THE ST MARYLEBONE SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Spring 2015 Number 343 www.stmarylebonesociety.org Registered Charity 274082 RIGHT TURNS AND RAT RUNS? COMMUNITY UNITED IN DEMANDS FOR 2-WAY . s e v i h c r A y t i C r e t s n i m t s e W : o t o h P Baker Street in the1960s. Marylebone Road and Baker Street Junction – 2015. The North Marylebone Traffic Group traffic along Glentworth Street dropped The NMTG public meeting, held at (NMTG) was formed by a number of from further consideration. It seems TfL Francis Holland School, set out to residents organisations concerned and Westminster had separately inform residents and local businesses about how proposed road changes might concluded that, in any case, this turning about the proposals and give everyone a impact their neighbourhoods across the point was too close to the existing Baker chance to ask questions and air their Dorset Square Conservation Area. Street junction to be workable. views. This was very well attended by over 200 people; including Westminster They held a public meeting on 29th The preferred option (Option 2 in the City Council Officers, GLA Member January 2015 to debate the current plan Cabinet Report) was to create an extra Murad Qureshi, Local Councillors and to return Baker Street and Gloucester right turn onto the Marylebone Road at representatives from The Portman place to 2-way roads. Balcombe Street. Southbound traffic on Baker Street and Gloucester Place Estate, Baker Street Quarter and The plan to return Baker Street and heading to the Westway would turn right Chiltern Railways. Gloucester place to 2-way traffic was along either Melcombe Street or Dorset A significant percentage of people said announced last April by Ward Councillor Square, left along lower Balcombe that they did not believe there would be Audrey Lewis, now Lord Mayor, at the Street and then right again to head West. any advantage to having two-way traffic Marylebone Area Forum. Over the past This convoluted route would take more on Baker Street and Gloucester Place year transport consultants have been vehicles through the heart of the and should oppose it outright or in their working on re-design of road junctions Conservation Area, one of Marylebone’s words, “Kill the Dog!” and in October a Cabinet Report most intact Georgian Squares, and in recommended further study into five Many thought that there would be conflict with one of London’s busiest options for where traffic from the North pedestrian routes. It is estimated that 6 advantages South of the Marylebone might turn right onto Marylebone Road. million pedestrians a year walk between Road, especially for the Portman Estate, Glentworth Street residents were quick Marylebone Station and Baker Street but that this would be gained at the to respond and, supported by Ward Station, often forced to step off narrow expense of more traffic in the Councillors, had the option to direct pavements into the roadway. residential neighbourhoods North of Continued overleaf. turn to head West. The St Marylebone Society has been asking for the past year why this proposal cannot be designed to work but has not had any response. The NMTG see the proposed 2-way scheme as an opportunity to work together with all stakeholders, who have stated the aim of the project is to recognise that streets should help create and preserve a sense of place in our city. That their purpose is for people to walk, stroll, look, gaze, meet, play, shop and work alongside cars – but not be dominated by them. As indicated above, the NMTG believes designing a right turn from Gloucester Graham King addressing the inaugural meeting of NMTG. Place into Marylebone Road would go the Marylebone Road. This view was In addition, to ensure that the 2-way a long way towards meeting the backed up by Hugh Small, of ‘Living road changes successfully deliver community’s wishes. If this can be Streets’, who resides in W1 and who benefits for everybody, any proposal implemented, the 2-way scheme would also argued that we should be aiming for must: benefit North Marylebone as well as the less through traffic altogether and at • PREVENT new rat-runsarea south of the Marylebone Road, and much slower speeds. developing in residential streets the NMTG would support it. If the such as Ivor Place, Boston Place, above objectives cannot be met then the The public meeting endorsed the local Linhope Street, Glentworth Street community would as one voice, strongly community’s demands, which are: and Balcombe Street object. 1. ALL traffic kept on the existing • DISTRIBUTE buses and coaches Westminster City Council’s Public main, strategic roads equally on Baker Street and Consultation is expected to start in March with a Public Exhibition at a local 2. LESS through traffic permeating Gloucester Place venue, such as St Cyprian’s Church hall. west into the Dorset Square • ENHANCE the character of the No dates or new options have been Conservation Area Dorset Square Conservation Area released, so be alert for announcements 3. NO attempts to push more traffic • IMPROVE the air quality of the and if you have any ideas, concerns or through the smaller side streets such local environment comments please email the NMTG direct on: as Melcombe Street, Ivor Place, Westminster Councillors and Head of Linhope Street, Glentworth Street, Strategic Planning and Transportation, [email protected] Dorset Square, and Balcombe Street. Graham King, promised the audience The five junction options proposed to that no decisions had been taken, date can be found at the following link, 4. MORE consideration for the needs assured everyone that the consultation by scrolling down to the bottom of the of pedestrians, especially at crossings was genuine and that their views would web page: and along Melcombe Street/Dorset be taken into account when updating http://westminster.moderngov.co.uk/mgIs Square between Marylebone Station their plans and coming up with any new sueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=921&Opt=0 and Baker Street Station. options. Murad Qureshi added that he would be willing to liase with TfL on strategic matters. One option, which has glaringly not . e n been examined thus far, is the one which o b e l y logically keeps southbound traffic on r a

M the existing Strategic Road, Gloucester n i t r Place, until it meets the Marylebone A Cyclist – Marco Dall’Omo. Road, where it can take a single right Hugh Small, Gaby Higgs, Cynthia Poole and Tom Price.

