Lurot brand brochure 2015

S P E C I A L I S T E S TAT E A G E N T S FOR

MEWS & HIDDEN GEMS THROUGHOUT LONDON

CONTENT

04

INTRODUCTION

07

OUR HISTORY

08

SALES PROPERTY

10

RENTAL PROPERTY

15

HIDDEN GEMS

16

MEWS WORLD

22 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 26

INTERNATIONAL

28

SELLING THE DREAM

29

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BRAND

30

OUR OFFICES

SPRING 2015

INTRODUCTION Lurot Brand has been the go-to estate agent for mews and mews style houses for well over 40 years.

We still work with many of our original clients who are joined daily by new mews enthusiasts from around the world who adore the houses we sell and let, finding our highly bespoke approach refreshing and reassuring.

The majority of our customers are

our buyers and has now

referred to us by existing clients

been entirely remodelled

delighted to have found a more

and updated to create

successful alternative to the one-size-

a powerful vehicle for

fits-all style of agency offered by the

delivering our message

majority of our competitors.

world-wide.

Unlike other estate agents, when you

Our site is clear and easy to

Our public relations manager

instruct Lurot Brand you get a great

navigate, and is jam-packed with the

maintains close links with journalists

deal more than internet marketing.

latest properties, market information

on the national newspapers, and has

As well the hot applicants already

and points of interest. Its success is

an outstanding record of success in

registered for mews we also have

vouched for by the large number of

placing properties in widely-read

a unique data base of loyal mews

regular visitors from London, the UK

editorial features.

enthusiasts, mews owners, landlords

and abroad.

and mews collectors who buy

Our own quarterly journal, Mews

We use the latest techniques and

News, is eagerly anticipated in the

software to maximise exposure for

mews homes and cottages to which it is

your property, including advertising

distributed. Fun and informative, Mews

on all the major property portals

News brings your property to 15,000

including Onthemarket.com and

residents of mews houses who may

Rightmove. We advertise regularly in

want to upsize, downsize, move area

Although our reputation produces the

the most important London property

or buy a similar property to what they

majority of our business the internet

publications. All the advertising

are renting.

certainly comes a close second place.

material is generated in-house to

In particular our website, lurotbrand.

ensure top quality photographs and

co.uk, yields an incredible 54% of

bright, interesting copy.

strategically. We also have excellent relationships with the relocation agents and property finders whose clients prefer our kind of personal and highly discreet service.

Mews, it’s what we do.

But our true vocation is to provide the best individual service to every client 4

Holland Park Mews

Craven Hill Mews

Vintage Williams Mews

Craven Hill Mews

Vintage Bramley Mews

Queens Gate Mews 22

SUMMER 2014

22

OUR HISTORY London’s iconic mews were built to house the horses, coaches and servants of the elite in Georgian and Victorian times.

“In the 1960’s and 1970’s mews were

artist Doris Lurot Betjeman, a cousin

Because they were built at the back

hugely undervalued, although being

of the poet John Betjeman.

of fashionable town houses, mews

located in the very best part of town they were often run down, scruffy and in danger of being bulldozed, often the homes of remittance men. During my international rally car racing years I found that many of my fellow racers fettled their cars in mews, a few started to be gentrified and I saw how these unloved working mews could be saved if, one by one, they were developed sympathetically, so I championed them. I was determined to elevate the price per square foot value of mews to that being achieved for the large houses they back on to and after all these years it appears that

In the swinging 1960s, Antoine became a successful rally driver,

Lurot Brand was an instant success,

such as John Surtees and James Hunt,

selling mews properties to artists,

Paddy Hopkirk and Roger Clark.

designers and media people.

He noticed that many drivers operated from mews house that had accomodation and garage space, and could be obtained for not much money in those days. Lurot realised

founder member of CLEA, ARLA, Primelocation and now Agents Mutual onthemarket.com.

the first estate agency to specialise in mews properties - Lurot Brand.

