Belgravia Residents' Journal December 2017 by Runwild Media Group

Resident’s Journal

Written for the residents of BELGRAVIA DECEMBER 2017 • Issue 67

Resident’s Journal DECEMBER 2017 • Issue 67

For a successful sale, look to the most successful agent. At Strutt & Parker, we have unrivalled knowledge of the finest properties in London’s most prestigious areas. We offer access to buyers from all over the world through our affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate. And we provide a quality and trusted service that gets results. Maybe that’s why we’ve been voted UK Sales Agency of the Year at the RESI Awards for the past two years running. Pop into your local Strutt & Parker office to speak with one of our sales or lettings experts, or call on the number below.

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19/09/2017 15:26

Dear Resident, ’Tis the season to be jolly! Now that December has well and truly arrived, we can immerse ourselves in the festive spirit. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a bumper Christmas issue. From wreath-making events to carol concerts, there’s plenty to keep you entertained this month – we bring you all the local happenings from page 10. Elsewhere, if you’re stuck for the essentials to complete your Belgravian Christmas, there’s no need to venture too far: Victoria Sviggum rounds up key items to complete your abode on page 14. As Christmas draws ever nearer, we also start to turn our attention to the New Year and new beginnings. One such case in point is long-standing Belgravian Philip Lawless, who, after 34 years of running the institution that is Motcombs, has sold the establishment, and is enjoying his new-found freedom. Francesca Lee-Rogers interviews him on page 6, and finds out how Lawless is, well, lawless. We hope you enjoy the issue. Merry Christmas!

COVER: An illustration of Philip Lawless by Russ Tudor. Turn to page six to find out more.

Managing Editor Francesca Lee-Rogers

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

Designer Paris Fielder

Editorial Assistant William Monroe

General Manager Fiona Smith

Editorial Intern Victoria Sviggum

Publishing Director Giles Ellwood

Production Hugo Wheatley Jamie Steele Alice Ford

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Executive Director Sophie Roberts

Distributed to selected homes in Belgravia. The Belgravia Residents’ Journal is published independently by Runwild Media Group, with regular editorial contributions from Belgravia residents. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with your news: email contact@residentsjournal.co.uk and, Twitter users, make sure you follow us @thebelgravian Members of the Professional Publishers Association

[LOCAL INTEREST] FLORAL FANCIES

If you don’t quite have time to make your own Christmas wreath (p.12), then one of London’s oldest florists, Hayford and Rhodes, has the perfect solution. There are eight spectacular Christmas wreath designs, which are sure to add festive spirit to any door. Personally styled by founding sister Joanna Rhodes, these include The White Coco Wreath and Pink Coco Wreath, which avoid stereotypical Christmas colours and, instead, offer a fresh and elegant design. They make the chicest style statement this festive season. Prices start from £40, nationwide delivery, hayfordandrhodes.co.uk

IT’S BACK

The name Rae Feather may ring bells as it also had a pop-up in the same retail unit earlier this year. Its wares include its popular monogram baskets and clutch bags, and a brandnew leather-goods collection, which are both available in-store. Until 23 December, 73 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PJ, raefeather.com

notebook

Bitesized news from across the neighbourhood

undercover agent

A bespoke British lingerie brand has opened its flagship store in Belgravia. CEO Claudia Lambeth founded the brand in 2012, following bad experiences on the high street, where she fitted three different bra sizes in three different stores. She creates lingerie exclusively for individual clients, and consultations and fittings are by appointment only. However, luckily for Belgravia residents, there’s now a ready-to-wear collection in store too. Make sure you check it out. From £65, 75 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PJ, 020 7730 6753, lunamaelondon.com 4

a NIGHT to remember

Rumoured to be one of Prince Harry’s favourite nightclubs, Tonteria has relaunched after a refurbishment. The Mexican-jungle-themed club opened to much fanfare, with burlesque acts and snake dancers. Made in Chelsea stars including Lottie Moss, Emily Blackwell and Olivia Bentley were in attendance at the launch party. Entrance is £20, open Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm-3am and Thursday from 8pm2.30am, 7-12 Sloane Square, SW1W 8EG, 020 7881 5991, tonteria.co.uk

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the belgravian

[Local interest]

lawless is lawless

After 34 years as the owner of Motcombs, Belgravian Philip Lawless has sold his restaurant and is enjoying his new-found freedom. The Journal takes a look back at his distinguished career

Illustration by Russ Tudor

otcombs has long been the heartbeat of Motcomb Street; it’s where familiar faces meet, former sports journalists reunite to talk over the old days, and the conversations of those who dine al fresco swirl and merge in the evening air. It’s the place where, over the years, many have met their future husband or wife, solidified a new acquaintance or brokered a business deal. Since 1983, one muchloved man – glass of white wine and soda ever-present in his hand – has been the face of Motcombs. But after 34 years, owner Philip Lawless has sold up. He had “realised his age”, he says and was desirous of “a sense of freedom”. Fortunately, Motcombs continues in the capable hands of new owner Ross Anderson [turn over to find out more]. The Journal would like to acknowledge the institution that is Motcombs, and the affable man who made it what it is. Philip’s gregarious personality and unbridled enthusiasm became entwined with his

francesca lee-rogers

hospitality empire. Prior to his arrival on Motcomb Street, he made a name for himself as the general manager of Scott’s, where he helped to build the business. He grew to be so well-known and well-liked among the clientele that he could barely go anywhere without being recognised. “My daughters used to have a bet when we were at the airport as to how long it would take before someone approached me,” he laughs. Did he always hanker to run his own establishment?, I ask. Mulling over his long career, he replies: “Yes, I suppose the answer is yes, but also well and truly no!” At the time, he had been offered a number of new jobs, all of which he had turned down. His builder had even at the time asked him whether he would like to meet the owners of Motcombs, whom he had heard wanted to sell, but Philip refused. Some time later, he ended up meeting a good friend for lunch at the self-same establishment, and realised that he rather liked the place. Nonetheless, the subsequent purchase wasn’t without its complications:

the restaurant needed a lease extension and there were also other interested parties vying for the prize. But this didn’t deter Philip – he trumped their offer by £20,000, securing it for £220,000. He then realised he needed to find the money, which he jokes he did by “raiding my wife’s and kids’ savings” and getting an interest-free unsecured loan. His empire expanded over the years and he later acquired the club on Motcomb Street – now Waitrose – where locals used to go dancing. “I thought, if I buy it, it will stop anyone else getting it,” he says. After that, he bought Motcombs Townhouse, which became a popular private-dining establishment. In 1985, after a suggestion from Breen McDermott, who owned a gallery on Motcomb Street, he also helped to launch the first of the annual Motcomb Street parties. I’m curious: after all these years, of the many famous folk who have passed through Motcombs’ doors, of which guests does he have the most vivid memories? “Margaret Thatcher and her husband

Denis. They used to come in a lot and were enormously friendly,” he says. “Princess Diana also came in, with William and Harry, which was as a result of us meeting at an event organised by the Wooden Spoon charity. They had a meal downstairs and a wonderful time, and afterwards, she went across the road to browse the shoes in Jimmy Choo. And Dame Maggie Smith, who’s very quiet and unassuming.” No doubt many of them admired the wonderful artwork that Philip collected over the years. And what was the most famous dish? “Salad Philip,” he answers without hesitation, which benefits from a dressing he and his daughter tasted in Burgundy. They spent three months trying to recreate it at home, before finally introducing it to Motcombs when they were satisfied with the result. Finally, I ask, what advice would he give to the new owner? “Look after it. If you look after it, it will look after you.” And with that, we thank you, Philip, for looking after your clientele so well for all these years. 7

[spotlight on motcombs]

The Face of

THE FUTURE Actor, French and Russian speaker and now restaurateur – the Journal interviews the mystery man who’s now at the helm of Motcombs, Ross Anderson AS TOLD TO FRANCESCA LEE-ROGERS

