The Steeple Times

Tag: society

  • Limited in Knightsbridge

    Limited in Knightsbridge

    As Arabs descend on London with their eccentric convoys of cars, we select a new arrival; such things delight some and infuriate others

     

    The time of year is upon Knightsbridge when Arabs and their supercars descend. Amongst them come exotically coloured Bentleys, Bugattis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces, but one new arrival this season is a car we’ll henceforth just called ‘Limited’.

     

    Featuring the number ‘LMIITED’ on a British plate, the gunmetal grey Rolls-Royce Ghost concerned features scuffed black wheels and plainly gets lackadaisically parked wherever its driver chooses. The car’s owner, maybe concerned not to lose it, even shows a picture of what we can only be himself on the vehicle’s rear window.

     

    No doubt it’ll be the first of many eccentric machines to plague the locality in the coming months but as one regular reader remarked: “We do hope they’ll limit the noise.”

     

    A video of ‘The Great Arab Supercar Invasion in London’ follows.

     

    Limited in Knightsbridge – Arab Rolls-Royce Ghost LMIITED

     

  • Five of the Best – ‘Star Cars’ at Silverstone

    Five of the Best – ‘Star Cars’ at Silverstone

    A selection of five cars owned and previously owned by ‘personalities’ to be auctioned at the Silverstone Classic Sale in July

     

    On the 29th and 30th July, Silverstone Auctions will sell both classic and contemporary cars at their Silverstone Classic Sale in Northamptonshire. Amongst them are five cars owned or previously owned by the Sultan of Brunei, the actor Rowan Atkinson, the singer Lulu, the television chef Gary Rhodes and the musician Elton John.

     

    1996 Aston Martin DB7 i6 Volante – £28,000 to £32,000

    ($37,000 to $42,000, €32,000 to €37,000 or درهم‎‎135,000 to درهم‎‎154,000)

    Five of the Best – ‘Star Cars’ at Silverstone – A selection of five cars owned and previously owned by ‘personalities’ the Sultan of Brunei, the actor Rowan Atkinson, the singer Lulu, the television chef Gary Rhodes and the musician Elton John to be auctioned at the Silverstone Classic Sale on 29th and 30th July 2017. Includes Aston Martin, Ferrari, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz.Supplied new to the Sultan of Brunei and kept by him until 2005, this British Racing Green and Chancellor red leather interior Volante is being marketed as a “future modern classic.” It comes with a “huge history file” as well as its royal pedigree.

     

    2015 Land Rover 90 Celebration Heritage Edition – £38,000 to £45,000

    ($50,000 to $59,000, €43,000 to €51,000 or درهم‎‎183,000 to درهم‎‎217,000)

    Five of the Best – ‘Star Cars’ at Silverstone – A selection of five cars owned and previously owned by ‘personalities’ the Sultan of Brunei, the actor Rowan Atkinson, the singer Lulu, the television chef Gary Rhodes and the musician Elton John to be auctioned at the Silverstone Classic Sale on 29th and 30th July 2017. Includes Aston Martin, Ferrari, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz.One of the last 400 traditional Land Rovers made and offered on behalf of its current owner Rowan Atkinson CBE, this example has just 2,260 miles on the clock. The actor and comedian is selling as he has recently upgraded to the 110 four-door version.

     

    1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5-litre coupé – £100,000 to £120,000

    ($131,000 to $157,000, €114,000 to €137,000 or درهم‎‎481,000 to درهم‎‎578,000)

    Five of the Best – ‘Star Cars’ at Silverstone – A selection of five cars owned and previously owned by ‘personalities’ the Sultan of Brunei, the actor Rowan Atkinson, the singer Lulu, the television chef Gary Rhodes and the musician Elton John to be auctioned at the Silverstone Classic Sale on 29th and 30th July 2017. Includes Aston Martin, Ferrari, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz.Delivered new to then wife of Maurice Gibb, Marie McDonald McLaughlin Gibb (AKA ‘Lulu’ and now Lulu Kennedy-Cairns OBE), this “last of the line classic” was kept by the Boom Bang-a-Bang singer for three years. It has had two additional owners since and needs its air conditioning recommissioning.

