Ever wondered about this house in Belsize Park Friday, 21st March — By Dan Carrier Louise and Joolz McDonnell inside their unusual family home in Belsize Park ESTATE agents often say a home is light-filled But while sales pitches might not always stand up to scrutiny such phrases can comfortably be applied to an unusual house for sale in Belsize Park The home in Glenilla Road is on the market for the first time in more than 50 years – and stepping inside the house reveals a monument to Belsize Park’s artistic past is up for sale after Gina McDonnell recently passed away aged 90 are reluctantly selling the home they grew up in It gives someone with more than £1million to spend a chance to own a truly exceptional place The house boasts a huge light-filled living area and that’s the first clue as to what the building was originally intended for it was designed as an artist studio and was used for many years as an art school Gina and her husband Peter moved in and raised three artistic children there The family hope to host an exhibition in the house before they hand it on to a new owner in 1932 had grown up under Mussolini’s fascist regime She recalled as a child being forced by police officers to line a street as a cavalcade of cars drove past.Adolf Hitler was among the convoy and she never forgot seeing the genocidal Nazi in the flesh She moved to London after the war and met Peter McDonnell The couple married in 1957 and moved for a time to Regent’s Park Road where they had a flat beneath the actor Richard Briers buying it from a “Colonel Morgan” who owned the studio and a building next door Julian said this week of his childhood: “We had single beds up on the mezzanine – all five of us squeezed in.” The siblings outside the home with their father He recalled Gina loving the light and having a series of plans for what the huge main room could be used for He added: “She had a romantic idea of being an opera singer or a ballet dancer and that was reflected in her plans for the main room “Mum always wanted to hang a trapeze from the rafters A home for aspiring painters during the 1920s and 1930s in 1941 Italian sculptor Emanuel Manasse moved in – and from its light-filled room he sculpted a famous bust of Winston Churchill at which point Colonel Morgan took on the property Glenilla Road was at the heart of the area’s artistic community Henry Moore and Sir Herbert Read were all close by while around the corner in Belsize Park Gardens lived Jack Pritchard who designed the Isokon Building in Lawn Road Louise said she had enjoyed a happy childhood in Glenilla Road “It was an eccentric place to grow up in,” she said It was a very happy place and we are sad to say goodbye This dazzling property is the dream for a family or anyone who loves natural light and high energy performance Where to live Located on Kings College Road in Belsize Park is this exceptional detached five bedroom family home, with a striking architectural design and superlative energy performance. It is on the market for £3,900,000 with Dexters Designed by leading practice Thomson Lavers Architects and nominated for a RIBA Award the unique home encapsulates the very best of leafy Belsize Park living with dramatic double height living spaces maximising views of its quiet surroundings or potentially as an artist’s studio to capitalise on the abundance of natural light Thomson Lavers Architects is led by Andrew Thomson and Lucy Lavers whose experience includes working for Foster and Partners Michael Hopkins Architects and Jeremy Dixon Architects; past projects include working on Lord Foster’s personal South of France residence Imperial College and Glyndebourne Opera House The design brief for Kings College Road was for a modern with planning restrictions limiting the height above ground; from the street Focusing on compact geometry with double height spaces chosen for its lightweight construction and durability Thomson Lavers cleverly designed the home over first ground and lower ground floors with the combination of split-level spaces and large double glazed aluminium windows and sliding doors creating bright the architects finetuned the balance of materials to maximise natural light in every room whilst optimising the energy performance of the home “The site had strict height restrictions for building a new home and it came with existing planning consent for a newbuild home but it was to have a significant portion underground probably quite a gloomy result and not suitable for modern family life.” and our design set to capture these both with beautiful vistas through the glass walls and for harnessing the natural light We were inspired by dappled woodland light and how this cascades through spaces.” “The house has a cubed upper structure which has very lightweight construction It’s clad in copper which is a very durable material with a brown roof which requires less maintenance than a traditional green roof The challenge was balancing the right amount of glass for natural light not letting the property overheat and maximising energy efficiency.” The ground floor of Kings College Road is the heart of the home comprising an open-plan reception and dining room with a sliding door opening onto a side terrace for indoor outdoor living It leads onto a stylish Italian kitchen with integrated Neff and Siemens appliances and matt white handle-less units for a sleek finish set back from the main living space but still part of the home’s flow The lower ground floor has two guest bedrooms a further study which opens onto a tranquil courtyard The principal bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with twin sinks leading onto a sauna and adjoining utility room the architectural design means each room is light-filled and peaceful the first floor provides a further two bedrooms The home has a multitude of eco-friendly touches for convenience The high-quality construction materials and extensive insulation keep the home very warm year-long alongside underfloor heating and a comfort heat Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MHRV) whole house ventilation system There is also a rain water collection system “We simulated the sun’s exact movements throughout the day to finetune this balance When you look out from the large windows and glass walls you’re looking onto beautiful foliage and greenery the house is sheltered and private yet with a fantastic connection to nature “The earth sheltered portion of the home works as thermal mass to soak up warmth throughout the day We focused on highly insulated spaces and their functionality and then how to bring light down into this space through light wells When you walk the lower portion of the home you don’t feel like you’re underground at all “The key to the home’s design is the behind-the-scenes calculations which took time to perfect People walk the space and everything works perfectly – the light The geometry of the space is very simple and kept as unobtrusive as possible The soundscape of the home is also very important the surrounding trees dampen any noise and it’s very peaceful an important factor for anyone living in London But with the windows closed its intimate and resonant It works whether it is the noise of busy family life or a grown-up dinner party “The client wanted one large living space as the focal heart of the home Picture a parent cooking lunch in the kitchen maybe another