The Steeple Times

Tag: contract

  • Don’t Come On Carrie!

    Don’t Come On Carrie!

    Matthew Steeples argues that Daniel Johnson’s “Come on Carrie: your country needs you!” call to Boris Johnson’s wine chucking latest baby mama is nothing but claptrap

    The Article is one of those online titles that one can dip into from time to time and find an array of opinions about politics. It claims to show “the world in all its shades of grey” and though that’s not meant in a ‘John Major style’ (thank the Lord), the publication’s attempts to “see a story from every angle” is indeed refreshing.

     

    Yesterday, however, the title’s editor Daniel Johnson – the brother of the controversial right-wing Vote Leave and anti-lockdown COVID Recovery Group funding former owner of the Pizza Express group Luke Johnson – penned quite frankly the most bizarre article known to man.

     

    Daniel Johnson, also a founding editor of Standpoint and described by the Independent as having “the air of a classics don” and listed on Wikipedia for having “asserted that Islam in not a peaceful religion,” asked: “Why isn’t the Prime Minister calling for a post-Covid catch-up campaign [for British school children]?” He then turned to what he believes should happen in the wake of Prince Philip’s funeral tomorrow.

     

    Bizarrely and from utterly nowhere, the journalist went off on a seriously odd tangent and declared:

     

    “Our sympathy for the Royal Family is all the greater because this has been a sad time for so many others, too. After so many funerals, a wedding would not come amiss. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a divorced man in possession of the good fortune to be Prime Minister must be in want of a wife.”

     

    “Next month Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds will have been engaged for 18 months. Once the restrictions on weddings have been lifted in June, there is nothing to stop them getting married. Not everyone would rejoice, but most people would wish them well. Royal weddings happen regularly; prime ministerial ones are rare birds. Indeed, the last time a Prime Minister tied the knot while in office was in 1822, when Lord Liverpool remarried after being widowed.”

     

    “If a week is a long time in politics, two centuries is an aeon. There are many reasons why Boris might be hesitant, but his fiancée is no shrinking violet and is quite capable of insisting that the time has come. Little Wilfred is growing fast. The nation needs cheering up. Come on, Carrie: your country needs you!”

     

    Aside from the fact that most of the nation would prefer Prime Minister Johnson to be focusing on getting the current out of the Covid crisis and fixing our economy, ‘Journalist Johnson’ misses the point entirely about the country’s thoughts about our serial shagging head honcho.

     

    Whilst Tory sleaze – with the Greenshill scandal and the likes of Matt Hancock handing out multi-million pound contracts willy-nilly to his mates – is dominating the headlines, I’d argue that our country needs a little less of ‘Costly Carrie’ and not a bit more. With her penchant for £200,000 “monstrous” interior design makeovers and £12,500 deliveries of food from ritzy Daylesford, here is a Barbara Amiel-esque wastrel completely out of touch with the nation.

     

    A wedding for Carrie Symonds would certainly cement the status of a wine chucking wench with a penchant for hanging around with members of the far-right Traditional Britain Group and working for organisations supported by the deservedly incarcerated mucky madam Ghislaine Maxwell, but what would it actually do for the great British public?

     

    “Absolutely nothing” is frankly the only acceptable answer.

     

    Next!

     

    Don’t Come On Carrie! The nation does NOT need Carrie Symonds – Matthew Steeples argues that Daniel Johnson’s “Come on, Carrie: your country needs you!” call to Boris Johnson’s wine chucking latest baby mama is nothing but claptrap.
    Don’t Come On Carrie! Boris Johnson’s current squeeze Carrie Symonds was described by her alleged spreader of fake news about Russia ex-boyfriend Oliver Haiste (sometimes spelt ‘Haste’) as: “Any relationship with Carrie or friendship with Carrie is very intense and can often burn brightly… Never boring… Tumultuous… Intense and passionate… That passion can work the other way when she is not happy with you… It’s the most up and down relationship I have had.”
    Don’t Come On Carrie! The nation does NOT need Carrie Symonds – Matthew Steeples argues that Daniel Johnson’s “Come on, Carrie: your country needs you!” call to Boris Johnson’s wine chucking latest baby mama is nothing but claptrap.
    Don’t Come On Carrie! Rumours of Boris Johnson’s affairs continue to do the rounds on social media. Aside from a supposed ongoing fling with a certain tame BBC journalist, the Prime Minister has been repeatedly linked to various Russians.
    Don’t Come On Carrie! The nation does NOT need Carrie Symonds – Matthew Steeples argues that Daniel Johnson’s “Come on, Carrie: your country needs you!” call to Boris Johnson’s wine chucking latest baby mama is nothing but claptrap.
    Don’t Come On Carrie! The man pictured left believes “Boris Johnson was sent by Christ” to “fulfill bible prophecy” whilst a parody magazine mocked the Prime Minister with a headline: “Scumbag Exposed! My hubby had TWELVE children before WE MET!”
  • A Priced Down Penthouse

    A Priced Down Penthouse

    After a ritzy New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014 during a government orchestrated fire sale, the building’s board go crackers

    A 5,955 square foot penthouse in New York’s 328-foot tall Walker Tower that sold for £41.2 million in 2014 went “into contract” recently for just £14.78 million much to the chagrin of the building’s other residents. The story of this massive 64% ‘discount’ echoes that of another penthouse we featured in April – that went on the market for a sum 48% lower than in 2012.