     

    2006 Ferrari F430 F1 – £125,000 to £155,000

    ($164,000 to $203,000, €143,000 to €177,000 or درهم‎‎602,000 to درهم‎‎746,000)

    Five of the Best – ‘Star Cars’ at Silverstone – A selection of five cars owned and previously owned by ‘personalities’ the Sultan of Brunei, the actor Rowan Atkinson, the singer Lulu, the television chef Gary Rhodes and the musician Elton John to be auctioned at the Silverstone Classic Sale on 29th and 30th July 2017. Includes Aston Martin, Ferrari, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz.Owned by television chef Gary Rhodes from new and having covered just 558 miles in its 11-year life, this Ferrari is capable of a top speed of 196 miles per hour and 0-62 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds. It has been serviced four times and is described as “a unique opportunity to buy a real collector’s piece.”

     

    1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona – £525,000 to £575,000

    ($688,000 to $753,000, €600,000 to €657,000 or درهم‎‎2.5 million to درهم‎‎2.8 million)

    Five of the Best – ‘Star Cars’ at Silverstone – A selection of five cars owned and previously owned by ‘personalities’ the Sultan of Brunei, the actor Rowan Atkinson, the singer Lulu, the television chef Gary Rhodes and the musician Elton John to be auctioned at the Silverstone Classic Sale on 29th and 30th July 2017. Includes Aston Martin, Ferrari, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz.Owned by Sir Elton John from 1973 to 1975 and supposedly bought off the back of the success of his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album, this Daytona has covered 81,675 miles from new and is said to be “presented in excellent order.”

     

    For more details about the auction and viewing, click here.

     

    The Wing Building, Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN.

     

  • Enzina Fuschini – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Enzina Fuschini – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with artist, ceramicist and designer Enzina Fuschini

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    God. I am a Christian and I believe in what is good and honourable.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    To forgive and forget.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

    A lack of support for mental health.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    Human justice and my childhood home.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    One more day with my mother and grandmother. Both have sadly passed away.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the state of the financial system?

    It is a disaster. The financial target is to control and depopulate humanity. The rich want to get rich at any cost and they want to create an elite race.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    I loathe swearing in any context.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    I support charities associated with my faith and congregation at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), Knightsbridge.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    Mobile phones are useful but people are addicted and these devices cause them to become anti-social.

     

    What’s on your mantelpiece? The Steeple Times conducts a 20-question interview with London based artist and designer Enzina Fuschini.
    Enzina Fuschini exhibited at the 508 Kings Road Gallery in Chelsea, London, SW10 in June 2017

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    People not fortunate enough to be able to afford this experience that work hard and would deserve it.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    I wouldn’t want to eat anything as I would be too scared about death.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    At lunchtime with friends.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A dry martini.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    Those given by family and friends that celebrate the achievements of life.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My daughters are the most positive people I know.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Apple tarts. The best one I’ve ever had was at The Botanist on Sloane Square.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    A tattoo could not sum me up as I do not like them.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    A Jaguar.

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    When you get to know me, you will know. I’m not giving away my secrets.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    An antique mirror and a vase of white roses.

     

    Enzina Fuschini is a London based artist, ceramicist and designer. She was born in Matierno, Italy and aside from exhibiting internationally, has also produced luxury collections for and to be sold by amongst others The Dorchester, Harrods and Sunseeker Yachts. Her style has drawn comparisons with the ‘wit’ of Picasso and the vitality of Kandinsky, Klee and Miro.

     

    Follow Enzina Fuschini on Twitter at @FuschiniEnzina.