If you have any comments, ideas or concerns please contact the North Marylebone Traffic Group on [email protected]

2 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2014 The 66th St Marylebone Society AGM was held on 17 November 2014 in the magnificent Empire Room in the Landmark Hotel. The meeting was chaired by Mike Wood with over 120 members attending. Officers were elected and financial matters outlined which show a healthy bank balance and an increased membership of both resident and corporate members. The Accounts were agreed and Anthony Alford was re- appointed as Hon. Auditor. Andrew Batchelor, Managing Director of The Landmark London Hotel, warmly welcomed our members and we were delighted that he enabled us to meet in such beautiful, historic surroundings. Planning Matters The Planning Committee has had a very busy year commenting on 233 planning applications. Of these 31% were agreed acceptable, 21% objected to, and 41% supported Conservation Officer’s recommendations. Paribas have kindly allowed SMS to use a meeting room for monthly planning meetings whilst the London Business School converts and restores Council House. Carolyn Keen and the MA choosing not to divide Thanks represents the SMS on the LBS Marylebone but to unite to make one Thanks to Dorian Aroyo and Douglas neighbourhood liaison group. Marylebone Neighbourhood Forum Temple for their organising of social (MNF). Marylebone has been The Moxon Street site has been sold events, to Nadine Aroyo for her website designated as a Business Area for and the SMS will continue to campaign design, which won an award from the Neighbourhood Planning purposes. This for the development to include a new London Forum and to Robert McAulay will mean two referendums, one for public square and for high quality business and one for residents, with the for his excellent editorial work on the architecture that respects the historic Council having a casting vote. Church newsletter. character of Marylebone. Street have established their own We were proud to receive a special The 2014 Planning Walk went through Neighbourhood Forum and this will lead award from Westminster City Council the Bell Street Area and highlighted the to more autonomy in planning commending the SMS as an organisation fact that shops and offices are consultation for residents in that area. disappearing in favour of housing. Pubs that really makes a difference in their The MNF has now agreed its written are also disappearing and the SMS neighbourhood. constitution and designed a website. continues to support the residents SMS members are encouraged to join Harriet Richardson of The Survey of trying to in preserve the Swan & Edgar the Marylebone Neighbourhood Forum London gave a fascinating illustrated pub in Linhope Street who have applied and an enrolment form was distributed talk on Harley Street and Medical for the pub to be listed as an Asset of to all attendees and included in the last Community Value. Marylebone. Her knowledge and newsletter mailing. professionalism conveyed her The SMS hosted a stall at the Village Remembrances enthusiasm for our historically rich Fayre, were involved with the Art in SMS attended the Remembrance Day neighbourhood. Marylebone Photo Competition and also ceremony at Marylebone Station were invited to the Frieze Art Fair. SMS The meeting closed with thanks to The remembering the railway workers who sponsored a seat in the Regent Street were killed in action. We also Landmark London Hotel for their cinema to help its restoration. remembered dedicated and active SMS superb hospitality and professional, Neighbourhood Forum members, Sam Briddes, Martin Seifert, attentive staff who ensured that the Neighbourhood Planning matters have Mike Sharman and Anthony Cleminson evening was well organised and developed over the year with the SMS who have died since the last AGM. thoroughly enjoyable. 3 L E T T H E M D R I N K W A T E R ! – R I C H A R D W A L L A C E A N D T H E F O U N TA I N S O F PA R I S the Prussians in 1870-71, Wallace had risen sharply. As a final act of given £12,000 to fund an ambulance philanthropy before leaving Paris, service and he gave £4,000 to a fund for Wallace donated money for the the victims of shelling. No doubt the construction of 50 public drinking siege and the shortages of food and fountains to provide Parisians with easy water had made a big impression on access to clean, free drinking water. Wallace. The shortage of food had been Wallace did the initial sketches for the so severe that the people of Paris, fountains, which were inspired by the although presumably not the fabulously