Our Client
British clients looking for a London pied-a-terre.
The Challenge
Our client was an extremely time-poor senior executive, living with his family outside London but seeking a pied-a-terre to use during the week and on children’s holidays. The flat needed to be a secure lock-up and leave, providing easy access to our clients office in the City and local transport links
The Perfect Conclusion
We successfully sourced this off-plan 2 bedroom apartment measuring 907 square feet on the 2nd floor with views over an internal courtyard garden. The apartment also benefits from a balcony and is due for completion at the end of 2017. Bart’s Square is a new-build apartment block in a vibrant mixed-use development around the corner from Smithfields Market, with residents’ gardens, a bar, meeting room and cinema, and offering secure, lock-and-leave properties. Although the developer had sold the best apartments, we worked our contacts to secure one second-hand, off-market. The development is ideally located next to the new Farringdon Crossrail station.
Our Client
Northern Irish ex-pat clients looking for a London pied-a-terre.
The Challenge
As a second home, our clients wanted something in a central location, with easy access to amenities and transport. The property was also required to provide good value for money as a long term investment.
The Perfect Conclusion
Black Brick successfully sourced this spacious two bedroom apartment measuring over 1,000 sq ft with lift access and a porter. The flat is located on the best garden square address in South Kensington, and was bought for £1,600 per sq ft, with properties selling on the same square for as much as £2,800 per sq ft in the last 12 months. We have introduced the client to a trusted building contractor to assist with renovation works. The apartment had over 15 viewings within the first week of marketing and we successfully secured it against competitive bidding from another party.
Our Client
Swiss clients looking for a London pied-a-terre.
The Challenge
As their second home, our clients were looking for something with a wow factor for the family to enjoy, in a safe area that was also close to amenities and transport.
The Perfect Conclusion
We successfully sourced this special and rare third floor floor flat, benefiting from direct lift access and with triple aspect views directly overlooking communal gardens. The flat has a near perfect layout and is situated in one of the best run buildings in South Kensington. Importantly, we saved the clients a substantial £255,000 from the asking price, paying just £2,242 per square foot.
Our Client
A previous Black Brick client.
The Challenge
In 2009 we sourced this stunning freehold house located in a prestigious Kensington development for £5,440,775 or £1752 per square foot. In 2014 our clients bought a larger, unmodernised property in Belgravia through Black Brick which, once completed, would become their primary residence. With the new home ready for occupation we were instructed to sell the Kensington house.
The Perfect Conclusion
In a very challenging sales market we agreed terms with an Italian buyer at £6,5000,000 or £2093 per square foot which equated to a 20% increase in capital value for our client during the period of his ownership. The transaction was very complicated and eventually took over 9 months to reach a conclusion during which time the buyer sought to renegotiate the price which had been agreed. We successfully managed to avoid the price renegotiation and contracts were exchanged at the agreed level.
Our Client
IBV International Vaults, a global Swiss vault company.
The Challenge
Our client operates IBV vaults, a market leading safety deposit box company across several locations including Switzerland and South Africa, but was keen to expand into London, where he could offer his VIP service to the world’s elite. There are very few bank vaults still in operation, and even fewer that are willing to sub-lease or sell their space to a third party. Many banks no longer offer safe deposit box facilities, but demand for such facilities is high as storing valuables in secure safety deposit boxes can avoid soaring insurance premiums.
The Perfect Conclusion
As a residential buying agency, this was a very unusual deal for us, made possible by our excellent connections as the vault was only available off-market. Situated on Park Lane in Mayfair, and next to the Dorchester Hotel, the location could not have been more perfect for our client. We negotiated a long lease with Barclays, and a significant rent free period as our client intends on carrying out significant works to improve the vaults. The 2,077 sq. ft. vault will open in November 2017 and will be completed to a luxurious standard, providing 3,300 safety deposit boxes for discerning clients.
Our Client
A high profile member of a Middle Eastern royal family.
The Challenge
Our clients were specifically looking to acquire a significant family residence in prime Central London. Specifically, they would only consider Belgravia, freehold houses measuring over 14,000 square feet, and houses that represented good value and had not previously been done up by a developer.
