December draws near, which can mean only one thing: it’s almost time to open the first door of our Malcolm Hollis advent calendar, always a highlight of the festive season.
There are usually puns involved and this year it’s an “Enjoy your Christmas streeming” gag that only works in colour.
But it got us wondering: what would we all be binge-watching if Hollisflix really existed? Spooky drama The Valuing of Hill House would set nerves on edge. And who wouldn’t love 1980s-set sci-fi Surveyor Things? Some titles wouldn’t even have to change.
Machinations, manipulations and dilapidations could combine in a reworked version of House of Cards. And the list of property owners’ obligations and responsibilities could be outlined episode by episode in 13 Reasons Why.
The most obvious though reflects the colour in MH’s branding (one we can certainly appreciate here at EG): Orange is the New Black.
The logistics Lowe-down
Diary is not in the habit of watching the odd juxtapositions served up by The One Show, but headed straight to iPlayer on hearing that Kevin Mofid, Savills’ head of logistics and industrial research, was on Tuesday night’s episode – competing for attention with Hollywood star Rob Lowe, no less.
It was all part of a feature on the increased demand for cold storage space in anticipation of Brexit. The segment featured a giant freezer in Wakefield housing “15 floors of ice cream, chips and, of course, Yorkshire puddings” – now Diary knows where it wants to hole up post-Brexit.
Then, Mofid spoke authoritatively on how the growth of online shopping had already dramatically increased demand on logistics.
So what did Lowe, no stranger to political ramifications after his years on The West Wing, make of it all? Turns out he was left fascinated by the concept of The One Show. “I love this,” he told the hosts. “This is the greatest thing ever. We talk about frivolous Hollywood gossip and then it’s a hard-hitting news piece about storage wars.”
Actually, when you put it like that, it sounds just like Diary – maybe we should tune in more often.
Malthouse’s ’tects message
Poking architects with a stick seems to be a favourite pastime of Kit Malthouse.
Currently housing minister – it’s a role that turns over quickly, so anything could happen – Malthouse has called on the profession to stop being “defensive” and start designing buildings that fulfil the “natural aspiration of the British people”. A philosophy, after all, that is serving the government so well.
You might remember Malthouse earlier sparked a row when he compared a classical courthouse in Alabama to Park House on Oxford Street, W1, with the caption “one will last for centuries, one won’t”.
Last week, as Architects Journal reported, he went further: “It’s very often the case that the architectural profession, when it feels threatened, gathers together and awards each other prizes. What would be fantastic is if they started to build stuff that instilled and created an enthusiasm in the public for what they are producing.”
Malthouse said his “Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission” will start the work of healing the “scar tissue” that’s built up between architects and the public. Whether he would continue to pick at that scar, he did not confirm.
Hustle and bustle
Property career not quite covering your bills? You need a “side hustle”.
According to “community marketplace” Airtasker, 70% of young Brits are seeking out an additional income stream, with one in seven of those doing so in order to save up for a house.
Many even spend 20 hours a week “following their passions and unleashing their skills by running their own side hustle”.
Airtasker says social media and shared economy platforms are the “perfect gateway” to earn some extra money without the stress or financial backing of a full-time business, adding: “You keep your day job and enjoy the perks and freedom of being your own boss on the side… at least until you become a superstar in your industry.”
At this point, Diary should admit to having a side hustle – writing in a very different world to commercial property. Sadly, superstardom remains some distance off.
B&B your best
What if your side hustle is running a bed & breakfast? Where do you begin? Perhaps by attending The “B&B Training School” at The 25 Boutique B&B in Torquay, Devon – officially the world’s 9th best B&B, according to TripAdvisor.
Sessions are scheduled for January, when Andy Banner-Price will offer advice on choosing the right property, making the best decisions and making a “success of their exciting new accommodation venture”.
Banner-Price has shared in advance his top 10 tips for making your B&B a success, two of which seem vital: don’t scrimp on your bed, and breakfast should be great. If you want to know more than that, you’d better book a place on the course.
To send feedback, e-mail jess.harrold@egi.co.uk or tweet @estatesgazette