     

    Built in 1929 by Ralph Walker (1889 – 1973), a man described as “the architect of the century” by The New York Times and “the only other honest architect in America” by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Walker Tower was intended to be “as modern as the telephone activity it houses.” It originally was used by the New York Telephone Company and subsequently partly converted to provide 47 condominiums in 2013 by JDS Development Group.

     

    With units ranging in size from 1,100 to 6,500 square feet in size, Penthouse One is one of the largest. It includes 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms and aside from a kitchen that reportedly cost £200,000 to install, there are 3 wood-burning fireplaces and a 500 square foot private terrace.

     

    Of the penthouse, during a 7:58 minute tour he conducted in April 2019, self-declared “YouTuber and adventure filmmaker” Erik Conover remarked:

     

    “Penthouse One is widely considered to the most exclusive penthouse downtown in all of Manhattan… This [is] a one of a kind luxury apartment… You feel like the king of the kingdom here… I have no words for this place, it’s hands down my favourite apartment I’ve toured.”

     

    Speaking to Conover, realtor Shaun Osher, CEO of Core NYC, predictably went into overdrive with gushing praise of the unit:

     

    “The sky is the limit here… One of the great things about this apartment is that you separate public space from private space… The back of the house is not too shabby either… All of the views are protected forever… When guests come, their jaws will hit the floor.”

     

    Now, according to Mansion Global, a “battle is brewing” over Penthouse One – which is being sold on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice in the wake of being seized as part of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal – as other residents have sought to stop the sale and “buy the condo [themselves] for the same sum, then relist it for more.”

     

    Speaking on their behalf, David Berkey, an attorney for the condo board, remarked:

     

    “The contract price can only be described as steeply distressed and unrealistic and one which could adversely affect the market value of other homes at Walker Tower. The board is acting in the best interests of all Walker Tower owners by exercising its right of first refusal to ensure that its value is recognised.”

     

    A resident of the building, Vickey Barron, added:

     

    “We’re all scratching our heads saying, ‘How did this happen?’ What we’re talking about is almost 70% discount. It’s almost like a sample sale. Walker Tower is not a sample sale.”

     

    Bizarrely Ms Barron, herself a realtor with the Compass Group, sold the apartment back in 2014 when she worked for Douglas Elliman Real Estate. At the time, she gushed to The New York Times: “I feel like I blinked and I sold it… This was a man [the buyer] who knew what he wanted and had the money to pay for it.” He plainly passed due diligence back then – somewhat, with hindsight, one might argue most surprisingly.

     

    Meanwhile, elsewhere in the building – which has a lobby concierge, landscaped common roof deck, yoga room, sauna and a ‘library lounge’ with a bar for the use of residents – Penthouse Two is currently listed to rent by Knight Frank. They seek £69,000 per month for the 6,700 square foot space.

     

    Ironically, whilst Ralph Walker shot himself with a silver bullet he had forged himself in 1973, whomever next overpays for Penthouse One at Walker Tower might well be taking a bullet in terms of misfortune for their wallet.

     

    The Names & Numbers – Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York, NY 10011, United States of America

     

    June 2020 – Penthouse One goes “into contract” for just £14.78 million ($18.25 million, €16.33 million or درهم67.02 million), a discount of 64% on its sale price in 2014.

     

    April 2019 – Penthouse One marketed at a price of £28.3 million ($35 million, €31.3 million or درهم128.5 million) by Shaun Osher of Core NYC.

     

    2013 – Units in the residential conversion are listed for sale, with the highest priced penthouse priced at £47.8 million ($59 million, €52.8 million or درهم216.7 million). According to Wallpaper in November 2013, Penthouse One sold “after less than a month on the market.” It comanded a sum of £41.2 million ($50.9 million, €45.5 million or درهم186.9 million) on an asking price of £44.5 million ($55 million, €49.2 million or درهم292 million).

     

    2016 – Of the building, realtor Vickey Barron, who purchased a unit there herself ultimately, remarked: “You don’t need to give its address. You just say ‘Walker Tower’ like ‘the Plaza’ and people know what you’re referring to.”

     

    2013 – Construction completed with the residential units given their own entrance at 212 West 18th Street separate from the commercial space, entered at 17th Street.

     

    2011 – Construction commences on the scheme.

     

    2009 – Part sold for conversion to 53 residential units, the number is later reduced to 47 in total. The buyer was Michael Stern, managing partner of JDS Development Group whilst Verizon, the sellers, kept the lowest eight floors.

