Diary of an estate agent: Victoria

Victoria's swish makeover is drawing buyers back to SW1 and the Television Centre marketing suite is popular with prospective homeowners from overseas... 
5 July 2017

Monday
It’s 8.30am sharp and everybody is upbeat at our regular start-the-week meeting to recap on last week and see what’s to come.

We are all feeling very positive after the brilliant exchange of a lateral apartment in Kensington — it’s a superb trophy home.

We are also still on a high after Strutt & Parker picked up this year’s UK sales agency of the year accolade at the Resi Awards, for an unprecedented second year running.

This afternoon I meet a Frenchman who lives in Hong Kong and wants to invest in the London property market.

We discuss a variety of options within our portfolio before shortlisting the most suitable and arranging a viewing tour for later in the week.

Tuesday
Most of today is spent on viewings at VI Castle Lane, a brilliant scheme with 31 properties in an idyllic residential location, moments away from all that Victoria has to offer.

Our client, the developer Sons & Co, has had a show apartment interior designed and it’s looking great. We recently hosted a launch event to kick off sales at the scheme which has resulted in some good offers.

Victoria SW1 has changed so much over the past few years and is now a truly world-class residential and commercial location. The area has once again become a coveted destination in prime central London.

The recently completed Nova Building by Land Securities has been a huge part of this transformation and the Nova Food Quarter is an exciting addition.

Wednesday
Television Centre marketing suite in White City sets the scene today, where I’m with the French buyer I met on Monday.

This really is one of the most exciting schemes in London, the redevelopment of the former BBC offices and studios. It’s going to be a truly unique place to live. People love the history of this landmark building.

We go on from here to a completed scheme in Gilston Road, Chelsea, to view some one-bedroom options. With this location, these apartments are particularly popular with pied-à-terre buyers and investors.

Thursday
It’s straight over to Notting Hill first thing this morning, as we are holding a launch event in the new show home at West Village. This contemporary scheme of nine impressive family houses is tucked away in an enviable spot just behind Notting Hill Gate.

The development features its own secure underground car parking with automated car lift. The feedback is positive and everyone here seems very impressed with the space on offer.

In the afternoon, I head back to the office and on to a viewing in St James’s, where I am showing a lady around a lateral apartment. It goes well — but we will need to wait for other members of her family to view it, too, in a couple of weeks’ time, before a decision can be made.

Friday
A busy day — so it’s a good end to a good week. I meet first thing with a man who’s buying a family house through me in west London, then this afternoon I am showing a buyer around a great lateral apartment in the Cherry Tree conservation area in Kensington.

The weather is beautiful and the flat looks excellent. On days like today you realise what a fabulous city we live in.

  • Max Warby is a sales negotiator with Strutt & Parker’s London Residential Development & Investment team (020 7318 4677).