An interesting piece in the Daily Mail (is this what it's come to?) about designer Tom Dixon's work to turn a 5,000 gallon water tower into a 5,000 square foot living space. It's a fascinating project, perhaps blighted a tiny bit, though, by its position. The photo below, from Google's StreetView, shows just how one side "benefits", as they say, from a view of the canal; but the other looks over a Sainsbury car park. Will it matter?

Another noteworthy detail from the Daily Mail piece is that Tom Dixon's a self-taught designer. Very, very impressive. More here.

Technorati Tags: property, real estate

According to Estate Agent Today it's not just Greene & Co agents who've been using addresses of properties on their books to apply fraudulently for residents' parking permits, it's possibly a scam that's widespread throughout London. In case you missed it, six out of seven agents at Greene & Co's Maida Vale branch have had court time and have been fined for the practise. It's been a bit of a blow for G&C who work particularly hard at their public image. I wonder whether this will qualify for a Mistake of the Month award? I'm also surprised it's so easy. I've always had to come up with all kinds of proof of identity, address, car ownership before being granted a permit.

Technorati Tags: property, real estate

Taking advantage of housing benefit rules introduced by the last Labour Government, jobless Saeed Khaliif, 49, his wife Sayida and their children have been able to set up home in fashionable West Hampstead, an area beyond the reach of many well heeled house-hunters in the capital.

Looks like the Telegraph beat the Mail to this one. The family - Somalian asylum seekers - were previously living in a semi in Coventry, before moving to the £2m six-bedroom detached house in Hampstead. Camden Council won't comment.

Technorati Tags: property, real estate

It's North Kensington, at the top of Portobello Road, and it's about to undergo a somewhat controversial redevelopment, starting, according to this, very shortly. Enthusiasts point to 1,000 homes, a new London square; critics say existing families living on the estate will be moved out of the borough against their will.

Technorati Tags: property, real estate

Willesden Green will be the latest target in the Foxtons expansion programme. Previously, the area was serviced by the Notting Hill branch. As per usual, first branch customers will be able to sign a 0% commission contract, and then - once they've helped encourage other vendors fill the Foxtons shop window - continually wonder whether the agents are working as hard to sell their home.

Technorati Tags: property, real estate

Remember this? Well here he is clutching a letter from Barnet Homes which assures him they won't be seeking to evict. Which is either nice... or soft-headed authority rolling over in the face of sentimental social media bullying. Let's go with "nice".

Technorati Tags: property, real estate

He's 83, he's lived in the property for the last 74 years, except for the years he spent fighting in the Second World War, but now - following the death of his sister, with whom he shared the property - he's facing eviction from the Cricklewood home to make room for a family, with "more need" for the three bedrooms. It's a logical request, but it seems like an unusual request, where some compassion might be applicable. Edward Meakins is reported as saying he fears he'll die if he's forced to give up his home and garden. It's a sad story. Coverage here and here (plus photos). (Inevitable) Facebook petition here.

Technorati Tags: property, real estate

Damn... high house prices might be enough to keep the non-Boden set out of Muswell Hill, but what can you do about extra-terrestrials? Apparently fed up with visiting the snaggle-toothed, tailgating inbred of the country, people-of-other-planets are pointing their UFOs at a more chi-chi environment. So often, in fact, that - according to this - the people of Muswell Hill have informally renamed the nabe.

Technorati Tags: property, real estate

Apparently, Sienna Miller thinks it's time for an expensive spruce-up.

Miss Miller has even recruited the services of her former stepmother, interior design to the rich and famous, Kelly Hoppen.

Wonder if Law went for the beer can bong and PS3 look in her absence?

Technorati Tags: celebrity, interiors, London, property, real estate

Haart's London Property Index is showing a 22% rise since January, the average price of a London property rocketing from £152,207 to £194, 052. Hotspots? Blackheath Village, Southgate and Willesden Green. More here.

Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate