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THE PORTMAN never seen them before them seen never 2015 Spring portraits as you’ve as portraits Joshua Reynolds Joshua The Portman The around and on Living

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7 36 As told to Easter Cara Cumming talks about Extraordinary eggs helping clients unwind at Pioneer aviator duckings, West One beauty salon musical rabbits and more 10 38 Happenings Walk Striking sculpture at Literary trail Follow in the , David Bailey on footsteps of Victorian Chiltern Street, and the novelists, nonsense rhymers COVER: JOSHUA REYNOLDS, return of Locatelli and Bertie Wooster MRS MARY ROBINSON (DETAIL), º© THE PHOTO: THE , SEE PAGE 16 16 43 Arts Joshua Reynolds The Smarter Giving How Baker experimental side of the Street Quarter Partnership great portrait painter helps local businesses help local communities 20 Literature My dear Holmes Local The Portman is a regular journal about resident Stephen Lees on life on and around The Portman Estate his Sherlock tribute novels

Editor Advertising Lorna Davies Caroline Warrick 020 7259 1051 26 Writers [email protected] Mum’s day Lorna Davies Extra special Imaginative Kate McAuley Bridget Rodricks Cally Squires 020 7259 1059 gift deas from local Debbie Ward [email protected] businesses

Sub-editor Katie Thomas Gail Novelle 020 7250 1053 [email protected] 30 Designer Business Andy Lowe Send information to No sweat Working out is The Portman the new networking Publisher Publishing Business The Portman Estate 3 Princes Street opportunity London W1B 2LD 020 7259 1050 www.pubbiz.com

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Stress free sanctuary

I’VE BEEN AT WEST ONE for two years, and in the industry for 17 years – which is quite scary to think West One beauty about! salon manager Cara The best thing about the job is meeting different Cumming enjoys people, and especially giving people who have stressful lives and jobs an opportunity to unwind. It is wonderful to see them leaving helping clients relax, “happy, and to make someone feel better about themselves. and supporting Working weekends and late nights doesn’t bother me now, other local firms, she because I’m so used to it. It definitely comes with the territory tells Cally Squires though, and it’s one of the things that you get educated about at beauty college, so it doesn’t come as a surprise. I normally get up around 6.30am because I live in Epping, which is quite a long commute. I make sure I do my hair and make-up before I leave, and when I get in to the salon around 9am I’ll check our messages and prepare the treatment rooms for the other girls. Every day here is different, and it can change as the day progresses. But my job is to make sure all the clients leave happy. At lunchtime I might go shopping in the local area, which is great for buying gifts. After work I often go for drinks at Bok Bar and to 8 as told to

Chiltern Street is really like a little village in the middle of the city

dinner at Hardy’s – we’re very friendly with the owner Dominique. I really believe it’s important to support local businesses. You can go to a chain restaurant any time but what’s great about Chiltern Street is that it is really like a little village in the middle of the city. The opening of the Chiltern Firehouse has been good for business, they’ve attracted a much more trendy type of clientele. People on are definitely curious to stroll down here now and take a look, whereas five or six years ago there was less footfall on the street. The majority of our customers are still local residents though, plus a lot of local workers on weekdays. They come from all sorts of backgrounds, from artists to musicians to teachers – but they are all really interesting people. Our customers are very loyal, which I hope reflects the service that we give. I still do treatments, but not as many as I used to. I want to be involved in the hands-on side of the business, as well as the managerial side, and luckily I have a group of regular clients whom I make sure I see for facials and waxing. Before I joined West One I freelanced as a make-up artist with a friend of mine who was a hairdresser. It was fun doing lots of weddings, but I really missed being in a salon environment, there is a real team atmosphere here. The salon has been around for about 12 years, and when I took over from the previous manager I didn’t make too many changes. Our clients don’t like too much change, they want to know they can come in and receive the same level of service. Our most popular treatments are the Karin Herzog oxygen facials. I heard that Kate Middleton uses the brand’s products, which is a big selling point. We normally close at 7pm, but if a client wants to come later we stay open until 8pm later in the week.

West One Beauty is at 60 Chiltern Street Info: 020 7486 1415, www.westonebeauty.co.uk ” 10 happenings

Marble Arch is getting leafier stone oven sets new menu sizzling

A GiAnT LeAF sculpture by British artist HunTer 486, the restaurant within potted duck with fruit chutney and Lee simmons is set to take a starring boutique hotel The Arch London, has sourdough; peppered loin of venison role in marble Arch. called Circadian launched a new best of British menu. with beetroot puree, turnip and potato Tongues, the installation will feature five Hearty dishes include salad of crispy gratin; homemade hamburger with stems up to 20 metres long, each with oxtail with cream of horseradish; onion marmalade in a brioche bun and coloured leaves, and will be illuminated hand cut chips; and sticky toffee at night. pudding with caramelised banana ice “i am incredibly honoured to have cream. been asked to create the art for such a The new menu was developed by pivotal area of London,” says simmons. head chef Gary Durrant with the help “marble Arch is undoubtedly one of the of award-winning food writer, focal points of the capital and to have my broadcaster and consultant Henrietta art as part of the development is such an Green. A stone oven is the crowning exciting opportunity. glory of the menu. The restaurant says “my idea is focused on capturing a that because it operates at a very high snapshot or passage of time that occurs heat, dishes such as roast norfolk within the natural world. i hope to create black free range chicken are cooked to a moment of contemplation through my tender perfection. art, helping to connect the architecture Hunter 486 at The Arch London, with the natural beauty of the royal park and retail space. 50 Great cumberland place. across the road.” The affordable housing element of the info: 020 7724 4700, The artwork is part of developer scheme will be provided at 466-490 www.thearchlondon.com Almacantar’s plan to redevelop marble , where Almacantar is also Arch Tower, replacing it with a residential developing a new mixed tenure housing building, an office building and enhanced and retail scheme. retail. The plans, approved by construction work is due to start later city council in February, this year. include a multi-screen Odeon cinema info: www.lee-simmons.com see art by saddam’s doctor