Tell me about your connection to Motcombs. I’ve been coming here for years and years with my parents, along with their friends. They’ve been friends of Philip for a long time and have run other restaurants in London, so I’ve grown up in and around the hospitality industry. And what was that like? It was fantastic. When I was very young, we lived in a hotel in Oxford that we ran which was rumoured to be haunted. Although we never came across any supposed

phantoms, the chefs often claimed to have sightings. Historically, it was a halfway house between Stratford and London, and soldiers would come down in their carriages, stop off overnight, and the coachman, if they survived the journey without behing held up by higwaymen, would inscribe their names on the surround of the fireplace. Being a mischievous child, my imagination ran riot and I would hide a toy skull that made creepy noises and put it by guests who were having afternoon tea. It gave them quite a scare! How did your parents first become involved in the catering industry? We moved back to London, where my parents owned a number of Italian restaurants. I was there all the time and didn’t realise how much I loved it, until recently. They are also major shareholders of Langan’s Brasserie in Mayfair and L’Escargot on Greek Street, where I started

to organise music events. That was when I realised how fascinating the restaurant industry is. So, did you decide early on that you wanted to follow in their footsteps? No, after school I studied French and Russian at the University of Bath. As part of the course, I lived in Paris for eight months and worked in HR at HSBC, a role that didn’t exactly fill me with thrills! I lived with a charismatic Russian actor, who worked as a resident actor at the Chekhov Theatre. He would take me to his rehearsals and we would run lines together and work on his character. He also introduced me to Stanislavsky and his teachings, which was how I became fascinated with the method. He was quite the character and would make me have a shot of vodka if I got a line wrong, and then wake me up early for a sauna and ice pool session the next morning! Was that a turning point in your life? Certainly. Firstly, I needed to know whether I could act, so I took a foundation course at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. I

[LOCAL INTEREST] realised then that I wanted to study more Stanislavsky, so, after my degree, I applied to the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York, got in and absolutely loved it. It completely changed my way of thinking on almost everything, and I became a lot more liberal in New York! While I was there I wrote my first play, which I produced Off-Broadway, in London and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where a lady asked me if I would like to go to Los Angeles to meet managers. Obviously I agreed and as they sponsored me, I continued my training there and was fortunate enough to audition at the same time. And how did your acting career end up leading you into the restaurant industry? I decided to come back to London to try to get some acting work here and had the good fortune to be cast in two films coming out next year, The Bromley Boys (starring Alan Davies and Martine McCutcheon), Lucid (starring Billy Zane, Laurie Calvert and Sadie Frost) and in an episode on Vikings. I still had an urge to try my hand in the restaurant industry though, and am absolutely loving the project we have at Motcombs. What was it that first drew you to Motcombs? It’s warm and friendly, with really good food. I grew up nearby, so I have a lot of childhood memories of coming here with my mum and enjoying a steak sandwich at lunch.

How did the locals react when they found out that it was under new management? A lot of people were surprised, but, over time, it has settled down and I think people like what we are trying to do. Originally I had the idea of creating a modern concept restaurant, but quickly realised it would be a mistake. The charm of Motcombs is its classic aesthetic. Motcombs is deeply loved by our loyal and regular clientele because of the times they have had here, the familiar staff and the eclectic art that hangs from the walls, which has seen many a good night. However, as you’d expect with any new venture, there are interesting challenges and there are things we will be looking to develop in order for the restaurant to evolve.

“They’re loyal customers and it’s wonderful to see how much they love Motcombs” Did you know any of the familiar faces among the patrons? I did know a few yes, but it’s been amazing to get to know them

again properly. They’re loyal customers and it’s wonderful to see how much they love Motcombs – it’s almost like a little club. They massively respect Philip, as do we, for what he has built here over the years. What are you planning to change? It’s tricky, because I respect what Philip helped to build and the history of Motcombs, and I’d never want to get rid of that. It has real heart and soul. Obviously, though, we do have plans and development ideas. With my background, as well as my financé’s – who is a classical solo violinist – we would like to introduce a more creative, artistic and vibrant atmosphere. We recently had a jazz brunch with Georgia and the Vintage Youth – they also played at the Motcomb Street reopening, which went down a storm. I’d also like to introduce guest speakers. The plan is to keep upstairs pretty much as it is, apart from updating the bar, and to develop downstairs, but I can’t say too much at this stage. When will you undertake the refurbishments, and will you need to close? We aren’t planning on closing and hopefully we will be making some exciting new changes in the new year. There’s a lot going on on Motcombs Street at the moment, so I think it’s an exciting time for the street. I feel very lucky to be a part of it all. 26 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8JU, 020 7235 6382, motcombs.co.uk 9

[CHRISTMAS]

Your Belgravian Advent

calendar The Journal rounds up unmissable local events this festive season victoria sviggum

Magical market

Orange Square on Pimlico Road will be kicking off Christmas celebrations on 2 December. What better way to get into the festive spirit than with a day of themed entertainment, live music and tasty food? The market stalls will be open longer, making sure you won’t go home without a stocking filler or two. Free entry, 10am-4pm, 2 December, Orange Square, Pimlico Road, SW1W

yuletide blessing

The annual switching on of Christmas lights will be taking place on 5 December at Wilton Crescent. Warm your cockles with some mulled wine and mince pies, and gather around the Christmas tree for the annual blessing, performed by Reverend Alan Gyle of St Paul’s Knightsbridge. The church will also be hosting its Foundation Carol Service later in the evening, featuring celebrity readings and musical performances. Be sure to book early so you don’t miss out. Tree blessing, free entry, 5-6pm, 5 December, Wilton Crescent, SW1X. Foundation Carol Service, children £25, adults £50 (pre-booked), 6.30-7.30pm, St Paul’s, Wilton Place, SW1X 8SH, stpaulsknightsbridge.org 10

A rollicking time

Belgravia Christmas Sunday returns to Elizabeth Street on 3 December. It will be a jovial day of entertainment for all, featuring jazzy brass bands, traditional choral choirs and entertainment for the children. Enjoy a drink and some tasty food and get a head start on your Christmas shopping, with a number of market stalls to choose from, offering everything from boutique gifts to handmade craft wares. Free entry, 11am-5pm, 3 December, Elizabeth Street, SW1W

[Local interest] SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

You and your loved ones are invited to the home of none other than Father Christmas himself! Visit him on the corner of Ebury Street/Elizabeth Street and join him for story time in his North Pole-esque living room, where you can also have your photo taken with him and receive a present (that is, if you’ve been good this year!). Featuring elves, tasty treats, music and mulled wine, this immersive and magical experience will be a joy for all the senses. £5 for 30 minutes, 9-20 December, Monday to Friday 3.30-6.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm,141 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QW, to book, visit grosvenorlondon.com

DON’T MISS Fashion label Shrimps is holding an installation from 4 December to 7 January. See lots of weird yet wonderful things at its pop-up at 22 Motcomb Street.

SPIRITED COMPETITION

Have your say on the best Christmas windows in Belgravia this year by using the hashtag #BelgraviaChristmasWindows and tag @Belgravia_ LDN. Retailers in the area will be awarded prizes for the most creative and festively fabulous displays. So take a stroll down Motcomb Street, Pimlico Road and Elizabeth Street and simply upload a photo of your favourite window accompanied by the hashtag and you’ll also be in for a chance to win a Belgravianthemed gift of your own! Throughout December

PHILHARMONIC FESTIVITY

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing two Christmas concerts at Cadogan Hall this December. On 13 December, A Choral Christmas will include performances of traditional carols and also feature pieces by Howells and Vaughan Williams. For more modern music, Christmas Cracker on 16 December will give you your fix of much-loved holiday hits, and feature performances by West End singers. Prices vary, A Choral Christmas (7.30pm, 13 December), Christmas Cracker (3pm & 7.30pm, 16 December), 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ, 020 7730 4500, cadoganhall.com

deck the halls

Homewares designer Jayne Redmond will be personalising baubles at Harrods every weekend leading up to 18 December. Her beautifully British handmade decorations will be sure to add the perfect finishing touch to any Christmas tree this year. To get your one-ofa-kind bauble, head down to Harrods Christmas World. Weekends until 18 Dec at Harrods Christmas World, Second Floor, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, 020 7730 1234, harrods.com 11

[local interest] Joyeux Noël

a toast of the season

The Lanesborough is lending a festive air to its award-winning afternoon tea at Céleste this Christmas. Head pastry chef Gabriel Le Quang is transforming traditional Christmas pastries to give guests a new twist on traditional favourites. On 10 and 16 December, tea will be accompanied by a live choir singing carols, adding a lovely sense of occasion. Festive afternoon tea £65 per person, 24 November – 30 December (choir 3.15-5.15pm, 10 and 16 December), Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA, 020 7259 5599, oetkercollection.com

This image and two bottom right © oliver Gordon

As part of its Christmas menus this year, Gordon Ramsay’s Pétrus is also offering a festively French-themed menu. The decadent seven-course feast features many Gallic favourites, such as foie gras, beef tartare, baked Vacherin cheese and soufflé. The meal is preceded by a selection of canapés and each course has been expertly paired with wine from the restaurant’s well-stocked cellar. £185 pp (£300pp with wine pairings), 1-23 December, 1 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8EA, 020 7592 1609, gordonramsayrestaurants.com

MASTERING MERRIMENT

Add a personal touch to your Christmas decorations this year by making some yourself. Judith Blacklock Flower School is running wreath-making masterclasses, in which students will create their own luxury wreaths using fresh flowers, seasonal foliage and other festive trimmings. For beginners and those with more experience alike. Luxury Christmas Design Day, £198, 11am-4pm, 30 November; Wreath Masterclasses, £150, 2 & 5 December (10.30am1pm) & 7 December (6.30-9pm), 4-5 Kinnerton Place South, SW1X 8EH, 020 7235 6235, judithblacklock.com

MKT_206_TR_PRESS_ADS_175X248_BREAD.indd 1

25/10/2017 14:55

[christmas]

A Belgravian

Celebration

Everything you need for your home this festive season victoria sviggum

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... to keep you warm As the frosty weather approaches, here are a few items that will help keep you feeling cosy

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... to adorn the tree Make decorating the tree a special occasion this year with these lovely ornaments

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8. 1. Elements Jill Schwartz The Eye Has It Decoration, £48, harrods.com 2. Kurt S. Adler Noble Gems Hot Air Balloon baubles (set of 3), £70, amara.com 3. Rockett St George Peace on Earth Ornament, £15, harveynichols.com 4. Light Style London Gold Leaves Lights, £50, harrods.com 5. Artifactually Glass Star Tree Topper, £65, harrods.com 6. Jay Strongwater Tree of Paradise Bauble, £369, harrods.com 7. Sudha Pennathur Green Velvet Beaded Bauble, £30, harrods.com 8. Glitter Dove Ornament, £4.80, joannawood.co.uk 9. Jewel Leaf Drop Ornament, £4.99, joannawood.co.uk 10. William Sharp Cashmere Slippers, £180, harrods.com 11. Manolo Blahnik Satin Okkato Slippers, £735, harrods.com 12. Gant Nordic Knit Bottle Warmer, £50, amara.com 13. Sheepskin Cushion, £54, nordichouse.co.uk 14. Acne Studios Wool Scarf, £140, harveynichols.com 15. Indian Throw, £125, rajtentclub.com 16. Electric Fire, from £924, chesneys.co.uk 17. Giuseppe Zanotti Velvet Embroidered Slippers, £665, harrods.com 18. Library-print Draught Excluder, £54, joannawood.co.uk

[LIFESTYLE]

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Spread the cheer among family and friends with the help of these stylish products and tasty treats

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... to decorate the house

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Create a magical atmosphere with these jovial pieces and festive foliage

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19. Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam Kyoto Sea Coral, £395, nicholashaslam.com 20. Gold Glaze Bowl, £375, summerillandbishop.com 21. Crowned Swan Snowglobe, £40, harrods.com 22. Pols Potten Porcelain Ornaments (set of 2), £57, amara.com 23. Katherine’s Collection Celestial Stocking, £75, harrods.com 24. Bespoke Decorated Fresh Tree, from £630, neillstrain.com 25. Skogsberg & Smart Hurricane Lamp and Vase Collection, £50£350, harveynichols.com 26. Hussar and King Nutcrackers, £125, davidlinley.com 27. Gold Decorative Pheasant, £90, amara.com 28. Emporium Antler, £83.99 for set of 6, talkingtables.co.uk 29. Gold Glaze Napkin Rings, £340 for box of 8, summerillandbishop.com 30. Gold Tudor Rose Crackers, £110, harrods.com 31. Marabissi Fig and Walnut Panforte, £5.95, finecheese.co.uk 32. Dr. Honey Tokaj Area Premium Chestnut Honey, £10.95, finecheese.co.uk 33. Crystal Tumblers, £42 each, joannawood.co.uk 34. Montecristo 80 Aniversario Cigars, £1,250 for box of 20, tomtom.co.uk 35. Trafalgar Wine Decanter, £525, davidlinley.com 36. The Cocktail Book, £8.99, belgraviabooks.com 37. English Farmhouse Cheddar, £4.50, finecheese.co.uk 38. Charbonnel et Walker Whisky Truffles, £14.50, harveynichols.com 39. Four-bottle Wine Cooler, £216, joannawood.co.uk, 40. N.V. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne, £115 (magnum), jeroboams.co.uk

[LOCAL INTEREST]

[CHRISTMAS]

Belgravia Christmas

gift guide

Still searching for presents to put under the tree? Fret not, as Grosvenor rounds up a selection of marvellous must-haves available right on our doorstep

Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, Jackie O Vase, various prices Jackie Onassis was a client of John Fowler’s, and when she stayed in London, she always visited the Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler showroom at 39 Brook Street. To avoid photographers, she used to enter the showroom by the back door on Avery Row. During one of her visits, she saw an assistant unpacking some vases. Onassis was particularly taken with them and bought several as gifts for friends. Since then they have always been referred to as the Jackie O vases.

Rococo Chocolates, Dark Selection Box of 24, £37.50 Sumptuous, rich and velvety ganache with classic flavours all paired with organic or wild chocolate – Rococo’s handmade treats are available in a selection of exquisite flavour combinations. This particular box contains the following flavours: Amaretto & Blackberry, Beurre de Sel, Coconut, Cornish Sea-Salt Caramel, Fresh Mint, Rosemary & Olive Oil, Thyme & Honey and Pistachio Truffle. They’re perfect for Christmas.

Sloane Club pamper vouchers, from £20 There’s nothing like a bit of beauty indulgence, whether it’s pre- or post-Christmas. So, why not opt for a treatment for you or your loved one this festive period at The Sloane Club Spa? From a body treatment to an Indian head massage, a holistic massage to a manicure or pedicure, or even a BioEffect or Dermalogica facial, there’s plenty to choose from. And why not make a pampering day of it, and enjoy afternoon tea afterwards?

89-91 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PH, sibylcolefax.com

5 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8JU, rococochocolates.com

The Sloane Club Spa, 52 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8BS, sloaneclub.co.uk

HOWE London, Gotland Shearling (in grey or ecru), £393 Gotland shearlings are something special: silky and lustrous, with the most beautiful natural colour. Either thrown over a chair or on the floor, these luxury Swedish sheep skins are pure comfort and softness. The Gotland sheep breed originates from the Isle of Gotland, a beautiful island

in the Baltic Sea – these either originate either from Gotland itself or southern Sweden. They come in all shades of grey, from a pale silver to a dark charcoal – all the naturally occurring colours of the sheep’s wool. Howe London, 93 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PH, howelondon.com

Christmas on Elizabeth Street Celebrate Christmas on Elizabeth Street with the return of the popular Christmas markets and special storytelling sessions with Father Christmas.

Father Christmas in Residence 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 December Relocating to Belgravia for the festive season, Father Christmas is setting up home and inviting guests to visit him for storytelling sessions at his new residence on Elizabeth Street.

ÂŁ5 per session

141 Ebury Street, Belgravia SW1W 9QW Monday to Friday 3.30pm - 6.30pm Saturday & Sunday 10am - 4pm

All proceeds will be donated to

Bookings essential:

www.grosvenorlondon.com

Belgravia Christmas Sunday 3 December Visit the annual Christmas markets in Elizabeth Street, featuring over 60 boutique stalls, Christmas carols, festive food, mulled wine and a visit from Father Christmas and his reindeer.

11am - 5pm Free Entry

Elizabeth Street, Belgravia SW1W

Belgravia_ldn

Grosvenor_ldn

www.elizabethstreetlondon.com | www.grosvenorlondon.com

Join us for a cocktail or two this festive season at Il Pampero.