     

  • Politics With The Pun

    Politics With The Pun

    David Pun gobbled his way through General Election 2017 and was captured on camera by a Mail on Sunday reporter

     

    Mail on Sunday reporter Ned Donovan secured the photo of the evening on General Election night 2017 in capturing party crasher extraordinaire David Pun at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London in the early hours of 9th June.

     

    In the image, shared on Twitter, Pun – whose claims to his connections at both Harvey Nichols and Peninsula Hotels frequently astound those he meets and whose position on a roll call of ‘shoppers’ in Queensway brought laughter to readers of The Steeple Times in April this year – is pictured raiding a tray of bacon baps as Lady Nugee (AKA Emily Thornberry MP) looks down from an overhead television screen.

     

    Whilst Pun’s voting preferences got no mention, sadly nor did where fellow liggers Denis Doble and Sandra Shevey ended up on that night’s rampage. Whether they got trolleyed with ‘Team Theresa’ at Conservative Central Office or naughty with Nigel Farage at 5 Hertford Street, no doubt canapés aplenty were snaffled.

     

    #Puntastic #NoPunNoParty

     

    Politics With The Pun – David Pun spotted on #GE2017 night – Party crasher David Pun gobbled his way through General Election 2017 and was captured on camera by Mail on Sunday reporter Ned Donovan.

  • The Peoples’ Republic of Kensington

    The Peoples’ Republic of Kensington

    As Kensington turns red, ‘The Steeple Times’ reflects on the defeat of a woman nicknamed ‘#LazyBorwick’ , a win by a hard-left Labour blogger and a need for an MP who’ll now represent all constituents

     

    Last night, in frankly the biggest shock of a shambolic and wholly unnecessary General Election, Kensington replaced one flame haired harridan with another and a Conservative majority of nearly 7,500 votes with a wafer thin Labour majority of just 20.

     

    That a seat, where someone once commented: “Even a pig in a blue rosette would win here”, turned red shocked many but given the apparent laziness of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Lady Borwick, the result was a reflection of the constituency’s dissatisfaction with a woman whose reply rate to constituents was listed as just 18% on the website TheyWorkForYou.com.

     

    Victor Emma Dent Coad represents something that many in the seat will not, however, want. Hard-left, and a Momentum supporter, this blogger undoubtedly can be credited as a dedicated councillor but her tangible lack of anger towards Brexit will come to disappoint the 69% of constituent supporters of ‘Remain’.

     

    After the result was announced, Dent Coad, who was backed to the chagrin of a number of locals by Gina Miller’s ‘Best for Britain’ campaign, told those assembled:

     

    “This constituency is a microcosm of everything that is wrong in this country after seven years of incompetent and uncaring coalition and Tory government”.

     

    “I will do everything in my power in the next five years to make ‘One Kensington’ an example of the finest qualities of common humanity, mutual respect for all our communities and social justice to create a thoughtful, kind, co-operative and tolerant society where we can all prosper and thrive”.

     

    Ousted Lady Borwick spoke briefly and added: “I wish Emma every success, but please be assured, as far as I am concerned, tomorrow I start the fight back for Kensington and the Conservatives”.

     

    On Twitter, actor and local resident John Cleese responded: “Metro, The Mirror and the Evening Standard are blaming me for helping Labour’s chances in Kensington and Chelsea [sic]. Delighted my trick worked…”

     

    Elsewhere, in response to an article published in April in The Steeple Times, a reader and associate of Lady Borwick going only by the name “Daniel M.’ remarked:

     

    “You stupid, stupid people. You have destroyed Victoria Borwick’s majority and you should realise the impact that will have on the area. We do not suit Labour representing us and as someone who has worked with Victoria and knows her well I will tell you this: Shame on you Matthew Steeples. I am disgusted by your vendetta and demand you apologise”.

     

    Ignoring this bitter Tory’s diatribe, Matthew Steeples concluded:

     

    “Annabel Mullin deserves a worthy mention for having increased the Liberal Democrats’ share of votes cast from just 6.6% to 12.2% in spite of having no party structure behind her. Unlike machined up to the hilt Borwick and Dent Coad, she campaigned throughout the electoral area and now, as before, we have a constituency divided between the richer Tory south and the poorer Labour north”.