child drawing at the table and a parent in the study – all acoustically connected but enjoying their own space The result is a very connected family home without being on top of each other.” “The restrictions on London sites are extraordinary and they continue to grow Good design figures out how to still capitalise on a site’s unique spot without being dragged down by limitations As architects we have to transform spaces into something that works for planners but also gives a great house with longevity it’s not just a tick box exercise you have to really picture how people will live in the space.” Kings College Road is in close proximity to Belsize Park Swiss Cottage and Primrose Hill for enjoying luxury boutique shopping thriving cafes and eateries and leisure opportunities It is a six minute walk from Swiss Cottage (Jubilee Line) and 14 minutes from Belsize Park (Northern Line) Savoy fair: luxurious furniture from the iconic hotel to be auctioned Former Angel studio of Walter Sickert with new Nicky Haslam interiors on sale for £3.95m Where to buy in London: the hottest regeneration zones on the up insight and opinion from the world of restaurants 12-Feb-2025 Last updated on 12-Feb-2025 at 10:53 GMT Caldesi in Belsize closed at the tail end of last month having only launched in April last year A statement on the restaurant’s Instagram page said: “We have officially closed our doors at Caldesi in Belsize and are deeply grateful for the support and cherished moments shared with our guests.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caldesi in Belsize (@caldesiinbelsize) Caldesi in Belsize took over the site of long-standing Italian restaurant Calici and joined Caldesi in Marylebone and the more high-end Caldesi in Campagna, Bray. The restaurant had 100 covers and – in a departure for the group – majored on dishes designed to be shared. Originally from Tuscany, Caldesi launched his first UK restaurant in 2002 on Marylebone Lane, following up with Caldesi In Campagna in 2007. He and his wife Katie have published numerous cookbooks and also featured in the BBC2 series Return to Tuscany. Both Caldesi in Marylebone and Caldesi in Campagna continue to operate. The group also operates the La Cucina Caldesi Cookery School, which also has sites in London and Bray. Whet your appetite with beers from the European UnionPaid for and content provided by European Union Lost Revenue from Downtime: How It Cripples Your Delivery App Visibility and SalesPaid for and content provided by Deliverect Staffing costs rising — how smart hiring solutions are helping UK restaurantsPaid for and content provided by YoungOnes View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caldesi in Belsize (@caldesiinbelsize) The designer’s Belsize Park flat is a grand canvas for his ever-changing colour palette Homes & Property | Interiors renting and decorating in London from our award-winning experts I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Matthew Williamson’s life has changed significantly since he bought this two-bedroom flat in Belsize Park in 2012 “I’ve had lots of great parties and dinners here It’s a good place to pile back to after a night out and I had one party — for my 43rd birthday — when there was music and cocktails It was at a time when I was knocking around with Paloma Faith and she got up and sang for all the guests which was incredible.” who was once a mainstay of the London party scene where he moved with his partner Joseph Velosa after they welcomed daughter Skye nine years ago I’m in a different mindset.” He comes here for one week every month for meetings and work and his partner does the same thing on a different week “It’s concentrated time and it seems to work well.” which is where Paloma did her impromptu concert With high ceilings and the original coving the space wouldn’t look out of place in a grand The designer thinks it was once a dining room and admits it was what he fell in love with It’s a barrel shape and the windows and walls are curved There’s something special about the way it’s been constructed it had me immediately; I didn’t need to see the rest of it.” Williamson was living in a “cute cottage” in the Vale of Health almost within the confines of Hampstead Heath but it was the size and space of this flat that made him up sticks and make the move “This flat was bigger than my entire cottage there’s a grandeur to the space and the height of the ceilings.” It was previously owned by an architect who was “fastidious and had done the work for us” in terms of major renovations “The only thing we did was put a stud wall in the front portion of the flat to create two smaller spaces.” But where Williamson saw he could dramatically improve things was with his unique use of colour “It was white when we first bought it and a minimalist space and I saw an opportunity to put my own stamp on it I don’t warm to white; I feel like it creates a harsh backdrop.” has seen as many colour incarnations as it has famous faces It was previously sage green but is currently a soft “This colour is very effective for many reasons; its pink fleshy tones give it a warmth but it’s more modern than beige and grey.” In contrast which also has high ceilings and grand proportions Williamson says this flat is a “fantastic canvas to apply colour” and he’s always been very decisive about which shade to go for I find it weird that people can’t find the right colour I always have a definite instinct about it and think of the colour immediately It’s not surprising that this is something that comes so naturally to the designer when colour has always been so central in his creative career which he launched with Velosa back in 1997 intricate prints and a maximalist approach and quickly garnered an impressive roster of celebrity fans Now Williamson has brought many of the qualities that made his fashion brand so successful to his interiors vision texture and scale that are embedded within me.” For my 43rd birthday Paloma Faith got up and sang for all the guests While Williamson’s designs will always have his trademark stamp on them “The foundations are always there but I’m very influenced by where I am and I wonder if there’s a Balearic influence it was very ornate and very World Of Interiors but I’m stripping back with the choices I’m making and it’s more rustic.” A recent addition is an enormous chandelier in the drawing room which Williamson bought from an antique lighting specialist It’s from the Seventies and is amber with lozenges of glass arranged in an upside-down pyramid… I’m pretty sure it will stay with me for many more years to come.” Another favourite piece is an abstract canvas that hangs in the drawing room “It’s from a company I’d never heard of before called Folk Interiors Since moving from Manchester at the age of 18 to study at Central St Martins Williamson has spent most of his time in and around this part of the capital “I’m a north London person and have always lived around Hampstead Heath Primrose Hill and Belsize Park.” He says this area really hasn’t changed much “I’m not sure if it’s evolved and that’s why I like it There’s a triangle of shops at the bottom of the road — a baker’s I do the same things at the weekends I’m here: I walk to Kenwood House and to Hampstead Heath There’s a familiarity of what’s there and I like the consistency.” While there’s a stability to his neighbourhood Williamson says