20 CHESHAM PLACE, BELGRAVIA, LONDON SW1X 8HQ 020 3189 4850 | reservations@ilpampero.com | www.ilpampero.com

[LIFESTYLE]

THE PERFECT GIFT

SPIRIT OF GOODWILL

Treat your friends, family or loved ones this year to a Harrods Christmas hamper. Its newly launched range is filled with mouth-watering options sure to satiate all tastes, with gourmet hampers, wine and spirits hampers and Harrods’ own fare to choose from. From £35, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, harrods.com

[news]

food & drink

Continuing a partnership between two great artisans, Patrón and Lalique, Serie 2 brings together a limitededition crystal decanter influenced by René Lalique’s early Art Nouveau style and an exquisite blend of Extra Añejo Patrón tequilas created by Patrón’s master distiller, Francisco Alcaraz and his team. With only 299 bottles available worldwide, it’s a unique offering. $7,500, to reserve a bottle, email concierge@ patronspirits.com, patrontequila.com

The Christmas countdown is on, and there’s a host of seasonal treats to savour

OUT OF THE ORDINARY

This Christmas, Maison Pierre Hermé Paris has teamed up with caviar house Petrossian to launch an exclusive temptation, the Macaron Caviar Petrossian. Made from ingredients of exceptional provenance, this seasonal creation features macarons made with beads of caviar and steeped in aromatic walnut liqueur. Priced at £3.20 per piece, assortments are also available from £24.40, 13 Lowndes Street, SW1X 9EX, pierreherme.com

TAKE ME TO THE MOON

If you’ve yet to get your advent calendar, fret not – Maison Pierre Marcolini has come to the rescue. Bedecked in vibrant colourful half-moons, it tempts us to discover a different bite-sized treat every day during the Christmas countdown, and includes pralines, fondant, milk chocolate and nougat, to name but a few. £49, closest stockist is Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, harrods.com 19

[review]

christmas thai is near Looking to avoid the traditional roast turkey? Francesca Lee-Rogers visits Mango Tree to sample its take on the festive menu

hristmas – the ultimate excuse for enjoyment, spending time with friends and family, and overindulgence. But while I enjoy a typical seasonal feast as much as the next person, there comes a point where the pâtés, Stilton soups and pigs-in-blankets become much of a muchness. It was this gourmet soul-searching that led me back to Mango Tree after my last visit. Until 24 December, lovers of Thai cuisine can still get their festive kick by sampling the special Christmas menu on offer. Split very simply into ‘meat’ and ‘vegetable’ set menus, the fare here is served as an eight- or ten-plate feast for lunch, with the latter being the sole choice for dinner. My husband and I don’t have to wait long before food starts to be presented to us and we happily tuck in. The menu is split into roughly three courses, with four of the small plates forming our starter. We are presented with an enticing array of savouries, both from the meat and vegetable themes. Among the usual suspects of spring rolls and vegetable tempura, the dish that steals the show is the puff kai nguang – a honeyglazed puff pastry with roasted turkey. The puff pastry is deliciously buttery and flaky, with the moreish, savoury notes of the turkey coming through to compliment.

Our interest piqued, and already by this time a little full, we move on to the main course, consisting of five dishes. The main pitfall of this course is the sheer logistical challenge of working out how we fit all of the dishes onto our small table, and then

The puff pastry is deliciously buttery and flaky, with the moreish, savoury notes of the turkey coming through formulate a strategy of which area to attack first – no mean feat. Both ‘meat’ and ‘vegetable’ menus are built on the foundation of delightfully sticky Thai jasmine rice and stir-fried rice noodles cooked in coconut milk. Among the meat selection, there is an ode to the typical Christmas menu, with succulent roasted turkey and a mixed-berry sauce, albeit with the turkey having been given an Asian twist with Thai herbs. Vegetarians have no reason to be

disappointed with their menu either, as the sides are complemented by a huge slab of grilled aubergine, steamed kale and a Thai green curry that ingeniously uses stir-fried Brussels sprouts. On the ‘meat’ side meanwhile, my husband is busy tucking into dishes of salmon fillet in a red curry sauce, and enticing-looking stir-fried prawns. However, the highlight of the evening is the Neur Toon Samunprai – a special that can be ordered as extra on the menu, these are slow-cooked short ribs, again lovingly spiced to perfection. The meat melts in the mouth, and is off-set by a deep and tangy flavour delivered by the clementine sauce. After such a feast, we barely make it to dessert, but we manage to force ourselves through a berry panna cotta mixed with chocolate brownie chunks – enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. With that, our evening is done, and we leave full to the brim and with just one regret – that Christmas comes but once a year. Lunch from £34.50pp, dinner from £44.50pp. 46 Grosvenor Place SW1X 7EQ, 0207 823 1888, mangotree.org.uk

[LIFESTYLE]

[5 minutes with...]

yotam ottolenghi The chef, restaurateur and food writer on why, right now, life is Sweet as told to ellen millard

I’ve always loved food.

I love everything about it: the celebration, the communal nature of it – getting together, sharing dishes around – the connection of food to place and memory and the experimentation.

My first job in a professional kitchen was whisking egg whites, which I did pretty much consistently for three months. I was very

of a soft spot for alcohol in sweet things, though, so the Vineyard Cake, which takes a whole bottle of wine in the batter, is certainly one of my favourites.

junior in the kitchen and my job was to prepare them for the popular vanilla soufflés we sold.

My parents are both great cooks so that was a good starting point for me. Claudia

Roden has always been an inspiration too, and all the chefs I work with at Ottolenghi. Baking-wise, Rose Levy Beranbaum has taught me a lot in her books.

Helen [Goh, his co-author] and I have been baking together for more than ten years, so our book, Sweet, has been a long time in the making. We were always going to do it; it was just finding the right time for us both.

Clockwise from main image: Yotam Ottolengh, Cinnamon pavlova with figs, both © Peden + Munk; Sweet hamper, from £120, Chocolate, banana and pecan cookies

The years Helen and I have spent working together mean that we’re very robust when it comes to judging a bake, so it never becomes personal. We have a huge shared

archive of recipes and vocabulary, so we can speak in a sort of shorthand which also helps.

There is a cake, cookie or dessert to suit every occasion in the book, so it’s really hard to pick a favourite. I’ve got a bit

If you’re baking for the first time, cookies are always a really good place to start. Making the

cookie dough alone for the chocolate-chip cookies, for example, is thrilling enough and delicious to nibble on before you’ve even turned on the oven. Sweet, by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh, is out now, £27, published by Ebury Press, penguin.co.uk. Ottolenghi Belgravia, 13 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8LB, 020 7823 2707, ottolenghi.co.uk 21

[LIFESTYLE] A COLOURFUL COLLABORATION

The Rug Company has partnered up with British paints and wallpaper manufacturer Farrow & Ball to create a new collection that is all about colour. The Complementary Colour Collection offers 12 colourways based on the six Farrow & Ball neutral groups. Melrose Yellow, Princedale Pale, Holland Stone and Kent Green are just a few examples. Available in three different textures, the collection represents the first range of handloom rugs by The Rug Company. From £750 (1.83 x 1.22m) or £330 per m², Stocked at Third Floor, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, 020 3369 3917, therugcompany.com

SITTING PRETTY

[news]

interiors

December sees the arrival of a gorgeous new collection of chairs by Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam. The trio – Wild, San Carlos and the Creta Dining Chair – are all made from rattan using traditional methods in Java. Wild comes in a two-tone finish, while the other two offer upholstered seats in a fabric of your choice. For stylish seats, look no further. From £600, 10-14 Holbein Place, 020 7730 8623, SW1W 8NL, nicholashaslam.com © taylor howes / JON DAY Photography

The latest offerings for a stylish home

RAISING THE BAR

You’ll be entertaining in style this season with the Nouvelle credenza and bar cabinet by Jonathan Adler. The modern, glamorous design was derived from a blend of inspirations, including Pop Art graphics and neo-Memphis and Art Deco style. Both feature a sunset mosaic and graphic design displayed across a mirrored background, which comes in striking tones of smoke, cobalt blue and copper sparkles. From £2,995, 60 Sloane Avenue, SW3 3DD, 020 7589 9563, uk.jonathanadler.com

LUXURY LIVING

Venture slightly further afield to Olympia London’s West Hall in Kensington on the weekend of 1-3 December, where Exclusively Events will be hosting a luxury home and property show, Exclusively Living. Show content includes everything from interiors, entertaining and home technology to property, build, security and outdoor living. 1-3 December, Olympia West Hall, 12 Blythe Road, W14 8UX, 020 7987 4320, to book tickets, visit exclusivelyliving.com