     

    “Kensington might be perceived as the land of supercars and £120 million houses, but in fact, this is an area with a rife problem of homelessness and an area where people ‘buy-to-leave’ rather than to ‘buy-to-let’ let alone ‘buy-to-live’. Independent, locals businesses are being wiped out here and nowhere is it clearer that ‘money park London’ just cannot be allowed to continue unabated”.

     

    “Emma Dent Coad, undoubtedly, secured an amazing win but it now remains to be seen whether she’ll represent ‘the many’ throughout Kensington or just ‘the cleverly focused few’ she so successfully targeted to secure her victory last night”.

     

    Results (with percentage change from 2015 General Election):

    Electorate – 60,594

    Turnout – 38,677 (63.8%)

    Majority – 20 for Labour (previously 7,361 for the Conservatives)

     

    Emma Dent Coad, Labour Party– 16,333 (+11.1%)

    Lady Borwick, Conservative Party – 16,313 (-10.1%)

    Annabel Mullin, Liberal Democrats – 4,724 (+6.6%)

    Jennifer Nadel, Green Party – 767 (-3.1%)

    James Torrance, Independent – 393 (+1%)

    Peter Marshall, Independent – 98 (+0.3%)

    John Lloyd, Alliance for Green Socialism – 49 (-0.2%)

     

    Pictured above: Ex-MP Lady Borwick with Theresa May; Emma Dent Coad after her victory on Friday

     

  • Three Reasons to Vote…

    Three Reasons to Vote…

    A financier, a photographer and a doctor explain why they’ll respectively choose the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and Labour today

     

    Financier Zachary Latif on why he’ll vote for the Conservative Party

     

    Brexit is the primary question

    Firstly, this election was called on the issue of Brexit and when voters go to the polls, the primary question is whom do they want as their chief negotiator to deal with Europe: Will it be Theresa May or will it be Jeremy Corbyn? It is incontrovertible that Theresa May, a lady with a sensible and steady pair of hands, is the one to captain the ship. When I compare her approach to the untried and untested Jeremy Corbyn, I know without a shadow of doubt that I want Theresa May and her team to be leading Brexit.

     

    Making Britain prosperous

    The economy will go through a very shaky time over the next five years and we need a party that has the economic expertise that can guide us through these rocky waters. We all remember the last terrible time under Labour when the treasury was literally left with no money. Britain, now, under the Tories, has low unemployment, a balanced budget and ambitious plans for economic growth. If you want a prosperous Britain then it can only be for the blues.

     

    Multiculturalism and being proud to be British

    The cult of multiculturalism, as Angela Merkel touched on a few years ago, has failed. We need a Britain that revolves around the Union, a bicameral Parliament, the Crown and an understanding of the strong role that the Church (Anglicanism South of the Wall and Presbyterianism North of the Wall) plays. We need a government that is able to both manage the world outside but also be able to stand up for Britain and this precious Union of Nation, as Theresa May puts it. Jeremy Corbyn is a revolutionary but has no instinct for British patriotism – as his extensive links with the IRA testify. The Conservative Party is the only major party that makes one feel proud to be British and also able to retain a global outlook.

     

    Cambridge based Zachary Latif is a founder of Raef LLC, a high yield investment firm. He has appeared as a guest host on CNBC several times and is also an actor and playwright.

     

    Photographer James Smith on why he’ll vote for the Liberal Democrats

     

    Corbyn is the tail shaking the Labour dog

    I’m a centrist and believe government should work for all rather than guarding the wealth or indulging the politics of envy. By pulling his party to the hard left, Corbyn and his army in the wings have allowed May to become more right wing. How dare he and how dare she abandon the middle. Corbyn has alienated so many of his more reasonable party members that only the dregs will serve with him on the front benches. Corbyn may be a great campaigner but he’s been a lazy politician in opposition and seems bored when he’s not absorbing the energy of an adoring crowd. Remind you of anyone?