the opposite can be said of London as a whole “[It’s] hectic  … What London represents to me is ambition and adrenaline You can immerse yourself in so many aspects of it and it gives you ideas.” The designer certainly has plenty of projects in the pipeline He launched a capsule collection of six rugs with Ruggable last week and has new collections with Pooky and The Pickleson Paint Company in the diary for next year And much of his work and creativity will be masterminded from his Belsize Park base “It’s like an old friend and very loyal… It’s gone through the phases I’ve gone through and I’ll probably tweak them again in a few months’ time.” Matthew Williamson is the winner of the Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year Award 2024 Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Shades of McDonald’s battle as DIY chain is slammed for its bright blue shopfront Friday, 25th October 2024 — By Richard Osley Leyland’s new store in Haverstock Hill WATCH OUR HISTORY CHANNEL’UNTOLD LONDON” ON YOUTUBE DOZENS of residents in Belsize Park are calling on Camden to force a DIY chain to remove its brightly-coloured signage on its new store Leyland sent out celebratory notices last week after opening up its latest branch in Haverstock Hill But it did so as council planners read through a string of messages from people living nearby The complaints have echoes of the planning row which unfolded up the road in Hampstead Village in the 1980s when fast food chain McDonald’s eventually agreed to ditch its red and yellow colour scheme for darker shades the council has not approved nor rejected Leyland’s plans for the corner site at the junction with Antrim Grove – previously home to a fireplace manufacturer – even though it is already up and running Liberal Democrat ward councillor Tom Simon said this meant it was clear that the branding was out of character with the area He said it needed to be “toned down” – his comments in a letter to the planning department proving to be one of the more restrained letters against the new look “This is the worst and tackiest signage in the whole of Belsize town It cheapens the area and will reduce house prices,” said another objection filed at the Town Hall said while a further complaint said: “I’m sorry but this is a complete eyesore that is damaging the community feel of the area we’ve seen a significant erosion in the culture that was once endemic to Belsize Park and having such an overly commercial and garish store branding on the corner of one of the main streets will only do further damage.” Other comments said the “extremely offensive” signs did not fit with Belsize Village’s “elegance” while there were wider concerns that Leyland’s arrival would be disastrous for the popular independent store Belsize Hardware further up the hill whose portfolio of stores include the long-standing shop in Camden Road is amplifying its branding with illuminated lights The site has been a point of controversy before When HSBC closed down its Belsize Park branch operating at the address supermarket giants Tesco unveiled a plan to move in This move was eventually seen off by a community campaign but not until after a debate which revealed differences of opinion about the convenience of supermarket shopping and the affordability of food Leyland has 34 stores across the capital and is a go-to place for buying paint for home improvements It has not come up against resistance to its stark blue branding in other areas but had already withdrawn an initial planning application for an even brighter shopfront Chief executive Martin Hastings said: “We are delighted to open our new Belsize Park store which is in a fantastic location and looks brilliant will benefit from all the products Leyland is renowned for.” He added: “We have now opened 10 new stores in the last four years creating almost 100 jobs and boosting the local economy It is all part of a strategic plan for growth alongside continued investment in our existing stores We look forward to bringing this unique offering to Belsize Park.” While some customers have already seen inside the new store an official opening has been set for next Wednesday Public advised to stay vigilant when using expensive phones in street Friday, 14th February — By Frankie Lister-Fell Mobile phones recovered after a chase ended up in Belsize Park IT is a crime which has almost become part of life some parts of Camden: an unsuspecting victim watches in despair as an expensive phone snatched is from their hands by a bandit on a powered bike And the response for anybody who reports one of the flash muggings is usually an unhelpful retrospective warning that they should keep always their devices in their pockets police said this week that they had shown that phone snatching was a top priority after bringing out a helicopter to chase a suspected thief A teenager was arrested with 16 mobile phone after the pursuit during the Thursday morning rush hour Officers said they had been identified as stolen and are being returned to their owners An initial theft had been reported in the Euston area with the chopper chase then heading north to a property in Belsize Park where the devices were discovered alongside an electric motorcycle Inspector John Wilde said: “This arrest shows what we are doing to deal with theft and robbery offences linking offences and working to establish who might be responsible and we are responding to robberies at pace are enabling us to get significant results like this and arresting those we suspect of committing offences.” The teenager has been bailed as investigations continue The scourge of phone snatching has grown over the past six years with police using tactics to knock suspects of their bikes and imposing road blocks Devices can be quickly smuggled out of the country for quick profit and victims often see from tracking software that they have been taken abroad within days or even hours There have also been cases of banking software on a phone being compromised phones have also been snatched from tube users just as underground train doors are closing Register  Login News of the closure comes just nine months after the Italian restaurant opened its doors Chef Giancarlo Caldesi’s Caldesi restaurant in London’s Belsize Park has closed suddenly after just nine months of trading who was also the star of BBC Two’s Return to Tuscany opened the Italian diner in April last year following a £400,000 revamp in the former site of Calici restaurant A post on Caldesi Belsize’s Instagram account read: “We have officially closed our doors at Caldesi in Belsize and are deeply grateful for the support and cherished moments shared with our guests “The Caldesi legacy of bringing authentic Italian cuisine to your table lives on at Caldesi Marylebone and Caldesi in Campagna.” Caldesi is now listed as permanently closed on Google and its website has also been deleted The chef launched Caldesi in London’s Marylebone in 2002 as an informal bar and restaurant and in 2005 he and his wife Katie opened cookery school La Cucina Caldesi which then expanded into both London and Tuscany In 2007, he launched Caldesi in Campagna in Bray His remaining outlets continue to operate as normal Sign Up Jacobs Media is a company registered in England and Wales, company number 08713328. 