issue 2: Nov/dec 2011

www.alanselby.co.uk Alan Selby & Partners, Millennium Harbour22 Westferry Road, London, E14 8LW

RESIDENTIAL SALESE14DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCY

LETTINGSNEW HOMES MARKETING

VALUE ENGINEERINGLAND ACQUISITION

LivingE14Like a bird

Introducing The Heron: The City’smost prestigious residential address

The art of givingSnow-white gifts to bring

light to your Christmas

A new breedWe test drive Range Rover’s

award-wining Evoque

@ Millennium Harbour

diaryE14 Living

Steak OutGoodmans Steakhouse Goodmans’ two current outposts in Mayfair and The City have been receiving rave reviews for their superb cuts of meat since they first opened. Carniverous residents of Canary Wharf will be welcoming the arrival of an E14 Goodmans in November. Serving meat imported from the plains of Nebraska, as well as homegrown beef from South Devon and the Duke of Buccleuch’s estates in Scotland, the meat is dry-aged on-site and cooked to perfection in special charcoal ovens. A true homage to the New York steakhouse, the Canary Wharf restaurant will also offer a takeaway service, offering the hard-working city folk the opportunity to munch their famed burgers at their desks. A late-night in the office is starting to look appealing.

DETAILS: South Quay Waterfront, Canary Wharf www.goodmanrestaurants.com

Santa’s GrottoSanta is taking up residence in Canary Wharf from the first weekend of December, and will be in his grotto every weekend. In the final week before Christmas, when excitement levels reach fever pitch, he’ll be there every day from 11am until 5pm. Be sure to catch a glimpse of his sleigh being pulled by two giant reindeer as it arrives in Jubilee Place on Saturday 3 December. Visitors to the grotto will be asked to donate £1, which goes directly to the Richard House Children’s Hospice.

DETAILS:www.mycanarywharf.com

DECEMBERRihanna: What’s her name? Pop diva Rihanna returns to The 02 after sell-out stints in October and November. 1 > 22 December, The 02www.the02.co.uk

Festive Shopping Event: The perfect opportunity to snap up a glamourous frock or sharp suit for Christmas party season. Loads of in-store discounts, plus a fashion show, entertainment and a goodie bag handed out from 5pm. 1 December, Jubilee Place

Carols & Candles Service: Carols led by The Canary Wharf Community Choir, with members coming from several locally-based businesses including Barclays Capital, Credit Suisse and State Street. All proceeds go to Barnado’s and Five Talents. 13 December, 5.30pm and 7.30pm, East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street

Spitalfields Winter Festival: A host of classical music events, from early music banquets, 15th century carols, to a Messiah debut. 10 > 25 Dec, spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk

JANUARYA Room For London: Head to the South Bank to catch a glimpse of Living Architecture and Artangel’s hotel installation atop the Queen Elizabeth Hall.From 1 Jan, www.living-architecture.co.uk

London Ice Sculpting Festival: Cheer on the international teams as they take chainsaws and knives to two-metre blocks of ice.13 > 14 Jan, from 9am, Canada Square

The Ripest Fruit Falls First

E14 LivingPublished by Resource Magazine on behalf of Alan Selby & Partners

Words & Pictures Lisa Richards lisa@resource-magazine.comDesign Christian Tate cst1973@mac.com

Business Rachel Seed rachel@resource-magazine.com

www.resource-magazine.com

E14 Living content, including the information, names, images, pictures, logos and icons regarding or relating to E14 Living and/or

Alan Selby & Partners LLP, its products and services (or to third party products and services), is provided “AS IS” and on an “IS AVAILABLE” basis without any representations or any kind of warranty made (whether express or implied by law) to the extent permitted by law, including any advertising material, information, products or services available on or

through this publication.

Richard II, Donmar

WarehouseDon’t let former-model-turned-award-

winning-actor Eddie Redmayne’ good looks put you off this prodution

of Richard II. The 29-year-old won an Olivier and Tony award for his

portrayal of Rothko in John Logan’s Red, and with a star-turn in a BBC

adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles, he’s arriving on

the Donmar Warehouse’s boards with great reviews under this belt. This production is Michael Grandage’s

curtain call at the Donmar, and we’re expecting him to leave with a bang

– plus teenage screaming girls at the stage door (for Redmayne, not

for Grandage).

Ho HoHolidays

DETAILS: 1 Dec > 4 Feb 2012 Tel: 0844 871 7624

www.donmarwarehouse.com

www.alanselby.co.uk

Welcome to E14 Living, the property lifestyle publication brought to you by Alan Selby & PartnersFor many people 2011 has been a year of negativity with almost a daily barrage of economic headlines which do little to remedy the general population’s pessimistic sentiment. As 2012 fast approaches, more and more of us are hanging on to what we hope will be a much more positive period catalysed by the Olympic Games. As we have all read in the press, commentators continue to debate the direct effect The Games may have on the property market. I am often asked my opinion, particularly in relation to East London, and without the presence of a crystal ball my answer is: only time will tell!

What I can say is that at present the condition of the property market is characterised by every estate agent’s favourite cliché: ‘Location, location, location!’ Prime areas of Central London continue to attract foreign investment with house prices in some areas now higher than prior to the onset of the credit crunch. The City and its eastern fringes are experiencing large capital growth in respect to new-build developments, but many secondary locations across London continue to suffer the effects of hugely obstructive lending criteria.

More locally on the Isle of Dogs, and contrary to some recent forecasts, we are seeing a burst of positivity from a relentless Canary Wharf workforce, leading to a significant increase in the level of sales. Some buyers are no longer interested in ‘waiting out’ this period of economic uncertainty and are looking to the future. One of our New Home Developments, Bow Cross West in E3, has seen a ‘sell out’ of its first two phases, almost entirely to owner-occupiers and without the assistance from overseas investment.