[LIFESTYLE]

FOR TWO MONTHS ONLY

Hip & Healthy is opening a pop-up on Elizabeth Street in December. Running for two months until the end of January, it will stock the most stylish activewear and exclusive brands including Tully Lou, Vie Active, L’urv, Sukishufu, Varley, Alo Yoga, Kalindi, Y.A.S, HPE and more. The brand is also running a programme of classes, workshops and talks. 77 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PJ, hipandhealthy.com

[news]

health & beauty New beauty products, words of wisdom from Bijoux Medi-Spa and three of the best festive candles

Making long-haul easier

If you’re looking to jet off this festive season, make sure you’ve packed the essentials, including your travel accessories. We love this Masters of Mayfair eye mask that’s made from 100 per cent cotton and covered in luxury silk to help soothe the eyes. Infused with lavender, it’s sure to help you nod off too. From £55, mastersofmayfair.co.uk

ANOTHER DOOR OPENS

Swap your childhood chocolate advent calendar for an altogether more adult, beauty-themed one this year – a daily dose of Elemis, which will help keep your skin hydrated, toned and radiant this December. £150, elemis.com

Elisabeth Dancey, founder of Bijoux Medi-Spa / Headshot © Sarel Jansen

LET THERE BE LIGHT Looking younger, fresher, brighter and less tired is all about light play on the face. Light reflecting from the softly curving cheeks, the jawline and the forehead conveys youth and prettiness. Age, smoking, sun and stress erode these gentle curves and create ageing, unattractive shadows. Since the main factor is loss of facial volume, it makes sense to replace lost volume to reduce shadows, restore curves and rejuvenate the face. For this, we use hyaluronic-acid fillers. Hyaluronic-filler technology is so advanced that each area of the face has a filler to suit its unique needs: flexibility, longevity, support and lifting capacity. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that is more than 99 per cent identical to our own and comes in a sterile syringe ready for use by discerning practitioners. The art is to achieve natural results that respect the harmony of the face. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring hydrating agent and powerful antioxidant. Research shows us that regular treatments maintain the integrity of the support structures of the face. Rather than considering fillers as a “toxin” or foreign body, we should be thinking of them as our best friend – and secret – in maintaining our health and beauty. 149 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QN, 020 7730 0765, bijouxmedispa.co.uk

[LIFESTYLE]

FESTIVE FRAGRANCES Three of the best scented candles to make your home smell Christmassy 1. Neom Organics’ Christmas Wish Scented Candle Get into the seasonal spirit by lighting this candle. Infused with a blend of 13 essential oils including mandarin, cinnamon and tonka bean, it will help you to relax and unwind, while enveloping your home with the soothing, traditional scent of the season. Candle with one wick from £30, neomorganics.com 2. Noble Isle’s – Fireside candle If you’re still stumped as to a Christmas present to buy your nearest and dearest, look no further than this candle. It captures all the warmth and comfort of a country inn on a brisk, wintry day. £39, nobleisle.com 3. Jo Loves’ – Christmas Trees Candle This new and limited-edition candle by Jo Loves features notes of fresh pine woven together with aromatic lavender, incense and amber to create a warm and comforting fragrance. £55, joloves.com

POETIC PERFUMES

Floraïku has made its fragrance debut with a collection of 11 scents inspired by Japan. Each bottle is engraved with a haiku and comes packaged bento boxstyle, with the illustrated cap serving as a travel spray. £250 each, exclusive to Harrods, harrods.com

clean and scrubd

Launching this month exclusively in Harvey Nichols, new grooming brand on the block Scrubd is set to make quite a splash. Passionate about crafting effective, allnatural products specifically for the demands of men’s skin, the creators’ first collection that includes invigorating delights such as lemongrass and lime organic triple-milled soap, anti-ageing moisturiser and eye gel, and a gloriously energising face balm. scrubd.com, harveynichols.com

[great british escape]

Country

file

Searching for the perfect luxury getaway an hour from central London? Stop looking and hotfoot it to South Lodge Hotel in West Sussex lauren dowey

dreamy five-star country house retreat, South Lodge Hotel has all the markings of a lavish weekend away. Verdant rolling countryside? Check. Plush suites with gorgeous bathrooms? Check. Unforgettable gastronomic experience? Check. My husband and I arrive on a Saturday afternoon after the short, 35-mile drive from the capital and are immediately ensconced in the hotel’s relaxing ambience. Roaring fires and fresh flowers welcome us at reception before we’re shown to our ‘Plush with a View’ suite. And what a view it is. The hotel is surrounded by 93 acres of woodland, but the view from our southfacing room stretches much further, across rolling hills and fields reminiscent of Blake’s Jerusalem. The vast suite features all the comforts you would expect and a few notable extras – delicious welcome chocolates, a gourmet espresso machine and a spa shower

that could easily accommodate a football team! But the relaxing has to wait, as the sun comes out, and we city folks feel compelled to get out into the fresh Sussex air. Although the hotel is full – and we find out the next day there has been a wedding – we see a grand total of two people and one dog on our bracing walk through the verdant grounds. Teeming with blooms in summer, but still lusciously green in early autumn when we visit, the

We plump for eight courses with wines, and are overwhelmed by the stunning and sometimes surreal dishes

gardens are filled with birdsong and the occasional rustle of leaves – a level of tranquillity it’s hard to imagine when you’re used to London’s bustling streets and roaring traffic. Eventually, the lure of our luxury suite pulls us back in, but not before we enjoy a pit-stop at the cosy, wood-panelled Billiard Bar. A crisp glass of local English sparkling wine later and it’s time for the main event: dinner in The Pass restaurant. Led by critically acclaimed head

[LIFESTYLE] was the stand-out stunner. Inspired by a Jackson Pollock painting, it was almost too pretty to eat. Thankfully, I quickly get over that and dive into the powdery parmesan crisp, silky lobster mousse, rich caviar and sticky-sweet thermidor sauce. Served with a bone-dry Alsatian riesling, this is a dish I’d happily eat every night of the week. After a peaceful night’s sleep and a hearty English breakfast, we’re sorry to say goodbye. The only thing missing at South Lodge Hotel? A stateof-the-art luxury spa. Good job there’s one opening next year, then. Watch this space!

chef Ian Swainson, The Pass is a contemporary 28-cover restaurant where the open kitchen and team of chefs serving diners themselves makes for an intimate experience. There’s an eight- or ten-course tasting menu, a tempting matchedwines flight and even a paired-juice flight. We plump for eight courses with wines, and are overwhelmed by the stunning and sometimes surreal dishes. In Ian’s own words, “The tasting menu’s inspiration comes through an artistic background. I take comfort from surrealistic art and that inspires me to be a little bit different from the usual chef.” His cuisine is far from de rigueur hotel dining and all the better for it. From a first course called So Fresh and So Clean – a symphony of the sweetest kitchen-garden tomatoes with sashimi tuna, creamy burrata and the olive oil

of your wildest dreams, to Edible Paints, an artist’s palette of petit fours that you’re encouraged to paint onto edible popcorn paper and devour, every mouthful is memorable and delicious. Sometimes, I find the portions on tasting menus too tiny and the ingredients too fussy, and I have a burning need for a plate of chips when it’s all over. Not so at The Pass. This is a masterpiece of a menu, designed to be lingered over and really savoured. I barely speak to my other half as I’m too busy nosily watching the intricate work of the ten chefs and delighting in every new taste that I cross paths with. I could wax lyrical about every course, but the lobster

NEED TO KNOW Lauren Dowey was hosted by South Lodge Hotel – a member of the Pride of Britain Hotels collection, comprising no more than 50 hotels to guarantee quality and exclusivity. The magnificent country-house hotel is set on a 93-acre estate with 89 bedrooms in the heart of the Sussex Downs. Head chef Ian Swainson’s tasting menus are available at the 3 AA Rosette The Pass, with prices starting from £39.50pp for lunch and £80pp for dinner. An overnight stay costs from £195 per room (two sharing). Call Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929, prideofbritainhotels.com