     

    The Liberal Democrats punched above their weight in the coalition

    I thought the coalition government was a grown-up union born of necessity. Neither party could fall back to their comfort zones, they had to work together to deal with a dire situation. For the most part, both sides did well but the Lib Dems suffered because of lazy accusations of betrayal by their core voters. To me they’ve proven they’re grown-ups. They’re honest that there’s no magic money tree and we’ll all need to pay for the NHS and social care through higher income tax. The idea of a Labour-SNP pact would be the worst of all worlds: Bye bye UK.

     

    The Liberal Democrats could help facilitate a more sensible Brexit

    While I won’t be celebrating a Labour or a Conservative victory, Jeremy Corbyn would be significantly worse for the health of the country. His ideological policies may ultimately harm the people he is trying to help. Emily Thornberry is my incumbent MP and she has been totally unaccountable to her staunchly Remain constituents. She refuses to campaign for a second ‘Are you sure?’ EU referendum, something the local Lib Dem candidate, Alain Desmier, has promised to do. If you must take the UK into radical territory, don’t do it when we’re uncoupling from our like minded neighbours and facing a less stable wider world. Lashing out with a vote for Corbyn is a bit like a hand break turn along a cliff edge.

     

    James Smith is an Islington based photographer. He was educated at a public school and an arts institute.

     

    Sally Jackson on why she’ll vote for the Labour Party

     

    For the many, not the few

    Labour has pledged to rebalance an economy that just works for the likes of billionaires like Sir Philip Green right now. We need a fairer tax system and the guarantee of no income tax rises for those earning below £80,000 a year is proof that Labour will not “tax the country until the pips squeak” – an accusation so commonly thrown by the right that Jeremy Corbyn has again and again disproven.

     

    Doing right by the NHS

    Jeremy Hunt is a symbol of the callous Tories and their assault on humanity. As a healthcare professional I want him and Theresa’s team gone and I believe only Labour will deliver a fairer deal for patients and healthcare workers. We’re under extreme threat right now and cuts to pharmacy funding are one of the worst false economies I’ve come across. As someone wrote on a wall recently: “I’m no gynaecologist but I know a Hunt when I see one”.

     

    It’s not just about Brexit

    I’ve heard enough about “Brexit means Brexit” but I’m glad Jeremy Corbyn voted for Article 50 and opposed a second referendum. The country has spoken and it’s time to get on with it. I supported leave myself and I did so because Europe wasn’t giving us a fair, inclusive society. I believe Labour will give us that and now the focus back on to what’s “Best for Britain” – a phrase that the remoaners Gina Miller and Sir Bob Geldoff should never have been allowed to hijack.

     

    Sally Jackson works as a doctor in Manchester. She was born in Devon and is a graduate of Queen Mary, University of London.

     

  • Flop or Fly?

    Flop or Fly?

    London estate agents launch three properties priced over £25 million each on General Election day

     

    Pundits may be referencing worrying times ahead in Britain’s post-Brexit economy, but London’s top tier estate agents have come out all guns blazing on General Election day and launched a series of jaw droppingly priced properties.

     

    In Knightsbridge’s Lennox Gardens, SW1X – where a similar, though situated on the much more sought after first-floor, apartment was promoted for what then seemed an ambitious £27.5 million ($35.6 million, €31.7 million or درهم130.9 million) in 2015 – Savills showcased a 6,392 square foot second floor flat with a basement annex priced at an even more punchy price of £35 million ($45.4 million, €40.3 million or درهم166.6 million). Aside from 2 vast reception rooms, 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, it comes with not only a fingerprint recognition security system but also 2 gymnasiums, a sauna, a steam room, a treatment room, a wine cellar and even a juice bar.

