Langham Estate

File:Great Portland Street and Mortimer Street.jpg

The Langham Estate originates from an entity first established in 1925 to manage a holding of 40 acres of land purchased from the Howard de Walden Estate in central London.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/architecture/sites/bartlett/files/introduction.pdf|title=South-East Marylebone: Draft of Volumes 51 and 52|last=Philip Temple and Colin Thom|date=2017|work=Survey of London: South-East Marylebone Volumes 51 and 52|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=9780300221978}}The Howard de Walden Estate is said to have sold 40 acres in East Marylebone in anticipation of high death duty obligations. The properties, acquired for £3m and located in eastern Marylebone,The 1925 land acquisition price of £3m is roughly equivalent to £177m in 2018. Source: http://www.in2013dollars.com/1925-GBP-in-2018?amount=3000000 (“Inflation Calculator.” U.S. Official Inflation Data, Alioth Finance, 26 Oct. 2018, https://www.officialdata.org/.) then passed through various owners, including Sir John Ellerman's Audley Trust, before being acquired in 1994 by Guernsey-based Mount Eden Land Ltd for £51m.{{Cite news|url=https://whoownsengland.org/2017/10/28/who-owns-central-london/|title=Who owns central London?|date=2017-10-28|work=Who owns England?|access-date=2018-10-15|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617134237/https://whoownsengland.org/2017/10/28/who-owns-central-london/|archive-date=2018-06-17|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/prime-portfolio-of-london-property-fetches-just-pounds-51m-li-family-buys-langham-estate-from-1467212.html|title=Prime portfolio of London property fetches just pounds 51m: Li family buys Langham Estate from Grovewood receivers|last=HEATHER CONNON|date=13 December 1993|work=The Independent|access-date=2018-10-16|language=en-GB}} Under Sir John Ellerman, the holdings covered almost all Great Portland Street, and much of streets alongside it (including Hallam, Bolsover, Margaret and Great Titchfield Streets).{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/humberside/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8207000/8207903.stm|title=The secretive billionaire|date=2009-08-20|access-date=2018-10-16|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324003543/http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/humberside/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8207000/8207903.stm|archive-date=2016-03-24|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UWR4w9apCHoC&pg=PT202|title=Landlords to London: The Story of a Capital and Its Growth|last=Jenkins|first=Simon|date=2012|publisher=Faber & Faber|isbn=978-0-571-29476-3|page=202}} Numerous holdings on Great Portland Street were divested over the years.

The Langham Estate operates in an area noted for its media connections, restaurants, design showrooms and art galleries.{{Cite news|url=https://fitzrovia.org.uk/about/fitzrovia/|title=About Fitzrovia London|date=2012-04-02|work=Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association|access-date=2018-10-17|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704010643/https://fitzrovia.org.uk/about/fitzrovia/|archive-date=2018-07-04|url-status=live}} The Langham Estate was described in 2017 as being one of London's 16 Great Estates with its footprint of 13.8 acres of central London property.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/10/28/billionaires-playground-handful-families-central-london/|title=How a handful of historic firms still own swathes of central London|last=Fraser|first=Isabelle|date=2017-10-28|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2018-10-15|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121010958/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/10/28/billionaires-playground-handful-families-central-london/|archive-date=2018-01-21|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|title=Who Owns Britain|last=Kevin Cahill|publisher=Canongate Books Ltd|year=2002|isbn=9781841953106}} Many of the entity's original properties are still held—but now in the form of freehold as their long leases have been sold off.

