When it comes to property projects, the complexities and intricacies are plentiful. That’s why choosing the right project management and cost consultancy firm is key. As chartered property professionals specialising in the prime residential market, Davenport Associates have the expertise and depth of understanding to offer a tailored service, ensuring projects run smoothly, on time and on budget.
To find out more about the services that Davenport Associates offer we sat down with Managing Director, Ross Van Ot, to talk about how Davenport was born, why they choose to be a deliberately small firm and how the ‘meticulous service’ of his expert team can make substantial projects seem like light work for support staff…
Let’s start with how it all began. Could you give us a bit of back story as to how Davenport Associates started?
Simon Davenport founded the company in 2009, to provide private clients with independent advice in relation to residential property projects. Simon recognised that clients were somewhat exposed, since the private sector has historically lacked some of the rigour that exists in commercially driven projects. He began by assisting a private family client with a major project in Chelsea. This was followed by other projects, for the same family. We took on our first project in the country in 2012, and ever since our portfolio has remained a mix of projects both in London and in the country. I joined the company in 2017, introducing quantity surveying services, and in 2021, took over the reins from Simon, who stepped down entirely from the day to day dealings of the business.
You describe yourself as a ‘niche firm of chartered property professionals specialising in the prime residential market’. Elaborating on this, what it is that sets you apart from your competitors?
Davenport is a deliberately small firm, to enable a highly personal approach with all clients. I am very detail orientated, and oversee all projects, with other members of the team supporting me on day-to-day delivery. I ensure that I always have capacity for in-depth knowledge about each of our projects, and am closely connected to the clients, and /or their support staff, for the full duration. The team is made up only of Seniors, no Juniors, and as such delivers a consistently meticulous service which is typically demanded by our high/ultra-high net worth client base. The company was established to protect private clients, and as such will always remain fiercely independent.
As well as your own specialist team you also work alongside leading interior designers and architects. How do you decide who is the right fit for a collaboration and what is it that you specifically look for?
Ideally, we are involved with projects from the very beginning. This enables us to advise on the design team, as well as the likely cost and programme. We are closely connected to numerous best-in-class architects and interior designers, as well as, for example, garden designers, audio-visual specialists, surveyors and heritage consultants. Every project and every client is different, and our design team recommendations are always tailored. We consider stylistic preferences, the size and scale of a practice and their ability to deliver, the likely fees and of course the chemistry. Building or refurbishing a private home can take a good few years and it makes all the difference to work with professionals who clients and their support staff like, trust, and feel wholly supported by.
In what ways do Davenport Associates make a private client and their support staff’s life easier when taking on a project?
I will respond to this question by quoting a PA who I have worked closely with over the last few years. She was given a great deal of responsibility by her Principal to oversee the delivery of a substantial project, creating a 12,000 sq. ft new build family home in London. Following the project, she said: “It was because of Ross, who was so organised, that I got on top of everything. Ross helped me to build a structure, so for example I could easily see what had been paid so far, and what was remaining to be paid. It provided such a comfort to me, and he helped me to set up systems that meant I didn’t need to be dependent on him, because he had explained everything so well, and I really understood what was going on”.
Could you tell us about a particularly unique project or one that stands out in your mind as being extra special?
There are many I could mention but will highlight one of our current projects, which is located in Ireland, and extensive. It is a project that will span a number of years, and our client is strongly motivated to regenerate the estate with huge sensitivity to the historic fabric, and to the local community. This is hugely gratifying, and we are enjoying working closely with the clients’ representative on the many decisions that must be made on (almost) a daily basis.
And finally, are there any exciting developments in the pipeline for Davenport Associates that you would like to share with the BBB community?
I am in the process of growing the team, which is exciting. Not on a scale that detracts from what we are all about, but just to enable us to have a little more capacity, since demand is strong. In addition, we are delighted to have access to some wonderful images from a recently completed project and I look forward to sharing these publicly soon. Since we work predominantly on private homes, we are very often restricted from sharing images. Therefore, I am particularly excited about being able to share a new example of our work in the months ahead.
For more information on the services of Davenport Associates please contact, Emily.
Getting Your Garden Ready For Spring
By Anya Cooklin-Lofting
Nurturing a garden of which to be proud is no small feat. It involves months of pre-planning, consistent attention and dedication to detail. However, the benefits of nailing your garden design, from layout to colour, function to fragrance, is one of the most rewarding domestic pleasures. Whether you’re creating an oasis for entertaining friends and family, a peaceful enclave for getting in touch with nature, a kitchen garden or a florist’s paradise, now is the time to start prepping.