An ArTisT who was once part of saddam Hussein’s medical team is showing his work at Yuji’s turn at Carousel Hay Hill Gallery. Opening on march 30, Ala Bashir: Memories of Chairs, presents works AmericAn-JApAnese chef Yuji made by Bashir during his time with Hussein, as Haraguchi, famed for his new York both his physician and reluctant confidant. restaurant Yuji ramen, is joining the team The resultant works are given disturbing at carousel from April 1-11 as part of the context by saddam’s remark that they would be Blandford street restaurant’s “carousel “a record of iraq at (that) point in history”. presents…” series of guest chefs. Bashir was born in iraq in 1939, 18 years after The 50-cover restaurant has played his country declared independence from Britain. host to several of the world’s best up-and- His style is easily comparable with that of the coming culinary talents, each cooking surrealists, yet these nightmarish visions are not alongside carousel’s resident chef and dreams – they depict the very real suffering he co-founder Ollie Templeton. was witnessing daily. Templeton will work with Haraguchi to unexpected directions in style often make his create a set lunch (from £15 per person) work difficult to decipher, while recurring signs and four- to five-course dinner menu (£35), such as the raven and the mask draw directly paired with wine. Guest chefs are picked from traditional iraqi imagery. Having formerly by Templeton and the team for their pioneered techniques for reattaching severed innovative style and international appeal. hands, this artist-surgeon now attempts to reservations can be made by visiting reconnect the eyes with the heart. www.carousel-london.com or by calling march 30-may 2 at Hay Hill Gallery, 020 7487 5564. 35 Baker street. carousel, 71 Blandford street info: 020 7486 6006, www.hayhill.com AlA BAshir, WAiting ChAir. iMAge CourtesY hAY hill gAllerY 12 happenings

luxury is David Bailey in the lobby local primary school tops national league tables

renOWneD pHOTOGrApHer David Bailey is largest roof garden in the West end. Lifestyle HAmpDen GurneY church of england primary adding his artistry to a luxury development on facilities will include a signature restaurant with the school came joint first in the primary school chiltern street. The “Lobby by David Bailey” in option of in-room chef and dining; private league tables released in December. The nutford The chilterns will feature an exclusive display of gymnasium and sauna; private cinema; 21 place school, rated outstanding by Ofsted, was large-scale photographic prints of regent’s park basement wine cellars with a wine tasting room; the only school in Westminster in the top 10, by the 77-year-old fashion and portrait underground parking with valet; and 24-hour hotel taking first place along with newton Farm nursery photographer. style concierge. in Harrow and st Faith’s c of e primary school in The gallery-style entrance is part of Frogmore Bailey has also taken 44 specially Hampshire. The small voluntary aided school was & Galliard Homes’ premier apartments and commissioned limited edition prints of the the best performing faith school, with some 85 penthouses at 74-76 chiltern street. Designed by area which have been published as a per cent of pupils achieving the more advanced architects squire & partners, the six residences book. each owner of an apartment at The standard – level 5 – which is typically expected of include large private roof gardens or balconies. chilterns will be given a framed original print from children in the first few years of secondary The largest penthouse is £25 million, comes this series, together with a copy of the book. education. The borough of Westminster came with its own wine cave (stocked with £100,000 info: 020 8418 1070, sixth regionally, with 86 per cent of pupils worth of champagne and wine) and has the www.ThechilternsW1.com achieving level 4 in maths, reading and writing. info: www.hampdengurneyschool.org.uk

souk comes to Marylebone

THe LOnDOn AnTique rug and Textile Art Fair is coming to marylebone. This celebration of colour and design, the uk’s only event for rug and textile collectors, attracts exhibitors from persia, india, china, central Asia, Anatolia and the caucasus as well as europe and Africa. Works are of all periods up to the early 20th century and range in price from £500 to over £25,000. The boutique event wil gail’s brings be presented in a souk-like setting with rugs, runners, treats to you embroideries, tapestries, kilims, decorative textiles and tribal GAiL’s ArTisAn BAkerY is artefacts such as woven bringing baked treats into the baskets and bead-work. boardroom, offering a delivery An online fair featuring each service to offices across central of the 12 exhibitors runs London. customers will be able alongside the main fair. to enjoy Gail’s sandwiches, The London Antique rug salads, cakes and pastries, and Textile Art Fair is at The freshly made at seymour place, showroom, off church street, at their desks. Available monday April 16-19. info: www.larta.net to Friday from 7.30am-5pm. Gail’s, 4 seymour place. AnAtoliAn KiliM, froM KonYA- info: www.gailsdelivery.co.uk nigDe, MiD-C19th. froM KenneDY CArpets 15 happenings

LOcAnDA LOcATeLLi is reopening on march 14 after a locatelli returns four-month closure. The restaurant temporarily shut its doors in november after a gas explosion in the basement of the Hyatt regency London – The churchill hotel. Guests will be welcomed back to plaxy and Giorgio Locatelli’s michelin- starred italian, which launched in 2002, to enjoy dishes such as fillet of wild sea bass in salt and herb crust, escarole and green salad; slow cooked suckling pig; and banana and marron glacé “millefoglie” with banana and walnut ice cream. Locanda Locatelli, 8 seymour street. info: 020 7935 9088, www.locandalocatelli.com

