Notting Hill

OUR PICK OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS AND FURNITURE SHOPS IN NOTTING HILL

When buying a new home in central London, you might want to create that special feeling of coming home. Notting Hill, Queensway, and Kensington are full of beautiful boutiques and shops to add the finishing touches to your home. Whether you are looking for something pretty to decorate your home or whether you want a total style revamp, we selected some of our favourite interior designers and furniture specialists in the area.

Jimmie Martin
What can we say! We love Jimmie Martin! If you want something truly exceptional, a piece of art wrapped up in antique furniture, there is no other place to go. Yes, its avant-guard, definitely at the edge of creative interior design, and these truly unique pieces will make you smile every day. ​​​​​​​

Not only do they sell one-off pieces and soft furnishings. Jimmie Martin’s approach to interior design is to create a space which makes you feel glamorous, warm and vibrant, inside and out. They have a wide portfolio of work in some fantastic homes, including a sumptuous townhouse in Notting Hill, and put their creative stamp on a beautiful property in Bayswater.

With hints of their signature theme to add a touch of colourful fun to a neutral backdrop, making this home feel spacious yet homely and warm, with, of course, that feeling of opulent comfort which comes with Jimmie Martin’s style.
Find more about Jimmie Martin

Katrina Philips
Walking into this shop on Portobello is a wonderful, soothing experience. This style is timeless, serene, and cosy. With an eclectic mix of simple yet elegant furnishings, you can find pieces of furniture and soft furnishings to fit your home's décor. From gorgeous ch​​​​​​​unky pieces wrapped in classic style, items which draw the eye such as demur oversized vases, tabletop decorations and large clusters of crystals to bring a sense of wellbeing into your home.

Katrina Philips is known for styling homes, with a portfolio of work in London and Ibiza, bringing this bohemian chic influence to her style. As you walk through the shop, you can imagine the feeling of the sea breeze as the drapes flutter softly, sipping coffee and checking your morning emails. All, after morning meditation, which feels like an easy task in the peaceful environment created by Katrina Philips design.
Find out more about Katrina Philips

The Cloth Shop
A local favourite, this shop has been situated on Portobello road since 1992 when it relocated from Soho. Walking into their shop is like a trip back in time, it has an earthy, natural feel and is a delight for any fabric lover, filled with rolls of fabric of various designs and soothing tones, trimmings of all styles and colours.

Their ethos is only to buy products that they love themselves, and this is very much felt as you walk through the rolls of fabric. The shop sells a wide range of natural materials from linen, velvet, cotton, muslin, and vintage fabrics.

They are incredibly knowledgeable about their products and have lots of friendly advice about using fabrics. The cloth shop is well known for the quality of its materials and is a popular choice among interior designs and individual customers alike.
Find out more about the cloth shop

Graham & Green
Colourful, mindful design Graham and Green design their own furniture.  It all started in 1974, when they opened their first shop on Elgin Crescent, in the heart Notting hill gate, bringing a range of eclectic finds from their travels around the world. Forty-five years later and they have evolved into a much-loved brand, known for their colourful and stylish designs, adding a touch a chic to any urban home.

The influence of travel is felt in the design of their furniture, which brings antique and retro styles into unique yet practical pieces that are perfect for London living. From clean-cut lines to more unusual designs, their designs are classic, functional, and made with lots of love.

Their love of interior design is evident through their attention to detail in marrying their larger pieces to their soft furnishings to create a beautifully warm cosy space that you can transport into your own home. Graham and green is a perfect choice to add a touch of fresh colour, bringing some character and that cosy feel into your home.
Find out more about Graham & Green

Between the eclectic style of Notting Hill, the antique history of Kensington Church Street and Portobello Road, and the furniture stores of Westbourne Grove, there is a wide variety of styles and furnishings to choose from in Notting hill and surrounds. You can enjoy meandering and become inspired by the creativity that goes into designing that perfect property, from the inside out. 

by adam

GETTING FIT IN NOTTING HILL- AN INTERVIEW WITH ELISSA FROM FORM STUDIOS

At the end of last year, I had the pleasure of speaking with the lovely Elissa from Form Studio, a vibrant fitness studio in Notting Hill. Elissa and her Partner run this fresh and funky space, located on the corner of Portobello and Lonsdale Road. I wanted to find out more about the lady behind the classes and the upbeat vibe that pumps out of the door as we walk past when carrying out viewings.

Over a coffee at Gail's on Portobello Road, I got to meet Elissa and have a chat so that I could find out more her passion for fitness at Form.
Elissa's background is in dance and Pilates, something she has done her whole life. As a little girl, she watched her mum dance as a professional ballerina. Since then, copying her mum and incorporating it in her world, it has always been part of her life. As a natural progression from her career as a professional dancer and athlete, she began to share and impart her knowledge and experience, becoming a fitness instructor. Nowadays, Elissa brings her balanced approach to health and fitness, and as the founder of Form, she creates her own programs which you can find at this unique fitness studio.

