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Explore London's finest assets.
Contents
Chapter 1 An Introduction p.3 Chapter 2 Above and Beyond p.4 Chapter 3 Sales and Acquisitions p.6Chapter 4 Development and Investment p.11 Chapter 5 Lettings and Property Management p.12 Chapter 6 Valuation p.19 Chapter 7 Surveying and Refurbishment p.22 Chapter 8 From our Portfolio p.26 Chapter 9 Our People p.34 Chapter 10 Making a Difference p.38
Bonne renommée vaut mieux que ceinture dorée.
В гостя́х хорошо́, а до́ма лу́чше
财产是人生活的宣言和目标
Explore London's finest assets.
Contents
Chapter 1 An Introduction p.3 Chapter 2 Above and Beyond p.4 Chapter 3 Sales and Acquisitions p.6Chapter 4 Development and Investment p.11 Chapter 5 Lettings and Property Management p.12 Chapter 6 Valuation p.19 Chapter 7 Surveying and Refurbishment p.22 Chapter 8 From our Portfolio p.26 Chapter 9 Our People p.34 Chapter 10 Making a Difference p.38
waellis.com | 32 | Our Home Ground
As UK Plc climbs onto a more stable economic footing, the capital’s prime property underpins wider fiscal recovery. Central London continues to be an investment sanctuary and one of the most popular cities in the world in which to live.
Each year we set out why we remain London’s leading boutique agent. We have been at the top of our industry for almost one and a half centuries and, in 2013 we were delighted to be listed in the Daily Telegraph’s top 20 small agencies nationwide.
We deal with properties ranging from a pied-à-terre in Kensington, to a penthouse apartment in a top-end new development, to a substantial house in a garden square or a typical Chelsea cottage close to the river.
Our independence enables us to meet your exact needs, unlike a generic brand that aims to be all things to all people. We practise in a very specific geographic area, on which our knowledge is second to none.
We know all the streets, we know who buys, sells and rents here and who owns the large estates. We have handled a significant amount of the properties, some several times over, since we opened in 1868.
As a multi-award-winning market leader, we are proud of all the services we offer under one roof. Alongside sales and acquisitions, development and investment and lettings, tenancy and property management, we have a recognised valuation team as well as an
in-house surveying and refurbishment department. Each discipline comprises highly experienced professionals and often our clients work with more than one team at a time.
Our valuation experts advise on lease extensions (among the whole menu of core valuation services) while our refurbishment team works to maximise your investment. Purchasers and landlords often return, having experienced our high service standards.
Besides offering market-leading experts and knowledge, part of being a specialist firm is providing the personal touch. When you contact us, you absolutely will not be passed from pillar to post – you will know the partner you are speaking to and he or she will know you and your property. Our 24/7 personal service ensures you can reach us out of standard working hours if necessary.
Running a rigorous staff training programme and quality management service as well as regular in-house seminars for professional development and RICS accreditation ensures we are ahead of the game. We know that strategic development and investment in our staff is integral to our business.
We also enjoy a dynamic approach to our social and environmental responsibilities with key charities chosen by staff annually and fundraising projects to engage clients and friends as well.
Each of our partners is a recognised expert in the industry and their field, and over the past few years I have served as President of ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents), board director of CLEA (Central London Estate Agents), director of NFoPP (National Federation of Property Professionals),
director of Lonres and a trustee of EAF (Estate Agency Foundation).
As senior partner since 2011, I’m proud of our reputation as a progressive firm. We will only give honest and clear advice which can be relied upon. Anyone can inflate values to win business, an approach we never adopt, as this does not help our clients plan or engender trust. Our understanding of the market is second to none because we live and breathe it every day. Our aim is to achieve the best results and I am confident the drive, commitment and expertise of each team member accomplishes this goal.
W.A.Ellis started as a family firm and it still has that feel and ethos. We are all partners, loyal to the company and committed to its success.
Lucy Morton, 2014 Senior Partner [email protected]
Chapter 1
An Introduction
The Shard
waellis.com | 5
The international market is exceptionally strong and last year 77% of our tenants and 54% of our purchasers were from overseas. We reach the key audience through our relationships with relocation and search agents.
We work with associates in New York, Paris and Milan and our key relationships in the Far East and with off-shore trusts are cemented with weekly contact and investor relation trips during the year. This rapport, built over many years with clients both large and small around the globe, ensures we know who to call with each new opportunity.
Our portfolio always appeals to a City audience and we market directly to the financial district. We have a strong digital presence with a highly functional website, specific mobile site, advertising across national newspaper websites as well as in print. We continually have a large number of campaigns on Google© and international search engines and premium advertising positions on the main property portals. We pride ourselves in our progressive and successful approach to marketing.
With the exception of our overseas landlords, our clients are by nature local and we enjoy hosting a series of bespoke events each year in the world of wine, art, fast cars and other such pleasures in the form of entirely unique opportunities.
VIP promise
A highly professional team in New Zealand answers calls throughout the night and their counterparts in the UK pick up on every Bank holiday – including Christmas Day. Our partners pledge to return calls and emails between 8am and 8pm every weekend. No one calling W.A.Ellis at any hour will talk to an automated service. We are available when you need us and determined not to miss a single enquiry on your property.
We pledge to provide all our clients with the very best in customer service. This is what our business is founded on and by embracing the most progressive technology we can stand by our promise with the most positive client experience. The full VIP promise is available from the home page of waellis.com. This manifesto ensures everyone we come into contact with - be they investor, vendor, landlord, tenant, valuation or refurbishment client, supplier or visitor – is treated with equal importance.
Overseas associates
warburgrealty.com
groupemobilis.com
bq-internationalrealty.com
Recommended mortgage advisors
ccameron.co.uk
refcap.co.uk
Please remember your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Chapter 2
Above and Beyond
4 | Our Home Ground
“I have always considered W.A.Ellis in a league of their own and truly innovative in every detail so I consider it a real privilege to be working with you personally this year”.
Farrah Koga, Zoopla
6 | Our Home Ground waellis.com | 7
Selling a property with W.A.Ellis is straightforward and rewarding. Longevity in our area sets us apart with an average of no less than 21 years’ experience each across the team. We know the area and the people in it, the search agents and the investment landlords whose focus is here.
Experience brings strength but our size makes us flexible, our approach is progressive and our service levels are second to none.
If you are looking to buy a property in this hugely sought-after area, we know what’s coming on the market often before the search agents do. We know every street, down to which side gets the afternoon sun and which has a Tube line running beneath it.
It’s a competitive market and we know it inside out. We are able to provide accurate comparable evidence having sold similar properties in each street, sometimes many times over. This knowledge is directly related to our consistent record of achieving the best prices in any given market.
It is a mistake to assume an agent who offers the highest guide price will achieve it. Do not be drawn either by an agent offering a particularly low fee. What matters is that your agent knows what they are doing.
Overseas purchasers are vital and our success in selling to international buyers (54% in 2013) is down to our relationships with relocation agents.
We also work with associate agencies overseas and our overseas trips and international search engine campaigns ensure we reach any foreign investors in the unlikely event we are not already talking to them.
Our website and mobile sites are optimised to make it easy for the purchaser to find exactly what they are looking for. We see 49% of viewing requests through our own website; purchasers in our area want to be matched directly to W.A.Ellis’ properties.
Substantial national and international press coverage, weekly blogs, monthly industry reports, quarterly analysis, the increasingly influential social media marketing tools and targeted bespoke events build further these vital investor relations.
Chapter 3
Sales andAcquisitions
Harrods
Thank you for your consistently accurate and honest reporting of the property market, we value your sensible approach and honesty even in the toughest of markets
Mr and Mrs Cooney, Eccleston Square
Chapter 3 – Sales and AcquisitionsCase studies
Firm favourites
A ‘special house’ in Chelsea
In spring 2011 a gentleman came into our reception and asked to speak to someone from our house sales team. He was aware of our excellent reputation and had dealt with one of our partners 20 years previously.
He wished to speak on a highly confidential basis regarding a ‘special house’ in Chelsea and requested that we sign a confidential agreement before inspecting. Agreement signed, we subsequently visited Glebe Place. It was immediately apparent that the house, although almost derelict, was indeed very special and had huge potential beyond the client’s expectations. From experience, we advised that the best route forward would be to instruct a good architect and planning advisor who could produce a scheme to maximise the potential floor area and also be acceptable to the local Council’s planning department.
There were of course many issues and considerations to be taken into account, not least the anecdotal connection of the studio at the rear to Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the founder of the Art Nouveau movement.
However again our experience told us that patience and maximising permitted development rights would, in time, deliver the vendor the best result. In March 2013, some 2 years after our initial visit, our client informed us that our recommended architects and planning advisors, had obtained for him consent for a basement which added a further 1,200 sq ft to the plot. Further floor area could be achieved via a planning appeal but ‘the time was right’ and the spring market in full flow.
