Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners
Two of the most talismanic modern houses of the 20th century served as the scene of two exclusive Wallpaper* dinner parties to celebrate the redevelopment of London's Centre Point by Conran & Partners and Almacantar.
(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Looking back over the various events that Wallpaper* staged in 2015, a few (well, most) stood out as particularly memorable. Back in June, and in an example of superlatively elegant party planning, we gathered a select group of friends at two talismanic modern houses to toast the landmark redevelopment of London's Centre Point by Conran & Partners and Almacantar. The two intimate dinners took place at Philip Johnson's Glass House in Connecticut and Pierre Koenig's Case Study House #21 in Los Angeles, accompanied by exquisite meals by The Schoolhouse at Cannondale and Lucques, respectively. 

Among our VIP crew were gallerist Marian Goodman, jewellery designer Monique Péan, Bassam Fellows' Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows, and artists Tom Sachs and Laurie Simmons. LA guests included Tom of Finland Foundation president Durk Dehner, interior designer Kelly Wearstler, photographer Matthias Vriens-McGrath, and artists Sam Durant and Ana Prvacki. Presiding over both occasions were Conran & Partners managing director Tim Bowder-Ridger and Wallpaper* Editor-in-Chief Tony Chambers. 

Koenig's Case Study House #21, otherwise known as the Bailey House, was completed in 1958. Best known for the 'moat' of pools surrounding the structure and glass exterior walls, the house is widely recognised as the finest example of the architect's Case Study series of builds. 

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Johnson's Glass House - built between 1949 and 1995 in a bucolic 49 acres in New Canaan, a community eight miles northeast of Stamford - hosted one of the intimate gatherings.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

The building is a landmark in modern minimalist architecture, that drew heavily on Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House for inspiration

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Jewellery designer Monique Péan, Vice President of Creative Studio at Calvin Klein Jean McCartney, head of special projects at Josef and Anni Albers Foundation Lucy Swift Weber.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Artist Tom Sachs and Gagosian gallery art dealer Sarah Hoover.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Conran & Partners managing director Tim Bowder-Ridger, Almacantar development director Kathrin Hersel, Wallpaper* Editor-in-Chief Tony Chambers and Almacantar marketing director Ray Smith.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Gallerist Marian Goodman.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Designers Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows of Bassam Fellows with Maharam editorial director Dung Ngo.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Artist Laurie Simmons.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Marian Goodman Gallery director of communications Linda Pellegrini, gallerist Marian Goodman and Wallpaper* creative director Sarah Douglas.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Wallpaper* Editor-in-Chief Tony Chambers and Conran & Partners managing director Tim Bowder-Ridger.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Sarah Walker, artist Julian Rapp and director at USB Investment Bank Carolyn Chen.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Guests making their way from the drinks reception at the Glass house..

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

... to the estate's Painting Gallery where dinner was served.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Johnson designed the Painting Gallery to house the array of large-scale modern paintings he and partner David Whitney had collected through their lives.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

The exquisite dinner was provided by The Schoolhouse at Cannondale

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

The restaurant serves modern American food with a focus on local ingredients

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Wallpaper* creative director Sarah Douglas, Conran & Partners managing director Tim Bowder-Ridger, Marian Goodman and Wallpaper* US editor Michael Reynolds.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Craig Bassam, Kathrin Hersel, Wallpaper* Editor-in-Chief Tony Chambers and artist Laurie Simmons.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Four Seasons Restaurant managing partner Alex von Bidder, Scott Fellows, Sarah Hoover, Tom Sachs and Tim Bowder-Ridger.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Wallpaper* publisher Malcolm Young, actress Grace Dunham and Thomas Levine.

(Image credit: Dorothy Hong)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

The second dinner was held at Pierre Koenig's lauded Case Study House #21 in Los Angeles.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

The building – otherwise known as the Bailey House – was completed in 1958.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Best known for the 'moat' of pools surrounding the structure and glass exterior walls, the house is widely recognised as the finest example of the architect's Case Study series of builds.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Rare Properties CEO Kennon Earl, Kathrin Hersel and Conran & Partners managing director Tim Bowder-Ridger.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Left: Wallpaper* Editor-in-Chief Tony Chambers with Tom of Finland Foundation president Durk Dehner. Right: Laurie Resnick, TWINART co-founder Lynda Kahn, photographer Matthias Vriens-McGrath and Donovan Vriens-McGrath.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Gallery Seomi managing director Linus Adolfsson and Morgan Stanley senior VP of wealth management Warren Cohn.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Left: architect Sharon Johnston and artist Ana Prvacki. Right: artist Alma Allen.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Artist Sam Durant and Gallery Seomi co-founder Jacob Koo.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Photographer Matthias Vriens-McGrath and Wallpaper* US editor Michael Reynolds.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Case Study House #21 is considered as being manifest of 'some of the cleanest and most immaculate thinking in the development of the small contemporary house'.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

Dinner this time was supplied by the upmarket Lucques restaurant in West Hollywood.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Wallpaper* toasts London's Centre Point redevelopment with two VIP dinners

The legendary home's minimal, clean lines accommodated a sumptuous meal of burrata and piste salad, harissa-grilled chicken and a berry and lemon mascarpone fusion desert.

(Image credit: Steven Perilloux)

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.