In this edition of E14 Living we have added more lifestyle features, in order to avert your attention away from the persisting negative press! Also there are career opportunities at Alan Selby & Partners: if you are interested, see our feature on the next page.

As always we would love to hear from you, so please do get in touch: info@alanselby.co.uk

Alan Selby

Canary Wharf Ice Rink opens 12th NovemberYou know that Christmas is truly looming when the covers come off the Canary Wharf ice rink. Opening on Saturday 12th November, this is the seventh year that the rink has opened under the Wharf’s skyscrapers and the twinkling lights of the trees in Canada Square Park. It is, quite possibly, one of the most stunning settings in which to tie on some skates and make like Torvill and Dean. Skate hire and lessons are available, so even if you’re a novice on the ice, experts will be on-hand to improve your skating skills. After expending all that energy, we recommend getting in from the cold and heading up to Plateau for drinks overlooking the rink.

DETAILS: Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, 12 November to 19 February Tickets from £10 for adults and £7.50 for children. Book via: www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844 847 1556

On Thin Ice

After the first issue of E14 Living, we received some excellent recommendations from readers for places to see and wonderful restaurants – we even received a request for a great yoga teacher in E14 (if you know one, let us know so we can pass it on to Caroline who lives in Millennium Harbour). The Alan Selby & Partners team receive requests for local information on a regular basis – great dog walks, cosy pubs, do they know of any good sushi restaurants, plumbers? So we thought it was a great idea to pool our knowledge, add ‘wish lists’ from residents and provide a helpful guide and information for great places to visit in the area, as well as feedback from residents. Here are just a few of the mailbag entries we received – now it’s over to you...DETAILS: Send us your thoughts and suggestions on E14, its residents and businesses, service providers you trust, or secret spots: info@alanselby.co.uk

Over To You...I hope you recommend The Gun Docklands to your readers, and to those looking for property in the area. It’s a great gastropub sat right on the river and it’s the only place I’ve found in London that has real open-fires.Greg, Barcap

Thanks for my copy of E14 Living. I hope to see another soon. Does anyone living locally know of a great yoga class in Docklands? Recommendations, please!Caroline, E14

I wish they did open-air concerts all through the year in Cabot Square. I had a fantastic evening during the summer watching the London Symphony Orchestra perform music from The King’s Speech movie. Wonderful. Make sure you catch them next year.Emma, Poplar

I’m sure your readers will have already been, but just in case: my family had a great day out at the Docklands Museum. It’s so wonderful to get a perspective on the area’s history, and it’s free!Jo & family, Millennium Harbour

Look out for the Wahaca food truck’s: we had a great lunch courtesy of the Mexican restaurant (it’s owned by the woman that won Masterchef a few years back). The slow-cooked meats wrapped in flatbread are particularly good.Geoff, Morgan Stanley

-

Welcome

Readers’ Corner:Have Your Say

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORKING

IN CANARY WHARF NEXT

YEAR, DUE TO THE

MOVE OF JP MORGAN

& SHELL TO E14Source: Evening Standard

105k

£9.3bnTHE BUDGET

GIVEN TO THE OLYMPIC

DELIVERY COMMITTEE

FOR THE LONDON 2012

GAMESSource:

Property Week

E14 Living

A Career At Alan Selby& Partners

Despite the volatile condition of the property market, Alan Selby & Partners still continues to recruit and expand. We currently have vacancies in our very busy Consultancy Department for surveyors, either newly-qualified or experienced. If you would like to work in a dynamic, exciting, privately-owned business, we would like to hear from you. We are looking to strengthen our existing successful team which is expanding rapidly. Experience with Residential Development Appraisal is essential. Please email your CV to Susanne Munroe: susannem@alanselby.co.uk Also, if you would like a career with us in either Sales, Lettings or Administration, please send your CV to Susanne. If any further vacancies arise, we will contact you.

DETAILS:Millennium Harbour, 22 Westferry Road, London, E14 8LWTel: 020 7519 5900www.alanselby.co.uk

With the previous two phases already sold out, the final phase of the chic new eco-friendly development Bow Cross West is set to go the same way. The apartments, set within a vibrant community, with quick links to the City and West End, as well as sports and leisure facilities par excellence, have helped secure Bow Cross West’s popularity. Key selling points include its convenient location close to excellent travel links, to the exhilerating build-up to the 2012 Olympics right on your doorstep. The area – and the development itself – is bursting with prospects and excitement.

DETAILS:For more information on the Bow Cross West development, and to arrange a viewing, contact the team at Alan Selby & Partners: 020 7519 5900

Bull MarketIberica London opens in Canary Wharf

Following the enormous success of its Marylebone restaurant, Iberica Food & Culture will be opening its second London location at 10 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf. Due to open in November, the menu will be led by two-Michelin-star chef Nacho Manzana, and dishes will include tapas with a creative, modern twist – perfectly suited to the striking interior designed by Barcelona-based Lazaro Rosa Violan. Classic Spanish dishes will celebrate ingredients such as the famed jamón Ibérico, while Manzana and his chef

Cesar Garcia will also create new standard bearers, including the delicious-sounding Iberica burger with secreto pork loin and piparras peppers. Bocadillos – Spanish sandwiches – will also be available, filled

with hand-carved jamón Serrano, available to take away or, for larger orders, to be delivered anywhere within the Canary Wharf estate. As well as an excellent wine list, the restaurant will also serve a range of beers and Spanish cocktails, plus what they call their “boutique wines” – exclusively available in the UK to its two restaurants. Exclusive to the Canary Wharf outpost will be the ‘Wine Custody Service’, where

guests can lease their own personal space in the restaurant’s cellar. As a member, you will be able to purchase exclusive vintages from some of Spain’s very best wine producers.

