Life at the Top: Kings Gate in Victoria, London

Amidst Victoria’s swelling rebirth, The Millenary speaks to Tom Eshelby, Residential Director of Land Securities on the completion of Kings Gate and how the district is designed to become the beating heart of the city’s future.  

Despite its centrality, and being surrounded by London’s most historic and prestigious landmarks like Belgravia, Westminster, the Buckingham Palace and St James Park, Victoria has never shared the same stature. “It always felt like the sort of place you don’t want to stop and take your time,” says Tom Eshelby, Residential Director of UK’s leading developer Land Securities. A drab commuter and commercial hotspot filled with grey, work-worn government office blocks and transport hubs, Victoria has always been characterised by transience and activity.  But that’s old news.

Following the completion of luxury residence, Kings Gate, wisely situated in the hub of Victoria, change is afoot and scope for future growth has become the main driver of demand.  The elegant 14-storey residential Kings Gate tower comprises 100 state-of-the-art residences, boasting panoramic views of the city skyline as well as a flagship Jamie’s Italian Restaurant located on the ground and first floors. Meanwhile, Nova comprising 170 apartments, right at the doorstep of Buckingham Palace is approaching completion in 2016 and is set to bring a host of exciting new dining experiences to Victoria. What was once an unsung district in Central London is fast becoming one of the most desirable destinations to work and even more so, live in.

How important was it to create a sense of place in Victoria?

There are only a few parts of London that has experienced this scale of change. Six years ago Victoria wasn’t seen as a prestigious part of London. The architecture was wrong, the public space was wrong; there was a lack of softness and greenery. Thus, we aimed for each individual building to add merit architecturally. On one side of the road you might see some beautiful old 18^th century building and you might see Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace but where there are new buildings, to Land Securities great credit, Kings Gate fits with its surrounds. Every bit matters because that’s what consciously or subconsciously makes people feel like they are in a great neighborhood. We sought not to just build bigger, more modern buildings but also transform the whole cityscape and create a lot more permeability for pedestrians to get around Victoria.

What are the greatest distinctions of Kings Gate?

I think most would be struck by the fact that they are right in the middle of London’s hustle and bustle but once you walk into Kings Gate, it’s incredibly quiet and calm. You are greeted in a nice residential lobby by the concierge and suddenly the world seems like a more peaceful place. Journey up to the fifth floor and one finds the views are fantastic but it’s at the top that one gets to see straight across London. And the other thing I suppose most people would take away from it is that the apartments feel like they were designed for the sort of high value that they are. It’s perfect and that’s the point. It’s an elegant building that actually contributes to the built environment.

What was the basis of the inspiration and mission for the interiors of Kings Gate?

With Kings Gate in particular, I wanted to have all of the energy and excitement that comes with being in Central London and yet once you come off of Victoria Street and into the little road where Kings Gate sits, a city oasis awaits. All of the design decisions were about creating a bit of a haven for people to live in. So you’re right mix which is brilliant if you want to get a cab or you want to go to the shops or restaurants but within your building, it feels like a nice calm, relaxed home. Kings Gate has got a hundred apartments and has a certain presence to it.

How would you describe the style of design? Did the surrounding environment play a role in influencing the interiors?

There’s an Italian feel about the building, a sort of softness and richness that comes through with the stone and the façade and so on. We followed through with the interiors. It’s got a certain calm grandeur and a double façade. We’ve put the right quality of floors and kitchens that buyers sort of demand and expect at this level. And then it’s for them to come in and use that as a base and build upon and put their own stamp on it in terms of interior design. We designed them to be spacious wherever possible and the rooms are of a decent size so it feels luxurious. Luxury comes through in the space you’re living in. it’s not just about what your bathroom floor is made of, it’s also how big that bathroom is and how it flows and so on.

Within the penthouses, Lynch have created grand, light
filled living areas with floor to ceiling height windows,
private bedroom quarters and a show-stopping Georgian
style staircase leading up to the outside space with
traditional box hedging in the roof gardens.

How would you describe luxury living today?

Luxury is more about the invisible side of property. Our target market is international, whether based in the UK or overseas- The one thing they all want is convenience and service. They can leave the flat, fly out of town and come home at the drop of a hat, it’s all there. Also, it’s about providing them with the sort of materials that they want, that they would have chosen for themselves. Putting the right quality of kitchen or make the bathroom feels like the sort of quality they are used to having in their other homes. It has to feel like it was made for them.

What do you think of the onslaught of branded luxury residences?

It’s too much of a look. Luxury is not being told how your flat’s going to look or how you’re going to live. You don’t prescribe that someone is going to live in a certain way. You suggest, you put down the base materials and leave it to them to decide. It’s not really the developer’s job to finish the apartment to a precise look and feel. The best job is done when you provide something that can be made to look and feel in various different ways that people want it to be.