We were instructed to discreetly market the property and a select list of potential purchasers and retained search agents
(with whom we enjoy excellent relations) was prepared. We accompanied approximately 40 applicants, finders, and numerous advisors and architects around the house.
The guide price had been set at an attractive £5,750,000 which equated to £2,417 psf based on the existing floor area. Within three weeks we received a ‘knock out’ bid which, in spite of the competition we advised our client to accept, as we carefully researched the buyer’s position, knew his overriding desire for the property and the level of his offer was above the other expressions of interest we’d received. Contracts were exchanged within 15 working days at almost £2,000,000 above the guide resulting in a very happy client and a purchaser delighted with having bought one of Chelsea’s most unusual and prestigious houses.
One stop shop
We were contacted in early December 2012 by an ex-pat couple based in Hong Kong to advise on the potential sale of a modern, secure low-built mews house located just behind Sloane Square. On inspection, the departing tenants had left the property somewhat dilapidated so we suggested a full programme of redecoration, plus we recommended the vendor rent furniture to improve its marketability. The newly furnished and well presented property came to the market in February 2013 at a guide price of £4,250,000 for the share of freehold interest. We received several competitive bids and contracts were successfully exchanged in April at a figure fractionally below the guide price.
During the sale, the vendors disclosed that they in fact owned another large investment property in Chelsea, SW10 which was currently on the open market
with another agent. We were invited to inspect the house and offer our advice on price and saleability. The guide price had been set at £6,250,000 for the freehold interest and we were instructed as Joint Sole Agents in June. Just before the summer holidays, we showed the house to a family trading up from a mansion flat in Kensington who fell in love with the size, location and accommodation and offered a figure close to the guide price. Contracts were exchanged in early autumn with a completion date before Christmas.
The couple’s focus then switched from selling to acquiring. The requirement was two replacement properties, one for investment and one to be used as a pied-a-terre. After several days of concentrated viewings and intense negotiations (including making sure there was positive Feng Shui at both
properties), we agreed terms on the two properties within the same exclusive development in Kensington, just off the High Street.
Following completion, our lettings team was invited to inspect the investment flat and put together a schedule of works in order to maximise the rental return. At the time of writing, W.A.Ellis property management is overseeing these works prior to marketing.
Our delightful clients now have a fantastic new apartment to use as their base on one of their regular trips to London, together with a superb income generating investment.
waellis.com | 1110 | Our Home Ground
With a reputation for high investment values, our well established team provides a full range of development and investment services. We assist developers from the initial concept stages through to disposal, combining our technical expertise with an innovative style.
Our development consultancy advises on the best unit mix and layouts to suit the market and realise the maximum value from a project. We work closely with other departments in the partnership to ensure we give the most accurate, cost effective and value adding advice for all schemes.
Recent projects completed in early 2014 included The Crown Estate's St James's Gateway mixed-use scheme on Jermyn Street, SW1 and Great Portland Estates’ development of Picton Place, W1. Our initial involvement comprised development consultancy advice from planning stages, leading to new apartment sales totalling in excess of £35 million and lettings of apartments totalling at over £20 million.
From these institutional clients to small, boutique developers, we are experienced in a wide variety of central London schemes including small period conversions and large new-build developments.
Our investment arm also has an enviable track record with investment transactions. These ranged from the acquisition of numerous individual rental investments, to sales and acquisitions of blocks of apartments within prime central London.
We value, acquire and dispose of portfolios for clients including private trusts, banks and pension funds. We pride ourselves on swift sales for optimum values and commitment to a project throughout its duration.
Chapter 4
Development and Investment
Have you herd
May Fair was the site of the first cattle market and spring fair in the early 1600s.
Picton Place, W1, CGI prior to completion
12 | Our Home Ground
Chapter 5
Lettings and Property Management
waellis.com | 13
The Daily Telegraph’s “Queen of London’s rental market for 30 years” Lucy Morton leads a multi-award winning team. W.A.Ellis is the current Gold Medal winner of the Prestige Lettings category in the The Times and The Sunday Times estate agency awards 2013. As stated by the judges, your investment could not be in safer hands.