     

    Elsewhere, this morning, on the UK’s top property portal, OnTheMarket.com, agents Knight Frank listed an apartment in Eaton Square, SW1W for £25 million ($32.4 million, €28.8 million or درهم119 million) whilst Aylesford announced the sale of a house in The Boltons, SW10 for £57.5 million ($74.5 million, €66.2 million or درهم273.8 million). Whether we get Corbyn or May, one is left with just one question: Will these super-prime properities flop or will they fly?

     

    Flop or Fly? London estate agents launch three properties priced over £25 million each on General Election day 2017.
    The main reception room of the £25 million Lennox Gardens apartment on the first floor of ‘The Lennox’, 31-33 Lennox Gardens, Knightsbridge, SW1x
    Flop or Fly? London estate agents launch three properties priced over £25 million each on General Election day 2017.
    The garden of the 2,188 square foot ground and basement apartment at 20 Eaton Square, Belgravia, SW1W
    Flop or Fly? London estate agents launch three properties priced over £25 million each on General Election day 2017.
    The drawing room of the 9,989 square foot 22 The Boltons, Chelsea, SW10
  • A Villa In The Sky

    A Villa In The Sky

    Gargantuan Mayfair aprtment goes on sale for £30 million; it has eighteen windows facing Hyde Park and is in a building designed by the architect of Broadcasting House

     

    A vast maisonette, described as a “villa in the sky”, on London’s Park Lane has gone on sale for £30 million ($38.8 million, €34.6 million or درهم142.6 million) in spite of being in need of complete redecoration.

     

    Split over the seventh and eighth floor of a portered building named Fountain House, the apartment offered extends to 6,897 square foot and includes 4 reception rooms, 2 kitchens, 10 double bedrooms, 2 staff bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Its principle reception room is 38-foot long and its dining room is described as “easily sitting 22 guests”.

     

    A Villa In The Sky – Apartment 74/75, Fountain House, Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 7HQ, United Kingdom – For sale for £30 million ($38.8 million, €34.6 million or درهم142.6 million) through Wetherell
    Houses on the site of Fountain House on 30th December 1930 (prior to their demolition)

     

    Designed by George Val Myer (1883 – 1959), an architect best known for the BBC’s Broadcasting House, in conjunction with F. J. Watson-Hart and built by Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons between 1935 and 1938 on the site of demolished mansions, Fountain House includes around 60 residential units, offices, a fuel station and a car showroom.

     

    On the market through Wetherell on a lease of 84 years, the service charge for the flat is £81,538 per annum ($105,584, €94,135 or درهم387,836 per annum).

     

    A Villa In The Sky – Apartment 74/75, Fountain House, Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 7HQ, United Kingdom – For sale for £30 million ($38.8 million, €34.6 million or درهم142.6 million) through WetherellA Villa In The Sky – Apartment 74/75, Fountain House, Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 7HQ, United Kingdom – For sale for £30 million ($38.8 million, €34.6 million or درهم142.6 million) through WetherellA Villa In The Sky – Apartment 74/75, Fountain House, Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 7HQ, United Kingdom – For sale for £30 million ($38.8 million, €34.6 million or درهم142.6 million) through WetherellA Villa In The Sky – Apartment 74/75, Fountain House, Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 7HQ, United Kingdom – For sale for £30 million ($38.8 million, €34.6 million or درهم142.6 million) through WetherellA Villa In The Sky – Apartment 74/75, Fountain House, Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 7HQ, United Kingdom – For sale for £30 million ($38.8 million, €34.6 million or درهم142.6 million) through WetherellA Villa In The Sky – Apartment 74/75, Fountain House, Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 7HQ, United Kingdom – For sale for £30 million ($38.8 million, €34.6 million or درهم142.6 million) through Wetherell A Villa In The Sky – Apartment 74/75, Fountain House, Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 7HQ, United Kingdom – For sale for £30 million ($38.8 million, €34.6 million or درهم142.6 million) through Wetherell