DETAILS: Open Monday to Saturday, 11am to midnight; Sundays, 11am to 3pm. www.ibericalondon.co.uk

EcoWarriors

THE % THAT VISITOR

NUMBERS ARE

DOWN AT WEEKENDS TO CANARY

WHARF SINCE THE

OPENING OF WESTFIELD STRATFORD

CITYSource: Evening Standard

4

£3.7bnTHE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL

COMING INTO LONDON’S PROPERTY MARKET

FROM FOREIGN

BUYERS PER YEAR

Source: Telegraph

1.99%THE RATE OF LEEDS BUILDING SOCIETY’S

LOWEST EVER FIXED-RATE MORTGATE

www.alanselby.co.uk

affable doormen recognised me from that visit. Since that first trip to Canary Wharf, its skyline has grown upwards and outwards. On my first trip, I’d pondered how long the Four Seasons would last in this ‘wasteland’. Now it sits on the periphery of a thriving business district that’s ever-expanding.

The lobby was teeming with an intriguing mix of business folk, holidaying Americans and music exec’ types, who were milling around before that weekend’s O2 gig. “Good morning, Miss Richards.” I hadn’t even had chance to announce my arrival at the check-in desk and already I was being whisked through the check-in process by name. I had been pre-warned that my room would not be ready until later that afternoon –the only downside of my upgrade to the Presidential Suite. But I was more than happy to wait, obviously, and prior to check-in I had been given excellent advice from staff at the hotel: that my bags would be stored, and that I could make the most of the neighbouring Virgin Active’s facilities, so perhaps pack my swimsuit separately? So, with my bags stored, I headed over to the gym. Yet more nods and “Good morning, Miss Richards”

as my colleague and I plodded through the manicured grounds to the fitness centre. All hotel guests can make use of Virgin Active’s excellent facilities: a beautiful 20-metre infinity pool overlooking the Thames, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, gym, tanning booths and a cafe. So, after a steam and bubbles, and a few lengths of the pool, we grabbed loungers, retrieved the weekend papers from our lockers, and lay poolside, the sun streaming in through the enormous glass-sided building.

After our sedate workout, we popped into the tanning booth, made use of the hairdryers, straighteners and Molton Brown products, and returned to the hotel’s lobby for a glass of something cold. There were no signs of gym exertion (not that there were any in the first place, to be fair) and we were now dressed in a Four Seasons-approved smart/casual assemble ready for lunch. We were asked by the lovely waitress pouring our Champagne how the swim was. Apart from the man on reception who’d stored my bags, I’d not told another soul I was going swimming. There wasn’t even the merest whiff of chlorine about my person. I couldn’t help but look about me. Who had been

105k

£9.3bn

watching? It’s all very underhand.After our second glass of

bubbles our waitress informed us that our suite was ready. We finished off our drinks and headed up to the higher floors of the hotel and were shown around our vast suite. Just a few days before, Justin Bieber had been sleeping in this very bed. We could certainly see why A-listers opt for this place: secure parking down in the bowels of the building, so lying-in-wait Paparazzi and screaming girls can be avoided; discreet staff that can point you in the direction of the private lift; the ability to escape by speedboat from the banks of the Thames; and all the amenities a superstar could possibly need in a suite with views flooded with the setting sunlight, pouring in a breathtaking view of London’s skyline and twisting old river.

After a full explore of the suite I then luxuriated in the bath, in the enormous bathroom, abusing the generous supply of Bulgari and L’Occitaine products, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling marble. I especially loved the abundant amount of dense, fluffy white towels – enough to dry a small town on a wet day – and the oversized robe, which I wore as I padded through the dressing

There’s something wonderfully decadent about packing your weekend bags and heading to a luxurious five-star hotel for a couple of days of fine food and pampering. More decadent still, when that hotel is right on your doorstep. Lisa Richards reviews the Four Seasons Canary Wharf and falls in love with her neighbour

Love Thy Neighbour

room (with iron and board, hairdryer near a mirror and plugs, loads of hanging space and a full-length mirror – hurray!), into the bedroom with its window seat, back through into the living room, beyond into the dining room and then into the kitchenette, with a well-stocked mini bar. I mixed a G&T, and padded back to watch trashy telly and dress for dinner while the sun set.

Downstairs is Quadrato, with its glass-clad kitchen and north Italian menu. Before dinner, as I was perusing the menu, a waiter asked if my colleague and I if we would like another glass of the champagne we’d had earlier. Do they take notes? This was getting ridiculous. We were seated next to a couple who clearly ate there weekly, and we were greeted as warmly and fondly as these regulars were. We started off with Italian style ‘tapas’. Our pasta dishes were certainly the high-point of the meal.

Service, as with everywhere else in the hotel, was faultless. After a brandy, forced upon us by our waiter – we are easily led – we waddled back to our suite, to watch the lights twinkling over London. The windows must have been quadruple glazed and the rooms insulated as we didn’t hear a peep all night.

The next morning the restaurant was transformed. “Good morning Miss Richards, good morning Miss Richards,” greeted me at every turn. Breakfast at a Four Seasons is a must-see event: the normally sedate pace changes to a frantic pitch of noise and activity, with families packing out the dining area and waiters dashing back and forth with plates laden with eggs Benedict, strange orders of yolk-free omelettes from the fitness-freak Yanks, and never-ending refills of coffee and freshly-squeezed juice. We sat for over an hour, watching the world go by, reading the papers as the sun streamed through the windows. With the view of the pool in sight, we decided to head back down to the gym for another few lengths before our departure. This time, with hair still wet from our dip, we gave the game away to passing members of staff, who enquired after our swim.

With our bags safely stored, we headed out into Canary Wharf in the sunshine, wandering down by the docks, popping into the Museum of London Docklands, partaking in a spot of light shopping in the mall and a glass of Champagne in Plateau. We felt like tourists in our own little enclave of this amazing city.

