PROPERTY LAUNCHES

A launch to remember

Prior to founding Dark Horse, Lucy Verner was MD at Urban Caprice, part of Caprice Holdings and the iconic restaurant portfolio including Annabel's, Scott's, The Ivy, J Sheekey, Harry's Bar, Le Caprice and Sexy Fish.

Urban Caprice created and delivered some of the most memorable commercial property launches across the West End and City. Known for flawless service coupled with a high standard of food and presentation, UC gained a reputation for speedy seated dining experiences and creative solutions for the often formulaic launch format to ensure each event had its own personality.

Since relaunching as Dark Horse, launches have included Marylebone Place, One Millennium Bridge, Devonshire Square EC2, Devonshire House W1 and 28 St George Street. Dark Horse operates events end-to-end. We create the design, develop the menu with the chef, manage the guest list, cater and host.

We understand that the prestige of the building will determine the figure a developer is willing to spend. Whilst we love the creative freedom that a generous budget allows, we know how to maximise a smaller budget too. Creativity costs nothing and we work with all budgets to get the most out of it. A simple breakfast can be elevated by small details like branded packaging, top quality food and impeccable service.

JP Morgan

Harewood Place

RX appointed us to launch Harewood Place in W1 with a breakfast for 120 agents. Natural timber floors gave the room its character and the proposed design was inspired by it. We created "The Harewood", a brasserie style buffet breakfast of hot and cold options all available to takeaway for any agents in a hurry.

Harewood Place's logo marks from their marketing collateral ran quietly through the printed menu cards, coffee cups, takeaway bags and boxes. We also designed and produced the gifting boxes of exquisite Brindisa olive oils in branded bottles, a welcome change to a bottle of wine.

LONDON | WEST END

Lazari

28 St George Street

Bluebook & CBRE invited us to mark the summer at 28 St George Street with a lunchtime social for 70 guests; a relaxed occasion and yet considered enough to speak volumes about the building and its location. A Mayfair members club was the brief and we responded with a terrace inspired design of loose, natural florals, soft greens, texture and detail.

Seasonal Mediterranean warm bowl food was circulated from trays, whilst grazing tables presented a cold selection for guests to help themselves including heirloom tomato and burrata panzanella and a salade niçoise of seared tuna, quails' eggs with Cantabrian anchovies. A dessert bar with tarte Tropézienne, lavender crème brûlée and Guanaja chocolate ice cream profiteroles finished off the lunch.

LONDON | WEST END

Destination dinner table set for an evening event

Beltane

One Millennium Bridge

Beltane Property Management sought to mark the launch of One Millennium Bridge with an event that would stand apart from the traditional property breakfast or corporate lunch. With a future rooftop restaurant planned for the property we therefore proposed transforming the space into a one-day-only immersive dining experience. From this seed, Angelo's was born (in a nod to the investment firm, Angelo Gordon); a South of France–inspired outdoor restaurant overlooking Millennium Bridge framed by panoramic views of the London skyline.

A complete brand identity was developed across scenic design, menus, a branded coffee cart and staff uniform. The aesthetic drew on rich yellows and soft sage greens, expressed through layered textiles, cushions and linen, while crisp white parasols added structure and traditional Riviera elegance. The result was a vibrant yet refined setting that transported guests from the City to the Côte d'Azur.

LONDON | CITY

Brookfield

100 Bishopsgate

Brookfield sought an experience that treated 180 of the City's leading agents as restaurant guests rather than launch attendees. Bespoke banquette units and a full bar were constructed in the space, the walls were papered and pendant lights were rigged overhead to lower the ceiling to create a convivial atmosphere in what was an otherwise unfinished site.

Guests who could only spare half an hour or so were seated at the bar where a menu of quick, made-to-order bites was served on demand. Those who had time for the full dining experience were seated by the maître d' in groups of four, six or eight. A full à la carte menu offered agents a choice of dishes in an environment so convincing they could have been sitting in any one of the top-level restaurants in the City.

LONDON | CITY

Marylebone Place residential launch evening guests

Beltane

King William Street

"Sexy Fish in the City" was the first time the brand left its Mayfair home. To transform the blank canvas space within a sensible budget but reflect the DNA of the restaurant brand, we used vinyls and uplighters to great effect transporting guests into the lively dining environment that is Sexy Fish.

An open kitchen brought theatre and energy to proceedings as agents enjoyed a signature tasting menu in colourful surroundings. Knock out cocktails were served well into the afternoon accompanied by the restaurant's soundtrack.

LONDON | CITY

Brookfield

London Wall Place

For this early evening building launch we worked with the vast industrial interior of London Wall Place to create an urban, neon nightclub. Filled with colourful neon signs and lush foliage throughout it was an entirely unexpected experience for the attending agents.

Sadly it was also one of the hottest days of the summer and most of the guests remained outside on the terrace cooling down with cocktails instead of ripping up the dance floor where our DJ played to an empty space! The menu was suitably modern and minimalist and featured sushi, mini sliders and popcorn chicken.

LONDON | CITY