3rd Floor, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU. © 2025 Jacobs Media Heidi Lauth Beasley and counters filled with freshly baked pastries 8 idyllic delis and cafes where you can dream you have a Jeep Wrangler and not a Toyota Prius Where to go when you're tired of places that feel like they're holding a social experiment called How Many Ways Can You Smash An Avocado Heidi has been excessively eating cacio e pepe and writing about it since 2018 and accidentally over-sharing since birth Friday, 4th April — By Frankie Lister-Fell RESIDENTS are “heartbroken” that a rare tree in Belsize Park could be chopped down by a housing association A black poplar tree in a shared garden in Belsize Grove is facing the chop after Notting Hill Genesis submitted a planning application to fell the large native tree to “eliminate the need for continuous maintenance” In the application the housing association also said the poplar was becoming an “actionable nuisance with the neighbouring properties and retaining wall” There are around 7,000 black poplars left in the UK and they are declining who lives next door to the housing association flats told the New Journal: “I’ve lived here since 2014 I wasn’t sure about buying here but one of the things that persuaded me was looking out on my balcony on this wonderful I could hear the many leaves rustling and that’s what persuaded me She added that there are a lot of people who look onto the tree – the “top third of the road” Ms Caselton added: “I’ve spoken to people there and they’re up in arms all of us would be looking at the back of houses “Their reason for taking it down What is the point in having that if they’re just going to take trees down?” In an objection on the council’s planning application Chris McDonnell said: “I’m deeply saddened by the proposal to remove the mature Black Poplar near our home This tree has been part of our lives for years – offering shade in summer and a sense of calm and continuity through every season A Notting Hill Genesis spokesperson said: “Felling mature trees is always a last resort and an outcome we try to avoid as best as possible and that local authorities only permit if there are no other options “In this case the tree roots are causing substantial damage to a nearby wall which is now in a dangerous condition and has to be propped up to prevent collapse The best way to avoid further damage and potential risk to anyone approaching the wall is to remove the tree We can then rebuild the wall in a way that is safe and secure.” left a legal career to indulge her love of food and train as a professional chef at Leith's School of Food and Wine she has worked as a food critic for the Ham and High as a private caterer and taught at cookery schools Victoria is also a freelance food writer and food consultant working with various food brands on recipe and website development Victoria Prever 1 min readSocial media influencer and vegan chef, Ben Rebuck’s announcement on BBC show Celebration Kitchen has caused controversy with his legion of more than 500,000 followers on Instagram The new venture will occupy the site recently vacated by Jewish restaurant, Freddie’s Rebuck, who has been a vocal supporter of Israel since October 7 told the JC “It’s a great space — massive and beautifully done with a good kitchen Belsize Park is crying out for a good brunch/lunch place.” A post shared by Ben Rebuck (@benrebuck) To the evident relief of fellow guests on the show After sharing a clip of the announcement on his Instagram profile a flurry of followers shared their disappointment I follow you because you are clearly an incredibly talented vegan chef It’s a bit disappointing that your restaurant won’t be truly plant based That’s a shame and feels a little inauthentic to you and your brand.’ Another wrote: ‘Kind of disappointing you chose business and profit over animals (sic) lives’ we’re opening a place where people who eat vegan food (who tend to be the only ones in their family who do) can eat proper food alongside friends family and colleagues etc It’s all about inclusivity and giving people the tools to make the right choice.”Not everyone was on the offensive though with some posting they’d be happy to eat vegan alongside non vegan diners Rebuck has defended the decision by saying “As much as from an ethical standpoint it may go against the back bone of what my [Instagram] page stands for we also want to make this a viable business not something that’s open and shut and purely vegan businesses are closing all the time.”  "This is the best way to get [non vegan] people to eat vegan food — to give them choices to try. I don’t want to limit my market, and I want it to be as inclusive as possible. The wife and two daughters of one of my business partners are coeliac so there will be plenty of gluten free food on the menu.”   goldieskitchenldn / benrebuck  Vegan Ben Rebuck London restaurant Jewish food and located inside four different London Tube stations London certainly isn’t lacking in the greenery department. Parks and green spaces actually make up a whopping 47% of our capital city and we also have some teeny-tiny parks scattered across London’s transport network And its those mini horticultural havens that we’re going to be waxing lyrical about today Across the capital perched inside four (rather aptly-named) Tube stations are nine Tiny Parks the Edible Bus Stop; these pocket-sized gardens have been transforming disused station ticket offices since 2016 And have brought some well needed nature underground The Tiny Parks were created with the intention of boosting the mood of Londoners and have spruced up four London Tube stations: St James’s Park (where two parks can be found) Wood Green and Kilburn Park (both of which boast three tiny parks) Each former ticket office has been filled with tropical chosen for the positive effects they have on air-quality (and commute-quality Each mini urban oasis has its very own dedicated Tiny Park ranger who tends to the needs of the plants The leafy green displays sit behind little glass windows before the barriers in the stations and offer something blooming gorgeous to look at on your morning commute instead of your phone screen or the armpits of your fellow commuters You’ll find London’s Tiny Parks at St James’s Park, Belsize Park, Wood Green and Kilburn Park. Find out more about them here She said her son and his friends have seen the group “many times in the past and they have taunted them with anti-Semitic verbal abuse” “they ran ahead of my son and kicked one of his friends to the ground They were trying to push another kid towards the tracks I’m not sure how he managed to get away My son ran a few steps up to try and get help he was elbowed in the cheek and he hit his head against the wall They dislodged a tooth and shouted ‘Get out of the city Jew!'” She adds that a fourth boy had his payes pulled She added that a member of the public “helped the boy who had been kicked to the ground said it was not OK and that he’d call the police.” The woman’s son and his two friends got on a train and came home She does not know what happened to the other Jewish students who were part of the group She tells Jewish News: “The child who was being pushed was being taunted all the way from school and on the way to the tube She added: “I feel that encapsulates what antisemitism feels like She says that “Police are taking it seriously They went to Hasmo and sat down with the assistant head The school has