If the scale of the residences is enough to leave you gobsmacked, then the attention to detail will render you even
more open-mouthed. No expense has been spared in the sourcing of the finest materials and the very best artisans who
specialise in them. The Bianca Eclipse stone used in the kitchen worktops is, for example, quarried in Brazil, then
finished by Italian stone artisans. Then there are the bronzed balcony balustrades, which are a bespoke design
inspired by the botanical prints of William Morris. Residence floors and cabinetry are crafted to endure from the
highest select grade FSC certified European Oak.
As for the townhouses, they also come with their own unique trimmings: the balustrade railings are one-off works of
art, created bespoke for each townhouse by Tord Boontje; the fireplaces in the formal reception rooms are crafted
from black Port Laurent stone with metallic white and gold veins; the chevron flooring, hewn from solid oak, will
develop a deep, rich patina over time; the entrance hall is a space of elegant proportions and fine craftsmanship,
with bespoke flooring fashioned from three varieties of natural stone; the spacious eat-in kitchen is fitted with
handmade cabinetry by Halstock, the epitome of fine English craftsmanship; Arabescata stone floors, walls and
countertops pair with bespoke Samuel Heath basins and fittings in the capacious bathrooms; and the landscaped
private garden connects seamlessly with the living space of the mews houses, perfect for relaxing and
entertaining.
So far, so opulent. For all the extravagant bells and lavish whistles in the residences, a development on the scale
of Chelsea Barracks could not exist in the current market without a world-class amenities service and so Qatari Diar
has thrown the kitchen sink at providing a 6-star hotel-like concierge service. Called The Garrison Club, residences
can think of it as their own private, always available, Society of the Crossed Keys (Wes Anderson fans know what I'm
talking about). For those looking to unwind, the palatial spa is a subterranean
Aladdin’s cave of bespoke wellness, peace and tranquility. From the stunning lobby featuring a woven feather and
fibre optic chandelier by East London-based artist Sharon Marston, guests can choose to be pampered from an
extensive menu of Elemis spa treatments ranging from peptide facials to body scrubs, wraps and massage, or can of
course arrange for their favourite masseuse and/or treatment expert to tend to them in one of the private rooms.
Further inside, the white marble and gold detail spa area features a light-reactive 20m pool, male and female
experience showers, steam rooms and saunas, a tepidarium, together with wet and dry relaxation areas and vitality
pools, all suffused in a calming ambient light. It rivals anything else in London, and as a resident, you needn't
even step outside to access it.Beside being pampered to within an inch of one's life, the Garrison Club also
boasts a private cinema (the popcorn menu is insane), two 12-seater boardrooms should feel that way inclined, a
capacious living area (perfect for hosting guests or having private parties) and a real den of a games room,
complete with billiards table, backgammon sets and a personal lock-up for guests to stash away bottles of their
favourite tipples.
As I left Whistler Square on that day in September, builders were just putting the finishing touches to an
apocalyptic Conrad Shawcross sculpture which dominates the Pimlico Road entrance. It's a real Marmite work of art,
but such has been the evolution of Chelsea Barracks from day one. Not everyone will warm to these 13-acres of
extreme luxury, but what one can appreciate is the passion and dedication that has been poured in to making the
fantastical come true.
