Most of us can only dream when we spot adverts for some of the following houses. But who cares? It’s nice to dream… and anyway, one day we might win the lottery. The London homes featured here have all been sold within the past 18 months. Read on for some real property inspiration:
One Hyde Park Penthouse, London
Sold for £160 million
Pic by Alamy
Actually, this was a ‘self-sale,’ if you like. In other words, property tycoon Nick Candy actually sold this flat to himself in order to remortgage. One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge was Britain’s most expensive home ever sold. It includes such luxuries as heated marble floors, 21-metre swimming pool, sauna, steam room, cinema, temperature-controlled wine store, squash court and an entire library. And naturally, there’s a pedicure room.
There’s no need to worry about burglars either since the house is guarded round the clock by SAS-trained security personnel (nice work if you can get it!). And talking of work, room service and dry cleaning is all done by the fabulous five-star Mandarin hotel next door.
Three Carlton Gardens, London
Sold for £95 million
Pic via Spink
One of a number of homes owned by an American hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, the Georgian-era Three Carlton Gardens in London was actually a bargain with a £30 million reduction. The house overlooks St James’ Park but then he also owns three floors of a skyscraper overlooking Central Park in New York.
Measuring 20,000 square-foot, the house has a gym, pool and underground extension. It was once used as the private office of Charles de Gaulle during World War II; his statue sits facing the house.
North Aston House in Oxford
On sale for £28 million
Pic via North Aston Hall
Grade II listed North Aston Hall, sits just 16 miles outside Oxford and 74 miles from London. It consists of an immaculate194-acre estate on the banks of the River Cherwell and to buy it you’ll need to cough up a cool £28 million.
This 14,500sq ft, Jacobethan-style mansion was built in the late 1700s then remodelled in about 1867. State-of-the-art facilities have been added within the past few years.
Approached along a mile-long drive that winds through the estate and surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, the house offers luxurious accommodation on five floors.
There is a tranquil mile-long drive up to this five-story house. Special additions include an orangery, 18th-century wine cellar and a 2,500sq ft master suite. Oh, and there’s an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, billiard room and tennis court for when you get bored – as well as a petting zoo (yes, really!)
72 Vincent Square, City of Westminster
Sold for £44.6 million
Just around the corner from Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, this property in Vincent Square has to be a steal at a mere £44.6 million. St James’s Park is your local hang-out while Harrods and Bond Street area tube ride away if you’re feeling a tad on the lazy side.
