The streets of London really are paved with gold

The streets of London really are paved with gold: Historic cobbled streets given a gilded makeover to launch new gold smartphone

By Emma Thomas
PUBLISHED: 08:31 GMT, 20 December 2013 | UPDATED: 08:38 GMT, 20 December 2013

You can tell Dick Whittington it's true - London's streets are paved in gold.  
Residents of Shad Thames in the heart of historic London woke up on to find on their iconic cobbled streets had been given a gilded makeover.  
The transformation was a marketing stunt to celebrate the gold makeover of the HTC One smartphone.  

Paved with gold: Pets and people enjoyed the new-look streets that had been given a gilded makeover to celebrate the release of a new gold-coloured smartphone

Dancing in the streets: People were shocked to find their usually bare cobbles were covered in gold when they woke up in Shad Thames. London, this week

Statement: The usually dull streets of London were given a luxury makeover. he transformation was a marketing stunt to celebrate the gold makeover of the HTC One

It took a team of ten people less than an hour to bling the street using a jigsaw-like faux precious-metal cobble effect surface.  
Residents walked on the 'luxurious' new road and even took their pets for a stroll along the new surface.

 

Although gold in colour, the new phone is not actually made of the precious metal although the company has already released an exclusive range made from real gold. 
HTC made just five of their most expensive phone. Valued at £2,750, the HTC One is plated with real 18ct gold.

Marketing: HTC decided to pave the streets gold to mark the launch of their new phone which is gold-coloured. The company also have an exclusive 18-carat version

Sunrise: A team of ten took an hour to put together the jigsaw-like faux precious-metal cobble effect surface before the residents woke up to the surprise

Created to celebrate the 18th Anniversary of the MOBO Awards, one of the five phones was given to the winner of Best Newcomer category.
Duo Krept and Konan took home the phone for winning the award, sponsored by HTC, at this year’s ceremony in Glasgow.
The HTC One was already available in silver, black, red and blue.
Spokesman Mike Levaggi said: 'The HTC One has won international recognition for its stunning design, with its striking brushed finish and metal unibody design, the latest shade makes gold the glamorous colour of the festive season and a must-have for Christmas 2013.'
It will be available through Phones 4u, Carphone Warehouse and Vodafone.

Historic: The cobbled streets of Shad Thames were transformed from their iconic look to resemble the precious metal

Exclusive: HTC made just five of their most expensive phone. Valued at £2,750, the HTC One is plated with real 18ct gold and was given as a prize at the MOBO awards