The restaurateur behind the Paramount bar at the top of London’s Centre Point clashed with Mike Hussey, the developer planning to turn it into luxury flats, today as he dismissed a “derisory” offer for his lease and launched legal action.
Hussey’s Almacantar is planning to turn the Grade II-listed building into 82 luxury flats — including Pierre Condou’s venue, refurbished at a cost of £5 million.
Paramount has a lease of more than 30 years to run on the top three floors, although Camden Council’s planning officers recommended Almacantar’s scheme be approved last week. The lawsuit from Condou, who opened Bistrot Bruno in Soho to wide acclaim 20 years ago, comes at a sensitive time as the Centre Point proposals come before Camden’s full planning committee this week.
Condou’s claim details a £1 million offer from Almacantar in October 2011 to surrender his lease, which he called “derisory”. Condou himself also accused Almacantar of trying to “bully us out” of Centre Point and failing to maintain lifts — crucial because Paramount’s kitchens are in the basement. “We have been forced into this position because of the intransigence of the landlord,” he said.
Hussey, pictured, who denies the claims, told the Standard: “We went to mediation with him, but he stormed out. We’re very happy for him to stay and if we need to adapt for his occupation we’ll do that. We have to act in the interests of all our tenants.” Almacantar bought Centre Point for £120 million in 2011.
