Le Style Bourne

Le Style Bourne

Robert Bourne tells Thomas Luke about Bourne Capital’s expansion into France

With a vast property empire that includes four high profile London estates and landmark venues such as The Old Vic Theatre and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, you might think that Robert Bourne is a true London man. And you would be right. But what has led this self-confessed Londoner “born and bred” to expand into France? And what are his plans?

After one taxi, one train, one plane, and another taxi I finally find Bourne reclining in the lobby of a hotel in Monaco where he is overseeing some of Bourne Capital’s French investments. His notorious charm is immediately apparent. Calmly he introduces himself before signaling to a waiter who moves with incredible speed returning with a bottle of water, two glasses, a bowl filled with tangerines, already peeled and segmented - this is a man who knows what he wants, and gets it.

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Robert Bourne began his career in property in the 1980’s when he set up Local London Group (LLG) with his brother Graham, buying up redundant buildings and redeveloping them into London’s first serviced offices. He took LLG public in 1986, before eventually selling it in 1989 for £112m.

Bourne Capital grew by operating its assets, but with new ambitions to acquire adjoining properties and form estates in London, then creating their own leisure businesses within the estates to increase footfall. This has provided them with higher than average revenues and increases the value of Bourne’s estates. In 20 years they have managed to acquire large parts of Queensway, Waterloo, Chinatown, and Islington, and built a £250 million portfolio. But it doesn’t stop there. Among their operated businesses are Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the acclaimed Cheyne Walk Brasserie, the Waterloo Brasserie and Queens Ice & Bowl, not to mention Bourne’s collection of London theatres run by Robert’s wife, theatre impresario Sally Greene. However, there’s a new show on at Bourne Capital and it has a distinctly French flavour.

So what led you to expand into France? I ask him. “We have always felt there were significant opportunities in France. One particular opportunity arose and we took it... then others arose and we took those too. I am always looking to roll up my sleeves for a new challenge”, says the man who with his wife Sally managed to turn the Old Vic from a failing theatre with the threat of extinction into one of London’s most exciting and profitable theatres. Not to mention persuading two time Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey to become its Artistic Director, and Sir Elton John to join the board as Chairman. The first international “opportunity” he is referring to is the 85 room Hotel Courcheneige, in the popular skiing resort of Courchevel. “The hotel was running well as it was, with a long list of regular guests who return year in year out, so other than minor improvements, we intended to keep this hotel running largely as it was”, he says, and adds, “it has the advantage of being right on the slopes, allowing guests to ski in and out”. He goes on to explain that it has been an excellent learning experience for the French based team who are now set towards more ambitious plans.

In 2007 Bourne completed a deal to buy one of St Tropez’s most prominent hotels, which is currently undergoing substantial redevelopment before being reopened as ‘Le Grand Bleu’ in Spring 2009. “There is an astonishing shortage of luxury accommodation in St Tropez, so this seemed like a good opportunity to really begin making our mark,” he tells me.

On completion Le Grand Bleu will include 80 further rooms, making it one of St Tropez’s largest four-star hotels. Situated only 500 metres from the fashionable Place de Lice, it looks set to work, but where is the drama? Bourne has a habit of being led towards iconic landmarks and a four star hotel is, well, a bit ordinary.

Bourne Capital’s third international venture is far from ordinary. Robert Bourne is known as a man who likes the finer things in life - his London restaurants are perfect testament to his good taste. However, nothing he has done is quite as fine as his latest project – there’s a smile on his face when I raise this. The secrecy surrounding his latest French project is perhaps another sign that Bourne and his team are planning something big, but with a bit of gentle persuasion, he gives a little.

Last year Bourne’s International Division negotiated the acquisition of the only chateau right in the middle of St Tropez. “My vision was to create the world’s most exclusive rental property.” And exclusive it will be. Bourne has enlisted the help of award-winning architects and designers to restore Chateau St Tropez to unprecedented glory. A swarm of staff will cater to the guests’ every need whilst they enjoy all the facilities you would expect from the world’s leading hotels, but with one major difference - no other guests. “The Chateau St Tropez is arguably the most expensive rental property in the world” Bourne tells me, and adds, “Although its in the middle of the village and very near the port, it is secluded in beautiful gardens and offers our guests a high level of privacy and security”. We are gradually going to create a group of what we call ‘Private Palaces’ across the world, in very select locations”, Bourne explains. People will inevitably draw comparisons with Richard Branson’s collection of luxury residences, branded under Virgin Limited Edition, which include the infamous Necker Island and The Lodge - a nine bedroom chalet in Verbier. “Where’s the next one”, I ask. “You’ll have to wait and see”, says Bourne smiling once more. “What I can tell you is that we are focusing only on the most exclusive destinations, and not just in France.

So with two hotels, one ‘Private Palace’, and “a number of other potential acquisitions” Bourne Capital seems to be sinking its teeth into life in the sun - a far cry from the serviced offices in London Bourne started out with. Only time will tell if this new interest abroad is to be a success, but given his track record on British soil, it is pretty likely.

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