In 2004, Selfridges pulled off a remarkable feat: installing a 14-metre-tall fibreglass replica of Rio de Janeiro’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue above the main entrance of the store on Oxford Street, as part of a wider celebration of Brazilian style. “It was amazing at the time just to get planning permission for it, let alone get it up onto the front of the store,” recalls Kath Archer, partner at Lees Associates.

Expansive views, clean air and the sound of silence: a rural retreat remains a dream for many. Covid’s legacy of hybrid working has given urban-dwellers the freedom to move a little further from their principal place of work.

If you’re considering taking on a building project in the countryside, we’ve weighed up the various factors involved, with expert advice from the worlds of planning, sustainability and rural property.

Miruna Stroe is an Associate at Lees Associates and a Chartered and Registered Architect with a PhD in Architecture who has been with us for seven years. Since joining LA, she has been involved in a number of our high-end residential projects, including a renovation in Holland Park and a substantial listed penthouse redevelopment in Belgravia. So, what does a typical day look like for Miruna at Lees Associates?

Searching for innovative design ideas for your upcoming residential or commercial project? Look no further. Our team has consulted a range of industry peers and collaborators to discover what’s on the design agenda for 2024. From irregular rugs to the digital environment, we have something to inspire everyone.

James Hall began working at Lees Associates as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant in early 2015. After nine years with the company, rising to first Associate and then Associate Director, he was appointed as a Partner at the start of the year, joining Andrew Paulson and Kathryn Archer at the helm of the practice. We sat down with him to discuss this significant accomplishment and his plans for the future.

In the second part of his summary of the effects of the Building Safety Act (BSA), Lees Associates partner, Andrew Paulson looks at the new statutory requirements for owners and developers of Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), providing a comprehensive overview for clients and contractors within the prime property sector. 

Key changes to the Building Regulations approval process, and stakeholders’ roles within it, came into effect in October as a result of the 2022 Building Safety Act.

But what are the changes, and what impact will they have on construction projects? Lees Associates’ Partner Andrew Paulson explains all.

One of the best parts of working in the thriving London metropolis is that we have an almost overwhelming wealth of pursuits on our doorstep and an enviable proximity to Europe. We always strive to stay ahead of industry trends and insights, and we believe that attending informative and inspiring exhibitions and trade shows is one of the most effective ways to achieve this.  

Sharing our top tips, we’ve hand-picked our top seven design, art and property-centric events we believe are a must-see in 2024! At LA, we like to stay up to date on not just the architectural industry but also what's happening in the lifestyle and art industries too. It's all about having eyes-on across the design world.

LA Partner, Andrew Paulson’s twentieth anniversary at the practice has been marked with an interview with PrimeResi Journal.

It has been an extremely busy and exciting year for us here at Lees Associates. As we reach the end of the year, we’ve been taking stock and looking back at some of the team’s achievements, successes and memorable moments from the past twelve months. Here are some of our highlights from 2023.

As 2023 draws to a close, we’ve been reflecting on shifts and developments within our industry to predict what the new year has in store. 

From transatlantic collaborations to the rise of experiential shopping, LA partners Kathryn Archer and Andrew Paulson share their four key forecasts for London’s prime property market in the year ahead.

Andrew Paulson joined Lees Associates as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant in November 2003. Five years later, he was invited to become a partner in the practice, a position he has now held for over twelve years. In his twenty years with the practice, he has overseen a wide range of prime residential projects in London and beyond. We sat down with him to reflect on his first 20 years at LA.

We have recently celebrated two promotions in the LA team!

In the latest in our regular series, we meet Romanian Architectural Assistant, Ema, and discover the role a humble pencil had in her choice of career, learn why LA are such a good fit for her to fulfil her potential and find out how she recharges by immersing herself in nature and taking part in sports activities.

The prime London property market comes together during the first week of September every year for Lees Associates’ annual summer party, and 2023 was no exception. We are thrilled that it has become such a staple on the social calendar for so many!

