

ounder and CEO of private equity firm, Hamilton Bradshaw – in whose Mayfair offices we meet – James is able to boast the ‘rags to riches’ story that typifies many selfmade millionaire narratives. While his pensive and articulate manner would suggest an academic background and top-tier education, in reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. James entered the cut-throat culture of the real working world at the age of just 16. Having left school with no qualifications and subsequently declined a position in his father’s fabric business, he held a number of jobs before starting work at a recruitment company as a trainee interviewer. The job suited him. James quickly realised that selling and interacting with people were two things out of which he could forge a career. After employment in various agencies, James founded Alexander Mann, his own recruitment company and one that would, having started operations out of a broom cupboard of an office in Mayfair, develop into a global brand with a turnover of £130 million. From recruitment, James moved into executive headhunting, an industry in which he co-founded Humana International. It took the company just six years to expand to 147 offices across 30 countries. In 2003, having sold Humana, James established Hamilton Bradshaw. It was shortly after that that the BBC came knocking. “I had just set up a private equity firm and all of a sudden I get approached by a TV channel saying, if you come to a studio and sit there, we will go out and find you hundreds of innovators and entrepreneurs all looking for capital. At the time, finding good opportunities for investment wasn’t easy and here was an opportunity that cost me nothing. I would basically be doing what I already did for a living. For me, it worked fantastically. The programme enabled me to understand any business in any sector. When a guy comes in and wants £600,000 to launch a submarine, you’ve got to be able to analyse the market, the margins, the opportunity, the distribution, the manufacturing, the partners, the equity and put at an

overall value on the business. That’s extremely challenging to do within 20 minutes but by the time I stepped out of the Dragon’s Den, I could pretty much do that in any sector. Today I have thousands of people approach me in every kind of industry, and I tend to get it immediately.” James admits that the show changed his life. “Unless you have done TV before, how can you be prepared to walk into a restaurant and have everyone stare at you? Or to walk into a shopping centre and be approached by people who want your autograph? It’s not natural.” For the 2008 Asian Media & Marketing Group’s ‘Man of the Year’, it was an interesting change and there is nothing he regrets. “The truth of the matter is that we choose to do everything. Nobody forces you to do TV and getting recognised is what comes with the territory. If you’re not comfortable, don’t do it.” James realises that, as his profile has grown, so too has his capacity to provide help to those who most need it. Now, as well as the work he does for The Prince’s Trust as Enterprise Fellow and Marie Curie as a senior advisor, James devotes much of his time to his own charity, The James Caan Foundation (JCF). “When you are successful, you have the opportunity to make a real difference. What I have done through the JCF is essentially applied the expertise I’ve gained to philanthropy. A lot of charitable administrations are not run as businesses, but if you apply certain business techniques and commercial parameters, you can create a much better organisation.” It is an approach that James has applied to various initiatives in his home country of Pakistan. “We started out by sponsoring a child to allow them to get a better education. Then we thought ‘why don’t we just build our own school?’ Having done that, this year we have built an entire village where we have managed to rehouse a thousand people.” While the sense of satisfaction James gets from his charity work is obvious (“what better feeling can there be than giving someone else a better life?” he asks me), it’s also clear that this is a man whose finger rarely strays from the business world’s pulse.

comment

At the start of the year, the St John’s Wood resident read an article explaining how, over the next 12 months, nearly 33,000 UK businesses would go into receivership. It was a fact that inspired him two months later to devise his first SmartPhone app. Drawing upon his 30 years of experience, Business Secrets offers guidance not just to aspiring entrepreneurs and fledgling businesses, but to anyone looking to improve the performance of their company. “When I started my business there were so many things I did wrong, purely because I had never done them before. Things like raising capital and attracting the right people, knowing about the financial margins of a business, understanding media and marketing. All of these things have taken me over 20 years to understand. Business Secrets was my

James founded his own recruitment company... having started operations out of a broom cupboard, it then developed into a global brand opportunity to put all that experience in an app that I could share with the entrepreneurial community.” And it’s an app that entrepreneurs have been keen to take advantage of. In the four weeks preceding Business Secrets’ official launch last month, the aim was to have reached 10,000 downloads. Never having launched an app, James was sceptical but he needn’t have been. Business Secrets became the number one app in its very first week, and by the second had already achieved more than 73,000 downloads. “I think we did okay,” James smiles. James has amassed his millions through a career based in recruitment, by investing in people who are both passionate and methodical, and for whom work isn’t just a job. “You need people with a kind of fired drive,” he says. “People who can evaluate and analyse, and who have a natural knack with people.” It’s probably because James boasts all of these qualities that he’ll remain at the top of his game for many years to come. n

comment personal finance

Property or Shares? Dr David Kuo of the Motley Fool weighs up the advantages and disadvantages of investing in either property or shares, or both A frequently posed dilemma is “property or shares?” Which investment should I plump for? The truth is that there are arguments for both, so it is important not to adopt an either/ or approach, excluding one at the expense of the other. There is room for both, because shares and property have both delivered inflation-beating returns over the long term. Since 1973 property prices have risen by roughly 9 per cent a year. This measures up quite well with shares, which have returned an average of 11 per cent since 1918. However, it is important to compare apples with apples, and this is where it can get a bit tricky. While average house prices have increased by around 9 per cent annually, this doesn’t include rental income. This can boost returns on a property investment, although not until the rent you collect covers regular outgoings such as mortgage repayments and unavoidable maintenance costs. Most shares, on the other hand, pay dividends, and those dividends can be quickly ploughed back into more shares, so your investment should increase through compounding over time. So which is the better investment – property or shares? Perhaps the biggest advantage to property investment is the fact that land is a finite resource. Therefore, property should gain in value over the long-term, as population rises and demand for new homes increases. What’s more, it is easier to borrow money to buy a property, so gains are amplified when house prices rise. However, losses are magnified if house prices fall. Shares tend to rise over the long term too, but you need

to be more discerning when choosing in which companies to invest. Having said that, it is always possible to invest regular amounts in a stock market index tracker that mimics the performance of the entire stock market. Another argument that is often put forward for investing in property is that it is a tangible asset. In other words, you can drive past it, look at it and even go up to it and touch it to assure yourself that it’s still there. However, this is where property can become a headache; it has to be maintained, which can take both time and money. Of course, a portfolio of shares needs to be maintained too, and for that you need to learn some of the basics of investing. However, it can be a lot easier to learn about shares than whipping out your toolbox or finding the right type of handyman. Additionally, you can learn about shares in your spare time, unlike a burst pipe, which has to be fixed immediately. Unless you are well-versed in buying and selling properties, then costs are something you need to bear in mind. It can be quite expensive to buy and sell a house once legal fees, stamp duty and estate agency commission are added into the equation, so it is not something you want to do too often. By comparison, dealing in shares is much cheaper; if you think you may have invested in the wrong share, you can just sell them and buy something else instead, through the plethora of low-cost brokers. On this point, liquidity is something worth considering too. Just because you want to sell your house doesn’t mean you can do so quickly; it can take months or even years to sell a property. Selling shares, on the other hand, couldn’t be easier. If you decide to sell your shares today, the proceeds could be in your bank account almost instantaneously. Additionally, you can sell just a portion of your share portfolio if you like, which you can’t with a property: it is nigh on impossible to sell a house brick by brick. Having laid out my arguments for investing in property and shares, my opinion is that both are great assets to own and they should deliver good long-term returns. If you own a house, which has gone up significantly in value, then you may want to balance things out by investing more shares now. n

Dr David Kuo, Director at the popular financial website The Motley Fool www.Fool.co.uk

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Too Much Risk Martin Bamford explains what has changed in recent years with regards to investment risk and how to understand the newest labels for different levels of risk Investing nearly always involves taking risk with your money. Whilst risk is an inevitable part of investing money, understanding how much risk you want and need to take is often very complex. Our understanding of investment risk has come a long way since a decade ago, when an investor was likely to be labelled “cautious, balanced or adventurous”. Your experience with an investment adviser today is more likely to involve the use of psychometric questionnaires and various financial scenarios, rather than ticking one of three boxes to determine your investment decisions. Risk is a big issue for the Financial Services Authority (FSA) at the moment; the FSA regulates the provision of investment advice in the UK, and its recent messages suggest a great deal of dissatisfaction with regard to how the issue of investment risk is being addressed. Some of the banks have been found guilty of moving too quickly to investment fund recommendations without taking the time to understand how much risk an investor should be taking. They have also come under fire for lining up funds with investor risk profiles incorrectly; just because a fund is called “cautious” doesn’t necessarily make it any good for a cautious investor. One thing that often fuels confusion when it comes to investment risk is the sectors in which various investment funds sit. The Investment Management Association (IMA) is responsible for maintaining these fund sectors, and has now made a positive change by renaming sectors previously known as Cautious, Managed and Balanced Managed. These sectors are being labelled with a letter from the alphabet (for example, Managed B), which will encourage the investor to dig a little deeper beneath the surface in order to understand what a particular sector means.

However, this move is not universally popular. Many financial advisers do not like the removal of the traditional sector names, possibly because it will mean more work for them to convince an investor that a sector is a suitable starting place for their risk profile. We all need to improve our strategies when it comes to making decisions with our money, particularly important, potentially life-changing decisions about investing our money. In my experience, investors often take too much or too little risk, compared to how they really feel about investment risk and the level of risk they need to take to meet their investment objectives. This can happen for a number of reasons, although a lack of understanding is the most common. If major investment banks can fail to appreciate the degree of risk they are taking with their investments, leading to the global financial crisis, it is easy to see how an individual investor might make unwise investment decisions with their own money. The names of some investment funds can lull investors into a false sense of security. It is perfectly understandable that an investor in a “balanced” managed fund might expect their money to be invested in a balanced manner. It is not until they take a closer look and realise that as much as 85 per cent of their money is in riskier equities, that the reality of the word “balanced” comes home to roost. Because investment risk is such a personal thing, it rarely makes sense to rely on these types of fund (what we call multi-asset managed funds) to make important decisions about risk on your behalf. It is a step too far in terms of delegation, which can leave you feeling that you’re in a suitable investment environment, when in truth you are taking entirely the wrong amount of risk with your money. Taking the right amount of investment risk requires involvement and understanding and, while both of these factors can be time consuming, they are important. The alternative is hoping for the best, but when it comes to your money, hope should not be part of the strategy. n

Martin Bamford is a chartered financial planner at Informed Choice (www.icl-ifa.co.uk) and author of several best-selling personal finance books.

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Taking

Responsibility Chelsey Baker, business advisor and life coach, discusses the importance of responsibility Winston Churchill, who certainly knew a little about duty and dependability, famously stated “Responsibility is the price of greatness”. But it is a price worth paying and one that pays dividends in many aspects of our lives. On the most immediate level we must accept personal responsibility for ourselves and our actions. By accepting this complete accountability, we simultaneously divest ourselves from the failings and expectations of others, with the understanding that everyone must be responsible for their own disappointments and successes. Writer Jim Rohn encapsulates the sentiment poetically: “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of”. Individually we can take ownership of our personal prosperity, health and happiness but we do not exist in isolation. Our basic rights are based on a contract of responsibility with society. Abiding by the law and paying taxes are part of the bargain we strike to be able to expect our government to honour its responsibilities to us. Although we are forced to undertake the mandatory responsibility of being law-abiding, tax-paying citizens, we are also subject to a more amorphous collective duty; the moral imperative to ‘be a good person’ – an ideal handed down through almost all religions and cultures from an age where the survival of the community depended upon a certain amount of collective responsibility, as well as personal. Despite all the advances of technology and civilisation, an essential truth is still evident: we need each other. Whether it is being part of a stalwart defensive line in your Sunday league football team or helping out at your child’s school play, there comes a blurring of distinction between the responsibility to your duties, and the responsibility to your capabilities. Responsibility comes down to this dichotomy of duty and capability; those elements that are

demanded from us, and those that we take upon ourselves, in the belief that we have the talents and the ability to improve a situation, for ourselves and for others. It is in the divide between these two points that character is formed and defined. Those who barely attend to their duties and evade responsibilities of choice, seeking scapegoats and blaming others, are rarely people who find success and happiness. We struggle to respect those who exploit the system and despite having freedom from their responsibilities, these people rarely enjoy this liberty. Instead they live in a prison of self-sabotage, encouraging the belief in themselves and those around them that they are incapable of living up to their responsibilities. By contrast, those who more than fulfil their personal duties and in addition volunteer their capabilities of time, money and expertise for extra responsibility, are often the people who find success and happiness. This developed responsibility gives rise to a heightened sense of your own capabilities and limitations. Detailed self-knowledge such as this is an invaluable ingredient of an inherent confidence and self-reliance that will radiate through all aspects of your life. Conversely, deflecting and avoiding responsibility threads veins of self-doubt and pessimism into a character that is already weakened by its lack of use. Having the shield of trust in your own abilities and choices is a shield against the stinging barbs and sniping judgements of a cynical world that is constantly expecting people to find excuses to duck out. Reputations are built on foundations of responsibility. Consistency of morality and commitment to ethics are hallmarks of responsible people and companies. Personal and corporate integrities are a priceless asset, not to be traded for a quick deal or a shady profit. In this world of endless flexibility, a firmness of integrity by a commitment to employees, investors, communities and the environment, mark an individual out as worthy of responsibility and trust. How we deal with our responsibilities impacts upon every aspect of our lives and defines our character. Some duties may be arduous, yet they are necessary. We must accept that we are responsible for every result in our life, whether related to happiness, health, wealth, emotional wellbeing or our career. Responsibility is not only the price of greatness; it is the path to it. n

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RISE OF GLOBAL

MOBILITY

Cross-Border Health Directive Readers may recall that I wrote an article last year about the complexities of healthcare for EU travellers or expatriates when visiting another EU country. This was, in particular, about the EHIC card, which many believe entitles EU citizens to NHS benefits when visiting other EU countries. As ever, the situation is much more complex than that. In February, a new Cross-Border Health Directive was adopted with a targeted introduction date of 2013, to try and tackle the issue of healthcare for mobile citizens within the EU. In brief, the key benefit is that EU citizens should, as a general rule, be allowed to receive healthcare in another member state and be able to claim back the costs of medical treatment that they receive in other countries. There is still some flexibility in how these rules are applied by different countries and the UK is one that is nervous about the changes. Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, complained: “The rules will turn the UK’s NHS into a bureaucratic nightmare. Extra staff will be needed to chase up money owed from countries such as Romania.” It is intended that EU countries will establish systems of prior authorisation. If you fall unwell in an EU country that is not your home and you require a stay in hospital with specialised care, your home country health system would be required to give permission before you were treated. I would still stick with the travel insurance for the foreseeable future.

Global Petrol Prices A range of companies produce statistics comparing and contrasting the cost of living between countries. The Economist produces its Burger index, whereby it compares the amount of income needed to buy a Big Mac in differing countries across the globe. It describes this as “arguably the world’s most accurate financial indicator to be based on a fast-food item”. The US consulting firm AIRINC (www.air-inc.com) has now produced some interesting data comparing international petrol prices compiled in March 2011. It publishes details of the ten most expensive countries for a gallon of regular or premium followed by the cheapest, all prices in $US. According to AIRINC, Turkey is the most expensive place to drive your car, with a gallon of regular fuel setting you back $9.63, closely followed by Eritrea and Norway, both of whose fuel prices reach $9. Greece, Monaco, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, the UK and Netherlands all top the $8 mark for a gallon. At the other end of the spectrum, if you are seeking cheap petrol it is generally best to head for the Middle East. In Algeria, Oman and Egypt it costs just over $1 per gallon to fill your car’s tank. That price drops to 80 cents in Bahrain, 72 cents in Turkmenistan and 54 cents in Saudi Arabia. However, the absolute winner of the cheapest petrol award is thousands of miles away in South America. The cost of a gallon of petrol in Venezuela is an unbeatable 6 cents. You might like to ponder that next time you fill up at the pumps.

For more information, visit www.totallyexpat.com

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For global living international executives keeping up to date with the latest news is important

Expatriates Keep Home Finances On Tap Brian Friedman explains how expatriates are able to contribute to the GDP of their countries of birth via remittances and, in some cases, ‘Diaspora’ bonds

ou may be surprised to learn that official international figures put the number of expatriates – rather loosely defined as people not residing in the country in which they were born – at 215 million people. That is approximately 3 per cent of the world’s population. But despite the relative ease of international travel in the 20th and 21st centuries, migration flows relative to the world’s population have, in fact, slowed since the late 19th century.

In its Migration and Remittances Factbook 2011, the World Bank (www.worldbank.org/migration) sets out in detail some of the crucial facts about international migration. First, migration between developing countries is larger than migration from developing to developed nations, as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Anyone who saw the news pictures of Egyptian workers stranded in Libya earlier this year will recognise this. However,

workers from developing countries who do manage to move to and work in developed countries contribute to the wealth of their home countries via remittances. According to the World Bank, these remittances are a vital source of income for the families remaining in developing countries. Furthermore, the capital inflow this represents is three times the size of official aid funds. Top remittancesending countries in 2009 were the US, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Russia and Germany. Worldwide, the top recipients in 2010 were India, China, Mexico, the Philippines and France. For some smaller countries remittances make up more than 25 per cent of GDP. As well as the phenomenon of remittances, there are now new ways in which the benign expatriate can contribute to the wealth of their home country. One of these is the so-called ‘Diaspora’ bonds. These are financial fixed-income securities marketed at wealthy residents abroad. Recently Greece has announced an issue in the hope that Greeks around the world will contribute to the financial recovery of their home country. It is estimated that there are 11 million people of Greek ancestry outside Greece itself, about the same number of its domestic residents. At the time of writing, Greece has been unable to sell bonds with a long maturity date. It is hoping that prominent descendants of Greek nationals will help alleviate some of the current hardship, although diaspora bonds have a chequered history. n

Brian Friedman is the contributing editor of Global Life and founder of the Forum for Expatriate Management. Founded in 2008, the Forum already has over 4,000 members who collectively manage over one million expatriate moves. Members come from the leading blue-chip employers of international assignees both in the UK and globally.