     

    In January 2016, of his buy, Stern told Multi Family Executive: “I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to see it, back in 2009, when a broker called… But I went up to the roof and was astonished by the unobstructed views. It was the tallest building in Chelsea, since it had been built before zoning limited heights… [It was the] most complex residential conversion I’ve undertaken, and ever may.”

     

    1929 – Constructed to the designs of Ralph Walker as a telecommunications centre and offices. The building is described as “of concrete-encased steel frame” and reflecting “the importance of its era’s telephone technology.” It featured chevron-patterned brickwork and what was termed a “wedding cake setback.”

     

     

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    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
    A Priced Down Penthouse – £14m for NYC penthouse sold for £41m in 2014 – After a New York penthouse goes into contract for a sum 64% lower than it sold for in 2014, the building’s board go crackers – £14.78 million for Penthouse One, Walker Tower, 212 West 18th Street, Chelsea, New York through Shaun Osher of Core NYC angers building’s board.
  • Sod Off Branson

    Sod Off Branson

    In a rare moment of sanity, Katie Hopkins entirely rightly sums up the public’s attitude to the reprehensible attempt by job killer Sir Richard Branson to grab British taxpayer’s money

    Katie Hopkins doesn’t often get it right (in fact, she mostly gets it entirely wrong), but in calling out Sir Richard Branson she’s, for once, spot on.

     

    In a video that has gone viral on social media, Hopkins stated:

     

    “Just to interrupt the coronavirus crisis for one moment with a special announcement for Richard Branson. Richard Branson would like us, the furloughed British taxpayer, to bailout his airline, Virgin Atlantic.”

     

    “A few facts on Dick: Dick has $4.1 billion. Dick is one of the largest shareholders in Virgin Atlantic. Dick sued our NHS for compensation when he didn’t get the contract he thought he should have been awarded. Dick lives on a private island and bases his businesses offshore so that he pays zero tax into the UK economy. And Dick is actually a bit of a dickhead.”

     

    “So actually, Richard, we don’t want to bailout your airline. Don’t come to the British taxpayer for that. We have a simple message for you, no expense spared: We would quite like it if you could SOD OFF.”

     

    “Thank you, Richard. All the very best.”

     

    Miss Hopkins then predictably returned to her old-self and took to Twitter to rant about how she wants people to “stop clapping at the sky.” We sadly knew her being decent could never last.

     

    Pictured top: Birdbrain Katie Hopkins (left) and self-absorbed job killer Sir Richard Branson getting busy with an especially classy looking woman’s breasts (right).

     

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr7UYnPrWss
  • Picture of the Week: Zobop

    Picture of the Week: Zobop

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  • Ask Mrs MILF: The agony aunt who’s naughty but nice

    Ask Mrs MILF: The agony aunt who’s naughty but nice

    Mrs MILF redThis week, Mrs MILF deals with a party invite with a clause, a husband who wants his wife to buy “gear”, an Old Etonian with a complex, a wealthy couple who have sex but no relationship and a wife who’s worried about Katie Hopkins. (more…)

  • Richard Littlejohn

    Richard Littlejohn

    Richard Littlejohn FIEssex born journalist Richard Littlejohn claims that the Royal Family are a “bunch of tax-evading adulterers” (more…)

  • Antony Costa

    Antony Costa

    Edgware born Costa is best known as a member of the boy band Blue but he actually started out as an actor in the BBC’s Grange Hill. He’s sung with Stevie Wonder and Elton John and thinks that groups created via shows such as The X-Factor achieve fame “the wrong way.” We’d say he has a point.

  • Holly Candy (born Holly Rachel Vukadinović)

    Holly Candy (born Holly Rachel Vukadinović)

    Best known for her role as Flick Scully on the soap Neighbours, this Australian born actress, singer and model struck gold when she married the British property tycoon Nick Candy. Her foray into music as Holly Valance brought success with Kiss Kiss but she subsequently fell out with her manager and had to pay him $350,000 in damages. She’s now most likely to be found on London’s social circuit or out shopping.

  • Dmitry Rybolovlev

    Dmitry Rybolovlev

    This billionaire businessman started out in medicine but soon moved into commerce realising that enterprise would better provide for his family. He was imprisoned on falsified charges of contract murder for 11 months in 1996. Subsequently cleared, Rybolovlev then went on to make his fortune in potassium and banking. This divorced father of two has used his fortune to fund the restoration of many of Russia’s churches and also bought Donald Trump’s former residence, The Masion de L’Amitie in Palm Beach, Florida, for $95 million in 2008. This risk taker also parted with another $88 million in December 2011 to purchase New York’s most expensive apartment for his 22-year old daughter. Rybololev’s passions are surfing and 19th and 20th century art.

  • Joseph "Joey" Barton

    Joseph "Joey" Barton

    This Liverpudlian footballer is a bad boy on the pitch and has also done a stint in the clink for common assault and affray. He provokes extreme reactions but the hatred he is subjected to on Twitter doesn’t seem to bother him a jot. For that reason and because of his intelligent tweets, perhaps a career as a media pundit beckons next.