Wellness At Heart

George Banns caught up with Christopher Murray, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Concord London, to discover how to inject much-needed wellness spaces into a big city development

How do you approach a new project?

We believe that the location of a property is just as important as the quality of the building itself, which is why we are extremely selective when it comes to choosing where to build. Our aim is to offer unparalleled convenience and enable them to live fulfilling lifestyles with high-quality amenities and transport links.

We believe that every property should be situated in an area that offers a friendly and welcoming environment, where one can feel like a part of a community, which is why we’ve chosen Marylebone and Fitzrovia for Marylebone Square and W1 Place. By taking this approach, we are creating homes that buyers truly love and enjoy living in, without having to compromise.

How important are ‘well-being’ elements in W1 Place and Marylebone Square?

The well-being elements of W1 Place and Marylebone Square are of utmost importance. The design of both developments focuses on creating spaces that promote relaxation and comfort, incorporating natural elements such as greenery and water features. The views from the properties are also carefully considered, with many apartments offering stunning vistas of the city skyline or nearby parks.

The location of both developments is also key to promoting well-being, with easy access to parks, as well as gyms, spas, healthcare amenities and healthy food stores right on the doorstep. In addition, the developments themselves offer a variety of communal spaces for socialising and unwinding, as well as private gardens and terraces. All these elements work together to create an environment that promotes physical and mental wellness among residents.

Which local well-being amenities are proving the most popular in Marylebone and Fitzrovia?

Nothing beats living next to a park, and in the case of W1 Place and Marylebone Square it's Regents Park, one of the eight Royal Parks. In addition, Marylebone offers an array of well-being amenities - Harley Street, just two blocks away from both our developments, is among the best-known medical destinations in the world and is now home to not only numerous private medical practices, but also a range of wellness studios and boutiques.

For us, location is key. We want to provide residents with an incentive to go out, explore, support local businesses and become a part of the community without forcing in-building amenities upon them. There is no need for a two-storey spa within a development if you’ve got the world’s biggest operators and an array of niche service providers right on your doorstep. In a city like London, people should feel free to choose.

What would you say makes London unique?

There’s one aspect that truly sets London apart from other cities – its diverse and cosmopolitan population. London is home to people from all over the world who come together creating a melting pot of cultures, ideas and trends. There’s a large pool of consumers who welcome and actively seek out new experiences, with a taste for high-quality design and products, and catering to that kind of audience is highly rewarding.

Having lived and worked in London and more specifically Marybone for nearly 30 years I feel very privileged. It constantly evolves and reinvents itself while preserving its rich history and culture. There is no city in the world that can rival what London offers. Whether it's fashion, wellness, food, or technology, London always seems to be ahead of the curve, and this environment fills me and my team with creative energy.

Marylebone Square is set in the heart of Marylebone Village offering 54 apartments and a collection of penthouses all set around a unique indoor private courtyard. Featuring exquisite landscaping, mature trees and elliptical pond, and topped with a stunning glass canopy, the courtyard creates a serene escape in the centre of London’s most sought-after village.

Each home has a spacious open-plan living area, floor-to-ceiling glazing and sliding glass doors – creating spaces filled with natural light - perfect for both entertaining and everyday life.

Residents at Marylebone Square have Marylebone’s famed independent boutiques, cafes and galleries as well as world-class shopping like Selfridges on their doorstep.

www.marylebonesquare.com

W1 Place is a newly launched address Located at the meeting point of two vibrant neighbourhoods - Marylebone and Fitzrovia. A rare new building on the historic street scene of Great Portland Street, it offers a collection of just 37 meticulously designed one, two and three-bedroom apartments - perfectly positioned to benefit from the sought-after village lifestyle of Marylebone and Fitzrovia’s lively foodie scene.

www.w1.place.com