“This is a boutique offering led by a team full of market knowledge. It is boutique in that W.A.Ellis is a single office operation, which is actually its strength rather than a weakness. By being a solo office it has a sound knowledge base of all its clients, handling each one with kid gloves and avoiding the 'passed from pillar to post' scenario… The knowledge of its business and the understanding of its marketplace is second to none. Whether the team are holding meetings in their Brompton Road office or flying off to the Far East to personally meet overseas landlords, the feeling is that you always get a consummate and discreet level of service. This year W.A.Ellis has come away with awards in the customer service, single London and property management (201-500) categories, and it is the success of these individual facets that pull together to create a truly breath-taking prestige agent.”
Looking after and maximising the returns from clients’ most valuable assets is our business and we never forget it. Both property and tenants are looked after with the utmost attention to detail and care to ensure the best potential is realised.
For the past two years 77% of our tenants are from overseas. Our wide-reaching marketing strategy, including our strong website with international targeting campaigns through Google and Baidu, as well as our strong relationships with City HR departments and relocation firms, ensures we reach every tenant wherever they’re coming from.
Sourcing and retaining good tenants is key. We have a high rate of repeat occupants who recognise we look after them. Each of our specialist tenancy management team is an individual member of ARLA and has completed the NFOPP Technical Award in Residential Letting and Property Management so they have constantly updated knowledge of the sector’s ever changing legalities.
The lettings market changes week-by-week and, intuitive to market conditions, we give up-to-the-minute advice to ensure landlords receive the best rent with minimum void periods.
Landlords who are looking to increase their portfolios benefit from our experience and expertise working closely with our sales and investment teams. We are renowned for looking after and increasing portfolios and integrating them into our systems.
We are also recognised for letting the best properties central London has to offer and are accustomed to discretion when dealing with business leaders, diplomats and celebrities. As renting has become a long-term prospect for many more people than ever before, the relationships we maintain, the tenants we secure and the prices we achieve are crucial to our business.
Knock knock
You never know how many friends you have until you rent a house in London.
Lettings
waellis.com | 1514 | Our Home Ground
Chapter 5 – Lettings and Property Management
Forever Jung
“You are what you do, not what you say you'll do.” CG Jung
“The Property management service that W.A.Ellis offers ticks all the boxes, sound links with local contractors, detailed inspections for managed properties, in-house and external training for staff and a handy online PDF guide to Property management”*
As the average tenancy length is now in excess of three years, tenants have increasingly high expectations of the quality of properties and how they are maintained. As a result, the role of our Property management team has evolved significantly over the past few years from repairs co-ordinators to overseeing refurbishment projects through to assisting landlords who manage their own properties with one off services, while continuing to carry out the ‘day job’.
We are seeing increased numbers of clients who have managed their own properties coming to us to take over full time management on their behalf. They are becoming more aware of how onerous and time consuming Property management now is.
Investor landlords want their property to be as appealing as possible in a competitive market. Good presentation will achieve maximum returns and reputable management ensures costs are kept in proportion.
When a landlord owns the freehold of a block, we manage the building as a whole including the common parts. This means the landlord has complete control and we are able to maximise rents through thorough hands-on management and maintenance of the flats and building.
Our property managers sit alongside our lettings, accounts, refurbishment and surveying departments and these disciplines together make our overall portfolio management seamless.
'Being' the differenceEach individual member of our team contributes to our success and enjoyment as a firm.
Richard Barber, Catie Gunning and the team were outstanding in every possible way!
Brompton Square vendor 2014
Simon Godson did a really good job for us and had to align a sale and purchase which he did very well.
Purchaser Spirmont Place 2014
I have also very much appreciated dealing with you and your colleagues at W.A.Ellis, and I will definitely recommend people relocating to London to contact your agency.
De Vere Gardens tenant to the property management team 2013
Louise gets to the bottom of the problem and comes up with options on what to do. She always has a calm and capable response for me and I know that any issue will be addressed in a satisfactory manner for both the tenant and myself.
Chelsea portfolio landlord of Louise Bell 2013
Michael and Kerry have been doing an excellent job in ensuring the limited amount of residential space that becomes vacant is let speedily and give advice on our development proposals.
Sloane Street developer of Michael Maskens and Kerry Morley 2013
Both my husband and I were extremely satisfied with the way David Mills handled our search and move…. if the need ever arose to move W.A.Ellis would be the only company we would want to deal with.
Cadogan Gardens tenants of David Mills and Louise Bell 2014
You and the rest of the team have always gone the extra mile and you embody what I can best describe as "cool professionalism". So I want to use the opportunity to say thank you.