‘patch’ by visiting every single mews

it. I have owned five mews houses

in London on his Honda motorbike.

myself, so I practice what I preach,

He took photos and documented

and have found great happiness in the

more than 800 streets, building up

olive tree lined Bathurst Mews where I

an unrivalled knowledge and expertise

have lived for over twenty years. If you

which became the foundation of Lurot

are considering buying a mews house

Brands mews directory.

Antoine Lurot came to London from

for innovation, floorplans, £/sq ft,

very fashionable and decided to start

that and, in half the cases, surpassed

tranquility.” Antoine Lurot 2015.

But the firm also became known

that mews houses were becoming

His first step was to get to know his

not be delighted by its beauty and

best areas of the metropolis.

becoming friends with racing legends

in many cases we have achieved just

I defy you to walk down my mews and

offer practical accommodation in the

He also began to realise how picturesque mews are, with their variety of small houses, cobbles and sometimes a grand

Lurot Brand was an instant success, selling mews properties to artists, designers and media people

arch marking the entrance.

his native France with his mother, the

ANTOINE LUROT

“A mews is one of the very few places in London where you are compelled to say hello, or at least nod, to the people you pass by.”

7

SPRING 2015

SALES PROPERTY Lurot Brand’s unique blend of in-depth knowledge and city-wide coverage gives us the ability to put sellers and buyers in touch quickly.

Our specialisation in mews houses and hidden gems allows us to outperform all other estate agents selling over six times more mews property than our closest competitor.

The sales process starts with a meeting with one of our experienced agents who will build the right strategy to achieve what you want to in the timescale you desire.

We will use our local knowledge, backed by Lurot Brand’s unique database of mews and hidden gem type property prices, to provide an accurate and reliable valuation as a base point. We then give evidenced advice on the correct asking price to achieve the highest possible amount regardless of market conditions.

This process works so well that our sales almost invariably raise the average value of every house in the streets we sell in.

While marketing your property to our large number of mews buyers and mews collectors we supply industry leading feedback. This will allow you to track your property’s performance against the properties you are competing against enabling you to make the right decisions at the right time and to recognise the right offer when you receive it.

Because of the private nature of mews and ‘hidden gem’ streets they often attract people who require a high level of privacy. To ensure these exceptional and often famous buyers get to view your property we work closely with all the leading property search and relocation agents they employ. Our high level of service and discretion ensures that we maintain these long standing relationships.

When negotiating offers we never lose sight of who we work for and support the value of your property to completion.

Although 54% of our buyers come from lurotbrand. co.uk we advertise on all the major portals including Onthemarket.com, Rightmove etc. plus paper advertising in London and nationally, in the appropriate newspapers and magazines. Our retained PR agents can advise on editorial opportunities - the papers are always interested in quirky and unusual properties!

Marlon Lloyd Malcolm Head of Sales TEL: 020 7479 1976

8

MNAEA

QUEEN’S GATE PLACE MEWS ALBION CLOSE

SW7

One of the most spectacular mews Lurot Brand have

W2

seen for decades. This stunning property offers the most

One of very few mews houses to have its own indoor swimming pool, is exclusively located in this delightful and secure gated location, close to Hyde Park. Along

luxurious space and everything the most discerning buyer would expect from a cutting edge development. There is nothing that has been forgotten, it even has a garage large

with a roof terrace and a media room.

enough for a Range Rover!

Albion Close is a private, gated mews on the Hyde Park

Reception room, kitchen, dining room, cinema room

Estate, ideally situated for all the shops and restaurants of Connaught Village. The transport facilities of Marble

(w/ambx special effect lighting and surround sound), gym, 4 double bedrooms inc. master bedroom with en-suite

Arch and Paddington are also close by.

bathroom & shower room plus a dressing room, second

Reception room, eat-in kitchen, 2 double bedrooms,

bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms, guest cloakroom,

bathroom, cloakroom, swimming pool, sauna, media room,

steam room, utility room, wine storage, plant room,

large storage room, utility room, garage, private mews

roof terrace, patio, garage.

bedroom with en-suite bathroom, two further double

parking space and roof terrace.

£7,495,000 £3,600,000

FREEHOLD

FREEHOLD

Our staff are professionally qualified, energetic and dedicated to securing the best deal for every vendor and getting a dream house for every buyer.

