On Thanksgiving, we think of our American clients, friends, colleagues and peers as they celebrate with loved ones across the city. Many Americans gathered at St Paul’s Cathedral today for its annual Thanksgiving Day service, which has been held since the dedication of the American Memorial Chapel in 1958. “This emblematic memorial in one of Britain’s most iconic buildings stands as a symbol of hope and the bond of friendship between Great Britain and the United States”. The landmark London building, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century, has been connected to the American community since the financier J.P. Morgan donated funds to add electricity to the cathedral in 1903.
With a long-standing and ever-growing presence of Americans living in London, Thanksgiving offers a welcome moment for us to reflect on all the threads that unite us in London: from cultural, social and sporting passions to architectural alliances.
London’s enduring appeal amongst Americans
In an interview with The Times last week, Graydon Carter, the former editor of Vanity Fair, discussed why he and many of his fellow countrymen are moving to the UK: “London still punches above its weight more than any other city in the world; it has politics, art, fashion, entertainment all thrown together”. He adds: “London has both energy and civility. New York still has energy but less civility… This city is now more glamorous”.
There has been a notable increase in footfall of Americans moving to prime central London in recent years. Frances McDonald, head of residential research at Savills, commented in The Financial Times last month that “North American buyers looking to make the most of the strong dollar had helped underpin the top end of the market this year”. In Savills Autumn 2023 prime central London report, Alex Christian observed: “We’re seeing new international buyers looking to put roots down in prime central London. Those coming from the US appreciate the similarities in culture, and we’re seeing more American buyers looking to permanently relocate to London for this reason”.
PrimeResi similarly observed in an article published last month that “the proportion of US buyers in London’s most prestigious postcodes has nearly tripled over the last year” with data from Knight Frank revealing Americans reportedly accounted for 5.4% of exchanges across all property transactions in the 12 months to September, increasing from an average of 2% over the last ten years. “In sought-after Kensington, the share has hit a decade-high of 10% (up from 3.6% two years earlier), making Americans the largest group of purchasers by nationality, other than British, in the local market – ahead of Indian (5.9%) and Italian buyers (4%)”. Holland Park also proves a popular spot with its strong American communities and proximity to Heathrow, as well as the leafy ‘suburb’ of St John’s Wood with its generous plot sizes and proximity to The American School in London.
The allure of American architects
London’s super prime developers have not been slow to adapt to this burgeoning demand. A significant number of super prime new development schemes within London have been designed by prominent American architects and interior designers. Currently underway is John Caudwell and Richard Bosson’s substantial 1 Mayfair project due to be completed in 2025. The duo appointed US architect Robert A.M. Stern to design the scheme which will see a former car park transformed into a seven-story block featuring 29 apartments and townhouses. Describing the project, the American architectural practice RAMSA stated: “Restoring the scale and rhythm of the historic neighbourhood—a charming jumble of brick, stone, and stucco townhouses and apartment blocks from various eras—1 Mayfair takes the form of a six-story mansion house combining with a four-story townhouse-like wing to bound two sides of a reconstituted Audley Square”.
Over on Hyde Park Corner, American architect Peter Marino was enlisted to design the interiors of the long-awaited Peninsula London, which opened in September. Known for his design of luxury retail spaces such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi and Cheval Blanc Paris, Marino blended his own brand of modernity with English heritage and The Peninsula’s Asian roots. Speaking to The Financial Times, Peninsula owner Sir Michael Kadoorie stated: “What Peter brought was what we requested, and that was a lightness that is not necessarily traditional in London… He brought in, for an international guest, a certain levity”.
60 Curzon – ‘the epitome of New-York-style lateral living in London’ – opened in Mayfair last year and was designed by US-based interior-architect Thierry Despont who originally heralded from France before moving to New York in 1980. Despont went on to help refurbish the Statue of Liberty, The Carlyle, Casa Cipriani and Cartier’s New York Mansion, as well as decorating the homes of Bill Gates and Calvin Klein, before turning his hand to Europe: Claridge’s, the Beaumont, the Dorchester and the Old War Office in London, as well as the Ritz Paris. With 32 apartments, two penthouses and a two-storey townhouse, 60 Curzon rises from a shared courtyard garden and features a spa and wellness centre. Despont, who passed away in August this year, imbued the apartments with art-deco style interiors. “There’s no doubt that Despont’s success in the U.S. will also draw fans of his work across the pond” affirmed The Robb Report.