also spoken at length to CST There’s a lot of support from the British Transport police It feels like they’re not going to just let it slide.” also speaking on condition of anonymity said her son “wasn’t attacked because he’s a big boy and they weren’t going to start with him.” Whilst her son noted the name of the attackers’ school from their uniformed blazer she tells Jewish News she will “wait for their headteacher to deal with it before disclosing their name.” She clarified that the boy pushed towards the tracks by the group was shoved against a stationary train that had pulled into the station Jewish News understands that police are now reviewing CCTV footage of the incident In a statement released to Twitter/X on Tuesday afternoon, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I utterly condemn this sickening attack against Jewish children Antisemitism has no place on the streets of London.” In a statement on Twitter/X CST said it is “providing extra support and reassurance to the school as well as liaising with British Transport Police who have confirmed that a hate crime investigation has been opened and will ensure additional police presence in the area.” Anyone with information on the Belsize Park assault is asked to text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 with reference 471 of 24 June.To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 Jewish News has approached Hasmonean School for comment Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5 £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with 100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline removing any financial barriers to connecting people The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large We hope you agree all this is worth preserving News | Crime Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories A group of Jewish schoolchildren were assaulted in a suspected hate crime at a north London tube station Officers were called to Belsize Park underground at roughly 4pm on Monday to reports that the pupils had been attacked The incident is being investigated as a hate crime by the British Transport Police (BTP) The alleged offenders are believed to be a group of children from another school Police are trawling through CCTV footage as part of the investigation into the alleged incident which took place as pupils headed home after the school day A BTP statement said: “Detectives are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a group of Jewish schoolchildren The incident is being treated as a hate crime Ivy Collection restaurant firm nearing £1 billion sale – reports ‘Supercar’ drivers fined for doing doughnuts near Buckingham Palace Man denies attempted murder of nine-year-old girl shot outside resaurant “Enquiries are ongoing to identify the offenders who are believed to be a group of children from another school.” Reports of antisemitic hate crimes trebled in London last year according to police data They rose from 562 incidents in 2022 to 1,729 in 2023 That represents a more than 200 per cent increase The Met Police has said last year that it saw an especially sharp rise in reports of antisemitism around the time of  the Hamas attack on Israel in October Between October 1 and October 18 218 incidents were reported There was also a rise in reported Islamophobic hate crimes Work has started on EBBA’s proposed ‘sensitive restoration’ and extension of a Grade II-listed home in north London designed by Modernist architect Georgie Walton The East London-based practice’s project will ‘sensitively and sustainably’ restore the original 34 Belsize Lane building in Belsize Park It will also add a lightweight first-floor addition above its bedroom wing The house was designed and built between 1975 and 1976 as a home and studio for herself and her family by Wolton In 2023 it became her first building to be included on the National Heritage List for England after being given statutory protection by the Department for Culture Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England Wolton (née Cheesman) formed the architectural firm Team 4 in 1963 with Richard Rogers The 34 Belsize Lane home adopted some of the key concepts of design developed during her career including notions regarding the principles of light the arrangement of spaces and their connection to the landscape It is built around three courtyard gardens and features a series of rooflights bespoke sliding timber shutters and conservatory-like antechambers – areas Wolton called ‘pause’ spaces separating the living and working parts of the house she was interested in the quality of architecture that came through simple construction and an expression of how things came together Extensions and additions were seen as lightweight elements that contrasted with the heavier elements of primary walls Historic England regional director Tom Foxall described the house as an ‘accomplished piece of her work’ adding: ‘Wolton's buildings are little known but she made an important contribution to post-war Modernism in England ‘The building is a meticulously conceived studio house which creatively integrates into its setting and meets the high threshold for listing.’ The house has been empty since her death and will become a family home after the restoration The first-floor extension is set to be made of a lightweight timber structure which a statement from EBBA said reflects ‘the language of construction found in the work of Georgie Wolton’s oeuvre’ Other works include reconstruction of some external walls to increase insulation and address structural issues In August last year Camden Council also approved measures to redevelop the property’s garden an air source heat pump and rainwater harvesting measures EBBA founder Benni Allan said: ‘With this project we intend to demonstrate new strategies for the restoration of Modernist houses creating a sustainable model to restore and retain these architectural icons whilst pioneering a new future for them.’ Critic and author Jonathan Meades has described Wolton as the ‘outstanding woman architect of the generation before Zaha [Hadid]’ Wolton had a longstanding interest in buildings designed to function as both domestic and work spaces. Her best-known work is Phase I (1969) and II (1971-2) of Cliff Road Studios. Her now-demolished Fieldhouse in East Horsley was built in 1968 with a Cor-ten steel frame It was among the first domestic uses of Cor-ten steel in the UK and was one of several of houses designed by British architects in the 1960s and 70s that were heavily influenced by Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House in Illinois Tags BDP’s College of Arts & Society at Coventry University has been named… Lewisham Council has given Turner Works planning permission for a mixed-use regeneration… Wandsworth Council has given Gehry Partners planning permission for two more residential… Southwark Council has approved tp bennett’s plans for a 25-storey student tower… From terrifying pitfalls to magical endings three sets of London buyers share their experiences Buying & Mortgages Last year, there were almost 65,000 properties sold in London, according to Land Registry data. While the average home cost £508,000, the most expensive, Aberconway House, in Mayfair, sold for £138 million especially in the current market,” says Toby Simmonds “Location and layout are pretty common themes.” But