Minimalism that packs maximum punch

THe LissOn GALLerY is economy of gesture or presenting a new body of work representation in search of the by Lee ufan, a founding maximum possible effect or member of the Japanese mono- resonance. His most recent ha and korean Dansaekhwa series of Dialogue paintings and groups of the late 1960s and watercolours are composed of early ’70s – both important art sweeps of paint, built up over movements which have only an extended period of time by relatively recently been feted by an accretion of smaller strokes. major shows in the West. Lee ufan is at Lisson Gallery, Although his practice is 27 Bell street, march 25-may 9. widely regarded as minimalist, info: 020 7724 2739, Lee believes in utilising an www.lissongallery.com this egg’s got your name on it siXTYOne restaurant will be selling hand-made easter eggs over easter weekend (April 3-6), and with a day’s notice they can personalise the chocolate creations with a message or name. John Grantham, the restaurant’s master chocolatier, will be also be creating what sixtyone describes as a unique and delicious kinder Bueno easter egg-inspired dessert. 61 upper Berkeley street. info: 020 7958 3222, www.sixtyonerestaurant.co.uk 16 art

JoshuA ReynoLDs is often regarded as an establishment artist. The english painter, collector and writer, who was the first president of the Royal Academy, is credited with transforming early Georgian portraiture by greatly enlarging its range, but his unquenchable thirst for innovation in both method and materials is sometimes overlooked. Joshua Reynolds: Experiments in Paint, which has just opened at the Wallace Collection, is set to debunk traditional perceptions of Reynolds, revealing an experimental, influential artist. “It’s looking at the way he was working as a painter and the materials he was using, but also Modern eyes observing Reynolds’s exploring his way of working with sitters to portraits of Georgian society tend develop imagery that suited their position,” says to miss what an experimental and Alexandra Gent, paintings conservator for the Reynolds Research Project and co-curator of innovative artist he was. A new the exhibition. exhibition at the Wallace Collection The show, which runs until June 7, reveals is intended to set the record discoveries made during a four-year research straight, as Lorna Davies reports project involving the 12 Reynolds paintings in the Wallace Collection. The exhibition, which is supported by the Paul Mellon Centre for studies

New perspective on Joshua Reynolds

ABOVE: JOSHUA REYNOLDS, MRS MARY ROBINSON, 1783-4, © THE WALLACE COLLECTION, PHOTO: THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON

LEFT: JOSHUA REYNOLDS, SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS, C. 1747-49, © NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, LONDON 18 art

in British Art, The european Fine Art Fair paintings,” says Gent. “The portrait of Miss Jane (TeFAF), the hertford house Trust, various Bowles appears to have a varnish layer on it that private donors, the national Gallery and the is made from wax, and we think that this is yale Center for British Art in new haven, original and really interesting to see Reynolds use Connecticut, spans most of Reynolds’s career as a varnish layer.” “It’s been a real privilege to and includes portraits, “fancy” pictures and The works are hanging in the West Room work on these paintings, history painting. of the Wallace Collection, together with one of the rare sights to be found at the Gainsborough’s depiction of Mrs Robinson. The they’re a really wonderful show is a portrait of Mrs Mary Robinson 17-year-old Prince of Wales, later George IV, group of paintings by (1783-4), alongside a sketch of the portrait became infatuated with Mrs Robinson in 1779 on which is usually housed in the Paul Mellon seeing her as Perdita in The Winter’s Tale at the Reynolds.” Centre. “showing the two side by side, we can Drury Lane Theatre. “Perdita”, as she was Alexandra Gent see the way he was using more than one thereafter nicknamed, became his first mistress. version to develop the image,” Gent explains. other celebrated works by Reynolds here An x-ray of the picture showed that he lowered include Nelly O’Brien (1762-1764), Mrs Abington Mrs Robinson’s arm so that the view of the as Miss Prue (1771) and his Self Portrait Shading sea was more prominent. “so the show the Eyes (1747-1749), as well as experimental explores the different ways he was working in studies. order to develop more imaginative “It’s been a real privilege to work on these compositions for the sitters.” paintings, they’re a really wonderful group of Reynolds (1723-1792) often painted his paintings by Reynolds,” Gent adds. subjects in poses based on the old Masters or These artworks, combined with the hidden antique sculpture. This was intended to stories behind them, archive resources and x-ray invoke classical values and to enhance the images, demonstrate the diversity of Reynolds’s dignity of his sitters. artistic production and his highly original approach Reynolds’s portraits not only depicted the to image-making, composition and narrative, colourful society in which he lived, ranging prompting us to review opinions and perceptions from the actress Mrs Abington to the of this truly experimental artist. scandalous Kitty Fisher and the “social The Wallace Collection, hertford house, climber” Mrs nesbitt, but were often the JOSHUA REYNOLDS, LADY ELIZABETH SEYMOUR- . www.wallacecollection.org product of a collaborative relationship between CONWAY, 1781, © THE WALLACE COLLECTION, artist and sitter. Reynolds explored the PHOTO: THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON possibilities of performance and role play with JOSHUA REYNOLDS, FRANCES, the sitters, while drawing on their colourful COUNTESS OF LINCOLN, 1781-2, lives to ‘personalise’ their portraiture. © THE WALLACE COLLECTION, “one of the things about Reynolds, and the PHOTO: THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON reason it was started as a research project, is that his painting technique is quite notorious amongst conservators as being tricky to deal with,” Gent reveals. “so to have a really good understanding of the way the paintings had been made and constructed and what materials had been used was really important to make informed decisions about which paintings to treat. The paintings as a group hadn’t been restored for a very long time, a few of them had had minor treatments but none of them had really been cleaned since they’d entered the Wallace Collection in the mid-19th century.” Instead of just using straightforward paints, Reynolds used to mix other things – including resin, mastic and wax – into his oil paint to JOSHUA REYNOLDS, MISS NELLY O’BRIEN, C.1762 - C.1764, © THE WALLACE COLLECTION, PHOTO: THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON alter its handling and to try to mimic the effects of the old Master paintings. “Although Reynolds is notorious for using wax, we only found wax in small amounts on 20 literature