What classes do you do at Form?
We offer nine different types of classes which include TRX, HIIT, BOX FIT, Yoga. We are also one of the very few studios in west London offering Ariel yoga which is a hugely popular class. We cater to all levels and welcome anyone motivated to get fit.

We talk about how Form Studios began.

The studio started with my Pilates-hybrid workout, which I created and has become my signature class, recalls Elissa. I designed this dynamic Pilates workout to target the core areas, giving you a complete and balanced workout. We started with these in 2015, and have grown so much.

It's all about balance, Elissa explains. We are all about diversifying your workout so that your body is always evolving and not getting stale or stagnant by repetitive movement, whilst continually keeping the mind active and engaged. No class is ever the same, which keeps it new and exciting, and from a fitness point of view also avoids causing repetitive strain injuries. 

The repertoire in each class is varied, and our instructors are trained to the Form method, maintaining the high standards of alignment and Form, hence the name! This is really part of what we stand for, ensuring a solid foundation, that everyone is doing each exercise correctly and safely, and that teaching is of the highest level.

How do you get people motivated in your classes?

Music is a strong component in a lot of our classes; it can serve to motivate and relax. Our fitness classes are fun, vibrant, with upbeat music and a great vibe to get pumped up for a powerful workout. With small class numbers, we can mix it up, keeping it fresh and giving our members the attention they deserve to achieve their fitness goals. 

For those who want to push that extra mile- We also offer specialist fitness programmes which include personal training for specific sporting activities such as marathons, rowing and sporting competitions. We have some pro-athletes who come in and give specific one-to-one training.”

It sounds great! I'm starting to feel like I need to pay more attention to my fitness! What would you say to an absolute beginner?

Just come down and get training! Everyone is a beginner at some point. We are here to foster your passion for your fitness and wellbeing. We will help you create a programme to get the best results for your body.

We always explain why we are doing each exercise and the benefits so that, even at beginner level, members can understand and integrate their workout with the knowledge that they are working towards achieving the best results.

Elissa is also passionate about motivating people away from their desks too! 

"People spend so much time sitting at their desks, hunched over computers. With constant information and research, we know how detrimental it can be to the body and mind. Keeping mentally and physically fit and agile is important. But going from sitting 7/8 hours per day and then going to an intensive workout and killing it in the gym is not the right way to do it. That's why balance is an essential component, it’s integral to our work at Form so that you are giving your body and mind diversity to stimulate and balance both inside and out.

Form Studio has won the Tatler Gym Award 3 years running, even in your first year of opening, that must have been a great feeling?!

Yes, it really was! We have a fab piece of equipment, similar to a Pilates reformer but this requires more core engagement, so it works you harder than most apparatus. It is challenging, but it really strengthens the core. We are the only studio offering these pieces of tech, and we have designed classes to get the best out of you. 

We run two different classes using this apparatus, pure core and sweat core. They are both performed on this equipment and both Pilates-inspired. Sweat Core is more focused on cardio while Pure Core is a highly effective session, engaging and working all the ab-muscles.

These are our award-winning classes, and it was a really exciting time for us and has added to the personality of the studio.

Why did you choose to set up your fitness studio in Notting Hill?

I have always had a connection with Notting Hill and have lived in the area for over 15 years, so it was a natural progression to open a studio locally. However, the studio doesn't just welcome local residents, we have members who come from across the borough and beyond to take part in our classes at Form.

What's your favourite place to eat in Notting Hill?

I love Farmacy and their fresh take on plant-based food. We also just love having all these lovely eateries on our doorstep with so much variety.”

We end our interview on my favourite subject, food, which Elissa lightly and naturally turns back to health and wellbeing. It is clear that she is passionate about fitness, and a healthy & full lifestyle which comes through in her in-depth knowledge on this topic. She creates inspired classes and programmes to motivate and push the boundaries, keeping it light, balanced and high vibe! She loves jumping into classes as she is always inspired by other ways of doing things and being a lifelong student.

Her bubbly, light energy has rubbed off on me during our conversation and would love to feel as fit as she describes! Well, it's January, and it's a great time to start those new year's resolutions to get down to the gym and work it out!!

You can find out more about Elissa's work, and Form Studios classes, as well as their introductory offers here!

by adam

FIND SOME OF THE MOST PET-FRIENDLY PLACES IN NOTTING HILL

It’s not always easy looking for a place to live that allows pets in London. If you are looking for a pet-friendly property to rent, we are here to help. At Homesite, we have furry friends of our own, so we know how hard it can be finding accommodation that accepts animals. We are a pet-friendly estate agent in Notting Hill. We liaise with our landlords so that we can help you find a suitable home for you and your pooch.

