Kay & Co to open new office in Kings Cross

Luxury Estate Agent, Kay & Co is delighted to announce that it is expanding its operation with the opening of a stylish new boutique office in Kings Cross. Situated on the ground floor of the Google building, the new offices at 6 Pancras Square, N1C, occupy a double frontage opposite Camden Council. Operating across Kings Cross and Bloomsbury, the new office will offer sales and lettings for those looking to purchase, rent or invest in this desirable up and coming urban oasis in the heart of London.

Martin Bikhit, Managing Director of Kay & Co commented: “This is an exciting time for Kay & Co. The expansion into Kings Cross and Bloomsbury fits in with our plans to open new offices in under-serviced areas with excellent growth potential.”

The new office will enable Kay & Co to service the pipeline of new build homes being developed by The Kings Cross Partnership and assist Google employees who are looking to rent in Kings Cross and further afield. Set to open in spring 2018, the Kings Cross office is the third to be operated by the luxury estate agent, who currently has two offices, one in Bayswater and the other in Marylebone. Specialists in the sale, letting and building management of the capitals finest and most exclusive properties and new boutique developments, the family run business is celebrating its 35th year, priding itself on its local knowledge and expertise and delivering the best advice and tailor-made solutions to its clients. Kay & Co’s international client base is built on relationships which span decades, many of whom come back again and again to receive its bespoke, personal service.

For further information please contact Kay & Co on: T: 020 7262 2030 or visit www.kayandco.com

We have a new client!

We are delighted to be working with Nest East, a boutique development company which is run by entrepreneur Zuzie Poskitt. ​

NestEast  is a young, dynamic,  property development and investment company building residential and mixed-use projects that create lovely places to live and work. The company was set up by a small, hip and committed group of property enthusiasts and investors who collectively work together on projects in or around North East London – occasionally moving further afield into other areas, if meeting the group’s requirements.  

Projects include refurbishment of derelict houses, conversions of buildings into apartments and new build schemes. The company is committed to delivering quality homes that are innovative  and provide value for money.  NestEast’s  ethos is to create well-designed,  comfortable  work or home  spaces. 

Being aware of  the  pressures  on housing in London, the group is  fully committed to delivering the  kind of  homes the City needs.  

In a short space of time the group has quickly established itself as a leading London developer and is experienced in all aspects of development, undertaking  every step of each of its projects from acquisition to planning, design, construction, sales and after care.  Its success is based on a trusted team of partners including builders, architects, project managers and suppliers – together  delivering homes and work spaces that are both  high quality and efficiently built.

www.nesteast.com  

15 Clapton Square, the latest project by Nest East.  

We are recruiting for a Senior Account Executive / Account Manager

We are recruiting for an experienced Senior Account Executive / Account Manager to sit within our growing boutique residential property agency. The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with the Director of the business and the team to deliver national and international public relations for its clients, from its boutique office in Surrey, South London.

Specialising in luxury property and interior design, we have an exciting client base which is expanding rapidly and this role provides the opportunity to be part of a friendly, fun and dynamic team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Working with the team to drive and manage client accounts
• Generating press coverage in UK and overseas media, delivering the client brief and requirements
• Assisting with new development launches, events and exhibitions
• Helping to prepare award entries
• Drafting press releases, editorial and advertorials
• Organising and attending journalist briefings, site tours and press trips
• Assisting with new business proposals and PR strategies

Desired skill and experience:

• Ideally property, consumer and corporate PR expertise
• Excellent communication skills
• Proactive and willingness to deliver exceptional results for the client
• Ability to work across a range of client accounts
• Excellent time management skills
• At least 2-3 years PR experience
• Good writing skills
• Proactive and creative thinking

Please send your CV and covering letter to Chanel@elevatepr.co.uk

Investment rule change drives marked increase in Indian interest in central London

Buying agency Black Brick has flagged a noticeable rise in the number of Indian buyers engaging its services this year.

The Mayfair-based firm tells us that Indian clients now account for 13% of its central London deals, up from just 2.6% in 2015. The relaxation of withdrawal allowances by the Reserve Bank of India – enabling families to take $250k per family member out of the country instead of $100k – appears to be behind the shift, which was also highlighted by another agency last month.

According to Cluttons’ latest PCL research, Indian buyers now account for 22% of total sales in Central London, up from 5% in 2012. Most are buying for primary residences or to have a bolt hole in the city, said the firm, with the exchange rate providing an extra sweetener for investors.

New-build flats in Shoreditch and White City have apparently been proving popular with those looking for a return, whereas owner occupiers are tending to choose Mayfair for a primary residence, and period conversions in Regent’s Park as second homes.

Black Brick added that 50% of its Indian clients follow the Vastu system, with many choosing to engage the services of a pro buying agent in order to source the limited supply of properties that comply.

Camilla Dell, Managing Partner at Black Brick: “We have seen a marked increase in Indian buyers using our services and this is down to the amount of money that Indian’s are allowed to transmit out of India. The Reserve Bank of India sets exchange control limits with today’s amount $250,000 per family member, per year. This is a significant improvement from a few years ago, when the amount allowed was under $100,000 per family member, per year. It means that a family of four, after one year, will have $1 million to spend, and after two years $2 million. It quickly adds up, an explains why a lot of our Indian clients are buying in the £1m to £2m range.

“Vastu can be challenging as it makes the property search tricky. If a kitchen is in the wrong position within a house it can scupper the whole deal. Investors are less worried about Vastu but if there is something specific about an apartment being unlucky, even if it’s a buy to let, that will influence their buying decision. We recently had a client who bought two apartments in one development. They bought off plan so they could ask the developer to move doors to comply with Vastu. Therefore, often new build, off plan homes appeal as they can be tweaked accordingly.

“Now is the time to buy property in London. People are saving more and spending less and with the favourable exchange rate, International investors can save thousands on their purchase. Indian’s mostly buy apartments for a second home or as Pied a Terre. Regents Park and St John’s Wood are hotspots and Mayfair is popular with super rich Indians. We are currently working with a Bollywood actress who is looking for a London base in Marylebone, Knightsbridge or Mayfair.”

The rest of the agency’s client base is made up of buyers from the Middle East (20%), UK (20%), France (13%), Nigeria (13%), Russian (13%) and Switzerland (7%).

Chanel Communications Ltd To Become Elevate Public Relations Ltd

We are delighted to announce a new brand identity. Chanel Communications Ltd is becoming Elevate Public Relations Ltd on 1st December 2017.

The word Elevate means to raise or lift something to a higher position, reflecting our aim to raise our clients profile, product and services within the media. Elevate Public Relations will retain its bespoke, boutique offering, focusing its services in the property and interior design sectors with Chanel Bailey at the helm.

Chanel Bailey, Director of Elevate Public Relations Ltd commented: “I am delighted to unveil our new brand. Our new company identity perfectly reflects our offering and ethos as a business. Since the inception of Chanel Communications two years ago, the company has gone from strength to strength. We have grown our team and client base and we are looking forward to continued growth under our new name.”

Elevate PR holds a varied roster of clients including estate agents, developers, buying agents and boutique property firms. Current clients include: Kay & Co, Black Brick, Hambridge Homes, Harrison Varma and Far East Consortium.

Please note our new web address is elevatepr.co.uk

You can call us on our usual line: 020 8224 0886

Chanel’s email address is changing to chanel@elevatepr.co.uk