There’s a strange thing that happens at this point in the year: time seems to speed up. Summer – at least, in the northern hemisphere – passes at a languorous pace, then autumn pokes its russet-leafed nose in but, when November hits, the toboggan of time suddenly starts careening through the days with gusto, as you hold on for dear life. And then bang! It’s a new year.
 
Well, this December-January double dose of Monocle, which hits newsstands today, is designed to guide you through it all – from planning Christmas, securing gifts (might we suggest a subscription to our magazine?) and plotting your 2026 travels (Japan, here we come) to, hopefully sitting by a roaring fire, contemplating what the year ahead has in store (turn to our perspicacious Forecast pages to find out). But, for all of us, Monocle included, this is also a moment to take stock and ask: what did we achieve in 2025? Regular Monocle readers and subscribers to our daily newsletters might feel that they already know what we have been up to but I’ll flag a few highlights anyway.

In the past 12 months, we have opened a new bureau and café-cum-shop in Paris that has underlined our commitment to taking care of people. Our books team has delivered two new additions to our Handbook series (one on Greece and, just landing, another on Switzerland), as well as The Monocle Book of Designers on Sofas (fun, quirky, beautiful – what we all need more of in our lives). We also produced a great Companion paperback for the Venice Architecture Biennale. Our events team has bounced around the globe this year but the pinnacle was The Monocle Quality of Life Conference in Barcelona – the city shone and our readers once again proved why they are such amazing people. Also out on the road, the team from Monocle Radio turned up everywhere from Abu Dhabi to New York. We continued to invent with print, bringing out the premiere issue of our Design Directory. Plus, we launched a new digital experience, including a sparkling website.

In an industry focused on creativity and finding fresh ways to deliver stories, I am often asked, “What’s new at Monocle?” I usually need to ask people how long they’ve got before commencing my reply. But I am pleased to add that many are fully aware of Monocle’s ambition and successes – it’s why we have such supportive partners and why this magazine has such a healthy weight. While you catch your breath, let me gently suggest a few stories in the issue that deserve your attention. 
 
In our Concierge pages, we head off for a tour of classic Paris bistros, savouring a feast of seasonal dishes (somehow leaving space for dessert). Our Expo takes you to an island where Swedish and Finnish statespeople meet to discuss their shared concerns; we eavesdrop on the latest get-together. In our design pages, we survey an archive that charts the history of outdoor brands, including the founding days of The North Face and Patagonia. We also look at why Beirutis are allowing themselves to feel more confident about the future.
 
So I hope that you enjoy this issue and the chute that it offers through Christmas and into 2026. And thank you for all your support, ideas and feedback across this year. As always, you can contact me at at@monocle.com or check the masthead if you would like to get in touch with any of our editors (we still publish all of our email addresses).
 
Andrew Tuck is Monocle’s editor in chief. To read more of his columns, click here. And how about that subscription? Alternatively, you can pick up the December/January issue here, in store or on the newsstand. 

There might still be uncertainty around the future of a post-Brexit London – including a billionaire exodus and a drop in tourist shopping – yet the city has reasons to stay optimistic (writes Natalie Theodosi). Luxury brands are taking a long-term view and continue to invest in bricks-and-mortar retail and prime real estate – so much so that New Bond Street has become the most expensive retail destination in the world. According to a report by real-estate company Cushman & Wakefield, annual rents on the road have risen by 22 per cent to €20,482 per sq m, surpassing New York’s Fifth Avenue and Milan’s Via Monte Napoleone.

The report reflects a flurry of activity on the street by some of the fastest-growing brands in the market: both Miu Miu and Loro Piana have invested heavily in renovating their existing flagship shops, while Hermes has plans to revamp in 2026. As brands continue to seek more control of their retail channels and invest in larger-than-life boutiques where customers aren’t only shopping but also seeing exhibitions and grabbing coffee, the trend will likely continue well into the new year. But in order to stay on top, London needs to ensure that shoppers have enough incentive to keep coming back.

The port city of Osaka isn’t known for its green spaces or envelope-pushing urbanism but Umekita Park is a lush exception (writes Ben Davis). Occupying the site of a former freight terminal next to Umeda Station, the city’s last prime development area forms part of a scheme called Grand Green Osaka. The space includes residential and office towers, as well as retail, dining and cultural venues set around a new 45,000 sq m park.

When Monocle visits, the lawn is full of life. Friendly pooches bask in the sun, a family celebration unfolds, complete with a portable stereo (at a socially responsible volume), snacks and even chu-hai cocktails. Nearby, a small crowd gathers around a mobile cart, where everything from folding chairs to skipping ropes and kendama toys can be borrowed free of charge. There are even magnifying glasses available for children (or curious adults) who want to inspect the native Osaka flora and fauna.
 
The cart, developed by Osaka studio Graf, sums up the considered approach to the park’s design, which extends from small-scale initiatives to projects in vast spaces. Another case in point is a Sanaa-designed pavilion, formed by undulating roofs that stretch 120 metres along the side of the park. A section of this serves as a sheltered event space for concerts and performances. Across the street is the VS exhibition space, designed by Tadao Ando – part of Umekita Forest, the next phase of the project, scheduled for completion in 2027. These projects might be led by award-winning creators but, thanks to the thoughtful work of Seattle-based firm GGN, there’s a sense that the architecture – like the walkways, furniture and planting – has been seeded into the landscape.
 
For more urbanism and architecture stories, pick up a copy of the new December/January issue.