Agent Q&A: Viv Harris, Heathgate
Who are you?
Viv Harris, Managing Director, Heathgate, 105 Heath Street NW3 (020 7435 3344).
How long have you been in Hampstead?
I set up Heathgate 17 years ago and spent all my working life in the area.
How would you describe your area in three words?
Picturesque, interesting, beautiful.
Describe your working day…
Today I’ve been working with clients for whom we’re doing some project management on interiors. In the office we are a small team of eight, creating a friendly and fun environment.
Which are your favourite cafes and restaurants?
La Gaffe brasserie and restaurant next door – everyone is so friendly. Frascati (NW3) is another nice restaurant, as is Villa Bianca (NW3).
Which are your favourite shops?
Clothes shops! I like Linea, Jane & Dada and Cochinechine for unusual items that you won’t find elsewhere.
Where do you go for a drink?
Sometimes I’ll go to La Gaffe for a glass of wine, or Bar Room Bar on Rosslyn Hill.
How do you get about?
For appointments in the village I walk as it’s so pretty.
Tell us something about the area we might not know…
When I bought the premises, it had been used as a computer company, but it must be destined to be an estate agent’s office – a client recently told me that in 1946 it was an estate agents called Heathbrow!
Tell us something about your business we might not know…
I set up Heathgate in 1991, working from home for the first 18 months before opening up on the ground floor in Heath Street and taking over the whole building in 1994.
Agent Q&A: Ian Godfrey, Godfrey & Barr
Who are you?
Ian Godfrey, Founding Partner, Godfrey & Barr (020 8458 9119)
How long have you been in the area?
We’ve been in Hampstead Garden Suburb for 20 years, and we recently opened a new office in Mill Hill.
How would you describe your area in three words?
Bucks the trend!
Describe your working day…
Twice a week I powerwalk first thing. I arrive at the office at 8.30am and leave around 6pm, and spend my time generating new business, on valuation work and showing clients properties. I spend two weeks a month in our Hampstead Garden Suburb office and a week in the Mill Hill office.
Which are your favourite cafes and restaurants?
For lunch I like Din Café (816 Finchley Road NW11). For dinner, Scalini, (1 Walton Street SW3) and The Boxwood Cafe (Wilton Place SW1).
Where do you go for a drink?
I prefer having a drink with a nice meal – I’m not really a social drinker. At the end of the day I go home to my wife and family or head out to dinner. Occasionally we’ll have staff drinks at the Bull & Bush (NW3).
Which are your favourite shops?
I love Knightsbridge for shopping and The Apple Store at Brent Cross – I’m a big Mac fan!
Tell us something about your business we might not know…
We’re one of the few agencies that use Macs, not PCs, as we’re very design-orientated. All our property particulars and promotional photographs are produced in-house.
Tell us something about the area we might not know…
Hampstead Garden Suburb is a conservation area. Its charm and character have helped to maintain house prices even in the current economic climate.
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!