  • A Land of Contrasts

    A Land of Contrasts

    Kensington and Chelsea – The land of the ‘have-a-lots’ and the ‘have-nothing-at-alls’; an example of a contrast too far

     

    The mere mention of the area of Kensington and Chelsea brings all sorts of connotations: One thinks of the Albert Hall and Hyde Park, Harrods and Harvey Nicks and one imagines affluence and culture. Here is an area that one associates with a certain kind of genteel elegance and one where both dowager duchesses and an educated, international community has long lived in harmony. Sadly, however, the apple cart has tipped and the area has descended to become a place where homeless people shiver on the streets whilst multi-million pound mansions lay rotting. This is an area that has had its soul ripped from its very being and this is an area that has fast become nothing but a money park with a hidden edge.

     

    The cause of this undoubtedly unwelcome change chiefly can be laid at the door of foreign ‘High Net Worth’ (HNW) investors – individuals and corporations who’ve brought ‘Home-aggedon’ to the Royal Borough by snapping up buildings that were once filled with families for crazy sums – and greedy landlords focused on kicking out local businesses in favour of high-paying, trophy tenants. Where once prosperous operations, such as La Brasserie on Brompton Cross, traded for nearly fifty years, are now empty units and outside them sit homeless people begging for scraps.

     

    Yes, there are ‘fake homeless’, but the problem is real and beneath the surface one also finds what can be termed the ‘hidden homeless’. These ‘have-nots’ and ‘have-nothing-at-alls’ sit in Pret stores and mind their own business. They cause no trouble but have been let down by the system. You’d be surprised how many such people there are in the Royal Borough and you should realise one thing: Us mere non-HNW mortals are just one pay cheque away from joining them.

     

    Pictured top: A homeless man in Pelham Street; he ‘lives’ just across the road from the £105 million home of billionaire Professor ‘Muck’ Flick.

     

    A Land of Contrasts – Kensington and Chelsea – The land of the ‘have-a-lots’ and the ‘have-nothing-at-alls’; an example of a contrast too far.
    A Land of Contrasts – Meanwhile, in Knightsbridge, ‘homes’ (not that anyone lives in them) in One Hyde Park sell for up to £140 million
    A Land of Contrasts – Kensington and Chelsea – The land of the ‘have-a-lots’ and the ‘have-nothing-at-alls’; an example of a contrast too far.
    A Land of Contrasts – Now, in Fulham Road, even “trendy” cafes such as L’Eto are unable to afford their rents and are so desperate to get out of their tenancies that they display ‘to let’ signs whilst still trading
    A Land of Contrasts – Kensington and Chelsea – The land of the ‘have-a-lots’ and the ‘have-nothing-at-alls’; an example of a contrast too far.
    A Land of Contrasts – The area’s new wealth, meanwhile, flaunts its money in the most ostentatious fashion possible and has not a care for the community
  • Best in Britain

    Best in Britain

    EXCLUSIVE – “Nationally important” Grade II* listed Berkshire mansion in 130 acres for sale for £26 million; its interior is yet to be renovated

     

    A Grade II* listed building capable of being reinstated as one of Britain’s finest country houses has just been placed on the market for £26 million.

     

    Benham Park – formerly known as Benham Vallence – at Marsh Benham, near Newbury comes with around 130 acres of Grade II listed Capability Brown (1716 – 1783) designed parkland and currently extends to 27,620 square foot. It has planning permission in place to either revert to a truly epic single family mansion or to convert into a 100 bedroom ‘wellness centre’ to rival Champneys in Hertfordshire and Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland. The schemes proposed would provide between 50,000 and 140,000 square foot of accommodation and, already, businessmen Harry Marriott and Michael Fresson, owners since 2011, have restored the exterior of the building along with its gardens and park.

     

    Built at the behest of the nobleman William Craven (1738 – 1791) to designs of the Fulham born architect Henry Holland (1745 – 1806) in 1774 – 1775, this fine neoclassical house was constructed from Bath stone and later altered by the extremely wealthy Sutton baronets during their tenure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The estate was sold for £1 million to the innovative computer manufacturers Norsk Data in 1983 and remained in the firm’s ownership until it was dissolved in 1992. It then became the offices of other technology companies until again being placed for sale for £6 million in 2010.

