Could there be a better time for architects Foster + Partners to release an illustrated children’s book starring the Gherkin as a rocket? Diary certainly can’t think of one. After a rough few months and the continuing trials of quasi-lockdown, we can only hope The Flying Gherkin will go some way to lifting spirits. Designed to keep children entertained through the pandemic, the ongoing story features the famous building – designed by F+P of course – as it dons human features and jets off rocket-like from London to visit some of the practice’s other landmarks across the globe, beginning with France’s Millau Viaduct. Written by Mrinal Rammohan and illustrated by Catarina Rao, it is the ultimate adventure story. And who says it’s just for kids? We can think of a fair few adults who wouldn’t mind travelling vicariously across the globe right now – even if it happens to be through the eyes of an anthropomorphic skyscraper. Entertain yourselves and your little ones here.
Missing the City, part one
One of the few upsides of Covid-19 is the introduction of a new, must-have fashion accessory through which those of us who are so inclined can express ourselves: the face mask. Diary has seen plenty of creative coverings in these last few months, from super hero-style masks and panda print to the bottom half of Homer Simpson’s face, but City agent Chris Vydra wins for going fully bespoke. As he puts it: “I guess I am probably the only person with the Bank junction skyline?!!”
Missing the City, part two
Meanwhile, another very office-sick agent has embraced technology to bring the City to him. Using augmented and virtual reality, Mark Fisher of Union Street Partners has simulated the Bankside submarket in his neat and sunny garden. WFH, he says, is just not the same. It’s one way to see the Shard again and put proptech to good use.
Intu falling down
As regular followers of EG’s daily online Market Wrap will know, intu’s share price has taken a bit of a hammering of late. It has plunged, plummeted, slumped – sometimes all at the same time. And one shareholder in Manchester (perhaps a Wrap devotee) has had enough. In a protest that firmly reminds Diary of Michael Douglas railing against the world in Falling Down, the man vented his fury… by smashing up a computer at the customer service desk of intu’s Trafford Centre. Greater Manchester Police tweeted: “Officers had to attend the Trafford Centre to reports of a male causing issues due him losing money after their share price dropped.” Reports that he uttered Douglas’ incredulous standout line of “I’m the bad guy?” are unconfirmed at time of writing.
Thanks, but no thanks
We wouldn’t want to make Custodian REIT angry – not now we’ve seen the results of making it happy. In a published amendment to its investment management agreement, chairman David Hunter reveals how the board is “pleased with the performance” of its external discretionary fund manager, Custodian Capital, “particularly the timely deployment of new monies on high-quality assets”. He adds that the board is confident it “will successfully navigate the company through the current market uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic”. A job well done, then. So, what’s the amendment? A “step down” in the fees payable to the investment manager. Oh.
Binge and cringe
During these trying times, it’s easy to turn to binging TV shows for entertainment, and one enjoying a resurgence is Selling Sunset – a Netflix US-based reality series following the petty dramas of luxury real estate brokers in the Hollywood Hills. Diary gave it a shot, and while left uneasy by its somewhat dated claims of featuring “kick-ass” women (the firm is almost oppressively run by two wealthy, creepy-looking twin brothers, and the show hardly promotes female solidarity), there is something oddly compelling about watching glamorous, bottle-blonde agents in Louboutins battling for eye-watering commissions. One factor could be the sheer amount of high-end LA listings to ogle. Diary is starting to view the world through the eyes of a real estate mogul, sagely applauding giant hardwood floorboards and scoffing at properties without at least four bathrooms. Snippets of wisdom like “billionaires have compounds; millionaires have views” have become our new mottos. It’s a mind-numbingly terrible show, but Diary can’t stop watching it for some reason. Damn you, Netflix!
