With the UK tax-year end behind us, and a pause on tariffs and market turmoil, we thought some positive light-relief might be in order as we head into the Easter weekend. Having noticed a rise in the number of international clients we advise emanating from the creative industries, we decided to explore a little further: it turns out it isn’t a coincidence, and London’s creative clout is firmly on the rise.
Enjoying a 31% year-on-year increase in UK film and high-end TV production spend in 2024 (BFI), London is fast becoming a magnet for global entertainment giants, and we are excited to see its bolstering effect on the prime and super prime markets. The release of these figures also coincided with the roll out of a film studio business rates relief programme in February, set to entice more creative talent to the UK—talent we wholeheartedly celebrate.
The West End allure
With many recent Box Office hits having been filmed here—from Wicked, Barbie and the most recent Avengers instalments to Steven Sodeberg’s latest spy thriller—the city’s streets and studios are firmly on the Hollywood radar. Meanwhile, the West End is enjoying its own moment in the spotlight, with an influx of American actors gracing its stages (spurred by the SAG-AFTRA strikes and Broadway’s slower post-Covid recovery); notable stars to have recently trodden the boards include Sigourney Weaver and Adrien Brody.
London has also established itself as a cost-effective location for high-end visual effects production, with leading studios like Framestore and DNEG calling the city home. And with the government announcing its plans to increase financial relief on UK visual effects costs, it looks set to remain an attractive hub for high-end visual effects production.
Home from home
And where do they want to be? Historically, the leafy enclaves of Hampstead and Primrose Hill in North West London have been home to the industry greats, looking for shared liberal views, inspiring vistas and a rich cultural heritage. The bohemian legacy, colourful streets, grand properties and private garden squares of Notting Hill have helped establish it as an attractive location for renowned creative talent too.
In spite of the headwinds faced by the market this year, we always hoped that the cultural pull of the city would prevail, and we are glad to see that our much-loved capital remains an attractive city for some of the world’s most talented and creative entertainment industry players.
We are delighted to announce that, for the 10th year running, RFR has been named in the top tier (“Top Flight”) of Spear’s Magazine’s annual Property Index. As a firm, we specialise solely in: advising buyers of high value homes in London, and advising a small number of global family offices on their UK residential property holdings. The index ranks us in the Top Flight for both services.
The Index has special praise for Sophie who has “advised on the acquisition of some of London’s most sought-after properties” with an “amiability and flair that has drawn praise from her peers”. She is described as “super bright” and “combines this with market knowledge as well as emotional intelligence”. A senior lawyer notes that “clients love her”, with those same clients commending her as “superbly knowledgeable”and a “calm and effective negotiator”.
The Index describes Richard as a “natural problem-solver with a rare combination of intellect, experience and emotional quotient”, noting his role “advising a small number of significant families and family offices on how to navigate complex and strategically important issues affecting their residential properties”.
Together with our brilliant team at RFR (former winners of Spear’s Property Adviser of the Year award), we are congratulated for our “ability to marry personable service with absolute professionalism and impressive polish”.
Like so many others in the Spear’s Magazine indices, we work incredibly hard for our clients and to ensure we have the highest professional standards in our firm.
Thank you to those who kindly contributed to the Spear’s research and congratulations to all those listed.
With the UK tax-year end behind us, and a pause on tariffs and market turmoil, we thought some positive light-relief might be in order as we head into the Easter weekend. Having noticed a rise in the number of international clients we advise emanating from the creative industries, we decided to explore a little further: it turns out it isn’t a coincidence, and London’s creative clout is firmly on the rise.
Enjoying a 31% year-on-year increase in UK film and high-end TV production spend in 2024 (BFI), London is fast becoming a magnet for global entertainment giants, and we are excited to see its bolstering effect on the prime and super prime markets. The release of these figures also coincided with the roll out of a film studio business rates relief programme in February, set to entice more creative talent to the UK—talent we wholeheartedly celebrate.
The West End allure
With many recent Box Office hits having been filmed here—from Wicked, Barbie and the most recent Avengers instalments to Steven Sodeberg’s latest spy thriller—the city’s streets and studios are firmly on the Hollywood radar. Meanwhile, the West End is enjoying its own moment in the spotlight, with an influx of American actors gracing its stages (spurred by the SAG-AFTRA strikes and Broadway’s slower post-Covid recovery); notable stars to have recently trodden the boards include Sigourney Weaver and Adrien Brody.
London has also established itself as a cost-effective location for high-end visual effects production, with leading studios like Framestore and DNEG calling the city home. And with the government announcing its plans to increase financial relief on UK visual effects costs, it looks set to remain an attractive hub for high-end visual effects production.
Home from home
And where do they want to be? Historically, the leafy enclaves of Hampstead and Primrose Hill in North West London have been home to the industry greats, looking for shared liberal views, inspiring vistas and a rich cultural heritage. The bohemian legacy, colourful streets, grand properties and private garden squares of Notting Hill have helped establish it as an attractive location for renowned creative talent too.
In spite of the headwinds faced by the market this year, we always hoped that the cultural pull of the city would prevail, and we are glad to see that our much-loved capital remains an attractive city for some of the world’s most talented and creative entertainment industry players.
We are delighted to announce that, for the 10th year running, RFR has been named in the top tier (“Top Flight”) of Spear’s Magazine’s annual Property Index. As a firm, we specialise solely in: advising buyers of high value homes in London, and advising a small number of global family offices on their UK residential property holdings. The index ranks us in the Top Flight for both services.
The Index has special praise for Sophie who has “advised on the acquisition of some of London’s most sought-after properties” with an “amiability and flair that has drawn praise from her peers”. She is described as “super bright” and “combines this with market knowledge as well as emotional intelligence”. A senior lawyer notes that “clients love her”, with those same clients commending her as “superbly knowledgeable”and a “calm and effective negotiator”.
The Index describes Richard as a “natural problem-solver with a rare combination of intellect, experience and emotional quotient”, noting his role “advising a small number of significant families and family offices on how to navigate complex and strategically important issues affecting their residential properties”.
Together with our brilliant team at RFR (former winners of Spear’s Property Adviser of the Year award), we are congratulated for our “ability to marry personable service with absolute professionalism and impressive polish”.
Like so many others in the Spear’s Magazine indices, we work incredibly hard for our clients and to ensure we have the highest professional standards in our firm.
Thank you to those who kindly contributed to the Spear’s research and congratulations to all those listed.