Getting Started
As an artist preps their canvas, a great gardener gives themselves the best chance of success with a clean slate. Tidying up the garden will give you a sense of clarity about what you want to achieve, how you’ll use your space and what the possibilities are for switching things up. Remove fallen leaves and branches using a rake or a leafblower, cut the grass and neaten up perennials that have sprawled over the winter. While this task won’t be quite as satisfying as picking bouquet flowers for friends or a few veggies to roast for dinner, it will definitely feel like an accomplishment by the end of the day.
On a more technical level, you can look at improving your soil quality. This may sound complicated, but there are actually a few simple ways do to this. Initially, you need to test your soil. The best way to do this, according to Old Farmer’s Almanac, is to dig up one cubic foot of soil, break it apart and search for earthworms. You should find at least 10 earthworms if your soil is healthy. If you find fewer than 10, the advice is to add organic matter into the mix throughout your planting areas, which could include compost, aged manure and leaf mould using a spading fork.
You can also take this opportunity to declutter your shed or gardening toolbox. A clean, tidy shed will help to preserve your gardening equipment and, of course, reduce the stress associated with chaotic, messy spaces, making for a more enjoyable gardening experience. It’s also advisable to clean and sharpen tools like secateurs and trowels for not just easier, but safer usage.
Design Ideas
Getting to grips with how you want your garden to function is the first important step. Work out where you might like to establish dining or lounge spaces, a section for games or play and beds for flowers, fruit or vegetables. Are there any specific features towards which you’d like to draw the eye, such as a pond, an outdoor sculpture or a particularly beautiful tree? There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but giving consideration to these decisions will give you some structure to work to.
Light-touch design ideas could include adding colour in unexpected ways. Paint fences or structures like trellising with bright colours that complement the colours of the flowers you might want to grow. Personally, I love the way paint weathers outside, chipping in places for a rustic feel. Another less intensive design idea is to use colourful pots in varying glazes, textures and sizes to bring different dimensions and layers to patios or decks.
What to Plant Now
Classic spring flowers will thrive in your garden right now. Opt for daffodils and crocuses, fragrant hyacinths and decadent dahlias. Now is the time to lean into tulip varieties, too, which make delightful displays at home, especially using the TikTok-famous tulip petal hack.
Getting ahead of the game on your vegetable garden will bring great rewards right the way through the summer. While it’s best to plant most vegetables in warm weather, vegetables including broccoli, cabbages, kale, Swiss chard, kohl rabi and lettuce can be planted in March for quick results. You can keep sowing seeds throughout the season to extend the harvest period.
Windowsill Gardeners
For those without the privilege of a garden, windowsill options are still rewarding, and there is something charming about miniature gardening. While planting bouquet flowers might be tricky because of the height and space they require, lower-lying plants like hyacinth can be grown in bowls in bright spots around the home very easily. Where your indoor kitchen garden is concerned, growing salad items like microgreens and herbs is a manageable place to start. If you have a bright enough window, the opportunities are endless. Last year, I grew cherry tomatoes all the way through until November!
Europe’s Hottest New Hotel Openings
By Amira Hashish
As Europe opens its doors for the season, there are some very glamorous new hotel openings to get excited about. From the new dawn of Capri’s original hotel to a glamorous getaway on the Athenian Riviera and Christian Louboutin’s first foray into hotelier life, here are the hotspots to have on your radar…
Son Net, Mallorca
In a nutshell: Palma’s secret palace.
What’s the story? Just 20 minutes outside of Palma in Mallorca, this 17th-century estate is palatial in every sense. In the UNESCO World Heritage Tramuntana Mountains, there is exquisite scenery and art at every turn. Chill in one of the private cabanas, take a dip in one of the pools, book in a spa treatment or explore the acres of gardens. Then retreat to a meticulously restored suite by interior designer Lorenzo Castillo with rustic beams, stone floors and antique fireplaces. Keep an eye out for the private chapel, vineyard and a century-old olive oil press as well. If a day at sea appeals, ask about the sailboat tours of the island’s turquoise waters and white sand coves.
Book: sonnet.es
Hotel La Palma, Capri
In a nutshell: The most coveted opening in Capri.