The Perfect Conclusion
We thoroughly researched the market, considering both on, off and pre-market houses. Through our network we were finally able to identify an entirely off market house that met with our clients very specific criteria. The owner had decided to sell off market as they had a very expensive private art collection inside the house, and only wanted serious, vetted buyers in through the door. The house measured over 20,000 sq. feet and we were able to negotiate an impressive rate of £2700 per sq. foot. Fully modernised houses in this part of London can achieve up to £5000 per sq. foot.
Our Client
A Russian client looking for a one bedroom apartment to rent in central London
The Challenge
Our client instructed us to find a one bedroom apartment in Kensington. The property had to be within a modern, gated development with 24 hour concierge and security. His budget was £750 per week.
The Perfect Conclusion
There are a limited number of gated developments in Kensington. Our knowledge of the area enabled us to shortlist those developments which would provide the accommodation and services our client required. The best property we identified was located within Wycombe Square which is a boutique development of apartments and town houses benefitting from 24 hour security and concierge. The property was listed at £850 per week (and had been previously let for £900 per week) but we agreed terms with the landlord at £725 per week- a saving of 15% for our client.
Our Client
A time poor US client living in London and wanting to upsize to a larger more centrally located property.
The Challenge
Our client was looking to sell his apartment in Islington having already upsized to a bigger flat which we had sourced him. We advised him on the best way to present his apartment in order to attract the highest quality buyers. We introduced a suitable home staging company and arranged for cosmetic works to be carried out in preparation for bringing the property to market.
The Perfect Conclusion
We worked jointly with an agent in the local area to source a buyer and agreed a price at only £50,000 less than the £1.35m asking price. The transaction exchanged contracts the day before the Brexit vote result.
Our Client
A Jordanian client relocating to London with his family.
The Challenge
Our clients were relocating to London from the Middle East with their entire family for work reasons. Before committing to an expensive house purchase, and also due to time constraints, they wanted to rent first in order to get to know the area better. They needed to be within a half hour drive from the children’s school in Surrey but also within 45 mins to 60 mins commute to the City. They had limited time to fly over and view potential houses with a small window to see a shortlist of the best options across a number of areas.
The Perfect Conclusion
In advance of our clients visit to London, we previewed in excess of 25 properties across Wimbledon, Roehampton, Putney and Coombe so that by the time our clients visited London we could make best use of their time and the two days they had set aside in order to find their perfect rental property. Our thorough search process meant that we saved our clients a huge amount of time, cancelling out properties that did not come up to the standard of their requirements, and ensured they saw the very best selection available. We identified an immaculate 5 bedroom new build house, spanning 3642 sq. feet with the added benefit of having had only one previous tenant since new. The property is located in the highly sought after Wimbledon Village area, in a quiet position with a garden and off-street parking. We also negotiated a £2,000 discount from the monthly rental price.
Our Client
Three sisters, looking to up-size to a larger four bedroom apartment in South Kensington.
The Challenge
Our clients, a family we have worked with for a number of years, were looking to upsize to a four bedroom apartment with high ceilings in the South Kensington area. Four bedroom apartments are rare and difficult to find in this location.
The Perfect Conclusion
Due to the architecture and make-up of properties in South Kensington, four bedroom flats with period features are very hard to find. Through our network we successfully identified a suitable 4 bedroom apartment, measuring some 2000 sq. feet and the only 4 bedroom apartment on the market in a period building at this price level. We also managed to negotiate and saved our clients £1300 per month from the rental price.
Our Client
A British Couple looking to move in to London.
The Challenge
Our clients were retiring into London from Surrey and wanted to purchase either a house with a garden very close to a high street, or a lateral apartment with a large terrace overlooking the River Thames. They were open to being led and guided by us in terms of location, and we spent considerable time showing our clients various options in west, south west and east London.
The Perfect Conclusion
After 9 months of searching, and one failed transaction due to the seller withdrawing, we finally secured a very unique 2268 sq. foot freehold property on Reckitt Road. The property is located in the heart of the popular Glebe Estate and is a few minutes’ walk from Chiswick High Road with its various cafes, restaurants and shops, and less than 10 minutes’ walk from Turnham Green tube station, giving them easy access into central London. The house also has the added benefit of a stunning roof terrace with roof top views over the Glebe Estate. Our in-depth knowledge and range of experience across many of London’s postcodes, made us perfectly placed to undergo a search with such a wide scope. In addition we also managed to save our clients £65,000 from the asking price paying a very competitive £674 per sq. foot. The house next door had sold less than 12 months ago for £780 per sq. foot, giving our clients complete confidence that they were not only buying a great house, but also getting an attractive price.
