Last Wednesday my colleague Nicola and I went up west, treating ourselves to a mid-week do at a location that has awed our location agency for many years. 30 Pavilion Road is a townhouse location in the heart of Knightsbridge that has been wowing London society since the property opened as a venue in 1963. The house has welcomed many faces from across the globe for events, film shoots and photography. It boasts an historic guest-list from Elizabeth Taylor to, more recently, the Made in Chelsea set (if I may be so bold to start name dropping in the first paragraph of this blog!).
Leading venue suppliers and all-round-providers-of-elegant-experiences Searcys acquired the venue in the 1920s, developing the venue to be the revered address that it is today. But the townhouse has a much longer history, being home to the Searcys family in 1847. It was the first of Searcys’ now 25-strong portfolio to appear in London’s diary as The Place To Be, and the building’s heritage shines through in the sumptuous decor that welcomes all guests.
The fabric of the property showcases spacious rooms, marble fireplaces, sophisticated furniture, a library and a grand staircase. The latter is situated at the heart of the venue where one can imagine elegant debutants stepping out in to the world via the carpeted marble steps.
jj Media’s Knightsbridge night:
Nicola and I were greeted in the roomy entrance hall, stepping in to the warm glow of one of the marble fireplaces and the Georgian style black-and-white tiled floor before ascending the stairs, making our own debut at the venue. Upstairs the bubbles were flowing, as were a wide choice of cocktails and wines. As per our usual approach, we went for the champagne…
Whilst quenching our thirst (and re-joining civilised society in after our adventures on a cramped Central Line carriage) we had time to take in the pleasingly refined Georgian-style surroundings. The interiors showcase artwork including paintings that ons imagines would have been acquired on The Grand Tour, contemporary prints detailing the construction of the fountains at Versailles, and attractive silver drink decanters that decorate the walkway. We deduced that this is a venue where elegant decor flows from room-to-room much like a fine wine.
With a Bacchus-style spring in our step, we moved into the library, the room we were most keen to see firsthand. We were delighted to become immersed in a space that manages to be both spacious and intimate. The library consists of warm wood panelling, a high ceiling, a large fireplace and shelves lined with antiquated books with titles that belong to another place in time inscribed on their spines. The room may be masculine in style, but it is welcoming of gentlemen and ladies alike, offering comfortable seating and bouquets of flowers to soften any manly edges.
We progressed towards the most welcome sound of a prohibition-era jazz/swing band in the property’s last, and largest, room. The band’s trio – and accompanying dancing flapper girls – commanded the room of guests that ranged of the venue’s existing and future clients.
The woven curtains were drawn in this lavishly upholstered room with only the pheasants and peacocks, from their painted 2D places on the walls, able to observe guests. A sense of privacy is of the utmost importance to the venue’s organisers. The principle rooms in the house can be hired on an exclusive basis; the hotel rooms at the property are separate to the event and shoot spaces, ensuring no interruptions to an intimate gathering or to the creative process of anyone working on a shoot.
Nicola and I left the venue in high spirits, having channelled both Regency aesthetics and the lively entertainment of the inter-war years. The gift of a Cherry Bakewell as we left the premises was an unexpected and tasty end to a great evening!
Thank you to all at Searcys at 30 Pavilion Road for a roaringly good show!
Interested in hiring 30 Pavilion Road? jj Media can make your event, film or photo shoot a reality.
jj Media is proud to represent the prestigious 30 Pavilion Road for events, filming or photography. This central London venue is in a unique position to offer private hire of a townhouse that’s a stone’s throw from the fashionable streets of Knightsbridge.
The location is ref 11647 on our website if you wish to see more images.
Get in touch with one of our team to find out more.
Tel: 020 7749 0500
Events: james@jjmedia.com
Filming and photography: locations@jjmedia.com
Many thanks to Searcys and Sam Lane Photography for the additional images!