Leading names in property have been reacting to the death of industry legend Irvine Sellar.
He passed away yesterday after a short illness and was self-made and from East End of London, moving into property having run his father’s glove shop, created retail chain Mates by Irvine Sellar before creating The Shard and the Paddington Cube.
His friend John Slade, BNP Paribas Real Estate UK CEO, said: “Irvine Sellar was the nicest and most unreasonable man I have ever met. I’m terribly saddened and will miss him enormously - as I’m sure the whole industry will.”
Charles Begley, executive director of the City & Westminster Property Associations, added his condolences and delivered the following statement on behalf of the CWPA: “Irvine Sellar was a giant in property whose boundless energy, vision and sheer determination ensured the Shard succeeded against all odds. He leaves a lasting legacy which has expanded the reach of central London into Southwark and helped transform our city.”
There was also widespread response on social media, where you can tweet @propertyweek with your reflections as well:
RIP Irvine Sellar. London looks better with his vision. https://t.co/C7XOelYo7l pic.twitter.com/ich98Nm6pn
— Jason Hawkes (@jasonhawkesphot) February 27, 2017
Another week, another friend gone. RIP Irvine Sellar who made it from nothing, through nothing but tenacity and hard work. pic.twitter.com/kBNI0jfRWg
— Daniel Van Gelder (@danvangelder) February 27, 2017
Here’s the original sketch of Shard by architect Renzo Piano versus the final, iconic building. RIP Irvine Sellar https://t.co/YsL83JyAos pic.twitter.com/iUcCalwCJi
— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) February 27, 2017
Irvine Sellar was a dreamer. But he got his dream built. I’m lucky to get to see it at work every day. https://t.co/QYNDRkdNQ7
— Darren Lazarus (@dlazarus) February 27, 2017
So sad. Highlight of my career working with Irvine Sellar. Ambitious, stubborn, witty, clever, brilliant storyteller The memories! RIP IGS x pic.twitter.com/M6wTl93tfm
— April Taylor (@apriletaylor) February 27, 2017
London’s skyline will be poorer for it. #RIPIrvineSellar#Legacy#IrvineSellar@TheShardLondon
— Edward Dewar (@EdJBDewar) February 27, 2017
Without Irvine Sellar, this view would never have happened. RIP to a property legend. @PropertyWeek pic.twitter.com/osZrkadJFa
— LONIC (@LONIC_property) February 27, 2017
Sad early loss of Irvine Sellar, worked with him when the Shard was just a vision and played my small part @propertyweek @MaceGroup
— David Grover (@davidgrover12) February 27, 2017
In 2011 I interviewed Irvine Sellar for @PropertyWeek Here’s the link. https://t.co/rhTgxAit0DBrilliant, delightful if at times difficult.
— James Max (@thejamesmax) February 27, 2017
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