Flying Butler launches Fitzrovia apartments
Located in the East Marylebone Conservation Area, the one and two-bedroom apartments sit in a red brick Victorian property dating from 1902, featuring high ceilings and dual-aspect outlook through large windows to create a light and bright atmosphere.
Steve Brenman, Chairman of Flying Butler, said: “Flying Butler - Fitzrovia Apartments, is ‘the next best thing to home’. They offer three times the space of equivalent hotel rooms; yet they can be up to 40 per cent less expensive. These boutique-style serviced apartments are interior-designed with colour, personality and space, fully fitted kitchens, beautiful bathrooms and spacious living areas in prime Central London.”
Owned by Deep Blue Apartments, a privately held company and founding member of the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP), Flying Butler opened serviced townhouses in Marble Arch in August.
The company also recently launched apartments at new locations in Earls Court, Edgware Road and overlooking the riverside in Kingston, and plans to expand its offering further with Flying Butler Secretarial Services and Flying Butler Family-Friendly apartments.
Flying Butler specialises in non-smoking apartments located in easily commutable and vibrant areas that offer amenities such as restaurants, bars, shopping, cinemas and gyms.
Sector growth
The ASAP has revealed plans to double its membership to 180 operators and agents over the next two years.
The organisation currently represents 74 operators, six agents and 25 partners, aims to ensure the sector’s growth to a £500m industry is reflected in government policies.
“Our membership has grown by 35 per cent in the last two years alone and serviced apartments represent 12 per cent of the accommodation offering in London alone with a prediction that it will reach 14 per cent in 2015, so our role is to make sure our members can operate in a market environment that allows them to grow and prosper,” said the association’s managing director, James Foice.
He cited government plans to deregulate short-term accommodation in London as a key policy issue the ASAP will push for, while making sure the consequences of deregulation are properly understood by political and industry stakeholders.
He added: “In a deregulated short-term letting marketplace, accreditation is essential. Customers need to know that when they book with an ASAP member, their accommodation meets expectations but delivers those expectations safely and legally.
“If we can boost our overall representation to 180 fully accredited members, operating 30,000 apartments, that will be a compelling proposition for corporates and individuals seeking an alternative to traditional hotel-style accommodation.”