Notting Hill has a community of dog-loving humans, both at home and at work. It’s quite common to walk into a shop or office and find a pouch curled up under the desk or popping out to greet you. Our pooches come to work with us too and on our walks about the area. They get enjoy the many dog-friendly cafes and welcoming water bowls outside some of the local shops and eateries.

Are there any dog-friendly cafes in Notting Hill?

There are quite a few dog-friendly cafes in the area. Spots that are well known for welcoming our furry friends include Farm Girl Café, for example. Situated behind St Peters Church on Portobello Road, not only do they dish up a range of holistic brunches, lunches and juices, but they are also known for being dog- friendly. Some of the local pubs, such as the cock and bottle and the Grand Union also allow your doggie to come inside as long as they are well behaved. It means Sunday pub lunch is still possible in central London without having to leave your dog at home.

If you are feeling fancy, you can head to The Pet Boutique & Café on Westbourne Grove. One of the trendiest pouch friendly places, this spot is doggie heaven. You can let them be their true furry self, all while you sip on a glass of wine. This is the ultimate pet café where dogs are as welcome as humans. They also offer grooming and a dog sitting service, in case you need a couple of hours to do things while leaving your pouch in the most capable hands.

Daylesford Organic Foods on Westbourne Grove leaves a large water bowl outside their shop, as does Gail’s bakery.  There are many places which have outside seating and blankets to wrap up in on cold days so that you can sit with your furry friend. Notting Hill is a great area and a welcoming environment for man’s best friend.

Where can you walk your dog around Notting Hill and Bayswater?

You can take a stroll through Kensington Gardens which is within easy walking distance from both Notting Hill Gate and Bayswater. It’s a great inner-city spot as it has a large dog-friendly area. They can run in the long grass, chase the squirrels and meet other furry friends. You can grab a bite to eat from one of the nearby cafes or supermarkets in Queensway and have a picnic while your dog is getting some fresh air and a runaround.

Little Scrubs is a large green park at the end of Dalgarno Gardens. It’s a dog walking park so you can let them off the lead for a run around as there’s lots of space and it’s securely fenced. If you want a vast space for your dog to stretch his paws, you can go a bit further to Wormwood scrubs which is a wide open space that feels a bit like being in the countryside. A lovely walk here will definitely tire out your four-legged friend.

If you don’t have a lot of time, Avondale Park and Powis square have dog-friendly areas and are good spots for a quick exercise. These parks get busy after school hours and at the weekend when the playgrounds are busy children, so morning and early afternoon seem the best times for walkies.

You can also walk along the canal, as long as your dog is not a bird chaser! They have been known to jump in to try to catch the ducks! But it’s a lovely, peaceful walk with no traffic, and lots of natural sights and smells for doggies to sniff out.

Where can you buy doggie food, treats and toys in Notting Hill?

The Mutz Nutz, situated on Westbourne Park road, this is treat and toy heaven for pets and their owners. With a large selection of pet foods, accessories and fluffy toys, it’s hard not to furnish your home with doggie toys from this shop! The resident cat is friendly too and comes out to greet friendly doggies who pop in for packets of treats.

Portobello Pet shop on Portobello Road is one of the longest standing shops in Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove. It’s certainly the oldest local pet shop. They are a traditional style shop selling everything you need for your pets. They have all the good stuff that doggies want, rubber rings, strings of sausages, bones and chewy toys to suit all types of breeds.

Purplebone on Notting Hill is a cute colourful pet shop specialising in dogs in the city. They provide a nice selection of items for our furry friends. As well as offering a dog grooming service in-store, they have a lively attitude and provide lots of useful doggie care tips and info on their website.

We love our dogs, and so do some of our landlords. If you are looking for a home for you and your four-legged friend, get in touch to see how we can help you find a suitable pet-friendly property in Notting Hill, Bayswater, Kensington & Holland Park.

For more information about moving to the area, see our area guide for Notting Hill and Bayswater.

You can find out more about our office doggies in our meet the team section.

by adam

COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL, CHANGING THE FACE OF NOTTING HILL

Commercial to Residential. Changing the Face of Notting Hill and Bayswater Road.

Notting Hill Gate and Bayswater Road, have for years, retained their linear 1950’s look along the high street and towards Kensington Gardens. In a bid to revive some of these tired buildings, a number of developments set to change the street's outline are taking place, bringing these buildings into the present and revitalising the colours of Notting Hill’s street scene.

Two major developments are taking place, both of very different nature. At the Notting Hill Gate end, Notting Hill Estate, a predominately commercial development, is undergoing a significant refurbishment, and at Queensway, Park Modern, a prestigious residential building, which will also include some retail units, is under construction on Bayswater Road. Both projects aim to bring more life and commerce back into our area.

