Leading property developer One Point Six was established in 2017 by Yadav Jani and Bhavnish Chandaria, their principle of the ‘golden ratio’ driving them to deliver some of the most breath-taking luxury developments across London, including the recent £7.95 million, 45 Eaton Square.
The perfect symmetrical relationship between two proportions, the ‘golden ratio’ has been the core theory behind all of One Point Six’s projects. This, combined with the duo’s exemplary attention to detail, has empowered the team with the vision to create, design and deliver meticulously considered, design-led homes for a number of private clients and investors.
We sat down with Yadav and Bhavnish and discussed everything from the firm’s unique design philosophy to 45 Eaton Square, described as the company’s most ambitious project to date.
So, Yadav and Bhavnish, please tell us a little about yourselves.
Yadav Jani: I’m a director at One Point Six, a property development business started alongside my business partner, Bhavnish. While growing up I lived between London and Nairobi, as my family alternated between the UK and Kenya for business, building one of East Africa’s largest financial advisory firms. I was always fascinated by the unique architecture of both cities with their eclectic styles, which is where my interest in property first began.
Before starting One Point Six, I received a masters in finance and marketing from the University of Birmingham. I then took on a role as a financial consultant, working within my family’s business to provide investment advice for our clients across a broad range of industries, such as banking, farming, mortgage services and, of course, property.
Bhavnish Chandaria: I also have a background in finance graduating from the University of Manchester. I began working in real estate in 2005, for my family’s Kenya based company DMC Group where I now head up the group’s real estate ventures. We cater to the growing needs of the residential and commercial markets in Kenya, helping investors to secure strong returns.
What was the inspiration behind starting One Point Six and can you tell us about your offering?
Bhavnish: One Point Six is a progressive property development partnership started by Yadav and myself in 2017. We have known each other since childhood and always got on fantastically well. After working together on a project, we decided to combine our joint expertise and experiences together as property entrepreneurs to create spectacular residences driven by our belief in the ‘golden ratio’. We develop our own properties as well as providing a turnkey service to individuals and businesses, whether it involves meticulous restorations of their own homes through to a detailed ground-up development to sell.
Yadav: We both have significant experience investing in the prime central London market covering thousands of the capital’s finest properties. Our expertise lies in identifying outstanding opportunities sourced through our extensive networks. We create thoughtfully planned spaces as functionally efficient as they are effortlessly glamorous, sensitively tailored to their location.
Can you tell us more about ‘golden ratio’ and how it is incorporated into your design philosophy?
Yadav: Absolutely, the ‘golden ratio’ is the divine proportion creating perfect harmony in nature, art and architecture. Ancient Greek mathematicians discovered how to express it mathematically, using the principle to construct the Parthenon. We chose to name ourselves after it to symbolise our commitment to deliver meticulously considered, design-led developments and a reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere.
Bhavnish: Our acute understanding of the importance of precise proportions sets our homes apart. We commission many pieces of furniture to bespoke specifications. Inspired design is as evident in functionality as it is in glamorous finishes. Careful consideration of layout and the practicalities of everyday living is a hallmark of a One Point Six home.
You have impressively achieved record deals at a number of landmark London addresses. What has been the secret to the success of these projects?
Bhavnish: We only choose very specific addresses – this is paramount to our success in achieving three record-breaking sales on Pont Street, Cadogan Gardens and Observatory Gardens.
We are also selective about who we work with to bring each project to life. Take our success at 49-51 Pont Street. When we originally purchased it in 2014 the layout was not compatible for today’s living standards. We worked in collaboration with Vastu Shastra, a 5000-year-old interior and architectural design practice to create an elegant turnkey home. The property exchanged for £3,345 per square foot, a record price achieved for an apartment on Pont Street.
Yadav: By taking the time and investing on the design side more than other developers we have been able to quickly achieve a number of record sales. Earlier this year we launched an exceptionally remodelled 1,840 square foot apartment at Cadogan Gardens. Within three days we agreed a record sale for £6,750,000, an equivalent of 3,668 per square foot making it the highest price paid for a property per square foot ever at the prestigious garden square address.
What projects are you currently working on at the moment?
Bhavnish: We have just finished our most ambitious project to date, 45 Eaton Square, located at London’s premier garden square address.
Originally an unmodernised apartment, we transformed the layout to create a three-bedroom turnkey home. Our team introduced a one-to-one ratio of bedroom to bathroom, which is incredibly popular with overseas buyers, all while maintaining the original interior architectural features and character. The period elements are balanced by the intricate contemporary finish emanating luxurious warmth.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic what changes are you seeing in what discerning buyers are looking to add to their homes?
Yadav: Our relationships with our homes have certainly shifted over the past year. A house is not just a place to live anymore, it is the office, school, gym and cinema, so flexibility within the layout is key.
Materials used will change too. Those which have antibacterial properties, such as copper will be in high demand. It provides a luxurious natural finish whilst removing germs from the surface. Self-cleaning smart sanitary ware and air filtration systems are also rising in popularity.
Looking ahead to a fresh start in 2021, what do you see happening in the prime London market over the next twelve months?
Bhavnish: The prime residential property market in London is unlike any other. Areas of Mayfair and Belgravia have a historical appeal and classical characteristics which just cannot be matched, Eaton Square, for example, is known across the globe. Factor in the English language, legal system, time zone and world-class education system and London is still an attractive destination for buyers.
And what we should we be looking out for from One Point Six in the future?
Bhavnish: In addition to our flagship launch of 45 Eaton Square, there are a number of interesting projects in the works in London. Excitingly, we are also expanding into new areas of the UK, with our first large development set to launch in Shenley, Hertfordshire in Easter 2021.
Yadav: We are also overseeing the development of a fantastic site for a client in Leeds’s city centre, 2 Headrow. It is a Grade II Listed, 17,000 square foot former Lloyds TSB building and will be transformed into a multi-use residential scheme. It features wonderful ornate detailing on the exterior and was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, one of the architects behind the development of London’s Regent Street.
For further information on One Point Six and its current development pipeline, call 0207 493 9202 or visit onepointsix.co.uk.
