A.LONDON X CAMILLA DELL
ON ALL THINGS ARCHITECTURE, MUSIC
& MORE_
COLLABORATIONS February 2021
Following the recent webinar with The Luxury Property Forum, A.LONDON recently caught up with Managing Director and Founder of Black Brick, Camilla Dell, to talk about her tastes from architecture to music.
What building inspires you?
I love both periodic, modern and some brutalist architecture, it’s too hard to choose. I think the best building combines the best of both worlds. For example, the Lancasters in Bayswater is one of my favourite buildings in London, the perfect combination of period façade and stylish modern interiors. I also love buildings that tell a story. I invested in a two-bedroom apartment in the infamous Television Centre, as not only did I believe the area was a hot-spot for the future, but I also loved the idea of owning a piece of history. I bought in the “Helios” the original building used as offices for the BBC.
“…not only did I believe the area was a hot-spot for the future, but I also loved the idea of owning a piece of history”
– Camilla Dell
Managing Partner & Founder of Black Brick
Music or podcast last downloaded?
I tend to find myself listening to property podcasts. I recently joined Clubhouse. Does that count?
Anything you collect?
Photographs.
What brings you the most pleasure?
Holidays with my family.
Design you wish you had come up with?
The Gherkin! It’s instantly recognisable and one of the first of the new uniquely designed builds on the London skyline.
What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
I recently downloaded the Reface App. It superimposes your photo onto clips from movies, famous pictures and GIFs. I got to see myself as The Queen, Bridgit Jones and Pretty Woman. Don’t judge! It’s lockdown 3.0!
Artist you most admire?
For music it has to be Prince. For film, too many greats to list, but I love Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad.
Favourite furniture design piece?
The Charles Eames lunge chair. A classic and also appeared in my first Black Brick brochure!
Last item you bought for your wardrobe?
A tracksuit – we’re still in lockdown!
Restaurant you’d most like to visit and why?
Any. I’m so desperate I would go anywhere right now!
Wine discovery of 2020?
I’m more of a gin girl.
If you could do anything else, what would it be?
A news presenter.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
When I was thinking about setting up Black Brick on my own, I was very nervous and worried about failing. My husband said to me, “what’s the worst that can happen? If it doesn’t work out, you will still have a roof over your head and food on the table.” I was extremely fortunate in that I had a very supportive husband, in a great job, so I had something to fall back on if it all went wrong. Luckily it didn’t!
The gift that gave you the most pleasure?
My Peloton bike! I don’t know what I would do without it.
Something you’ll never part with?
An old antique bronze statue of an angel holding a fish. Not something I would ever buy now, but it was gifted to me by my Mum and I remember it vividly growing up in my childhood home, my grandmother and I used to polish it.
A.LONDON’s C.E.O Alec Watt recently joined Camilla Dell along with other property experts on The Luxury Property Forum’s webinar to discuss what will 2021 may hold for luxury property. To hear the panel’s views on the subject, you can view the webinar, here.