9

PINDOCK MEWS

EATON MEWS NORTH

W9

SW1X

This three bedroom house is immaculately presented

This immaculate mews house has been newly refurbished

and offers an abundance of natural light and lateral living

to an extremely high standard and is located in the heart

space making the property excellent for family living

of Belgravia. The property is arranged over four floors

and for entertaining.

and is beautifully appointed with high quality fixtures and fittings such as Italian marble and bespoke carpentry.

Pindock Mews is a cobbled Maida Vale mews ideally situated for all the local amenities of the area with easy

Master bedroom with dressing room and en-suite

access to Paddington, St John’s Wood and beyond.

bathroom, two double bedrooms, two further en-suite bathrooms, two reception rooms, kitchen, media room

Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, utility room, guest cloakroom, integral garage, roof terrace and patio.

and garage.

Eaton Mews North is a private cobbled mews situated north of Eaton Square. The mews is ideally situated for all the shops, restaurants and transport facilities of both

£2,450

PER WEEK | UN/FURNISHED | LONG LET

Belgravia and Knightsbridge.

£3,250

Lynsey Schipper Head of Lettings TEL: 020 7858 0939 10

MARLA

PER WEEK | UN/FURNISHED | LONG LET

RENTALS PROPERTY Lurot Brand’s lettings department offers a comprehensive, professional and costeffective service for landlords and home owners who want to let their property for a period of time.

Marketing campaigns are optimised for speed, because void periods are every landlord’s biggest drain on yield.

Our negotiators are adept at assembling all the complex documentation and coordinating the many professions involved to minimise delays.

Although we let all types of residential property, our offices are strategically located in the three best areas for mews properties, covering the most sought after areas that London has to live in. While marketing your property we supply industry leading feedback from the viewers.

This will allow you to track your property’s performance against the properties you are competing against enabling you to recognise the right offer when you receive it.

We uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.

Lurot Brand are members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents and The Property Ombudsman Scheme.

Landlords come to Lurot Brand for expert advice on all lettings matters from the best way to fit out and present a property, compliance with legal requirements such as how to handle deposits, and the level of rent that will ensure a prompt let while maximising returns.

Our advice is always supported by relevant market intelligence to ensure that correct commercial decisions are made at the right time.

We uphold the highest standards of professional conduct. We are members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents and the Property Ombudsman Scheme.

11

SUMMER 2014

22

22

SUMMER 2014

22

HIDDEN GEMS Part of the charm of a mews house is that it is tucked away from the bustle of city life, and London is replete with other ‘hidden gems’, picturesque properties in quiet, undiscovered locations that make memorable living spaces.

During the 18th century, London

A more flambouyant market segment

Here at Lurot Brand, we have

became a powerhouse both on an

was art - painters needed big studios

made finding these hidden gems our

industrial and commercial level. This

with a huge ‘north light’, a window

business because we love them.

success led to a boom in the building

giving a more consistent illumination

If you are looking to buy, rent, sell or

of modestly sized houses, which you

of the subject. Many of these

let a property of charm and character

can find lining central London’s back

‘artists colonies’ were built, such as

Lurot Brand should be your first choice

streets, away from the prestigious

Stratford Studios, Kensington, and

simply because we understand

and often ostentatious residences

the particularly ornate studios in Tite

that special properties require

of the middle and upper classes.

Street, Chelsea, home of James McNeil

special attention.

These houses originally intended to

Whistler and John Sargent.

accommodate the tradesmen, artisans, servants and all working classes, are today some of the prettiest and most sought after streets in London.

In the early 19th century the new ‘picturesque’ movement saw leading architects such as John Nash build developments to look deliberately

The cottages of the workers were

quaint, with winding lanes lined with

despised then, but nowadays their

‘cottages ornee’. Park Village West is

unassuming charm combined with

the finest example.

manageable size makes them very desirable homes indeed.

Lurot Brand has also made a name as a successful agent for the sale of such hidden gems.

BRIDSTOW PLACE

Anthony Pears Client Manager TEL: 020 7590 2520

W2

A particularly sweet and cosy two bedroom freehold cottage with parking and outside space. This ‘little gem’ would suit anyone looking for a comfortable base with bags of character, right in the heart of Notting Hill.