Over at Battersea Power Station, Prospect Place, which was unveiled last year and comprises two buildings, was designed by California-based architect Frank Gehry. Of his first UK residential project, Mr Gehry said: “I love London. It has culture, history and diversity and the buildings we have created at Battersea Power Station are designed to stand artfully on their own amongst all of that, whilst also framing an internationally recognised icon.” The 308 homes feature two colour palettes: the ‘London’ palette nods to the history of the building, reflecting its industrial past with metal finishes and rich textures, while lighter hues are used throughout the ‘LA’ palette which encompass pale woods and warmer tones.
Significantly, The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) – the two boards that set the standard for architectural licensing in the US and UK – signed an agreement this year on reciprocal licensing for architects which enables mutual recognition of architecture credentials between the two nations, making it easier for architects to work between the two countries.
The evolution of the American Embassy
The American embassy, the London-based architectural emblem of America, has changed geographically and aesthetically in recent years. The new site, which opened in Nine Elms in 2018, was designed by American architecture practice KieranTimberlake who received the American Institute of Architects Award last year. The “transparent crystalline cube” of the building is intended to symbolise “transparency, openness, and equality” described the architects. KieranTimberlake, which has a reputation for designing sustainable architecture, integrated solar panels into the design as well as featuring commissions by contemporary artists from the US and UK to reflect cross-cultural dialogue. “This is not just a new office building, it’s a symbol of friendship between our two countries” announced Former US Ambassador Woody Johnson. The American Embassy replaced the Eero Saarinen-designed site at 30 Grosvenor Square which is now being transformed by British architect David Chipperfield into a 137-room hotel, The Chancery Rosewood, set to open in 2025.
The ambassadorial residence, Winfield House in Regent’s Park, was originally built in 1936 for American heiress Barbara Woolworth Hutton. The Grade II listed Neo-Georgian townhouse was then used by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War (as well as by Hutton’s film star husband Cary Grant) before she donated it to the United States following the war, when, since 1955, it has been the American ambassador’s residence.
Over in Piccadilly, Former US ambassador David K.E. Bruce and his wife Evangaline purchased the freehold of adjoining apartments A3 and A6 at Albany – “London’s most desirable address since the early 1800s” stated Architectural Digest. British decorator John Fowler, who had helped them with Winfield House, was called on. “Here the best and brightest gathered, discussing (and sometimes quarreling about) culture, literature, art, and, inevitably, politics…”
Cultural Connections
In The Buyside written earlier this year, we investigated US brands making London home with the opening of exciting new headquarters: Apple’s in Battersea Power Station that opened earlier this year, Google’s head office which is set to open in King’s Cross next year and Bloomberg’s European headquarters which opened in the City in 2017. Spanning spheres of tech, finance, science, fashion and media, these global presences position the city as a leading player, infusing London’s vibrant streets with innovation and inspiration from across the pond.
As well as our shared language, it is the cultural communities that draw Americans to London: from sports – the American League, NFL and Superbowl celebrations – to the connections between Broadway and West End theatre. Theatre critic Matt Trueman wrote in Variety: “Give or take a little tectonic shift, the distance between London and New York still stands at 3,465 miles. Arguably, though, the two theatre capitals have never been closer… Over the past ten years, the number of transatlantic transfers has soared, with Broadway musicals landing in London almost as regularly as airplanes, and British actors routinely treading the Big Apple’s boards. There’s also more cooperation, and more co-productions, between the two countries than ever.”
Meanwhile, over the past two years, there’s been a notable number of exhibitions at London galleries featuring American artists: last month Tate Modern’s exhibition on American artist Philip Guston opened; at the National Gallery the work of American Realist painter Winslow Homer was the subject of a major exhibition; The Royal Academy presented an exhibition on the American colourist Milton Avery; the Barbican displayed an exhibition on American artist Alice Neel as well as American artist Carrie Mae Weems; French-American artist Nicole Eisenman’s new exhibition opened at the Whitechapel gallery last month; New York artist Avery Singer’s exhibition opened recently at Hauser & Wirth and American artist James Lee Byars’ exhibition opened at Michael Werner Gallery in Mayfair recently. Quite a list!
Thoughts at Thanksgiving
With such a palpable presence of Americans living in London and a breadth of cultural connections between the two countries, Thanksgiving presents a perfect moment for us to send out a heartful thanks first and foremost to our US clients, but also to our friends and peers spanning the property, legal and financial spheres for their inspiring and meaningful work over the past year in helping us to acquire special homes in addresses across the capital. We hope this day brings peace and prosperity to all Americans living in London, now and in the future.