Old Swan Wharf tenant to the property management team 2013
The most important aspect was that we wanted to trust the agent. We felt Robert Lewis was the one agent we met who would give us the right advice, above the best interests of W.A.Ellis.
Christchurch Terrace vendor of Robert Lewis 2013
The sale was both exciting and well managed by James Burridge. He was a delight to work with throughout, setting the pace, understanding my needs and guiding the sale through to a very happy conclusion. I can honestly say that I didn't have a moment's anxiety. His advice was good, sound and speedily executed throughout.
Sloane Gate Mansions vendor to Jamie Burridge 2014
I thank you for having forwarded Home Ground. This brochure reflects so well the way W.A.Ellis does the work and fulfils its commitments in the best manner which makes it unique and so well respected in London.
Onslow Square landlord to Lucy Morton 2012
We have strict quality control over all contractors, with annual reviews of their insurance, PI etc and we adhere to all onerous legislation that comes with renting residential property. All out of hours emergency calls are vetted for validity so Landlords do not incur an unnecessary call out fee.
Property management
Our award winning service gives our landlords peace of mind that their investment is in good hands.
*The Sunday Times and the Times Lettings Agency of the Year Awards 2013
waellis.com | 1716 | Our Home Ground
Chapter 5 – Lettings and Property Management Case studies
Firm favourites
Without exception
We were letting and managing one house in South Kensington for 23 years and without exception every department within the firm had an involvement during this time.
Our client purchased the house from us in 1990. After a short spell of living there they relocated overseas and decided to let it through W.A.Ellis – which has been the status quo until we recently sold it. We were managing the house for in excess of 15 years; all of the tenancies were to high profile companies and were between three and six years in duration.
Held on a lease with binding rent review clauses, the house is situated on one of the larger central London estates. Our client was able to call on the services of our professional valuation team to negotiate favourable rent review terms with the estate.
At the end of 2012, the last tenants vacated and our surveying and refurbishment team updated the house as our client wished to sell. The house was sold mid-2013 by our sales team – nearly a quarter of a century after the owner walked through our door.
In it for the long term
Following a longstanding relationship successfully letting a Beaufort Gardens apartment for 18 years for an overseas investor, our award winning property management team was instructed to conduct a comprehensive refurbishment of this two bedroom property in the very heart of Knightsbridge.
Following our advice, the property was refurbished during the Christmas 2013 ‘down time’ and brought back to the market in the new year. The newly styled property was re-let within 24 hours of marketing and achieved in excess of 16% rental increase for our landlord.
Once again we underline our maxim that “presentation is key” and encourage our clients to have the confidence to invest in the specification of their rental properties. This can and will ensure continued high level occupancy and increased rental yields.
“Can I stay for a while?”*
After a comprehensive mystery shopping exercise of local and brand agents, the landlord of 20 properties across W8 and W11 appointed us to let and manage a varied portfolio. Our ability to react quickly and efficiently to maintenance issues and our 24/7 availability came out as key factors in winning the instruction.
Taking over a high profile portfolio is a rewarding task for all involved. Our primary objective is to establish a relationship with both the client and tenants, address any outstanding issues while familiarising ourselves with each property. As a result, we were able to integrate the portfolio seamlessly into our systems.
With all managed portfolios we maximise yield through stringent maintenance and works management which is fundamental to keeping voids to a minimum. We also regularly assist landlords in acquisitions to grow and complement their existing portfolio.
*Film – Notting Hill 1999
waellis.com | 1918 | Our Home Ground
The Valuation department team offers high-quality, residential valuation advice and is regarded as an authority in this specialist field.
Led by James Wilson, who co-authored the RICS book ‘Leasehold Enfranchisement Explained’, and who sits on the Leasehold Reform Working group on behalf of the RICS, our four chartered valuation surveyors offer bespoke advice based on up–to–the–minute knowledge and decades of experience.
“…the tribunal preferred the evidence of Mr Wilson, who appeared to have greater experience of the Portman Estate and was also more familiar with the latest developments and decisions affecting the valuation of prime central London properties in general and the Portman Estate in particular” LVT – Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.
At W.A.Ellis, we offer unrivalled market awareness and sophisticated technical ability to clients ranging from London’s largest and most influential estates to private individuals with a single property.
All our clients receive the same high level of personal care, ensuring the negotiations in this sometimes contentious field are as smooth and trouble-free as possible.