DETAILS:Four Seasons46 Westferry Circus, London, E14 8RS. Tel: 020 7510 1999www.fourseasons.com

£3.7bn

1.99%

Since staying at the Four Seasons Canary Wharf, I’ve been dragged around Spain

and France on a press trip and have stayed in four other luxury hotels in order to review them. It says a lot that, with all this to-ing and fro-ing, I’ve been regularly recalling aspects of my stay at the East London outpost of one of my favourite hotel brands.

I’ve stayed at hotels that are comparable, price-wise, in the last couple of weeks alone, and yet the service that the Four Seasons’ staff offered was easily a couple of notches ahead of their closest competitors – from the friendly ladies that clean the rooms, right through to the restaurant’s maître d’. God was also in the details: the finish of the hotel, the amenities in the room and the sense of space propel this hotel from a really good one to a great one.

From the moment you walk through the door – using what must be a Four Seasons-branded covert communications tool – the on-the-ground team appear to track your every movement. Not in an intrusive way, I hasten to add. Whether my Facebook had been accessed or some serious hacking undertaken, there was no reason – other than espionage – for the charming doormen to know me by name as arrived. My last visit to this hotel was when it first opened, a good few years ago, so I doubt very much that the

E14 Living

The Heron is one of the most ambitious residential building projects that the capital has ever seen, and Alan Selby & Partners are proud to be joint agents for this sky-scraping, high-end development. In this, the second issue of E14 Living, we show you around their newest project... We hope you have a head for heights.

Brave New Build

the City of London having 350,000 workers spilling into its Square Mile by day, just 8000 Londoners call the City their home by night. In keeping with its location on Silk Street, close to the arts hub of the Barbican, the lower floors of The Heron will house new state-of-the-art facilities for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, including a 608-seat concert hall, meaning that some of the UK’s most promising young performers will be learning their trade literally on your doorstep.

A HEAD FOR HEIGHTSAs one would expect from such a groundbreaking building, it’s not just the interiors that are fit for a high-end purchaser. A new landmark on the London skyline, the building’s exterior is unashamedly contemporary, with graceful lines and a sleek, seamless exterior, mosaic-like thanks to its panels of clear, opaque black and dark grey glass, interwoven with sheets of silver anodised aluminium. This modern-day patchwork is outlined in a polished stainless steel, catching the sun and city light in its highly-reflective panels.

LOOKING TO THE FUTUREWhen designing a project as large-scale as this, the design and construction team take environmental and sustainability issues very seriously. The Heron understands that it has a responsibility to the community in which it lives and also to the environment, and it has been designed to adhere to the Greater London Authority’s future aims to make London a carbon neutral city. This is no easy feat in a build of this size, however the development is utilising the highly-effective Citigen Combined Heat and Power System for its heating, cooling and hot water, which will impact greatly in reducing the carbon footprint of the building. A glass building of this size also needs to tackle its ‘solar gain’, and by using intelligent design solutions, a system of ‘brise soleil’ balconies have been built into the plan, as well as screening on the south and west facing facades. As well as all this, carefully monitored, sustainable construction methods have been implemented to lessen the impact that a build of this size will inevitably have on the local area, such as noise, emissions and disruption. Heron International have over 50 years of experience in property development and investment, and has developed over 150 buildings including prime offices, residential, leisure, hotels and mixed-use projects all over the world – the build is, clearly, in very safe hands.

THE PANORAMIC COLLECTIONLaunched in October, The Heron’s Panoramic Collection is the release of two- and three-bedroom apartments on the higher levels of the building, therefore offering vendors the most spectacular views. These apartments are also larger, and are located between the 31st and 34th floors, with floor sizes ranging from 178 to 225 square metres and include lateral and duplex floor layouts. Inside, as you’d expect, they’re finished to an exceptional specification, including top-end fittings such as Boffi kitchens and Gaggenau appliances.

It’s astonishing to think that The Heron is the City of London’s first major residential development in 30 years. Its sales figures speak volumes about the demand for high-end property in the heart of London: over

70 per cent of the apartments at this already-award-winning development have been sold off-plan ahead of completion in 2013. Welcome to your new address in the heart of the capital. As joint agents for this bold new build, let Alan Selby & Partners show you around.

The Heron’s 36 storeys will make it the tallest residential tower in The City. With 285 high-specification apartments set within its slender, sky-scraping form designed by David Walker Architects, it will offer breathtaking views over the whole of London. Partly in thanks to its enviable location, but also thanks to the clever positioning of supporting columns which will allow fully-glazed, floor-to-ceiling corners to the apartments.

FINE ARTS Sitting next door to the acclaimed arts centre The Barbican, home to an array of exhibitions, performing arts events and concerts, and within walking distance of Moorgate, Barbican and Liverpool Street tube stations, its location means you’re in the heart of what’s happening in London. Despite

www.alanselby.co.uk

REDEFINING CITY LIVING The Heron will also houses a collection of apartments from floors seven to 30:

The Galley & Island Suite’s generous floor plans are the ideal space for living and sleeping, filled with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows and its open-plan design. Finished with the highest quality materials, the space will include a large living area with kitchen, double bedroom and bathroom.

The Heron’s 1-Bedroom Apartments are redefining the standards of city living and boast an open-plan living room/dining area and kitchen and generous bedroom area plus bathroom.

The 2-Bedroom Apartments positioned on the corner of the building offer unrivalled space in this part of the city. A master bedroom with en-suite, guest bedroom with bathroom, plus a large kitchen and a living/dining room make this the perfect space in which to entertain and take in the views.

The 3-Bedroom Apartment is generously proportioned, creating a real sense of luxury and space for families embracing city living and bathed in light thanks to the dual-aspect views.

Residents on all floors will experience the ultimate in smart-home technology.