What’s the story? The ultimate La Dolce Vita experience awaits in the hotly anticipated rebirth of Hotel La Palma. Capri’s first ever hotel, which has been hosting the great and good on the island for more than 200 years, dramatically shut its doors last season to embark on a major overhaul. It is now under the helm of the Oetker Collection (Le Bristol in Paris, Eden Rock in St Barths, Jumby Bay in the Caribbean) and the Reuben Brothers. In the very heart of the Amalfi’s party piazza, its new guise will be revealed this summer and we are expecting big, bold, beautiful things. Another hot ticket will be a daybed at La Palma Beach Club on the coast.
Book: oetkercollection.com
One&Only Aesthesis, Athens
In a nutshell: The place to draw out summer.
What’s the story? Set on a private oceanfront estate, One&Only’s latest European opening is an idyllic base for an Athenian adventure. Rooms are dotted around the Riviera views and coastline. The restaurant is set to highlight traditional dishes from the region and a spa will offer treatments by Chenot. We have a little longer to wait for this one as it is expected to debut in autumn but the good news is that this is the perfect time to visit Athens so you can make that Greek summer getaway last a little longer.
Book: oneandonlyresorts.com
Hotel Vermelho, Melides
In a nutshell: Christian Louboutin becomes a hotelier.
What’s the story? Luxury shoe designer Christian Louboutin brings his glamorous eye to the Alentejo coast in Portugal with his very own hotel opening. He named the boutique escape after his love of the colour red (Vermelho means red in Portugese) and you will find splashes of it around the property. Each of the thirteen luxury rooms is individually designed with rare artworks, handpicked by Louboutin, alongside local Alentejo tiles. Local craftsmanship is championed and frescoes adorn the ceilings. The restaurant, named Xtian, embraces traditional cuisine with artisanal tableware and an ever-changing atmosphere that gets more sumptuous as the sun sets.
Book: vermelhohotel.com
Hôtel Dame des Arts, Paris
In a nutshell: A chic stay for the creative set.
What’s the story? Originally built in the 1950s, the Hôtel Dame des Arts has been given a new lease of life by lauded Parisian designer Raphaël Navot. There is an industrial edge to the new look, befitting of the creative scene in its surroundings of the Latin Quarter. The pièce de résistance is the rooftop bar with 360-degree views of the city whilst the courtyard restaurant headed by Chef Othoniel Alvarez Castaneda fuses French cuisine with Mexican flavour. Book a terrace room overlooking the Eiffel Tower to live out that Parisian fantasy. Other notable Parisian openings include Le Grand Mazarin in Le Marais and La Fantaisie in the always cool 9th arrondissement. Both are designed by Martin Brudnizki who never shies away from the lavish… he counts Annabel’s in Mayfair amongst his projects.
Book: damedesarts.com
COMO Le Montrachet, Burgundy
In a nutshell: Wine country with the wow factor.
What’s the story? The first COMO hotel in France has recently started welcoming guests in Burgundy. One for wine lovers, it is nestled just a few steps from the legendary Le Montrachet vineyard. A traditional palace takes centre stage with surrounding heritage buildings comprising 31 bedrooms. The on site restaurant offers wine-paired menus (but of course) and there is a spa too. Paola Navone Otto Studio has created an elegant, elevated design with a nod to the palettes of the countryside.
Book: comohotels.com
Hoxton, Brussels
In a nutshell: That Seventies vibe.
What’s the story? It is hard to keep up with the latest buzzy opening from the Hoxton collection but if you are seeking a cool city break or looking for a stylish place to stay on business, the Brussels edition is one to watch. Housed in a brutalist tower building and the former European headquarters of IBM, there is a Seventies vibe to the design scheme. The rooftop terrace has fabulous views and the site is also home to the first Working From_ co-working space in Europe. Doors open in May. Meanwhile, Hoxton Berlin has just opened in the city’s Charlottenburg neighbourhood.
Book: thehoxton.com
Six Senses, Rome
In a nutshell: Roman baths in a picturesque Palazzo
What’s the story? When in Rome, if you are on the hunt for all the grandeur of a Palazzo coupled with the ultimate spa experience look no further than Italy’s first Six Senses opening. Super close to Fontana di Trevi and the Pantheon, the location could not be easier and you can soak up the vistas from the rooftop terrace. With a UNESCO-listed façade setting the tone, many of the building’s original features have been brought back to their original glory including the rather magnificent central staircase. The spa revolves around the traditional Roman baths whilst the restaurant merges the ambience of a classic trattoria with organic ingredients. Other openings from the collection include the recently launched Six Senses Crans-Montana in Switzerland with the Loire Valley, Austria and Iceland also in the pipeline.
Book: sixsenses.com