Areas of expertise include:
• Leasehold enfranchisement (lease extensions and freehold purchases)
• Valuations in accordance with RICS valuation professional standards
• Valuations for tax purposes
• Bank lending (loan security)
• Rent review
• Portfolio investment appraisals
• Litigation (expert witness)
• Third party determinations
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
Chapter 6
Valuation
Bank statement
The Bank of England was founded by a Scotsman, the Bank of Scotland was founded by an Englishman.
Bank of England
Chapter 6 – ValuationCase study
Firm favourites
Valuation has always been core to W.A.Ellis’ professional repertoire. Clients and related parties often return for advice on multiple properties after initial dealings with the valuation team.
A good example is the first floor maisonette at 26 Onslow Gardens where we were introduced to the client, Kin Too Holdings, initially via EFG Private Bank to provide loan security valuation advice on the and other properties.
Since then we have provided updated loan security advice and also been further consulted at various stages in respect of ground rent reviews and the acquisition of a statutory 90-year lease extension.
Our team has recently represented two separate lessees in acquiring 90-year lease extensions within the same building. There remains the potential to collectively acquire the freehold at some point in the future.
At various stages the client had sales and lettings opportunities on which W.A.Ellis has advised independently. In addition, we have provided further leasehold reform advice personally to our main contact at Kin Too Holdings.
I draw on experience with every new enfranchisement, lease valuation or expert witness call.
James Wilson, co-author of Leasehold Enfranchisement Explained
waellis.com | 2322 | Our Home Ground
The trend of clients choosing to refurbish property over moving continued throughout last year. Couple this with a buoyant lettings market, strong capital growth on prime London property and increased upgrades either for owner occupiers or to secure the best rental yields, renovation continues apace.
Our surveying and refurbishment team, led by Peter Thatcher, a chartered building surveyor with over 25 years’ experience in the luxury central London market, has long standing and expert skills taking properties from a tired, unmodernised state to desirable residences with maximum rental income.
Advising on complete refurbishment and remodelling including basements and new storeys, party wall agreements, internal and external redecoration and defect diagnosis, we deal with contractors on a day-to-day basis and give our clients peace of mind that the work will be completed to the highest standard and at the agreed price.
Clients include private home owners looking to add value while they live there as well as single property and large portfolio investment landlords. Those from overseas are able to relax from thousands of miles away knowing the standards to which Peter’s team adheres. We work for all the major London estates and understand the intricacies around listed and period buildings.
Refurbishment of apartment blocks both internally and externally is often a lease requirement and our team is expertly and professionally placed to meet leaseholders’ obligations.
Our experience and close relationships with our sales and lettings teams in the same building mean we know how far to go to maximise the return on investment through quality refurbishment.
We have witnessed over and over again how adding capital and rental value makes all the difference in a market seeing a strong flight to quality and this looks set to continue for some time to come.
Chapter 7
Surveying and Refurbishment
Home truths
“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” Emma, Jane Austen, 1815
waellis.com | 2524 | Our Home Ground
Chapter 7 – Building Surveying and Refurbishment Case studies
Firm favourites
Seven wonders
In summer 2013, we received instructions from an overseas investor who had recently purchased a prime building comprising seven flats to let and manage them on his behalf. Before marketing could commence and in order to achieve optimum rents, the building needed considerable refurbishment work throughout. We put together a comprehensive specification and the awarded contractors were on site after an extensive tender process by early Autumn. We oversaw the works which included all the communal areas and the external facades. We also supervised the refurbishment of all seven flats and the building has now been transformed into a prestigious and sought after home to seven high calibre tenants who were signed up on completion of the transformation.
Substantial satisfaction
Our involvement began with this substantial family house in a sought after Knightsbridge square following a call from the owner who was considering his options. The house has been in the same family for many years and after formerly having taken advice from a competitor, the owner asked us to step in and give him guidance and our opinion. In order to maximise its letting potential it was immediately clear to us that the house needed to be refurbished so we put together a specification of works and sent it to three contractors for tendering. Our client took our advice, we commissioned the works and ran the project until completion.
The rent previously achieved prior to the improvements was circa £2,000 per week. We introduced new tenants immediately on completion of the works and the landlord has enjoyed an increase of 60% on his rental income.
