Should The US Embassy Be Listed?

Just last week PropertyWeek claimed that the US Embassy was about to come on the market. But the Americans' plans to sell of the site looks to be under threat already with the revelation that English Heritage has approached Culture Secretary Andy Burnham with a view to getting the building listed. If "listed" status is approved, this could dramatically devalue the property as investors looking to demolish or radically develop the site will be deterred from buying.

Should the US Embassy be listed?

The US Embassy building has long been a controversial building in Mayfair. Its imposing structure, designed by Eero Saarinen and topped by a golden eagle, are considered an eyesore by many but for others its an iconic building of the 20th century. Do you think the building deserves to be listed? Use the comments box to add your thoughts about the building and what should happen to it in the future.

Image of US Embassy taken from Jeherv's Photostream under Creative Commons Licence

Mayfair Estate Agent Quits Sales

It has been reported that the Mayfair estate agent Blenheim Bishop is quitting property sales because of the punishing economic climate. The Evening Standard has reported that the firm, based in South Audley Street and trading for 17 years, has had to let 10 staff go and will be selling its offices.

Blenheim Bishop will not be closing however, but will focus solely on the lettings side of its business.

Live Blogging from ITV Local

AboutMayfair.co.uk was pleased to be invited up to the studios of London Tonight to see the capital's independent evening news programme put together. After an interesting tour of the ITV studios, myself and a collection of London's finest bloggers, such as Colin from Brinkley Road, Ben from BenLocker.com, Ludovic from Richmond Transits, and Melinda from MissGeeky.com were able to go into the gallery and watch the whole programme be produced. To a casual the observer, it may have looked chaotic with an array of screens showing not only what was happening but what was coming next, but the thing went like clockwork and it was very enjoyable to see the professionals at work.

The event was organised with the help of ITV Local and their social media team, 1000 Heads, who are were trying to spread the word about the their site and blog which is able to give an ultra local perspective on issues from around London, as well as get the occasional contribution from presenters such as Alastair Stewart, who I am pleased to say I have met (as the pictorial evidence below shows) and is a real gent although I did get rather starstruck and could only think of the most inane things imaginable to say to him.

Visit ITV Local and ITV Local's London Blog to take a closer look at what they're doing, and of course a big thanks you to the guys at ITV Local and 1000 Heads for such an interesting day.

Damien Hirst To Open Bond Street Store

Renowned Brit artist Damien Hirst is to open a new store in New Bond Street, next to auction house Sotheby's. According to a report on Bloomberg, the new shop will open by the end of the year and will be Hirst's second store, with his first one due to open in Marylebone soon.

The shop will sell the same range of products which are available on his company website at OtherCriteria.com

Green Park Station Gets Revamp

Green Park Tube Station on Pizzadilly will benefit from a revamp which aims to make it more accessible to mobility impaired passengers. Step free access from street level to platform will make the station more usable for wheelchair users, as well as passengers with prams and buggies. The works will be carried out by 2011 and form part of London's strategy to be ready for the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2012.

US Embassy For Sale

PropertyWeekly.com has revealed that the US Embassy building Grosvenor Square is about to come on the market for sale. It has been widely known that US officials were looking at moving from the imposing building for sometime, although recent speculation was that they may end up staying where they were.

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Midweek Music in Mayfair Announced Autumn Schedule

Midweek Music In Mayfair has announced the details of its performance schedule for Autumn 2008.

Wednesday 24th September, 2008

• Leonard Schreiber Violin
• The Orpheus Sinfonia Conductor Jason Lai
• Bach Violin Concerto no. 1 Handel Water Music Suite in D
• Beethoven Romance no. 2 in F & Symphony no. 7

Wednesday 15th October, 2008

• Valeriy Sokolov Violin Aleksei Kiseliov Cello
• Luis Pares Piano
• Bach Cello Suite no. 6 & Virtuoso Pieces
• Beethoven Piano Trio in B flat (‘The Archduke’)

Thursday 7th November, 2008

• Tamsin Waley-Cohen Violin
• The Orpheus Sinfonia Conductor Dominic Grier
• Bruch Violin Concerto Mendelssohn ‘Fingal’s Cave’
• Beethoven Egmont Overture & Symphony no. 8

Wednesday 26th November, 2008

• Valeriy Sokolov Violin
• The Orpheus Sinfonia Conductor Michael Young
• Sibelius Violin Concerto Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy
• Bernstein Candide Overture Stravinsky Firebird Suite (1919)

All performances will be at St George's Church in Hanover Square. For more information on booking tickets, visit the Midweek Music in Mayfair website.

Rick Owens Comes To Mayfair

Renowned fashion designer, Rick Owens, is opening his first London store in South Audley Street, Mayfair. The Avant Garde designer, who is married to Michele Lamy, has been based in Paris for five years, and has already opened a New York store this Summer.

According to reports, his new Mayfair store will be furnished with an installation featuring a wax model of his head on a plate.

The Punchbowl: A Local Pub For Local People?

The Daily Telegraph has reported that Madonna and Guy Ritchie's pub, The Punchbowl in Farm Street, is facing investigation by licencing officers at Westminster council over claims that the a two tier pricing policy has been in operating, with regulars being less more than non-regulars and tourists.

The paper quotes Brian Richardson, who claimed: "On Monday I paid £3.50 for a pint, now all of a sudden it's £3.90. I was shocked. I complained to staff. They have got two prices - regulars prices and non-regulars prices".

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What's Happening In Mayfair?

Maybe it's because everyone's on holiday and it's the summer months, but news from Mayfair has been thin on the ground lately. Don't forget, if you run a Mayfair business or organisation and have an announcement, or if you just know of a news story that should be here, do get in touch using our contact form.