RESIDENT BENEFITS Residents on all floors will be able to make use of The Heron’s landscaped roof garden – a quiet refuge away from the frantic pace of The City’s streets below. The building will also house an exclusive residents’ club lounge, open to residents and their guests, and will be a discreet venue in which to entertain, socialise and relax. The building will also have its own concierge who will be the residents’ first point of contact for all their needs, for everything from dry cleaning, maintenance and housekeeping, through to travel arrangements, restaurant reservations and theatre tickets. Valet parking will also be available and an on-site porter will able to assist 24 hours a day. For leisure time, The Heron’s gym will feature state-of-the-art equipment and the building will also boasts its own screening room. Uniformed security will be on-site 24 hours. This is five-star living in the heart of the capital.

DETAILS:Call the office for more information on The Heron and to arrange a private viewing: 020 7519 5900, www.alanselby.co.uk

Your fast-track to ski:hit the slopes in 2 hrs!*

Ski destinations include: Geneva, Zurich, Chambéry, Milan, Munich, Bern and Glasgow

Free carriage of skis on selected flights

Just 22 mins from the City

For more information visit our brand new ski site ski.londoncityairport.com

*subject to destination

As one would expect from such a groundbreaking building, it’s not just the interiors that are fit for a high-end purchaser

KARL LAGERFELD FOR ORREFORSLuxe glassware at its most fashionable, Orrefors collection by Lagerfeld is the must-have crystal collection for this Christmas. Heirloom pieces with a couture edge.www.orrefors.com

STANHOPE TEAPOTIf you’re buying for loved-ones who are fans are

beautifully-made objets for the home, then a trip to Anthropologie is a must. We adore this outrageously

over-the-top teapot. £228, www.anthropologie.co.uk

RANGE ROVER EVOQUEDon’t let the WAGs car-jack Range Rover’s newest

offering. We love its curvaceous lines, plus you can buy it guilt-free as it helps boost British business.

Wrap it in a red bow and hide the keys under the Christmas tree for the ultimate gift.

www.rangerover.com

E14 Living

The White Album

WHITE HORNSDarling of the US interior design scene, Jonathan Adler has finally brought his wares to British shores with the opening of his first UK store on Sloane Avenue this autumn. Expect daring, striking, wow pieces for the home, like these manly horns.Large horn sculpture,$150www.jonathanadler.com

WHITE DR MARTINSWho knew that the Dr Marten boot would come back into style in such a huge way? We love these purer-than-the-driven-snow editions for department store Selfridges.www.selfridges.com

ANDALUSIAN BUSTThis Christmas, we’re all about statement pieces: this horse’s head from Anthropologie is ideal for an equine-loving friend or loved-one. Bold, dramatic and exciting.£398, www.anthropologie.co.uk

VALEXTRAWant an investment gift? Then go with Italian luggage. Valextra’s Avietta line is a demonstration in quality craftsmanship. Just don’t throw it in the Ryanair hold, for goodness sake.www.valextra.com

BROOKLYN GIANT FLOOR LAMPThink big when you’re compiling your Christmas list. We love this over-size lamp from our online furniture store of choice, made.com.£79, www.made.com

www.alanselby.co.uk

The White AlbumPure as the driven snow, these ice-white giftswill light up any Christmas wish list...

While uncertainty and fear creeps into practically

every economic market, there is one small piece of England that remains buoyant, undeterred by the doom-mongering from financial journalists; immovable, despite the markets around them plunging; resolutely forward-thinking despite the rubber-necking from commentators looking back to try and work out how we got ourselves into this fine mess.

Despite it all, there is a section of the market that is positively growing. An influx of capital is arriving on our shores from abroad, from international buyers desperate to ringfence their

assets with the highest security possible. And where is this safe shore? This protected enclave? It is a growing swathe of land that runs from west to east across the Capital; from Chiswick, through Fulham and Chelsea, taking in the Docklands, and out into the safe havens of the Home Counties.

At present, analysts believe that some £3.7 billion a year arrives in London with foreign buyers seeking out high-end flats and family homes, looking to ‘park’ their investments somewhere they see as safe, while all around them crumbles. According to experts, each London area has its own breed of high-end investor: while the

Chinese favour property here in the Docklands with its soaring towers, excellent amenities and transport system, Middle Eastern and South Asian buyers head to Hampstead, Islington and Westminster. And when a market booms, there are even fairytales of wealthy out-of-towners buying sight unseen, regardless of the price tag. Others, meanwhile, jet in, sign on the dotted line and fly out again.

While the small print saying may still ring true – that investments can go down as well as up – many investors see London as a vast safe storage unit. While Europe buckles and sways, London stand talls, safe and true. And because of this

influx of money from abroad – domestic buyers currently number only 45% of the market at present (compared with 51% a year ago) – due mainly to the Eurozone crisis, some areas of London are finding themselves being upgraded to prime slabs of real estate – a homeowner’s dream.

This has happened for a number of key reasons. Those who can’t afford to move to a larger house in their own prime postcode neighbourhood either renovate and extend their homes with basement extensions – thereby increasing their equity as well as the value of property in the area – or move to a nearby borough; so from

Safe In The City?

E14 Living

Many investors see London as a

vast safe storage unit. While Europe

buckles and sways, London stand talls,

safe and true.

Chelsea out to Battersea, on to Wandsworth and Streatham they go, in search of more space within their budget. Likewise, those who are priced out of Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge look to Rotherhithe and beyond for family homes. Another reason is that despite the size of the London market, the number of excellent properties is still relatively small, and so bidding wars ensue, driving up the local cost of property. And with interest rates expected to remain low for the next year, as well as the continuing weakness of the Pound,

many experts – ourselves included – believe that this current level of demand for high-end properties will continue. And despite some areas reaching peak pricing territory, because of investor fears in other investment areas, the prime London market can only climb upwards at present.