On Thanksgiving, we think of our American clients, friends, colleagues and peers as they celebrate with loved ones across the city. Many Americans gathered at St Paul’s Cathedral today for its annual Thanksgiving Day service, which has been held since the dedication of the American Memorial Chapel in 1958. “This emblematic memorial in one of Britain’s most iconic buildings stands as a symbol of hope and the bond of friendship between Great Britain and the United States”. The landmark London building, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century, has been connected to the American community since the financier J.P. Morgan donated funds to add electricity to the cathedral in 1903.
With a long-standing and ever-growing presence of Americans living in London, Thanksgiving offers a welcome moment for us to reflect on all the threads that unite us in London: from cultural, social and sporting passions to architectural alliances.
London’s enduring appeal amongst Americans
In an interview with The Times last week, Graydon Carter, the former editor of Vanity Fair, discussed why he and many of his fellow countrymen are moving to the UK: “London still punches above its weight more than any other city in the world; it has politics, art, fashion, entertainment all thrown together”. He adds: “London has both energy and civility. New York still has energy but less civility… This city is now more glamorous”.
There has been a notable increase in footfall of Americans moving to prime central London in recent years. Frances McDonald, head of residential research at Savills, commented in The Financial Times last month that “North American buyers looking to make the most of the strong dollar had helped underpin the top end of the market this year”. In Savills Autumn 2023 prime central London report, Alex Christian observed: “We’re seeing new international buyers looking to put roots down in prime central London. Those coming from the US appreciate the similarities in culture, and we’re seeing more American buyers looking to permanently relocate to London for this reason”.
PrimeResi similarly observed in an article published last month that “the proportion of US buyers in London’s most prestigious postcodes has nearly tripled over the last year” with data from Knight Frank revealing Americans reportedly accounted for 5.4% of exchanges across all property transactions in the 12 months to September, increasing from an average of 2% over the last ten years. “In sought-after Kensington, the share has hit a decade-high of 10% (up from 3.6% two years earlier), making Americans the largest group of purchasers by nationality, other than British, in the local market – ahead of Indian (5.9%) and Italian buyers (4%)”. Holland Park also proves a popular spot with its strong American communities and proximity to Heathrow, as well as the leafy ‘suburb’ of St John’s Wood with its generous plot sizes and proximity to The American School in London.
The allure of American architects
London’s super prime developers have not been slow to adapt to this burgeoning demand. A significant number of super prime new development schemes within London have been designed by prominent American architects and interior designers. Currently underway is John Caudwell and Richard Bosson’s substantial 1 Mayfair project due to be completed in 2025. The duo appointed US architect Robert A.M. Stern to design the scheme which will see a former car park transformed into a seven-story block featuring 29 apartments and townhouses. Describing the project, the American architectural practice RAMSA stated: “Restoring the scale and rhythm of the historic neighbourhood—a charming jumble of brick, stone, and stucco townhouses and apartment blocks from various eras—1 Mayfair takes the form of a six-story mansion house combining with a four-story townhouse-like wing to bound two sides of a reconstituted Audley Square”.
Over on Hyde Park Corner, American architect Peter Marino was enlisted to design the interiors of the long-awaited Peninsula London, which opened in September. Known for his design of luxury retail spaces such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi and Cheval Blanc Paris, Marino blended his own brand of modernity with English heritage and The Peninsula’s Asian roots. Speaking to The Financial Times, Peninsula owner Sir Michael Kadoorie stated: “What Peter brought was what we requested, and that was a lightness that is not necessarily traditional in London… He brought in, for an international guest, a certain levity”.
60 Curzon – ‘the epitome of New-York-style lateral living in London’ – opened in Mayfair last year and was designed by US-based interior-architect Thierry Despont who originally heralded from France before moving to New York in 1980. Despont went on to help refurbish the Statue of Liberty, The Carlyle, Casa Cipriani and Cartier’s New York Mansion, as well as decorating the homes of Bill Gates and Calvin Klein, before turning his hand to Europe: Claridge’s, the Beaumont, the Dorchester and the Old War Office in London, as well as the Ritz Paris. With 32 apartments, two penthouses and a two-storey townhouse, 60 Curzon rises from a shared courtyard garden and features a spa and wellness centre. Despont, who passed away in August this year, imbued the apartments with art-deco style interiors. “There’s no doubt that Despont’s success in the U.S. will also draw fans of his work across the pond” affirmed The Robb Report.