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Best of Both Worlds

The new Aston Martin Virage, occupying a position between the DB9 and DBS, is able to offer the best both in terms of performance and refinement

he Aston Martin Virage is back. After a 15 year absence, the new luxury sports GT wowed the crowds at the Geneva Motor Show when it was unveiled there earlier this year. Displaying a more angular front end, a new aluminium front grill, sharper shoulder lines and more distinguished front wings, the new Virage is every bit as good looking as its celebrated stable mates. This is not to say the new Virage will have to rely solely on its looks; complete with an all-alloy mid-mounted 5.9-litre V12 engine, the car offers a level of performance that more than

matches its aesthetics. Delivering 490Â bhp and 570Â nm of torque, the engine can propel the Aston from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of 186 mph. Benefitting from a chassis that has spent seven years in ongoing development, the new Virage promises to exhibit the sort of agility and handling that typifies all great Aston Martins. n Stratstone of Mayfair was proud to unveil the new Virage last Month at the Hilton Park Lane To register interest and arrange a test drive please email or call 020 7235 8888, quoting CWCity

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Renowned Around the World With around 1,000 keelboats and 8,500 sailors taking part, it’s no surprise that Cowes Week has become not just an iconic British sporting event but one of the longest running and best-known sailing regattas in the world. More than 100,000 people will flock to the eight day sailing festival, which is staging up to 40 races a day this year. Cowes Week sees everyone from amateur sailors to Olympic and World Champions competing against one another and if the sailing doesn’t appeal to you, maybe the Yacht Club Balls and an excellent line-up of live bands will. Cowes Week, 6-13 August www.aamCowesweek.co.uk

Sail in Style Ready, Steady, Raft Opened in April, the Lee Valley White Water Centre offers the chance to experience adrenalin-pumping white water rafting in a location just 40 minutes from central London. The Centre, specially built for the London 2012 Olympics, will host five days of intense Canoe Slalom competition during the Games. Before then, experience the thrills and spills of hurtling down the 300 metre competition course by

scheduling a session at the only brand new Olympic venue to open to the public ahead of 2012. With prices starting from just £49, the centre provides a great opportunity for birthday get-togethers, fun days out and corporate teambuilding sessions. Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, EN9 1AB, 08456 770 606 www.leevalleypark.org.uk

Tour de France The greatest cycle race on earth takes place once again this month. Running from Saturday 2 July to Sunday 24 July, the 98th Tour de France comprises 21 stages and riders will cover a total distance of 3,471 kilometres. Paying tribute to the centenary anniversary of the first time the Col du Galibier was climbed, the finish of the 18th stage will be judged at the mountain’s summit. This will be the highest finish in the Tour’s history, at an altitude of 2,645 metres. With 2010 winner Alberto Contador suspended from cycling during a doping investigation, the current favourites hoping to claim the crown are Andy Schleck, Samuel Sánchez and Cadel Evans. le Tour de France, 2-24 July

Summer’s here and for many of us that means sailing. To make sure you hit the waves – and the clubhouse – looking cool, try out Musto’s new line of nautically themed clothing. With more than 40 years’ experience in outdoor wear, Musto has become the leading performancerelated sailing clothing brand. The company’s technical skill and intimate understanding of sport ensure that Musto products keep wearers warm, dry and comfortable, essential for sailing. Smart sailing gilets cost £80 while classic polo shirts start at £40. www.musto.com

Sporting Sound Bite

We want this to get to within roughly an hour’s travel time of 90 per cent of the population. Lord Coe talks about the route of the London 2012 Olympic torch

www.letour.fr

the london 2012 Games With the London 2012 Olympic Games just a year away, Lee Brooks takes a look at how we’re shaping up to host the world’s greatest sporting spectacle

t’s 6 July 2005 and London has just won the contest to host the 2012 Olympic Games, beating Paris by 54 votes to 50 at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Singapore. Cue scenes of jubilation across the country with project leader and former Olympic champion Seb Coe given the envious

task of preparing Great Britain to host the greatest show on earth in just seven years’ time. London is no stranger to hosting the Games though; our capital staged the event at short notice in 1908 when Rome pulled out following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906. Then in 1948, London hosted what became known as the Austerity Games

following World War Two. But with Beijing pulling out all the stops to deliver a spectacular show, the pressure was on Coe and his team to deliver something special. Fast forward to today, with one year left on the clock, and the organisers are clearly doing something right. Weymouth, home to the sailing event,

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Beth Tweddle, left and overleaf: Alan Edwards

was the first purpose-built venue to be completed in November 2008, a staggering three and a half years before the Games. The Velodrome, which will see the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy look to replicate their enormous success in Beijing, was the first purpose-built venue in the Olympic Park to be completed in February this year, giving our cyclists plenty of time to adjust to the unique cambers and atmosphere of the venue ahead of the Games. The Lee Valley White Water Centre, home to the Olympic canoe slalom events, opened its doors to the public in April, giving people the chance to test out the same waves our Olympians will be tackling next summer. Unsurprisingly, there was unprecedented demand for tickets when they went on sale in March, with 1.8 million people applying through a ballot system. The organisers received some 20 million tickets requests, with only 6.6 million tickets available, meaning hundreds of thousands of sporting fans missed out. A staggering one million people applied for tickets to the much anticipated 100 metre final, despite the fact that there are just 20,000 seats available in the stadium. But if you missed out on a ticket, all is not lost. There will be further rounds of sales to offload the remaining tickets and these will be sold on a first-come first-served basis. If you had your heart set on seeing Tom Daley going for gold in the Aquatics Centre or watching Victoria Pendleton peddle to a win in the Velodrome, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a chance you still can. Every venue will hold an official test competition over the course of the next 12 months to ensure all runs

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GOING FOR GOLD

smoothly in 2012. The world’s best athletes are expected to compete as they seek to adjust to venues ahead of the big event and you can buy tickets to see them all in action. After Britain’s record-breaking performance (47 medals) in Beijing saw Team GB finish fourth in the medal table, their highest finish since the 1912 Games in Stockholm, the British Olympic Association has upped the ante and targeted a third place finish. With the USA, China and Russia, the only nations to finish ahead of Britain in 2008, sure to be a force once more, and major countries such as Germany, Australia and France desperate to beat GB on home soil, that target is certainly ambitious. But then you just have to look at our strong squad, across a range of sports, to see why it’s possible. The men’s cycling pursuit team have

continued their Beijing domination in the last three years and currently top the world rankings while heptathlete Jessica Ennis has been in a different class to her rivals since winning world gold in 2009. Swimmer Rebecca Adlington is coming into form at just right the time as she bids to defend her two gold medals and diver Tom Daley came of age when he won double gold at the Commonwealth Games last October with a new, much tougher routine. And that’s just a fraction of the gold medal prospects which Britain boasts. If the athletes can withstand the pressure of being the host nation and deliver on their talent, and the organisers continue to deliver breath-taking venues on schedule, London could mark the beginning of a new era for British sport and confirm the country’s place in the premier league of Olympic nations. n

After narrowly missing out on a medal in Beijing, Britain’s most successful gymnast Beth Tweddle is gunning for the podium in 2012. When Beth reached the final of the uneven bars at the 2008 Beijing Games, she became the first British gymnast to do so. That she achieved the feat having recently overcome a troublesome rib injury makes it all the more impressive. Tweddle went on to finish fourth, just outside the medals, and though she showed the world that she could compete with the best, her disappointment was clear. “It was tough to take,” said Tweddle. “Had it been a different day, the results may have gone a different way but that’s just the way it goes. I still think I have every chance of challenging for a medal in London.” If her results since Beijing are anything to go by, it’s hard to disagree. Victory in the uneven bars at this year’s European Championships, her third successive gold at the event, adds to her three World Championship golds and firmly puts her in the frame to deliver on the British gymnastics target of one to three medals in London. As a result of her success, Tweddle carries the hopes of a nation but she appears unfazed by the pressure. “The pressure is always there wherever you’re competing,” she said. “And I have no doubt it will ramp up in London in front of the home fans. But when it comes to competing, you just have to put it to one side. It is getting a lot easier now because it’s not just me that is capable of winning medals but a whole a crop of us, on both the girls and the boys side. “We’ve also had the experience of competing at European and World Championships on home soil. It can be quite a shock when you suddenly have 15,000 people shouting your name out, especially when we can go to major championships and have just a handful of people in the stands. You can’t buy that kind of experience.” At 26, London is likely to be Tweddle’s last shot at an Olympic medal. However, she’s not putting herself under any pressure to win gold. “I’m not fussy on a colour,” she said. “Any Olympic medal would do. But I’ve got a lot to look back on over my career and am very proud of what I have achieved so if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I just want to give it my best shot.”

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Burning through

the Skies

Forget yacht charters and track days: for a truly exhilarating corporate day out, take to the skies. Richard Brown finds out why

f an aeroplane is flying through the sky, showing no signs of imminent malfunction, I’ve never quite understood the decision to hurl oneself voluntarily out of it. I’d like to be able to say this is why I’ve never done a sky dive. But it’s not. The real reason is that I’m scared of heights. Really scared. Even short-haul flights to Europe are enough to send my stomach into somersaults, so when I was invited to spend a day with The Blades aerobatic display team, based on the outskirts of Northampton, it wasn’t as much with excitement that I headed up the M1 as palpable apprehension. Following the 70-mile trip from central London – easily achievable in an hour and a half by road or rail – I was greeted at Sywell Aerodrome by ex-Red Arrow Wing Commander and current Blades Director Andy Offer OBE.

Over a cup of tea in the company’s stylish boardroom, Andy – who with more than 4,500 hours of flying is one of the UK’s most experienced formation display pilot – explained how The Blades are not only the UK’s only full-time civilian aerobatic team but also the world’s only globally accredited aerobatic airline. As the latter, the company has a responsibility to satisfy the same health and safety requirements that global airlines are obliged to fulfil, meaning that every aircraft The Blades use is engineered to airline standards, and that each pilot is a qualified airline captain. “When you book an experience with The Blades,” Andy explains, “you get the same security and insurance guarantees that you would if you bought a ticket for BA.”

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Founded in 2006 by Andy and fellow ex-RAF Harrier pilot Chris Norton OBE DFC, The Blades have flown more than 300 displays since their debut public exhibit at the Beckhams’ pre-World Cup party in the same year, performing at events ranging from the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix to Cowes Week. Coupling ex-military commanders and former Red Arrows pilots with dynamic business entrepreneurs, The Blades were established to provide outstanding corporate events for companies looking to achieve tangible business results. In what may or may not have been an attempt to delay my increasingly imminent flight, I asked Andy what a company can expect from such an event. “Because we involve our clients at every stage of the planning process, each corporate experience is individually designed to achieve specific objectives. We are lucky to be able to boast a unique set of assets, ranging from helicopters to hovercraft, which we employ to provide not just unforgettable experiential activities but also competitive team-building exercises.” And with that, it was time for my flight. After slipping into a jumpsuit, it was with a sense of journalistic duty rather than intrepid excitement that I climbed, via the display plane’s wing, into the cockpit. A strong wind meant that our climb was far from bump-free. Once up, however, the turbulence disappeared and as we entered a swathe of blue sky, the ride turned from bumpy to serene. Offering an unimpaired view of 270-degrees worth of the Northamptonshire countryside, the Extra 300 LP aircraft – specifically designed for the most adventurous of aerobatic manoeuvres – provided the sort of panoramas you can only glimpse out of the window of a Boeing 747. After ten minutes of admiring a patchwork quilt of England’s green and pleasant land, it was time to see what the plane could do. First was the loop-the-loop. As the plane’s nose began to rise I braced myself for what would be a unwelcome lurching sensation. Instead, while the manoeuvre did prove completely disorientating, the feeling of losing my senses was more thrilling than unpleasant. Only after confirming that I was happy to continue and not a whimpering wreck did my affable pilot Mark ‘Cutty’ Cutmore take us in to a ‘barrel roll’ and then a ‘stall turn.’ Again, though my brain struggled to make sense of my body’s position in relation to the earth during both moves, the rest of me was embracing a truly awesome rush of adrenaline. Thirty minutes after taking off, we were back on the ground, and while I still harboured no desires to jump out of one, I would have gladly climbed back in the EA-300 LP aircraft to relive the exhilarating last half hour. Once I was out of my jumpsuit, Andy explained how The Blades are impressively capable of providing flying experiences for as many as 250 people in just two and a half hours. With a purpose-built venue that can host up to 1,000 people and a variety of on-site accommodation, The Blades are fully equipped to provide you with an unforgettable experience. They certainly did for me. n The Blades, Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton, NN6 0BN 01604 671309 www.theblades.biz

A pair of Open Hospitality tickets to The 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George’s on Saturday 17 July

how to win For your chance of winning please answer the following question. Who will be defending The Open Championship title at Royal St George’s this year? a) Tiger Woods b) Luke Donald c) Louis Oosthuizen

To enter, email your name, number and answer to competitions@runwildgroup.co.uk with OP in the subject bar. The closing date for entries is 11 July 2011. Winners will be informed on 12 July 2011. Terms and Conditions: This prize, of a pair of Open Guest Hospitality tickets to the 2011 Open Championship on Saturday 16 July and the runner up prize of a pair of general admission tickets for the same day, is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered. The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 or over, and closes at 23:59 on 11 July 2011. Entries received thereafter will be discarded. The promoter reserves the right to withdraw or amend this promotion. Employees and directors of Runwild Media Group and their subsidiaries and affiliates, agents, dealers and their immediate family or household members are not eligible to enter. By entering this competition you agree to your details being used by Runwild Media Group for promotional purposes. Please see www.runwildmediagroup.com/ subscriptions for full terms and conditions.

Following his stunning eight-shot victory at the US Open last month, Rory McIlroy heads to Royal St George’s as firm favourite to capture an Open double. European competition comes in the form of Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, while from the other side of the pond, Steve Stricker, as the top seeded American player in the Official World Golf Ranking, is hoping to capitalise on his current form. Just 16 Open Championships have been held in the south of England since the event’s inception at Prestwick in 1860 with 2011 marking the 14th Open Championship to be held at Royal St George’s in Sandwich, Kent. On 14 July the world’s best players are converging on the historic course – which this year has been extended by 100 yards and reduced in par from 71 to 70 – to compete for the coveted Claret Jug in one of golf’s most definitive settings. Giving you the chance to witness all the action, The City Magazine has teamed up with The Open Championship Official Hospitality to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win a pair of Open Guest Hospitality tickets to the Championship on Saturday 16 July. The winner and their guest will be hosted by a professional events team in the dedicated Hospitality Village. The package is designed to provide guests with full flexibility around the golfing nirvana just a stone’s throw away and includes full day hospitality; enjoy a classic golfer’s breakfast and a magnificent three course lunch, followed by a traditional English afternoon tea. A full service bar is also available throughout the day. One runner up prize of two general tickets for Saturday 16 July is also available. If you are not the lucky winner, please visit www.opengolfofficialhospitality.com or call 0844 371 0883 for further details on hospitality packages.

T-Smart

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of the best In the wake of Rory McIlroy’s stunning performance at the US Open last month, we present some of the best courses in Europe on which to improve your own game RIVIERA TEE OFF

for

Golfing

20 minutes from Nice-Cote D’Azur International Airport and ten minutes from Cannes, The Golf Country Club de Cannes-Mougins offers everything you would expect from a modern golf course in a historical environment. Originally founded in 1923, the current 18 hole, par 72 course was redesigned in 1977 by golf architects Peter Allis and Dave Thomas. Between 1980 and 1994, the 6,906-yard course was home to the Cannes Open, the highlight of the European Tour and won by a host of legendary names including Jean Garaialde, Greg Norman, Severiano Ballesteros and Ian Woosnam. Nestled in the heart of the Valmasque Forest and intersected by the

Bouillide River, The Club boasts a truly spectacular setting. With a reception in the clubhouse featuring a wooden press from 1836 and a restaurant with stunning views of The Alps, it is the perfect place to escape city life. The Golf Country Club de CannesMougins 175 Avenue du Golf, 06250 Mougins, France, + 33 04 93 75 79 13 www.golf-cote-azur.com

IRISH GEM Overlooking Dublin Bay, Howth Golf Club is the perfect blend of old and new. Traditional and modern trends have helped maintain the character of the golf course originally envisaged by James Braid – a celebrated five-time winner of The Open Championship turned course architect. Known for including dog leg designs in his holes, Braid exemplified his love of challenging courses by incorporating two right-angled holes at Howth. Situated in one of the most idyllic settings amidst the Hill of Howth, Howth Golf Club offers spectacular views over Dublin Bay. Clubhouse facilities include a lounge

bar, function rooms, and a fully stocked Pro Shop, while a full size practice putting area, chipping green and short game area, complete with shallow and deep practice bunkers, make Howth Golf Club the ideal course to improve your game. Howth Golf Club, Carrickbrack Road Sutton, Dublin 13, Ireland, +353 1 832 3055 www.howthgolfclub.ie

CITYpromotion

PURSUING PERFECTION Designed by Jack Nicklaus and home to the European Open, London Golf Club is a venue of distinction. As the first golf club to become a joint venture partner of the European Tour and part of the European Tour Properties network, you and your guests will receive the finest care and attention both on and off the course. The club invites you to come and explore a destination that is constantly innovating and improving in the pursuit of perfection. Conveniently located just off the M25 and M20, the London Golf Club is easily accessible from London and only 12 miles from Canary Wharf. The International Course is pure downland. Long grasses sway in an ever-changing breeze. The course is naturally firmer and the quick undulating fairways force a links-style approach, while short holes over water provide dramatic respite. Having hosted both Open Qualifying and European Tour Qualifying School in 2010, this course proves a tough test for the most talented of golfers whilst providing some great opportunities on its risk-reward holes to shoot some great scores. London Golf Club, Stansted Lane, Ash, Kent, TN15 7EH 01474 879899 www.londongolf.co.uk

A GOLFER’S PARADISE The Kildare Hotel & Country Club, affectionately known as The K Club, drew international acclaim when it hosted the 36th Ryder Cup in September 2006. The extraordinary success of this memorable event has confirmed The K Club’s Palmer Ryder Cup Course as one of the world’s top courses and a ‘must’ for any golfer keen to enjoy the exhilarating golf experience of The K Club. Nestled in the heart of Kildare countryside, the Arnold Palmer designed courses charm, entice and invariably bring out the very best in any golfer’s game. There are a number of exciting packages and golf events coming up at The K Club over the coming months including The Ryder Cup Experience (accommodation and golf package), The Ryder Cup Experience Competition and The Titleist Summer Series. With two championship courses, offering 36 of the most exciting and dramatic holes in Europe, golf at The K Club is a truly unique experience. The K Club also includes a luxurious resort spa, fishing on the River Liffey and a selection of dining experiences. The Kildare Hotel, Spa and Country Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland +353 1 601 7200, www.kclub.ie

MEDITERRANEAN RETREAT It may have only just celebrated its second birthday, but Finca Cortesin is fast earning a reputation as one of Spain, and Europe’s, finest golf courses. Set in the rolling hills of southern Spain between Marbella and Sotogrande and flanked by the arid Casares Mountains, the par 72, 18 hole course offers sweeping views of the Mediterranean. Designed by one of the world’s leading golf course architects, Cabell Robinson, Finca Cortesin has been styled to incorporate the area’s original flora and fauna and is widely reputed as having the best greens in Southern Spain. At nearly 7,000 metres, it is also one of the longest golf courses in Europe.

