Clivedale London’s recently completed The Mansion is a residential development of 23 apartments in Marylebone. The apartments were designed by London-based DSDHA architects, who worked to create a contemporary building that remained in tune with its historic surrounds.
As well as offering some impressive amenities such as a 25-metre swimming pool and fully-equipped fitness studio, Clivedale has commissioned some of London’s finest luxury brands to cater to the individual needs of its residents, including a first-of-its-kind partnership with spa brand Bamford to provide on-call therapists for the in-house spa.
A custom-made Bentley is available for chauffeuring residents around town, while grocery delivery services are provided by Fortnum & Mason and concierge from Quintessentially.
Luxury Briefing spoke with Fred Scarlett, Clivedale Sales and Marketing Director, about the development of The Mansion and what he believes today’s luxury consumer is seeking in a home.
Can you tell us about your experience in the industry?
I have been in the property business for seven years, having joined Clivedale when the business was first set up. Prior to this, I worked at LVMH for ten years.
What prompted the development of The Mansion?
Every site we work on has a different DNA and story. The Mansion was acquired as an office building, but we felt that Marylebone needed a contemporary, super-prime residential development with best-in-class amenities and built to premium specification.
What would you say is the biggest differentiating feature of The Mansion?
The Mansion stands apart from the crowd by the sum of its parts, not any one single element. The architecture is confident and contemporary in a classic Marylebone streetscape, the interiors and specification offer generosity, light and space; whilst the amenities with pool, gym, treatment room and garden are akin to a hotel rather than a private residential development. The experience of living in the building, the theatre of the lobby and sense of arrival make it special.
Were there any challenges associated with the development/building process and how did you overcome them?
This has been a challenging project and something of a development adventure, from the complex basement build which interlaces with Cross Rail and the London Underground, right through to the ornate and intricate terracotta façade. Any project has its challenges, but our ethos is to address and solve these. So often when solved, they form a fundamental element of the final product.
How did your spa partnership with Bamford eventuate?
At Clivedale, we pride ourselves for working with best-in-class providers and so Bamford was a natural choice for a spa partner. We felt the brand’s ethos was very much in keeping with The Mansion and our residents.
What have you witnessed as the biggest changes in the luxury industry over the past decade?
The ever increasing demand for quality of design, specification and finish. Schemes that came to market three years ago, let alone ten years ago, simply wouldn’t sell in today’s market. This is fundamentally the case for ultra-prime residential but also is true for wider real estate and luxury goods as a whole. On a macro level, the UHNW consumer market has moved in 10 years from conspicuous consumption to considered acquisition where scarcity, quality and integrity are non-negotiable.
What do you think today’s HNW customer is seeking from a luxury residence?
Best-in-class: Scarcity, quality and integrity.