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‘Mayfair has a terrific vibrancy,’ says Harvey Cyzer on this rather special area. ‘The thing about Mayfair is that is has something for every

purchaser. I don’t believe that other areas of London do.’ The immaculately-suited Cyzer, who is head of Knight Frank’s Mayfair and St James’s office on Mount Street, is unreserved when it comes to sharing his knowledge and genuine passion for all things Mayfair. ‘It is the central capital of the world. I feel I am working in the absolute epicentre, where people who are decision-makers globally operate and work and

SPOTLIGHT ON:Harvey Cyzer

We meet the man who leads Knight Frank’s dynamic Mayfair office to talk all things Mayfair and the latest predictions

from the Knight Frank Wealth Report for 2014

live and have their offices, and I find that very exciting,’ he says. ‘So many people aspire to live in Mayfair and want to be a part of this central hub.’ This fast-pace suits Cyzer. He oversees the busy Knight Frank office on Mount Street and the 70 properties under its instruction at present, including Red Lion House (pictured). And, he is meticulous when it comes to selling a property (it is not unusual to find him on his Blackberry after the working day has finished for most, speaking with overseas or London-based clients).

Mayfair remains one of the most sought-after locations in which to purchase property in

LEFT: HARVEY CYZER (PHOTO: SAREL JANSEN)

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The MAYFAIR Magazine | Property

London, despite its many changes and developments. Cyzer knows this all too well – he has borne witness to the eclectic mix of residents from all over the world who have come to live here, the rise of Mayfair’s commercial side and the gentrification of streets such as Mount Street, on which the Knight Frank office elegantly sits among the terracotta-coloured historic buildings. Red Lion House, which sits just a few blocks away on Waverton Street, is an example of the calibre of properties, which is currently for sale. The newly-built property is spread across six contemporarily designed floors, which includes five bedrooms, eight bathrooms and enough leisure facilities (a sauna, steam room, pool and cinema room) to make you feel as though you never have to leave.

Cyzer grew up in St James’s and his family have lived in the area since the 1960s – plus, his

uncle’s gallery, E&R Cyzer sits just around the corner on Bruton Street. Suffice it is to say that he knows his market very well – and he has all the right local connections. ‘I can remember in St James’s in the late 1970s and early 1980s on the weekends it emptied out it was completely quiet,’ he says. ‘There were a few gentlemen’s shops and that was about it. I also remember it was not like now, where everyone gravitates into Mayfair, it was very much people just living here slightly in isolation, whereas now you find with the transport links and with the publicity of certain restaurants, everyone comes in and enjoys it.’ Outside of office hours, you will find Cyzer at his local favourites, such as the Lansdowne Club, or with a client at one of his favourite restaurants, Bellamy’s, tucked away on Bruton Place. ‘The Lansdowne Club has really retained its Englishness, and it still has a dress code and a policy of behaviour, which I like very

much: as it has not succumbed to a relaxed dress code and it is very particular in that respect. I think Bellamy’s is a really lovely restaurant that is run extremely well too.’

But even though Mayfair and indeed London is considered the crème de la crème of everything from fine-dining to fashion, and, of course, property, I was keen to quiz him about the latest Knight Frank Wealth Report, which has just been released. One forecast predicts that New York will overtake London as the most important city for the ultra-wealthy by 2023. ‘London has historically been and will always be one of the central financial capitals of the world and I don’t think that will ever change. You may find that we are right in our predictions but at this stage it’s only a prediction and a lot can happen in between now and then.’ Indeed, prices have remained consistently good since the global financial crisis, and Mayfair continues to

be regarded as a safe place to invest in property.Making the most of this strong market

position, Knight Frank’s Mayfair office are uniquely placed to handle all manner of properties for sale or to let, having the manpower of the global company behind them, while the small but mighty team offers a tailor-made approach to the way they do business. From the beginning to the end of the sale process you can expect proper advice along with a stellar marketing campaign and strategy, 24-hour availability for all of your queries, and for any objections (which there always are) to be overcome in a timely and professional manner – after all, when you handover your most valuable asset for sale, this reassurance is priceless. Red Lion House, £25,000,000. For further enquiries contact Harvey Cyzer at Knight Frank(020 3589 0900; knightfrank.co.uk)

The MAYFAIR Magazine | Property

CENTRE, TOP: HARVEY CYZER (PHOTO: SAREL

JANSEN)