this, really, is where the similarities end. As budgets increase, so too do buyers’ expectations. First-time buyers are usually looking for smaller homes and having to compromise on their property — be it on elevation security or location — while buyers at the top end want “the whole shebang” swimming pool… Everything you could ever want in life.” there’s more emotion involved than further up.” their property is more of a “discretionary purchase” there’s more emotion involved than further up whereas higher-budget buyers might employ a buying agent to handle the sale the experience tends to be more stressful for buyers at a lower budget have mortgages and are more likely to be part of a chain Whether it’s a one-bedroom flat or a 10,000 sq ft house each property sale has a story and a cast of characters with hopes Sandra Luehrmann and her husband bought a five-bedroom, 5,213 sq ft house in Belsize Park for £5.1 million in 2020 My husband and I bought our house in February 2020 We had been living in a maisonette on Harley Road We wanted somewhere slightly bigger in the same area — it didn’t have to be huge — with a garden we couldn’t get a garden in that price range I run a buying agency called Properly Home so I leveraged my own skills and relationships with agents in the area and heard that this house was potentially for sale The living room ceilings are 3.6 metres high The garden sold it for the kids — they’ve always lived in a flat and it was magical for them to see a big house like that We sold our flat for £2.825 million in September 2019 and moved into a rental property in Belsize Park to be in a stronger position to buy agreed to exchange funds for the seller’s onward purchase We only kept the outside walls of the house which we levelled completely to create lateral space and then employed builders and a structural engineer the rates were extremely low — just over one per cent We got a five-year mortgage on 50 per cent of it which costs less than renting a flat in the area We’ll have to remortgage next year and will most likely use savings to pay part of it We had no idea what an exchange of contract was You can surround yourself with better lawyers François Serman, 37, and his partner Elise Verriest, 43, bought a three-bedroom flat in the Vabel Lawrence development in Seven Sisters in October 2023 I never thought I’d be able to buy a property I thought I’d be stuck in the rental market so I felt like I should be able to buy something but everything in London felt out of reach We had been renting in St John’s Wood for four years Our landlord was increasing the rent by £400 — we were paying £2,300 — and we noticed that a mortgage was actually cheaper than the new rent We were looking for somewhere with three bedrooms and some outdoor space Our priority was a new-build development because we’d have insurance if problems emerged because I have stocks and tend not to count them as part of my income so I needed to buy something that I could afford even if she was out of a job for a few months Elise saw an advert on Instagram for Vabel Lawrence in Seven Sisters in October 2023 we loved the materials and the layout: it has a very large kitchen with stone worktops so you can put hot pots straight on top of it which is better for us: we’re not morning people We had an offer accepted less than a week after seeing the advert because I realised that I could get a better deal with a larger deposit the interest rates for the mortgage dropped during the buying process: I got a two-year fixed-term rate of 4.6 per cent I took the shortest term because I believe that the rates are going to improve I also opted for a long mortgage without fees for early repayments (up to 10 per cent) because I wanted to get the lowest monthly repayments My rule of thumb was that if I repaid quicker The only negative part was some delays with the sale but it happened at the end of March this year We managed to extend our rental until mid-February but we had a month roaming around without a home and we believe it is going to get better over the years We plan to stay here for the foreseeable future Philip Walsh, a civil servant, is in the process of buying a two-bedroom maisonette in Penge through Auction House London which he is planning to renovate and live in with his partner and cat I wanted to get on the property ladder before I was 45 I was really leaving it to the last minute — I turned 45 this year and have been renting a flat in a tower block in Penge for the last 15 cheap property at auction and had received email alerts from Auction House London for about a year A two-bedroom maisonette came up on the High Street and I thought: that’s the property for me The first draw was the price: it was £50,000 cheaper than anything else advertised locally and the sun was beaming in through the skylight towards the stairs Nothing’s been touched in at least 10 years and we’ll have to replace the windows and doors But I instantly fell in love with the light — and I could actually afford it I placed an offer two days before it was due to be auctioned which I thought was absolutely fabulous — until I read the special conditions which added £10,000 to £15,000 to the price I bought the house without a mortgage in place and in what would probably be termed a stupid move I didn’t do any surveys in advance — it was difficult to get access to the property outside the prescribed viewing windows Because the flat is above a commercial property — a charity shop with a café next door — the first lender sent out a surveyor who said that we wouldn’t be able to get a mortgage If a mortgage offer didn’t go through and I didn’t complete not only did I stand to lose all my savings (almost £40,000 in my £25,000 deposit plus the additional costs) but I also risked being pursued through the courts for the special conditions but I’m grateful that the corner I was backed into was not more expensive than any other mortgage which works out as about £300 per month more than my current rent I was expecting my rent to equal what I would now be paying I didn’t realise there was as big a risk as there was [Buying at auction] is not really geared towards people who need mortgages It’s fraught with pitfalls and takes a lot of nerve but I’m still nervous that something will go wrong That’s what keeps me awake at night — I’m not sleeping well at the minute I’m not celebrating until I’ve got the keys Welcome to Midburbia: Meet the Londoners rejecting the suburbs in favour of staying close to the action The great mortgage gamble: Is now the right time to buy a home — or should you wait for a rate reduction London first-time buyers: 'We had to cross the river to get on the property ladder' The Lions 1st XV travelled through central London on Saturday to Regents Park looking to re-establish their credentials as a top three side in the Regional 2 (Thames) League Their previous outing at home to HAC was with a weakened squad but arguably they were back at full strength for this clash and they knew it would be a tough encounter The Lions had brought with them a good travelling support with great vocal encouragement from their Icelandic Supporters’ Branch who travelled over for the game the referee blew his whistle and Belsize Park kicked off into the wind and it was already clear that a tight game was in prospect it was the Lions who crossed the whitewash first with Tye James mixing through the Park defence to score out wide the lead did it last long and six minutes later Park went over for a well-worked try to restore parity It was another ten minutes before the next score and it was the Lions who Eddie back in front with Tye James slotting over a penalty after a Park transgression Park went over for another try five minutes later Three minutes before the interval and the Lions edged back closer Park having given away another penalty which Tye James duly slotted over Another Belsize Park transgression and another penalty to the Lions on the cusp of half-time Could the Lions go in all square at the break It was a kick from the halfway line which fell agonisingly short of the bar Half-Time: Belsize Park 14 – Lions 11 It was going to be a belter of a second half.  