Bridstow Place is a picturesque street of Victorian cottages in the heart of Notting Hill, close to the extensive mix of boutiques, bars and eateries of Westbourne Grove.

Reception with fire place, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom, off-street parking /outside space and roof terrace.

£1,500,000

FREEHOLD

15

SPRING 2015

MEWS WORLD London’s iconic mews have humble origins as the service roads behind the grand houses of the Georgian and Victorian elites.

When London expanded to the west

windows at the back, so servants could

in the 18th century, grand terraces of

not spy on their ‘betters’ enjoying a

town houses where built on the fields

stroll in the garden.

in areas such as Mayfair, Kensington and Marylebone. They needed spaces for horses, coaches and servants, and the solution was to build a road round the back where stables could be built.

They became known as ‘mews’ after the Royal Mews, a gigantic stables on what is now Trafalgar Square. This curious word (technically, it is ‘plural in form but singular in construction’) derived from the original use of the stables building which was to house the king’s falcons. Falcons moult or mew (from the French verb ‘muer’) , and the Bathurst Mews

place where they did it was referred to as a mews.

Most mews houses have stables and a coach house on the ground floor, the first floor having a hayloft and a couple of rooms where the coach driver and the ostlers could doss down (accommodation for servants in those days was basic to say the least).

There was usually a tunnel under the

James Robinson General Manager TEL: 020 7479 1971

garden connecting with the basement of the house, so servants could slip out to the stable without disturbing the residents. A curious feature of almost any mews house is that it has no

Most mews were utilitarian places, with hard-wearing cobbles and a drain down the middle to take away the waste from the horses.

In the early 20th century, the motor car and the servant shortage made mews houses unnecessary for many home owners. Most were sold off and businesses such as taxi firms, garages and print shops moved in.

Mews became a byword as scruffy back-streets, often used as locations for gritty gangland dramas on black-and-white TV. Then, in the swinging 1960s, racing drivers such as John Surtees and James Hunt discovered they could buy a mews house for not much money and live above their cars.

One of them was rally driver Antoine Lurot, founder of Lurot Brand, who realised that mews houses were becoming very fashionable.

People began to realise that mews houses are very practical, have huge charm and because they were built to serve the aristocracy, many are located in the very best areas.

Today, mews houses are among the most sought-after houses in the capital and Lurot Brand is acknowledged as the authority on the market.

16

22

SUMMER 2014

18

Available Properties

Sold Properties

Let Properties

All Mews Properties

19

SPRING 2015

AHEAD ON ALL COUNTS

1

Lurot Brand is the dominant force in mews properties, with a 50 per cent market share - more than double that of our nearest competitor.

FIRST

% On average, properties we sell achieve 97 per cent of the asking price - higher than any of our competitors.

97 %

41

We sell 41 per cent of the properties we bring to market, and of the ones that don’t sell we subsequently successfully let. According to Rightmove statistics for many crucial postcodes, our competitors sell just 11 per cent of theirs.

155

International buyers and investors from 155 countries visit our website, according to Google Analytics.

%

47

Our success selling internationally is shown by the fact that foreign buyers now account for 47 per cent of sales, up from 25 per cent in 2011.

At Lurot Brand we have unrivalled experience and knowledge of the mews market, with a database of successful sales going back more than 40 years. There are very few rented mews houses in London that we have not handled at some time or another.

20

22

BROOK MEWS NORTH

LEDBURY MEWS NORTH

W2

W11

An excellent and spacious family house that is centrally

They say it is all about location, location, location and this

located and within easy reach of the city.

house is unrivalled when it comes to Notting Hill heaven!

Brook Mews North is located close to a wide array of shops and transport links. The green spaces of Hyde Park are a short stroll away.

A beautifully presented and unique property topped off with a super-cute roof terrace.

Ledbury Mews North is enviably situated in the heart

Reception room with open-plan kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, 2 further double bedrooms, bathroom.

of Artesian village home to some of the most coveted eateries and boutiques in London.