DIRECTORY

All of the essentials are taken care of in our roundup for harmonious living

Estate Agents Sothebys Realty

Ayrton Wylie 16 Lower Belgrave Street 020 7730 4628

Henry & James 1 Motcomb Street 020 7235 8861

Knight Frank Sales 47 Lower Belgrave Street 020 3811 2473

Best Gapp 81 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 9253

John D Wood 48 Elizabeth Street 020 3151 5724

Marler & Marler 6 Sloane Street 020 7235 9641

Strutt & Parker 66 Sloane Street 020 3553 8393

Chestertons Belgravia 31 Lowndes Street 020 7235 3530 (lettings) 020 7235 8090 (sales)

Knight Frank Lettings 82-83 Chester Square 020 3740 4539

Savills 139 Sloane Street 020 7730 0822

Wellbelove Quested 160 Ebury Street 020 7881 0880

[CAFÃ&#x2030;S]

The Alfred Tennyson 10 Motcomb Street 020 7730 6074 thealfredtennyson.co.uk

Tomtom Mess Hall 14 Eccleston Street 020 7730 1845

[DELI]

La Bottega 25 Eccleston Street 020 7730 7411

The Thomas Cubitt 44 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 6060 thethomascubitt.co.uk

[PUBLIC HOUSES/ DINING ROOMS]

[RESTAURANTS]

77-79 Ebury Street 020 7495 9580

Food & Drink [BARS]

Amaya Halkin Arcade Motcomb Street 020 7823 1166 The Garden Room The Lanesborough Hyde Park Corner 020 7259 5599 The Library Bar The Lanesborough Hyde Park Corner 020 7259 5599

Tomtom Coffee House 114 Ebury Street 020 7730 1771

The Orange 37 Pimlico Road 020 7881 9844 theorange.co.uk

Motcombs 26 Motcomb Street 020 7235 6382 motcombs.co.uk

Health & Wellbeing [DOCTOR]

The Belgrave Medical Centre 13 Pimlico Road 020 7730 5171

[HAIR SALONS]

The Daniel Galvin Jr. Salon 4 West Halkin Street 020 7245 1050

Enoteca Turi 87 Pimlico Road SW1W 8PH 020 7730 3663 enotecaturi.com Tuscanic Belgravia 72 Pimlico Road SW1W 8LS 020 7730 1352 tuscanic.com

Home & Culture [WELLBEING] Bijoux Medi-Spa 149 Ebury Street SW1W 9QN 020 7730 0765 bijoux-medispa.co.uk Grace Belgravia 11c West Halkin Street 020 7235 8900 gracebelgravia.com

Bodydoctor A bespoke personal training and nutrition clinic in Belgravia. Eaton Square 020 7235 2211 bodydoctor.com

[GALLERIES] Pullman Editions 94 Pimlico Road 020 7730 0547 pullmaneditions.com Luminaire Arts 19 Grosvenor Place SW1X 7HT 07966 236 969 luminairearts.co.uk

[directory]

Fashion [BOUTIQUES]

Philip Treacy 69 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 3992

Herve Leger 29 Lowndes Street 020 7201 2590

Stivaleria Cavallin 47 Elizabeth Street 020 3198 3269 stivaleriacavallin.com

[BANKS]

[MOVING SERVICES]

[PSYCHOTHERAPY]

Handelsbanken Belgravia 14-15 Belgrave Square SW1X 8PS 020 7838 9000 handelsbanken.co.uk/ belgravia

Abels Moving Services UK, EU & International 020 3773 5796 info@abels.co.uk abels.co.uk

Suzanne Thomas DHC MRes, Hypnotherapist/ Psychotherapist 07770 378791 suzannethomas@ suzannethomas.co.uk suzannethomas.co.uk

[BRIDAL] Le Spose di Gio 81 Ebury Street 020 7901 9020 le-spose-di-gio.it

Services

[EXCLUSIVE] The Caledonian Club 9 Halkin Street 020 7235 5162 caledonianclub.com

Pickfords Gold Genesis House, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8LZ 0203 188 2544 pickfords.co.uk/pickfords-gold

[SOLICITORS] Child & Child 11 Bressenden Place 020 7235 8000 childandchild.co.uk

[TRAVEL & hotels] Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel 21 Lowndes Street 020 7823 1234

Jumeirah Carlton Tower Cadogan Place 020 7235 1234

Astors Belgravia 106-112 Ebury Street SW1W 9QD, 020 7730 7511 astorsbelgravia.com The Hari 20 Chesham Place 020 7858 0100 thehari.com B+B Belgravia Offers 10% off for Belgravia residents 64-66 Ebury Street SW1W 9QD 020 7259 8570 bb-belgravia.com

Speciality Shops [CIGAR SPECIALIST]

Tomtom Cigars 63 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1790

[CONFECTIONERS]

Peggy Porschen 116 Ebury Street 020 7730 1316

Pierre HermĂŠ Paris 13 Lowndes Street 020 7245 0317 R Chocolate London 198 Ebury Street 020 7730 5522

[JEWELLERS]

De Vroomen 59 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1901

VICKISARGE 38 Elizabeth Street 020 7259 0202 Elizabeth Gage 5 West Halkin Street 020 7823 0100 eg@elizabeth-gage.com elizabeth-gage.com

[PERFUMERIES] Floris 147 Ebury Street 020 7730 0304 florislondon.com

[BULLION BROKER] Sharps Pixley Limited 54 St James's Street 020 7871 0532 sharpspixley.com

[SECURITY] My Local Bobby 07712 228 214, 01992 676 270 info@mylocalbobby.co.uk mylocalbobby.co.uk

[NEWSAGENTS]

Mayhew Newsagents

15 Motcomb Street / 020 7235 5770 Mayhew Newsagents is a local Belgravian institution. As well as supplying the area with national and international newspapers and magazines, it provides an extensive range of stationery, computer supplies and postal services. Opening times: Monday to Friday 7am-6pm, Saturday 8am-2pm, Sunday 8am-1pm Local delivery service available

My Local Bobby Ltd “Acta Non Verba” ‘My Local; Bobby Ltd’ now sets out to deliver the ‘prevent’ and ‘deter’ services to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour through developing bespoke solutions. The aim is to work with all partners that have a vested interest in this space and deliver sustainable improvements to the quality of life for all. OUR SERVICES • • • • • • • • • • •

Standard Subscriber Services. MLB ‘Patrol Bobby’ with SIA accreditation 24/7. An MLB liveried electric vehicle in case of emergencies. A meet a greet service for any drop-off in the designated area and agreed London Underground Stations. A phone number for direct contact with your Patrol Bobby. Alarm response. Incident Response. Enhanced monitoring of temporary vacant premises (holidays and business trips) Tracking of your ‘Patrol Bobby’. Representation of your views at local Ward panel meetings. Monthly e-bulletin.

Bespoke services (Priced individually) • • • • • •

Cyber security assessments and ethical penetration testing. Physical security surveys. Technical surveillance counter measure inspections. Investigation of both criminal and civil matters by a team of experienced detectives. Where appropriate legal action undertaken by specialist law firms and barristers. Close protection services. Key-holder services.

T: 01992 676270

E: info@mylocalbobby.co.uk

W: www.mylocalbobby.co.uk

belgr avia property

SHOWCASING THE finest HOMES & PROPERTY IN AND AROUND BELGRAVIA

Cliveden Place, marketed by Best Gapp, Price on Application. bestgapp.co.uk

THROUGH THE CRYSTAL BALL What to watch: local agents give us their predictions for the 2018 sales market

GETTING IT RIGHT Advice for prospective tenants looking to secure the right property in the area

spotlight on ebury street Why Native Land is investing in high-quality rental assets within central London

[PROPERTY]

[NEWS]

AT THE HEART OF IT

Mary Regnier-Leigh of The Belgravia Society outlines the importance of trees, while PrimeResi highlights the huge appeal of mews houses

Stable investments: how London’s mews houses stepped out of the shadows

The humble former stables to the rear of London’s grandest townhouses have been commanding some eye-watering prices of late, finds James Robinson of Lurot Brand

