History
On New Year's Day 1939, two go-ahead negotiators, the brothers David and Joseph Levy set up DE & J Levy, practicing in Pall Mall.
Within months, World War II had started. Joe Levy was a fire‑fighter during the Blitz, stationed on Albert Embankment. The estate agency just managed to survive, because every three days the brothers had 48 hours leave, which they used to run the business.
Although values were at rock bottom, there was plenty of business to do. Charles Clore rightly envisaged that at the end of hostilities there would be a huge dearth of office accommodation, so he instructed the brothers to acquire bombed sites in prime central London locations. Thus started one of the most prolific London office agency, which at one time could boast 9 million square feet of new office developments on its books.
During the post war period, the charismatic David Levy established himself as the top development agent, but in 1952, still only 47, he died. Joseph Levy at once expanded the practice so that the firm became the biggest development agency in the West End.
New developments were springing up everywhere and were usually let well before completion. The firm's trade mark accompanying these development sites were massive "To Let" boards, designating not only information about the new project but also the names of the development team, the builders and sub‑contractors. The heading read, "Changing the Face of London".
In 1961, the firm moved to 130 Jermyn Street where they would remain there until 1998, when the building was redeveloped again. 1961 saw the emergence of two young men who had joined the firm in the 1940s: Walter Swindon and John Bodie. Both had just become partners and had established their own client base. The principal client was Harry Hyams of Oldham Estate Company fame, who had originally crafted his skills at our firm as a junior negotiator. He became one of the leading developers of his generation. The majority of his vast portfolio was initiated by our firm. It still remains closely connected with us. Meanwhile, the early 1970s saw the completion of the Euston Centre (1.3m sq. ft.), which was undoubtedly Joe Levy's "Jewel in the Crown".
Joe Levy's reign as both an outstanding senior partner and a giant in our profession became legendary. It ended upon his retirement in September 1973.
The early 1980s were again difficult times for the profession, but all our departments continued to flourish.
Although the start of the 1990s was very difficult for the industry, our clients continued to support us most loyally. New Partners such as Paul Krendel, who had formed our Professional Department in the early 1980's, were forging new high profile client connections such as Derwent London, and in the summer of 1998, the firm moved to its existing base at Dukes Court, 32 Duke Street, St James's. In the mid-1990s, the market improved and our new development stock began to sprout once again. This culminated with our joint appointment by Development Securities as letting agent for One Curzon Street, at 212,000 sq. ft. the largest post-war office development in the West End.
In our new offices, following Roger Sharpley's appointment as Senior Partner in 1999, Simon Heilpern was appointed as Equity Partner to head our Investment Department and he was successful in transacting a massive proportion of the West End's volume of investment transactions in 2005/6, representing some 30% of the total investment stock. He was joined by Simon Higgins, as Equity Partner leading our Industrial Department and he was particularly successful in East London and south of the river, with a range of activities culminating in the sale of the site which will accommodate the new home for the American Embassy when they move from Grosvenor Square in 2015. Finally, in March of 2010, Simon Tann joined the firm as Equity Partner from CB Richard Ellis, to lead our West End Office Agency department.
The maxim passed down from Jack Phillips to his staff was, "If you can't make a living within 3 miles of Piccadilly Circus, you'd better pack up your bags and go home". Although we live in a world of globalisation, Phillips's advice still holds good for DE & J Levy LLP - 70 years later.