Q&A with Richard North
The first in a new Q&A series with key figures from The Howard de Walden Estate
Richard North, Head of Commercial Lettings discusses his role, recent work, a major office refurbishment project at Cavendish Square, Arab Health Exhibition, and some Marylebone Village hotspots that are on his radar.
Tell us about your role at The Howard de Walden Estate, what does it involve?
I head up the Commercial Lettings team at The Howard de Walden Estate. We’re a team of four, and we essentially act as an in-house agency team for the Estate’s office, medical and educational properties.
The primary aim is to ensure that vacant properties are let, but where we also have a big role to play is ensuring the Estate remains well connected with the wider market. This encompasses monitoring the latest market research on supply/demand statistics, and also wider themes such as competing availability, general occupier trends, and the latest concepts or technologies that are shaping the market.
What does a typical day at The Howard de Walden Estate look like for you?
Generally, it’s a lot of meetings! These can be internal meetings for management or reporting purposes, or external meetings with our agents, suppliers, existing customers, and potential customers. I will also be out on site a lot, either conducting viewings of the properties we are marketing, or inspecting properties that are due to undergo refurbishment alongside the Property Manager in order to help determine the specification and scope of works.
You’re currently carrying out a major refurbishment of 2 Cavendish Square, can you tell us more about this project?
This is a fantastic office building on one of London’s most prestigious squares. We bought the long-leasehold in not too long ago, and since then we’ve had a number of floors revert which has enabled us to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment scheme of the building. We have just over 20,000 sq ft of offices on the lower ground to 4th floors which we will be delivering to a Grade-A standard. The front reception area is being substantially remodeled, and we’re also reconfiguring the lower ground floor in order to provide bicycle racks, showers and changing room facilities which are so much in demand these days. Interest has already been very strong and we’re optimistic that we may even secure a pre-let.
Tell us about your experience at this year’s Arab Health exhibition?
This was my first time to Dubai, let alone at Arab Health, so the whole experience for me was incredible. The conference itself is vast with healthcare and trade professionals from all over the world in attendance.
Manning our stand and talking to people who are interested in knowing more about Harley Street and what our properties have to offer makes each day extremely busy. It’s a great platform for promoting London’s unique healthcare hub and for getting to know the other delegates who collaborate with us on the Harley Street Medical Area (HSMA) presence at the show.
What is your favourite place to visit in Marylebone Village and why?
I’m not sure I have a specific favourite place in all honesty, although if I had to choose it would probably be one of the eateries or restaurants. Paul Rothe & Son on Marylebone Lane deserves a mention as I am a big fan of their salt beef mix sandwich. The Ginger Pig is also a great place where you can get a full roast dinner to go if you’re feeling particularly hungry and fancy a treat!