First floor reception room with dining area and open-plan kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, second double bedroom/study, shower room, roof terrace.

£695

PER WEEK | UN/FURNISHED | LONG LET

£1,050

Verity Miers

MARLA

Property Manager TEL: 020 7479 1901

22

PER WEEK | FURNISHED | LONG LET

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Rented properties need careful management if they are to generate the best returns.

Our professional management team works to protect your investment, ensure everything runs smoothly and to keep your tenants happy.

Some landlords prefer to do most of the management themselves, others to delegate everything to us: we offer tailor-made packages for all landlords.

Other services include temporary management to cover absences, periodic inspections, reports and troubleshooting.

All tenants have access to a 24-hour emergency contact, and we offer key holding facilities.

Our aim is to take the hassle out of property investment.

23

SUMMER 2014

22

22

SPRING 2015

INTERNATIONAL London is the world’s favourite city, attracting people from every nationality and every culture to visit, work and live.

In addition, the city’s vibrant property market within the stable environment of the growing UK economy is a magnet for international investors seeking reliable capital growth, attractive yields and a safe haven for funds.

Nowadays, the London property market is a global market.

Lurot Brand has always had a flourishing international connection, but the company is now formally establishing its international business starting with a Latin America or LATAM desk headed by Tiburcio Sanz. He has a Masters

The LATAM desk will advise executives on secondment

in International Business and speaks English, Spanish,

looking for rented accommodation, high net worth

Portugese and French.

individuals wishing to buy mews houses as second homes,

The LATAM desk will act as a point of contact between Lurot Brand vendors and buyers, tenants and investors

and investors seeking the excellent yields and capital growth of London property.

throughout South and Central America. This area is one

Lurot Brand will also be able to advise British clients on all

of the fastest growing economic zones in the world, with

aspects of the flourishing property market in South and

deep historical links to London - the great liberators Simon

Central America.

Bolivar, Bernardo O’Higgins and Francisco Miranda all lived here and met to plot independence from Spain.

The LATAM desk already has a widespread network of contacts across the region, and is a member of chambers of commerce in Argentina, Mexico and Peru, as well as several Latin American contact groups in London.

Tiburcio Sanz Sales Negotiator & Business Development Manager TEL: 020 7479 1902

26

ADAM & EVE MEWS

W8

One of two beautiful freehold houses on this hugely

High Street Kensington whilst benefiting from the peace

desirable Kensington mews, which has just been

and quiet that is associated with period Mews. The green

completely and tasetfully renovated in a very sympathetic

spaces of both Holland Park and Hyde Park are also both

style. A cracking reception room, good sized master

within easy reach, making this one of the most sought

bedroom with en-suite, private garage, small terrace and

after mews in Kensington.

good light throughout. A perfect home in an ideal location.

Adam & Eve Mews is perfectly located for all the boutiques, restaurants, high end gyms and cafes on

ÂŁ2,350,000

FREEHOLD

Lurot Brand will also be able to advise British clients on all aspects of the flourishing property market in South and Central America.

27

SPRING 2015

SELLING THE DREAM

When your property comes on the market, we pull out all the stops to bring it to the world’s attention.

ONLINE

IN PRINT

MEWS NEWS

Our website, lurotbrand.co.uk, has

We advertise regularly in the

Our own quarterly journal, Mews

recently been entirely remodelled and

most important London property

News, is eagerly anticipated in the

updated to create a powerful vehicle

publications including The London

mews homes and cottages to which it is

for delivering the message world-wide.

Magazine and London Property

distributed. Fun and informative, Mews

Magazine, and use other outlets

News brings your property to 10,000

when appropriate. All the advertising

fans of mews houses who might want

material is generated in-house to

to upgrade or move area.

The site is clear and easy to navigate, and is jam-packed with the latest properties, market information and points of interest. Its success is vouched for by the large number of

ensure top quality photographs and bright, interesting copy.

Our public relations manager

and abroad.

maintains close links with journalists

Despite all the new technology, we are

on the national newspapers, and has

still big fans of the traditional sales

an outstanding record of success in

and lettings list, published monthly

placing properties in widely-read

and distributed from our offices, local

editorial features.

shops and to relocation agents.