Samuel Tak Lee of Hong Kong is said to be its owner.{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/london-evening-standard|title=Revealed Samuel Tak Lee: the secretive tycoon who controls a huge swathe of the West End|date=13 June 2003|work=Evening Standard|page=19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714013651/https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/london-evening-standard|archive-date=2017-07-14|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/hong-kong-tycoon-sets-sights-on-chinatown-f8psg9tdq88|title=Hong Kong tycoon sets sights on Chinatown|last=Shah|first=Oliver|date=2014-11-16|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=2018-10-15|language=en|issn=0956-1382}} Mr Lee reportedly sought control of Shaftesbury PLC's neighbouring 15-acre estate until his interests in it were sold in June 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=1323-12423458-1JMSLQPC4EI5PJI1GCGK9G89JI|title=Lee Family Investors" Tender Offer – Shaftesbury PLC – Company Announcement - FT.com|website=markets.ft.com|access-date=2018-12-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/jim-armitage-it-s-time-for-man-of-mystery-shaftesbury-shareholder-to-put-up-or-shut-up-a4051731.html|title=Time for 'Man of Mystery' Shaftesbury shareholder to put up or shut up|date=2019-01-29|website=Evening Standard|language=en|access-date=2019-04-24}}{{Cite web|date=2020-06-02|title=Samuel Tak Lee Sells Stake in Shaftesbury for £436M|url=http://www.mingtiandi.com/real-estate/outbound-investment/samuel-tak-lee-sells-stake-in-shaftesbury-for-436m/|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Mingtiandi|language=en-US}}

File:Great Portland Street Shops 2018.jpg

The Fitzrovia real estate market has been undergoing a renewal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/8cbdcc48-ff0b-11e4-84b2-00144feabdc0|title=Is London's Fitzrovia ready for the big prime?|last=Nathan Brooker|date=May 29, 2015|website=Financial Times|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622005639/https://www.ft.com/content/8cbdcc48-ff0b-11e4-84b2-00144feabdc0|archive-date=2018-06-22|url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-15}} The area has witnessed significant increase in rents and rates along with markedly higher occupant turnovers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pearl-coutts.co.uk/the-insider/commercial/how-fitzrovia-became-a-key-area-for-commercial-property-investment/|title=How Fitzrovia Became a Key Area for Commercial Property Investment|last=Ramsorrun|first=Helen|work=Pearl & Coutts|access-date=2018-10-15|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2018/08/villandry-goes-into-administration-amid-reports-of-1-5m-losses/|title=Villandry goes into administration amid reports of £1.5m losses|website=www.thedrinksbusiness.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810111101/https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2018/08/villandry-goes-into-administration-amid-reports-of-1-5m-losses/|archive-date=2018-08-10|url-status=live}} Property values have increased in part due to changes in planning constraints,{{cite web| url=http://transact.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/planning/special_policy_areas_and_policies_map_revision_to_westminsters_city_plan.pdf | title=Special Policy Areas and Policies Map Revision – Publication Draft (Regulation 19) Revision to Westminster's City Plan: Strategic Policies | publisher=City of Westminster | date=November 2015 }}{{Cite web|url=http://transact.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/planning/special_policy_areas_and_policies_map_revision_supporting_information.pdf | title=Supporting Information Publication Draft (Regulation 19) Special Policy Areas and Policies Map Revision | publisher=City of Westminster | date=November 2015 }} along with the impact of the Cross Rail and Oxford Street projects, which were projected to increase commercial activity in the area.{{Cite web|url=http://residential.jll.co.uk/new-residential-thinking-home/research/crossrail-opportunities-2016.aspx|title=JLL {{!}} Residential Research {{!}} Crossrail Opportunities 2016|website=residential.jll.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021045018/http://residential.jll.co.uk/new-residential-thinking-home/research/crossrail-opportunities-2016.aspx|archive-date=2017-10-21|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.savills.com/_news/article/3359/240380-0/4/2018/infrastructure-investment-and-land-value-uplift|title=Infrastructure Investment and Land Value Uplift|last=Savills.com|date=18 April 2018|access-date=2018-10-17}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.oxfordstreetdistrict.com/|title=A FUTURE FOR THE OXFORD STREET DISTRICT|website=www.oxfordstreetdistrict.com|access-date=2018-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323183536/http://oxfordstreetdistrict.com/|archive-date=2018-03-23|url-status=live}}

The company markets some of its properties under the banners of Noho and/or FitzNovia to describe an area just north of Oxford Street and just west of Regent Street.{{Cite web |title=Fitzrovia Quarter – The Langham Estate Blog |url=https://fitzroviaquarter.co.uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902214825/http://www.mynoho.co.uk/ |archive-date=2018-09-02 |access-date=2018-10-15 |website=Fitzrovia Quarter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/mac_1066|title=FitzNovia Twitter Feed|website=twitter.com|language=en|access-date=2018-10-15}} The company website states the company holds a "1.3 million sq feet (29 acre) mixed portfolio of office, showroom, retail, restaurant, bar, residential and storage" properties.