(84 kilometres) from Málaga airport and one hour from

Facilities and services include golf club valet and cleaning,

Jerez (90 kilometres).

a buggy bar for ice cold drinks on the course and a large

Finca Cortesin, Carretera de Casares, 29690 Casares

interior designed Clubhouse with golf shop, bar, restaurant,

Malaga, Spain

and terrace. Part of the Finca Cortesin Hotel, the course is

+ 34 952 93 78 84

just 25 minutes (40 kilometres) from Gibraltar, 50 minutes

www.fincacortesin.com

BACK ON(and off) TRACK Jeep had lost its way but the iconic company hopes the new Compass will get it pointing in the right direction again. Matthew Carter reports

n 1941 necessity created a legend: American soldiers fighting in Europe needed a General Purpose (GP, or Jeep) vehicle to keep them mobile, and the iconic 4x4 was born. Swallow the company’s propaganda, though, and you’ll believe the Jeep won the Second World War all by itself. What is beyond doubt is that the Jeep was the original four-wheel drive; indeed, after the war the first Land Rover was created using the Jeep as a template. And this year, Jeep is celebrating its 70th birthday. It’s lucky it’s survived this long. In recent years Jeep has lost its way, producing some seriously poor vehicles that battered the iconic brand. In the UK, the company all but disappeared as quality dropped and sales slumped. But now Jeep is back,

under new ownership (yet again) and determined to right recent wrongs. The new owner is Fiat, which took over Jeep and its parent company, Chrysler, last year. The first new Jeep to hit our shores is the Compass, and at first glance this doesn’t bode well for the company. You see, the Compass is not a new name and was last seen on a ‘soft-roader’ that encompassed (sorry) all that was wrong about yesterday’s Jeep. It was introduced back in 2007 and in two years the company struggled to sell more than 550 examples. It was not a great car. Strangely muted looks, terrible quality control, a weedy diesel and roly-poly handling left it at the bottom of the pile. Thankfully, the new Compass is a much better prospect.

motoring

Although still based on the old unloved model, the new one has been vastly improved in the three areas that matter most: looks, quality and performance. The visual makeover means a set of clothes inspired by the range-topping Grand Cherokee. The tougher lines, complete with bold flared wheel arches and the traditional seven bar grille at least means it now looks like a Jeep. It drives like one, too. Although petrol versions are available, the biggest selling version will be a diesel, powered by a 2.2-litre common rail turbo diesel provided by Mercedes-Benz. Available in 134 or 161hp versions, it’s a far better unit than the 2.0-litre VW unit used before. As well as having more power, it’s more refined and more economical. On the road the big diesel might be a little gruff, but it has ample power and torque to move the Compass along. This improved performance is matched by a revised chassis that gives a better ride and tauter handling, while the Jeep’s legendary go-anywhere ability is delivered by the quaintly named Freedom Drive 1 four-wheel drive system. A fully electronic system, most of the power is channelled to the front wheel in everyday use, but if wheel slip is detected, power is automatically shifted to the rear as needed. Or not. Jeep, like Land Rover, has finally realised that not everyone who likes the commanding driving position of a typical 4x4 wants or needs four-wheel drive, so Compass is also available as a two-wheel drive version. Granted, it’s cheaper than the 4x4, is more economical and perfectly capable most of the time, but if we have another winter like the one we did last year, I know I’d be cursing if I decided to save a few pounds by going 2WD. Still, two-wheel drive with 4x4 looks hasn’t held back sales of Nissan’s Qashqai for example, so maybe Jeep’s marketing men do know what they’re talking about. Whether you opt for two or four driven wheels in the Compass, you will get a vastly improved interior with a much greater quality feel. In Europe, we demand higher levels of luxury than they do in America, and to compete over here Jeep has had to up the ante considerably. Higher quality materials with soft touch plastics are now used where it matters, such as along the top of the doors and the centre armrest, where the old Compass had brittle unyielding surfaces. There’s more standard equipment, too, and dozens of little quality touches such as backlit switches, discreet chrome inserts and a new steering wheel with integrated controls for the audio system, phone and cruise control. There are four trim levels – Sport, Sport + at the bottom and 70th Anniversary at the top, but the likely biggest seller is the Limited, which sits just below the Anniversary and has most of the goodies expected, including leather upholstery, heated front seats, 18-inch wheels, automatic air conditioning, six-way power driver’s seat and a six-disc CD system. Optionally available is a media centre with an inbuilt 30GB hard drive that can store thousands of tunes. It is operated via a 6.5-inch touch screen and incorporates satellite navigation with real-time traffic information. Compass is well priced, too. The entry-level 2.0-litre petrol 2WD model starts at £16,995, but the more substantial 2.2 CRD Limited 4x4 is £23,595. The Anniversary model is another £400, but aside from a couple of badges, different alloy wheels and better quality floor

calibre

mats adds nothing in exchange. So the new Compass is a vast improvement on the old and marks a return to form for the inventor of the 4x4. But whether it’s enough remains to be seen. While Jeep was ‘away’ a whole host of rivals have rushed in to take its place; some are damn good. The impressive Hyundai i35, for example, has moved the goalposts further even than Jeep was expecting. Getting back on track is just the start of Jeep’s rehabilitation. n

IN BRIEF Car: Jeep Compass 2.2 CRD Limited Price: £23,595 Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel Power: 161hp Drive: Four-wheel drive Performance: 0–62mph in 9.8 seconds; 125 mph max

calibre special event

The Power of 4 Take the Challenge

Pitch your driving capabilities against a state-of-the-art Porsche track on a team driving day like no other

o you think you can drive? Here’s your chance to prove it. The Porsche Centre in Canary Wharf is offering Canary Wharf readers the chance to compete in The Power of 4 Challenge – a day that promises to test driving ability and push mental agility to its limit. Faced with a range of competitive challenges and on-road obstacles, 12 teams of four will do battle in an attempt to win the ultimate Porsche driving experience: a trip to Camp4 at Porsche’s Arctic Driving Centre – a snow-based driving facility based in Finland – in the early part of next year. Taking place on 23 September 2011 at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone, the day will comprise numerous driving challenges that incorporate both circuitbased and off-road activities. Spending the day with three of your colleagues or clients, you will be provided with the unique opportunity of exploring the entire Porsche model range by driving all five Porsche models. In order to be part of this experience, you will need to gather a team of four, each of whom must participate in each activity in order for your team to qualify for the Camp4 challenge. For insurance purposes each team member must be over 25 and have held a full UK driving license for at least two years. Described by one of last’s year’s runners up as “a prize in itself”, the day is run by a team of highly-experienced Porsche Driving Consultants. Enter the competition for your chance of swapping the boardroom for the racetrack and proving to your business colleagues the calibre of your driving supremacy. n

“The most sophisticated driving day I have experienced – suitable for people of all skill levels”

how to enter To enter a team into the Canary Wharf Challenge, email competitions@runwildgroup.co.uk with the following details and write PORSCHE in the subject line: 1. Your name 2. The company you work for 3. Your position within that company 4. The names and emails of the three colleagues who will be your team-mates 5. Finally, in no more than 75 words, tell us why you and your three team-mates should be chosen to represent your company in The Power of 4 Challenge.

Terms and Conditions The closing date for entries is 31 July 2011. The prize is entry for one team (consisting of you and three colleagues) to The Porsche Corporate Challenge at Silverstone on 23 September 2011. These prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered. The competition is open to UK residents aged 25 or over who have held a full UK driving licence for at least two years. The competition closes at 23:59 on 31 July 2011. Entries received thereafter will be discarded. The promoter reserves the right to withdraw or amend this promotion. Employees and directors of Runwild Media Group and their subsidiaries and affiliates, agents, dealers and their immediate family or household members are not eligible to enter. By entering this competition you agree to being contacted by Porsche Centre East London - Canary Wharf Showroom in the future. Please see www.runwildmediagroup.com/subscriptions for full terms and conditions. For terms and conditions relating to The Power of 4 Challenge competition please email panamera@porsche-events.co.uk.

www.vgnewtrend.it

ph. Andrea Pancino C

VG Studio at

inspirations vision

style

design

www.idesign-int.com info@inspirationsoftickhill.co.uk Tel: 01302 760040

ABARTH’S tribute act It’s expensive but does just what it says on the tin: the 695 Tributo Ferrari adds the spirit of the prancing horse to the humble Fiat 500, says Matthew Carter

K, let’s get straight to the point. Given that the range starts at a little over £9,000, to ask £30,000 for a Fiat 500 might suggest that someone at the Italian firm is having a laugh. Except that the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is no laughing matter. Indeed, there are those who think £30K for something that’s certain to become a collector’s classic represents something of a bargain. The key lies in the two names: Abarth and Ferrari. Both Enzo Ferrari and Carlo Abarth were legends in the automotive world. Ferrari we all know about, Abarth perhaps less so. The

latter’s name was inextricably linked to go-faster Fiats, especially the original 695, a hot version of the rear-engined 500 of the 1960s. Abarth enlarged the engine from 499cc to 689cc, which in top 695 SS spec boasted 38 hp. He died in 1979, but his company carried on and is now wholly owned by Fiat (a bit like Ferrari, in fact). While the new Tributo Ferrari might be based on a Fiat 500, once Abarth has finished tinkering it has as much in common with Fiat’s shopping trolley as the Aston Martin Cygnet has in common with a Toyota iQ. The comparison is apt. Aston has reworked the diminutive Toyota, giving it a wood and leather interior

and a price tag that’s a fiver short of £31,000. The idea is that by buying a Cygnet, Aston owners can have a city car that supplies the luxury touches they have come to expect from their regular car, if not the performance. Aston has done nothing to boost the heady 97bhp produced by the standard iQ. Abarth, on the other hand, has done more than enough to the 500 to make it appeal to the Ferrari owner who doesn’t fancy taking his 458 Italia to the supermarket. To create the Abarth 500, the 100hp of the ordinary 1.4 500 is boosted to 135hp, just as Carlo Abarth himself would have done when he started the company more than 60

motoring

years ago. A hotter Abarth 500, called Esseesse, lowers the suspension, beefs up the brakes and boosts power to 160hp, and that’s just the starting point for the Tributo Ferrari. Power from the turbocharged 1.4-litre, 16-valve engine is boosted to a heady 180hp, giving it a sub-seven second 0–60mph time and a top speed of 140mph – enough to leave Aston’s Cygnet bobbing around in its wake. The Ferrari link is accentuated via the exterior appearance with four body colours straight out of the Ferrari brochures – Rosso Corsa, Giallo Modena, Blu Abu Dhabi and Grigio Titanio (that’s red, yellow, blue or grey to you and me) – offset by Corsa Grey wheels and body stripes. The visual package is completed by carbon door mirrors, while the aural experience is underscored by the ‘Record Monza’ dual-mode exhaust. Naturally, it has deep front spoilers, lower side skirts and an extended roof spoiler to take advantage of the extra power. It also has Brembo ventilated disc brakes to slow it down more effectively, while the suspension has been stiffened and the alloys have 17-inch rims. Inside, there are excellent sports seats by Sabelt, a thick-rimmed flat-bottomed Abarth steering wheel and a Sport button that quickens throttle responses, weights up the electric power steering and sharpens handling. Well, that’s the theory. The steering is perhaps the only weak spot in the Abarth’s make-up, being slightly

over-light in its feel, whether the Sport button is pressed or not. Among the standard gizmos are the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), which starts braking individual wheels if control is threatened and Torque Transfer Control (TTC), which acts like a limited slip differential to kill understeer when cornering and so deliver more fun. In true F1 fashion, the manual gearbox has steering wheelmounted paddles for super-fast changes, which means that early owners like Ferrari F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will feel at home when they pop out for an espresso. Other standard equipment includes Xenon headlights, automatic climate control and Fiat’s advanced ‘Blue&Me’ infotainment system, while the attention to detail extends to pedals bearing the Abarth scorpion logo and a plate showing the car’s serial number mounted on the dashboard. Perhaps the best news about the Tributo Ferrari, at least as far as UK buyers are concerned, is that it is available in right-hand drive, though no more than 152 examples will be available to special order only through the 17-strong Abarth dealer network. The price? €35,500. Which is where we came in. Yes, that’s a great deal of money to pay for a humble shopping trolley, but the engineering that’s gone into the car has turned it into a genuinely sporting machine. Carlo – and Enzo – would have been impressed. n

calibre

IN BRIEF Car: Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari Price: £31,246 (approx.) Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder, turbo Power: 180 hp Drive: Front-wheel drive Performance: 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds; 140 mph max

exceeding your expectations

Luxury

Car Hire

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for business, a special occasion, test drive or just for fun, VIP Car Hire can cater. We provide car hire from three days to 12 months and our fleet includes Ferrari 458 & F430, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Bentley GTC, Range Rovers and many more all the way down to the Mini Cooper S. We also offer a nationwide delivery service with any of our cars.

contact@vipservices.co.uk www.vipservices.co.uk

Tel: 020 7407 2121

technology

calibre

technology It’s fair to say that the latest addition to the Bang & Olufsen home cinema family possesses the wow factor. With an 85-inch screen and available with a unique stand that elevates the TV to the optimal viewing position at the touch of a button, the BeoVision 4-85 is spectacular to behold. As the first full HD screen with 3D, the TV combines state-of-the-art performance with top-of-the-range audio, video and intelligent home integration to provide the ultimate cinematic experience. BeoVision 4-85 TV, approximately £61,500 (with motorised stand) or £44,800 (wall-mounted version), Bang & Olufsen, www.bang-olufsen.com

BeoVision 4-85 TV, £61,500 (with motorised stand) or £44,800 (wall-mounted version) Bang & Olufsen, www.bang-olufsen.com

The Latest & Greatest Gadgets... 1. Monster Vision Monster introduces Monster Vision Max 3D; the world’s first and only universal wireless 3D eyewear that will work with all brands of 3D HDTVs.

Monster Vision Max 3D eyeglasses and transmitter £165, Monster, www.monstercable.com

1 2

2. Power In Your Palm Armour’s Systemline keypads and remote controls give families the freedom to access and manage audio and video equipment independently in every room of the house

Prices of home entertainment packages available on request, www.armourhome.co.uk

3. Linked In Fatman’s new Wi-Tube music system allows you to hook up practically any music-enabled device, including mobile phones, CD players and even your computer.

Fatman Wi-Tube, £399, Fatman www.fat-man.co.uk

4. Turning Back Time Equipped with a DL-A100 cartridge, the Denon DP-A100 is capable of masterfully reproducing the energy and distinctness of analogue discs.

DP-A100 player, £2,250, Denon www.denon100.com

5. Super Sonic With an entire frequency range radiating from one point in space, the KEF Blade generates a sound-field that is truly astonishing.

KEF Blade, £20,000, www.kef.com, KEF

Not just another day at the office WELCOME TO TOWN HALL HOTEL & APARTMENTS

T O W N H A L L H O T E L & A PA R T M E N T S

Patriot Square, London, e2 9nf

+44 0460 +44 (0)20 (0)20 7871 7621 8783

www.townhallhotel.com

T O W N H A L L H O T E L & A PA R T M E N T S ABTA0210_TOWNHALL.indd 1

Patriot Square, London, e2 9nf

15/1/10 09:49:00

fashion interiors health & fitness

GEEK CHIC safari STYLE . .................................. technogyM

. ............................................................................ . .........................................................

THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA

W Jimmy Choo’s ‘Cruise 11’ Collection offers the perfect shoes and accessories to ensure you’re hot to trot for your summer escape

hen it comes to essential shoe shopping, Jimmy Choo’s ‘Cruise 11’ is Eden for anyone wanting to be on trend this summer. The collection, fittingly named and themed for the S/S season, takes its inspiration from the sunny, sexy atmosphere of Brazil and its eclectic, bold style. The colourful side of the collection features neon yellow mesh heels, coral ‘Caitlin’ platform sandals and the glossy ‘Elaphe Snake’ day shoe in fuschia pink. Pictured above is the ‘Curve’ – a modern clog in crushed black patent (£465), perfect for

transitioning from day to night. Equally multifunctional is the black leather ‘Scarlet’ bag (£1,095), with star details; use on the beach, take to supper and dance the night away under the stars. The vibe of the S/S collection is equally sundrenched and glamour-infused, taking inspiration from the epicentre of the tropical Brazilian culture: Rio. Expect a colourful, wild and luxurious array of items, injected with the DNA of the Jimmy Choo we know and love – animal print, exotic python and sparkling jewels. n www.jimmychoo.com

The Gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tailor

19 Savile Row; Austin Reed, Regent Street; House of Fraser, City

EXPLOXXXXXX_Left_Spread_Advert_210x297.indd 1

24/01/2011 15:06

fashion

concierge

fashion

news Give Through Gucci In an extension of its seven year partnership with UNICEF, Gucci has updated the design of its Surkey bag to raise funds for the charity’s ‘Schools for Africa’ initiative. The new edition features the brand’s signature diamanté motif, embossed on chocolate brown calfskin which has been hand-waxed for a vintage feel. 25 per cent of the retail price for each bag will go towards ensuring that children receive access to high quality education. It will be on sale until February 20 2012 in more than 20 countries, as well as being available online. www.gucci.com

Isabel Marant S/S11 Slouchy separates, vintage sportswear and denim cut-offs feature heavily in Isabel Marant’s current line, which is inspired by the laid-back vibe of California. While there are definite references to all things surf chic, girly details can be found in the addition of soft pink tones, floral prints and floaty hemlines, which are equally wearable.

At the preview, models took to the Paris catwalk in a combination of the two styles, channelling the Marant signature cool which has made the designer so ubiquitously popular. Looks were teamed with pointy boots, beaded anklets and simple belts which are ideal for festival season. www.isabelmarant.tm.fr

Quote of the month:

You put on high heels and you change. manolo blahnik

Website:

TREND:

Pour La Victoire Court Shoes

Intended to provide a full lifestyle portal for professional women, Go City Girl brings together an online shopping service and fashion blog with other useful features such as job listings and time-whiling celebrity gossip. All of the content is London-centric and the functions can be utilised while in discussion with other website visitors.