Hampstead heights
The exterior and interior refurbishment of a Hampstead apartment block saw a rapid turnaround in the fortunes of a number of vendors who had been trying to sell their properties in the block. On completion of the work flats which had been on the market for many months sold within weeks and in excess of asking prices. The uplift in value generated by common parts repair can be astounding and we have had a number of other agents comment on the difference this refurbishment made to the successful sale and eventual price of the properties.
Capital progress
London said goodbye to public hanging in 1868, the same year it said hello to W.A.Ellis.
Chapter 8
From our PortfolioFrom charming mews houses to grand mansions, we have sold and let some of the finest properties across London’s prime residential addresses.
Focusing on the best houses and flats we are privileged not only to work with friendly and interesting clients but to witness the very best of contemporary and traditional style and what London as a home has to offer.
Exceptional designEaton Place, Belgravia SW1
• 3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms• Reception room• Kitchen / dining room • Roof terrace • Approx 1,776 sq ft (165 sq m)
Let April 2013 Guide £3,650 per week
26 | Our Home Ground
waellis.com | 2928 | Our Home Ground
Chapter 8 – From our Portfolio
Wonderful viewsEgerton Gardens, Knightsbridge SW3
• 1 Bedroom • Shower room• Reception room• Terrace and balcony (not demised) • Approx 578 sq ft (53.7 sq m)
Completed January 2013 Guide £1,450,000 leasehold
Beautifully presentedClabon Mews, Knightsbridge SW1
• 4 Bedrooms • 4 Bathrooms• Drawing room• Kitchen / dining room • 2 Roof terraces • Approx 2,112 sq ft (196.2 sq m)
Completed August 2013 Guide £5,250,000 freehold
waellis.com | 3130 | Our Home Ground
Handsome and spaciousPont Street, Knightsbridge SW1X
• 4 Bedrooms• 3 Bathrooms• Guest cloakroom• Reception room • Kitchen / breakfast room• Balcony • Caretaker• Approx 2,315 sq ft (215 sq m)
Let November 2013 Guide £2,950 per week
Elegant and contemporaryThe Little Boltons, Chelsea SW10
• 3 Bedrooms• 3 Bathrooms• Reception room• Kitchen / dining room• Balcony• Approx 1,967 sq ft (182 sq m)
Let October 2013 Guide £2,500 per week
Chapter 8 – From our Portfolio
waellis.com | 3332 | Our Home Ground
Chapter 8 – From our Portfolio
Private and sophisticatedCanning Place, Kensington W8
• 2 Bedrooms• 2 Bathrooms• Reception room• Kitchen / breakfast room• Paved garden • Approx 1,348 sq ft (125 sq m)
Let September 2013 Guide £1,350 per week
waellis.com | 3534 | Our Home Ground
Chapter 9
Our People
Karen Carpmael Partner Lettings and Development
020 7306 1654 [email protected]
Richard Barber Equity Partner Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1624 [email protected]
Simon Coates Partner Valuation
020 7306 1669 [email protected]
Peter Thatcher Partner Surveying and Refurbishment
020 7306 1671 [email protected]
Charlie Woods Partner Lettings
020 7306 1642 [email protected]
Tim des Forges Equity Partner Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1616 [email protected]
Giles Cook Partner Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1626 [email protected]
Simon Godson Equity Partner Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1617 [email protected]
Frances Joyce Partner Valuation
020 7306 1668 [email protected]
Daniel Wiggin Equity Partner Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1615 [email protected]
James Wilson Equity Partner Valuation
020 7306 1662 [email protected]
Each member of our close-knit team is professional and approachable and happy to advise you on all aspects of your property.
Professional team
Oliver Gibson Director of Development and Investment
020 7306 1652 [email protected]
Robert Lewis Associate Partner Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1622 [email protected]
Kerry Morley Associate Partner Lettings
020 7306 1637 [email protected]
David Mills Associate Partner Lettings
020 7306 1644 [email protected]
Daniel Walmsley Associate Partner Valuation
020 7306 1663 [email protected]
Angela Mercer Associate Partner Property Management
020 7306 1645 [email protected]
James Burridge Associate Partner Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1613 [email protected]
Vanessa Scott Associate Partner Property Management
020 7306 1632 [email protected]
Louise Bell Property Manager Property Management
020 7306 1628 [email protected]
Lucy Morton embodies everything which is excellent about our industry and her passion and vision is aspirational.