Renaissance Fontaine des Innocents near wealthy Wallace, were reduced to eating Les Halles, and these were then worked whatever they could lay their hands on, up into a finished design by the sculptor including: rats, cats, dogs and horses – Charles-Auguste Lebourg. There were as well as a couple of elephants from the actually a number of variants, but the Paris Zoo. classic model, which has become an iconic symbol of Paris, is the one Following France’s subsequent defeat in pictured left – this example stands the Franco-Prussian War, and the next to 1 Rue de Rivoli in the 4th collapse of Napoleon III’s Second arrondissement. It has an octagonal Empire, the Paris Commune was briefly pedestal and four caryatids supporting a at war with the government in dome, surmounted by dolphins. The Versailles. During this time Wallace kept caryatids are all slightly different, his Paris collections boarded up in his depending on which leg is bent forward Rue Laffitte property. The following and how much of it is exposed by the year, in 1872, Wallace chose to decamp arrangement of the tunic. The four to London where he had Hertford House figures represent kindness, simplicity, enlarged to provide a home for his art charity and, appropriately enough, Wallace Fountain near 1 Rue de Rivoli, Paris. collection. Shelling during the Siege of sobriety. Paris and the battles of the Communards Sir Richard Wallace is best remembered After his son died in 1887, Wallace had resulted in many aqueducts being by the people of Marylebone for the moved back alone to Chateau Bagatelle splendid Wallace Collection – which was destroyed and the cost of water had in the Bois de Boulogne, where he died left to the nation by his widow in 1897. three years later. He is buried in Père What the people of Paris best remember Lachaise cemetery – between Wallace for is his parting gift to the city Beaumarchais and Victor Hugo. of 50 drinking water fountains, referred Chateau Bagatelle is in the 16th to by Parisians simply as “Wallaces”. arrondissement, which not only Wallace (1818-90) was born in London, memorialises Wallace with five Wallace the illegitimate son of the 4th Marquess fountains, but also by the eponymous of Hertford and Mrs Agnes Jackson. “Boulevard Richard Wallace”. “Wallace” was in fact his mother’s Lady Wallace, née Amélie-Julie- maiden name, which he adopted in Charlotte Castelnau, had been an adulthood. From age six Wallace was assistant in a perfumer’s shop when she raised by his grandmother in Paris. met Wallace. She had never acquired Although the 4th Marquess never much English and, after Wallace died, officially acknowledged paternity, she lived on in Hertford House as Wallace acted as secretary and advisor something of a recluse until her death in to his father. Moreover, in 1870, when 1897. She had inherited all of her the 4th Marquess died unmarried and husband’s property on his death and without legitimate issue*, Wallace she, in turn, bequeathed the collection inherited his collection, together with to the nation on her death. Rather than properties in London, Ireland and Paris. find a new building to house the It was during the period following his collection the Government acquired the father’s death that Wallace established a freehold of Hertford House. It was reputation in Paris for his philanthropy converted into a museum which opened and, as a consequence, he was even to the public in 1900. made a member of the Legion As for Wallace’s fountains, they have not d’Honneur. During the Siege of Paris by L’eau and behold - London’s very own Wallace Fountain. only proliferated in Paris, there were 4 67 at the last count, but they have also this global diaspora have been no less The St Marylebone Society spread to other parts of the country and than two installed in , where they The Society needs a bookkeeper. indeed the world. In addition to four in are known as “A Fonte Wallace” in All the Trustees and Planning , the home of their sculptor, Portuguese. Committee give their time and Lebourg, there are examples in over half But you don’t need to go to Macau to expertise for free and we always a dozen other French cities. In addition need more volunteers. see a Wallace fountain, nor even leave to these public amenities, the fountains Marylebone, because there is one Please get in touch if you can have also graced the grounds of tucked away in the NE corner of the help. celebrity owners such as Maurice front garden of the Wallace Collection [email protected] Chevalier and Brigitte Bardot. (see picture bottom left). It was cast in The spread of Wallaces to other 1904 and given to