DETAILS: To talk to our team about investment opportunities within the Capital, call: 020 7519 5900, www.alanselby.co.uk

Now available at London City Airport

Email us your suggestions, questions & thoughts: info@alanselby.co.uk or contact Rachel if you would like to advertise: rachel@resource-magazine.com

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Though I may be considered, by some, to be something of an adventurous foodie, with

a refined palate and a thorough understanding of the more complex methods of molecular gastronomy (in other words, a food snob) at heart, nothing makes me happier than a great big hunk of meat that has been perfectly cooked. Yes, true, that meat has to have excellent provenance, and the chef needs to understand the protein’s complex structure in order to bring out the natural sweetness of the charred flesh, and to counteract that sweetness with liberal, brave seasoning, but it’s this simple dish that rules my stomach. When it comes to devising my dream dinner party menu, steak and chips will be the main course.

For the vegetarians amongst us (and, to be fair, I do eat very little meat in the week, and I see meat as a treat; something special) it’s been a hard few months living in London. There has been a veritable swathe of meaty openings in the capital, all of which celebrate the seared flesh that is the steak. From British born eateries celebrating locally-grown cattle (Hawksmoor), to American superchefs charging upwards of £40 for a slab of meat (Wolfgang Puck’s Cut, 45 Park Lane), 2011 is the Year of the (dead) Cow.

One of my favourite steak celebrations is over at Grosvenor House. A very American affair, with a Welsh chef at the helm, JW Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar is a pure-and-simple American-style celebration of great meat. Stepping off Park Lane into this cavernous restaurant is like taking a transatlantic trip. It’s U S of A all the way here, with a flag-waving menu that takes me back to great dinners Stateside: chopped salad, crab cakes, steak tartar, wedges of Iceberg lettuce served with blue cheese dressing, onion rings, baked potatoes with sour cream and sweet potato mash (served here with a marshmallow crust). Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?

What truly shines here are two very simple elements that so many restaurants can get wrong: excellent, knowledgeable staff and

the finest quality ingredients out back in the kitchen. The Lump Crab served on ice positively sang, such was its freshness. My JW Maryland style lump crab cakes appeared to be 90 per cent crab. Excellent stuff. And, what with this being America – kind of – the

portions were enormous. We could have shared, but we’re actually glad we didn’t as both

were delicious. We did, however, pace ourselves.

Which is a good job as the steaks that arrived were Flintstone-sized. My colleague’s Tomahawk rib-eye was a 32-ounce (that’s nearly a kilo!) Aberdeen

Angus on-the-bone steak and belt-breakingly-enormous. And perfectly cooked, thanks to the resident broiler which reaches temperatures of 650-degrees-Celsius. My bone-in Kansas City Strip (a mere 16 ounces) was charred on the outside, which released the meat’s natural sugars, creating a sweet-yet-meaty outer

crust and pink and oozing juices in the middle. You’d be hard-pressed to find a steak this good in anywhere else London.

In terms of side orders, we made like Americans and ordered enough to feed a small town in Iowa. The hand-cut chips were excellent, as were the stringy fries (my starch of choice). My colleague’s baked potato loaded with butter (upon her request) and served with sour cream, spring onions, Cheddar and bacon increased the cholesterol beautifully.

Our waitress had already, at this point, helped us select an excellent wine: the Stag’s Leap Hands of Time from Napa – just across the road from the Carneros Inn, a great little place I stayed at recently. It handled the meat deftly.

We surprised ourselves when we ordered pudding. I was pretty sure, at this point, that I wouldn’t eat for another week. It looked like we’d barely made a dent in the steaks (the dog was going to be very happy upon my return) but we must have polished off at least half a kilo of steak each. We went for the “best cheesecake this side of the pond” – a brave, and some might say foolish, claim. But the kitchen team know what they’re doing and what arrived was the size of a dinner plate and perfectly executed. As well as the best cheesecake this side of the pond, I’d easily say it was the best I’ve ever had. We managed about half and had the rest doggie bagged up.

We were ready to roll, literally, but as the waitress insisted we join in on the celebrations for Jack Daniel’s birthday, it was whisky and gingers all round while we planned our return – and what we’d eat when we were here. The lobster can’t be missed, nor can the crab soup, the burger, the 12-hour braised short ribs, the side of mac and cheese or the whoopie pies served with a Bailey’s milkshake.

God bless America.

DETAILS: 86 Park Lane, London, W1K 7TLTel: 0207 399 8460www.jwsteakhouse.co.uk

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Meat Feast

In terms of side orders, we made like Americans and ordered enough to feed a small town in Iowa

Rachel Seed dodges the speeding Ferraris and Bentleys on Park Lane for a slice of Americana, courtesy of JW Steakhouse

Without doubt, Range Rover’s Evoque is the car launch of 2011. But

while it’s been lauded by critics and buyers alike, there has also been some confusion as to where it sits within the Land Rover/Range Rover brand, within the car market as a whole, and who it’s aimed at. Some, like me, don’t care. Why? Well, because it feels pretty damn good to know that a car manufactured on UK shores has pre-orders of a staggering 20,000-odd already.

Another reason I’m not losing sleep over how the Evoque is going to sit in the range is that it’s rare that a car launched as a concept (some three years ago, as the LRX) stays true to its original, envelope-pushing design. Unless you’ve been living under a rock or in a universe where aesthetics are unimportant, you can’t help but admit that it’s a looker. Go on, look again: those lines; the fact it evokes (geddit?) speed; its city-gent-with-a-weekend-place-in-the-country good looks; the assured confidence of wearing the Range Rover badge,

the motoring equivalent of the school tie.

