City Matters: Why the frustrating rejection of Smithfield redevelopment helps no one July 14, 2014 In 2018, the first Crossrail trains will come roaring in to Farringdon Station and commuters will spill out along its 200m platform. Some of them will be working in the new office buildings going up on Farringdon Street, as the railway helps revitalise the area. None will be working in the new Smithfield Quarter building [...]
China’s Hony Capital buys Pizza Express for £900m July 12, 2014 A private equity firm in China has purchased Pizza Express for £900m. Hony Capital bought the British restaurant chain after winning against other Chinese firms in a bidding process. The move comes after London-based buyout group Cinven looked into selling Pizza Express' parent company Gondola Group last year. Gondola Group also owns [...]
Work in Progress: Living in a postcard at One Tower Bridge July 11, 2014 While many new homes boast of their panoramic views across London, none are quite as iconic as the sight from One Tower Bridge. This landmark development from Berkeley is being built right next to one of the world’s most famous river crossings. It’s a mixed use site so, if you’re not planning on living [...]
Check out this Silicon Roundabout penthouse with a hot tub overlooking the City July 10, 2014 TWO imperious towers oversee the numerous technology industries clustered around Silicon Roundabout. Perched atop the taller of the two, sitting pretty at 154ft, is The Penthouse 127. This three-bedroom duplex apartment, which is part of the Bézier development, was built for entertaining. Not only is it a short walk from the City and the offices [...]
Pickles and celebs scupper plans for £160m Smithfields project July 8, 2014 Communities secretary Eric Pickles yesterday rejected as “wholly unacceptable” a £160m plan to develop London’s Smithfield market, siding instead with campaigners battling to save the site from becoming a new complex of offices, shops and restaurants. The campaign against the plans for the redevelopment of the Victorian fish and general market halls, derelict for 15 [...]
London’s top lidos: Make a splash in an outdoor pool July 8, 2014 Wherever you are in London, there are outdoor pools perfect for cooling down during the coming heatwave. Here are some of our favourite places to take our kit off in public: Brockwell Lido, SE24: Located in Brockwell park, this is as much of a Brixton landmark as Electric Avenue and Atlantic Road. The [...]
Housebuilder London Square sold to US firm Ares Management July 3, 2014 London Square, the London housebuilder currently renovating Royal Star & Garter Home, has been sold to a giant American private equity firm. US-based Ares Management will buy the company from London Square’s current backers Graphite Capital for £110m. London Square was founded in 2010 with £50m of equity backing from Graphite, which also owns the [...]
Restaurant review: Blanchette July 2, 2014 Blanchette, 9 D'Arbly Street, W1F 8DR Tel: 020 7439 8100 Food: ★★★★☆ | Value: ★★★★☆ | Atmosphere: ★★★★☆ There's a little cinema in Soho where journalists go to see movies for free before they’re released. It’s one of the perks of the job and it fills the time nicely between eaves-dropping on your voicemails and pestering the [...]
In pictures: London’s new super-yacht hotel July 1, 2014 London is famous for its hotels; from the Ritz to the Dorchester the capital isn't lacking in swanky pillows to lay your head. On 4 August they are set to be joined by a new float. The Sunborn is a four-star super-yacht hotel with 136 rooms and suites, a cinema, restaurant, and spa treatment facilities; as well [...]
This 12 acre Caribbean island costs the same as a three bedroom London flat June 27, 2014 As any good economist will tell you, when you're considering a purchase ask not if you should spend the money or not but what else you could buy for the amount you're considering parting with. To put that into context, if you have £5.7m burning a hole in your pocket should you buy a three-bedroom [...]