Notting Hill Estate

Situated across 3.11 acres in Notting Hill, this Freehold Estate comprises 36 shops and restaurants, 53,500sqft multi-let offices, 145 flats, and 91 parking spaces. Frogmore development and investment firm have begun this huge undertaking consisting of 171,618 sq ft of space,  70% of which is divided into retail units. The Estate comprises several sites along Notting Hill Gate itself. This project will revamp the outlook of 5 office and retail buildings along the road, injecting some colour and updated design into the high street.

Spread over three different project sites, the Estate includes

·      Astley house which houses HSBC, subway, and Barclays bank

·      David Game House, whose current residents include Eat, Pret a Manger, Crispin, and Calder pharmacy.

·      And, on the opposite side of the road, United house, which used to house Jamie Oliver’s restaurant & deli, and Boots, which is still there today. United House also includes numbers 100 to 106 Notting Hill, which houses Itsu, as well as the adjacent block, numbers 114 to 120 where Tesco’s is currently situated, on the ground floor.

The current retail units will remain in place during the work, and it will be interesting to see who will fill the newly refurbished commercial spaces that are being redesigned. There are also rumours of a medium-sized hotel on the United house site, although I have been unable to find concrete information about this so that we will be watching this space.

Although the design for each individual project is slightly different, each will include being raised by an extra floor, and United House on the corner will rise by two additional floors, largely increasing its capacity. These will remain office and retail units with no new residential homes included. They are set to increase job opportunities in the area and to contribute to revamping the face of some of Notting Hill Gates's buildings.

Squire and Partners, the architects who designed the new facades, have retained the original 1950’s theme of the buildings, which they say is “a key component of the local character and history of Notting hill gate” and that their designs “aim to sensitively integrate new and existing elements” into the present street line. The colours are influenced by nearby Kensington Gardens and remain in keeping with the horizontal lines of the current streetscape. You can get an idea of what the new developments will look like from the impressions provided by Squire and Partners on their website.

The work on Astley House began in the summer of this year and is also set to take around 18 months to complete. The work on the three buildings will be carried out in phases and is estimated to take approximately 21 months in total. Due to the location of the construction, it has been important that this work is carried out with minimal disruption to local business and traffic. Each phase has been carefully considered by Kensington and Chelsea and time scales agreed with the developer, in order to be carried out with a little disturbance to current residents and the busy flow of traffic in Notting Hill.

Park Modern

A bit further down the road, heading towards Marble Arch, along Bayswater road, a different kind of development is taking place. Situated on the corner of Queensway and Bayswater road, the former pub and hostel that span the length of the block to Inverness Terrace are being transformed into luxury housing and retail space. Park Modern is thought to be one of the most exclusive and luxurious residential developments currently being constructed in the capital. Spanning over 190,000 sq ft, this mixed-use development is set to pave the way for Queensway’s transformation into Bayswater village. One of Londons hottest properties, The £450m project by developer Fenton Whelan will contain 30,000 sq of retail space, but its key feature is the top of the range new homes being built,  boasting prime position overlooking Kensington Gardens and the Royal Palace.

This prestigious development will rocket to 9 storeys and to house its 57 luxury apartments, including a super lavish five-bedroom penthouse with double-height ceilings, and comes to a price tag of cool £30 million. At the cheaper end of the spectrum, smaller apartments of 1000 sq ft, without park views, are being marketed around the £2 million mark.  The majority of apartments will feature a balcony overlooking the park, with the most prestigious units comprising a wraparound balcony which comes at a premium. Whatever the aspect, there is no doubt that each apartment will be designed to the highest specification. The buildings will also contain features such as residents’ spa, swimming pool, and private restaurant, which will offer 24hour room service. How’s that for convenience! With such a desirable location and an address which boasts Royalty as neighbours, it is easy to see how this will attract some of the wealthiest clients’ attention.

Not only will this be one of prime central London's most luxurious residences, but it also boasts a highly desirable address and postcode, a stone's throw from the royal park and the convenience of the west end on one's doorstep. A project in its own right, this prestigious development is also set to pave the way for the regeneration of Queensway and the former Whitley’s building which, at the top end of Queensway, is undergoing its own transformation. Designed and planned in conjunction with Westminster Council, who are also contributing to Queensway’s new look and feel, it will be interesting the new face of Queensway, including its new retail plans, spanning from Park Modern to Whiteleys.

To find out about Whitely's development, click here.

With both Notting Hill Estate and Park Modern currently undergoing major work, it will be interesting to see the results of each project, both in terms of contribution to the area's commercial activity and retail offering but also to see this much-loved road being revamped and brought into the present through colour and new design.

by adam

DO YOU KNOW YOUR LOCAL HISTORY? A LOOK INTO NOTTING HILL'S COLOURFUL PAST.