Biker Chic

In keeping with the fashion for accessorising bright clothes with nude heels, these pale patent stilettos are highly covetable. The concealed platform design in the Sand Irna Hidden Platform Court Shoe ensures comfort while the overall effect is chic, sharp and utterly leglengthening. Team with that hot pink cocktail dress or candy-coloured jeans. £185, Pour La Victoire, www.my-wardrobe.com

www.gocitygirl.com

MUST-HAVE ITEM:

Balmain led the way this season with a punk-inspired S/S 2011 collection, featuring crystal-encrusted jackets, t-shirts strewn with safety pins and some seriously distressed denim. Incorporating leather pieces into your look is a great way to achieve the same edginess. These Zadig & Voltaire black skinnies are a great staple. £515, www.net-a-porter.com

Satin Soft

Timeless

Jo Malone has introduced limited edition Dry Body Oil to the Lime Basil & Mandarin and English Pear & Freesia collections. The oil provides the skin with intense moisture, but leaves it dry to the touch. Using olive, kukui and macadamia seed oils, together with vitamin-rich wheat germ extract, the skin is naturally conditioned and given a healthy glow. Ideal for the summer months, Dry Body Oil is light in texture, but provides essential hydration for the skin. Why not try Jo Malone’s signature Lime Basil & Mandarin fragrance for a fresh citrus scent with a peppery edge?

When Swiss watchmakers are perfecting the most intricate details of a Montblanc watch, they hold their breath so as not to disturb the delicate parts. Timeless elegance is produced with infinite care and attention to detail. Montblanc’s Timewalker Chronograph Automatic watch with brown alligator-skin strap and red-gold dial is subtle and sophisticated. The warmth of the gold dial and the rich brown of the strap make the watch perfect for summer.

Lime Basil & Mandarin Dry Body Oil, £38 Jo Malone 24 Royal Exchange 0870 192 5131

Montblanc Timewalker Chronograph Automatic with brown alligator-skin strap and red-gold dial, £10,300 10 Royal Exchange 020 7929 4200

SummerStyle Banish black and winter layers in favour of summery accessories from The Royal Exchange this July: choose from the stylish selection of watches and jewellery, or opt for subtle, sweet-smelling fragrances

Retro Revival

Scentsation

Omega introduces the Ladymatic, a line originally launched in 1955 and given a modern twist. The line recalls the golden age of couture, and the glamour and elegance of the past, reflecting original design elements. Retro style is combined with modern innovation to give new meaning to Ladymatic, with the best mechanical watch movements in the world. The watches are crafted in 18-carat rose or yellow gold, or in stainless steel and with a choice of polished or snow-set diamond-paved bezels.

In the words of leading British designer Sir Paul Smith, “A perfume should always whisper, never shout.” In line with this wish for subtlety, the brand’s signature Paul Smith Men Eau de Toilette scent is woody, green and aromatic. An understated marriage of classic and high fashion, the fragrance itself reflects the brand’s ethos of mixing the old with the new, classic with innovative.

OMEGA Ladymatic, Rose Gold and Diamond Bezel Diamond Dial, Omegam, £19,880 8 The Courtyard Royal Exchange 020 7929 7706

Paul Smith Men Eau de Toilette 100 ml, £41 7 The Courtyard, Royal Exchange 020 7626 4778

Summer, Bottled

Poolside Glamour

Tiffany & Co. introduce a reworked, iconic design to celebrate summer in a retro but fresh and distinctive style. Celebrated designer Elsa Peretti has handcrafted her iconic first jewellery design, the Bottle pendant, in classic and new shapes with precious metals and gemstones. New designs include round bottles in sterling silver or 18-carat gold, and square and jug shapes in sterling silver with hand-carved gemstone stoppers. The classic open Bottle pendant perfectly complements the flowing silhouettes of the decade in which it was created, the 1970s.

Agent Provocateur has a gorgeous range of swimwear to bring out your inner Hollywood siren this summer. For the sexiest swimwear this season, look out for retro cuts and vintage style prints. The cute Stacey bikini ticks all the boxes with its cheeky red gingham print and full cup. Lace-up and bow details add subtle sex appeal, and the halter neck shape and mid-rise bikini briefs flatter and enhance curves. Stacey bikini, £165 5 Royal Exchange 0207 623 0229

Bottle pendants, £240– £2,800 Tiffany & Co 9 The Courtyard Royal Exchange 020 7409 2790

Pile ‘Em High Theo Fennell’s Dado rings and bangles are the ultimate summer accessory. Wear them individually for a sleek and polished look, or mix and match with Theo Fennell’s Spangle Rings and Bangles for an eclectic edge. Stackable rings and bangles are a big jewellery trend this season, so give your summer wardrobe an update with a ‘pile ‘em high’ jewellery policy that gives any ensemble a stylish twist. 18ct White, Yellow & Rose Gold Dado Rings and Bangles – starting price £350 Theo Fennell 4 Royal Exchange 020 7623 4380

Modern Heritage Penhaligon’s long-established history in the world of British perfumery dates back to the 1870s. With such a rich heritage, the company is looking back at its archive of formulations to revive ten vintage fragrances, dating as far back as 1927, with the Anthology Collection. Esprit du Roi was originally created in 1983 and evokes woody citrus combined with the scent of foliage. Combining fresh tomato leaf, mint and raspberry leaf with rich florals and warm woods, makes for a potent contrast and a well-balanced and lush fragrance. Esprit du Roi, £98 Penhaligon’s 4 Royal Exchange 020 7623 3131

Agent Provocateur || Artisan Fine Art || Bachet || Boodles || Bulgari || Church’s || Crockett & Jones || De Beers Gucci || HeRMes || Jo Malone || Kiehls || Laird & Co Hatters || L’Occitane || Loro Piana || Lulu Guinness || Milleperle Molton Brown || Montblanc || Omega || Paul A. Young Fine Chocolates || Paul Smith || Penhaligon’s Pretty Ballerinas || Royal Exchange Jewellers || Searle & Co || Smoker’s Paradise || Smythson || Tateossian Theo Fennell || Tiffany & Co || Vilebrequin || Watches of Switzerland

Royal Exchange, Bank, City of London, EC3V 3LR

www.theroyalexchange.co.uk

Le geek, c’est chic. It may be July but the British weather is unpredictable enough to break out waistcoats and wool, ties and tailoring, and channel smart girl summer style Photography: Anthony Edwin Fashion Editor: Lucie Dodds

Cotton orange shirt, £270, silk spot tie £99, wool waistcoat playsuit, £550 All Paul Smith, www.paulsmith.co.uk Cream ‘Astrid’ sunglasses, £230 Tom Ford, www.tomford.com

Silk nude crop shirt, £208 cotton printed shorts, £175 Both Cacharel at Matches www.matchesfashion.com Mustard ‘Louisa’ stilettos £750, Jimmy Choo 24/7 Collection www.jimmychoo.com

Cream, double-breasted linen jacket £550, white silk shirt, £210, both Carven at Matches, as before Biscuit wide leg trousers, £125 Whistles, House of Fraser London City 68 King William Street, 020 7444 4320 Mustard ‘Louisa’ stilettos Jimmy Choo 24/7, as before

Silk orange spot playsuit, £150, Whistles as before. Mustard ‘Louisa’ stilettos, £750 Jimmy Choo 24/7, as before

Silk cream jumpsuit, ÂŁ350 See by Chloe at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, 020 7235 5000

Make-Up: Lauren Griffin, using MAC Face and Body Makeup

Hair: Tim Bateman at Phamous Artists

C E L E B R A T I N G

T H I R T Y

120 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 3LS 509 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 4JS Telephone: 020 7486 3080 email: info@halcyon-interiors.co.uk | www.halcyon-interiors.co.uk

Y E A R S

interiors

concierge

Let There Be Light These table lamps, from the A/W Gemma Murano collection, are perfect for almost any room in the house; available in Amber, Amethyst, Fume and Clear glass (at £425, excluding lampshades), they will fit in with a variety of colour schemes. Villaverde offers a wealth of original and eclectic lighting options, like these lamps, as well as lighting design consultancy; explore a wide range of chandeliers, table and floor lamps, lanterns, wall lights and lamp shades which can all be adapted, changed and customized to suit the individual client’s taste and décor.

interiors

news J’Adore l’Armoire Classical French furniture is known for its attractiveness and statement appeal and this armoire is no exception. With hand-carved details and striking cabriole legs, it would make an ideal addition to dressing rooms across the city, while satisfying the trend for all things gothic. Inside there are three shelves and adequate hanging space, while the bevelled mirror front is both practical and a smart, contemporary feature. The French Bedroom Company, a mail order and online boutique, stocks a range of beautiful and affordable designs that are chic and elegant in an utterly French fashion. Choose madeto-measure headboards, classic chaise longues (opt for Barbarella, Versailles Gold or Very Velvet) and full-length mirrors to update your boudoir. If you have little ones, delight them with the princess-ready Paris Toile Bed or, for boys, the Petit Prince White Bed.

www.villaverdeltd.com

Tom Dixon Designer Tom Dixon’s scoop chair with high copper legs is the perfect combination of high design and comfort. His contemporary furniture pieces are both conceptualized and manufactured in Britain and Dixon has a real passion for injecting innovation into the industry by using interesting shapes and materials. This chair would work as a casual, dining or office seat and is available in a lower height.

Sassy Boo Mirror Fronted Armoire, £995 www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Featuring Fornasetti

www.tomdixon.net

Fornasetti subscribed to the Italian artistic tradition of sketching before re-drawing and this infuses his work with a unique and humorous quality. One of his ultra-fine depictions, Tema e Variazoni, has been transformed into an eccentric wallpaper by Cole and Son, in close partnership with the artist’s son. United Perfumes are also filling exquisite ceramic pots decorated with original Fornasetti designs with fabulously scented wax. www.cole-and-son.com www.united-perfumes.com

the trend Go wild! Use natural materials, earthy tones and animal prints to create an eye-catching and stylish living space that channels luxury safari chic

Bespoke Gothic Gazebo Four Poster Bed £POA, And So To Bed www.andsotobed.co.uk

Channel Gold Tall Vase, £58 Heal’s, www.heals.co.uk

Special Blanket, £17.99, Zara Home www.zarahome.co.uk

interiors

concierge

Sculpture Table Lamp in Horn and Chromed Brass, £POA, Arca Horn at Harrods, www.harrods.com

New Safari Camp Chair, £4,525, Ralph Lauren, www.ralphlaurenhome.com

Celeste Box, £19.99, Zara Home www.zarahome.co.uk

Abstract Painting, £POA, Christopher Guy www.christopherguy.com

Rachna Beige Leaf Cushion, £538 CoutureLab, www.couturelab.com

Ethiopian Rosewood Chair, £409 CoutureLab Africa, www.couturelab.com

Kilim Chest of Drawers, £2,995 Andrew Martin, www.andrewmartin.co.uk

concierge interiors

Lamella Rug, £POA, Somerville Scott & Company, www.somervillescott.com

Spencer Chair, £3,525, Ralph Lauren www.ralphlaurenhome.com

Island Ivory Frame, from £175 Katharine Pooley Design www.katharinepooley.com

Bronze Stalking Panther, £POA, Christopher Guy www.christopherguy.com

Golden Brass Bowl, £60, Katharine Pooley Design, www.katharinepooley.com Large Zebra Ottoman, £4,200, Patrick Mavros www.patrickmavros.com

The Silver F

Photo by Carolyne Locher

concierge silverware

Lining

Annabel Harrison explores the history and modern incarnation of the precious metal, second only to gold in its value and just as interesting or thousands of years, silver has been treasured for its beautiful appearance and its multi-purpose functionality; made into ornaments, jewellery and utensils, it can also be used for trade, medicinal uses and even as a means by which to keep wine potable on long ocean voyages. Britain has long been renowned for the quality of its silver craftsmanship and maintains a reputation for having the finest silverware in the world, largely thanks to our practice of quality testing and hallmarks. These tiny marks or symbols can be read as proof of quality, year of manufacture and maker; London’s symbol is the leopard but was originally a king’s face and it has changed a few times over the centuries. This quality control for silver goods has been in place since the end of the 12th century and the organisation that regulates the craft is Goldsmiths Hall. Every piece of silver made must be sent to the Assay Office for testing to ensure that it is of the required standard and it is then hallmarked. If you’re interested in finding out more about a particular item, it is well worth making a trip to the London Silver Vaults, a discreet gem of the City, where the expert dealers can help unravel an item’s history and any personal relevance it might hold for the owner. The dealers, who own more than 30 shops in the Vaults, have a lifetime of experience in the silver industry; many are from the same families who have been dealing in silver in the Vaults since the early 20th century. Opened in 1876, the Vaults bring together the largest collection of silver for sale in the world, including silver pieces dating from the 17th century, jewellery, watches and the finest modern contemporary work. The Vaults were rebuilt and established in their present building in

1953 on the site of the Victorian Chancery Lane Deposit and affluent Londoners would store their valuables here. Choosing to invest in pieces from the Vaults is an increasingly popular option for modern customers. For example, great ideas for summer entertaining can be found at the Just Desserts selling exhibition, opened for four months from June; choose from sugar sifting spoons for your strawberries and silver coupes for sorbets, designed by one of the most famous post-war silversmiths, Stuart Devlin. Devlin has designed the coinage for several countries, including his native Australia. He is also known for the hammered texture as seen on the sorbet coupes. The value of silver by weight is up nearly 100 per cent on the year and this has risen steadily over the last three years so buying pieces now is an investment for the future; experts suggest that people opt for precious metals as a safe haven for their money. Vintage silver has always held a special appeal for collectors of precious metals. Steven Linden, Chair of the London Silver Vaults Dealers’ Association, notes the trend for collecting small objects or the works of particular designers, adding that larger objects like teapots are popular. The idea of matching sets of goblets for drinking wine and champagne is a modern trend, as these were formerly crafted with uniquely individual chased or engraved designs. Whether you wish to buy silver jewellery as a present for a loved one, tableware or ornaments to furnish your home or you’d like to invest in a collection of objects of particular personal relevance, the Vaults are certain to provide you with whatever you’re searching for. n www.thesilvervaults.com

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

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

tllon.info@chuanspa.com

www.chuanspa.co.uk

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

ChuanSpa ExclusiveMag.indd 1

15/3/11 13:35:46

health & fitness

concierge

health & fitness

news Perfected through the ages Native to India, Ayurveda is a technique that can trace its roots back more than 4,000 years. Advocating holistic thinking for a balanced way of life, the technique aims to nurture both the body and soul through a range of traditional practices. To witness the benefits of Ayurveda yourself, book an Ayurvedic Discovery at the Spa at Chancery Court. Choose between one of five ‘discovery’ sessions – Peace, Tranquility, Purity, Serenity and Vitality – all designed to help you feel rejuvenated and energised. Each treatment includes a traditional foot cleansing ritual, an Ayurvedic consultation to establish your body type, a 90-minute therapy and a lifestyle consultation.

Fittingly equipped Following its involvement at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, Technogym has been named as the official supplier of fitness equipment for the London 2012 Games. Established in 1983 in Italy, Technogym already supplies more than 100,000 pieces of equipment across 4,000 facilities throughout the UK. The company will now be responsible for providing fitness equipment for athletes in the Athletes’ Village and other training venues, installing a total of more than 750 pieces of apparatus. “The needs of athletes are always at the forefront of our thinking,” commented Lord Coe. “Ensuring we have top-of-the-range equipment is vital.” www.technogym.com

Spa at Chancery Court, Renaissance London Chancery Court Hotel 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN, www.spachancerycourt.com

cycle Safety First Anyone who has ever cycled through London knows that the city can be a minefield. Poor weather conditions, heavy traffic, high levels of motorcyclists, pedestrians and large London buses are just some of the obstacles cyclists have to overcome. Thankfully, NipNip – the brainchild of brothers Matthew and David Farr – is providing a course specifically designed for London’s busy roads. Tackling City hotspots such as Barbican roundabout and London’s many bridges, the company offers two-hour sessions that help commuters find and safely navigate the best route for their commute. Not only are the courses invaluable for personal safety but booking employees on the Smart Cycling course is also a great opportunity for companies to encourage employees to travel to work by bike.

Change the scenery

between 9-11am, 2-4pm & 6-8pm

Bored of doing push-ups, chin-ups and crunches in the same old gym? Looking for an alternative to monthly gym memberships? Then pay a visit to www.findmygymworkout.com and choose from more than 1,000 pay-asyou-go fitness classes in gyms across London. Simply search for a suitable workout, book and pay for the class online and arrive at the gym with a copy of your confirmation email. With hundreds of special offers and a host of classes ranging from Bikram Yoga and Body Combat to Mixed Martial Arts and Tai Chi, getting fit never has to be monotonous again.

www.nipnip.co.uk

www.findmyworkout.com

contact David Farr on 020 7117 6393 or at david@nipnip.co.uk To book a space on a Nip Nip course Sessions run for two hours

THE FUSION COLLECTION 15 NEW BOND STREET, HARRODS AND SELFRIDGES & CO WWW.GEORGJENSEN.COM. ADDITIONAL STOCKISTS: 0207 499 6541

travel destination food & drink

oman odyssey dublin ........................................................... mcqueen

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TRAVELLING IN STYLE

Founded in 1897,Â Globe-TrotterÂ has combined traditional craftsmanship with a timeless aesthetic to create classic, must-have luggage

lobe-Trotter was founded by Englishman David Nelken, taking its name from a noun coined in 1870 which referred to someone who travels far, wide and frequently around the world. Its luggage has been favoured for a century by not just by the affluent elite but also by film stars, fashionistas, royalty and explorers. Captain Robert Falcon Scott travelled with Globe-Trotter on his 1912 Antarctic expedition; the Dispatch Case was used by Sir Winston Churchill during his tenure as Chancellor of the Exchequer; Her Majesty The Queen chose

the brand for her honeymoon luggage in 1947; and Sir Edmund Hilary even took his Globe-Trotter to base camp during his conquest of Everest. Supporting British craftsmanship, each GlobeTrotter item is made in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. Vulcanised fibreboard, a special material invented in Britain during the 1850s, is used to make each case and handles are produced by the leather team, also responsible for forming the Globe-Trotter corners; quaintly, this takes place over five days on antique Victorian presses. n www.globetrotter1897.com

NEW ROUTES TO THE SUN MALAGA AND FARO FROM ÂŁ75 ONE WAY We also fly to Nice, Barcelona, Palma, Ibiza and Madrid. Book your sunshine now at ba.com/cityoffer

Fares are for one-way economy (Euro Traveller) flights from London City Airport. All fares include all applicable taxes, fees and charges correct at 27 May 2011. Fares are only available on selected flights, limited seats available. Fares are based on debit card payment, credit card charges apply. Advertised fares are available only on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through other BA outlets or travel agents. Bookings cannot be refunded but changes are permitted before the day of departure for ÂŁ60 per person per transaction, in addition to any difference in fare. Services operated by BA CityFlyer.

travel

connoisseur

travel

news

Chic and Close This season, glamorous Mediterranean resorts are firmly back in vogue, owing to the warm weather, lovely hotels and ease of travel to such destinations: BA CityFlyer flights to Malaga from London City Airport, for example (costing from £75 one way) take just two hours so it’s an incredibly easy journey. The Hotel Melia La Quinta Golf & Spa is located in one of the most prestigious corners of Marbella and has three of its own nine-hole golf courses. In addition, there are two huge swimming pools, a Turkish bath and a variety of tempting restaurants, including a Japanese venue and Los Arcos, which offers a selection of exquisite Mediterranean dishes. www.melia-hotels.com www.ba.com/cityoffer

Brazilian style Brazil’s chicest weekend retreat is Buzios, an exclusive coastal idyll complete with azure waters, deserted beaches and the finest fish dishes. Here, the palatial, Mediterraneanstyle villa Casa Brancas is a favourite of travel experts Dehouche. The property has three glittering destination venues – perfect

Travel Fact cocktail spot Deck, the veranda restaurant Café Atlântico for local cuisine and fashionable dining lounge Roka, which draws the international jet-set. There are also lavish spa facilities and sun terraces aplenty for relaxing and sun-worshipping. www.casasbrancas.com.br

Although its height is estimated at 8850 metres, Mount Everest is still ‘growing’ at an estimated four millimetres per year.

