16 March 2022

Riding the Mumbli Sound Waves

Mumbli, a Hackney-based start-up, is introducing its innovative technology to a number of places in Shoreditch. Mumbli was founded in 2018, and has been dedicated to research on hearing wellness and the monitoring of background noise in social spaces ever since. Its founder, Marion Marincat, lives locally. He experienced an 80% drop in his hearing at the age of 26. At this point, he couldn’t follow conversations in busy bars and clubs. In those types of settings, even hearing aids didn’t help much. 60% of the population actually suffer from sensitivity to background noise. Therefore, Marincat made audiology research his vocation and he has partnered with several leading universities.

Mumbli’s accredited venues are able to monitor sound in real-time using special technology. Members of the public are able to build a ‘sound profile’ and select places based on their personal ‘atmosphere preferences’. Venues have panels which absorb sound and are fitted with sound monitoring devices, which detect ‘sound sweet spots’.

There are 88 exciting venues trialling Mumbli in Shoreditch. Here are a few of the best.

Wahaca is the place to be if Mexican street food’s your thing. Indulge in a tequila-infused cocktail while you’re there, and have a go on the dartboard or the foosball table. With tetelas galore to munch on, you can’t go wrong at Wahaca.

Also using Mumbli are Bodean’s Old Street, Bulldog Edition, and St John Bread and Wine. All hangouts are great fun.

Diners at Bodean’s can tuck into buffalo wings, brisket and shrimp. While there, you can watch a plethora of sports on the bar’s screens from NBA and Premier League to the Super Bowl. Bulldog is full of opulent coffee tables and has a cool exhibition space for local artists. St John’s seasonal, homegrown ingredients are used to create mouth-watering dishes, such as crispy pig’s cheek and braised cuttlefish. A fantastic time can be had by all at the venue’s winetasting evenings.

Shoreditch will surely be enriched by this futuristic and awe-inspiring approach to hearing wellness.

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16 March 2022

Mime, Migration and Morality at Shoreditch Town Hall

Shoreditch Town Hall (380 Old St, London EC1V 9LT) has an impressive schedule of events, performances and classes this Spring.

Well worth attending are the monthly acting classes with Theatre Re. Inspired by the approach of Etienne Decroux’s Corporeal Mime, they combine fun games, ensemble work, technique and improvisation. Sessions cost £40 and take place from 10am-3pm every Sunday, until July.

Telethon is surrounded by much hype. It is a show within a show, and a darkly humorous take on public morality. Jennifer is the host of a Comic Relief-style TV show. If you come to see her show, you will join the pretend studio audience of the imaginary telethon, and witness a thrilling and catastrophic turn of events spurred on by the divisive tendencies of the public. Plenty of audience interaction makes it an electrifying night. The performance involves new approaches and technology to make it inclusive for all. There is integrated captioning and moments of British Sign Language interpretation. Particularly good is the creative captioning, which is part of the video design. In creative captioning, performers are acting in character and using BSL at the same time. You can see Telethon from now until the 14th April at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £15.There is also the opportunity to be a virtual participant on 6th and 7th April, by joining the livestream.

New Earth Theatre brings Tsunagu/Connect Live to the Town Hall from 23rd –30th April. It’s a kaleidoscopic view of the voyages and many stages in the lives of migrants who come to settle in London’s East End. Following four Japanese women in different periods and settings, Tsunagu is a promenade performance piece – meaning that the audience physically moves around as the story unfolds in different parts of the space. The promotional poster displays the caption: “No one knows how many Japanese women live in the UK…No one knows their varied loves or hates, their achievements or mistakes, their opinions and contradictions…So we asked them.” It’s an irresistible experience. The show invites you to immerse yourself in Showa Era Japan here, the bedsits of ‘90’s London there, and to witness the Empire Windrush’s final voyage. Tickets cost £16 and Tsunagu/Connect Live is an absolute must-see.

Not only is Shoreditch Town Hall at the forefront of culture, the arts and entertainment, but it is a glorious feat of progressive Victorian architecture and it is steeped in British political history. I’ll see you there!

