Profits plunge at retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone April 10, 2019 Retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone’s profits decreased by two-thirds in the first half of 2019 as it undertook a strategic shift to deal with a weak second-hand housing market. Read more: UK house prices drop in March after shock rise, says Halifax The company said it had increasingly turned to discounting and other incentives as [...]
Hotels stump up for new business rate bills April 7, 2019 Some of London’s most iconic hotels are facing renewed pressure from rising property taxes, according to business rate experts who fear that the sector could be hit by the latest round of bills. Real estate services firm Colliers found that 93 London hotels have been charged with a combined total rates bill of £12.2m this [...]
Notting Hill: The West London enclave defying London’s house price slump April 7, 2019 With its annual carnival, famous market and edgy-cum-glamorous feel, Notting Hill has never been a place to conform to the norms of other Central London neighbourhoods. And it is in keeping with such independence that while many of the capital’s prime residential hotspots are currently undergoing a slump, the West London enclave’s property market has [...]
Interiors: From lock ups to lock ins, we find out how London’s prisons, courtrooms and police station are turning into bars and hotels April 5, 2019 Thankfully London regeneration isn’t all about new-build skyscrapers. Some of our historic civic buildings have been given new leases of life as wonderfully atmospheric bars, hotels and restaurants. The best of these celebrate great design, seamlessly combining the old and the new. The Dixon hotel, bar and restaurant, just opened on the south bank of [...]
Opinion: It’s about time gas boilers were axed, but developers need to be investing in smart, sustainable technologies from the outset April 5, 2019 In his recent Spring Statement, the Chancellor announced that from 2025 newly built homes will not be connected to the gas grid, meaning that gas boiler installation will be a thing of the past. It is good to see the government taking on board the recommendation of the Committee on Climate Change, which called for [...]
Focus On Highgate: Old money and new money mingle in the mansions of this hilltop London village April 5, 2019 What’s the largest house in Britain? It’s pretty easy to guess – Buckingham Palace, probably the most famous residence in the world aside from the White House. Fewer people could name its closest contender, though, Witanhurst, tucked up in the corner of Highgate Hill. Comprising 90,000sqft – including a 70ft ballroom – it’s the largest [...]
New homes: Our pick of the new builds going on sale in London this weekend April 5, 2019 New developments on the market this week Filmworks, Ealing From £669,950 The final homes near the famous Ealing Studios are on sale in west London. Named Chapman House, after Graham Chapman who filmed Monty Python sketches at the nearby film studios, they’ll include a new eight-screen Picturehouse cinema and 46 one, two and three bedroom [...]
Editors’ Notes: Philip Hammond outfoxes the Treasury committee in clash over end to austerity April 5, 2019 Three cheers for Philip Hammond! Yes, you heard that right – I may be alone, but I found myself applauding the chancellor last night when we got a sneak preview of his response to the Treasury Select Committee’s (TSC) fisking of the autumn Budget. Read more: Hammond says ending austerity will not mean spending splurge [...]
UK house prices drop in March amid Brexit uncertainty after shock rise, says Halifax April 5, 2019 UK house prices grew 2.6 per cent year on year in March, but fell compared to the month before, according to data released today. The value of the average UK home hit £233,181 last month, after growing 1.6 per cent between January to March compared to the three months to the end of December. Read [...]
Dorchester boycott: Angel investors retreat from Park Lane dinner after Brunei’s anti-LGBT laws April 4, 2019 A top UK angel investor group backed down over plans to hold its annual bash at The Dorchester late tonight amid a growing boycott against a set of luxury hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Read more: Property events moved away from Brunei-owned hotels amid boycott The UK Business Angels Associations (UKBAA) raised eyebrows [...]