Tye James went over for another try and put another gap in the score conceding penalty after penalty and the referee had had enough which came out of a dominant pack going for the line and tempting Park to commit too early Charlie Gowling (an ex London Scot) took the yellow card for fouling in the red zone Surely it was now the Lions’ opportunity to turn the screw The Lions fluffed their lines and allowed Park back in the game from the kick-off The ball was fumbled in defence and ultimately resulted in a try for Park The next ten minutes were nail-biting as the clock started to run down Tye James went over yet again close to the posts and converted Final score: Belsize Park 24 – Lions 1st XV 36 A remarkable and very important win away from home the additional 7 coming from a penalty try to a man contributed to this great victory.  SubscrIbe for the latest news and offers direct to your inbox School is now advising students not to wear school uniforms or Jewish symbols in public to reduce the risk of antisemitic attacks News | London The mother of an 11-year-old Jewish boy who was brutally attacked at Belsize Park Tube station has revealed her family is considering leaving the UK following the incident Speaking anonymously, she told MailOnline that her son is "struggling to sleep" and "deeply shaken" after he and his schoolmates were assaulted in what police are investigating as a hate crime "There's a lot of support being given by the British Transport Police and the school but my son is very shaken and he's struggling to sleep," the mother said A group of eight Year 7 pupils, reportedly from Hasmonean High School for Boys, were attacked on Monday afternoon at Belsize Park Tube station by older The Jewish schoolboys were reportedly followed from school to the station the attackers allegedly attempted to push one boy onto the tracks before throwing his skullcap onto the rails Witnesses claim the attackers shouted: "Get out of this city The mother of one victim expressed fears for her family's safety saying: "It's a serious consideration to leave the country the police are being amazing and are taking it all very seriously." Hasmonean High School is now reportedly advising students not to wear school uniforms or Jewish symbols in public to reduce the risk of antisemitic attacks London Mayor Sadiq Khan has condemned the attack saying: "I utterly condemn this sickening attack against Jewish children Antisemitism has no place on the streets of London." A spokesperson for antisemitism charity CST added: “CST received reports on Monday of an alleged assault on Jewish schoolchildren that took place at Belsize Park tube station Salman Rushdie’s knife attack memoir longlisted for Baillie Gifford Prize Holocaust memorial location is ‘unapologetic national statement’ not a policy decision’ to suspend Israel arms exports – Starmer Save £20 per person on autumn and Christmas days out by steam “Thankfully it does not appear that anybody was seriously injured but this was nonetheless a threatening and distressing incident for those involved and a further example of the unacceptable levels of antisemitism in our country “CST is providing extra support and reassurance to the school as well as liaising with British Transport Police who have confirmed that a hate crime investigation has been opened and will ensure additional police presence in the area “Our ongoing priority is to ensure that Jewish children can go about their daily lives free from harassment and anti-Jewish hatred.” The incident is being investigated as a hate crime by the British Transport Police (BTP) The alleged offenders are believed to be a group of children from another school Police are trawling through CCTV footage as part of the investigation into the incident The incident is being treated as a hate crime.” The competitive world of London’s buying agents has been joined by a new player former Goldman Sachs vice president and property developer Sandra Luehrmann (main image) is to operate inside some of London’s most upmarket neighbourhoods including Belsize Park Luehrmann already has a considerable profile within the Capital as a developer including several appearances  the London Evening Standard and is well acquainted with upmarket properties after buying a £5.1 million five-bedroom home in Belsize Park recently for her family The 41-year old says she wants to provider buyers with “unparalleled expertise in navigating the competitive property landscape across North London” Properly Home will also help clients identify renovation opportunities and maximise the potential of their investments After spending a decade managing complex financial projects at Goldman Sachs in Equity and Cross Asset Structuring Luehrmann shifted her career towards property development in North London in 2011 “North London is renowned for its vibrant communities exceptional amenities and stunning architectural offerings,” she says “Having lived here for over fifteen years, starting Properly Home is a natural extension of my love for property and my desire to help clients find their perfect home on my own doorstep “Understanding the emotional and financial significance of buying your next home I am very excited to embark on this new venture and look forward to building lasting relationships with clients and the local estate agents.” Luehrmann, who studied engineering in France before moving to the UK, holds a Propertymark Level 3 qualification in Residential Sales and her firm makes clear it makes no revenue from estate agency referral fees relying instead on its revenue from clients alone You must be logged in to post a comment The 3 big issues where as far as I can tell the government has failed are (1) Ground rents (2) Cladding (3) Failure to regulate management companies... Leasehold IS broken and exploited by Large Freeholders who actually contribute nothing to UK finances Apologies if i am missing something here but i thought the Renters reform Bill intended to abolish creating fixed term tenancies and turn all existing.. We have a history of long term tenants and those I have spoken with feel the fact there is no fixed term tenancy far outweighs any advantage of being.. Just click below and dive in – 52 pages of interviews The success of your website depends largely on good SEO Here's four ways to improve your relationship with Google READ MORE Tappter and Kerfuffle teamed up to host a round table event with a panel of some of the leading lights and tech experts in the property industry Adam Walker highlights the opportunities open to an independent agent in a rapidly consolidating market