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16 February 2022

Evocative and Inclusive Art in the Heart of Shoreditch

Fresh talent will be emerging from the Old Truman Brewery in The Other Art Fair from 17th-20th March. The fair is a beacon of anti-elitism, throwing off the fetters of convention and making art affordable to all.

The fair, on the popular Brick Lane, will showcase the work of 140 independent artists. Complete with immersive installations, performances, DJ’s and a fully stocked bar, it is sure to attract people from far and wide.

Miguel Fonta’s pieces are a must-see at the fair. The photographer has captured building fronts in all colours, styles, shapes and sizes across the world. Ridiculously pleasing to the eye are his tiny brown and sand-coloured bricks around imposing windows with billowing cornflower blue drapes in Amsterdam. The glorious green painted walls setting off the embellished gilded window frames make for a vivid picture, with the panes reflecting the city of Vienna outside.

Another talented artist is Marcelina Amelia. Uk-based, she uses mixed media approaches to print, painting and drawing. Her works allude to her Polish heritage, religious iconography, folk tales, the power of dreams and childhood memories. One of her most striking images is a woman, legs astride in flares and cowboy boots. Ears of corn are growing out of her boots and they compliment her bright textured mane of strawberry blond hair. Her cryptic gaze is eerily fixed on you. ‘Isolation Mode’ is a tender portrait of a melancholic woman, who cups her tilted head in her hand. She looks into the distance, 45-degrees from the centre point. The contours of her face are highlighted in bold red and shades of blue. One can sense the haunting thoughts that flicker across her eyes. How fitting for a post-lockdown age.

Last but not least, Alex McIntyre’s paintings are amalgamations of journeys he himself has taken on foot, either running or walking. They upliftingly project vast expanses of light, sky, land and weather. He paints in subtle hues and his pieces have an ethereal quality. They are also an amazing study of the ever-changing shapes of clouds.

The Other Art Fair is sure to be the talk of Shoreditch this March.

The Old Truman Brewery

91 Brick Lane

E1 6QR

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16 February 2022

New Name for Shoreditch’s Illustrious Museum

The Geffyre Museum, a transformed 18th century almshouse, has been renamed the ‘Museum of the Home’. The name is testament to the museum’s mission: to explore the concept of home and how it has evolved over the last 400 years.

The interactive home galleries tell the stories of people from different walks of life, who came to live in the area. For example, Mrs SA from Bangladesh, who faced the challenge of integrating into a new culture whilst preserving her own and how this fusion is reflected by the décor and objects in her new home in the UK. Then there are the charming and touching letters from Thomas Adams who came to Shoreditch in 1759 from the North of England and wrote to his mother Elizabeth about his family back home.

The museum displays many gorgeous objects and items of furniture. The Japanese-style tea service from 1876 is ornately beautiful, adorned with bamboo stalks, fans and scrolls. This type of tea service reflects the fashion and tastes in homes of the time. A must-see too is the Isokon furniture from 1930-1940. It’s made from bent plywood  – a revolutionary new material at the time, which was used to create dynamic and futuristic pieces.

The highlight is the museum’s famous ‘Rooms through time’. Based on real London homes owned by the middle-class, each room is presented painstakingly with amazing attention to detail. The 1970’s front room, curated by Michael McMillan, is typical of that lived in by African-Caribbean families in the mid-20th century. The room is complete with radiogram from the 1950’s on which you can play vinyl records while reaching for a Baby Cham or white rum from the in-built drinks compartment. On display are intricate crochet doilies – made at the time by many Caribbean women to supplement their income.

The parlour in 1695 shows an almost alien concept of home to many of us. In the room, you will notice the posset pot from 1695. Posset was a hot milky and spiced alcoholic drink thought to have had medicinal benefits. The pot was passed around, hence its two large handles. It’s a colourful and stunning object. The elephant, a drawing by John Dunstall in 1675, is fascinating. It’s a study of a real live elephant which had been brought to London. One can only imagine what an awe-inspiring sight this exotic animal was to Londoners at the time.

On Saturday 12th March, a giant Yard Sale will be taking place in the museum’s Kingsland Road Gardens (10-4pm). The sale will feature what is described on the website as an ‘eclectic mix of attic clearout gems’. Many pieces on sale are courtesy of contemporary Hackney-based designers, and the funds raised will go to helping women and children in vulnerable and dangerous conditions across the capital.

So make sure you head to this remarkable museum, one of Shoreditch’s prized assets.

136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA

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1 February 2022

The Word On The Street

Nothing is better than sashaying down Brick Lane or parading through Spitalfields, whilst scoffing a delightful snack which you have just bought from one of the many small traders in the area. These talented street chefs create mouth-watering dishes within converted shipping containers and colourfully decorated trucks, or on market stalls, filling the air with aromas that tickle the taste buds. If you close your eyes and sniff, you can almost imagine you are in Vietnam…or is it China…or Jamaica?! It’s an amazing experience as so many countries’ cuisines compete for your nostrils!

Boxpark, a vibrant shipping container complex, is a favourite destination for street foodies. Highlights there are Mao Chow (Chinese vegan grub – how very 2022!) and Rudie’s Jerk Shack, which offers delectable treats going by such humorous names as the Yardie Box and the Jerk It Up Box! Of course, a favourite is the jerk chicken but they make a mean curried goat as well.

Chatsworth Road Market, down the road from Shoreditch, is the place to be on a Sunday. Sample the street food at Paddy Field (sushi-style Japanese rice parcels) and sumptuous Scottish toasties at Deeney’s.

Arguably, however, the best street food can be gobbled up at one of the impressive Shoreditch restaurants that are going strong in 2022. Dishoom’s buzzy atmosphere and zingy Indian street food is irresistible. Diners can kick back in Bombay-style digs with vintage colonial décor and upscale colonial touches. Not to be missed is the fried batura bread with chickpeas, and the keema pau (minced, spiced lamb in a buttered bun). Street food, one must not forget, is just as much about drink as it is about food. Try the bottomless chai tea and the famous Bollybellini – a Bellini with an exciting twist!

Another culinary giant is Smoking Goat Shoreditch. This quirky eatery is inspired by Bangkok’s late-night canteens, and launches a highly pleasurable ‘assault on the senses.’ Feast on the Loatian fried Pollock laab – an Eastern salad with an abundance of good quality, fresh winter herbs. The fish is poached in delicately balanced aromatic stock and is bursting with the gorgeous flavours of fresh citrus and chillies. The aubergine and tomato nam tok is just dreamy. Smoking Goat proudly states that their ingredients are sourced from environmentally conscious suppliers, such as @goodearthgrowers and @flourishproduce, which can’t be a bad thing.

One thing’s for sure, street food carries with it a sense of fun, which is much needed in the current climate. It also involves the younger generation of people in the country’s food culture. And Shoreditch is undeniably the kingdom of street food!

Dishoom Shoreditch

7 Boundary Street,

EC2 7JE

 

Smoking Goat Shoreditch

64 Shoreditch High Street,

E1 6JJ

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1 February 2022

Shoreditch Stereotypes

Walking around Shoreditch, you will encounter many wonderfully quirky characters. Here are some Shoreditch character portraits. We may poke fun and exaggerate their flaws and attributes, but we are only gently teasing. We love them really!

The Hipster

Guzzling a soya latte in the mornings and craft beer in the evenings, with a beard that is somehow both bushy and groomed, he peers at you through his designer spectacles with a mildly amused expression. A self-proclaimed vegan (with a secret penchant for burrata!) he loiters by the window of a vintage clothes shop, reading a second-hand copy of Jean Paul Sartre, whilst pondering the human condition. He is environmentally conscious and edgy in all the right places!

The Banker

Frequenting Shoreditch House, this pretentious and ruthless go-getter has a cocaine-fuelled aptitude for making money. Self-motivated and self-made, the banker knows that it pays to be entirely selfish! With a twinkle in his eyes and a sharp suit, he is highly seductive and incredibly dangerous!

