London penthouse apartment sells for record £140 million

August 12, 2010 - London

A penthouse in one of London's most opulent developments has sold for a record-breaking £140 million, as the market for "trophy homes" bucks the wider property slump.

The six-bedrooom apartment at One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, stretches across two floors and boasts bullet-proof windows, a panic room and views across the Serpentine.

The new owners will also have access to 24-hour room service from the neighbouring Mandarin Oriental hotel, and protection from SAS-trained security guards.

Britain's most expensive garage

June 07, 2010 - London

A rundown garage block in London has been placed on the market for £1.25 million, in what is believed to be Britain's most expensive lock-up.

The 224 sqm garages, on Elsworthy Road, have same asking price as a five-bed-room detached house currently on the market in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

The estate agent, Knight Frank, said the garages don’t have planning permission but do have free title, meaning any building work could be easily sought.

52 Chester Row, London

May 20, 2010 - London

Developers Finchatton have announced the launch of this fully remodeled brick and render Belgravia townhouse, now on the market with an asking price of US$9.5 million.

The traditional townhouse unites period architecture with the highest contemporary standards following a full internal overhaul.

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom property now extends over five storeys and 268 sq m of living space, including a new basement level that houses a cinema with a 90” screen and Dolby Digital surround sound.

Anthony Lyons sells Hampstead home for record £43m

April 26, 2010 - London

A luxury mansion is reported to have been sold for a whopping £43million in one of the biggest property deals Hampstead has ever seen.

The house at 22 Lyndhurst Road, in the heart of Hampstead, which was described as 'magnificent' by one estate agent, is now believed to be in the hands of a mystery Russian owner.

London Luxury-Home Prices Increase the Most Since March 2008

March 01, 2010 - London

Luxury-home prices in central London jumped 17 percent in February from a year earlier, the biggest gain in almost two years, as more buyers competed for a dwindling number of properties, Knight Frank LLP said.

The value of houses and apartments costing more than 1 million pounds ($1.5 million) rose 3.2 percent from January, the London-based property broker said in an e-mailed statement today.

The annual increase was the largest since the market peaked in March 2008 and compares with an 11.5 percent advance in January. Prices are still 10 percent lower than the peak.

“The continuation of the growth in prices and the recent increase in the speed of such growth has been caused by a dramatic shortage of supply,” Liam Bailey, head of residential research at Knight Frank, said in the statement.

Kenwood Place – London's new trophy address

February 11, 2010 - London

Knightsbridge has One Hyde Park, Kensington has Phillimore Square and now Hampstead and Highgate have Kenwood Place.

Arguably North London’s most exclusive new trophy address offers the very best of the best - Belgravia luxury in the leafy historic suburbs of N6.

This new collection of exquisite apartments offers a rare opportunity to live next to Hampstead Heath and its 800 acres of open countryside, parkland and woods.

London's biggest home to be created in Regent's Park

February 05, 2010 - London

London’s largest home after Buckingham Palace is to be created by Regent’s Park, in a £100m complex complete with a cinema, gym and swimming pool.

Developers have won planning permission to convert a row of seven office buildings into a vast ten-bedroom stuccoed mansion.

When completed, the 50,000 sq ft Regency terrace will claim the title of London's largest residence after Buckingham Palace. Witanhurst manor in Highgate currently holds that title.

Lottery for Luxury House in Belgravia

December 04, 2009 - London

A couple plan to sell their £5 million Belgravia home in a competition where potential homeowners can buy tickets for just £50.

Michael Forster, CEO of Powersave, and his wife Kathleen say they want to offer 'a plumber from Essex or a tractor driver from Slovenia' the chance to live in the one of the smartest areas of London.

Tickets cost £50 and the winner will receive their house on Wilton Street, which has five bedrooms and a staff flat, and is one of only three freehold properties on the street.

London: Luxury Home Prices on the Rise

November 30, 2009 - London

Luxury-home prices in central London rose on an annual basis for the first time in 17 months as bank and hedge-fund executives bought houses and apartments in anticipation of bonuses, Knight Frank LLP said.

Homes with values of above $1.6 million appreciated 1.6 percent in November compared to the same month last year.

This was the first annual increase since June 2008. Nonetheless, prices remain 15 percent lower than the March 2008 peak. From October to November, prices grew 1.2 percent.

Russia's richest woman spends £50m on London's biggest home.

September 29, 2009 - London

A family of Russian oligarchs is creating the biggest house in London after Buckingham Palace at an estimated cost of £100m according to Timesonline.

Witanhurst on Highgate's West Hill is London's second largest private house, dwarfed only by Buckingham Palace.

The house was bought for £50m by Yelena Baturina, thought to be the wealthiest woman in Russia and wife of the mayor of Moscow.