The start of Autumn has been one of milestones for us at Northacre. We officially welcomed internationally acclaimed interior designer Natalia Miyar to No. 1 Palace Street with the launch of our show apartment, masterfully brought to life under her creative direction. Infused with Natalia’s signature sumptuous design, the space is filled with contemporary comfort and colour whilst remaining sympathetic to its founding history. Below, we offer a sneak peek of the interiors that will be sure to whet your appetite for a private viewing soon. Our Art Deco inspired development, The Broadway, reached new heights this September and now stands at an impressive 244 feet commanding some of the best views across the capital. With every aspect having been considered by architects Squire + Partners, each one celebrates London’s landscape both old and new.
The reality is that the global pandemic still continues to affect our business, but we look ahead to a time when we can reunite with friends and return to a semblance of normal life. From a sales point of view, the Prime Central London market has remained buoyant, held up largely by buyers closer to home looking for bigger multi-use living spaces. Enquiries from further afield continue to arrive, and we are positive that, with time, we will convert these expressions of interest and welcome back buyers from every corner of the globe.
As with every challenge, silver linings can be sought, and we have certainly been granted the time to pause, reflect upon and refocus our ways of working. We have turned our attention to our impact on the environment and have made new commitments to reduce this even further. Initiatives to become eco-friendlier within the office include the Paperless Promise and this has already seen great success internally. We now ask our partners to join us in reaching our target of going 100% paperless. Working innovatively with technology, we know that we can play our part in creating a more sustainable world.
CEO Niccolò Barattieri di San Pietro
Because this might just be the last of the summer, we urge you all to head outside and enjoy the sunshine whilst you can. This month, we’ve pulled together a list of our top ‘al fresco’ activities across the capital for you to make the most of the seasonal warmth whilst keeping mindful. We’ll see you out there!
Take to the water
Cool down on the banks, dive in or paddle a boat with friends – from natural bathing ponds to lidos and man-made pools throughout London, we can officially take to the water again. Floating away our worries has now become a favourite pastime for city dwellers. With boating lakes at Kew Gardens, Alexandra Palace and Greenwich Park, the Serpentine in Hyde Park is undoubtedly the most famous and our absolute favourite given it’s a simple stroll from our Westminster developments.
Open-air theatre
As Shakespeare famously once wrote “the world’s a stage”, and what with the UK’s wide range of open-air theatre experiences, it’s hard to argue. So grab your sunglasses and head out into the summer sunshine for a bit of alfresco acting.
Eating out(doors)
Since restaurants were given the green light to reopen but forced to impose strict social distancing rules, many have started to think outside the box (and their walls). Terraces have been repurposed, balconies built, and newly pedestrianised streets are now peppered with Parisian-style café tables – outdoor dining in London is the new order of the day. In fact, not only has the Knightsbridge Hotel boosted its outside seating, it has dedicated an entire new restaurant to it. The Garden at The Berkeley is a Mediterranean-style terrace tucked between The Berkeley Bar and neighbouring St Paul’s church. Here, diners can enjoy charred octopus with saffron aioli or steaks with smoked shallot butter, all cooked on barbecues outside. To reserve a table, please visit https://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/restaurants-bars/the-garden-at-the-berkeley/
Take a long stroll
One of the best ways to explore London is on foot – especially when the sun is shining. The top walking routes take you alongside picturesque canals and past some of the most celebrated landmarks in the country. It’s a fantastic way to see the city and even learn your way around. Conde Nast has helpfully rounded up 14 of the best walks to try in all corners of the capital. Whether you’re happy to stroll in flipflops or want to don your trainers for a more cardio affair, there’ll be plenty to wow you on your way.
The saying goes ‘make hay whilst the sun shines’ and we’ve certainly been blessed with some fantastic weather in London over the past few months. In fact, after the struggles of lockdown, we are grateful that we are able to take advantage of the sunshine. With the reopening of the city, Royal Parks on our doorstep and restaurants going ‘al fresco’, we’ve been out enjoying the Great British Summer with family and friends.
As the city continues to bask in the warmth, our two projects, The Broadway and No. 1 Palace Street, are progressing well towards our final vision. We are ready to present the first show apartment at No. 1 Palace Street – a labour of love for designer Natalia Miyar who, whilst locked down in Miami, worked tirelessly to produce this fantastic space. A design that embraces the building’s history whilst being full of personality and fit for contemporary luxury living, we can’t wait to show you around.