Over at Battersea Power Station, Prospect Place, which was unveiled last year and comprises two buildings, was designed by California-based architect Frank Gehry. Of his first UK residential project, Mr Gehry said: “I love London. It has culture, history and diversity and the buildings we have created at Battersea Power Station are designed to stand artfully on their own amongst all of that, whilst also framing an internationally recognised icon.” The 308 homes feature two colour palettes: the ‘London’ palette nods to the history of the building, reflecting its industrial past with metal finishes and rich textures, while lighter hues are used throughout the ‘LA’ palette which encompass pale woods and warmer tones.
Significantly, The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) – the two boards that set the standard for architectural licensing in the US and UK – signed an agreement this year on reciprocal licensing for architects which enables mutual recognition of architecture credentials between the two nations, making it easier for architects to work between the two countries.
The evolution of the American Embassy
The American embassy, the London-based architectural emblem of America, has changed geographically and aesthetically in recent years. The new site, which opened in Nine Elms in 2018, was designed by American architecture practice KieranTimberlake who received the American Institute of Architects Award last year. The “transparent crystalline cube” of the building is intended to symbolise “transparency, openness, and equality” described the architects. KieranTimberlake, which has a reputation for designing sustainable architecture, integrated solar panels into the design as well as featuring commissions by contemporary artists from the US and UK to reflect cross-cultural dialogue. “This is not just a new office building, it’s a symbol of friendship between our two countries” announced Former US Ambassador Woody Johnson. The American Embassy replaced the Eero Saarinen-designed site at 30 Grosvenor Square which is now being transformed by British architect David Chipperfield into a 137-room hotel, The Chancery Rosewood, set to open in 2025.
The ambassadorial residence, Winfield House in Regent’s Park, was originally built in 1936 for American heiress Barbara Woolworth Hutton. The Grade II listed Neo-Georgian townhouse was then used by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War (as well as by Hutton’s film star husband Cary Grant) before she donated it to the United States following the war, when, since 1955, it has been the American ambassador’s residence.
Over in Piccadilly, Former US ambassador David K.E. Bruce and his wife Evangaline purchased the freehold of adjoining apartments A3 and A6 at Albany – “London’s most desirable address since the early 1800s” stated Architectural Digest. British decorator John Fowler, who had helped them with Winfield House, was called on. “Here the best and brightest gathered, discussing (and sometimes quarreling about) culture, literature, art, and, inevitably, politics…”
Cultural Connections
In The Buyside written earlier this year, we investigated US brands making London home with the opening of exciting new headquarters: Apple’s in Battersea Power Station that opened earlier this year, Google’s head office which is set to open in King’s Cross next year and Bloomberg’s European headquarters which opened in the City in 2017. Spanning spheres of tech, finance, science, fashion and media, these global presences position the city as a leading player, infusing London’s vibrant streets with innovation and inspiration from across the pond.
As well as our shared language, it is the cultural communities that draw Americans to London: from sports – the American League, NFL and Super Bowl celebrations – to the connections between Broadway and West End theatre. Theatre critic Matt Trueman wrote in Variety: “Give or take a little tectonic shift, the distance between London and New York still stands at 3,465 miles. Arguably, though, the two theatre capitals have never been closer… Over the past ten years, the number of transatlantic transfers has soared, with Broadway musicals landing in London almost as regularly as airplanes, and British actors routinely treading the Big Apple’s boards. There’s also more cooperation, and more co-productions, between the two countries than ever.”
Meanwhile, over the past two years, there’s been a notable number of exhibitions at London galleries featuring American artists: last month Tate Modern’s exhibition on American artist Philip Guston opened; at the National Gallery the work of American Realist painter Winslow Homer was the subject of a major exhibition; The Royal Academy presented an exhibition on the American colourist Milton Avery; the Barbican displayed an exhibition on American artist Alice Neel as well as American artist Carrie Mae Weems; French-American artist Nicole Eisenman’s new exhibition opened at the Whitechapel gallery last month; New York artist Avery Singer’s exhibition opened recently at Hauser & Wirth and American artist James Lee Byars’ exhibition opened at Michael Werner Gallery in Mayfair recently. Quite a list!
Thoughts at Thanksgiving
With such a palpable presence of Americans living in London and a breadth of cultural connections between the two countries, Thanksgiving presents a perfect moment for us to send out a heartful thanks first and foremost to our US clients, but also to our friends and peers spanning the property, legal and financial spheres for their inspiring and meaningful work over the past year in helping us to acquire special homes in addresses across the capital. We hope this day brings peace and prosperity to all Americans living in London, now and in the future.
