As time goes on Otto Luyken Laurel will need more frequent upkeep than gardenia due to it's growing habits. Like you; it makes common sense to me to plant them in the front.

Not going to affect the wall, not the full sized full vigor typical plant (or similar cultivars, like those sold as 'Nana') most used for hedging here. Will eventually grow above head height, after many years, if living there long enough. Same situation as other slow-growing shrubs that may last a long time, after so many years of so many inches per year of growth you end up with a fairly big bush. The main problem I see with 'Otto Luyken' here is that this one seems particularly susceptible to Prunus Shot Hole, with the result that local plantings rather often look as though vandals had been firing shotguns through the bushes. Other than that a handsome perky evergreen shrub. Some fruits are sometimes formed but I do not very often see spontaneous seedlings resembling that particular type. Of course, it may give off some seedlings of normal (more typical for the species) appearance - I don't know.

Otto and Schip I have planted in shade and part shade. They take a while to get established but then seem to do OK. They do not respond to fertilizer all that much. Most all their annual growth is in May and June. Hard pruning can stop them in their tracks so be careful. I have also had them get shot hole disease but regular applications of Mancozeb will control it. Deer also leave them alone.

Prunus laurocerasus (cherry laurel, English laurel) is extremely tolerant of pruning, even very hard pruning. You can cut these plants back to nearly ground level, leaving just a hint of trunk, and they will regenerate rapidly. I doubt you need to do anything so severe but feel free to prune as you wish. Now is a very good time to do so.