The summer has also breathed new life into the Prime Central London market and we’ve been delighted by the level of interest in our projects since the ease of regulations. Both our developments have seen a record number of enquiries proving London’s enduring appeal to both British and international investors. And with interest rates forecast to remain at historically low levels, I suspect the market will continue its recovery at pace, but with lessons learnt, new priorities and an even stronger backbone.
So, as the Government’s directive has changed from ‘stay home’ to ‘stay alert’, we remain ever more mindful about the demands of today’s city dweller and continue our legacy of creating some of London’s most superior homes.
CEO Niccolò Barattieri di San Pietro
For our No. 1 Palace Street project, we have taken great care to curate a team of artisans who understand the unique and special nature of this remarkable building. So, for the first show apartment, it was hugely important to work with someone who understood the grandeur of such spaces whilst creating a home that had personality and felt ‘real’. We are incredibly proud to be working with Natalia Miyar and thrilled to be shaping the building’s next chapter as we look to create some of the most magnificent homes in the world.
For our No. 1 Palace Street project, we have taken great care to curate a team of artisans who understand the unique and special nature of this remarkable building. So, for the first show apartment, it was hugely important to work with someone who understood the grandeur of such spaces whilst creating a home that had personality and felt ‘real’. We are incredibly proud to be working with Natalia Miyar and thrilled to be shaping the building’s next chapter as we look to create some of the most magnificent homes in the world.
Named as one of Conde Nast’s House & Garden magazine’s Top 100 Designers, Natalia’s natural and learned ability to blend comfort with glamour has been honed in her transatlantic practice of architecture and interior design. Born in Mexico with Cuban American roots, her global list of projects perfectly represents her culturally diverse and outward-looking sensibility. And whilst her travel habits provide great inspiration and diversity to her work, being connected to an informed, cultivated client-base means her passion and appreciation for art, culture and craftsmanship is exceedingly well known.
On being appointed, Natalia Miyar commented: “I am honoured to be working with Northacre on this incredible project. Buildings steeped in history have been the foundation of my career in interior design. They tell the life and story of so many people. I like to imagine how they would have been lived in when originally built. The research that goes into a project like No. 1 Palace Street gives a space life and character that cannot be replicated and the lengths that Northacre have gone to is second to none. The concept of my design is to enhance the beautifully conserved interior architecture designed by Squire and Partners through the use of a sympathetic palette and multiple materials that provide a contrasting texture.”
To book an appointment to visit the exquisite show apartment in the coming weeks, please contact simon@northacre.com
To hear more about Natalia’s story and her Northacre journey in sumptuous design, please click here.
As we settle into a new permanent lifestyle of less commuting, minimal office time and more ‘working from home,’ we must work harder to stay connected. During lockdown, we created ‘Northacre at Home’ to help people stay connected – bringing conversations about the home to living rooms around the globe. After receiving a great response, we decided to continue this series that asks a diverse portfolio of experts to share their opinions, passions and inspirations about everything from investment to design.
In July, we had the pleasure of chatting with industry stalwart Michael Squire, founding partner of Squire + Partners, the architectural firm behind some of the most exciting buildings across the world. He explained what makes working on No. 1 Palace Street so special and exactly why mixed-use developments like The Broadway will be key to the way we live and work post pandemic. Michael also gave us insight into how Squire + Partners have been supporting London’s key workers – making visors and scrubs for the NHS.
As a result of more time at home and in the garden, we are a nation that’s now obsessed with outdoor space. Earlier this month we spoke to Andy Sturgeon, internationally renowned landscape and garden designer who discusses the new importance of green space for any type of home.
Andy has been dedicated to creating dynamic garden design projects for private, commercial and international clients since 1988. A published author, journalist and commentator, he has won eight RHS gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show and been awarded the coveted ‘Best in Show’ three times. Throughout our chat we learn how Andy first got into garden design, what he thinks is the ultimate luxury garden for high-net-worth clients and what challenges he faces when designing urban landscapes and gardens in London and around the world.
One thing is certain, our affection for the place we call home has deepened over the past few months with the home becoming the ultimate luxury good. With the right design and the right location, we can make the home a place of solace and a source of pride.
To listen to the full podcasts or to check out the other guests on our Northacre at Home series, please click here.
Whilst it has been far from an ordinary summer, the last few months have shown our resilience and how well we can adapt. Despite the logistical hurdle of travel restrictions, we have seen a significant spike in interest and an extraordinary number of enquiries fly in from buyers across the world. In fact, proving that Prime Central London is truly on the rebound, our post-lockdown activity has been notably strong with July’s £7m exchange at The Broadway being the latest in a string of Northacre sales.
Whilst it has been far from an ordinary summer, the last few months have shown our resilience and how well we can adapt. Despite the logistical hurdle of travel restrictions, we have seen a significant spike in interest and an extraordinary number of enquiries fly in from buyers across the world. In fact, proving that Prime Central London is truly on the rebound, our post-lockdown activity has been notably strong with July’s £7m exchange at The Broadway being the latest in a string of Northacre sales.
Just as we had predicted, today’s buyers are markedly more focused. They know what they want after spending their downtime evaluating exactly what’s important to have at home – space, a view, a garden, an office, a gym and more. Mixed-use developments, such as The Broadway, grant the opportunity to live, dine, work and play to the fullest all on our doorstep, and because our sales enquiries are now more specific than ever, we are delighted that we can deliver on a full set of these new requirements. The Broadway’s 14th floor 3-bed unit sold last month demonstrating that people still want to be within the beating heart of London with the luxury of the Royal Parks and the best the capital has to offer on their doorstep.
Simon Edwardson, our Head of Sales, commented “We are thrilled to have achieved another landmark sale at The Broadway, which is proving to be increasingly popular with a myriad of buyers. The last few months have seen a marked growth in interest from increasingly focused buyers. We remain positive in our predictions for the Prime Central London market as we continue to see an increase in enquiries from a wide demographic from all parts of the globe.”
Finally, we have updated our time-lapse video of The Broadway to show just how far the development has come and you can access this here.
To book a viewing, please contact enquiries@northacre.com.
As the weather warms up and the new regulations allow us more freedom, there is a buzz about London’s green spaces as friends reconnect from a distance on the grass. Just because we can’t head to the cinema or wander through a museum, sit in a pub or go to a show, it doesn’t mean we can’t have fun in the capital this summer. There is still plenty to do over the coming weeks and here are some lovely ideas:
Visit the National Trust
The National Trust is slowly opening some of its gardens and grounds across the UK. Bookings need to be made well in advance, and only a limited number of people will be allowed to visit on any one day, so make sure you plan ahead of time.
Pitch up for a picnic
With groups of six now allowed to meet outside, picnics are the hottest social event in our calendar. Take yours to the next level with Conde Nast’s guide of must-have accessories from the best hamper to an instant camera to capture the summer that wasn’t lost after all.
Get to the Drive-in
A retro experience of pure Americana, watching a movie at the drive-in is set to become the UK’s most anticipated date night. Drive-ins are popping up all over the country but where are they and what can you watch? Here is everything you need to know about the summer of drive-ins.
Travel back in time
The capital is often celebrated for its modern architecture, but if you’re looking for somewhere different to explore on a stroll around the city, there’s a number of streets where a walk really feels like time travel. Seek out photogenic mews and alleys – from 18th-century Fournier Street in East London to wisteria-covered Kynance Mews – with Nostalgic London‘s guide to the prettiest historic streets in London.
Soak up some culture
A few of London’s charming but tiny galleries have opened this week, which means art lovers can get a hit of the city’s culture scene in real life for the first time since March. In Mayfair, the David Zwirner gallery displays art by Bridget Riley (you have to make an appointment), while Hauser & Wirth shows work from Alina Szapocznikow and Isa Genzken, with visitor numbers restricted to allow safe social distancing. The exhibitions are free.
Both of our current developments are nestled within London’s SW1 postcode – a prime location that’s close enough to the glamour of Mayfair, the drama of the West End and the legacy of British institutions to make it a place of true wonder. Although the area has been a little quieter of late, there is still so much going on that stirs the air and the local spirit. Over the past few months, we have heard many inspiring behind-the-scenes stories from fellow London-based brands. While iconic fashion-house Burberry has spent the time in lockdown heroically creating PPE equipment, the hospitality sector in SW1 has come up with new ways of staying busy and giving back too.