Website of the month:

Set just moments from Uruguay’s glittering Punte del Este coast is the charming Estancia Vik. The luxurious yet delightfully quirky boutique hotel boasts 12 suites, each decorated by a different local artist in rich woods, watercolour murals and jagged stone. By day enjoy the black granite swimming pool in the courtyard or take to the polo field, before sampling meat straight from the dramatic ‘parillero’, or barbecue house, as the sun sets. www.mrandmrssmith.com

www.exsus.com

Uruguay luxury From finding nomadic camps in Oman to the best places to spot a polar bear in the Artic, expert advice is invaluable in the domain of adventure trips. Exsus not only tailor makes a successful and unique itinerary but also ensures the experience is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Brought to you in association with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassable collection of over 500 hotels spanning 70 countries, which offer an infinite variety of experiences.

PALACE

in wonderland

Part two of her 2,500-kilometre odyssey through Oman: Bel Trew gets to grips with off-roading, 45° climbs and 1000-metre drops, but not before a quick, palatial pit stop

he place to stay in Muscat if you want to experience traditional Omani hospitality is the award-winning five-star Al Bustan Hotel, a converted Omani palace set into the dramatic mountainous backdrop. We fell out of the desert and into reception, smelling of the morning’s campfire. Our jeep was wearing a thick coat of dust and sand. As the valet opened the door, our camping stove and noodle packs followed. Not a brilliant start. The entrance takes your breath away. The ‘lobby’ is an eight-storey ornate Arabian dome with a fountain seven feet high, tinkling harp, high-tea area in the centre and the largest chandelier I have ever seen. The hotel boasts a 50-metre infinity pool, four lagoon pools that hug the palace with private jetties and a one kilometre private beach, all set into the 200-acre palatial gardens. To add to this, the hotel is opening a Six Senses Spa, and the mysterious and heavily guarded ninth floor is an actual palace for visiting dignitaries. Tempting although it is to stay ensconced in the hotel, it is easy to explore the old city of Muscat from the Al

Bustan. Visits to Mutrah souk – a treasure trove of antiques, fabrics, spices and gold – and the morning Fish Market (if your nose and stomach can handle it) are not to be missed. Aside from the slippery dunes of The Empty Quarter, the driving doesn’t get harder than the journey up to the Salmah Plateau. Engaging the 4WD low range, our jeep rolled perilously up the shifting graded tracks. Taking hours to complete even the smallest distance at a ridiculous angle, with dangerously tight switchbacks and nothing between you and a several hundred-metre drop on one side, for the adventure driver, this is heaven. When you’re not gripping the car door, this seemingly never-ending 1,500-metre ascent offers breathtaking views of the gorges and canyons below. On the Plateau, stone ‘wolf traps’ are scattered along the vast lunar landscape, there is an eerily abandoned airstrip and to the West are the famous Majlis al Jinn Caves; 130-metre deep holes in the mountainside, these caves are apparently big enough to fit three Boeing 747s. Camping at this cool altitude is bliss, if you ignore the chorus of mosquitoes and the inch-long red and gold hornets (a problem throughout this region). Somewhat incongruously, we were woken at sunrise by a group of ten-year-old goat herders in crisp white dishdashas and the Omani kuma hat, asking for Pepsi. Pepsi and water are a serious currency in the depths of the desert, and useful thank-you gifts to kind locals when you’re lost. Oman is famous for two things: frankincense and turtles. A 15,000-year-old industry, the history of the Omani incense trade features world-famous customers from the Magi in the Bible to the legendary Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. Frankincense, made from the gum of the frankincense tree that can be found all over the country, helped Oman stretch its empire as far as Africa and India in its heyday of the 17th century. The history of the Omani turtles is less positive: in the past, Oman has been criticised for not controlling tourists who apparently reigned free on the beaches, photographing, hassling and even, in some cases, riding the turtles, but it is thankfully a different story now. The easternmost tip of Oman at Ras al-Jinz sees around 30,000 turtles nest on its beaches every year, protected by the Ras al-Jinz Sanctuary and Visitor Centre. They run guided tours of the beaches by local turtle experts at 9pm every night. Even though out of season, we saw seven females laying their eggs and a group of babies nudging their way through the sand to the sea. It is truly magical to watch these noble creatures at such a key

connoisseur

moment under the stars, especially as fewer than one in 1,000 turtles makes it to adulthood. For a two-week trip, to continue south along the coast, over the sand dunes, the Subka salt-crusted mudflats and Rub’ al-Khali (Empty Quarter) as an amateur, in one car, is potentially fatal. To make the most of the area and the terrain, book a tour. Abercrombie & Kent provides tailormade luxury tours of the Empty Quarter down to Salalah. Treading in the footsteps of Thesiger, expert guides in shiny SUVs do the hard work for you and nights are spent under the stars in original goat-hair Bedouin tents. For the finale of the off-road adventure, we crossed Hajar mountain range via the perilous Wadi Bani Awf to reach the highest peak in Oman, Jebel Shams (Sunshine Mountain). Wadi Bani Awf, just south of Rustaq, is a favourite of serious hikers. The most famous hike is the four-hour expedition through Snake Canyon. Jumping 20 feet into rock pools, swimming through ravines and scrambling over car-sized boulders are just some of the obstacles. It can be a little risky as, once you’ve jumped, you can’t go back and if it starts to rain, flash floods through these canyons occur in seconds. There is a shorter (and safer) version at Little Snake Canyon with lagoons and gorges just as beautiful. A short drive was Jebel Shams, famous for the breezily named “Balcony Walk”. This route takes you dangerously close to the drop into Oman’s answer to the Grand Canyon. At the end of the walk is the last thing you expect to find; a village. This marked the end of the trip. Despite the difficulties the country has faced, Oman is a real-life Eden and a welcoming, multicultural society, where Swahili is spoken as readily as Arabic, and where Portuguese architecture is fused with Indian and African elements. Dusty and exhausted, we had driven 2,500 kilometres through stunning mountains, beaches, sand dunes, canyons and wadis. “You’ll be back,” winked the border guards (who proved to be a cheery lot). Inshallah. n

Images top left and middle left by Ewan Cameron

Images right and bottom far right, courtesy of Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental Hotel

travel

For detailed maps and information about all the places visited, purchase Oman Off Road RRP £26 (approximately) www.explorerpublishing.com Al Bustan Palace Hotel PO Box 1998, Muscat 114, Oman +968 24 79 96 66 www.ichotelsgroup.com £1,458 per person (based on a 7-night stay) Abercrombie & Kent tailor-made tour www.abercrombiekent.co.uk/oman £2,598 per person (based on a 7-night stay) Ras al-Jinz Reserve Ash Sharqiyah, Oman +968 96 55 06 06 www.rasaljinz-turtlereserve.com

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Perfect Portugal While famed for its golden sands and luxury golf resorts, it’s worth knowing that Portugal also offers a whole lot more. Small Luxury Hotels of the WorldTM have a series of stunning properties throughout this beautiful and diverse country that will suit everyone Ferragudo Bay, Algarve

Stylish cities Portugal sparkles with thriving and fashionable cities such as Lisbon. The capital has a reputation for providing lavish entertainment and the arts; its winding streets are filled with glamorous, designer boutiques and fascinating art galleries. By night, Michelin-starred restaurants and exclusive bars are the perfect venues to enjoy a crisp glass of Douro wine. Just 500m from Lisbon’s Cathedral is Hotel da Estrela, a former palace of the aristocracy which offers just 19 rooms and suites for discreet and sophisticated luxury. Designed by Portugal’s most eminent interior designer, this hotel offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the heritage of the region whilst enjoying high-end facilities and comfort. If you’re looking for a more contemporary base, choose the Internacional Design Hotel, a vibrant, themed retreat in the heart of the cultural quarter. Consolidating tribal, urban, pop and zen concepts, this hotel features zebra-print murals, geometric shapes and splashes of neon!

Internacional Design Hotel

ALSO RECOMMENDED... Hotel Infante Sagres, Porto A grand hotel in the style of a traditional Portuguese manor house

citypromotion

Beautiful beaches Portugal not only has a delightfully warm climate but picturesque scenery and miles of unspoilt coastline which lends itself easily to adventurous water-sports, lunch al fresco and leisurely strolls. Estoril is popular for all kinds of activities including sailing, mountain biking, and motor racing at the famous Estoril Autodrome. There’s also the Casino Estoril, Cascais Marina, palaces, museums and natural parks. The Palácio Estoril Hotel, Golf & Spa, is a deluxe hotel, which has been open since 1930. The Palácio offers a total of 161 classic, elegant rooms, including 32 wonderful suites. The magnificent public areas and the beautifully landscaped gardens, make it the ideal venue for events, while the Grill Four Seasons Restaurant is renowned as the most lavish dining restaurant locally, providing first class international cuisine. The Bar Estoril enjoys some classic history, apparently being famous as a favourite haunt for spies during World War II, and the Bougainvillea Terrace has lovely views. The Hotel also expanded its wellness facilities in April 2010, with the opening of the excellent Termas do Estoril and the Banyan Tree Spa. One of the most indulgent ways to enjoy Portugal’s coastal properties is with a gorgeous sea salt bath. The Blue & Green Vilalara Thalassa Resort in Lagoa, on the west side of the Algarve, boasts one of the best Thalassotherapy and Spa centres in the world. The stunning and intimate setting is dedicated to wellbeing and set within 11 hectares of lush, tropical gardens and beach. Guests who are undertaking one of the hotel’s specialist weight loss programmes can also benefit from authentic gourmet cuisine available on site.

yourself away from your hotel’s amenities. The serene Druro Valley is a particularly special area which was classified a Word Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. This region is home to legendary ports and the eponymous wine. The Aquapura Douro Valley hotel is nestled into the valley next to a majestic river. The hotel itself is an impressive contemporary property, with unique spaces and attention to detail. The colors and textures of the region have been tastefully reproduced, and rich materials and superb geometric shapes are used throughout the hotel. Rooms and balconies offer stunning views over the river and the Douro’s century-old terraced vineyards. In a location dominated by the presence of water, the Aquapura Spa offers a tranquil environment for introspection. Make the most of the warm indoor pool, aromatic showers, panoramic sauna, laconium, herbal baths or simply relax in a marvelous water bed. ALSO RECOMMENDED... L’AND Vineyards Resort, Montemor-o-Novo A 21st century resort, with 66 acres perfect for wine enthusiasts Monte do Casal, Faro An 18th century villa nestled in botanical gardens and serving as the ultimate escape Quinta de Casa Branca, Madeira A boutique hotel amidst tropical gardens Aquapura Douro Valley

Staying at Vilalara also puts you close to the most important golf courses in the Algarve, which continues to strengthen its status as an international golf destination. Visitors can also visit Faro, an important commercial and artistic centre and take a boat to the amazing deserted island of Ilha de Faro.

Chic Countryside Groves of banana trees, lush pine plantations and azure lakes are just some of the sights you will see if you can tear

Blue & Green Vilalara Thalassa Resort

To book any of these hotels, visit www.slh.com

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SUMMER BBQS ON CLUB NIGHTS AT... T U R N U P T H E H E AT A N D J O I N U S F O R A S I Z Z L I N G B B Q T H I S S U M M E R . Y O U ’ L L E N J O Y A C O M P L I M E N TA R Y G L A S S O F P I M M S O N A R R I VA L , F O L L O W E D B Y A DIVINE 3-COURSE BBQ DINNER IN THE TUDOR G A R D E N B E F O R E Y O U P A R T Y T H E N I G H T AWAY AT O U R P R I VAT E M E M B E R S C L U B .

The Roof Gardens – 99 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA www.roofgardensclub.com/cw

HOW MUCH? £60 per person, based on a minimum of 8 people (£50 per person for members)

WHEN?

Friday nights, May - July 2011

BOOKINGS :

Phone 0845 680 0783 or email victoria.l@roofgardens.virgin.com and Quote ‘The City’ to receive a £10 discount.

Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

connoisseur travel

Destination...

Dublin

As well as being the historical and contemporary cultural centre of Ireland, Dublin is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities with more green spaces per square kilometre than any other European capital What to see::

Dublin through the ages

Dublin is a city brimming with history. To trace the story of medieval Dublin, from the English invasion through the Black Death to the closure of the monasteries in the 1540s, schedule a visit to Dublinia, a museum that promises to offer a completely new perspective of the city. To indulge in a different type of history, the Guinness Factory tells the dramatic 250 year story of the famous Irish brewery – complete with a complimentary drink. www.dublinia.ie www.guinness-storehouse.com

Where to stay:

Where to play::

The Morrison

As day turns to night...

Designed by Dublin’s very own John Rocha, The Morrison is arguably the most fashionable hotel in Dublin’s city centre. A mix of high ceilings with pale white walls, original art, stone floors and hand crafted Irish carpets, the interior of this boutique hotel provides a haven of calm. Ideal for both business and pleasure, the hotel has seven meeting rooms ranging from the Boardroom, which seats up to nine people, to the 100-capacity Printworks Theatre. The Morrison, Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin +353 (0)1 887 2400 www.morrison hotel.ie

Where to eat:

Thornton’s

CityJet flights are available from London City Airport to Dublin six days a week, with fares starting from £59 one way, all inclusive

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For more information, schedules and to book your flight visit www.cityjet.com or www.londoncityairport.com

Occupying the first floor of the Fitzwilliam Hotel in the heart of the city, Thornton’s provides a wonderful location for sumptuous dining. Warm and inviting, the restaurant is modern and stylish, having been refurbished by the renowned New York-based 1100 Architects. Two Michelin-starred head chef Kevin Thornton’s signature dishes include wild sea bass with shrimps and coral sauce, and suckling pig with its own trotter. Choose from a selection of menu options that include an eight course surprise menu devised for your table or decide to sample the dishes in miniature versions at the canapé bar. Thornton’s, 128 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin +353 (0)1 478 7008 www.thorntonsrestaurant.com

Away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist Mecca that is Temple Bar, the pubs and clubs that line the side roads off Grafton Street offer a more authentic experience of Irish nightlife. Pay a visit to Bruxelles and follow in the footsteps of names such as Mel Gibson, Tom Jones and international Irish rugby player Brian O’Driscoll.

