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• Soft-selling Hornsey...

Описание: In these billboards the people of Haringey - who used to own the former Hornsey Town Hall - were not promised something basic or down-to-earth as property development. Nor was the development deal presented primarily as a plan for new homes which could be afforded by local residents. The story told was certainly not a simple and often repeated tale of publicly owned land, in a highly sought-after location, sold abroad for private investment. Instead we have a happy-ever-after fairytale. An "iconic" former Town Hall will be "set around" with "a collection". Consider the use of that word. Maybe the iconic building will be set like a jewel? Or perhaps like a centrepiece in an art collection or museum? We learn that the public square will be "improved". But no mention that it will also be a privately owned square. Then there's a new hotel. I'm told it will be a "boutique hotel". ----------------------------- What is a Boutique Hotel? For ignorant and unstylish people like me — or if you are simply curious — I found Karen Tina Harrison's guide illuminating. She suggests the "defining aspect" of a boutique hotel is that it's "intimate in size and feeling". . . "petite". Adding that it has "independent attitude and works hard to not feel like a corporate hotel". It is "not generic, blah, or bland". So far, so good? But then she launches into designer-speak. A boutique hotel has, she writes, "contemporary vibe". . . . "modern or designer decor with a quirky touch. Their style runs toward sleek materials and stark palettes with bold colour splashes." I haven't tested her examples as we couldn't afford to stay in the places mentioned. It also crossed my mind that her article might be subtle satire. The photos show rooms which are anything but small and intimate.

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