I snapped some shots of St Johns Church for our Instagram page. The sun was setting, radiating its beaming rays across the church steeple and gracing the trees with a last few rays of light.

On my daily travels around the area, I often pause to capture a moment in the life of Notting Hill. From front doors to churches or flowers, depending on the time of day, or how the sun falls, the streets lined with grand houses painted bright white, greys and shades of pastel colours, take on their own mood.

Back at the office, showing the photos to Nigel, Owner and Director at Homesite, he gave me a bit of background history about the church and its surroundings.

Did you know that it used to be a racecourse?' said Nigel

Oh wow, I said, I didn't know". I love horses, and I have lived in Notting Hill for over two decades. So I did a little more digging.

It turns out that the Ladbroke Estate has a rich history which explains this beautifully shaped crescent that forms Lansdowne Crescent and surrounding private green spaces. The land belonged to James Weller Ladbroke. It was, and still is part of the Ladbroke Estate, spanning over 140 acres of sloping land towards Notting Hill, and across Westbourne Grove, lay soft green fields.
In 1837, Ladbroke leased the land to James Whyte, a businessman whose ambitions it was to turn the space into the 'Kensington Hippodrome,' a racecourse for London. Racetracks were at a popular pass time, and Whyte thought that this racecourse would serve London better than other hippodromes such as Epsom Downs and Ascot, which were much further away.

The race course ran from Lansdowne crescent, across Ladbroke Grove and over to Stanley Crescent forming the landscape of the track. The grassy hill upon which St Johns Church sits once served as a fantastic public viewing point, offering a prime position to watch the race that took place in the gentle slopes below.

The new venue received mixed opinions from the British press, whilst The Times criticised its Prime London location, the Sporting publication described it as 'the most perfect racecourse.' As well as attracting London's aristocracy, it was also widely attended by poorer members of the community, the farmers of the "Potteries and Piggeries" of Pottery Lane. The racecourse was built, much to Whyte's frustration, across a right of way which affected the farmers of Notting Dale, causing much contention through the racecourses lifespan. These visitors were not welcome on the land, and the ongoing clashes gave the place a less favourable reputation. Over a few years, the venue faded in popularity and started to run into financial difficulty, even after changing its name to 'Victoria Park- Bayswater,' the racecourse was failing. In 1842, James Whyte handed the land back to its owner and previous plans resumed to build property. The Victorian houses now standing on these near perfect semi-circles crescents maintain the shape of the former racecourse and the earlier designs of 1820 loosely revived, shaping the streets into the rows of period houses we see today.

Lansdowne Crescent is a mix of architecture as it has evolved through time. Consisting of a unique gothic Tudor double-fronted dwelling to the eastern side, which, in 1846, was the first property to be registered, to the stucco fronted townhouses constructed slightly later by William Reynolds, a builder turned property developer. To the western side, somewhat newer Victorian style architecture built in the 1860s' can be found in an array of pastel colours. In 1944 designed Joshua Higgs, St John's Church was built. Now a grade II listed building, this place of worship was constructed from Kentish Ragstone, which was a popular construction material for churches at the time. Then known as 'St John in the Hayfields' due to its rural location, it was the highpoint of the racecourse and centre-place of the Ladbroke estate.

Nowadays, one can walk the ring of the racecourse to find some of Notting Hill's most luxurious homes, grand architecture spanning across the 19th & 20th century, and a peek into some the greenest private spaces remaining in London. Remnants of the Estate's history still mark the land.

Some of Notting Hill’s history can be spotted on a local stroll through the streets of Ladbroke Estate. St Johns Church sign displays information about the land’s horsey past. A walk around the crescent and its grand buildings bares a few signs of their age, and the last remaining pottery stands on Pottery Lane on further exploration of the streets of Notting Dale

Read more about the different period architectures on Lansdowne Crescent:

http://www.ladbrokeassociation.info/LANSDOWNECRESCENT.htm

Read the history of the "Potteries and Piggeries" of Pottery Lane:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pottery_Lane

For more information about the Ladbroke Estate and its history:

http://www.ladbrokeassociation.info/HISTORYOFTHELADBROKEAREA.htm

by adam

LUXURY LIVING IN LONDON. A LOOK AT NOTTING HILL'S CURRENT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS.

The Television Centre- W12

The iconic Television Centre built to house the British Broadcasting Corporation (The BBC) located on Wood Lane, London W12, was first inaugurated by Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elisabeth, in 1961. Since then, the BBC has seen an impressive array of British and International celebrities walk through its doors and into its grand lobby. Shows such as Doctor Who, Top of the Pops and in more recent times the Graham Norton show, have all been produced here. The BBC has since relocated its operations, and the Television Centre is currently undergoing redevelopment which will contain around 1000 new homes, several retail units, offices, and eateries.