Don’’t miss:

The Comedy Cellar

Capable of holding just 80 people, The Comedy Cellar has been holding intimate gigs since 1987. Still running strong, the venue is considered the home of Irish comedy and hosts an array of the best Irish and international acts. With top Irish funny men Dara O’Brian, Ed Byrne and Ardal O’Hanlon still paying unannounced visits, a night at The Comedy Cellar may hold more in store than you bargained for. www.dublincomedycellar.com

21 Century st

Refinement

Once a private residence frequented by royalty and Prime Ministers, Luton Hoo is now a luxury hotel where guests can dine in period opulence and walk amongst acres of manicured parkland, discovers Billy McClean

f all the country estates touched by the landscaping mastery of Capability Brown, Luton Hoo surely endures as one of the most magnificent. Working at the Bedfordshire residence in the latter half of the 18th century, ‘England’s greatest gardener’ enlarged the park from 300 acres to nearly four times that size, transforming the estate’s gardens by damming the River Lea and creating two imposingly grand lakes. Set amongst the mature trees of this gently undulating parkland is Luton Hoo’s Mansion House. A former private residence that boasts amongst its previous visitors Queen Mary, Her Majesty the Queen, Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten, the property is now a luxury five-star hotel, and one, I can attest, that offers its guests a whole host of delights. Approach Luton Hoo via a majestic driveway after a ten

minute ride from Luton Airport, or a 40 minute drive from Heathrow, and you can’t fail to be impressed by extensive views of the estate’s picturesque grounds and its 18 hole golf course – a course designed sympathetically around Brown’s sweeping gardens. Inside, the hotel is styled authentically and in keeping with the original décor of the house. Ornate chandeliers hang from high ceilings under which dark woods complement rich carpets and period furniture. In terms of accommodation, in addition to The Parkland building in which I spent the night, Luton Hoo provides several other room or suite options, including five state suites and four principle suites in Mansion House itself, 12 bedrooms in the Grade II listed Robert Adams Stables building, and a further 59 rooms in the Flower Garden house. Just a short stroll from Mansion House, my ground-

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connoisseur

floor, air-conditioned room came equipped with not only a flat-screen LCD television and broadband but also its very own terrace – perfect for enjoying breath-taking views of the grounds. Enticed by said views, I decided to set off on foot to experience the park for myself – something that I soon realised could easily consume an entire day. After taking in the estate’s 18th century octagonal walled garden, I navigated the perimeter of the smaller of Brown’s two lakes. A couple of hours later, although aware that I had only scratched the surface of Luton Hoo’s 1,100 acres, I returned from a walk that proved a fantastic way of reacquainting myself with the British countryside after a tiring week in the city. It also left me with an appropriately-sized appetite for afternoon tea, which at Luton Hoo consists of a selection of delicious finger sandwiches, freshly baked raisin and plain scones with Devonshire clotted cream and an assortment of delectable tea cakes and pastries. Energised, I elected to make use of the hotel’s fitness studio, indoor swimming pool and heat therapy suite. After a rewarding workout and refreshing swim, the sauna and steam room capped off a thoroughly rejuvenating afternoon. Guests can also benefit from a number of exclusive spa blends inspired by flowers and herbs found on the Luton Hoo estate, as well as ‘his and hers’ treatments that range from traditional massages to speciality body programmes. I tried the Deep Tissue Massage which was nothing short of fantastic. When it comes to hotel dining, there can be few more spectacular settings than Luton Hoo’s Wernher Restaurant. Named after one of the estate’s most distinguished former owners, the restaurant was extensively remodelled in the early 20th century by the architects of the Ritz Hotel in London. Comprising exotic marble panel work, heavy curtains and richly coloured fabrics, you could be forgiven for thinking you had been transported into the Palace of Versailles. It is an opulence that is mirrored in the restaurant’s menu, in which executive head chef Kevin Clark reveals his culinary flair through a combination of adventurous dishes and traditional British classics. Elsewhere on the estate, The Adam’s Brasserie, housed within the historic Stables building, offers a slightly more informal style of dining, while the country club-themed The 19th restaurant provides leisure guests with a range of casual snack options. As a retreat from the stresses of the city, a stay at Luton Hoo offers something for everyone. In addition to the par 73 golf course and exclusive spa, the estate boasts a fully restored Victorian grass tennis court as well as the opportunity to partake in game or clay pigeon shooting. Away from the hotel itself, local attractions of Whipsnade Zoo, Woburn Safari Park and the Xscape indoor ski centre at Milton Keynes mean that families are catered for in abundance. Located less than a mile from junction 10 of the M1 and five minutes from Luton Parkway station – where there’s a frequent 30 minute service into the City of London – the historic wealth and luxurious splendour of Luton Hoo make it the ideal country getaway. n Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3TQ 01582 734437 www.lutonhoo.co.uk

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for small & large groups from £24.95 • Dining inclusive food & drink packages to • All suit all needs & budgets air conditioned & central location • Fully private hire available for up to • Full 800 people

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57-60 HAYMARKET SW1Y 4QX planethollywoodlondon.com Discount on corporate/group bookings when quoting CITYMAG Terms and Conditions apply & all menus are subject to change and availability.

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connoisseur

food & drink

news

Coffee Connoisseur Clerkenwell’s warehouse-styled coffee house St. Ali aims to raise the bar of coffee appreciation by investing in a brewing process like no other. The bar’s working roaster and the UK’s first Slayer espresso machine mean that only the very best quality coffee is created. St. Ali also boasts a restaurant dedicated to exploring the culinary side of coffee, by pairing selected variants with specific dishes. 27 Clerkenwell Road, EC1M 5RN www.stali.co.uk

Street Kitchen

Prices for three courses at Magdalen start

Designed to offer bistro-style takeaway food of restaurant quality to people on the move, Broadgate’s Street Kitchen is a concept unique within the City. Created by Jun Tanaka, the Michelin-trained executive chef at Pearl Restaurant & Bar, and Mark Jankel, chef and founder of The Food Initiative, Street Kitchen will feature daily menus with prices ranging from £4.50 to £7.50.

at £35 per person. Minimum spend for exclusive

Launch continues until 8 July

hire is £5,000 (excluding service)

11.30am-2pm, Finsbury Avenue

152 Tooley Street, SE1 2TU, 0207 403 1342

Square, Broadgate

www.magdalenrestaurant.co.uk

www.streetkitchen.co.uk

A Day To Remember Award-winning City restaurant Magdalen – which this year achieved top marks from the 2011 Zagat Guide for its seasonal and modern British menu – is a favourite with well-known faces, including Boris Johnson and Kristen Scott Thomas, and has seen a sudden upsurge in people choosing the restaurant as a venue for their wedding reception. Chef and owner James Faulks, who used to work for Heston Blumenthal at the Fat Duck, believes this is because more and more people are no longer prepared to put up with

Food lingo: Distilled using inspiration from a 500-year-old recipe, Babicka is the new premium vodka from the Czech Republic. Packaged in a modern interpretation of old medicine bottles, Babicka undergoes a six-step distillation process before being married with natural spring water. With subtle undertones of citrus and wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium) and a subtle finish of rich vanilla, caramel and aniseed, Babicka makes the perfect addition to any cocktail.

Quote:

Website:

Ceviche A dish that can trace its roots back almost 2,000 years, Ceviche is now most popular in Peru and Mexican coastal towns. Made from fresh raw fish, marinated in citrus juices, Ceviche is typically spiced with chilli and seasoned with salt and pepper. While traditional-style Ceviche was marinated for around three hours, modern-style Ceviche can marinate in the time it takes to mix the ingredients.

The people who give you their food give you their heart. Cesar Chavez, Mexican American civil rights activist

www.keynoir.com

NEWS:

expensive but second-rate food. At Magdalen you can expect boards of the very best charcuterie – Middlewhite terrine, Duck ham and Middlewhite rillette – followed by main courses of slow-cooked whole lamb shoulder, potato gratin and spring greens, with lemon or rich chocolate tart to finish.

Sign up to exclusive members’ lifestyle club www.keynoir.com and gain access to a range of fantastic deals on indulgent London experiences. From Michelin-starred dining to luxury spa getaways, and adrenaline-packed adventures to under-theradar fashion, the website hand-picks the hottest places and the coolest brands London has to offer.

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restaurants American

Dollar Grills and Martinis

2 Exmouth Market, Farringdon, EC1R 020 7278 0077

bars Italian Lena

66 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 020 7739 5714 Refettorio

Hawksmoor

19 New Bridge Street, EC4V 020 7438 8052

British

9 Norwich Street, EC4A 020 7831 1622 or 020 7831 1677

157 Commercial Street, E1 020 7247 7392 Canteen

2 Crispin Place, E1 08456 861 122

Volupté

Oriental

Royal China Club

Beach Blanket Babylon

19-23 Bethnal Green Road, E1 020 7749 3540 GREENS

14 Cornhill, EC3V 020 7220 6300

French Bonds

5 Threadneedle Street, EC2R 020 7657 8088 Coq D’Argent

59 West Smithfield, EC1A 020 7796 0600

4 West Smithfield, EC1A 020 7489 7033

Mexican

Duke of Cambridge

30 St Peter’s Street, N1 020 7359 3066 The Peasant

240 St. John Street, EC1V 020 7336 7726

Greek Mezedopolio

14 Hoxton Market, N1 020 7739 8212

Cicada

Green & Red

Middle Eastern

Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street, EC2M 020 7618 7215

51 Bethnal Green Road, E1 020 7749 9670 Kenza

Magdalen Restaurant

152 Tooley Street, SE1 2TU 020 7403 1342 One Lombard Street

1 Lombard Street, EC3V 020 7929 6611 Rhodes Twenty Four

Tower 42 Old Broad Street, EC2N 020 7877 7703

Smiths of Smithfield

67-77 Charterhouse Street, EC1M 020 7251 7950

Spanish Camino

3 Varnishers Yard, N1 9FD 020 7841 7331 Moro

34-36 Exmouth Street, EC1R 020 7833 8336

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Cellar Gascon

132-136 St John Street, EC1V 020 7608 1550

Modern European

Gastropub

Bonds

Saki

Les Trois Garcons

Sauterelle

The Big Chill Bar

Dray Walk, E1 020 7392 9180

5 Threadneedle Street, EC2R 020 7657 8088

10 Devonshire Square, EC2M 020 7929 5533

Royal Exchange, EC3V 020 7618 2483

Bar Pepito

Varnishers Yard Regents Quarter, N1 9FD 020 7841 7331

40-42 Baker Street, W1U 020 7486 3898

No.1 Poultry, EC2R 020 7395 5000 1 Club Row, E1 020 7613 1924

Balls Brothers

5-6 Carey Lane, EC2V 020 7600 2720

CATCH & Champagne Bar

The Gherkin Bar & Restaurant

Levels 39 & 40, 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 020 7071 5009 Grand Café & Bar

The Courtyard, Royal Exchange, EC3V 020 7618 2480 Harry’s Bar

5 Abchurch Yard, EC4N 020 7623 2355 Light Bar

233 Shoreditch High Street, E1 020 7247 8989 Match EC1

45-47 Clerkenwell Road, EC1M 020 7250 4002 Ortega

27 Leadenhall Market, EC3V 020 7623 1818 Vertigo 42

Tower 42, 25 Old Broad St, EC2N 020 7877 7842 The Worship

Triton Court, 14 Finsbury Square, EC2A 020 7330 0920

food & drink

The Real

ontrary to what you might think if you’re into fashion, McQueen’s design concept pays homage not to the late Alexander “Lee” McQueen, darling of the fashion industry, but to the late Terence “Steve” McQueen, legendary movie star of The Great Escape. I had thought a theme revolving around just one actor might be too sycophantic and over the top or, worse, halfhearted. However, having seen it for myself, I have to admit that it works. If not a film buff or too young to remember, Steve McQueen was one of the top movie stars of the 60s and 70s, the highest paid in the world in 1974 and able to list films such as The Thomas Crown Affair and The Magnificent Seven on his CV. An avid racer of motorcycles and cars, McQueen was recognised for performing many of his own stunts and nicknamed the “King of Cool”. The idea for McQueen in Shoreditch was born of the imagination of Dezzi McCauseland, former owner of the Kingly Club, who explains that “it pays homage to my favourite Hollywood hero, Steve McQueen... Ultimately, we wanted to create a restaurant where the King of Cool would be comfortable eating”.

connoisseur

Annabel Harrison heads into the heart of Shoreditch to sample the offerings at new kid on the block, McQueen

McQueen I have to say, Dezzi has achieved his aim. I can just imagine McQueen himself lounging on the expansive, chocolate brown, Chesterfield-style sofas, nestled among the cosy fur throws with a beer. The walls are dark, lacquered wood and mirrored orb lights hang from the ceiling; think retro American cool, fused with eclectic east London touches – red uplighting, silver plane models and exposed stone. The inevitable McQueen prints adorn the restaurant walls but downstairs there’s an enormous, iconic painting, complete with race car, taking centre stage. The spacious venue, opened in April this year, includes a bar space, restaurant and lounge club split over two levels. Dining in the restaurant was a thoroughly relaxing experience – great lighting, great service and great food = great mood. Head Chef, Anupam Som, has looked to his roots and added dashes of inspiration from his native India and Central America to create a Stateside-inspired menu. He explains that McQueen aims to offer “a meal that you would like to recreate at home, but you haven’t got the skill, time or inclination for”. Mission accomplished: I would happily have eaten every one of my dishes at home but lack all three of Anupam’s requirements. The starters offer a mixture of American favourites as well as some more European style choices. My guest opted for the Creole spice marinated grilled prawns – perfectly seasoned

and given an extra kick by chipotle ketchup. My wine and herb braised pork terrine was delicious and I could have eaten it as a main course. In terms of main courses, this is not a restaurant for vegetarians, unless you’re a lover of Gnocchi and Gnocchi only. My guest loved her baked wild sea bass and saffron crushed parsnips went down very well. Steak lovers are particularly well catered for, with three different types of beef available in sirloin or fillet. After hints from our waiter, I chose the American USDA prime cut fillet; expensive but exquisitely tender. Choose steaks plain, grilled or blackened with Cajun spices with béarnaise, peppercorn, steak sauce or chipotle ketchup. All come served with fat chips, mushroom and onion compote. When it comes to steak, simple is best. Although close to full at this point, the slow-baked New York cheesecake, served in three sweet-treat-sized cubes, was far too more-ish to pass up. The equally tempting rhubarb crumble with white chocolate ice cream proved too American-sized to finish. The verdict? McQueen is a great place for eating after work, a cosy date or a birthday meal. Now I want to go back to experience the laidback, retro warmth of the bar and club. The King of Cool would definitely approve. n 55–61 Tabernacle Street, Shoreditch 020 7036 9229 www.mcqueen-shoreditch.co.uk

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food & drink

connoisseur

Rosé-tinted

Glasses

ne of the most enjoyable ways to spend a summer afternoon must be with a chilled bottle of rosé wine over a lazy lunch in the sunshine. It was for this reason that Franco’s Italian restaurant introduced six rosé wines when it was first refurbished and reopened in 2005. These were an instant success, and the list now boasts an impressive 60 different rosé wines from 11 countries. However, rosé has not always enjoyed the popularity it does today. It was considered a cheap wine that could not be taken seriously so what has changed? We are travelling far more than we did 30 or 40 years ago; people from all over the UK make an annual pilgrimage to the south of France and the Mediterranean, to be seduced by the crisp and fragrant rosé wines of the Côtes de Provence, the Amalfi coast and Sardinia. Wine production methods have also improved dramatically in the last few years, as producers have noticed that there is a real demand for a style of wine that they have in the past overlooked. Rosé wine originated in Bordeaux in France. The first flush of popularity came at the end of World War Two, when a demand for a medium sweet drink arose, and the second came from America during the early ‘70s, when there was a huge demand for white wine. In 1976, Charlie Kreck of Mill

Jason Phillips, co-owner of Franco’s, explains why the appeal of rosé wine has never been stronger Creek Vineyards started to offer a drink that was pale pink in colour and made from Cabernet Sauvignon, a red grape. The wine makers could not call this ‘white wine’ as the grapes were from red varieties and it could not be called ‘red’ as the wine was not red in appearance. Thus, ‘blush wine’ was established and to this day Americans refer to rosé wine as blush. This style of wine is sweeter in style than its European cousins. So how is rosé made? All grape pulp, both white and red, has no colour. The

Rosé wine gives more structure to enjoy with your alfresco lunch colour of a bottle of wine is uniquely dependent on the colour of the grape skin that it is made from, meaning you can produce a white wine from a red grape variety but not a red wine from a white grape variety. The first method for making rosé is often used to produce what is referred to in France as ‘vin gris’ (grey wine); the skins from the grape must be removed as few as six hours after pressing. The second method is called ‘saignée’ (bleeding); the wine maker ‘bleeds’ some of the must (grape juice) from the red wine vats to make rosé. The wine left in the vats that have been bled will be made into red wine. Cold, sliced meats, salads and fish

dishes all cry out for a chilled rosé wine to accompany them. On many occasions a white wine would suffice but rosé gives more structure to enjoy with your alfresco lunch. What do we mean by structure? The family of natural organic compounds, found in grape skins and stems, are excellent antioxidants and natural preservatives. These tannins help to cut through fat found in cold meats and barbequed foods far better than a white wine would. The general rule is the lighter the shade of red, the dryer the wine will be, therefore suited to lighter dishes; the darker the rosé, the more structure and fruit flavours will be present, so it’s suited to darker meats. The Gran Sasso, Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, Cerasuolo 2009 is drinking well at the moment: it has a bright pink colour and a fragrance of cherries and strawberries. Clean and fresh on the palate, there is enough structure and acidity to support the fruit. For a lighter style, try the Henri Bourgeois ‘La Baronne’ Sancerre Rosé 2008. This is made from Pinot Noir grape by one of the most acclaimed producers in the Loire. Refreshing and fruity, it is easy to drink, fresh and particularly well balanced in structure and aromas. n Franco’s rosé wine list is available May to October at Franco’s, 61 Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6LX 020 7499 2211 admin@francoslondon.com

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out about Celebrating the Square Mile Now in its 49th year, the City of London Festival is animating the City’s iconic venues and outdoor spaces with a huge arts programme of music, dance, film, talks and tours this summer. Until 16 July, the Festival gives you the chance to enjoy world-class music in many exclusive (and often very beautiful) historic halls, which are usually closed to the public. You’ll also enjoy a glass of wine and a souvenir programme, both of which come with your

ticket. The Festival boasts more than 120 free events that can be enjoyed in lunch breaks and after work. Take part in aerial workshops, enjoy commuter music on Friday nights at Liverpool Street, taste honey from the eight City hives and watch indie-rockers The Bees at the Honey Harvest (Guildhall Yard, 8 July) or take part in creative workshops for the Big Draw’s Take A Closer Look extravaganza. www.colf.org

connoisseur

Taking to the Streets The Whitecross Street Party: Rise of the Non-Conformists is back for a second year. The two day street party and four week exhibition features some of the world’s most creative pranksters and musical mischief makers. Set in the stomping ground of William Blake, five minutes from Barbican and Old Street Station, the event celebrates the maverick spirit for which the area is famed. Local and international creatives will transform the entire length of Whitecross Street into a giant outdoor art gallery for two days in July. For four weeks the street will then host the Rise of the NonConformists exhibition, giving Londoners a free outdoor art gallery experience this summer. One of the stools lining the street party will be provided by www.FemmeEnfant.com, giving visitors the opportunity to blend British style with a little je ne sais quoi through a range of lifestyle accessories. The Whitecross Street Party: Rise of the Non-Conformists 23-24 July 2011 Whitecross Street

Banish Boredom

All Aboard Originally a classic motor yacht built in 1975 by Camper Nicholson, Pontoon has been transformed into one of London’s ultimate private venues, nestled on the edge of Marble Quay in the heart of St. Katharine Docks. Launched at the end of May and open until the end of 2012, the five-berth yacht is the only private hire yacht based on the Thames, offering three double suites and two twin rooms. With a natural wood terrace and luxurious lounge, Pontoon can hold up to 70 guests for private parties and drinks receptions, making it one of the most stunning al fresco dining spots for private parties of up to ten.

out & about

Pontoon, St Katharine Docks Marble Quay, E1W 1UH www.evensus.com events@evensus.com

After a week in the office, we all like to make the most of our weekends. To ensure that we do, Christopher Nye has written a book brimming with ideas and activities to transform your time off into an exhilarating and extraordinary adventure. Suggesting sensational things to do in the UK, Weekends to Brag About presents readers of all ages and fitness levels more than 100 activities from every corner of Britain. Including everything from dinghy sailing and mountain bike riding to hiking and treeclimbing, the book promises to guarantee exciting tales to tell colleagues on Monday. Weekends to Brag About by Christopher Nye www.survivalbooks.net

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connoisseur out & about

Classical Spectacular With a stellar career spanning some 50 years, PlĂĄcido Domingo is one of the most high profile names in opera. An artist in his own right as well as a member of The Three Tenors, Domingo is one of the most revered names in classical music, winning countless accolades including nine Grammy Awards.Â Just as established is Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu. A brilliantly agile vocalist, Gheorghiuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performances command attention from the very first note. This summer, for the first time in the UK, the two names appear in concert together, joining forces for a spectacular celebration of song and an evening of entertainment not to be missed. Domingo and Gheorghiu at The O2 Friday 29 July

The Sound of the City As much as anything else, summer in Britain means festivals and for anyone who lives in or around London, the selection to choose from can seem endless. From the Ealing Jazz Festival (27-31 July) in the west to Lovebox (15-17 July) and Field Day (6 August) at Victoria Park in the east, London offers a music festival to suit every taste. While Live Fest (23 July), the largest indoor festival, will bring a host of UK urban and rock acts to The O2, The Big Chill (4-7 August) is welcoming numerous international names to the UK, including Empire of the Sun, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Kanye West.

