There’s much hurling this week as industry leaders chuck themselves off buildings, press officers throw themselves into their work and Ann Widdecombe launches herself into the highland fling
A fear of heights
Anyone who has walked the streets around London Bridge station recently cannot have failed to notice the Shard, which was past its 40th storey the last time I looked. When complete, the skyscraper will reach 310m into the sky. So what will the views be like for the lucky few who can afford a penthouse at the apex? One project source recently told me there was concern that the tower was so high that, even on days when low cloud did not obscure the views, London landmarks such as St Paul’s would appear as mere dots. Let’s hope future residents don’t ask for their money back.
The last resort
Julian Hakes is ready to take his place in the glorious pantheon of architects who design shoes. We revealed last spring that the Hakes Associates co-founder would be having a stab at cobbling. Now he is poised to unveil his mojito shoe (so named because it resembles lime peel) at London Fashion Week, which kicks off tomorrow. The high heels will appear in shows by designers Ann-Sofie Back on Sunday and Ada Zanditon on Monday. And you’ll be able to snap up a pair in the shops next spring. Who can blame Hakes? These days, it beats designing buildings.
Dancing doris
The annual president’s luncheon of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association was concluded with unusual haste last week. The reason, it transpired, was that Ann Widdecombe, the guest speaker, was off to unleash her talents at an altogether glitzier affair. After a brief speech, the former Conservative minister - resplendent in ample make-up - sashayed out of the door and off to the BBC to partner Anton du Beke in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Peace descends
If you’re in London on 15 October, keep your eyes peeled for bizarre goings-on in the name of charity. Leading lights of the property industry will be undertaking an array of fundraising stunts as part of LandAid Day, which aims to raise £100,000 to help young and disadvantaged people in the UK. Two chief executives, Liz Peace of the British Property Federation and Rob Bould of GVA Grimley, will abseil down the 18-storey International Press Centre in Shoe Lane in the City of London. Meanwhile, Helical Bar’s Mike Slade has pledged to run through Berkeley Square dressed as a superhero (not a nightingale, Mike?). Find out more and donate at www.landaid.org/day
Phone call of duty
Frustrated journalists - although not those at Building magazine, you understand - have been known to complain about council press officers’ habit of going home at half four. Norwich council’s press officers confirmed this stereotype, I hear. Faced with council elections last week - and the small public relations issue of a multimillion-pound contract that had been in the hands of collapsed contractor Connaught - they went home at 4.30 on Thursday … but it was 4.30 in the morning. If that weren’t horrific enough, the poor PRs were back at their desks two hours later. I suspect they’re wishing their council leaders hadn’t procured quite such a “value for money” contract in the first place.
Pulling a stroke
What is it with the industry and water?
The amphibious jamboree known as the Little Britain sailing regatta is almost
upon us, but Mark Reynolds, heir to the throne at Mace, would rather be in the
drink than on it. “Fish”, as one colleague
has nicknamed Reynolds, is a former Olympic swimmer. Appropriate then, that
he should be heading the firm’s work on the 2012 Games.
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