Irvine Sellar, the developer behind the Shard, has died after a short illness aged 82. EG looks back at the career of one of property’s most straight-talking developers and gathers tributes from the industry
From retail stores to the Shard…
The man who changed our skyline
EG editor Damian Wild remembers the life and achievements of Irvine Sellar. Read more…
© Alan Davidson / Silverhub/REX/Shutterstock
The fall and rise of Irvine Sellar
Sellar talks to EG about Shard tenants
SELLAR’S PROJECTS
| Paddington Cube, W2 | London Bridge Quarter, SE1 | The Shard, SE1 | The News Building, SE1 | One Swan Lane, EC3 |
| Market Chambers | The Pompey Centre | The Holiday Inn Bolton | The Holiday Inn Elstree | Best Western – Stoke on Trent |
Irvine Sellar launches the Place at London Bridge Quarter
SELLAR SAYS…
On that famous lunch with architect Renzo Piano in Berlin: When I showed him what we wanted to do, he said he didn’t like it and he didn’t like tall buildings. Fortresses, dark, divisive… but then he then picked up the beauty of the river and the energy of the rail lines and he sketched on the back of the menu… and in 30 seconds he sketched what you see today.”
Read more of Sellar’s views here
PROPERTY PAYS TRIBUTE
It was with profound shock and great sadness that I learnt of Irvine’s passing away on Sunday morning.
As recently as last Friday we met to discuss our current development project here at London Bridge Quarter – Shard Place, during which Irvine displayed all the dedication, passion and drive for which he was renowned.
Having had the privilege of working closely with Irvine over the past five years, it was his commitment, perseverance and unwavering determination that I shall remember the most.
He defied the odds, and his doubters with his clear and insightful vision for the regeneration of London Bridge, which brought the Shard to life. His legacy has forever changed London’s skyline and he will be remembered as the mastermind behind one of London’s, if not the world’s most iconic buildings.
My colleagues and I have learnt a great deal from working closely with Irvine. His sharp business aptitude and depth of experience has made me re-evaluate how to approach even the toughest business decisions. Irvine was an authoritative figure who evoked respect among his peers not only because of his achievements, but his pioneering and indomitable persona. He knew how to cut through the nonsense and deliver ambitious projects that London could be proud of – he cared deeply about what his friends and family thought of each endeavour.
Irvine was a visionary and challenged the status quo. From the outset, he was adamant that he wanted to create a vertical city, which has never been done before in London. He insisted on a diverse mix of occupiers at the Shard, which has resulted in a building that incorporates seven different use classes. We announced earlier this year that the building is almost fully let and I am glad Irvine was able to see the success of his strategy.
Irvine will be greatly missed by us all and the outpouring of condolences from the industry will hopefully bring some comfort to the Sellar family.
As a mark of respect we will be dimming the Shard spire lights from Monday 27 February to Sunday 5 March.”
Michael Baker, chief executive, Real Estate Management
We knew one another for 50 years. I got to know him when I owned HR Owen and I sold him a Rolls-Royce, a two-door, that was one of my personal cars, when he was still on Carnaby Street.
He moved from Carnaby Street into real estate through the shops he owned. His style of fashion went out of fashion and he went into the real estate business. FSM then got into difficulty and I formed a joint venture with him to help him get through all that.
We were good friends. We were pals. We would talk to one another every day, although not so much in recent years. In recent years we would have lunch every two or three months but 20 years ago, every week. We would never talk property when we went out. Our favourite place for dining was Scott’s because we could both sit outside and have a cigar. We were genuine friends that could trust each other and you can’t say that about many people nowadays.
The Shard is one of the great buildings but it is very different to the Heron Tower – different buildings in different locations. There was no ego between Irvine and me. Obviously we both wanted to build great buildings and that is what we did.
Irvine was one of the most persistent people I knew and would get through problems and make things happen. He was very good company, a good raconteur that could tell good jokes, a man’s man. We were very good mates and it made me very, very sad when I heard.
I’m 77. He always used to joke with me I’m the same age as you but as I’d known him that many years I always knew he was three years older than me. I heard he was 82 today – I only now find out he’s actually five years older! He didn’t look his age. He was a very good tennis player, played with professionals at Queen’s club and was a black belt at judo. I used to box but fortunately Irvine and I never had a crossed word.
It’s a sad loss. He’s probably one of my oldest pals. We were a couple of old dinosaurs and now there’s only one of us left.
Gerald Ronson, chairman, Ronson Capital Partners
Irvine was a visionary with the most incredible drive. I had a meeting with him around 2002 and he had a model in his office of a building designed by Renzo Piano which he said he was going to build at London Bridge. He was in his late 60s at this time and I must say I was sceptical. To deliver the tallest building in London and navigate the financial crash must have taken balls of steel. His passing is very sad.”
Davis Coffer Lyons’ chairman David Coffer
Irvine Sellar was the nicest and most unreasonable man I have ever met. I’m terribly saddened and will miss him enormously – as I’m sure the whole industry will.”
John Slade, BNP Paribas Real Estate UK chief executive
Irvine was a genuinely decent man, tenacious and always happy to chat. I remember when I was walking into Gerald Ronson’s office about 15 years ago and Irvine was walking out and Gerald turned to me and said ‘that guy is like rubber. He keeps bouncing back’. He did and has left a great legacy. I, along with many others, will miss him greatly as one of the great ‘old school’ characters of our industry.”
Nick Leslau, chairman of Prestbury Investments
Another week, another friend gone. RIP Irvine Sellar who made it from nothing, through nothing but tenacity and hard work. pic.twitter.com/kBNI0jfRWg
— Daniel Van Gelder (@danvangelder) February 27, 2017
A great memory of a proud Irvine Sellar when the Queen & Duke of Edinburgh visited The Shard – 21.11.13 pic.twitter.com/HktcDAwL57
— Peter John (@peterjohn6) February 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/V_commercial/status/836166030208675840
RIP Irvine Sellar. London looks better with his vision. https://t.co/C7XOelYo7l pic.twitter.com/ich98Nm6pn
— Jason Hawkes (@jasonhawkesphot) February 27, 2017
FROM THE ARCHIVES
PROFILE: Why property is like love
The Rich List 2015: Sellar ranks 160th
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Irvine & James Sellar – £220m
Sellar Properties
Fresh from the success of developing the new London Bridge Quarter, SE1, with the iconic Shard tower, Irvine and James Sellar are now looking at a new wave of development in London. In addition to creating a third building at LBQ, where demolition starts in October, the family have two major schemes in the pipeline. At Canada Water work is now under way to create a £500m, 1.5m sq ft mainly residential scheme only a mile or so from Tower Bridge. While at Paddington, Sellar is preparing plans for a major regeneration project on the old Post Office site adjacent to the station. The Shard is now a major London landmark. There has been a surge in lettings at the 1016ft tower over the past year. It is already home to 23 tenants within the office element, reinforcing the vertical town concept and, following News Corp’s leasing of The Place, it is expected LBQ will be fully let by the end of the year. Together with the adjacent 26-storey residential building, these are key factors in improving the Sellar family’s fortunes. They are further enhanced by Canada Water and Paddington, forming part of their £1.9bn development programme. Together with rising property values, we conservatively value the Sellars at £220m.
The view from the Shard
