The UK's most expensive apartment just sold for £140 million
The expensive London penthouse hides an oval office replica which was built by the Kennedys
Earlier this year we saw London's most expensive home at the time sell for £75 million. But now it seems that was nothing, as an apartment in 1 Grosvenor Square just sold for nearly double – a whopping £140 million.
The penthouse apartment was part of the former US Embassy, and houses a full-size Oval Office replica built by the Kennedys, which has been rigorously restored.
The exorbitant price tag makes this easily the most expensive apartment sold in in the UK this year.
The grand residential development has been home to a string of US Ambassadors over the years.
The building was a US embassy from 1938 to 1960, during which time Joseph P. Kennedy served as an ambassador there for two years. He reportedly built the Oval Office replica – an exact replica of the historic West Wing room across the pond – to inspire his son, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., to get into politics. But it turned out that it was his younger brother, John F. Kennedy, who ultimately made it into The White House.
The developer of No. 1 Grosvenor Square, Lodha, opted to keep the faux Oval Office, but ended up relocating it within the main building near the entrance, so that it can be shared by Grosvenor’s other residents.
British architecture firm Eric Parry was brought on to reconstruct the property's façade brick by brick, in order to facilitate higher ceilings.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
The Kennedy’s Oval office was also restored and reconstructed by moulding plaster to the original, damaged, wooden replica.
In addition to the Oval Office, the owner will have access to a bevy of other amenities spaces, including a 24-hour concierge, 25m swimming pool, state-of-the-art gymnasium with personal training room, private spa, treatment rooms, library, private cinema and performance venue.While we don't know who the new owner is, according to The Times the anonymous buyer also acquired the two lower apartments at No 1 and has plans to knock them together to create a colossal 15,600 sq ft home.
It's been a surprisingly lucrative year for mega-mansions in London, as an entire John Nash-designed terraced home in London's Regent's Park sold for an eye-watering £185 million this summer.
Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.
-
Step Into Your Own "Roman Holiday" With Our Cinematic Edit of the Best Rome Hotels
The Eternal City's most sumptuous boutique hotels reveal a world of intricately layered interiors that feel like a portal to another dimension. Here are 10 to get lost into this year
By Gilda Bruno Published
-
What We’re Coveting From Habitat This Entertaining Season
Find the pieces on our nice list this year at this exclusive pop-up...
By Sponsored Published
-
The simple way to a more sustainable and stylish life with Fisher & Paykel
This incredible new tech saves time, energy and has become the washing machine you need to know about
By Sponsored Published
-
Forget Cottagecore - Flora Fantasia by House of Hackney is Cottage hardcore
House of Hackney's Flora Fantasia collection blends the romanticised rural aesthetic with riotous punk elements
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Bert & May's new hexagon tiles collection is tapping into one of this year's biggest micro trends
Tap into the microtrend for hexagon tiles and make myriad patterns with this new collection from Bert & May
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Matthew Williamson’s tip for renovating a house on a budget is so simple, but incredibly effective
Renovating a house on a budget? See the savvy ways to control costs when managing an interior redesign
By Jacky Parker Published
-
The fabulous new Matthew Williamson furniture collection is a cocktail of color and print
This decorative Matthew Williamson furniture is the beautiful result of collaboration with Roome London
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Out & Out's new furniture collection is full of stylish storage solutions
This stylish storage will have your home organised in a jiffy - whatever its size
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Explore Sandra Bullock’s former coastal chic home in Georgia
Sandra Bullock has just sold her beautiful island beach house, giving us a glimpse at her coastal-inspired interior style.
By Lotte Brouwer Published
-
Stylish flat pack furniture - how this home design staple has suddenly got cool
Thought flat pack furniture was cheap and cheerful? FUZL Studio is proving otherwise with its new collection
By Jacky Parker Published