The Sunday Times and The Times Lettings Agency of the Year's 2011 Judges' report
Lucy Morton Senior Partner Lettings
020 7306 1631 [email protected]
Sara Maloney Property Manager Property Management
020 7306 1641 [email protected]
James Grant Lettings Negotiator Lettings
020 7306 1659 [email protected]
Simon Green Sales Negotiator Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1629 [email protected]
Catie Gunning Property Manager Property Management
020 7306 1697 [email protected]
Martina Casey Associate Partner Lettings Manager
020 7306 1647 [email protected]
Michael Maskens Associate Partner Tenancy Management
020 7306 1634 [email protected]
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Chapter 9 – Our People
Our invaluable support team
Emily Bramwell Property Assistant Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1627 [email protected]
Linda Whitaker Surveying and Refurbishment Assistant
020 7306 1674 [email protected]
Amanda Dougan Finance Assistant Finance
020 7306 1614 [email protected]
Chrissy Boyle Valuation Assistant Valuation
020 7306 1667 [email protected]
Oh, The grand old Duke of York
He had ten thousand men; He marched them up to the top of the hill, And he marched them down again.
Today, the Grand Old Duke of York stands on a granite column 120ft high at the end of Waterloo Place in Westminster.
Lucy Lezaic Tenancy Assistant Tenancy Management
020 7306 1636 [email protected]
Kirsty Halkett Senior Client Accountant Finance
020 7306 1638 [email protected]
Mary Clark Valuation Assistant Valuation
020 7306 1665 [email protected]
Lucinda McKee Property Assistant Sales and Acquisitions
020 7306 1618 [email protected]
Anthony Lee Associate Partner Finance
020 7306 1646 [email protected]
Our support team is truly exceptional, highly professional and passionate about our business. I am completely confident in each and every one of them and the benefit such a proficient group offers to our clients.
Lucy Morton, Senior Partner
Caroline Copland Director Marketing and PR
020 7306 1621 [email protected]
Marie Doyle Director HR and assistant to Senior Partner
020 7306 1643 [email protected]
Stephen Smith Director Company Secretary
020 7306 1691 [email protected]
Emily Smith Tenancy Assistant Tenancy Management
020 7306 1633 [email protected]
Lucinda Skailes Legal Director Tenancy Management
020 7306 1648 [email protected]
waellis.com | 39
Chapter 10
Making a Difference
If you are interested in finding out more about our events do call us or email [email protected] for more information.
Making a fundamental difference to our clients, our industry, our community and our environment is at the heart of our business model today.
Octavia Appeal friends of Royal Brompton
The Octavia Appeal is run through the friends of the Royal Brompton, an independent charity which raises funds for projects around the Royal Brompton Hospital, the UK’s largest heart and lung centre which is on our door step.
octaviaappeal.com
The Weir Archer Academy
Building on the success of the 2012 Paralympic games athlete David Weir and his coach of ten years Jenny Archer are passing on their knowledge and experience to the next generation of disabled athletes. Providing athlete and coaching support within schools clubs and coaches from London and the South East the Academy also delivers international development for under resourced counties.
weir-archer-academy.com
The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation
The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation supports more than 400 small local charities in the Borough working tirelessly to tackle the issues experienced within specific wards which rank among the nation’s most deprived – a plight that many local people are not aware of.
thekandcfoundation.com
Irresistible urges
Not being able resist any opportunity to entertain we continue to host a World’s Biggest Coffee Morning each September for Macmillan Cancer Support. And to encourage client comment – that’s how we stay on top of our game – we donate £10 to Agents Giving, the industry charity focused on local community endeavours, for each feedback form received.
agentsgiving.org and macmillan.org.uk
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Recycling everything from light bulbs to cartridges including the donation of all out-dated technical equipment to third world countries we take environmental responsibility seriously.
Additionally each year, with input from everyone in the firm we choose charities to support. In 2013, Action Medical Research (AMR) and the Knightsbridge School Education Foundation (KSEF) have been selected alongside our continuing fundraising for the Estate Agents Foundation (EAF). For these causes we have exciting fundraising endeavours planned, both physical and creative, and we’re inviting our clients to join our teams along the way.
Charlie greets Evie after 40 miles for Action Medical Research
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W.A.Ellis LLP174 Brompton Road London SW3 1HP
+44 (0)20 7306 1600 [email protected]@waellis
All information correct at the time of going to print. We thank our clients for their participation.
Get in touch; stay in touch
Move forward with us.
Selling, Letting, Property management, Refurbishment, Surveying and ValuationProperty specialists across London’s prime residential addresses