Further adventures of

LIKE MANY ARRIVALS from overseas who’ve grown up on old British books and films, Boston-born writer Stephen Lees was surprised to find blue skies when his family arrived in London. It was the Sherlock Homes novels he read in childhood English lessons that were to blame. “I used to think, three thousand miles to the West was England and London, this huge Victorian city, fog- bound. I found that fascinating,” he says. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books not only influenced Lees’ ideas of the capital that became his home, they ultimately inspired him to write a series of tribute novels, all based in and around The Portman Estate. The author’s intersection with Holmes’ world continued when he obtained his first mortgage with Abbey National and visited its headquarters, where he learned that a clerk was employed to answer letters to the fictional detective. Lees Holmes and Watson called The Iron later moved nearby to his current home Mausoleum resulted and the titular in Seymour Place. His favourite jaunts theme continued with The Iron Vault, The around the area include walking through Iron Soul, The Iron Titan and The Iron Paddington Street Gardens and visiting Metropolis. the Wallace Collection, but he claims the Being a law man, Lees made sure he location was coincidental: “I worked out got permission to use the Holmes the dead centre of London; I’m not a big characters before publication. In fact, fan of the countryside!” each of his books had to be scrutinised Trained as a barrister, Lees now by the Conan Doyle estate. Though he works as a legal advisor, with aims “to be novel in the full sense of the Local author Stephen Lees construction among his specialisms. This word” he strove for authenticity in sphere of interest drove him to write non- recreating Holmes’ world, wanting his moved to Seymour Place fiction book Visions of Architecture. The books to seem as if they “were found in because it’s the “dead centre anniversary of the Titanic tragedy, some trunk”. He wrote in of London,” but his Sherlock however, got him thinking along fictional Victorian/Edwardian language, “For Holmes tribute novels make lines: what if the sinking had not been an instance,” he explains, “in the originals, Marylebone an even more accident? A detective mystery starring Holmes says Moriarty ‘wants to avenge appropriate home for him, as Debbie Ward discovers 22 literature

ONE OF STEPHEN LEES’ DRAWINGS OF THE CUMBERLAND HOTEL

himself upon my person’ … I’ve used Watson to Pittsburgh – the one-time seat that.” He’s even included an archaic use of of captains of industry. the umlaut. The books contain footnotes He is not keen on the “flights of fancy” to explain historical points. taken by the Sherlock TV series starring The series sells best among US Benedict Cumberbatch or the 2009 Jude Anglophiles and Lees has retained some Law film. He does admit a few character literary links to the country with, for tweaks, though: “I do give Watson a bit instance, a visit by Holmes more power; he’s not quite the lapdog… and and I do bring out the misogynistic side of Holmes in relation to Mrs Hudson.” But, he adds, “fans of Holmes should like my books” and he says correspondence has been largely positive. Of course the smog that fascinated the schoolboy Lees also remains: “There was one real fog that kicked off in November and didn’t disperse until January,” he marvels. “Fog hides… it conceals. In one book I get Watson to cross the in smog and he nearly gets knocked down.” Local pubs that get name- checked in the novels include the Barley Mow in Dorset Street and the Royal Exchange in Sale Place. An original dimension of Lees’ novels is the inclusion of architectural drawings, for which he has something of a passion. “My father was a civil engineer, so from a fairly early age I was exposed to what they called blueprints,’ he explains. Fifty of Lees’ original architectural drawings were exhibited in various venues including Marble Arch Tower a few years ago, before being auctioned off in . His novels also contain architectural descriptions and plot points – for instance 25 literature

“I want my Sherlock Holmes novels to seem as if they were found in some trunk”

has led him to visit some other unusual and inspiring spaces throughout the UK, though a few, such as secret government installations, have to remain untold. “I’m not a history buff or anything like that but the history of buildings fascinates me. I’m giving them life, as it were,” he says. “My books are novels, of course, but within the a protuberance novels are facts.” he noticed in a building on Harley Besides the Holmes series, Lees has Street led him to create a fictional false written two books about music halls ceiling, while an iron vault in a tunnel at which explore the culture clash between Park Crescent became a gentlemen’s American vaudeville and British music club. The underground postal railway hall as two performers from the States that once ran near try their luck on the London stage. His features, there’s a description of most recent novels, The Premiere and Seymour Buildings in Seymour Place The Finale, concern an imagined and, in the wider area, an appearance argument between Gustav Mahler and from Marylebone Burial Ground. Oscar Wilde: “They discuss the collapse Holmes’ address of 221b Baker of art as they move towards the Street did not exist in the real world in cataclysm of the First World War,” Lees Conan Doyle’s time but, says Lees, the explains. building he would have had in mind Having completed a staggering 10 would be on The Portman Estate: books in just three years, as well as “According to the author, he [Holmes] keeping up a day job, Lees would have resided on the north-west understandably thinks he’s earned a rest. corner of Baker St and Dorset above He’d like to rewrite and expand on his what is now the NatWest bank. This fact architecture book and will be lecturing is described in the The Adventure of the this summer at the Prince’s Foundation, Empty House when a marksman enters Prince Charles’ architecture and built Camden House via Broadstone Place in environment charity. After that, he’s says order to shoot into Holmes’ apartment he’s done with writing… perhaps. opposite.” Lees enjoys studying architecture Stephen Lees’ books are available on in the Portman area and his legal work Amazon 26 gifts

With all the exclusive and unusual ideas on offer from local businesses, there’s no excuse for unimaginative presents this Mother’s Day. And some treats might benefit the giver too… SPRING is just around the corner, show your love with this cheerful, chic daffodil clutch. £185, WILBUR & GUSSIE, 20 NEW QUEBEC STREET. INFO: 020 3696 4920, WWW.WILBURANDGUSSIE.COM Mum’s the word