     

    Best in Britain – Benham Park (formerly Benham Valence), Marsh Benham, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8EP, United Kingdom – For sale for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million) with Savills.
    Benham Park in the era when it was used as offices; the modern buildings have now been demolished and the car park landscaped
    Best in Britain – Benham Park (formerly Benham Valence), Marsh Benham, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8EP, United Kingdom – For sale for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million) with Savills.
    The main mansion prior to renovation of its exterior
    Best in Britain – Benham Park (formerly Benham Valence), Marsh Benham, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8EP, United Kingdom – For sale for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million) with Savills.
    A view from another angle (after external renovation)
    Best in Britain – Benham Park (formerly Benham Valence), Marsh Benham, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8EP, United Kingdom – For sale for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million) with Savills.
    From the lake
    Best in Britain – Benham Park (formerly Benham Valence), Marsh Benham, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8EP, United Kingdom – For sale for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million) with Savills.
    And from its imposing entrance
    Best in Britain – Benham Park (formerly Benham Valence), Marsh Benham, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8EP, United Kingdom – For sale for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million) with Savills.
    One of several entrances to the estate
    Best in Britain – Benham Park (formerly Benham Valence), Marsh Benham, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8EP, United Kingdom – For sale for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million) with Savills.
    Another set of impressive gates

     

    Should a buyer use the existing designs for a residential scheme, they would find themselves owning a house that would not only come with 12 reception rooms and 29 bedroom suites, but also one with a sports complex, a sculpture gallery, a 40-seat cinema and garaging for 50 cars. Aside from an existing 5-bedroom mill house on the estate’s 10 acre lake and a gate lodge, the proposals would add a further 8 additional ancillary houses also.

     

    Of Benham Park, Crispin Holborow of selling agent Savills commented:

     

    “[This] is a nationally important stately home so its sale presents a very exciting proposition for a future owner to oversee its transformation. The prospect of restoring a property of such magnificent proportions with excellent access to London has not arisen for many years, and we expect interest from potential buyers for either its reinstatement as a significant country residence or its repurpose into a world leading wellness centre”.

     

    Those looking to extend the compound further have the option to purchase two separately owned properties that were formerly part of the estate. A house known as ‘Greenhouses’, for sale with Savills, is offered for £1.3 million and comes with 1.47 acres of land whilst Mill Bank House, which stands in 2 acres, is on the market through Strutt & Parker.

     

     

    The Numbers – Benham Park

     

    1771 – 1774

    William Craven, 6th Baron Craven paid Capability Brown £7,150 for works to the house and grounds. This sum is the equivalent of £989,000 today ($1.3 million, €1.1 million or درهم4.7 million).

     

    1982

    Sold to Norsk Data for £1 million (the equivalent of £3.2 million, $4.1 million, €3.7 million or درهم15.1 million today) by Sir Richard Sutton (born 1937).

     

    2010

    Placed on the market for £6 million ($7.7 million, €6.9 million or درهم28.3 million).

     

    2011

    Sold to Harry Marriott and Michael Fresson for £5 million ($6.4 million, €5.7 million or درهم23.6 million).

     

    2017

    Benham Park placed on the market for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million).

     

    Separately owned estate houses

    Best in Britain – Benham Park (formerly Benham Valence), Marsh Benham, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8EP, United Kingdom – For sale for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million) with Savills.Mill Bank House – On the market for £1.4 million ($1.8 million, €1.6 million or درهم6.6 million).

     

    Best in Britain – Benham Park (formerly Benham Valence), Marsh Benham, Speen, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8EP, United Kingdom – For sale for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million) with Savills.Greenhouses – On the market for £1.3 million ($1.7 million, €1.5 million or درهم6.1 million).