A particular takeproperty on A particular A particular take on property AUTUMN 2013 TALL STORIES: LONdON’S SKyLiNE IN THE SPOTLIGHT CAFE SOCIETY: ARTISAN COFFEE HEADS WEST UNIQUE VIEWS OF CITY LIFE URBAN VILLAGES: THE CHARMS OF LOCAL LIVING IN THE CAPITAL Chelsea & South Kensington 020 7225 3866 (Sales) 020 7589 9966 (Lettings) Chelsea SW10, South Kensington & Earls Court 020 7373 1010 (Sales & Lettings) Fulham & Parsons Green 020 7731 7100 (Sales & Lettings) Kensington & Holland Park 020 7938 3666 (Sales) 020 7938 3866 (Lettings) Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Mayfair 020 7235 9959 (Sales & Lettings) Notting Hill & Bayswater 020 7221 1111 (Sales & Lettings) AUTUMN 2013 Head Office, London 020 7629 7282 London City Office 020 7600 3456 struttandparker.com/andlondon GE01 pp01-60_&London_Covers_desWRAP2.indd 7 18/09/2013 15:27 CONTENTS Welcome to the autumn issue of &London. Following a glorious summer of sunshine and sporting triumphs, the feelgood factor is riding high. Steady signs of economic recovery have added to the positive mood – our bars, restaurants and shops are full as locals and visitors enjoy the city’s endless delights. The property market is equally vibrant and the usual burst of autumn activity seems particularly fast-paced this year, succeeding one of our busiest summers on record. A particular take on property AUTUMN 2013 Regulars 04. First & foremost / The latest area news and property highlights. 16. Trends & analysis / Strutt & Parker experts take stock of the market. 20. The S&P map / The city is alive with the sound of music. 50. Development update / Victoria’s time to shine. IN THIS ISSUE... 57. Strutt & Parker’s London We’ve been roving around the capital meeting some of the wonderful / An at-a-glance guide to our London offices. residents who make London such a special place. In Chelsea Physic Garden, 58. When one tires of London… we got up close and personal with the beekeeper and 60,000 bees, while in / Escape the city to an Oxfordshire haven. Knightsbridge, we tried to keep up with a young French racing driver who has recently made the city his second home. Other stars include the artistic director of The Finsborough Theatre, a property developer on a historic Features mission and many local residents who make west London such an exciting 10. Modern history place to live. We hope you enjoy their stories. / Modernity meets the past at Palace Gate. 24. Local hero / Everyone’s favourite fringe, the Finsborough Theatre. 28. King of the hill / Miles Meacock shares his Notting Hill highlights. 32. A skyline that never sleeps / We take a bird’s-eye view of the ever-changing cityscape. Published on behalf of 38. The perfect swarm Strutt & Parker by Sunday / Meet the beekeeper at Chelsea Physic Garden. Editor Lucy Ryan 42. Life in the fast lane Art Director Adrian Morris Deputy Editor Marc Grainger / A personal account of the capital’s irresistible call. Creative Director Matt Beaven Account Director Steph Hill 44. A taste of the country in South Kensington Senior Account Manager Bryony Bromfield / Fresh is best at the local farmers’ market. Managing Director Toby Smeeton 52. Coffee capital sundaypublishing.com / The new breed of cafés for connoisseurs. Repro F1 Colour Print The Colourhouse The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Strutt & Parker or the publishers. All information and pricing correct at time of going to press. Cover photography Alun Callender & Anna Pumer pp02-3_&London4_Contents_des1.indd 2 06/09/2013 13:55 pp02-3_&London4_Contents_des1ADJ.indd 3 19/09/2013 10:33 First & foremost CLASSIC BEAUTY Ovington Square SW3 ‘This superb family house has been newly refurbished to the highest specification by Rigby & Rigby, with special attention paid to space, storage and light while A VIEW TO THRILL incorporating exciting and innovative architectural design ideas,’ says Jonathan Inglis, Head of Chelsea Sales. Pont Street SW1 ‘The result successfully marries period features with ‘This recently refurbished three-bedroom penthouse with lift contemporary style, to create easy and flexible living has a true wow factor,’ says Bertie Hare of Knightsbridge Sales. for modern family needs. The reception space is ‘The south-facing decked roof terrace is dramatic, offering exceptionally well planned with an elegant first-floor fabulous views over London. Internally, the space has been drawing room. There’s a wonderful surprise at the top modernised throughout and offers double-height volume with of the house, too: a double-height studio room with a pitched ceiling in the reception room.’ French doors opening out onto a lovely terrace.’ £3,950,000. Leasehold. Contact 020 7235 9959 £10,250,000. Freehold. Contact 020 7225 3866 ROYAL STYLE To celebrate its 30th birthday, Ralph Lauren Home offers two new collections: Hacienda (inspired by the American ranch style) and Apartment No. One, (named after the Kensington Palace residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). Both can be found at the Fulham Road store. ralphlauren.co.uk LOVE IS IN THE AIR ORE INSPIRING It’s been seven years since scent specialist Jo Malone The Italian city of Spoleto is the focus of a new exhibition at sold her eponymous superbrand to Estée Lauder. Mayfair art gallery Ronchini this autumn. The exhibition features A testament to the strength of the business, her scented the work of American artist and sculptor Alexander Calder candles, fragrances and more – all beautifully packaged (1898-1976) and his Italian contemporary Fausto Melotti in luxurious cream bags complete with black ribbon – are (1901-1986). Both shared many technical and aesthetic qualities still a coveted lifestyle choice. Now, embarking on a fresh working in the medium of metal sculpture. The exhibition tells venture, the perfumer is back with a shiny new boutique the stories of the two artists, the city and post-war Italian cultural opening this October on Elizabeth Street in Belgravia. life, and features archive photography as well as drawings and Jo Loves will house the 10-strong line of fragrances and sculpture. The show, Calder & Melotti: Children of the Sky, candles, plus a new collection of perfumes, shower gels, runs from 11 October to 30 November. ronchinigallery.com body lotions and bath colognes. jomalone.co.uk 04 A particular take on property struttandparker.com/london 05 pp04-09_&London_F&F_des5.indd 4 06/09/2013 10:30 pp04-09_&London_F&F_des5.indd 5 06/09/2013 10:30 First & foremost MEWS LIFE Pont Street Mews SW1 ‘Rebuilt behind the period facade and located in the finest mews address in Knightsbridge, Bridge House is an exclusive property with amazing city views,’ says Charlie Willis, Head of Knightsbridge Sales. ‘The reconfigured and interior-designed three-bedroom house boasts NOTE PERFECT Bluetooth-fed sound systems, TV and cable, air conditioning in the The Royal Albert Hall is the setting for two master suite and comfort cooling to spellbinding musical events in November. On the bedrooms, as well as an audio- Remembrance Sunday, the BBC Symphony visual media room. The barrier- Orchestra will play Benjamin Britten’s powerful controlled mews, moments from War Requiem, which weaves the poems of Harrods, is both secure and hidden.’ Wilfred Owen with the words of the Requiem £5,350,000. Freehold SOLD Mass. The performance takes place on 10 Contact 020 7235 9959 November at 7pm. Then on 15 November, Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang (right) will perform Mozart piano sonatas (Nos. 4, 5, 8) and Chopin ballades (Nos. 1-4). A second date has been added on 17 November. royalalberthall.com ROOMS WITH MORE VA-VA VOOM Ensor Mews SW7 ‘Situated in a small cobbled mews between Onslow and Cranley Gardens, this stunning house has been remodelled and refurbished to a very SCENTS AND high standard to create a highly desirable four- SENSIBILITY bedroom residence,’ says Simon Rose, Head of Chelsea SW10 Sales. ‘The property even comes Diptyque, the classic Paris with a private show garage.’ fragrance house known for its £5,950,000. Freehold. Contact 020 7373 1010 sumptuous scented candles, is launching an innovative home-scent device at its London stores in Westbourne Grove, Marylebone STREET FOOD GENIUS High Street, Brook Street and REDISCOVERED Leadenhall Market. The ceramic This November, historic Berwick Street and metal electric diffuser hosts two much-anticipated restaurant The Baroque artist Giovanni Benedetto resembles an elegant pillar candle openings. Salt Yard, known for its Castiglione (1609-64) was perhaps the and, like Diptyque’s candles, fits all Spanish- and Italian-inspired charcoal- most innovative and technically brilliant interior decoration schemes. Called grilled dishes, is opening a 90-cover Italian draughtsman of his time. He Un Air de Diptyque, it is designed to restaurant at 60-61 Berwick Street. was also a highly skilled painter, and gently perfume larger spaces, such The menu includes homemade chorizo, combined drawing and printmaking as generously proportioned living smoked oysters and Iberico pork rack to invent the technique of monotype. rooms and hallways. Priced at £240, with chestnut honey (saltyard.co.uk). Castiglione: Lost Genius runs from it is available in five scents: fig, At number 11, Polpetto is reopening 1 November to 16 March 2014 at The amber, firewood, berries and with room for 70 diners. The new-look Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. Diptyque’s signature perfume, 34. restaurant will feature an aperitivo bar. royalcollection.org.uk diptyqueparis.co.uk Contact details are to be confirmed soon. 06 A particular take on property struttandparker.com/london 07 pp04-09_&London_F&F_des5.indd 6 12/09/2013 11:49 pp04-09_&London_F&F_des5.indd 7 12/09/2013 12:07 First & foremost GARDEN GLAMOUR VICTORIAN Queensdale Place W11 ‘This is an outstanding refurbished four-bedroom FAMILY VALUES house in a popular location,’ says Miles Meacock, Brunswick Gardens W8 Head of Notting Hill Sales.