MUM will be bowled over by the delicate beauty of this penshell dragonfly box from interior design queen Eliská Sapera. £480, ELISKÁ, 16A NEW QUEBEC STREET. INFO: 020 7723 5521, WWW.ELISKADESIGN.COM

INSTEAD of just buying perfume for your mum, why not buy her an introduction to perfume-making at Homemade London? She’ll have the chance to learn about what goes into making a perfume and create her own bespoke scent to take away in this intimate two-and-a half-hour workshop. Drinks, nibbles and all materials included. March 24 and April 21, 6.30pm-9pm, and WHY NOT treat mother to a delicious April 26, 2pm-4.30pm. Champagne afternoon tea? Enjoy a £65 PER PERSON OR £55 IF YOU BOOK MORE THAN choice of brew, from English breakfast to ONE PERSON. HOMEMADE LONDON, 21 SEYMOUR PLACE. INFO: 020 8616 0771, Egyptian mint, with an irresistible classic WWW.HOMEMADELONDON.COM British finger sandwich selection, freshly baked scones and tempting pastries, CREATED by perfumer ELEGANT and individual, a complemented with a chilled glass of Emmanuel Philip, this beautifully gift of these earrings and Champagne. Served 2pm-5pm every day. packaged Fornasetti Profumi necklace will ensure you’re £30 FOR TWO, THISTLE MARBLE ARCH, room spray evokes high the number one child. BRYANSTON STREET. INFO: 0207 5142613, summer with notes of mandarin, EARRINGS £120, WWW.THISTLE.COM pine and labdanum. PENDANT £199, KOHATU AND PETROS, £85 (100ML), CIRE TRUDON 58 CHILTERN STREET. BOUTIQUE, 36 CHILTERN STREET. INFO: 020 7486 7737, INFO: 020 7486 7590, WWW.KOHATUANDPETROS.COM WWW.CIRETRUDON.COM

30 business

Is the gym the new boardroom? Home House PRIVATE MEMBERS’ club Home House boasts a the day. The property sector come in around 7am, basement gym complete with separate studio and and private equity and hedge funders tend to come boxing area. Personal training (which is available to in at 7.30am. non-House members too) is provided by Jon “It is definitely an informal networking and Goodair, who has put England rugby players and information-gathering opportunity. People come in Olympic runners through their paces. and they get a better perspective on the whole Jon has been at Home House since the very marketplace and what deals are being done. The beginning, back in 1999. “Twenty years ago a lot of other aspect is getting contact details of useful business was done in the sauna, and now it is people in complementary industries.” definitely people within the same profession, like David cites the example of a local property firm property and the law, chatting in the gym instead,” he does business with. “Whenever they want to he says. He believes the reason you’ll find a lot of make contact with me, the partner somehow senior executives talking about work here, is manages to appear in the gym that morning. It is an because the environment is much more relaxed opportunity to have an informal conversation, than in the office. before things are put into a formal context. The best Another bonus of training at a private members’ form of communication is face-to-face, which is not club is that “lots of clients don’t have 9am-5pm something that always happens in a busy office. jobs, so they might come at 6.30am or nine in the You often get much more information by having evening depending on what their schedule is that conversations in person.” week.” Which means if you do come to network David also points out that the club “has an and work out, you’ll find a more private atmosphere eclectic approach to membership; unlike some of than in a commercial gym. our competitors we don’t exclude people who are The club’s finance director David Kerr, who dressed in a suit and tie.” works out at the gym, tells a similar story. “You see 20 different sectors using the gym at different times of Info: 020 7670 2000, www.homehouse.co.uk ‡

FAR LEFT: PERSONAL TRAINER JON GOODAIR LEFT: FINANCE DIRECTOR OF HOME HOUSE, DAVID KERR

A regular workout session can offer business people great opportunities for informal networking, local gym owners tell Cally Squires 32 business

Club Twenty Two

OWNER OF this boutique gym, Tracey people looking to do a deal or make Burnette, says the personal training-only rule introductions when they are trying to fit in a for members keeps it “more exclusive and workout.” keeps numbers down”. As the gym is small, it 2nd Floor, Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, Pilates off the Square bans mobile phones. “Most of our clients are 22 Portman Square high profile or senior business people, and we Info: 020 7935 3099, THIS STUDIO, owned by Sian Williams and actually don’t want them to be interrupted by www.clubtwentytwo.info Dominique Jansen, not only teaches group classes but specialises in private tuition. Experienced instructors customise sessions to the Fitness First client’s body, which can mean working with a combination of reformer, matt or tower pulley unit, Baker Street to name but a few of the gadgets in the studio’s basement. “There is a huge social aspect to the 55 BAKER STREET is one of gym chain Fitness studio,” she says. “Customers tend to get to First’s flagship clubs, featuring unusual classes know one another and then we see people who such as ballet and street dancing as well as a get on well booking sessions at similar times - pool and a sauna. On the subject of networking and then going out for coffee afterwards.” Besides while exercising, staff say “we believe it happens friendship, they form professional links too. “For here” and cite lunchtime classes as the time to be example we’ve had lawyers gain referrals through seen on the gym floor. word of mouth,” Dominque says. “Our clients 55 Baker Street encompass a whole variety of professions that link Info: 0844 571 2803, www.fitnessfirst.co.uk to each other. We’ve even had an excellent piano teacher who has ended up giving lessons to other clients’ children.” PILATES OFF 4 Mandeville Place THE SQUARE Info: 020 7935 8505, CO-OWNER www.pilatesoffthesquare.co.uk DOMINQUE JANSEN