We are members of a number of Professional bodies, abide by their code of practice and use the latest techniques and software to maximise exposure for your property:

28

SALES & LETTINGS LISTS

regular visitors from London, the UK

OUR PEOPLE MANAGEMENT MAURICE PATRY Consultant

ANTOINE LUROT Chairman

JAMES ROBINSON General Manager

E: antoine@lurotbrand.co.uk

E: james@lurotbrand.co.uk

E: maurice@lurotbrand.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 7479 1972

T: +44 (0)20 7479 1971

T: +44 (0)20 7590 9955

ANTHONY PEARS Client Manager Sales

CHARLOTTE TOMASZEWSKA Sales Negotiator

SALES TEAM MARLON LLOYD MALCOLM MNAEA Head of Sales E: marlon@lurotbrand.co.uk T: +44 (0)20 7479 1976

E: anthony@lurotbrand.co.uk T: +44 (0)20 7590 2520

E: charlotte@lurotbrand.co.uk T: +44 (0)20 7590 2525

KATE REDMOND Sales Negotiator

MATTHEW WRIGHT Sales Negotiator

MICHAEL BRISBY Sales Negotiator

E: kate@lurotbrand.co.uk

E: matthew@lurotbrand.co.uk

E: michael@lurotbrand.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 7479 1991

T: +44 (0)20 7590 2521

T: +44 (0)20 7479 1992

LYNSEY SCHIPPER MARLA Head of Lettings

JAMES DAVIS MARLA Compliance Manager

ALLISON RIDDELL Lettings Negotiator

E: lynsey@lurotbrand.co.uk

E: james@lurotbrand.co.uk

E: allison@lurotbrand.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 7858 0939

T: +44 (0)20 7479 1982

T: +44 (0)20 3031 4889

LETTINGS TEAM

HANNAH HOLT Lettings Negotiator E: hannah@lurotbrand.co.uk T: +44 (0)20 7590 2523

LATIN AMERICAN DESK TIBURCIO SANZ Sales Negotiator & Business Development Manager E: tiburcio@lurotbrand.co.uk T: +44 (0)20 7479 1902

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TEAM VERITY MIERS MARLA Property Manager

JULIA BUCKLEY MARLA Property Renewals Clark

E: verity@lurotbrand.co.uk

E: julia@lurotbrand.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 7479 1901

T: +44 (0)20 7479 1981

29

OUR OFFICES HYDE PARK 37 - 41 Sussex Place, London W2 2TH Sales +44 (0)20 7590 9955 Lettings +44 (0)20 7479 1999

hydepark@lurotbrand.co.uk NORTHOFFICE

SOUTH KENSINGTON 4-5 Kynance Place, London SW7 4QS Sales +44 (0)20 7590 9955 Lettings +44 (0)20 7479 1999

southkensington@lurotbrand.co.uk SOUTHOFFICE

MARYLEBONE 57a Weymouth Street, London W1G 8NW Sales +44 (0)20 7590 9955 Lettings +44 (0)20 7479 1999

marylebone@lurotbrand.co.uk EASTOFFICE

Our offices are based in some of the capital’s best locations, close to the majority of London’s mews and other hidden gems.

All properties marketed by Lurot Brand benefit from an inter-linked multi-office network. Every negotiator is fully versed with every property; this ensures each prospective buyer or tenant can view properties in any of the areas that interest them.

Brochure by Starberry.tv

At Lurot Brand we have unrivalled experience and knowledge of the mews market, with a database of successful sales going back more than 40 years.

There are very few rented mews houses in London that we have not handled at some time or another.

We can advise landlords on the correct rental level for each property, based on the latest data and the most appropriate comparables. We understand the need to pitch the rent at the point where the best return can be obtained without risking a lengthy, costly and yield destroying void period.

Our long experience of this very special market helps us gauge that point accurately.

Lurot Brand Ltd: Registered in England no. 02035540 Lurot Brand Lettings Ltd: Registered in England no. 2682642 Registered Office: 37-41 Sussex Place, London, W2 2TH

lurotbrand.co.uk