A neighbourhood plan is being developed for Langham Estate's Fitzrovia area. This is being done in consultation with stakeholders, the Langham Estate and other local landlords, businesses and residents.{{Cite web|url=http://fitzwest.org/wordpress/draft-plan/|title=Draft Plan {{!}} FitzWest|website=fitzwest.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902195507/http://fitzwest.org/wordpress/draft-plan/|archive-date=2018-09-02|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://fitzwest.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/00-Inroduction-Draft.pdf|title=FitzWest Plan -- Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Forum|last=www.FITZWEST.ORG/wordpress}} The plan focused on improving the local amenity, affordable housing provision, poor broadband data services and air pollution conditions.{{Cite web|url=http://fitzwest.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/00-Inroduction.pdf|title=FitzWest Plan: Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Forum|website=fitzwest.org|access-date=2019-01-01}}{{Cite web|url=http://betteroxfordstreet.org/|title=Better Oxford Street Campaign - Pedestrianising Oxford Street is not the answer|website=Better Oxford Street Campaign|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-01}}{{Cite web|url=http://fitzwest.org/wordpress/digital/broadband-in-fitzrovia/|title=Broadband in Fitzrovia {{!}} FitzWest|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-01}}

In August 2023, Langham Estate decided to divest itself of a third of its property holdings.{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Paul |date=2023-08-17 |title=Langham Estate Puts £500 Million Slice of Fitzrovia on Market |url=https://www.costar.com/article/278843085/langham-estate-puts-%C2%A3500-million-slice-of-fitzrovia-on-market? |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=CoStar}} These include 27 freehold assets of offices, retail, leisure, educational, medical and residential properties in northern Fitzrovia.{{Cite web |title=£500M West End Sale Process Is Largest Launched In London This Year |url=https://www.bisnow.com/london/news/capital-markets/500m-west-end-sale-process-is-largest-launched-in-london-this-year-120243 |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Bisnow |language=en}} These properties were reportedly sold for £350m in January 2024.{{Cite web |title=Weekly data sheet: Opportunistic buyers win £300 mln chunk of London's West End |url=https://propertyeu.info/Nieuws/Weekly-data-sheet-Opportunistic-buyers-win-300-mln-chunk-of-London-s-West-End/db9d69c6-15dd-4934-b709-de8122308d52 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=PropertyEU News}}

In December 2024, The Langham Estate introduced [https://fitzroviaquarter.co.uk/ Fitzrovia Quarter] - a dynamic space in the western part of Fitzrovia, located within London’s West End, that is home to a thriving community of innovators, creatives, and businesses.

File:Great Portland Street From Oxford Street Feb 2011.jpg|Many Langham Estate holdings are found at the southern end of Great Portland Street

File:Great Titchfield Street - Margaret Street junction.JPG|Numerous buildings on Great Titchfield Street and Margaret Street are part of the Langham Estate

File:Great Portland Street prior to tree planting.jpg|Langham Estate historic holding on Great Portland Street

File:Hallam Street Marylebone - panoramio.jpg|Langham Estate properties on Hallam Street

File:Bolsover Street Bikes - panoramio.jpg|Bolsover Street is the location of a number of Langham Estate properties

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{{Commons category|Langham Estate}}

• [https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1ewIqf1mgfQvUDI0UpjqXNPPKPUo&usp=sharing Map of Langham Estate] (Mount Eden Land Guernsey Ltd)

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{{Real estate in the United Kingdom}}

Category:1925 establishments in England

Category:British companies established in 1925

Category:Real estate companies established in 1925

Category:Property companies of the United Kingdom

Category:Privately owned estates in London

Category:Buildings and structures in the City of Westminster

Category:Fitzrovia