London’s Building

Serpentine Pavilion 2020/2021 designed by Counterspace, Design Render, Exterior View © Counterspace

Construction has started on the pavilion outside the Serpentine Gallery.

I fear you may not “get it”, so here’s what it’s all about.

Counterspace’s design will be based on gathering spaces and community places around the city, folding London into the Pavilion structure in Kensington Gardens. The shapes of the Pavilion are created from a process of addition, superimposition, subtraction and splicing of architectural forms, directly transcribed from existing spaces with particular relevance to migrant and other peripheral communities in London, including Brixton, Edgware Road, Barking and Dagenham and Hoxton.

So now you know; but why hasn’t Barons Court been folded into the Pavilion? I suspect Counterspace is pulling my leg.

Enjoying a spectacular location overlooking Hyde Park Corner and the Wellington Arch, in the heart of Belgravia, The Peninsula London will welcome guests from 2022.

The Peninsula Hotel on Hyde Park Corner is nearing completion and may be a Dry Martini destination next year.

Cambridge House, April 2021.

This is Cambridge House, although you will recognise it as the In and Out, or Palmerston’s house. The Reuben brothers, see posts passim, at first thought it would make a fine private house but are now converting it into another Dry Martini destination: The Cambridge House Hotel and Residences.

Stoke Park, October 2018.

A similar story from Stoke Park. It has been bought by “the richest man in Asia’” (FT). He wanted to live there – who wouldn’t with enough money to pay the bills – but he didn’t want a golf club in his garden and I don’t blame him; so he caved in and it will stay as a hotel/conference centre. By the way, just between ourselves, hush hush, I think he got it cheap and could slice and dice the estate and make a lot of money.

Golf bores me and watching James Bond playing golf with Goldfinger at Stoke Park is boring. This is more fun.