Last month, the Dorchester launched a new delivery and collection service to offer some of the luxury hotel’s most popular culinary delights in the comfort of your own home. Inspired by the virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show that was held over the course of a week, the sale of hamper-packed Afternoon Teas in May raised money for The Royal Horticultural Society. In June, Traditional Afternoon Tea hampers and Make It Yourself hampers from The Grill at The Dorchester will provide all the ingredients and recipe cards to create dishes such as Beef Wellington and head chef Tom Booton’s Lobster Thermidor tart.
For Michelin-starred meals, the world-renowned Hide London was one of the first upscale restaurants to offer a takeaway service during these locked down months to offer an experience that is as close to restaurant-dining as possible. The ‘Hide at Home’ menu is a full à la carte affair with sumptuous ingredients and stunning presentation on all dishes from their roast Huntsham Farm suckling pig to a delicate strawberry and custard tart.
The first of our webinars from the ‘Northacre at Home’ series was broadcasted this month with property and finance commentator and former editor of the Times Bricks & Mortar, Anne Ashworth at the helm. Showcasing a panel of global experts from the world of design, art and prime property, the session explored the concept of design in the home post Covid-19. The past few months have had such an immediate and significant impact on the way we live that the effects will be felt long into the future and will fundamentally change what we value most about our place of abode. Anne was joined by CEO of Northacre Niccolò Barattieri Di San Pietro, interior designer Natalia Miyar, Founder of Art Contact Viriginia Grub, international landscape and garden designer Andy Sturgeon, and Director at Squire and Partners Michael Poots to discuss how the home will evolve.
As stunning artwork and lines of books decorated the various backdrops behind them, each speaker described a definite shift in consumer behaviour as we enter into a time of renewed love for our home – one that is breeding a trend to invest more in a greater quality of space both indoors and out. The panel collectively presented 2020’s demands of closer connections to nature, designated living areas, enlivened interiors with colour and light as well as spending more on fewer exquisite pieces for the home than cluttering areas with cheaper decoration.
It was agreed across the board that to focus on our well-being, to find lasting balance and joy in this new world, home design needed to do more. While Andy spoke of the real need to be able to access or, at least, see green space to improve our mental health, Virginia talked about the benefits of surrounding ourselves with beautiful art and explained that despite the long-standing demand for the airy expanses of open-plan architecture, we should be sectioning off individual areas to serve different functions – to work, to exercise and to relax in spaces of calm. Michael explained how people are finding beauty and enjoyment from the intricate features of period homes in the capital and Natalia drew a hard line on London still being ‘the coolest place to live on Earth’. Finally, Niccolò wrapped up the common thread of creating an elevated living (and working) environment via the principles of good design in his commitment to produce the highest quality per square foot in the capital – an art in itself. No one disputed that a form of normality would soon return to the city and prime central London would become busy with life again, but it is clear that working from home is here to stay.
To watch the full webinar, please click here.
Last month we were delighted to welcome Mustafa Kheriba to our ‘Northacre at Home’ podcast series. Deputy CEO and Group Head of Asset and Wealth Management at Shuaa Capital as well as Board Director at Northacre, Mustafa revealed his unique outlook on the international property market and a pioneering approach to investing.
During Mustafa’s 18-minute interview, it is clear to see why London continues to be the number one destination for international ownership and foreign investment.
“London has a very unique combination of inherently long term economic and political stability alongside a well matured legal and commercial system which is imminently comprehensible worldwide.
London has always been a financial and cultural hub of the world with safe haven status. Furthermore, its location and proximity between the East and West make London a great option for global investors. Another element which makes London such a viable choice is its language which is a common denominator and the universal language that is spoken and understood throughout the globe.”
And now, as the capital begins her journey towards normality, we look forward to the streets buzzing again and for opportunities, from business to real estate, to exponentially grow. Mustafa already predicts a recovery in the luxury housing market from the 4th quarter of 2020, so we would argue that now is the time for purchase consideration before values rise and stamp duty increases by 2% for foreign investors in April 2021. Now is certainly the time to book a virtual tour of our flagship developments nestled at the heart of this incredible city.
To listen to the full podcast of Mustafa’s insight into international ownership, please click here.