The SB Collective

ON A Wednesday morning at 8am, you’ll find supermodels, ballet dancers, actresses, pop stars (and the odd journalist), crawling along the floor of a studio in Fitness First at 55 Baker Street. They’re part of the SBC, an exclusive fitness phenomenon led by trainer Russell Bateman. “The first rule of SBC is never talk about SBC,” Russell tells me after class. Sorry Russell. After the crawling, it’s burpees, upside down mountain climbers, running, holding hands and squatting, and no time for rest. The £40 class is designed to throw you as far out of your comfort zone as possible, which it certainly does. Networking definitely takes place, partnerships forged and deals being struck in the changing rooms. 55 Baker Street. www.thesbcollective.com

36 easter eggs

Quirky and arty

A gift of convincing-looking speckled bird’s eggs from Rococo Chocolates on Moxon Street makes a quirky alternative for Easter. The praline quail eggs and salted caramel ganache seagull eggs are encased in hard sugar shells and come nestled in hay in transparent cubes (£4.95) or in larger “crates” (£7.50). Real hens’ eggshells filled with praline cost £25 for six. The shop also has some elegant eggs hand-painted with leaping hare and Japanese bird designs (£25 and £32.50 respectively), and children will love the Luxury novelties musical chocolate bunnies (£12.95 each) playing drums, saxophone, accordion and banjo. There’s a flying theme to the Maison du Chocolat www.rococochocolates.com range at this Easter. The Aviator (£35) is an egg sporting a pair of goggles and white chocolate scarf. A tall chocolate duckling featuring the same accessories costs £35, or £105 complete with a set of edible vintage luggage. Stylish Pierre Marcolini chocolate Russian dolls retail from £13.90 to £45. Chocolate-lovers will enjoy Selfridges’ newly opened improved Confectionery Hall including a Chocolate Library with more than 400 new bars. www.selfridges.com

Wake up and smell the chocolate

Easter treats come in ever more enticing shapes this season. Debbie Ward investigates the options, from realistic-looking seagull eggs to a duckling dressed as a pioneer aviator

Delightful deliveries

James Bernard Floristry at 9 New Quebec Street will deliver Ethical egg locally bought chocolate eggs Old favourites Regal choice for you this Easter, with or Organic milk chocolate eggs from without flowers. Yellow is the Toto’s Newsagent at 28 Fairtrade favourite Green & Blacks Leonidas is a purveyor of most popular colour for spring Seymour Place is stocking a are available at Little Waitrose chocolate to the Belgian royal floral arrangements and the range of favourites from Portman Square for £6 each. The family. From mid-March its outlet at likes of daffodils, narcissus, Cadbury’s. They range from a store also has some cute own- 21 Baker Street will be stocking a hyacinths, crocuses and tulips Crème Egg for under £1 to brand chocolate “Woodland range of quality eggs plus small can be included. Regular around £5 for a boxed egg. Friends” for kids young and old in chocolate ducks and rabbits. The boxes of chocolates and wine Lindt’s gold foil wrapped the form of Spike the Hedgehog brand uses fresh natural ingredients can be sent with bouquets bunnies are also available in and Hop the Frog. Both cost £6 including Italian almonds and year-round. various sizes and usually prove and have puzzles on their packs. Valencia oranges. www.james-bernard.co.uk particularly popular. www.waitrose.com www.leonidas.com 38 literature walk

18 Dorset Sq ᔡ CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ᔡ 221B Baker St DODIE SMITH’S 101 DALMATIANS DORSET DIARY OF NOBODY AUTHOR AND ACTOR GEORGE SQUARE GROSSMAN IN THE MIKADO MELCOMBE ST 28 Dorset Sq ᔡ ANTHONY TROLLOPE ᔡ 65 Gloucester Pl

MARYLEBONE ROAD GLOUCETSER PLACE

MONTAGU PL

39 Montagu Sq ᔡ MONTAGU STREET BAKER STREET

ᔡ 85 George St ᔡ The Wallace Collection

ᔡ Hinde House

PORTMAN SQUARE MANCHESTER 30 Seymour St ᔡ PARK STREET SQUARE NEW QUEBEC ST ORCHARD ST A literary walking tour MARBLE ARCH OXFORD STREET

NORTH ROW

ᔡ 17 Dunraven St

Victorian novelists and nonsense verse rub shoulders with the world’s most famous detective on Kate McAuley’s walking tour of THE PORTMAN ESTATE and its surrounds Take a right around this private garden The Portman Estate have a strong literary tradition, both fictional (which is where the original Lord’s cricket and real. Let’s take a walk to get to know it ground was located) until you get to better, starting at Baker Street with, yes, you number 18. It was here that the novelist guessed it, Sherlock Holmes. and playwright Dodie Smith (1896 - 1990) Although the exact location of 221b once lived. You may know her as the author Baker Street, the home of Sir Arthur Conan of 101 Dalmatians (1956), but her other Doyle’s most famous character, is a hotly notable works include I Capture The Castle debated subject, (1949), The Midnight Kittens (1978) and The Museum now claims the address, just Starlight Barking (1978). “How I wish I’d around the corner from the Tube station. In lived in a Jane Austen novel,” is the famous the books, Holmes lived and worked here quote from I Capture The Castle. You might between 1881 and 1904. If you have time, feel the same way about this beautiful you can visit the first floor study, which terraced home. overlooks Baker Street and is faithfully On the other side of Dorset Square, at preserved in the Victorian fashion described number 28, lived the actor and author by Conan Doyle. George Grossmith (1847-1912), who was When you’re ready to leave the tourists best known for his portrayals of a number of behind, turn right as you leave the Museum Gilbert & Sullivan characters and the comic and right again onto Melcombe Street. Walk novel The Diary of a Nobody (1892), which straight until you come to Dorset Square. he penned with his brother, Weedon. 40 literature walk

