Continuing my journey around the London version of the Monopoly board with Regent Street, the first property in the Green Set.
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| The beautiful curve of Regent Street seen as you enter from Piccadilly Circus, London |
Every one of the buildings in Regent Street is at least Grade II listed. This means that for Historical or Architectural interest no building can be altered or demolished without permission - which is usually not obtainable. Sometimes only the façade is protected and internal alterations can be made.
The street is one of the first examples of Town Planning as it cuts a swathe through the otherwise straight streets of the West One (W1) postcode. After the Great Fire of London, in 1666, there was a move to plan the reconstruction of the medieval city but it took one hundred and fifty years before this first attempt took place!
Named after the Prince Regent (later George IV) it was laid out by the great architect John Nash and completed in 1825. Now it is a high prestige shopping and business street in one of the most expensive parts of London.
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| Hamley's Toy Shop, Regent Street, London |
Hamley's,who style themselves
as "the world's most famous toy shop", have been in Regent Street since 1881 but were established in High Holborn, London in 1760 and there is a large Apple Store there too.
Regent Street is halfway through a 20 year £1 billion investment scheme and is continuously being improved and upgraded.
With 2 km of shop-fronts it rivals Fifth Avenue and the Champs Elysée for high prestige shopping.
Just as in the game of Monopoly, the rents in Regent Street are incredibly high.
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| The Apple Store, Regent Street, London
Wishing everyone who visits this site(about 100 unique visitors per day) a peaceful and preposterous (sic) 2014.
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8 comments:
Greetings bazza,
Another detailed, meticulous article depicting various aspects to London Monopoly. Regent Street, one of my favourite locations in London. I shall have to go to Hamley's and buy Sir Tom a posh toy.
And yes, I'm a rather unique visitor. Say what...
A peaceful, joyous 2014 to you and your loved ones, old chap.
Gary
If it were possible to be very unique it would be you (it's not though; something is either unique or it's not!)
I shudder to think what toy Sir Tom would favour.....
All the best for 2014 Gary
Great buildings, have a brilliant new year with your loved ones bazza *smiles and raises a glass of ale.
Thanks AC; good health to you in 2014!
The rather saucy Sir Tom Eagerly says:
Mr Klahanie wants to buy Sir Tom a posh toy....yipee!
I'll one of them Taste of Diamond bottles of champagne please. You could probably get a bottle for less than £1 miilion.
Cheers Bazza!
The trouble is Sir Tom that they probably don't sell alcohol in Hamley's. It is a toy shop after all.
Happy New Year Bazza! To pop from ritzy Regent Street to Grayson Perry, is refreshing. I love the idea that Regent street began as a unique, curvy, rebel street in a city full of right angles but has since become a thriving center for wealthy mainstream consumerism, While, Grayson Perry's vases, on face value seem quite classical at first glance till you look more closely at the disturbing images. Paradox and irony always awaken my imagination and thinking. Great way to end and start a year:)
Rebecca! How delightful to hear from you. Happy New Year to you and yours too.
I miss your Blog. Maybe you will return to it one day......
If you are interested you can listen to Grayson Perry's BBC Reith Lectures here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtehJ3O3vMk
Lord Reith was the disciplinarian straight-laced first chairman of the BBC. There is quite a contrast between his image and Perry's.It's an enjoyable listen.
Shanah Tovah!
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