Lees Associates’ regular look at what’s new in the prime residential market, compiled from the best of London’s leading real estate professionals and property experts.

Please visit contributor websites for more information.

In this edition, we look at:

• Why cash buyers led to a flurry of summer sales in prime Central London.

• Labour has ruled out a wealth or mansion tax if it wins the next general election.

• How demand for premium apartments in central London continues to grow.

Delivering dream homes for HNWIs is never without its challenges. There is often a disparity between what clients want and what planning and conservation officers are willing or able to approve – and that means compromise is sometimes the only solution.

The most sought-after properties in prime central London are those that ooze with character and charm. Inevitably, almost without exception that means they are listed and usually distributed vertically over many floors. It is no surprise then that Lees Associates’ projects on these properties almost always have a requirement for a lift: either to replace an existing aged one or to introduce a new one altogether. Understandably, in listed heritage properties such as these, where a lift would never have originally been contemplated, that can often be a challenge.

Welcome to Lees Associates’ regular look at what’s new in the prime residential market, compiled from the best of London’s leading real estate professionals and property experts. Please visit contributor websites for more information. This month’s selection all comes via that bastion of PCL news reporting, PrimeResi. In this edition we look at:

• A shift in demographics amongst younger luxury property owners.

• Why bigger is better among PCL buyers.

• How PCL is bucking the transaction trough seen elsewhere.

LA partner, Andrew Paulson, was delighted was delighted to contribute his opinions to The Luxury Property Thought Leadership Paper entitled “Luxury Property and Children of The Revolution : How the Millennial and Gen Z generation have impacted the luxury property sector".

In the latest in our series, we meet Architectural Assistant, Angelika, and find out about her passions for The Sims, architectural heritage and calligraphy!

According to a report by Wealth-X, a firm that provides data and insights on the world's ultra-high-net-worth individuals, personal submarines have become increasingly popular among those, perhaps unsurprisingly, who have their own yachts. Our new post explores the latest technologies and gadgets to be embraced by UHNWIs.

It is a rare residential project for us that doesn’t include a swimming pool of one kind or another. Either an existing one to be overhauled or a new one, designed and built from scratch. Consequently, we have gained a wealth of experience over the years designing pools and pool spaces. And during that time, the top lesson we have learned is to always work with the best specialist in their field.

Welcome to Lees Associates’ regular look at what’s new in the prime residential market, compiled from a selection of London’s leading real estate professionals and property experts. Please visit contributor websites for more information. In this edition we look at:

• Why London’s prime property market is “reassuringly uneventful” right now;

• Why finding the right property is more important than the right timing; and

• Why the cost of renting in PCL is soaring.

This month we are celebrating the fifth anniversaries with LA of both Associate, Vishal Baichande and Architect, Cristian Tudose.

The bathroom habits of high-net-worth individuals can be rather different to the rest of us. A simple showerhead delivering water at the right temperature for a few minutes is simply not enough – they want action and ultimate power from just about every direction.

Welcome to Lees Associates’ regular look at the trends in the prime residential market, compiled from a selection of London’s leading real estate professionals and property experts. Please visit contributor websites for more information. In this edition, we look at:

• Why London still commands the highest premiums per square metre.

• The highs and lows of London’s prime property market

• Why wealthy buyers are looking for small apartments in the capital.

• Why there is little or no disruption in the prime housing market.

For the super-rich, one kitchen is rarely enough: as well as the family kitchen - which is often only used for making coffee - there is usually a back-of-house professional kitchen, where most meals are actually prepared. In such cases, the family’s chef will know their personal preferences and requirements better than even they do, which is why, when it comes to kitchens, we always take the detailed brief from the client’s chef.

They are known by estate agents as ‘difficult properties.’ These are the homes where many come to look, but no one wants to buy. They are the properties that lack that little something, which prevents potential customers from taking that next vital step. Finding the key to unlocking a property’s potential is our challenge when assisting agents who are, looking to demonstrate to potential buyers how properties could be transformed.