GREEN AND PLEASANT LAND

When Belgravia was originally laid out, elegant homes were at the forefront of everyone’s minds, but its townhouses did not have large gardens. However, the planners didn’t overlook trees and the importance of green spaces, and provided for residents what we now call garden squares. Grosvenor has nine garden squares in Belgravia – home to some 850 trees. Eaton Square Garden has some 429 trees, with Belgrave Square Garden boasting 212 trees. Many of the trees provide oxygen and a natural source of removal of pollution. Trees oxygenate the atmosphere while absorbing carbon dioxide. The plane trees in the gardens provide even more in terms of recycling – not only do they shed their leaves but their bark can be used as mulch. When those who planned Belgravia set it out, they sought to achieve the same ends as the planners of today in “greening” our community.

n South Kensington, we sold a mews house in Queen’s Gate Mews for £2,515 per sq ft, when the average of the last five sales in Queen’s Gate Terrace has been just £1,693, and in W11 we sold an unmodernised mews house in Ladbroke Walk, which had potential to extend in three directions, for an all-time Notting Hill record of £3,323 per sq ft. Interestingly I have found just six mews sales that have ever achieved more than £3,000 psf, and one included the Eaton Square house it was attached to. In fact, only 29 houses of any type have achieved £3,500 per sq ft or more, so it is quite astonishing that these humble “converted stables

around the back” have become so very valuable. Provenance can also have a massive influence on a mews’ cachet. For instance, there is a mews in W2 where a superstar singer lives opposite a rock legend and, until recently, there also resided a celebrity chef and a famous screen actor. It’s a cute mews but it’s because of them that we achieve prices far higher than this location would normally warrant. We have suspected for some time that we have been selling some mews houses for considerably higher prices per square foot than the surrounding properties, so we did some research and what we found amazed us. For example, we recently sold a mews house in Hyde Park Gardens, which is considered to be one of Bayswater’s best, for £2,326 per sq ft. However, the last five sales in the big stucco-fronted houses in front have averaged just £1,438 per sq ft, meaning that this mews is competing quite comfortably with some mews streets in Belgravia and Knightsbridge.

There is a mews in W2 where a superstar singer lives opposite a rock legend

PrimeQResi JOURNAL OF LUXURY PROPERTY

[PROPERTY]

[words of wisdom]

on the money Three local agents share sage advice for prospective tenants

Michael Bennett, head of lettings, Best Gapp

At Best Gapp, we always recommend prospective tenants begin their search by contacting a specialist independent local agent to get the best advice and guidance, and to experience a personalised professional service to help secure a suitable rental property. This saves precious time not having to contact several agents to achieve the same goal. Applicants registered with Best Gapp benefit from a proprietary search facility that provides immediate access and live up-to-date information on available properties to rent, plus we can provide digital information to include detailed property particulars within minutes of receiving an enquiry. In addition, we are very proud of providing a fast and efficient service in processing rental applications and making what can often be a very stressful process as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

Caroline Phillips, associate, Knight Frank

Renting a property sometimes feels like an overwhelming prospect, but there are a few things that can make the process a lot more relaxing. Research – if you haven’t lived in Belgravia before, spend a Saturday wandering around the area. The next item on the agenda is to decide what you want to spend and what you want to get for your money. Have your “must-haves” and “couldlive-without” lists. The last and final

piece of the puzzle is to find an agent you like and trust and then let them do the hard work. Using one or two agents isn’t a bad thing, but it can be overwhelming if you start using too many agents at one time. Find the agent(s) that fits your criteria and work in partnership with them.

Nina McDowall, head of Knightsbridge Lettings, Strutt & Parker

Your agent is likely to ask lots of questions at your initial registration stage – this is to ascertain exactly what you want, how you live and everything that is important to you, so they can find you the property that matches your preferences. Tenants looking for family homes should consider the area around Belgrave Square, Eaton Square, and Chester Square. Look near Sloane Street and Lowndes Square for traditional flats with or without porters, and at The Knightsbridge, Lancelot

Place and One Hyde Park for properties with concierge, parking and leisure facilities. Tenants who are frequent travellers may prefer properties that offer porterage or a concierge, giving the peace of mind that their homes are secure and looked after while they are away. Tenants also need to be realistic about timing, as it can take time to carry out the necessary checks, finalise tenancy agreements and secure references. Having said that, if you find your perfect property, be quick with your offer to secure it, as the really good properties move fast! CONTACT THE AGENTS Best Gapp, 81 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PG, 020 7730 9253, bestgapp.co.uk Knight Frank, 82-83 Chester Square, SW1W 9HJ, 020 7881 7730, knightfrank.co.uk Strutt & Parker, 66 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SH, 020 7235 2208, struttandparker.com

Eaton Square, Belgravia SW1 Spacious one bedroom flat with modern finish

KnightFrank.co.uk/belgravia belgravialettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6005

This one bedroom apartment located on one of London's most prestigious garden squares has been stylishly refurbished to a high standard throughout and is located in this well maintained period building with porterage. Bedroom, bathroom, reception room and kitchen, access to communal gardens, lift access, porter services. EPC: C. Approximatley 69 sq m (749 sq ft). Available furnished Guide price: £725 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/BEQ281488

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

All potential tenants should be advised that as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

BRJ - Nov Ed - 9P Eaton Square

03/11/2017 16:23:03

BRJ

3:03

Montrose Place, Belgravia SW1 An exceptional three bedroom apartment with 24 hour concierge A lateral apartment benefiting from a 36 ft south facing reception room leading to a private terrace. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen/breakfast room, guest cloakroom, utility room, private terrace, staff flat (1 of only 3 in this building), wine cellar/storage room, 2 secure car parking spaces, 24 hour concierge/security. EPC: D. Approximately 252 sq m (2,714 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 115 years remaining

Guide price: £12,795,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/belgravia belgravia@knightfrank.com

020 3641 5910

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/BGV170086

BRJ 10, 10 Montrose Place

06/11/2017 10:19:02

GRAHAM TERRACE, BELGRAVIA SW1X

£2,995,000 FREEHOLD

• THREE BEDROOMS • TWO BATHROOMS (BOTH EN-SUITE) • DRAWING ROOM • DINING ROOM • • SUN ROOM • KITCHEN/RECEPTION ROOM • GARDEN • TERRACE • 1,780 SQ FT • EPC E •

BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk

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BOWLAND YARD, BELGRAVIA SW1X

£2,250,000

LEASEHOLD APPROXIMATELY 118 YEARS • TWO DOUBLE BEDROOM MAISONETTE • TWO BATHROOMS (BOTH EN-SUITE) • • RECEPTION ROOM • KITCHEN • CLOAKROOM • OWN PRIVATE ENTRANCE • 1,192 SQ FT • EPC C •

BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk

henryandjames.co.uk

LOWNDES SQUARE, KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW1X

£1,350 PER WEEK • NEWLY REFURBISHED APARTMENT • MASTER BEDROOM WITH EN-SUITE • SECOND BEDROOM • • BATHROOM • RECEPTION ROOM WITH DINING AREA • KITCHEN • LIFT • • PORTER • 911 SQ FT • EPC C •

BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk

henryandjames.co.uk

[PROPERTY]

[NEWS]

Full house at Native Land’s Belgravia PRS scheme How a former police housing block on Ebury Street was reworked as 49 covetable rental units

where there’s a will, there’s a way Estelle Tague, partner at Child & Child, discusses futureproofing your assets

With Christmas around the corner, it is the season for family gatherings. It can also be the occasion we have both the opportunity and time to reflect on and review our personal affairs. Estate planning can be compared to a jigsaw puzzle made up of a number of different estate-planning tools, two keys ones being wills and lifetime trusts. Both of these can be used to plan for taxes, including inheritance tax and/ or asset protection from, for example, divorce and bankruptcy. A will comes into effect following death and directs who will receive the assets held in your name. A trust you create

ative Land has reported a resounding success at its new prime Private Rented Sector scheme in Belgravia, hinting at a ramping up of its involvement in the sector. Best-known for top-end projects including Burlington Gate, Cheyne Terrace and Holland Park Villas, the developer has reworked a former police building on Ebury Street, which really shows off its range. This has delivered 49 two-bed units priced at between £650 and £795 per week, all of which have now been let. The firm bought the 1950s Kilmuir House (right opposite Berkeley’s super-prime Ebury Square) from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime for £45m last April, in a joint venture with Malaysian giant Amcorp. Architecture practice LEEP subsequently came on board to redesign the 35,225 sq ft, seven- and nine-storey block into a prime buildto-rent offering, and a top-to-toe refurbishment programme followed. Marketed via Knight Frank, the finished article was being billed as a “more affordable way” to live in Belgravia, with balconies for all and tenant perks including a 24-hour concierge and parking

and fund in your lifetime can be used

options. The surrounding land and streetscape was also given a much-needed facelift. A statement from Native Land said the project “marks [its] continued involvement in the sector and growing expertise in actively managing high-quality rental assets within central London”. Alasdair Nicholls, Chief Executive, added: “PRS is a fast-evolving sector and, as a developer, we are pleased that this development with welldesigned homes to rent, in one of the capital’s most central and vibrant areas, has been fully let in such a short space of time.” Native Land and Amcorp are also working together on the aforementioned Holland Park Villas and Burlington Gate, with Kilmuir House marking their second PRS play to date, the first being 2012’s acquisition of 52 apartments at NEO Bankside as a rental investment. primeresi.com

