Agent Q&A: Julia Lilley, York Estates
Who are you?
Julia Lilley, Managing Director of York Estates.
Describe a day in your working life…
I’m office based but spend a lot of time showing prospective buyers round properties. My main area of expertise is sales, although I’m involved with everything from lettings, keeping clients up to date with market info and giving advice on marketing strategies to advertising and admin. We’re seven people in the office so we all muck in (we’ve got 130 years of combined property experience between us!).
I love my job… often clients become friends and our office feels like being with a second family.
Which are your favourite eateries?
Café L’Angolo Bianco, Crawford Street for homecooked pasta and ciabattas and the Duke of York, Harrowby Street, for tasty steak sandwiches. The recently refurbished Duke of Wellington, Crawford Street does lovely food too.
Which are your favourite (non-foodie) shops?
Nailstation, York Street – they gave me the best pedicure I’ve ever had! For luxury items you can’t beat Selfridges on Oxford Street.
Where do you go for a drink after work?
In summer, the Harcourt Arms, Harcourt Street for its pretty garden.
How do you get about?
I walk everywhere. Our properties are all within a small radius of Marylebone High Street and our clients prefer walking to get a real feel for the area.
Tell us something about the area we might not know…
The Cato Street Conspiracy was born here: the conspirators hatched a plot to murder the Cabinet in 1820 but were caught before they could carry out their plans and were hung at Newgate prison. Fifteen years ago we sold the very house the men used as a meeting place!
Agent Q&A: Carl Underhill, Hamptons International
Who are you?
Carl Underhill, director of Hamptons International, 21 Heath Street, Hampstead NW3 (020 7794 8222)
How long have you been in Hampstead?
Twenty four years. I have worked in the area since 1984, although I spent much of my childhood here as I was at school on the other side of the Heath.
How would you describe the area in three words?
London’s best village!
Describe a day in your working life…
The nice thing is, I don’t have a typical day. I might be meeting an International buyer flying in to visit a £3 million luxury apartment in Hampstead, or showing a family a lovely house in Hampstead Garden Suburb. All I know is, if I didn’t enjoy my days I wouldn’t still be here.
Which are your favourite cafes and restaurants?
For snacks I go to The Coffee Cup (74 Hampstead High Street) or Cafe Bianco (12 Perrins Court) and for something more substantial The Gaucho (64 Heath Street) or The Shahbhag (70 Rosslyn Hill).
And for an after-work drink?
The Horseshoe (28 Heath Street) is directly opposite, our office so that’s my ‘local’ but I also like the White Bear (Well Road) and the Freemasons (32 Downshire Hill) is nice in summer.
Tell us something about the area we might not know…
The Everyman Cinema (5 Holly Bush Vale), which opened in 1933, is the oldest independent repertory cinema in London.
Tell us something about your business we might not know…
In the early 1900s, Hamptons offices used to be under the clock tower on the corner of Heath Street and Holly Hill. In the 1950s we moved just a few hundred yards to our current location.
Agent Q&A: Mark Pollack, Aston Chase
Who are you?
Mark Pollack, Director of Aston Chase.
How long have you been in St John’s Wood?
Twenty seven years! Aston Chase was established in 1985, I was at a nearby agency for five years prior to that.
How would you describe the area in three words?
Green, diverse, sophisticated.
Describe a day in your working life…
I begin by dealing with correspondence then usually attend three or four valuations. I try to allocate one hour to charity work (I’m involved with the charity Norwood) and always finish by talking to clients. Much to the irritation of my wife, I rarely leave the office before 7.30pm unless Tottenham are at home.
Which are your favourite cafes and restaurants?
Cafe Josephine, 15 St John’s Wood High Street and Raoul’s, 13 Clifton Road, Little Venice. While Oslo Court NW8 and the restaurant at the Landsdowne, Primrose Hill are both excellent.
And for an after-work drink?
I don’t! I get home just after 8pm and like to spend time with my kids. However, I like the bar downstairs
at Roka, 56 Charlotte Street W1 and the Long Bar at Sanderson Hotel, 50 Berners Street W1.
Tell us something about the area we might not know…
Many of the villas in St John’s Wood were originally homes for mistresses of the aristocracy!
Tell us something about your business we might not know…
The name Aston Chase came from Aston Martin and Chase Manhattan: my partner and I wanted a name that reflected establishment/high quality/British combined with corporate/fast track/American. A better choice than Pollack & Bernstone!