The Fashionista

Not afraid to mix velvet with feathers, or to wrap her pink hair in a purple leather turban, the fashionista is unashamedly ‘out there’. She loves swishing her bright green coat, which she wears over her orange jumper, as she dissects her outfit for a vlogger on Shoreditch High Street. “My skirt is vintage Cavalli, and this top is literally from Zara,” she garbles. Nothing much troubles her, other than whether to wear her white rubber boots or Doc Martens to the thrift store. Her boyfriend is sporting a vintage 1950’s baseball jacket and Prada “skeps” (trainers, to you!) as he pouts and strides along Brick Lane to meet her.

The Techie

Existing solely on powdered protein to fuel his coding sessions, this IT genius has a computational approach to his entire life. He tracks steps, calories and heartbeats as he shows off his esoteric knowledge of obscure coding. Part of the gentrification wave, his favourite hobby is collecting modernist Scandinavian furniture!

Let’s not forget, though, it’s the diversity and quirkiness of these types of people that help to create the amazing vibrancy in Shoreditch.

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1 February 2022

A Wordsmith Joins Forces With An Enigma

Exciting, fresh artwork has cropped up on the Shoreditch streets in recent months.

WRDSMTH, once a successful writer based in LA, who became fascinated by street art, has projected his new inspirational pieces onto Shoreditchian walls of late. His work is emblazoned with his vivid trademark typewriter stencil, and the script being typed is imprinted on a piece of paper, wheat-pasted on the wall above. Crammed full of wit and pithy irony, WRDSMTH’s musings have been captivating passers-by in this vibrant pocket of London’s East End: Shoreditch. Shoreditch is known for its colourful and clever use of graffiti and its feat of transforming this aspect of urban culture into an artform to be reckoned with. At times delightfully whacky and psychedelic, WRDSMTH’s pieces are also awe-inspiringly heartbreaking. He writes, wistfully: “I let you slip through my fingers and that is something I cannot let go.”

The Japanese genius Enigma has also lit up Shoreditch with his haunting image of an other-worldly male. Drilling into your soul all steely-eyed, in a defensive pose, with his arm masking (how apt) his nose and mouth, this figure appears to be giving birth to a litter of ominous ‘black angels’, which are showering out of his head! Fallen angels? Covid ghosts? Or shadows of birds and butterflies? The ambiguity is a powerful force that elevates Enigma’s creation to the lofty heights of WRDSMTH, and even- dare I say it? –  Banksy himself (the king of UK street art). The artist Enigma was based in London pre-pandemic, then went back to Japan, before returning to London permanently.

Expect more from these Titans of Shoreditch in 2022. Keep your eyes peeled!

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1 February 2022

Cocktails and Coffee Shoreditch-Style!

A crew of characterful coffee shops have exploded onto the café scene in Shoreditch. As eclectic and vibrant as the locals, they are much more than somewhere to grab a cheeky flat white on your way to work.

Shoreditch Grind, slap bang in the middle of Old Street roundabout, has sprung forth from Melbourne’s coffee culture – or perhaps we should say counter-culture, as it has a deliciously alternative ambience and a quirky design. While there, you can get lost in their mouth-watering all-day menu, whilst indulging in Grind’s dreamy house blend of coffee, with its famous oat milk. Or treat yourself to a spot of people-watching (Grind is the ideal hangout for this particular pastime) as you slurp your way through the decadent black blend – both full-bodied and invigorating. Then it’s espresso martinis all the way as the sun goes down, and the after-work crew troop in. Nothing is better than soaking up the buzzy atmosphere and imbibing your own little cup of heaven to perk you up. In 2015, a full kitchen was introduced and since then the food has been wonderful. Open for breakfast and brunch, the café’s most popular dish is the mightily tasty one-pan eggs with chorizo, spinach and yoghurt. With its own distinctive take on a 1950’s vibe, Shoreditch Grind, part of an all-conquering citywide chain, is well worth a visit. Plus, what other coffee shops have their own onsite international-grade recording studio?

Shoreditch Grind, 213 Old Street, London EC1V 9NR

Attendant, also Australian, has rocked up to the East End, boasting good locally-sourced food and coffee. Attendant’s green coffee beans have been sourced from independent farms. Roasted at the café’s in-house roastery the beans are then ground, brewed, and uniquely infused with Attendant’s signature flavour. Attendant’s slogan is ‘built for the people’ and once you sample its coffee, you’ll believe it was built for you! Drink up this irresistible nectar and begin to get your Zen on, as you breath in and relax, surrounded by tranquillity and Attendant’s crisp, whitewashed walls.

Attendant, 74 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3JL

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8 November 2019

The Ins and Outs of Shoreditch

The Ins and Outs of Shoreditch: November


Restaurant of the Month: Sub Cult

Dubbed the best thing since sliced bread, street food vendors Sub Cult have finally opened their permanent residence in the City on Watling Street. Serving hot American-style sandwiches, these beasts are guaranteed to make your day. They’ve been honoured with a ‘Best Sandwich’ award at the British Street Food Awards, so you know they’re good. With breakfast, vegetarian and vegan options, there’s a sub for everyone! On top of all that, there will be morning pastries from family-run east end bakery Rinkoff’s, sweets from fellow street food sellers A Pie Party as well as salads and tater tots all available at Sub Cult. So what are you waiting for?

Check out their Instagram for foodie inspo @subcultlondon


Bar of the Month: TT Liquor

This three-storey venue is guaranteed to provide you with liquor-filled experiences (as the name suggests), but in more ways than one. Located in a converted Victorian police station, this is the one place where you won’t mind being behind bars.
On the ground floor, you’ll find The Liquor Store with shelves upon shelves of booze bottles hosting a selection of the garden variety to ultra-rare vintages, along with gift sets, glassware, and lockable “deposit boxes” for you to keep anything you purchase on-site.
Venture on down into the basement of this boozy fortress and you’ll find yourself at The Cocktail Bar, a vintage-style cellar bar with small alcove areas, previously functioning as jail cells. Inspired by historical eras dating back to the Belle Epoque, all the way to the present day, we’re sure this will be an unforgettable cocktail experience. If you’re looking for more, they also host guided ‘tasting experiences’ including classes on whisky, rum, gin, plus local & worldwide beers.
Just when you thought they’d run out of ideas, if you head out back you’ll find they’ve converted one of the back rooms into a 52-seater cinema room, complete with retro seating, original wooden floors and intimate lighting. Here they hold monthly screenings of classic films like “The Italian Job”, with a complimentary cocktail inspired by the film.
And finally, at the top of this grand building, you’ll find the location of their Masterclasses where they teach the art of making the perfect cocktail.


Event of the Month: Gin Journey Shoreditch – Every Saturday

Our Event of the Month spotlights Gin Journey Shoreditch, the tour that shows you the best gin bars in London that you had no idea about. Hop onboard one of London’s finest gin tasting experiences as you learn about the classic English spirit whilst taking part in fun games along the way. You’ll be chauffeur-driven from venue to venue around Shoreditch whilst led by a gin expert, known as a ‘Gin Guardian’, that will guide you through the various gins in 5 amazing venues and a gin distillery.

With new openings monthly and plenty of events nearby, our offices are ideally located in the heart of East London. Don’t hesitate to get in touch today – Call us on 020 3984 9530 or email at enquiry@properoffice.com

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21 October 2019

5 Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle in the Office

As winter draws closer and the mornings and evenings get darker, it can become a challenge to motivate yourself to keep fit and healthy. You put off starting that healthier diet until Monday, convince yourself that you will go to the gym tomorrow or treat yourself to that 4th cup of coffee to stop yourself going into hibernation. But fear not! Staying healthy doesn’t have to be such a struggle or a huge change. Even the little changes here and there are enough to make an impact and get you on route to a healthier lifestyle.

To help you, we’ve come up with 5 simple ways to live a healthier lifestyle starting from right here in the office.

five_ways_to_be_healthy

Looking for an office space that will support your unique lifestyle? Give us a call on 020 3984 9391 or email at enquiry@properoffice.com to find out more about our available spaces.

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