The first phase of the new development is now complete and boasts 432 luxury apartments across two buildings, Helios and Crescent. The apartments are designed in a thoughtful and stylish manner, catered to high spec, luxury city living. In case this isn’t luxury enough for an urbanite, the ‘Architects’ Series’ offers a range of premium apartments and penthouses consciously designed by the most prominent architects for truly optimal and decadent living. Phase two, which is planned to begin work in the coming months, will see the construction of a further 500 high-end homes.
Through the communal areas of the development, the attention to detail and decadence flows seamlessly. The renowned main lobby that welcomed countless famous faces over the years has been restored to its original splendour including the grade II listed mosaic by British artist, John Piper. Residents can now enjoy this lounge space to relax and watch the world go by. This new high-end development will also benefit from a 24-hour concierge service and access to a private gym, swimming pool and spa. It also houses a Cinema complex, a 45-bedroom hotel, shops, and some great names in food such as Bluebird café, made famous by ‘Made in Chelsea’ and Patty&Bun. Complete with a private members’  including a roof terrace with views over the Television’s Centre forecourt, this is city slicker style at its best in the heart of West London.

With all amenities at one’s fingertips, The Television Centre is ideally located, with very convenient access to the central line from White City tube station, and minutes’ walk to Westfield shopping centre. It’s a vibrant piece of London property in a great location, whether to live or as an investment. This is city living at its most stylish, and where better in London than the iconic British Broadcasting Corporation?

To find out more about apartments to rent or buy in this development, please give us a call or pop us an email.

For more information about the development here.

Whiteleys Development

Whiteleys Shopping Centre closed its doors at the end of 2018 for a total overhaul. The development will contain 85 new homes including a mix of apartments and townhouses along Redan Place to the rear of the building, and is due for completion in 2022/2023. This new mixed-use development is not just about creating new homes, as well as residential units, the redevelopment of the former shopping centre is set to offer an enhanced shopping and dining experience.  There will be a variety of restaurants, retail units, a courtyard to one side and an extended pedestrian area along Queensway, allowing a more leisurely environment. This project is set to bring new business into the area and regenerate one of London’s architectural landmarks.

First opened in 1863 as a ‘fancy goods’ store by entrepreneur William Whiteley, Whiteleys became one of the first ‘modern department stores,’ one massive shop where you could buy almost anything. It was a vibrant and successful business serving surrounding residents and providing employment to over 5000 people in its hay day.

Remodelled in 1911, Whiteley’s became the grade II listed building we see today. With its sculpted columns, elegant long windows, and grand entrances, the building is characterised by bronze balconies and glass domes.  Its signature central staircase which spirals to the 3rd floor whilst light beams down from to the glass dome above sets the tone for this building's style. At Christmas time, Whiteley’s shopping centre was truly delightful, housing one of the tallest Christmas trees and Santa’s grotto in its main hall, this atmosphere was symbolic of this shopping centre’s character.

The charm of this building has not gone unnoticed in its refurbishment. Its grade II listed structures including its windows, wrought ironwork, glass domes, and the decadent staircase will be preserved through the reconstruction work, and it will be interesting to see how the design will incorporate this building’s features. The residential units will comprise 1, 2, 3 and four bedroom apartments and at the premium end, there will be several duplexes, corner units, and penthouses. These will be designed like no other residence in London due to the unique features of this building. Complete with retail and eateries on its doorstep, a gym, swimming pool and spa available to residents, this will be an undeniably stylish development.

Westminster council has had significant involvement in the proposed redevelopment of Queensway & will extend the pavement to create a larger pedestrianised area. This project has been a long time coming and is now underway. This development, worth over £1billion, will have a significant impact on values to property in the area, as well as a providing a new space for retail and dining within a stone's throw of Hyde Park and Notting Hill.

For more information, you can visit the project website.

Basing Street Development- The SARM Studios

Much to the sadness of many music lovers who have fond memories of great bands attending this famous recording studio. The former Basing Street Studio is undergoing a reconfiguration into mixed residential and commercial use. It has housed both SARM and Island Records, and over time, has seen a host of world-famous musical artists including the likes of the Rolling Stones, Bob Marley & The Wailers came here to work on the Exodus album. George Michaels recorded Careless Whispers here. Other artists who have recorded here include some of the best-known pop songs, such as Alicia Keys, Genesis, The Who, Roxy Music, John Martyn, The Pet Shop Boys, Jethro Tull, Squeeze and Madonna, ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin and Queen’s ‘We Are the Champions.’ Kylie Minogue, Take That and Rihanna are some of the few who have been known to record at Basing Street Studios. The most famous memory for many was the recording of the original Band Aid charity single “Do they know it’s Christmas’ in 1984.

