St James’s Street in London’s Mayfair is a handsome thoroughfare where the past, the present and the future co-exist. It has been a hub for quality goods and services since the 17th century, and has never lost its lustre. Chris
Cecil-Wright believes there are few places better to do yachting business, which is why the Cecil Wright offices are located there.
Bordered by royal parks, palaces and Piccadilly, St James’s Street is a string of retail and epicurean pearls in the heart of London. Here, grand Georgian architecture jostles alongside sleek modern interiors to enchanting effect: ‘It’s charming, human-sized and with a village atmosphere,’ says Chris, ‘it simply epitomizes the London experience for me.’
MOVING WITH THE TIMES
Chris visited the street regularly as a child and bought a flat here ten years ago. When he launched Cecil Wright, it made perfect sense to work and entertain from his private base in this familiar locale. With interiors supervised by top yacht designer Andrew Winch and the Cecil Wright Intelligence System giving the team instant access to yacht details in real time, the St James’s Street office has proven to be as comfortable as it is connected.
THE GRAND TOUR
When clients visit, Chris takes the opportunity to introduce them to the area, whether it’s a Japanese lunch at Sake No Hana, ‘probably my favourite restaurant in London’, or a trim at the Truefitt & Hill barbershop – ‘where you may have your hair cut next to John Major or members of the royal family.’ All the needs of the discerning individual are catered to on St James’s Street – from handmade shoes and fine wines, to gentlemen’s clubs and private banking. ‘As with the joy of yachting, it’s all about the lifestyle,’ says Chris, ‘and I feel privileged to be in the company of these established and long running businesses.’
1.
1A, Dunhill Cigars – a tobacco emporium with a sampling lounge, master blender’s room and walk-in humidor
2.
3, Berry Bros & Rudd – established in 1698, this exquisite wine merchant supplied wine on board the Titanic and once sheltered Napoleon III in its cellars
3.
6, Lock & Co Hatters – the oldest hat shop in the world, ‘Lock’s’ was founded in 1676 and holds the royal warrants for the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh
4.
9, Lobb – on the site of Lord Byron’s bachelor apartment, this bootmaker has produced handmade shoes for Aristotle Onassis, George Bernard Shaw and Frank Sinatra
5.
19, Fox of St James’s – a premium tobacconists that has been trading on this premises since 1787
6.
28, Boodle’s – this private members’ club was founded in 1762 by the Earl of Shelburne and named after its original headwaiter, Edward Boodle
7.
29, D.R Harris & Co – Harris’s Apothecary was established at No.11 St James’s Street in 1790 and much of the original furniture is included in the chemists’ subsequent site
8.
37, White’s – one of the oldest and most exclusive gentlemen’s clubs, White’s was founded in 1693 and has counted Prince Charles as one of its members
9.
60, Brooks’s – a gentlemen’s club built in a Palladian style in 1778, Brooks’s was once renowned for its gaming rooms
8.
67A, William Evans – a maker of sporting guns and rifles whose patrons have included royalty, politicians and ranking officers in the Guards Regiments
9.
71, Truefitt & Hill – founded in 1805, this is the oldest barbershop in the world and has served the British Monarchs through nine consecutive reigns