As the financial squeeze on tenants gets ever tighter Richard Reed discusses rent guarantee policies with a panel of specialist insurers Ask any letting agent what is their biggest headache and the chances are they will say “inventories” Richard Reed talks to people who can take the pain away READ MORE Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Please ask your account manager for the password to gain access You will also need to be logged in to the site to access the Advertising Artwork Upload Centre, so please log in to the site first. If you haven’t registered on the site, you can do so by clicking here Describe the current market for sales and lettings: eg what type of properties are favoured at the moment How external factors are affecting your area – eg interest rates Express your own views on what’s driving the housing market and how it could be inproved in your area and anything else of relevance or interest You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/ Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_6" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_7" ).setAttribute( "value" Keep up to date with the latest industry news Deadline for entry 31st August Don't have an account? the Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher were almost as famous for their partying as they were their music In fact, Noel's iconic house called Supernova Heights became the epicentre for their wild parties with A-list celebs all flocking to get an invite Named after Oasis' famous song Champagne Supernova the London-mansion was known as the place to be for the Brit pack back in the 1990s Today the band announced a huge 2025 tour with fans waiting with bated breath to get their hands on a ticket It's these die-hard Oasis followers that will well remember how Noel was known for throwing hedonistic house parties that lasted from dusk until dawn The Guardian once said of the house: “Drunken guests were regularly seen spilling out of Supernova Heights and loutish groupies staggered around in drunken stupors.” Noel's celebrity friends, like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell would flock to Supernova Heights during the glory days of Britpop excess The Oasis star and then-wife Meg Matthews hosted legendary parties at the home. The front door was emblazoned with glass bearing the name of the beloved house, and welcomed revellers to the Steele Road property. The staircase has been specially made for the property and has a glass barrier running up one side There is also a large room at the front of the home for entertaining The impressive five-storey house boasts seven bedrooms and multiple bathrooms the property has a 70ft garden and has an impressive roof terrace with views over the neighbourhood There is also a sophisticated alarm system and the property is guarded from the road by large The plush mansion, which is found in London’s Belsize Park, is now owned by Davinia Taylor The former Hollyoaks star bought it in 2019 from David Walliams Meanwhile, today Noel and Liam Gallagher announced an Oasis reunion tour The feuding brothers buried the hatchet after an icy 15 year feud and have sent fans into meltdown in the process Today they revealed they will play 14 stadium shows next summer including four at Wembley - their first gigs since Noel left the group in 2009 And they've hinted at a massive American tour after their UK gigs OASIS brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher have revealed a 14 gig comeback tour next summer - here are the details The Wonderwall hitmakers will delight crowds as follows: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium9th - Edinburgh Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium16th - Dublin Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Homebuyers will want increased stamp duty costs reflected in the price they pay for a property Homes & Property | Property News Stamp duty changes next year are likely to hold back house price growth and reinforce a North-South divide From April 2025, stamp duty rates in England and Northern Ireland will revert to previous levels with the “nil rate” band for first-time buyers reducing from £425,000 to £300,000 Zoopla predicted that higher buying costs will be reflected in what home buyers are prepared to pay in 2025 Its analysis indicates that the extra costs for first-time buyers will predominately fall on those in southern England The prediction was made at a time when some mortgage rates have been ticking up amid expectations that cuts to the Bank of England base rate could be slower than previously anticipated These changes are likely to take 0.5 to 1% off house price growth in 2025 executive director at Zoopla said: “The growing complexity of (stamp duty) makes assessing its impact on market activity and pricing increasingly difficult.” home buyers will want it reflected in the price they pay for their home and will seek to make offers keeping prices rises in check over 2025 and into 2026 “These changes are likely to take 0.5 to 1% off house price growth in 2025 Eight of the best project homes on the market now – all under the new London average of £526k Matthew Williamson on the dramatic styling and glam party past of his Belsize Park home Two-thirds of neurodivergent people 'give up' trying to buy homes Jew!’ and assaultedThe alleged attackers are believed to be children from another school Felix Pope 1 min readSeveral Hasmonean High School for Boys pupils were attacked at Belsize Park underground in an incident the police are treating as a hate crime At around 4pm on Monday officers were called to the tube station over reports that Jewish children had been assaulted The Community Security Trust said that while no one was seriously injured “a threatening and distressing incident for those involved and a further example of the unacceptable levels of antisemitism in our country.” a mother of one of the victims said: “They ran ahead of my son and kicked one of his friends to the ground They were trying to push another kid onto the tracks "I’m not sure how he managed to get away "They dislodged a tooth and shouted ‘Get out of the city Jew!'” The mother added: “The child who was being pushed was being taunted all the way from school and on the way to the tube “I feel that encapsulates what antisemitism feels like Reports circulating online that children had been pushed onto the train tracks were false Claims on social media about the nature of the attack had been “greatly exaggerated,” they said adding that the children are “absolutely fine now” The school is currently speaking to the victims and the police to discover what happened The alleged offenders are believed to be a group of children from another school There will be an extra police presence in the area in response They added: “Our ongoing priority is to ensure that Jewish children can go about their daily lives free from harassment and anti-Jewish hatred.” the British Transport Police said: “Detectives are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a group of Jewish schoolchildren The CST recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in Britain in 2023 compared to just 1,662 the year before said: "Normally it's a great city to be Jewish but right now a lot of Jewish Londoners are not feeling that way." London Antisemitism Schools Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.