A view of the Kensington Court’s restored ‘fossil’ ceiling. Inset: Humphrey: Qatar focused.
By Denise Marray/Gulf Times Correspondent/London
For Shirley Humphrey, director of the luxury property agents Harrods Estates, Qatar is a destination that combines both business and pleasure. The business is selling prime London property and the pleasure meeting up with clients who in many cases have become personal friends.
As she explained: “I have been going to Doha for the past 11 years. We have clients who have even cooked for us personally, which is lovely.”
That kind of relationship is an indication of the level of trust that has been built up over the years. Humphrey places great emphasis on building personal relations in order to deliver a service that meets precisely the wishes of the client when it comes to buying property.
She explained that many Qatari clients favour large four or five bedroom lateral apartments designed on one-level space. Such properties would typically be within a building that has a 24-hour porter and concierge service.
Within this type of setting, said Humphrey, the owner when not using the London residence, “can just lock the door and leave, confident that there is someone looking after the building.” Many clients also leave their luxury cars in the underground car park where security is also round the clock.
If the client does opt for a townhouse built over several floors, then an absolute ‘must’ is a lift. Humphrey and her team, including Hassan Basma, responsible for Harrods Estates’ London Residential Sales, Middle East Desk, showed Gulf Times around a beautiful Grade II listed townhouse set on a tranquil road just south of Kensington High Street. From the outside the house has all the period charm of a 19th C gentleman’s residence, but when you step inside there is a very contemporary feel to the property which is arranged over six floors.
The property, named Kensington Court, has been extensively refurbished with installation of under-floor heating and air-conditioning throughout to ensure maximum comfort. There are four stunning reception rooms and seven bedroom suites. Unique original elements that have been retained in the expertly restored property are the Baroque inspired fireplace in the first floor drawing room, and an intricate Gothic influenced ceiling in the library.
The house is fully furnished by expert designers so that the owner can simply move in and enjoy the property immediately.
Humphrey explained that many of her Qatari clients live in palatial homes in their own country and expect their London properties to have multiple reception rooms.
“Multiple reception rooms for entertaining family and guests separately is really important,” she said. “When I go over to Qatar I am received in the guest rooms and the family areas are completely separate,” she added.
It is not unusual for clients to purchase an apartment in a favoured London building and then buy up other apartments within the property as they become available. In this way the family can have spacious, separate living spaces and enjoy the London home with the desired level of privacy. “This is the type of property accumulation where people patiently build their property portfolios over a number of years,” she said.
Mayfair is a particularly popular part of London for Qatari clients. “A lot of our Qatari clients love Mayfair, more so than Knightsbridge, because their families have been going there for the last two or three generations. They love the Dorchester and the hotels in the area,” said Humphrey.
Many of the prime properties handled by Harrods Estates are never advertised.
“Twenty-five percent of our properties are off market: we would go to our personal clients first because we know what they like and what they are looking for,” explained Humphrey. Some clients are happy to let Harrods Estates purchase on their behalf without even seeing the property as they have built up such a close personal relationship over the years that they know their specifications will be fully met.
Sometimes clients are specific in their requirements down to a particular floor in a building. When the property comes up the purchasing is done fast. “We pick up the phone and go to see them or they can fly over at a moment’s notice,” said Humphrey.
The original Harrods Estates was established in 1897 and today the company has offices in Knightsbridge, Mayfair and Chelsea. Of the Harrods Estates team, she said: “We have a very strong asset management division of 100 people and a 50 strong team of property managers.” Humphrey, who has been with Harrods Estates for fourteen years, working across all departments and specialising in business development, travels to Doha at least twice a year.
She also visits clients on a regular basis in China, Hong Kong, Russia, Kazakhstan, India and Singapore. These visits, as her staff quickly find, are filled with wall to wall meetings from early morning to late evening with the focus completely on the business. “It’s hard work but also a real privilege to meet with the clients,” she said.
