A bird’s eye view of the City?
British Land’s and Oxford Properties’ Leadenhall Building, EC3, is 90% let to tenants that include insurance giant Aon. But there is one space the companies are finding tough to fill.
On the 47th floor, next to the plant room, is an outdoor terrace with spectacular views across London. Tempting enough, Diary would have thought, for even the most discerning occupier. But a falcon nest, a requirement for the building to receive planning approval, remains empty with no sign of interest yet from prospective tenants.
Perhaps asking rents for the prime position are too high?
Meeting time is tech turn off
Still in Aon’s offices in the Leadenhall Building, also known as the Cheesegrater, and this time a no-nonsense approach to getting those never-ending meetings wrapped up.
In a bid to keep meetings efficient the company, which moved into its sparkly new headquarters six weeks ago, has designed its new meeting rooms to be booked electronically for set timeframes.
Once the time is up, all the room’s technology including phone line, TV screens and internet shut down.
How’s that for a hint?
David the lionheart
Former Bank of America Merrill Lynch head of real estate David Church formally launched his new advisory business, Leon Partners, last week.
Proud Irishman Church used the Gaelic word for Lion to christen the business. Presumably that’s because his company will fearlessly advise its clients in any situation?
Romantic Church sets the record straight: “The White Lion is the name of the pub I met my wife in 25 years ago – the most important meeting in my life.” Aaaah.
Residential revolution
The team at property firm Henley Investments got quite a shock this week when they saw in the press that Russell Brand is rumoured to be making a move to the company.
As a strident Marxist, the eccentric comedian’s career change to a job in a private equity real estate firm seemed rather out of character.
Nonetheless, there was a sense of disappointment in the office when it emerged that Brand was, in fact, looking for a new home in Henley-on-Thames.
Not exactly a town known as a hotspot of radical thought…
Vintage trip… Vuitton a must
It’s not often you meet someone in real estate who collects trains. We should be clear, not train sets but full-sized 1920s trains.
Well, this week we met a senior investor with just such a collection of train carriages in which he wanted to tour Europe.
Fancy joining him? To be in with a chance at being allowed on board, women will need to don a ‘20s flapper dress (who doesn’t have one of those just hanging around?), and men a vintage tie and tails. Oh, and everyone will need a full set of vintage Louis Vuitton luggage.
Unable to get that little lot together? It will be a cold night on the platform for you.
Volunteering? Viva l’Italia
When speaking with a PR about serious work-related matters this week, she informed one of our reporters she would be uncontactable and out of the office that afternoon, as they had taken it off for volunteering work.
Impressed, our reporter asked what they were doing.
The answer came with a hint of sheepishness that she would be spending the afternoon at Hampton Court Palace, as part of the welcoming committee for the Italian rugby team.
A tough life.
Check out Diary’s Rugby World Cup predictions here