memorable quotes such as “A woman’s genius of his valet Jeeves to untangle. weapon is her tongue,” and “Throughout As we near the end of our tour, take the world, the more wrong a man does, the Orchard Street, turn right at Fitzhardinge more indignant is he at wrong done to him”. Street and at Manchester Square you’ll find A quick check in with Tom-More (1779- the Wallace Collection, which has a 1852), the Irish poet and songwriter famous beautiful bookshop that stocks a well- for The Minstrel Boy and The Epicurean curated selection of art, biography and (1827), is next on our tour. You’ll find his other related books. Continue across the at 85 George Street – look up square onto Hinde Street until you find or you’ll miss it. A short walk away at 30 Hinde House on the corner of Thayer Seymour Street you’ll find Edward Lear, an Street. This art deco building was once artist, illustrator, author and poet who home to Rose Macaulay (1881 - 1958), a remains best known for his limericks and novelist who also wrote biographies and nonsense verse such as The Owl and the travel. She is noted for satirising religion in Pussycat. The site is currently being novels such as Going Abroad (1934) and redeveloped. The World My Wilderness (1950). Sticking with the funny and satirical, we Now that you’ve met a few of London’s next visit P G Wodehouse (1881 - 1975) at literary greats, perhaps you’d like to read 17 Dunraven Street. Another prolific writer, them. Head down Thayer Road until you Wodehouse was incredibly popular get to Daunt Books at 83 Marylebone throughout his long life, and his Jeeves and High Street. Happy reading. Wooster stories remain his most adored. Narrated by the rich, absentminded Bertie Wooster, the stories are full of awkward and Considered to be “the funniest book in the improbable social situations that require the world” by the writer and journalist Evelyn Waugh, it tells the story of a typical suburban life of the time. As the protagonist Charles Pooter puts it, “Why should I not publish my diary? I have often seen reminiscences of people I have never even heard of, and I fail to see - because I do not happen to be a ‘Somebody’ - why my diary should not be interesting.” Now it’s time to venture from the comedic to the gothic with William “Wilkie” Collins (1824-1889). Collins lived at 65 Gloucester Place. Further down the road at 137-143 is The Allsop Arms, where you can take a load off and consider The Woman in White (1859). “My hour for tea is half-past five, and my buttered toast waits for nobody,” Collins wrote in his best-known work, but what’s your fancy? From here, cross over Marylebone Road and turn right down Crawford Street. Just along from the gorgeous interiors shops, including Another Country and Glamant Home, you can stop and smell the roses at the night…” Titania’s Garden – a florist that bursts out And now it’s onto , onto the street in a dazzle of colour and which you’ll find not long after you turn left scents, like a scene from A Midsummer onto Upper Montagu Street. Among the ‡ Night’s Dream. As Oberon says in the play, mishmash of architectural styles on the “I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, square, search out number 39 for the one- Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, time residence of Victorian novelist Anthony CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: EDWARD LEAR’S THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT Quite over-canopied with luscious Trollope (1815-1852). Trollope was a prolific P G WODEHOUSE’S JEEVES STORIES woodbine, With sweet musk-roses and with writer, publishing 47 novels, but his 1875 THE WALLACE COLLECTION eglantine, There sleeps Titania sometime of satire The Way We Live Now gave us many TITANIA’S GARDEN 43 baker street

Smarter giving

HELPING CHILDREN IS A Member businesses of BIG FOCUS FOR THE the Baker Street SMARTER GIVING TEAM Quarter Partnership are giving back to their communities, as Kate McAuley reports.

“We work with our members

MARCH 2015 to redirect their corporate “THE CHURCH STREET WARD is the fifth

LIFTING THE LID

ON PADDINGTON 4 1 0 2 R E T N I W Explore the area most deprived ward in the country,” says social responsibility by walking the Reach even more new Bear Trail Kate Heslegrave, project manager at the efforts locally.” Baker Street Quarter Partnership’s Smarter of London’s most Giving initiative, located just north of ROYAL ACADEMY CHIEF EXECUTIVE Charles Saumarez Smith on Paddington’s pearls . “People see the educate them and inform them of what’s on

Alice Temperley and the Best of British PLUS: our 30th anniversary issue looks A BUYER’S MEWS The pretty way to buildings and the shops around Baker their doorstep,” she explains. “We work with back at Mayfair through the decades invest in property affluent readers Street and they assume it’s an incredibly and identify a lot of the charities and

A newspaper for the residents and THEATRE business occupiers of Belgravia COFFEE FITNESS The perennial Grab a caffeine How to get in

February 2014 Issue 129 2015 SPRING Belgravia Billy Elliot fix in SW1 shape for summer

itia Vict rich area. But two or three streets away is communities groups within the area and

This year’s Belgravia Awards event was a fabulous

evening, with about 300 residents and workers attending a LONDONL ONDON STARTS HERE literally one of the most deprived areas in identify where there is an opportunity for our champagne and canapé reception at The Berkeley hotel. Victoria In addition to , Publishing The Portman Three awards were presented to inspiring members of the Belgravia community who were voted for by our readers