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Bespoke living Emerson Park, Hornchurch, Essex A mansion of grand proportions, built to the highest 9 Stunning Bedrooms 4 Large Reception Rooms 8 Bathrooms Cinema Room

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Welcome note...

his July, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling very positive. The weather is getting warmer and the property market in London continues to boom (p.150). An annual increase in house prices was seen in both the North and South of the city, while the continuing influx of senior executives to the capital has seen high demand for luxurious rental properties. With demand comes development and we were keen to explore the stunning NEO Bankside Project. The scheme will bring eye-catching apartments and great amenities to the South Bank (p.152). Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also huge regeneration of business premises planned (p.124). The multi-purpose Principal Place tower is just one example of how both office space and residential accommodation are benefitting from renewed confidence in the market. Happy Hunting!

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contents 124

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150 Property Latest 152 Development Focus 154 Mortgage Update

living local

areanews By Ben West

Developers head for the City The City is more attractive than ever to developers, judging by the announcement of recent ventures. Songbird Estates, the developer and landlord behind a large proportion of the Docklands estate, is involved in the building of the City’s £200m 20 Fenchurch Street scheme and is looking at other projects in the area. Moreover, Hammerson has also recently submitted revised plans for a new £350m tower with up to 243 apartments to be situated at Principal Place, on the west side of Shoreditch High Street. Hammerson has a considerable track record of successful regeneration projects in the City and Spitalfields areas. Principal Place was designed by Foster and Partners and will also include sizeable office space, including some of the largest floors in the City. Opening up an area that is currently largely inaccessible to the public, it will create some welcomed public spaces as part of the plans. Whether many more towers will follow is currently hotly under discussion; Ken Shuttleworth, architect at Foster and Partners, which designed the 40-storey Gherkin, recently told Bloomberg News that money now drives everything and that some schemes

narrowly escaped being cancelled once the property downturn hit. However, that does not mean demand for residential and office space will falter - especially

Transport latest…

Support grows to save Wilton’s

River tour business City Cruises has unveiled details of its next generation leisure and tourism vessel. The 600-passenger RiverLiner will be the largest in scheduled service on the River Thames when it arrives in Spring 2012. It will have an enclosed, fully airconditioned main deck with seating at tables. Uninterrupted panoramic views will be possible as a result of increased window capacity and there will also be an open top deck. Passengers can expect a smoother, more stable and quieter ride as a result of the advanced catamaran design, and many green features have been incorporated.

Demand is growing to save Wilson’s Music Hall, situated near Tower Bridge and St. Katharine’s Dock. The hall is the oldest of its kind in the world but was recently denied a £2.25m grant from the National Lottery. “The time of crisis has now come,” Actor David Suchet, told The Stage. “Unless money is found, Wilton’s will close. There is no way it can survive; it is falling down.”

Did you know? The Guildhall was the only non-religious stone building to have survived the Great Fire of London.

as the economy recovers - it will simply be low rise than high rise, as this is cheaper to build. Plans for Principal Place, for example, have been changed to take into account of economic changes since 2009.

Notably, office accommodation arranged across larger and fewer floors than before. The scheme is expected to create around 4,400 jobs and will include a number of affordable homes.

City of London to welcome Olympic Flame The City of London will welcome the Olympic Flame next year in the run up to the London 2012 Games. Planning details of the route will be confirmed later in the year. The Flame, which is also scheduled to visit the other 32 local authority areas in London, will be carried by torchbearers who can be nominated through the LOCOG website (www. london2012.com/olympictorchrelay). “We are delighted to be welcoming the Olympic Flame to the Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of London and the UK,” said Stuart Fraser, policy chairman at the City of London Corporation. “I am sure the Olympic Torch Relay will be a prelude to a terrific Games for all involved.” The prototype for the Olympic torch was recently unveiled by Games‘ ambassadors. It will include 8,000 perforations to represent each of the chosen torchbearers.

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Knight Frank

The Pumping House

A unique Grade II listed apartment An Italianate Grade II listed building in the Naval Row Conservation Area adjoining East India Dock. The apartment offers extremely flexible accommodation currently three bedrooms and three reception rooms. Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ625,000

KnightFrank.co.uk cwharf@knightfrank.com 020 7512 9966

Knight Frank

Cubitt Wharf, London E14

Berkeley Tower, London E14

Unique two bedroom apartment situated on the third floor of a warehouse conversion. Presented in excellent condition throughout, the apartment benefits from a private balcony overlooking the river as well as two good double bedrooms. Leasehold

A generously proportioned three bedroom, three bathroom apartment. Located on the 14th floor of Berkeley Tower, the apartment offers wonderful far reaching river views and benefits from two underground parking spaces.

£465,000

£1,450,000

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Pierhead Lock, London E14

Leasehold

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Lockview Court, London E14

This spacious two bedroom apartment is located within the sought after Pierhead Lock development and is conveniently situated for easy access into Canary Wharf either by foot or DLR.

A well proportioned two bedroom apartment situated on the first floor of this purpose built development. The property benefits from a private balcony, off street parking space and views across Narrow Street to the river.

Leasehold

£435,000

£480,000

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Knight Frank

Cascades Tower, London E14

Meridian Place, London E14

An extremely generously proportioned apartment located on the 6th floor of this popular portered development within a few minutes walk of Canary Wharf.

This one bedroom flat situated in a quiet development close to Canary Wharf comes with private parking and offers views accross the dock to Canary Wharf from private balcony.

Leasehold

£335,000

£320,000

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

New Providence Wharf, London E14

Berglen Court, London E14

A one bedroom flat located on the 7th floor. The apartment benefits from a private balcony with views over the city and Canary Wharf. The development provides excellent facilities as well as private parking for this apartment.

This well proportioned fifth floor apartment offers some of the best views we have ever seen into Limehouse Basin. If you are looking for the wow factor you will need to view this apartment.

Leasehold

£330,000

£575,000

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9966 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Knight Frank

Forge Square, London E14

St. Davids Square, London E14

We are delighted to offer a two bedroom duplex apartment. This two bedroom, one bathroom apartment offers contemporary accommodation at a reasonable price, with easy access into Canary Wharf and Bank; the commute into work is transformed into a matter of minutes.

A two double bedroom apartment set within the ever popular St Davids Square. The property comes with one parking space and is closely located to Island Gardens DLR.

£350 per week

£415 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9955 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Belgrave Court, London E14

West India Quay, London E14

We are very pleased to offer this two bedroom apartment to let in the prestigious portered development of Canary Riverside.There is a well appointed modern kitchen, two double bedrooms with excellent storage, a modern marble four piece bathroom including walk in shower, and a separate W.C./cloakroom. Other benefits include an underground parking space with 24 hour security.

A beautifully furnished 2 double bedroom apartment in the luxurious No 1 West India Quay development. The development has 24 hour concierge and is located right next to West India Quay DLR.

£650 per week

£750 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9955 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Knight Frank

Liberty House City, E1

Osprey Court, Wapping, E1W

A 3 double bedroom, 2 bathroom penthouse apartment over 2 floors with a large west facing terrace. The apartment benefits from wood flooring to the reception areas and well fitted kitchen & bathrooms. Car parking space at ground level. 105 sq m (1130 sq ft) Leasehold 988 years

Situated in City Quay, a highly regarded development set around St Katharine Docks, a good sized 2 bedroom flat finished to a high standard. Reception room, separate kitchen, 2 bathrooms, garage parking space, 24 hour porterage 98 sq m (1055 sq ft) Leasehold 981 years

£625,000

£925,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/wapping 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

St Hildas Wharf, Wapping, E1W

Aston Webb House, London Bridge, SE1

On the third floor of a highly regarded block, a superb 2/3 bedroom flat with magnificent reception room perfect for entertaining on a grand scale. Kitchen, en suite shower room, bathroom, utility room, guest cloakroom, balcony, parking, porter 173 sq m (1868 sq ft) Share of Freehold

A charming 2 bedroom duplex apartment on the ground and lower ground floors, within a grand building (circa 1901) a short walk from London Bridge station and it’s bustling environs. Reception room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms and communal roof terraces. 121 sq m (1304 sq ft)

£1,425,000

£765,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/wapping 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

Leasehold 114 years

Knight Frank

Prescot Street, Aldgate, E1

Prusoms Island, Wapping, E1W

Spacious basement flat, close to the City. Accommodating: Master bedroom with built in wardrobe and a separate stunning bathroom. Good sized living/dining area with galley kitchen. Stylish furniture accentuated by hard wooden flooring throughout. A regular cleaner is included in the rental price.Walking distance to Tower Hill and Aldgate tube stations

Two bedroom two bathroom apartment in popular block on Wapping High Street. The property boasts a large open plan reception room with modern fully fitted kitchen and solid wood flooring throughout. There is secure underground parking and porter.

£345 pw

£525 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

Bezier Apartments, London, EC1

New Crane Wharf, Wapping, E1W

Stunning 4th floor 554 sq ft one bedroom apartment located in this outstanding 24 hour portered development. This beautiful apartment has been finished to a very high standard, boasting a fully fitted kitchen, contemporary bathroom suites, under floor heating, comfort cooling and good storage. The block also benefits from two communal terraces and a gym, sauna and steam room.

Spacious 2nd floor two double bedroom two bathroom apartment located in this popular 24 hour portered development, moments from Wapping underground station. This large furnished flat has a good size reception room, fully fitted semi open plan kitchen, bathrooms with showers, wooden floors and underground parking.

£525 pw

£550 pw

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

Knight Frank

Hermitage Court, Wapping, E1W

Chimney Court, Wapping, E1W

Attractive split level one bed, two reception room apartment set on 2nd floor of this portered development in west Wapping. This quiet apartment is fully furnished boasting two reception rooms, modern fitted kitchen, bathroom with shower, large roof terrace and underground parking.

Bright two bedroom two bathroom top floor apartment set in this portered warehouse conversion in Wapping. This attractive apartment has a large dual aspect reception room with exposed brick work, large windows and separate fitted kitchen, lovely wooden floors and a spiral stair case leading to a private terrace.

£470 pw

£575 pw

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

E1 Waterside, Wapping, E1W

St Pancras Chambers, Kings Cross, NW1

Contemporary two double bedroom two bathroom riverside apartment in west Wapping. This stylish apartment has been fitted to a very high standard boasting modern furnishings, a fully fitted open plan kitchen, beautiful bathroom suites with showers, under floor heating, a private balcony and underground parking.

1033 sq ft two double bedroom 3rd floor apartment to rent in this prestigious development offering a 24 hour concierge service and use of the facilities in the new 5* hotel next door. This spacious apartment has a large reception room with an open plan fully fitted kitchen, large master bedroom, 2nd bedroom with sleeping platform, two bathrooms, real wooden floors, high ceilings, original features and available furnished.

£695 pw

£700 pw

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

Knight Frank

NEO Bankside, Holland Street, Southbank, SE1 Selection of brand new one, two and three bedroom apartments

Stunning selection of contemporary apartments with large living rooms, floor to ceiling windows and private winter gardens. Providing great storage space, comfort cooling, wooden floors and beautiful bathrooms. NEO bankside is complete with a 24 concierge service and will have a residentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gym, day spa and a variety of shops and restaurants. This is the first phase of the new NEO Bankside development designed by the international, award-winning architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. Available now

knightfrank.co.uk/lettings wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848

Knight Frank

Marlborough Place, St Johns Wood NW8 Delightful ambassadorial residence

This Grade II listed residence is one of the finest houses to come to the market on the western side of St Johns Wood. 6 bedrooms ( 4 en suites), shower room, reception room, kitchen, dining room, family room, study, utility room, guest WC, patio, summer house, garden, garage. Approximately 519.5.m (5,592sq.ft). Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ4,750,000 RVR070003

KnightFrank.co.uk/st-johns-wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

Lawn Road, Belsize Park, NW3 Lateral living in a stunning period home

A stunning and elegant semi-detached Victorian home set back from the road behind a gated driveway and front garden. Arranged over four floors only the house is one of only a handful on a larger and wider than average plot. 7 Bedrooms, 5 Reception Rooms, 3 Bathrooms, Garden, Private Parking. Approximately: 567 sq m (6105 sq ft). Freehold ÂŁ6,450,000 RVR110113

KnightFrank.co.uk/hampstead hampstead@knightfrank.com 020 7431 8686

Knight Frank

Hamilton House, St George Wharf SW8 Penthouse apartment in St George Wharf

Split over three floors, this fabulous penthouse reaches to the twentieth floor of the centrally located St George Wharf. Stunning river views from all rooms. 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 terraces, lift, 2 secure underground parking spaces. Approximately 400 sq m (4,306 sq ft) Guide price: ÂŁ4,750,000

(RVR070003)

KnightFrank.co.uk/Riverside riverside@knightfrank.com 020 7590 2450

Knight Frank

Howard Building, Chelsea Bridge Wharf SW8

A wonderful two bedroom penthouse with views of the River Thames A bright two bedroom two bathroom apartment in this sought after development. The spacious open plan reception area, ideal for entertaining, leads onto the large wrap around terrace. 2 bedrooms, 1 reception room, 2 bathrooms, terrace, lift, 24 hour security and concierge. Approximately 88 sq m (952 sq ft) Guide price: ÂŁ1,150,000

(RVR110113)

KnightFrank.co.uk/Riverside riverside@knightfrank.com 020 7590 2450

living local

HOT PROPERTY: Space to Savour

This truly exceptional three-bedroom triplex penthouse apartment is situated within the Victory Place development in the heart of Limehouse. This rare property comes to the lettings market for the very first time and offers circa 1,500 sq ft of internal living space as well as an extensive outdoor balcony area. The property comprises a main reception room with 180Â° balcony, a dining area, a fully fitted kitchen, main bathroom and a large utility room, as well as three

double bedrooms, two of which have balconies and en-suite facilities. The property also enjoys a full-length mezzanine level, which is currently set up as a further dining area but works well as a multi-functional space. The property is fully furnished and finished to the highest of standards and must be seen to be fully appreciated. The tenant will have exclusive use of two under-cover parking spaces and will have access to a concierge service and an on-site residentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gym.

Limehouse, E14 ÂŁ1,000 Per Week Hurford Salvi Carr www.hurford-salvi-carr.co.uk

020 7791 7011 139

living local

State of the market Emma Wilbourne, director of lettings at the Chesterton Humberts Tower Bridge office talks about the current state of the lettings market

MARKET CHANGES SEE RENTAL BOOM

n the last month, we are still seeing rising rents, driven by a continuing lack of stock and increasing demand. Overall in London, we have witnessed average rental prices increase by 13 per cent over the past year, driven largely by what has been called ‘generation rent’ – a generation of aspiring first-time buyers unable to save for a deposit that are being forced to rent. Aside from these tenants who are unable to buy their first property, we are also seeing a number of European renters who simply have no interest in purchasing a property in the UK. The desire for home ownership for them can be a quite a foreign idea and they would much rather enjoy the freedom of renting, meaning they can relocate easily and aren’t financially tied down to a mortgage. We more regularly meet people now who are expecting to rent for the long term for different reasons, and are happy with this prospect.