Even before its days of music and rhythm, the former chapel has a rich and intriguing history. Originally built as a church, it was later deconsecrated and used as a storeroom and workshop for one of London’s famous Madame Tussauds.  The old church then began its life as a studio in 1969, and over the years has been known as Basing Street Studios.

This 17th century chapel with its funky and colourful history will comprise nine swanky London pads in total. This prime London real estate is a very cool London address in Notting Hill W11. The redeveloped building will also continue its musical legacy by including a high-tech office space alongside a recording studio.

What a fantastic way to own an iconic piece of music history of our time! This is the perfect London pad for a creative who wants their own slice of urban rhythm.

You can read more about its planning stages here

by adam

THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN NOTTING HILL

As Estate Agents Notting Hill based, we don’t just know about property, we know about transport links, local schools, parks, shopping and most importantly good places to eat. We’ve put together a selection of eateries, some hidden gems known only to local residents and some favorite hotspots that bring people to Notting Hill to experience:

Ottolenghi: a deli-style eatery on trendy Ledbury road. They prepare a healthy and appealing selection of salads with a Mediterranean touch, topped with pomegranates or their signature tahini dressing which is delicious. Their choice of inspired cakes, pastries, and huge meringues, served with a pot of tea are a welcome break from a busy shopping day on Westbourne Grove or Portobello Road.  Find them at 63 Ledbury Rd- W11 2AD

The Granger: Owned by Australian chef Bill Granger, who has a small selection of restaurants worldwide. He is also known as a food writer for recipes and cookbooks as well as writing for newspapers and magazines. Popular for its breakfasts and buzzing atmosphere, the Notting Hill restaurant has a walk-in policy and attracts a queue of hungry food lovers waiting to be seated. It has a very international feel, and the pancakes are delicious. Find them at 175 Westbourne Grove- London W11 2SB

Kensington Park Gardens Road offers a nice selection of Italian restaurants and cocktail bars. There are lots of good places to eat, and it has a very Notting Hill feel. It houses restaurants such as Osteria Basilico which serves typical Italian food, antipasti, oven-baked pizza, and other traditional dishes as well as good wines. Other restaurants and cocktail bars include E&O, situated on the corner which serves delicious Pan-Asian food and a wide range of drinks. There is plenty to choose from, and they all carry a touch of local atmosphere. Find them at 29 Kensington Park Gardens- W11 2EU

Spanish square: It’s a busy square with a Spanish feel, there are a couple of restaurants, La Plaza is the most well-known, but they all serve Spanish style cuisine. There is lots of seating outside in the square and a range of tapas and wine on offer. It’s a little meetup hub for friends to socialise over food, and it’s always busy due to its central Portobello location. You can watch the colours of Portobello road while having nibbles of tapas. Find them at LaPlaza74 Tavistock Rd- W11 1AN

Pizza East: Spending a day meandering Portobello Market? If you make it to the very end, you will arrive at Pizza East. It has a rustic atmosphere, family orientated, although on Saturdays it does get busy. They offer an Italian style menu with antipasti, pizza and pasta dishes as well as a selection of wines and cocktails.  Go there on a weekday, and you will find local families having lunch. A quiet and relaxed feel and space for little ones too. Outside seating on the pavement is available, and it’s a nice place to sit and watch the world go by.  Find them at 310 Portobello Rd- W10 5TA

Taqueria: This local gem serves Mexican food and is widely known for its amazing tacos. Their roots are grounded in Portobello where they first traded in the market before moving to their current location where they have now been for over 12 years. The restaurant is a favorite among local residents both due to its delicious flavours and friendly service. Lunch or dinner, tacos at the Taqueria is a good idea.  Find them at 141- 143 Westbourne Grove- W11 2RS

The Fish Shop on Notting hill gate. This Italian run fish and chip shop makes, in my humble opinion, the best batter, it’s light, it’s crispy, and it’s not oily. It’s not the only fish and chip shop in the area, and I could not go on without mentioning the Chipping Sodbury on All Saints road for a peaceful and equally delicious evening meal.  The Fish Shop is always busy. You can also order a takeaway- either way; it’s delicious! Tip: If you still have a little spot left for dessert, you can go to the shop next door to have fantastic ice cream, I mean gelato! Find them at 29 Pembridge Rd- W11 3HG

The Farmacy: Set in a decadent airy décor, the Farmacy offers a plant-based menu. Colourful brunches, healthy takes on a number of traditional meals and their earth bowl selection of world dishes recreated in a healthy heart-warming bowl of goodness. They emphasis activated ingredients giving you optimal nutrition. They offer a great variety of beverages from fresh and healthy juices and hot drinks from cacao hot chocolate, matcha latte, and artisan coffees. Find them at 74- 76 Westbourne Grove- W11 5SH

Redemption: If you are looking for vegan options, you can head to Redemption. This plant-based café/restaurant has a wide selection of healthy juices, hot drinks. Their menu is creative vegan take on a number of well-known dishes and includes brunch bowls, lunch dishes such as pulled jack fruit burger, zucchini, and risotto. Their drinks selection includes healthy options such as turmeric latte, rich hot cacao with lashings of coconut cream and topped with edible flowers. Eating at Redemption is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Find them at 6 Chepstow Rd- W2 5BH

Rum Kitchen: This Caribbean themed eatery offers you a tropical vibe the moment you walk through the door. As you look around, everyone is sipping an elaborate cocktail of some kind and chatting over the beat of the reggae music. The menu has a mouth-watering choice of Caribbean inspired dishes, served with chips, sweet potato or plantain fries. It’s a nice place to have a bite to eat and get a feel for some of the cultural diversity of Notting Hill. Find them at 6-8 All Saints Rd- W11 1HH.

Maggie Jones: This is our wild card! This rustic French style dining is not the average dining experience. Maggie Jones offer a slightly alternative and seasonal menu with dishes including seasonal game. Their delightful dishes are rustic, real and the atmosphere is of food lovers’ excitement. It’s a must try if you enjoy a menu with hardy dishes with a touch of French flair. Find them at 6 Old Court Place- W8 4PL

The Ledbury: A fine dining experience in the heart of Notting Hill. Tucked away behind manicured hedges, The Ledbury, a relatively demure yet sleek restaurant, boasts 2 Michelin stars and is well known among London foodies. The Ledbury has a long reputation for its food, wines, and atmosphere. You need a reservation here as they can get booked weeks in advance. It’s a must fine dining experience if you are a real food lover. Find them at 127 Ledbury Road- W11 2AQ

by adam

WHERE IS THE BLUE DOOR FROM THE FILM NOTTING HILL?

Notting Hill attracts thousands of visitors each year; it is home to Portobello Market, one of the most renowned markets in the world. Famous for appearing in films such as Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Paddington Bear and most famously, Hugh Grant’s Notting Hill featuring Julia Roberts. Visitors come to Portobello Road to see this colourful market as well as explore the streets in search of the famous blue door. 

The world famous Notting Hill blue door is the second door on Westbourne Park Road, number 280. As you stroll through Portobello Road, you will reach what is now a Starbucks on the corner of Westbourne park road and Portobello Road. The second door, a large blue door with tall white columns on each side is the famous door from the film. You will surely find other visitors congregating on the corner, map in hand, looking for it so that they can snap that signature shot standing in front of the door. Once you have seen it and recalled that scene from the film, you can head around the corner to find the film’s other popular landmarks.

Well, the bookshop is another matter. Many people take photos outside the blue travel bookshop on Blenheim Crescent. However, this is not the book shop from the film. It’s an easy mistake to make as it fits the description and is a very pretty little bookshop which has a traditional and quaint feel. The book shop from the film no longer exists, if ever it was a bookshop, this is why so many people pass it by. The location of the shop featured in the film is number 142 Portobello Road. It has a sign above the name of the shop, and one on the side wall with the title: ‘The Travel Bookshop.’ From the front, it is now a souvenir shop and resembles little from the décor in the actual film. It’s just a nice little fact to know, so grab a photo with the sign and head down the road to the Notting Hill bookshop for a real book shop selfie. And if in doubt, ask a local, a market trader or a Notting Hill estate agent to point you in the right direction!

As I stand on Portobello road, waiting for my 2.30 appointment to arrive, I observe the steady flow of excited faces as they finally find the right door. As local estate agents, we spend a fair amount of time walking to and from properties, and it seems to be a frequent question asked in many different accents:

“Where is the blue door from the film Notting Hill?”

“Do you know where to find the book shop from the film Notting Hill? “

Pointing them in the right direction, they hurry excitedly in the direction of the Notting Hill Film landmarks. Thoughts trail off to city breaks where that has been me, running eagerly towards a sight of my interests. I smile as I fumble around in my bag for the keys to the next property, a smart two-bedroom flat for rent, in a prime Notting Hill location.

Once you have had your photo fill, Portobello has a wide range of foods, depending on the day you choose to visit, Friday and Saturday markets offer a colourful choice of street foods. Portobello caters to all tastes, from Italian to Caribbean, and Spanish tapas. If you have a sweet tooth, you can enjoy a gorgeous cupcake from Hummingbird, famous for its amazing red velvet cupcake. Notting Hill has a vast range of cafes to choose from, where you can watch the world go by and soak up some the atmosphere that is portrayed in so many movies. You can find a selection of great places to eat in Notting Hill here

by adam