the Wallace Collection Christian Union countries has generally been via some by the London Borough of Shoreditch in Almshouses French connection and they can now be 1959. We can therefore show solidarity Crawford Place, London W1 seen in such places as Spain, Italy, with our Parisian friends by toasting the Part Time Clerk Switzerland, Northern Ireland (Wallace memory of Richard Wallace with a glass was MP for , where he owned The Clerk provides professional, well of good old Marylebone water. land), Rio de Janeiro, City, informed support for the Chairman and , New Orleans, , Mike Wood Trustees in their management of the Jordan and Haifa. The latest examples of *The title itself passed to a distant cousin. Christian Union Almshouses, attending the Almshouses weekly, creating and maintaining all records, and liaising with MODEL OF ST MARY’S CHURCH, suppliers, contractors, residents and BRYANSTON SQUARE, IN WYNDHAM PLACE professional advisors. The Charity has 12 self-contained flats which are well maintained. The successful applicant will be able to keep the Almshouses’ accounts and other records and will be able to relate to elderly residents, contractors and trustees. He/she will be expected to have, or be able to acquire, a working knowledge of the relevant housing and other legislation and regulations. The work load is approximately two days a week of which half a day a week will be spent at the Almshouses. The job would suit an experienced clerk/administrator or social housing manager. The fee is dependent upon experience. To obtain a job description please contact David Dunbar at [email protected]

The St Marylebone Society were can create spaces for people rather than Run for the trees! delighted to receive this beautiful scale cars in the city centre. Please help The Royal Parks model from the family of Antony The model displays Antony's talent for Foundation. Cleminson, who sadly died last October. modelling in card, using architectural Nick Biddle, Park Manager and a Antony was responsible, with architect line drawings to add detail and scale. good friend of the Society, is running John Prizeman, for redesigning the With GLC funding and St Marylebone in this year’s London Marathon to public square in front of St Mary's Society fundraising the project was raise money towards replanting the Church, Bryanston Square, in Wyndham implemented to celebrate Queen cherry trees along Chester Road in Place. The stone benchs were designed Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee and has left a Regent’s Park. His target is £1,000. lasting legacy for us all to enjoy. by Alan Irvine. Closing the streets to Go to vehicles and paving them in York stone The model will be preserved in the http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ has created a beautiful setting for the St Marylebone Society archive while we NickBiddle1 and give generously. church and is a great example of how we find a suitable place for it to be displayed. 5 O R K T O N E E PA I R S STATUE DEDICATED Y S R TO In July 2008 the St Marylebone Society IR IMON ILTON alerted Westminster City Council that S S M the Grade 2 Listed York stone pavement on Balcombe Street had been cut through by Thames Water whilst investigating a leak in the basement flat's vault. Conservation Officers concluded that repair would be difficult and this led to a 4 year search for a piece of matching stone. These wonderful paving slabs measure approximately 2m x 2m and therefore a replacement proved impossible to find. In 2012 it was decided that a repair would be the only option and Westminster engineers were brought in to come up with a technical solution. They designed a steel sub-structure which would support the pavement and a stone 'patch', with chamfered edges to -Excavations and vault repairs. fit into the hole. The search now turned fenced off whilst heavy earth moving equipment was moved in. Concrete was pumped in to stabilise the ground and reinforced vault walls were constructed. In 2014 three stone samples arrived and the Conservation Officer and St Marylebone Society debated the Secretary of State for Communities relative merits of each, finally choosing and Local Government, The Right a 'riven' York stone which although not Honourable Eric Pickles MP, unveiled a the exact stone as originally used, best statue of Sir Simon Milton – Leader of matched the existing weathered Westminster City Council from 2000 situation today. This was finally put in to 2008 – at Paddington Basin on place by skilled masons and at time of 11 September 2014. writing we are awaiting them to return Guests joined family and friends of to work on the projecting edges to Sir Simon to see the Bruce Denny remove any trip hazard. With time it sculpture revealed at Merchant Square, should blend in and be less noticeable. with the new Fan Bridge providing a breath-taking backdrop. And so, we celebrated a happy ending to

