Last weekend, as Diary was wandering around Hammersmith trying to find a place to cheer on England against Sweden, we came across the remarkable display of patriotism on show at this housing estate (above).
Credit to the forward-thinking architect, who seems to have worked white spaces for flags into the design.
If football does actually come home, this is where it should head.
Semi-final clash
As the England team ventured into the long-unknown territory that is the latter stages of a World Cup, one group’s fingers ended up more nail-bitten than most: spare a thought for the anxious events planners.
The BPF summer reception was on the same night as last week’s showdown with Colombia. And the semi-final against Croatia clashed with a Trowers & Hamlins bash at the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition.
While game-saving TVs were shipped in for both, Ministry of Sound admitted defeat, delaying its planned launch of its new “collaborative workspace and private members’ club” by a week.
And EG? We always believed. Sage-like, we foresaw England’s scaling of lofty heights. That’s why some months ago we planned our Tech Awards for this Tuesday not Wednesday.
It may have cost us a few French and Belgian guests, but it could have been worse.
Just the man for the job
And so, the revolving door on the office of the housing minister spins once again, as Dominic Raab departs for another job with no long-term prospects: Brexit secretary.
No doubt a new incumbent (the eighth since 2010) has already been found, Diary has stopped paying attention. We would have suggested Gareth Southgate, but he’ll have to wait until the next time it’s available, as (no matter Wednesday’s result) he has plans for the weekend.
After changing public perceptions on the previously unpopular, adroitly navigating traditional stumbling blocks, and finally getting things moving on the ground, surely Southgate is the one to end years of hurt and sort out the housing crisis?
Guy and Gareth?
Speaking of Gareth Southgate, we present one last piece of giddy, semi-final day excitement – this time courtesy of JLL’s Guy Grainger .
Our very own @JLL “lookey-likey” @ResiDevAgent #itscominghome pic.twitter.com/CjDn55vRK2
— Guy Grainger (@JLL_Guy) 11 July 2018
Well done to Will Grant there for rocking this scorching summer’s must-have accessory, the waistcoat.
An island home you’ll love
Diary has heard rumours there are other things on TV at the moment beyond football, including something apparently named Love Island. Is this true, or are we being mugged off?
Anyway, if Love Island does indeed exist, and you watch it, we have exciting news. One of the luxury villas featured in the show can be yours, for a mere €2.9m.
Knight Frank has launched the suitably-named Casa Amor, Mallorca, to market. So if you fancy some island loving of your very own, get grafting.
Diary goes to the movies
Haven’t quite had your fill of Diary’s trademark lighter look at the world of property (aka a tenuous excuse to talk football/Lego/popular culture with a vague link to the industry)? Well, you’re in luck.
This week, to celebrate the release of Skyscraper – the property movie of the year, in cinemas from 12 July – we have ranked our favourite real estate assets in film.
Honourable mentions that missed the cut? The Fortress of Solitude from Superman, Psycho’s Bates Motel and the Monroeville Mall used in Dawn of the Dead.
For the actual top 10, grab your popcorn and click here
Woo! Brick Cube
This page’s regular reader will be aware that Diary loves a bit of Lego – and, judging by the regularity with which landmarks of our built environment are being replicated in miniature, we aren’t alone.
It must be one of the greatest accolades a developer can receive these days – and that certainly seems true of Neil Edginton, managing director of EDG Property, judging by his delight at seeing Birmingham’s The Cube featured at the city’s just opened Legoland Discovery Centre.
It weighs in at 32kg, comprises 3,200 bricks, and took more than 148 days to build – but all worth it for the smile on Edginton’s face. “I was amazed at just how much detail has gone into it,” he said. “It’s been nearly as painstaking as creating the building in real-life!”
To send feedback, e-mail jess.harrold@egi.co.uk or tweet @jessharrold or @estatesgazette
