Celebrity moves – June 2017

In 1956, Hollywood actress Grace Kelly married a European prince and all but disappeared from the consciousness of most Londoners, let alone Americans. We now live in an age where celebrities can up sticks and cross the Atlantic without fear of being forgotten by their original fanbase. Thanks to social media, actresses like Meghan Markle will still be known for her TV work as well as her association with Prince Harry. Musicians like Dizzee Rascal are constantly on the move as touring and collaborating are seen as better business models than mere recordings. Even curmudgeonly writers need to go on speaking tours, so it pays for them to be flexible when considering which property to get attached to. The upside of this is that creative people tend to leave a bit of stardust behind them and neighbourhoods as disparate as Primrose Hill and Forest Hill have definitely benefited from their presence.

Harry’s style

Meghan Markle’s poised appearance by Prince Harry’s side was one of the highlights of Pippa Middleton’s lavish wedding. Her astute moves show that she has the necessary combination of beauty, brains and diplomacy, required to impress the royal family in the same way that the Duchess of Cambridge did. Rumours abound of the American actress browsing through various Chelsea property brochures and of Prince Harry chivvying along the renovators at Kensington Palace. Will they move in together or will Harry pop the question first? It’s a sure bet that The Queen would prefer the latter but whatever happens it seems that the royal borough is scheduled to add to its glamour quotient in the coming months. Of course, hanging around blue bloods isn’t what one would call a cheap pastime, but not all apartments in Kensington are in the oligarch price range.

The a team

From Her Majesty The Queen to the slightly lesser known (but still glamorous) Rita Ora, Annabel’s nightclub has provided luxurious downtime for A-listers for over half a century. Times change, however and the venue has now become a bit cramped for the likes of Kate Moss, Harry Styles and their respective entourages. Luckily, new owner – Richard Caring renovates listed buildings with the same nonchalant ease that lesser mortals upgrade their televisions and Annabel’s is now due to undergo a major revamp. In order to accomplish this, the whole Berkeley Square operation is moving two doors down to a Georgian townhouse which will be fitted with £55 million pounds’ worth of upgrades. These will include a retractable glass roof which will cover the ground floor terrace, a movable dance floor and a 24-hour dog walking service. Renting this flat in Clarges Mews will get you near Mayfair’s A-list action.

Writers block

Weary of what he viewed as the constant carping of the British cultural establishment, Martin Amis – decamped to the US with his family six years ago but the writer still visits London frequently. Selling his Primrose Hill home for £4 million was a transaction that John Self, the anti hero of Amis’s breakthrough novel: Money, would find thoroughly consistent. It was there that many of his most celebrated works were created after the author snapped it up for £750,000. Visitors to the the imposing property remember it as the archetypal writer’s retreat, complete with alcoves, huge windows and vast expanses of bookshelves. Even as subsequent owners added their own personal touches, the artistic vibe of the sprawling five storey townhouse refused to go away and is now back on the market for ten times the amount Amis paid for it. Being part of the Primrose Hill wealthy boho scene will appeal to many even if most of the original party animals like Amis, Kate Moss and Jude Law have moved to pastures new. Renting an apartment in nearby Hampstead gives you the same easy access to Hampstead Heath and Camden Town.

Dizzee New Heights

As a representative of London street culture, Dizzee Rascal wears many hats. Collaborating with stateside hip hop stars, speaking up for disadvantaged youths or engaging in East End rap battles, he takes it all in his stride. What you wouldn’t expect is for the UK grime pioneer to operate out of a quiet, laid back arts colony in South London. Sculptor – Jeff Lowe first envisaged a creative space in Havelock Walk twenty years ago and today this dream has become a reality. Tucked away in the South East London district of Forest Hill, the location is all cobblestones and warehouse conversions, making it seem like a slice of Shoreditch in Zone 3. Musicians like Dizzee, together with artists and media companies, have congregated around Havelock Walk, attracted by its good transport connections and relatively low prices when compared to Central London. £2.6 million will buy you 4,500 sq ft of loft space with a built-in recording studio close to the London Overground route into the City. Due to this vastly improved train service, an apartment in Surrey Quays is only a matter of 15 minutes away.

If you’re looking for a new property to rent in London, we’ve got lots of property in areas where you could be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Call us on 020 7435 9681 or find out what’s available, or search our listings here.