So, let’s start at the beginning: What is the Evoque? Well, it’s Range Rover’s smallest and ‘greenest’ production car to date. What they call in the industry a “mini-sport utility vehicle.” Or a hybrid (not that kind of hybrid) of a SUV-coupe-hot-hatch, if you want to make things even more complicated. Its aim, I’m guessing, is to attract a younger, cooler driver to the brand and with the help of some clever marketing bods, Range Rover has pulled in some sharply-dressed brand ambassadors to do this job for them – or ‘City Shapers’ as the glossy brochure calls them. (Interesting use of the word ‘city’ right there). So the landed gentry aren’t the core target market – although the motor did look rather beautiful parked up outside Lord Roxburgh’s pad just south of Edinburgh back in October, when I was up in the Borders test-driving the car.

Marketeers reckon that 90 per cent of those buying the Evoque

will be new to the brand – not only is that some astonishingly clever marketing, but that’s also some clever designing. Just from the sheer shape and look of it, there will be an obvious assumption that those wanting to get their hands on the first models rolling out of the factory will be in the 25-to-45 age bracket, urban dwellers, and will include a fair smattering of women amongst them.

The success of the Evoque is

– and petrolheads will hate me for saying this – the vehicle’s styling. Whether you’re driving down Park Lane in London or in the wilds of Scotland, this baby turns heads. Parked up outside a village shop, just across from the local kirk and the kilt shop, in a tiny village in the Scottish Borders, I was approached by one gentleman walking his dog and accosted by another who pulled up next to the Evoque in his Freelander. He’d already ordered his and told me his colour and interior choice, plus his engine size. It gets that kind of reaction from people.

On the inside, things remain in the high-end league: it’s certainly shiny and swish. Some have beautifully stitched leather panels, others have highly-polished knobs and handles, plus wood insets. Driver comfort is paramount, so the adjustable steering column creates the perfect position while the seats move up, down, back and forward. I was driving (I’m 5’4”) and so was another journalist (6-foot-plus), and we both felt

comfortable behind the wheel – after the twiddling of a few knobs.

In terms of bells, whistles and buttons you prod, there’s all manner of gadgetry to keep you busy. I especially liked the split-screen display: so the driver can keep his/her eye on the sat-nav while the passenger can watch television or a DVD. Clever. Like, Mission Impossible clever. You can also adjust the interior lighting with a one-touch button, as well as fiddle with the knobs on your stereo which offers 16-speaker Meridian sound. Radio 4’s never sounded so good. The Park Assist facility will mean you can squeeze its oversize bottom into even the tightest of city centre parking spaces.

The only area in which this car disappoints is that big back-end. Nice face, shame about the… you get the idea. For the driver, because of that sexy exterior slope, visibility out the back is limited to a slit-like back window and narrowing side rear windows. For those sitting in the back, it’s not exactly spacious, but opt for

Are Range Rover taking a gamble with the latest machine in their stable: the smaller, smarter, meaner Evoque? Or will the radical design and compact size mean that the brand will be introduced to a cooler, younger breed of customer? E14 Living’s Editor, Lisa Richards, took the Evoque for a test drive in the wild Scottish Borders, and put it through its paces both on-road and off.

So the landed gentry aren’t the core target market – although the motor did look rather beautiful parked up outside Lord Roxburgh’s pad just south of Edinburgh

E14 Living

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the large panoramic roof window if you’re planning on carrying passengers as this helps to open things up a bit. And that’s in the five-door. While the coupe does look speedier somehow, for practicality I’d go for the five-door every time. Back out in the boot and it’s a good size – we were shown a bale of hay being loaded in the back, in the hope that the farmers’ wives could see its potential. I own a Great Dane, and I’m not so sure he’d be comfortable for a long journey back there, but you’d squeeze a Labrador or Springer Spaniel in perfectly.

So to the technical stuff. I drove, for several hours, the diesel and petrol engine versions of the Evoque. My first introduction to the car was the Si4 240hp six-speed automatic Dynamic edition petrol, and after an hour or so of driving I felt, well, a little deflated. It lacked the solidity and response that I’d expect from something like the Discovery or Range Rover Sport. It felt a bit ‘thin’. Plus the gears insisted on changing down whenever they could, even when I was about to throw myself around a steep, upwards sloping bend. Annoying. A pleasant, comfortable ride, but still a bit annoying and not as much fun as you’d expect when you’ve got over 1.5 tons of brute force at your toe. (And when you’ve got 1.5 tons at your toe, expect a very thirsty petrol car).

After lunch I car-jacked a diesel: the SD4 190hp six-speed automatic in the Prestige finish, to be precise. Now this felt very different. Fun, exciting, fast and powerful – and with that

distinctive Range Rover diesel gurgle that lets you know you’re driving something solid (an insider told me that sound generators had had to be positioned on the engine to increase its volume in the driver’s cabin as the ride was so quiet without them. God is in

details such as these). It pulled away confidently, and was terrific around corners. What’s the point of owning a beast of a car like this if your head isn’t thrown back once you’ve put your foot down? You’d be mad not to opt for the diesel: and at 46.9mpg, it’s not

hitting the wallet too badly on a weekly basis.

Having turned off the Borders’ B-roads, we went completely off-road: this was going to be interesting. This was going to be a test. It felt almost – almost – as sturdy as its bigger brothers in the Range Rover stable. Yes, it’s not as confident or agile as the larger cars in the range, and it certainly doesn’t have that workhorse feel about it, but with clever pieces of engineering like the hill descent and the electronic power-assisted steering, it moves off-road well. Other buttons let you switch to a special rut mode (which helps with the lower slung undercarriage, thanks to the adaptive dampers), plus there are others for mud and sandy surfaces. You’re driving with confidence knowing you’ve got the safety backing of Range Rover’s team of excellent engineers and experts behind the wheel with you.

To put it bluntly, it’s a well screwed together piece of kit that really looks the business. If I was looking for a five-door diesel for my stable, I’d shell out for this in the next 12 months, while it’s still got the power to turn heads.

