Q&A with Julian Best

In the latest in our Q&A series, we hear from Executive Property Director Julian Best.

Julian explains how an overwhelming desire to innovate drives The Howard de Walden Estate to ensure Marylebone Village remains exciting for generations to come, discusses the most exciting projects he has worked on, and highlights the new restaurants he will be visiting in the coming months.

You’ve been with Howard de Walden since 2015 - what are some of the most exciting projects you’ve worked on? What have been some of the most challenging?

I’ve seen a number of hugely exciting projects during my time with Howard de Walden. Assembling the pieces of the jigsaw for our development of 110 Marylebone High Street was a very interesting project because it’s a true mixed-use scheme involving the expertise of so many colleagues here.

It was also a challenging project from a planning and construction perspective, as Central London developments often are. Things never quite go exactly as planned and it is impossible to completely eliminate all risks before you put a spade in the ground - developments take many years from inception to completion and they can therefore easily span unexpected events, of which Covid is one of the more extreme examples I’ve encountered. 

However, when you have the team’s vision and the timing for the occupier line up comes together, it is very satisfying. That’s what happened in this case and the result is a really fantastic building. 

142–146 Harley Street was another project that was both exciting and challenging. It really demonstrated how our teams work so well together to deliver first class medical buildings. Medical projects are particularly challenging as we try to keep pushing the boundaries with every new building. We really can’t be complacent – we strive to understand our occupiers’ needs and to improve the specifications each time. 

The healthcare aspect of your portfolio has grown a lot over the last year. Tell us about some of the people you’re working with and what you’re working on? Are there any other areas that you are looking to explore?

When I joined, Howard de Walden was right in the middle of planning, design and legals on the 141-143 Harley Street proton beam therapy facility. The complexity of the project really galvanised my belief that the Harley Street Medical Area had enormous ongoing potential. There were some very complicated construction and technical issues on that site and it proved we can do some really interesting schemes in what people might think is a very constrained and conservative built environment.

Collectively we’ve been working with some fascinating operators to lift the quality and diversity of healthcare provision. What I’d really like to see are complimentary uses to the primary healthcare we currently have, which feed into the whole ecosystem of the Harley Street Medical Area.

We want it to be a self-perpetuating and sustainable area and it therefore needs to have the right components and the right dynamics to make sure it remains relevant and continues to attract the best operators and healthcare professionals it possibly can.

You’ve highlighted that the identity of the estate is critical – balancing stewardship and heritage with the commercial aspect and making sure it’s somewhere people want to spend time. What are some of the biggest challenges with this?

I would say our greatest challenge is future proofing our buildings for sustainability, desirability and functionality while ensuring we deliver value for the shareholders.

Because London is such a fast moving, vibrant environment, there is always someone striving to do things better or differently. We have to constantly challenge ourselves and what we do with buildings for occupiers to make sure we are staying ahead of the game and remaining relevant. This overwhelming desire to innovate should drive us to ensure Marylebone Village remains exciting and innovative for future generations. 

We’re all very fortunate to be able to work in what is a village in its truest sense with its unique identity. Many others try to manufacture authenticity by emulating a destination, but we have something that is a sustainable ecosystem. Providing Marylebone Village remains a place that people want to live, work, socialise and seek specialist medical care, it will continue to thrive, but it’s down to us to sustain the right balance and ingredients.

Now that retailers and restaurants have reopened, where are you most looking forward to visiting in Marylebone Village?

Apart from the red wine in Le Vieux Comptoir, I’m actually looking forward to visiting some of our newer venues, some of which haven’t opened yet. I’ll be having an Apéritif at The Italians followed by Japanese tapas at Taka, and an amazing salad at our latest addition to Marylebone Lane, Ottolenghi.