Our Client
An Indian client who we originally sourced the property for back in 2011.
The Challenge
Our client was looking to sell their property and invest the funds in property located outside of prime Central London. With prices in Knightsbridge down some 6.5% and a slower transactional market, finding the right buyer was challenging.
The Perfect Conclusion
Our client had previously had his property rented out. It was therefore looking quite tired. We advised our client to give the property a refresh and we managed and oversaw a light refurbishment of the property for him. We also advised our client to present the property with furniture in it. Many buyers struggle to visualise how the space will be used, and empty properties can sometimes look soulless. We therefore recommended a furniture company who installed some temporary furniture and “dressed” the property. This made a huge difference and we successfully managed to find a buyer and sell the property for close to the asking price of £2.25 million.
Our Client
A Russian client looking for a family apartment in London.
The Challenge
Having rented a property in Mayfair through our Rental Search Service when he first moved to London, our client decided that he wanted to purchase an apartment in the same neighbourhood. With very specific requirements of at least 3 bedrooms, lateral space, a 24 hour concierge and security, a good view and ideally a swimming pool, the number of suitable options in such a small area were extremely limited.
The Perfect Conclusion
Our extensive experience, knowledge and contacts in Mayfair meant that we were able to identify developments, both existing and off plan which would be able to satisfy our client’s specific requirements. In the end Clarges Mayfair was the perfect solution for our client’s needs. A boutique scheme of just 34 apartments, developed by British Land and designed by Squire and Partners, with extensive leisure facilities including a swimming pool, as well as 24 hour concierge. The best units have far reaching southerly views over Green Park but unfortunately none were available on the open market. Through our network we sourced an off market 4 bedroom unit on the 4th floor with stunning views over the park. We then successfully negotiated 10% from the asking price, saving our client £2.35 million.
Our Client
European clients looking for a pied a Terre period apartment in London, which could also be used by their son whilst at university.
The Challenge
Our clients were very open on location, but wanted the apartment to have at least two bedrooms, be in a safe area very close to a high street and a tube station. They had a budget of £1.3m.
The Perfect Conclusion
We secured an excellent conversion of a Victorian end of terraced house in West Hampstead with three bedrooms, within three minutes’ walk of the high Street and two stations (overground and underground). The apartment was in reasonable condition and was perfect for the clients’ son to move into, but also has potential to make improvements and add value over time. The property was on the market with an asking price of £1,2950,000. We successfully negotiated the price down to £1,222,500, saving our clients £72,5000. This equated to a very reasonable £836 per square foot. Flats in the area regularly sell for in excess of £950 per square foot.
Our Client
A French family relocating from Brussels to London
The Challenge
Our clients were a French family with 3 young children, relocating from Brussels to London for work and their children’s schooling. They required a minimum five bedroom house with a garden, close to schools, a park and the West End. This opened up a huge choice of potential locations and properties that might work for them. We spent time educating our clients on different areas, showing them properties in South Kensington, Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Primrose Hill and Hampstead. The family were restricted to visiting London just twice a month, so our weekly reporting was hugely important in helping them to understand the different areas, styles of houses and pricing.
The Perfect Conclusion
We successfully agreed the purchase of this grand semi-detached freehold period house. The property met our clients brief perfectly, measuring over 3,300 square feet, with 5 bedrooms, a 100 foot garden and the ability to extend the house by adding a further floor. The purchase was agreed the first week the property came onto the market, and we successfully negotiated a discount of £400,000, despite competition of a higher offer from another buyer. We have also assisted our client with the potential future works they will do to the property by arranging three separate specialist surveys and introducing and overseeing three building contractor and interior design quotes. We are also overseeing the removal and set-up of new utility accounts to ensure their move in process is stress free.
The Unfair Advantage
We move fast. We were first in through the door of this magnificent period house in Primrose Hill. Early negotiations meant we secured the property at a very competitive £1,399 per sq. ft., saving £400,000 from the asking price, and successfully exchanged contracts despite a higher offer from another buyer.
