By Ruth Bloomfield.
Our Founder and Managing Partner, Camilla Dell revealed insight into the often hidden world of prime property this week, sharing her experiences of working with high-end clients in The Standard.
The definition of luxury residential property in London has always evolved — but the pandemic accelerated that shift dramatically. As Managing Partner of Black Brick Property Solutions, I have seen first-hand how buyer expectations at the top end of the prime London market have been fundamentally reshaped by the collective experience of lockdown and the heightened focus on home as sanctuary.
At the core, the fundamentals remain: exceptional quality of construction, materials, layout and design are non-negotiable. But the bar for what constitutes true luxury has risen considerably:
“Real luxury has to have top quality construction, materials, layout and design.”
— Camilla Dell, Managing Partner, Black Brick Property Solutions
Increasingly, our buyers are drawn to properties that marry the character and prestige of an older building with the comfort and specification of a new build — a combination that developments such as Battersea Power Station and The Old War Office exemplify particularly well:
“The combination of the charm and history of an older building with the comfort of a new build is another highly desirable design feature. Developments such as Battersea Power Station and The Old War Office are good examples.”
— Camilla Dell, Managing Partner, Black Brick Property Solutions
Post-pandemic priorities have also reshaped attitudes towards shared amenities. Where communal swimming pools and wellness facilities were once a mark of prestige, we are seeing a clear and growing preference for fully private provision:
“The majority prefer to have total privacy when swimming. We see this becoming evident in developments such as The Glebe in Chelsea, and John Caudwell’s up-and-coming Audley Square development, where apartments have their own individual private spas, gyms, and swimming pools rather than sharing communal areas.”
— Camilla Dell, Managing Partner, Black Brick Property Solutions
Across the wider prime London market, this shift towards privacy, security and self-sufficiency is consistent. Dedicated home office space, air conditioning, instant hot and chilled water taps, 24-hour concierge, and generous outdoor space capable of accommodating eight or more people comfortably have moved from aspirational extras to baseline expectations. Security has also become a more prominent consideration, with reinforced front doors, safe rooms and round-the-clock security increasingly requested by buyers.
Meanwhile, the appetite for hotel-style amenities — private dining rooms, residents’ gyms, wellness facilities and on-call services from florists to private chefs — continues to grow, driven by a post-pandemic desire to socialise and entertain within the safety and exclusivity of one’s own building.
At Black Brick, we work closely with our clients to identify prime London properties that meet these evolving standards — combining world-class specification with the lifestyle infrastructure that today’s discerning buyers demand.
Read the full article here.