We’re all hoping that the long-term impacts of COP26 will prove to be transformational on a global scale, but Diary is also happy to celebrate some local triumphs, too – especially ones that are every bit as adorable as they are sustainable. So, bravo to Hines, which has unveiled this mural for its Aparto student accommodation community in Glasgow West End, by local Glasgow artist Little Book Transfers. Not only does the design highlight three of the top species currently under threat by climate change in Scotland – bluebells, the bumble bee and the highland hare – but it was created using carbon-absorbing paint. That’s the first time we’ve heard of a work of art that purifies the air while taking one’s breath away. The mural will be on display at Hines’ reception until it becomes a permanent fixture at Aparto on 26 November. Not only that, but the suitably inspired developer is exploring the use of carbon-absorbing paint where possible on its buildings going forward. More happy hares too, hopefully.
Feeling remote
When singing the praises of getting back in the office, real estate professionals have often highlighted the plight of younger employees and recent joiners. For them, the argument goes, working from home has meant a lack of team bonding, little awareness of the company culture, and no chance to learn from more seasoned colleagues. And now Simon Perkins, chief executive of office investor McKay Securities, has witnessed this first-hand. “I’ve got two sons aged mid-20s in jobs that they’ve just started,” he told EG, while discussing office occupancy alongside the company’s latest results. “One of them is finding it incredibly difficult because his employers are not in [the office]. For the other, the employers are in – and the difference is huge.” It reminds us a little of a psychological experiment, like the parents who named one child Winner and the other Loser. And, sure, the findings may be anecdotal – we imagine more extensive, scientifically rigorous studies may well be conducted in the coming months on the impact of homeworking on ease of employee assimilation (which may well involve use of a remote control group!). But let’s call this 1-0 to the office.
Battle of the brands
Diary readers will be well aware that such rudimentary matters as school catchment areas, public transport access and available green space are just the beginning when it comes to residential property values. Far more influential factors documented previously on this page include quirky street names, house numbers and, of course, proximity of famous movie and TV properties. Now, specifically in the capital, we can – thanks to central London agent, Bective – add “brandmarks” to the list. Bective crunched the numbers for postcodes surrounding 13 “iconic” brandmarks, and it says a lot about Diary’s lifestyle that we haven’t heard of several of them, let alone frequented them. W1 – home to Fortnum & Mason (W1A), Annabel’s (W1J) and Claridge’s (W1K) – is very much where it’s at, with the average property price per sq ft currently £2,350 – 99% higher than the wider borough of Westminster. That puts those three exclusive names joint top with a “brandmark property price premium” of 99% ahead of Harrods (43%), the Bvlgari Hotel (38%), and Liberty, the Ivy and the Savoy (all 24%). Other top brandmarks assessed include the Shard, Kensington Roof Gardens, the Ned, Sky Garden and the Hurlingham Club for any aspirational types out there working up a to-do list.
Tulip on tour
Alas, the Tulip has been totally plucked, the government having turned its nose up at the controversial 305m viewing platform proposed for the heart of the Square Mile. “London has missed a great opportunity,” commented architect Foster + Partners, which Dezeen editor Tom Ravenscroft took as an implication that it could be someone else’s gain. A perfect excuse for ever-creative Ravenscroft (@tomravenscroft on Twitter) to fire up Photoshop, and tweet out a series of images of the eye-catching edifice interloping on other skylines around the world – nestled next to the Statue of Liberty and the Sphinx, towering over the Vatican, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China, and clutched in the hands of Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro, with Athens, Barcelona, Sydney and the Grand Canyon all joining the fun, sometimes with a whole bunch of towers. But Diary can’t help but notice one surprising omission… no Tulips to Amsterdam?
“London has missed a great opportunity,” says Fosters on the Tulip. London’s loss could be someone else’s gain?! But where… New York? pic.twitter.com/J2Y7U5diNb
— Master Prophet (@tomravenscroft) November 11, 2021