All this means that competition for rental apartments among these groups can be fierce. All tenants should be aware of this when on their property search, as it means landlords are looking for the best agreements. Tenants need to be mindful of their demands and might have to concede on some issues to make their offer more competitive. Our advice to tenants includes the following: • If a tenant finds a property that ticks all the boxes, they should secure it straight away by making an offer. Be wary of whether other agents are also marketing the property; if so, make sure that the landlord informs them that the property is off the market • Don’t be cheeky when making an offer on a property. Landlords may have multiple offers from quality tenants and will not accept offers well below the asking price. Being sensitive to the market conditions is always paramount • To get you ahead of the competition, think about agreeing to a 12 month lease or more at a reasonable price as landlords will normally prefer the security. Tenants could also sacrifice a break clause, to demonstrate that they are committed. It is a good idea to question the agent/landlord if he doesn’t want to get rid of the break clause – perhaps he/she is planning on selling the property in the near future • Be organised and don’t delay in providing information which will enable the reference process to happen smoothly and quickly • Be flexible on areas to widen the search bracket. This may mean exploring different neighbourhoods and alternative transport routes to work, but this could lead to tenants finding a more suitable and better priced property. n

140

hesterton Humberts C Tower Bridge 020 7357 6911 www.chestertonhumberts.com

London's Finest Properties

LETTINGS

SALES

Lanterns Court, E14

Ontario Tower, Canary Wharf E14

California Building, Deals Gateway, SE13

£350.00 per week

£350 per week

Mulberry Court, Cable Street E1

Oceanis Apartments, Royal Victoria Docks E16

New Providence Wharf, Canary Wharf, E14

No 1 Pepys Street, E1

Starting from £350 per week

£400 per week

£409,950

£435,000

Barge Walk, City Peninsula, SE10

The Landmark, East Tower E14

New Providence Wharf, Canary Wharf, E14

New Providence Wharf,E14

• 2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom Apartment • Highly Prestigious Riverside Development • Excellent Condition Throughout • Valet Parking • 24hr Concierge and Exceptional Leisure Facilities

• Stunning 10th Floor Apartment • Uninterrupted River Views From Front And Rear • Excellent Condition Throughout • Secure Underground Parking • 24hr Concierge And Exceptional Leisure Facilities

£450.00 per week

£525 per week

£490,000

£555,000

• One bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • 7th Floor • On-Site Gymnasium • Concierge Service • Nr. Deptford Bridge DLR

• A Selection of 1,2 and 3 Bedroom • Apartments • Furnishing Available • Short walk from the City of London • Parking Available • Nr. Shadwell St

• Two Bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • 15th Floor • Parking Available • Concierge Service • Nr. North Greenwich

• Unique 13th Floor 3 Bedroom / 3 Bathroom Apartment • 3 Balconies • Secure Underground Parking • High Level Of Specification • 24hr Concierge • Moments From Heart Of Canary Wharf And Transport Links

£1,100,000

• Two Bedroom Apartmen • Fully Furnished • 9th Floor • Balcony • Parking Available • Nr. Royal Victoria DLR

• One Bedroom Apartment • Fully Furnished • 24th Floor • Secure Underground Parking • 24hr Concierge Service • Nr. South Quay DLR

• 4th Floor • Stunning Riverside Development • 2 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom • Balcony • Valet Parking • Moments from DLR and Jubilee Line

Lowry House, Canary Central, E14

• One Bedroom/ One Bathroom • Exceptional Order Throughout • Fully Furnished • 24hr Concierge • On Site Pool And Leisure Facilities • Moments From South Quay DLR

£275,000

• 4th Floor • Spacious 1 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom • Exceptional Order Throughout • Secure Allocated Parking • Fully Furnished • Porterage

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

Central London 020 7582 7989

West London 020 8896 9990

Finchley 020 8446 9524

Docklands 020 7476 0125

Deptford & Greenwich 020 8692 2244

savills.co.uk

NEWELL STREET, E14

CORAL APARTMENTS, E16

Reception room  kitchen  3 bedrooms  bathroom  study  conservatory  private garden  parking space

Reception room  kitchen  3 bedrooms  2 en suite bathrooms  cloakroom  terrace  parking space  concierge

Guide £1.1 million Freehold Savills Canary Wharf

canarywharf@savills.com

Guide £849,950 Leasehold 020 7531 2500

Savills Canary Wharf

canarywharf@savills.com

HANOVER HOUSE, e14

DISCOVERY DOCK WEST, e14

Reception room  kitchen  3 Double bedrooms  3 en suite bathrooms  cloakroom  balcony

Reception room  kitchen  3 bedrooms  utility room  3 bathrooms  3 balconies  parking space  concierge

 parking space  concierge

Guide £1.25 million Leasehold Savills Canary Wharf

canarywharf@savills.com

020 7531 2500

Guide £1.35 million Leasehold 020 7531 2500

Savills Canary Wharf

canarywharf@savills.com

020 7531 2500

savills.co.uk

TAPESTRY BUILDING, EC2M

BENBOW HOUSE, SE1

Reception room  fully fitted Gaggenau kitchen  3 bedrooms  bathroom  shower room  utility room  intelligent lighting entertainment system  comfort cooling system

3 Reception rooms  kitchen  4 bedrooms  3 bathrooms  3 balconies  2 parking spaces  concierge

Guide £3.4 million Leasehold

Price On Application

Savills Docklands

docklands@savills.com

020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands

docklands@savills.com

GALAXY BUILDING, e14

EATON HOUSE, e14

Reception room  kitchen  4 bedrooms  4 bathrooms  balcony  3 parking spaces  riverside views  concierge  leisure facilities

Reception room  kitchen  3 bedrooms  3 bathrooms  2 terraces  riverside views  concierge

Guide £2.275 million Leasehold

Guide £1,499,950 Leasehold Savills Canary Wharf

canarywharf@savills.com

020 7456 6800

020 7531 2500

Savills Canary Wharf

canarywharf@savills.com

020 7531 2500

LEFT-HAND

Hamptons City Office Sales. 020 7236 8398 city@hamptons-int.com

Skyline Plaza Building, E1 Leasehold - £329,999

Times Square, E1 Leasehold - £335,000

8th floor of a popular lift-serviced building with concierge, this 2 bedroom apartment has superb views towards Canary Wharf and use of a roof terrace.

A beautifully presented one bedroom apartment in a lift-serviced building with concierge, with an open-plan kitchen and a balcony off the reception.

Priory House, EC4 Leasehold - £350,000

Creechurch Lane, EC3 Leasehold - £380,000

This smart 1 bedroom apartment is on the second floor of a small lift-serviced block just off the historic Carter Lane, moments from St Pauls Cathedral.

Set on the 3rd floor of a popular lift-serviced period building just off Leadenhall Street, this one bedroom apartment is well presented and superbly located.

Clements House, E1 Leasehold - £380,000

Savage Gardens, EC3 Leasehold - £385,000

Delighted to offer this well presented south west-facing 1 bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor of a popular Art Deco building near Liverpool Street station.

This delightful, top floor, 1 bedroom apartment is in a lovely period building within the City, with vaulted ceilings in the reception and a loft-style bedroom.

From their first steps to the first visit to the grandchildren, Hamptons International know what makes a family home. The comfort it will provide. The memories it will hold. We see beyond the bricks and mortar to help you find somewhere that’s, well, home.

RIGHT-HAND

Hamptons Tower Bridge Office Sales. 020 7407 3173 towerbridge@hamptons-int.com

Anchor Brewhouse, SE1 Share of Freehold - £1,750,000

Vogans Mill Wharf, SE1 Leasehold - £645,000

A fourth floor, 1475 sq ft, three double bedroom apartment within a warehouse A two bedroom dockside apartment in this popular Mill Street development, conversion next to Tower Bridge, benefiting from West facing views of Thames. with full length balcony over St Saviours Dock, parking and 24 hour porterage.

Shearwater Court, E1W Leasehold - £975,000

Trinity Church Square, SE1 Leasehold - £385,000

A beautifully presented two bedroom, two bathroom waterside apartment within the exclusive City Quay development. Two balconies and parking.

1 bed apartment within a period house conversion in Trinity Church Square. Benefits from a refurbished kitchen & bathroom with use of the gardens.

Butlers Wharf Building, SE1 £2,250,000

Scotts Sufference Wharf, SE1 Share of Freehold - £515,000

A fantastic 4 bedroom Butlers Wharf apartment with river views, from Tower Bridge to Canary Wharf. Parking and 24 hr concierge/security.

A beautifully presented and bright top floor one bedroom apartment with excellent views of the City landmarks, balconies, porter services and parking.

It’s important to make time for the things you love. At Hamptons International we take all the strain out of managing your move. Leaving you free to enjoy the finer things in life, safe in the knowledge that everything’s being taken care of.

LEFT-HAND

Hamptons City Office Lettings. 020 7236 8399 citylettings@hamptons-int.com

Trinity Square EC3, £595 per week

Wilkes Street E1, £2,500 per week

A spacious two double bedroom apartment on the edge of the Thames. With high ceilings, separate kitchen and high quality furnishings. Available furnished

A beautifully restored five bedroom early 18th Century double fronted terrace house within Spitalfields, benefiting from private garden and original features.

Bishops Square E1, £450 per week

High Timber Street EC4, £385 per week

A fantastic opportunity to rent a one bedroom apartment in this brand new development located in the heart of Spitalfields. Available furnished

A spacious one bedroom apartment in this portered building close to St Paul’s with attractive and well kept atrium. Available furnished

Deal Street E1, £450 per week

Barbican EC2, £450 per week

A well presented two bedroom duplex apartment in this former warehouse with communal roof terrace, moments from Brick Lane. Available furnished

A newly refurbished triplex apartment in the prestigious Barbican complex. Two private balconies and parking can be negotiated. Available furnished

The Hamptons International team always go further to meet your personal property needs, whatever they may be. Over 97% of our clients say they would use us again or recommend us to others. Let us show you why.

RIGHT-HAND

Hamptons Tower Bridge Office Lettings. 020 7407 3173 towerbridgelettings@hamptons-int.com

Butlers Wharf, SE1 £1450 per week

Spice Quay, SE1 £1200 per week

A superb four bedroom apartment in the prestigious Butlers Wharf, with stripped A fantastic two double bedroom penthouse apartment in a prestigious wood flooring and River Views. 24 hour concierge, parking by negotiation. riverside development. Boasting a bright reception with amazing river views.

Wheat Wharf, SE1 £675 per week

Gladstone Street, SE1 £650 per week

A fantastic character filled warehouse conversion arranged over three floors, boasting spacious reception room with stairs leading to mezzanine level.

A large recently refurbished four bedroom house arranged over four floors boasting two reception rooms, two modern bathrooms and private garden.

Baltimore Wharf, E14 £600 per week

Alaska Building, SE1 £425 per week

Superb brand new two bedroom apartment in this waterside development. Fitted to a superior standard. Concierge, parking and fitness centre with pool.

Fabulous warehouse conversion in this popular development on the fourth floor. Garden views, with concierge and underground parking by negotiation.

Renting a property is no reason to accept anything less than the perfect home. It’s still your personal oasis. Albeit for a shorter timeframe. That said nearly all our tenants renew their contracts. Proof that we know how to make people feel right at home.

A NEW BEGINNING

IN LONDON STRATFORD Computer generated image

Stunning marketing suite and show apartment opening July • Highly speciﬁed contemporary apartments • Excellent transport links from Stratford station • Stratford offers excellent shopping with the soon to be opened Westﬁeld Centre • Close proximity to 2012 Olympic Park

Computer generated image of a 1 bedroom apartment

Prices from £188,950* * Price for a 1 bedroom apartment

1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR SALE For further information please contact:

0844 800 5578 www.site-sales.co.uk

2580 SS AURORA A4 CW&City Mag ad.indd 1

21/6/11 15:58:19

newHOMES

Your essential guide to new local developments. Read up to the minute information about star apartments, good investments, yet to be launched to the market properties, and the best in innovative design, architectural excellence and chic, city style. This dedicated section covers luxury projects throughout Blackheath, Camberwell, Dulwich and other select areas of South East London.

Capital Gains

LONDONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PROPERTY MARKET

Style In Central

THE NEO BANKSIDE DEVELOPMENT

newhomes

Property Latest By Ben West

agents report dramatic increase in relocations to London Estate agents have seen a 20 per cent increase in enquiries from relocation agents over the past two months, indicating increased confidence in the capital among the international business community. Budgets are also increasing to levels not witnessed for several years. Up to the first quarter of this year, the majority of relocation agent activity was on behalf of junior or entry-level employees, and while that sector of the market remains strong, there has been a significant increase in enquiries on behalf of senior executives with higher rental budgets in the region of £1,000 per week upwards. The increase in relocation searches is spread across a broad range of business sectors, including accountancy, law and IT companies,

as well as financial services. “Relocation activity is a reliable indicator of confidence among the business community,” says Lynn Hilton, partner for residential lettings at Cluttons. “London has withstood the recession well but relocation agent demand had dropped significantly until last year, now activity levels are increasing

Now is the time to buy property The Worldwide Property Group has released figures from its latest tracker survey and the results reveal that confidence in property both here in the UK and abroad remains high. The survey focused on a number of areas such as house price and interest rate expectations, general confidence, buying intentions, and views on property as an investment. Significantly, 84 per cent of respondents stated that they believed now to be a good time to buy a property in the UK. Three in every four people surveyed believe property offers the best investment potential of any major investment. Just 28 per cent of those interviewed expect UK property values to fall over the coming year with an even split between those who expect prices to either increase or remain static. Eighty-five per cent expect the BOE base rate to rise at some point over the next year, while 65 per cent said that they were still benefiting from the current low level of interest rates with 58 per cent saying this had increased their desire to buy a property.

rapidly,” she adds. “New talent is flooding into London at a rate not seen since the height of the market in 2007. We have had enquiries on behalf of top executives with budgets up to £10,000 per week. The fact that firms are prepared to make this investment to bring their highest ranking staff to London is extremely encouraging.”

tennis courts and leisure facilities prove big draw for buyers When buying a property, outside space can come at a premium, and yet recently it is fitness facilities such as tennis courts which are proving to be especially popular among buyers. Hard courts are more popular than lawn courts as they are considerably easier to maintain, are useable throughout the year and do not present significant safety issues. “Having a tennis court installed can certainly add value to a property,” says Alex Gamble, account director at Fabricproperty.com a luxury lifestyle and property portal for London. “However, anyone considering installing

one should make sure there is enough space so that it doesn’t dominate the garden too much. Ideally the plot where your tennis court is placed should be more than an acre and a half.” Tennis courts require planning consent and permission can be refused by the local council, who are very strict about even minor details, such as the colour of the fencing around the court. Yet the time and money involved in installing a court may well be worth it, as buyers appreciate the benefits of a ready-made court and will often be more likely to spend that bit closer to the asking price to get one.

NEWS IN BRIEF The Royal Wedding Effect Agents across the capital are attributing a recent surge in sales and lettings enquiries to the international hype surrounding the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Previously, analysts have been quick to suggest a lack of available stock and political unrest in the Middle East were driving investors to London, but many are now acknowledging that the market has recently benefited from the media spotlight which was placed on the nuptials. With the approach of the Olympic Games it is likely that visitors will continue to enjoy all that the capital has to offer and seek a base here.

Broadgate redevelopment possible

London prices continue to rise A Chesterton Humberts house price poll has found that the average price of a house in north London is now £367,594, which is around 1.2 per cent higher than last year. And there’s good news down south as well, with the average price of a house in south London now coming it at £305,249; this figure shows an annual increase of 0.2 per cent. These impressive figures demonstrate that London’s booming property market not only applies to central areas, and experts are confident that this trend is set to continue with the redevelopment of East London areas such as Stratford.

The government have rejected proposals from English Heritage which would have seen the city’s Broadgate Estate given a restrictive listing. The proposals suggested that the 1980s scheme was architecturally and culturally significant but both The City of London authorities and British Land and Blackstone who collectively own the campus, feel that regeneration will benefit the area. The City headquarters of UBS will now undergo an £850m renovation.

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DEVELOPMENT FOCUS River of Dreams The South Bank is a vibrant area to work, play â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and now live, says Lana Jordan

he South Bank is famed for its social and cultural landmarks, including the prestigious Tate Gallery, London Eye and a plethora of brilliant restaurants. However, an iconic development of 199 apartments and penthouses is set to make the area prime residential territory. NEO Bankside consists of four stunning pavilions which overlook the River Thames. The development has been designed by acclaimed architects Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners and has a striking steel, glass and timber appearance. The team has ensured that each apartment and penthouse also benefits from floor to ceiling windows and accommodation is accessed by external glazed lifts, to allow breathtaking views of the local area. Inside, properties are available with up to three bedrooms, but equally conscientious design means space is optimised throughout. An innovative external bracing system has removed the need for internal structural walls, flooding each property with light and allowing a flexible layout. In terms of outside space, most apartments will include winter gardens, which take the form of enclosed terraces integrated into the living areas and intended as perfect entertaining venues. However, the entire complex has been conceptualised with ecology in mind and linear groves of birch and alder, fruit trees, beehives and a herb garden are currently being put into place. These landscaping elements are among those aspects envisaged to form part of a five star lifestyle experience for occupants. Premium shops, bars and restaurants are currently being chosen for the ground floor of NEO Bankside to create a vibrant atmosphere and sense of luxury and convenience. There will also be a state-ofthe-art gymnasium and day spa on site to cater to the health and fitness needs of residents. These residents are likely to be affluent city professionals, owing to the complexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location in the heart of the capital. Final completion of the project is scheduled for the springtime of 2012, when locals will be able to benefit from the newly-reopened Blackfriars underground stations, as well as river taxis and the Thames Path. NEO Bankside will also possess its own cycling club, for those looking to incorporate their journeys into a fitness regime, as well as underground car parking facilities, should they be required.

Star apartment Interior designer Anthony Collett has styled one of the three bedroom homes into a contemporary yet warm retreat. Keen to capitalise on the spacious nature of the development and inject a sense of personality, he has combined neutral tones with pale teals and quirky, bespoke furniture. He says: “I’ve tried to create an eclectic, organic environment that looks as good as its surroundings, where you can also kick off your shoes and relax.” £POA

Of all of the capital’s new developments, NEO Bankside is equipped with some of the most interesting additions. A private business centre epitomises the project’s commitment to 21st century living in all its guises, while a temperature-controlled wine cellar will also be available in partnership with leading merchants Berry Bros & Rudd who are on hand to provide storage advice. On a day-to-day basis, a concierge service will arrange newspapers and morning coffee, in addition to ad hoc requests such as theatre tickets. Such planning reflects a wider trend in the capital for new luxury accommodation to be modelled on the service and facilities of a sophisticated hotel. n Prices start at £1m for a two bedroom apartment www.native-land.com www.grosvenor.com

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The first rung of

the property ladder RON RADWAY GOES BACK TO THE START WITH PROPERTY BUYING

he first port of call, whether you are a first time buyer or a mover, is to secure a mortgage in principle. It is not, as many discover, to find your dream home and assume everything falls into place naturally, before facing bitter disappointment. Unfortunately, you cannot assume that a mortgage is readily available. Although the situation has improved over the past 12 months, criteria are still tight and lenders’ moods still flighty. Therefore you may find yourselves declined for the most spurious of reasons. Once you have a decision in principle, either by using the services of a broker, or by doing your own homework and dealing direct, you have to consider affordability. Very few lenders offer interest only deals at present, so if you are on a budget you will no longer have the option of postponing a payment plan for a year or two, when your circumstances might alter. Apart from every day expenses (utilities, council

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tax, car, etc) you also have to take into account associated ongoing costs like insurances. These include building and contents, life, critical illness and income protection plans. All of these are important and need to be seriously considered, but, of course, need to fit a budget. When buying a property you will also need to pay for surveyors’ fees, solicitors’ fees and stamp duty. It is much easier to organise these aspects prior to finding your new home, so as not to complicate an already difficult process. If you have the time and confidence you could arrange this all for yourself. However, an experienced mortgage broker will alleviate most of the issues, and make the whole process as painless as possible. You can find one near you by visiting websites such as www.unbiased.co.uk n Ron Radway is a Mortgage Consultant with OneCall Financial Advice Centre. For further details visit www.onecallonline.co.uk or call 020 3174 0422

A TUSCA N DR EA M, 800 Y EARS IN THE MA K ING Pisa approximately 45 minutes, Florence and Siena approximately 1 hour Toscana Resort Castelfalfi is a 1,100 hectare estate set around a stunning historic ‘borgo’. Beautiful apartments, traditional farmhouses and a selection of newly built villas. Overlooking an established 27-hole golf course, the borgo will also include a boutique hotel, 2 restaurants, cafe and range of shops. Apartments from €230,000. Villas from €1,200,000. Traditional farm houses – price on application W W W. C A S T E L FA L F I . I T

55 Baker Street, London, W1U 8AN +44 (0)20 7629 8171 rupert.fawcett@knightfrank.com