One very significant event was the launch in November of the Bloomsbury Urban Realm Study by Sir Terry Farrell, presenting a thought-provoking master plan and vision for the continuing improvement and enhancement of Bloomsbury over the coming decades (see feature in this issue).  This is a very welcome initiative to stimulate debate about how Bloomsbury should evolve as the twenty-first century unfolds.  It is aimed at ensuring that the council, landowners, developers, transport and highway planners, and other stakeholders engage with each other in developing plans for the area, to avoid some of the urban planning mistakes of the latter part of the twentieth century.  The Estate intends to play an active role in the shaping of the Bloomsbury of the future, as it has done since developing the area from open fields more than two hundred years ago.

2006 has been a year of achievement for the Estate as well.  For the first time in many years we are practically fully let, both in terms of commercial and residential accommodation.   This reflects not only improved market conditions but also our long-standing policy of refurbishing and improving our buildings to meet modern day demands.  It is also yet another sign of the continuing attraction of Bloomsbury for businesses and residents.

We are currently on site with two substantial residential projects, in Bedford Place and Bloomsbury Square, which will provide thirteen new apartments for letting.  A further residential scheme of ten flats in Gower Street is planned for early next year.  2007 will also see us undertaking two significant office refurbishment schemes, one building of approximately 14,000 sq. ft. and the other of 11,000 sq. ft.  Both will be striking re-workings of period buildings to provide modern open plan office space in the heart of Bloomsbury and I look forward to their completion towards the latter part of 2007.

To all our readers, I send my best wishes for a very happy Christmas and New Year.