DETAILS:Price: £27,995 to £44,320; Power/torque: 237bhp at 5500rpm / 340lb ft at 1750rpm; Top speed: 135mph; Acceleration: 0-60 mph, 7.1 seconds; Fuel economy: 23.7mpg (EU Urban)www.landrover.com

Whether you’re driving down Park Lane in London or in the wilds of Scotland, this baby turns heads

E14 Living

For all sales and lettings enquiries, please contact the Alan Selby & Partners office:Millennium Harbour, 22 Westferry Road, London, E14 8LWTel: 020 7519 5900 E: info@alanselby.co.uk W: www.alanselby.co.uk

NEW ATLAS WHARF, £409,995Offering fantastic views from the reception room across a park and out onto the River Thames, this fifth floor two-bedroom, two bathroom apartment is set within the New Atlas Wharf development which boasts a 24-hour porter, gymnasium, Jacuzzi and steam room, as well as secure underground parking. The property consists of reception room, separate kitchen, bathroom and an en-suite to the master bedroom, as well as a south-facing balcony and is situated within 850 metres of Coldharbour and Heron Quays DLR stations. The Canary Wharf estate, offering a Jubilee line underground station as well as many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities is approximately 0.5 miles away. This property is offered to the market chain-free.

Alan Selby & Partners’ impressive collection of sky-scraping residential blocks, glass-fronted modern apartments, townhouses with gardens and family homes showcases the diversity of the accommodation available in and around E14. Here are just a few of the properties they currently have available.

PIERPOINT BUILDING, £514,995 With a mix of spacious living accommodation and extensive views across the River Thames to Central London, this two-bedroom, two bathroom, fourth floor apartment is set in one of the most sought-after gated riverside developments in E14. The accommodation includes a large reception room with balcony and direct river views, a separate kitchen, an en-suite to the master bedroom, second bedroom and bathroom. The Millennium Harbour development offers a 24-hour porter and leisure facilities which includes a gymnasium and spa and is situated within 600 metres of Heron Quays DLR station and the Canary Wharf estate.

Property For Sale

KINGSBRIDGE COURT, £324,995 With spectacular views across Millwall Dock and onto Canary Wharf this spacious two-bedroom second floor apartment offers

accommodation comprising reception room with open-plan kitchen and balcony facing onto the dock, master bedroom with en-suite shower room and a main bathroom. The Kingsbridge Court development is a private, gated development with secure

underground parking situated alongside the Westferry Road, approximately 700 metres from the Mudchute DLR station and within 0.7 miles of the Canary Wharf estate. This property is offered to the market chain-free.

www.alanselby.co.uk

NEW ATLAS WHARF, £330 per week

Located on the fifth floor of this private, gated development is this comfortable one-bedroom, furnished apartment. The property

benefits from a fully-fitted kitchen, a balcony offering river views, large fitted wardrobes and a secure parking space. New Atlas Wharf offers 24-hour concierge and leisure facilities. Available immediately.

CUMBERLAND MILLS, E14 £320 per week

Spacious one-bedroom apartment situated on the second floor of

this well regarded development. Large reception with access to a

15-foot west-facing terrace, separate kitchen and large bedroom with

lots of storage. Newly redecorated throughout. The apartment comes

with secure parking and is available immediately.

LOVEGROVE WALK, E14 £360 per week

Situated on a dock with Canary Wharf skyline views is this stunning and spacious apartment. The property

benefits from two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, one en-suite, two

balconies, is fully furnished and is available 7th January 2012.

OXYGEN BUILDING, E16, £420 per week

Set in one of E16’s premier developments, this stunning two-

bedroom, first-floor apartment offers south-facing views on to the Royal

Docks. The property consists of a reception room with floor-to-ceiling windows, underfloor heating and a stylish, modern open-plan kitchen

(fittings include a custom-fitted Bosch coffee machine and breakfast bar)

with access to a dock-facing balcony, plus a master bedroom with en-suite

and a main bathroom. The Oxygen development offers concierge and secure underground parking and is situated 500 metres from the Excel exhibition centre, 100 metres from Royal Victoria DLR

station and 0.6 miles from Canning Town Jubilee line station and is surrounded by local amenities.

Available furnished or unfurnished.

Lettings

WATERMAN BUILDING, £569,995

Nestled on the eighth floor overlooking the River Thames is this spacious two-bedroom

sub-penthouse offering a reception room with both stand-on and Juliette balconies both south- and west-facing. It features a

fitted kitchen, guest shower room, en-suite bathroom to the master bedroom and a walk-

in closet. It is set within the ever-popular Millennium Harbour development, which

boasts a 24-hour concierge, gymnasium, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, as well as

secure parking. It is within 600 metres of the Canary Wharf Estate and is offered to the

market chain-free.

AEGON HOUSE, £279,995Offering spectacular views southerly across the Isle of Dogs towards Greenwich, this excellent fifth floor one-bedroom apartment has been completely re-modernised by the current owner, comprising a reception room with floor-to-ceiling windows south- and east-facing, separate kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. The property also includes a secure parking space and is situated directly opposite the Cross Harbour DLR station surrounded by shopping facilities and is approximately 700 metres from the Canary Wharf Estate offering an abundance of shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities, as well as both DLR and Jubilee line stations.

www.alanselby.co.ukNew Homes,

Residential Sales and Lettings

With unparalleled views above the 30th floor, The Panoramic Collection will be the premier residences at The Heron and the finest in the

City of London. Finished to an exceptional specification with first class amenities, this is a collection for the most discerning.

Launching September 2011

For your private preview call 0844 544 4210 panoramic@theheron.co.uk

www.theheron.co.uk

A development by The Heron Residences LLP

RESIDENCEWITHOUT COMPROMISE

A LONDON