and chosen by a panel of judges. Turn to page 8 for photos from the night and interviews with the winners. the country.” business members to get involved – and Longer, warmer days Forum website gives Business also produces are just around the Mayfair Times, ocals the lowdown l corner and there’s The Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum has launched a plenty happening in website where everyone who lives and works in the area can keep up-to-date with local issues ranging from Belgravia to put a Crossrail to crime. The Baker Street Quarter Partnership, a cultivate these relationships. So it could be Forum chairman Mary Regnier-Leigh said the spring in your step. interactive site (www.belgraviaforum.org), which is set to be expanded in the coming months, will offer a “font of On page 14, you’ll find knowledge” about Belgravia and the immediate vicinity. It will also hold consultations on various issues and is Belgravia, The Northbank, details of the latest currently inviting people to give their thoughts on rough sleepers and beggars, who have been congregating in the local events, including the return of Eaton Square underpass next to The Lanesborough hotel. Regnier-Leigh said: “After speaking to different people, Business Improvement District (BID), is volunteering or mentoring or something Concerts to St Peter’s Church. it became clear that lots of us are having trouble with rough sleepers, beggars and drug addicts, both on the Also inside, we speak to interior designer streets and in our gardens. “While it is a problem for many people, nobody was and socialite Nicky Haslam (page 20); telling anybody else. Now we’re asking people to let us know how they’ve been affected and the frequency of the and catch up with local resident and author problem, and we’re looking for solutions.” , PaddingtonNow, Crossrail 2 and will also be Hugh Canham (page 26). monitored. “Crossrail have changed the boundaries to looking to help the people in these areas else. We have a wide range opportunities increase the safeguarding area, which means that more Motcombs restaurant owner Philip people may be affected by what’s going on underground. We’re going to be watching that,” she said. Lawless gives us the inside story on how “One benefit of Crossrail 2 for local people is the likelihood that the coach station will need to be relocated the Motcomb Street summer party has somewhere else temporarily. We want to make sure that it doesn’t come back.” raised almost £1 million for charity since it began Joining the forum is free, and Regnier-Leigh is and , encouraging as many people as possible to fill in the through its Smarter Giving initiative. available. We all recognise we can make a Victoria – London starts here (page 22); and we look at how Belgravia has membership form on the website. “We want people to know that we’re here, so they know where to come for become a destination for sushi information and with questions. Joshua Reynolds “We’re also anxious to hear from any local SPRING STYLE restaurants (page 24). groups and organisations, whether it’s a portraits as you’ve Neighbourhood Watch scheme or just a few Find out what brought rock legend people in a street who get together from time to Fabulous never seen them before time,” she said. Mick Jagger to Belgravia last The forum is set to hold a meeting in the spring, fashion finds Although fairly new, it is already making a huge difference.” where members will elect a permanent steering – high-quality local magazines for some of month (page 3); discover the striking committee. It will then start work on the neighbourhood plan, which will give it a statutory voice on issues such in Victoria ski posters by Pullman Editions as planning and land use.

(page 6); and read about Ebury From top left, clockwise: Local Hero winner PC Johnny O’Donovan with Julian Fellowes; Street’s pop-up jewellery shop Victoria Coach Station; Gråsilver jewellery; Spring Living on and around Nicky Haslam’s new book; Stile Antico, who THE PORTMAN Gråsilver (also page 6). will sing at St Peter’s Church big difference. “Basically we work with our A great example is the refurbishment of London’s wealthiest areas 2015 The Portman Estate

Art • Culture • Fashion • Food members to redirect their corporate social the Portman Early Childhood Centre roof F ebruary 2015

QUARE

responsibility (CSR) efforts locally,” gardens on Salisbury Street. The centre, ’s S

Emilia Wickstead takes on LFW Heslegrave says. “Over the last 12 months which is free, takes children aged between

For details of The Portman or any of our other LOANE

S we’ve seen an increasing level of interest two and five and provides parenting magazines please call from our member businesses, which is support. “At the moment the roof gardens Caroline Warrick 020 7259 1051 obviously a very exciting thing.” are a little bit run down,” Heslegrave says. Bridget Rodricks 020 7259 1059 Spring 2015 Wow factors for wedding days Once businesses have shown an “The Double Tree by Hilton Marble Arch has Katie Thomas 020 7259 1053 Active gear for The ultimate gift urban adventurers guide for Valentine’s interest, Smarter Giving helps build joined forces on the project with the London How the green agenda and Mother’s Day is blooming Inside the weird and wonderful Chelsea collaborations. “We work with them, try and & Regional Team at 55 Baker Street and home of Dante Gabriel Rossetti 44 baker street

JCA who is another company at that location. From the businesses, we have expert contractors who have come onsite to donate their time and we have volunteers to totally regenerate these gardens. “We’re expecting the work to take place towards the end of March, so hopefully by the end of May it’ll all be completed, just in time for the summer. It’s amazing.” Helping children in need seems to be a big focus for Heslegrave and her team. “Over Christmas we held a series of toy drives, where we identified five local nurseries and family centres, largely based around the Church Street area, where many of the families may not have been able to afford to buy Christmas presents at all,” she says. “Each was adopted by one or two of our businesses who then went to their employees and raised funds and asked for donations of brand-new toys that were

“We identify where there is an opportunity for our business members to get involved – and cultivate these relationships.”

given to the children at a Christmas party in place where each month their staff are by Santa.” interacting with a different community group The organisations involved included the or charity, whether that’s fundraising, University of Westminster, Double Tree by volunteering or mentoring,” Heslegrave Hilton Mable Arch, Quintan, The Premier says. “And the new Little Waitrose Store on League and businesses in the large multi- Baker Street is donating money every tenanted buildings of 35 Portman Square, month to local causes through their green 95 and 55 Baker Street. token Community Matters programme.” Other companies are involved in similar Supporting local children’s charities and pursuits. “JCA have an annual programme community groups is just one part of The Baker Street Quarter Partnership’s work within the area. Smarter Giving reaches out to the complete spectrum of local charities, including those working with the homeless, aged and sick. The West London Day Centre (WLDC) has benefitted from household items for those who have been rehomed. Luxury skincare brand Elemis donates towels for the centre’s shower facilities. In December, the team hosted a food bank at 55 Baker Street, with donations shared between the Marylebone Project, Portman Early Childhood Centre, St John’s Hospice and WLDC. “In the course of the last 12 months in particular there’s been such exciting VOLUNTEERS FROM DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON MARBLE progress and so many businesses are ARCH AT THE PORTMAN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRE getting involved,” Heslegrave says. Info: www.bakerstreetq.co.uk