Debating the stone samples. the sorry tale of the Balcombe Street path, but perhaps prematurely, as we OFFICERS OF THE to finding a small piece of matching have heard that water is still leaking SOCIETY 2015 stone. The pavement was laid around into the vault. It would be interesting to 1840 and, particularly as it is the central find out the cost of this debacle and also Patron: Lord Montagu of Beaulieu slab in front of the entrance steps, has who carried the cost for this expensive, President: Colin Amery been weathered for decades such that avoidable mistake. Chair: Gaby Higgs its surface is riddled with lines and Vice-Chairman: Mike Wood variations in texture. Hon. Secretary: Andrew Cooper To add to Westminster's problems the Hon. Treasurer: Keith Evans delay in repairs had an unfortunate Council Members: consequence in that the original water Dorian Aroyo (Social Secretary) leak remained unresolved and water Cynthia Poole (Planning Committee Chairman) continued to penetrate the vault and Robert McAulay (Newsletter and Membership) saturate the ground, with the result that Douglas Temple (Events) the retaining vault wall collapsed Mike Wood (Local History) inwards. Major road works were now Ian Wylie (Planning) necessary and Balcombe Street was Repaired paving slab in Balcombe Street. 6 ST MARYLEBONE SOCIETY CHRISTMAS PARTY The St Marylebone Society Christmas party was hosted by Ian Wylie in his beautiful home overlooking Dorset Square. We were treated to his generous, warm hospitality, fine wine and delicious Thai food, cooked by Luby. As if this wasn't enough, musical entertainment by Rehana Browne complemented the occasion perfectly. Great conversation and fun was had by all and special thanks goes to Susie Fairfax whose organisational skills ensured that the whole evening was a roaring success. Many thanks to all from the St Marylebone Society members. Ian Wylie and Alan Wurtzel. Rehana Browne.

This time the host was your own Saint strictly speaking the hotel is actually in C O F F E E M O R N I N G Marylebone Society! We so enjoyed our Mayfair. Fortunately our chairwoman previous visits, thanks to the generosity of casually remarked that since we could in any A T T H E M A R R I O T T the hotel, that we decided to hold an event case see Marylebone from the hotel, all on our own account. You all turned up in would be well! As a consequence the hotel gratifyingly large numbers as well as itself then featured prominently in this P A R K L A N E H O T E L contributing, this time, to the snacks and newsletter as one of the city’s important drinks provided. historical buildings giving us a fascinating - 1 4 T H J A N U A R Y glimpse into London’s past as well as It is amusing to realise that when the hotel celebrating our delicious present. first solicited the Society to join us as a 2 0 1 5 corporate member it was pointed out that Dorian Aroyo ST MARYLEBONE SOCIETY PROGRAMME 2015 Tuesday 24 February. Marylebone Wednesday 18th March 2015. Wednesday 20th May 2015. Association Coffee Morning 10.30 am. St Marylebone Society Coffee Morning St Marylebone Society Coffee Morning 108 Marylebone Lane W1. Our first 10.30 am. Saporito Café, 14 Melcombe 10.30 am. The Quince Tree Café, Clifton coffee morning in 2015. Everyone Street, NW1 6AH, 020 7262 3377. Nurseries, 5a Clifton Villas, W9 2PH. welcome no need to book. Cost £5.00 Welcome back to one of our favorite We return at the height of the growing Tuesday 10 March 2015. Charles local venues. Pay as you go. season so that both plants and coffee can Dickens House, 48 Doughty Street, Thursday 23 April 2015. Chelsea be enjoyed. Pay as you go. London WC1N 2LX. Charles Dickens Physic Gardens, Swan Walk, London Underground – Warwick Avenue. Bus lived here during the 1840s. The large SW3. (Near Royal Hospital). This Routes – 6, 46, 187 and 414. house, recently restored, contains historic garden in the heart of Chelsea For more information and late bookings period furniture, paintings and many is full of medicinal plants and herbs and please contact: St Marylebone Society items of Dickens memorabilia. Coffee very pleasant to visit in the Spring. Events Secretary, Douglas Temple, Flat 1, and cakes available. Meet outside Refreshments are available. Meet 23 Seymour Place, London W1H 5BH – 11.00 am. £6. Swan Walk 2.0 pm. £7. 020 7723 6417.

