15 November 2022
The Portman Estate has announced five diverse new additions across Chiltern Street, Old Quebec Street and New Quebec Street, boosting Portman Marylebone’s selection of conscious independent retail and leisure brands. Also new to the neighbourhood is art exhibition ‘A Moveable Feast’ by Emma Witter, occupying 75 Gloucester Place.
Signing five new ethical and conscious brands displays a continued commitment to partnering with occupiers with shared sustainability values, The Portman Estate recently joining the global, trailblazing B Corp community as it became the first estate to be B Corp™ certified.
Joining Chiltern Street’s iconic red-brick stores, independent running brand Tracksmith will open their flagship London store at 23-25 Chiltern Street. Inspired by the ‘Amateur Spirit’ of running, Boston-based retailer Tracksmith produces racing, training and rest days clothing and accessories for the non-professional runner. Apparel across the range is made from OEKO-TEX certified fabrics and Merino wool. This sustainable natural fibre is sourced primarily from Australia and New Zealand and is mulesing-free. Hosting regular free running clubs and in-store speaking events, Tracksmith is designed to be an experience-led and community-focused store that will further strengthen Chiltern Street’s variety of specialist shops.
Strengthening Chiltern Street’s well-established reputation for luxury menswear, Bryceland’s & Co. will open their flagship London store at 48 Chiltern Street. With stores already open in Tokyo and Hong Kong, Brycelands & Co. combine custom tailoring and haberdashery to create timeless, rugged yet elegant menswear for every occasion. The brand’s core philosophy follows the Japanese concept of sampoyoshi, whereby business practices must benefit society as well as craftsmen and consumers. Joining a host of esteemed menswear brands including Grey Flannel, Sunspel and Trunk Clothiers, Brycelands & Co. will further boost Chiltern Street’s leading menswear offering.
Digitally native, independent jewellery brand Kimaïwill open their first bricks-and-mortar pop up store at 24 Chiltern Street this November. The modern, demi-fine jewellery brand uses recycled gold and lab grown diamonds which are physically and chemically identical to their mined alternatives, pioneering transparency and traceability in the jewellery industry. Kimaï create made-to-order pieces, produced in Antwerp, in partnership with independent goldsmiths, polishers and setters.
Independent New York speciality coffee brand Blank Street Coffee has opened a new café at 1 Old Quebec Street. Established in 2020, Blank Street Coffee has expanded to 28 existing US locations, with plans to make London their second biggest city. Serving premium coffee at affordable prices, Blank Street Coffee’s mission is to create a net zero emissions coffee shop model through hyperlocal commerce. Underlining Marylebone’s post-pandemic bounce back, Blank Street Coffee will diversify the food and beverage offering on the pedestrianised Old Quebec Street.
Contemporary British womenswear label, Isabel Manns, has opened a boutique pop-up store at 18 New Quebec Street on October 1. Isabel Manns has a five-step sustainability pledge to create a circular fashion label, blending innovative approaches to fashion with a commitment to environmental responsibility. Reversible pieces are central to the Isabel Manns collection, giving wearers double the outfits. Isabel is also committed to zero waste, with any leftover fabric being used to create scarves, headbands and other accessories.
Recently opened on November 5 is artist Emma Witter’s latest exhibition ‘A Moveable Feast’. Open until January 3 inside one of the Estate’s Georgian townhouses, the exhibition contains a collection of small sculptures and digital prints inspired by Witter’s nomadic lifestyle. Open by appointment, the collection explores the artist’s interest into abandoned objects and spaces, building on her signature style of using animal bone.
The continued ability to attract pioneering independent brands to Portman Marylebone underlines The Portman Estate’s commitment creating an area with a vibrant retail portfolio to the benefit of its residents, workers and visitors. Attracting unique and international brands with shared environmental values demonstrates The Portman Estate’s long-term vision to create a thriving and sustainable destination in the West End.
Tom Knight, Portfolio Director at The Portman Estate commented: “We are very excited to welcome five new independent brands to Portman Marylebone. The additions of Tracksmith, Brycelands & Co., Kimaï, Blank Street Coffee and Isabel Manns help evolve our retail and hospitality offering to enhance Marylebone’s reputation as a destination in the West End. It is fantastic that we are able to work with brands that are dedicated to environmental responsibility and aligned with The Portman Estate’s sustainability targets.
Our new arrivals are pioneering independent British and international brands, three of which are international brands choosing to open flagship stores in Marylebone, which is testament to the strength our existing offering in the area. Our new occupiers demonstrate how London continues to grow from strength-to-strength in its retail and hospitality recovery post-pandemic.”
Isabel Manns, Founder and Creative Director at Isabel Manns: “We are thrilled to be on New Quebec Street with like-minded independent British brands. We are in such a central location which makes it easy for our customers to find us and it is great to be on The Portman Estate who are so supportive of ethical and sustainable brands like ours. Our brand designs and sells womenswear clothing which is all sustainably made in London. The majority of our items are also reversible, featuring a print designed by me on one side and a plain colour on the reverse side so that customers get two outfits in one, which is something that no one else is currently offering.”
