PROPERTY
architects and planners, contributing ideas and adding value where they can. Caldeira believes that the catalyst for change in Fitzrovia is down to the imminent arrival of Crossrail at Tottenham Court Road, which in turn has seen droves of domestic and overseas purchasers snapping up properties in the vicinity. Media types are also moving in thanks to the arrival of the Facebook headquarters, meaning the area is becoming increasingly popular with buy-to-let investors. “I used to walk down Great Titchfield Street and Great Portland Street on the weekends and I’d bump into people I knew. Now it’s a lot quieter because many residents use the properties as pied-à-terres,” Caldeira says. “But then again that appeals to those who didn’t want to live in the area before, because you’re so close to Soho, Covent Garden and the buzz of the West End, yet it’s still nice and quiet.” The enclave’s beautiful period conversions mean that Fitzrovia is also an attractive prospect to Marylebone residents looking to downsize, as the area offers better value for money – although Caldeira admits that the price per square foot gap is narrowing between the two locations. The new-build developments popping up throughout the area meanwhile are attracting a generation of renters who might not previously have considered Fitzrovia. Julia Garber has recently joined Robert Irving Burns to head up the lettings team. “We’re taking full advantage of the fact that we have access to the expertise of our various different departments, as well as Fitzrovia’s amazing location, which has come up from the ashes,” she says. Garber’s mission is to ensure that the same level of service honed by the sales team is replicated in the lettings arena, especially to meet the demands of growing numbers of tenants who are becoming increasingly discerning and demanding about what they expect from a property, and what they are prepared to pay a premium for. “In my experience tenants pay extra for a high quality finish,” she says. “If they walk into a place
s L U X U RY L O N D O N . C O. U K s
WELLS STREET, W1 £1,350 PER WEEK
and it offers a representation of how they want to live, or be perceived to be living, they buy into that. Having said that, they’re also very discerning when it comes to price. They know what’s out there and they are following the markets much more closely than previously.” Between stamp duty increases and Brexit it hasn’t been the easiest of years, however the mood at Robert Irving Burns is optimistic. Garber, who joined last month and brings with her more than 20 years’ experience working in Marylebone and Fitzrovia, is one of several new staff who have recently joined the growing team. Further expansion is on the cards at the office, which now occupies almost all of its eight-storey premises. There’s also a new streamlined website that has just gone live and collates all of the agency’s various services in one user-friendly domain. Caldeira believes that despite being based in Fitzrovia for many years, the company hasn’t always been as vocal as it could have about how much of an authority it is on the local area – but that’s about to change. With a team of more than 50 employees and counting – all of whom are experts on what Fitzrovia has to offer – Robert Irving Burns has found its voice. 23-24 Margaret Street, W1W, rib.co.uk
141