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

Abbey National Charitable Trust Limited Dorset Square Trust Open Air Theatre (Regent’s Park) Able Homecare Fellowship of the School of Economic Opera Rara Alliance Française Science Peoples Travel Blandford Estate Residents’ Association Fitzhardinge House Tenants’ Association The Portman Estate Bryanston and Dorset Squares Safer Francis Holland School 15 Portman Square Tenants’ Association Neighbourhoods Team Goldschmidt & Howland Queen’s College CAMBARD RTM Ltd Howard de Walden Estate Regent’s University Camerons Solicitors Hyatt Regency Churchill Hotel Rossmore Court Leaseholding Ltd. Chiltern Court (Baker Street) Ivor Court Residents’ Association St Marylebone Parish Church Residents’ Limited Kubie Gold St Marylebone School The Chiltern Railway Co. Ltd. The Landmark Hotel The Seashell Restaurant Clarence Gate Gardens Residents’ London Clinic Terry Farrell & Partners Association Mac Services Clifton Nurseries Manchester Square Trust The Tyburn Angling Society The Crown Estate Marriott Park Lane Hotel University of Westminster Crown Estate Paving Commission Marylebone Cricket Club Westminster City Council CRTMCL Merlin Entertainment Wood and Vale Dorset House Tenants’ Association Octavia Housing and Care Wyndham Place Management Dorset Square Hotel Old Philologians York Estates

7 T H E L A N D M A R K L O N D O N create 300 spacious guest rooms, now some of the largest in London. The ultimate aim of the restoration was to see the hotel reinstated as the focal point of business and social life, as originally envisioned by Sir Edward Watkins almost a century before. The hotel was sold to the Four Seasons Group in 1993 and opened as The Regent London. In 1995, the hotel was acquired by The Lancaster Landmark Hotel Company Ltd and renamed The Landmark London Hotel. The guest rooms are a microcosm of the hotel as a whole and feature an eclectic mix of the best in modern and period decor, providing a counterpoint to the The Landmark London holds a Each of the public rooms had its own numerous original features which have significant place within the Marylebone decorative style though all were been painstakingly restored to their area, with its rich past and imposing uniformly comfortable and luxurious. silhouette. Rooms were filled with fruits of the former glory. The focal point of the hotel Opened as The Great Central Hotel in Empire with exotic plants, oriental is a soaring eight storey glass-roofed 1899, it was the last of the great carpets, statues, marble, furniture of atrium, providing a sense of space and Victorian railway hotels constructed cane, mahogany and leather, rich light unique among London hotels. during the golden age of steam. paintings and sumptuous fabrics. In the course of her academic research Its origins lie with the ambitions of a During the world wars, The Great into the St Marylebone Society, Gaby visionary entrepreneur, Sir Edward Central Hotel was requisitioned by the Higgs discovered that the SMS had Watkins, who dreamt of establishing a British government as a transit camp for helped to preserve The Landmark great rail network linking his own Great soldiers passing through London and London, which in the 1980s had, Central Railway to Europe via a had most of its refinements removed. unbelievably, been deemed by the Channel Tunnel terminating at After the wars, and until the 1980s, the Department of the Environment as of Marylebone Station. Unfortunately, The hotel was used as the headquarters of Great Central Railway Company ran the British Transport Commission and “No historic or architectural value”. into financial difficulties in 1895 before then the British Railways Board. work on the hotel had begun and In 1986, the building was acquired by a Sir John Blundell Maple, Chairman of Japanese singer, and renovation works the furniture company Maples, agreed commenced. The walls were knocked to purchase the site. down in every other guest room to The original architect was Robert William Edis. His work is typical of the An offer from The Landmark gothic architectural style that flourished London: at the height of British influence and power under Queen Victoria. The Easter Chocolate Masterclass hotel’s design reflected not only this but Live the chocoholic’s dream this Easter also the desire of the architect and and join us for an afternoon involving owner that it should surpass all previous cupfuls of silky molten glistening establishments in terms of opulence and chocolates. luxury. It also included a cycle track on Saturdays, 7th and 14th March 2015 at the roof so that businessmen of the day 12:30pm in the twotwentytwo restaurant could exercise to recover from high and bar. living. Price: £75 per person inclusive of a glass The hotel was designed around a vast of Champagne, a two course lunch and an central courtyard allowing horse-drawn Easter Chocolate creation to take home. carriages to deliver guests into the For more information or to book, heart of the property. please call +44 (0)20 7631 8000 or email Published by the St. Marylebone Society, February 2015. © St Marylebone Society.