PrimeQResi JOURNAL OF LUXURY PROPERTY

to protect vulnerable beneficiaries and allow you to choose those who will carry out your wishes. A will does not cover property held jointly (most commonly, your home or a joint bank account) or assets held in a lifetime trust. Both of these operate outside your will. It is important to consider your assets overall and whether holding them in these ways is appropriate, and if so, which of them. A will also enables a guardian to be appointed for children if both parents have died. If you die without a valid will, you’ll be ‘intestate’, and your wealth may not be distributed as you wish, so it is important to have a will in place. There are a number of different options here, ranging from the simple to the sophisticated. A trust takes effect as soon as it is created. It can be used to distribute assets, before, at and after your death. Assets held in a trust are not subject to probate when you die, which can save both time and money. Unlike a will, which becomes part of the public record after your death, the terms of a lifetime trust and who can benefit does not. Do feel free to contact the private wealth team at Child & Child to discuss your estate-planning needs. Child & Child, Nova North, 11 Bressenden Place, SW1E 5BY, childandchild.co.uk

ELIZABETH STREET,Belgravia BELGRAVIASW1 SW1 Cliveden Place,

£1,695,000 Leasehold Price on application Freehold

A superbrefurbished first and second two Belgravia bedroom,townhouse two bathroom situated thepassenger heart of Belgravia A stylishly Gradefloor II Listed withapartment the advantage of a in new lift, spacious with easy accommodation access to the excellent amenities of Sloane Square andsituated the Westmoments End. The from property offers lightand and family and a landscaped 46ft private garden, Sloane Square spacious extremely accommodation with the of having its own private streetand entrance and elegant first floor well located on benefit the borders of Kensington & Chelsea the City of an Westminster. reception room opening onto a contemporary kitchen/breakfast room. • Reception • Kitchen/ breakfast room • 2 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • 4 Reception rooms • 4room Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • 2 Cloakrooms • Study • Martin Moore Kitchen • Guest WC • Private EPC (D)2,881 sq ft • Utility room • Storage vault •entrance Garden ••Approx.

ELIZABETH STREET, BELGRAVIA SW1SW1 Cubitt Lodge, Lyall Mews West

£1,695,000 Leasehold £3,350 pw (fees apply) Furnished

A superb and second floor two bedroom, two bathroom apartment situated in formally the heartthe of Belgravia A fine Gradefirst II listed property of significant historical importance. Cubitt Lodge was workshop with easy toCubitt, the excellent amenities of responsible Sloane Square the West End. The property offers light used by access Thomas the Master Builder forand a considerable number of properties built and spacious accommodation with thebeen benefit of havingtoitsanown private street entrance and an elegant first floor in Belgravia. The property has refurbished impressive standard combined with numerous reception room opening onto a features contemporary kitchen/breakfast room. contemporary throughout. • Receptionrooms room••Kitchen Kitchen/and breakfast bedrooms • 2• bathrooms • 2 Reception Dining room • 22/3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms • Guest WC ••Private entrance EPC• (D) • Shower/Steam room • Study Cloakroom • EPC• (E) Approx. 2,346 sq ft

[2018 and beyond]

THROUGH THE CRYSTAL BALL Giles Cook, partner, Best Gapp

Making accurate and precise predictions about any property market is difficult at the best of times, however, the current Prime Central London sales market is classic “crystal ball” territory. Just like the rest of the nation, political uncertainty and a lack of clear and positive direction surrounding Brexit continues to prevent any levels of consistency and continuity among vendors and purchasers. Sentiment remains weak and caution plentiful. Perhaps the catalyst will be the most recent and possibly another upward movement in interest rates, which is expected next May. One positive is that, traditionally,

“We expect the number of transactions to steadily rise in 2018 as price falls continue to peter out” rate rises trigger an increase in the supply of stock coming to the market. There are plenty of vendors considering a move today; they are simply holding out for more favourable trading conditions. In most price brackets, values are back to where they finished the year in 2013, so factoring in the still highly attractive currency swap for dollar and euro denominations, we expect the number of transactions to steadily rise in 2018 as price falls continue to peter out.

Four local agents share their predictions for the 2018 sales market

James Bailey, chief executive, Henry & James

I believe that 2018 will bring a further interest-rate rise, which, in turn, will strengthen the pound, but mean mortgage rates will start to increase. This will potentially cause buyers who are currently sitting on the fence to get a wiggle

[PROPERTY] on. In general, I predict greater movement and more transactions in the market than in 2017.

Paul Gransbury, national partner, Strutt & Parker

There is no doubt that 2017 has been a challenging year for property sales in Prime Central London, and Belgravia was no exception. Transactions have still been happening, but at a slower pace and quantity. What has helped the market are the realistic vendors who have adjusted their expectations. So, as we turn the page to 2018, there is no doubt that

“Many new buyers are buying out of necessity rather than on a speculative basis” buyers will want to see fair value and a willingness from vendors to react sensibly to offers. With the mix of Brexit, interest rates and a weak pound, buyers are starting to come back. That said, many new buyers are buying out of necessity rather than on a speculative basis; either way, the market needs turnover

to create further confidence. As time passes, buyers and sellers are factoring in the new higher levels of stamp duty and are adjusting their budgets and expectations accordingly. Overall, we envisage seeing a more active market with an increase in the number of buyers and sellers alike.

Stuart Bailey, office head, Knight Frank

Needless to say, it would be wise to take any predictions for 2018 with a pinch of salt. At least we can be sure of some further uncertainty to keep life interesting. But what we are likely to see is the continued alignment between buyers’ and sellers’ expectations, with realistic pricing and renewed

buyer confidence. Certainly, in Belgravia, we tend to see a slowdown in trading, rather than dramatic price drops, especially with low interest rates and a strong rental market. This ensures the relative safe haven of Belgravia as an AAA mid- to long-term location in which to both live and invest. Sensible pricing, coupled with sufficient buyers not being prepared to head into the sideways costs of renting, means we will see improved numbers of sales. While we continue to take on a healthy number of properties and until this is more balanced, with buyer demand stable, pricing will remain constant for the time being. CONTACT THE AGENTS Best Gapp, 81 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PG, 020 7730 9253, bestgapp.co.uk Henry & James, 1 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8JX, 020 7235 8861, henryandjames.co.uk Knight Frank, 47 Lower Belgrave Street, SW1W 0LS, 020 7881 7722, knightfrank.co.uk Strutt & Parker, 66 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SH, 020 3733 3914, struttandparker.com

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The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

Drawing of St Dunstan-in-the-West by SPAB Scholar Ptolomy Dean

Founded by William Morris, the SPAB protects the historic environment from decay, damage and demolition. It responds to threats to old buildings, trains building professionals, craftspeople, homeowners and volunteers and gives advice about maintenance and repairs. Since 1877 countless buildings have been saved for future generations.

Information about maintaining your home is available through events, courses, lectures, publications and telephone advice. To support our work why not join the SPAB? Members receive a quarterly magazine, our list of historic properties for sale and access to our regional activities.

www.spab.org.uk 020 7377 1644 A charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales. Company no: 5743962 Charity no: 1113753 37 Spital Square, London E1 6DY

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60 Offices across England and Scotland, including prime Central London.

Resident’s Journal DECEMBER 2017 • Issue 67

66 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9SH +44 (0) 20 3813 9432 | struttandparker.com

We highly value your feedback: belgravia@residentsjournal.co.uk or 020 7987 4320

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Written for the residents of BELGRAVIA DECEMBER 2017 • Issue 67