Claudio Silvestrin, architect to Kanye West and Calvin Klein, unveils his newest project in Hampstead, north London
This brand new, ultra-contemporary mansion looks like it belongs in the sunny peaks of the Hollywood Hills.
In fact, it’s nestled away in a quiet, exclusive corner of Hampstead, but its starry aesthetic is the creation of an award-winning architect who’s used to bringing the lavish home-stylings of the rich and famous to life.
Claudio Silvestrin, whose clients include Kanye West, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein and Anish Kapoor, has been drafted in by real estate developer Astwood to build this 8,000sqft detached home at 5 Cannon Lane that “would blend the magnificent surroundings with a peaceful and warm interior.”
“It’s a very daring project,” says Peter Brookes, the selling agent for Savills Hampstead. “Not many of our clients would allow such a high profile architect to have creative carte blanche. Silvestrin built his vision and they paid for it.”
After nine years of planning, designing and building, it’s finally on the market for £22.5m. Positioned on an incline, the site won’t yield much to prying eyes, but floods the house with natural light through a series of floor-to-ceiling windows, which look out onto its tiered terraces. Almost every room, over five floors, has a glass balustrade balcony with views over the gardens, which are designed by Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist Chris Beardshaw.
Silvestrin describes the space as meditative. “To achieve this simplicity, technology is mostly hidden and there is no ornamentation of any kind. However, there is drama – the 42-step stone staircase that leads down to the pool and spa recalls an ancient site.”
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The central circular feature starts on the ground floor reception, a 57ft space that’s akin to an art gallery, with stone clad walls. Silvestrin’s philosophy of sophisticated simplicity is all about using natural, sustainable materials to create perfectly clean lines.
There’s been a lot of interest from overseas, according to Brookes, although he’s not ruling out a domestic buyer; Savills recently sold the house opposite, a period mansion called Cannon Hall, to a City high-flyer for £20m.
“For me, this part of Hampstead is the best. It’s one of two main Georgian hubs and a lot of the buildings nearby are 300-year-old houses, with a huge amount of character. It’s really up the eastern end of Hampstead Village, so you don’t need to go much further and you’re in the Heath.”
Other highlights include a discreetly located cinema room on the lower ground floor, spa and gym facilities in the basement, including a 58ft long swimming pool, a studio suite with its own entrance for live-in staff and a two-car garage with car lift.
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The first floor is home to four bedrooms, including the master suite with two balconies, a dressing room and ensuite bathroom. The fifth bedroom suite is on the second floor with views across London from its private roof garden. Ultimately, Astwood’s aim was to create a home for all seasons and all ages, for 5 Cannon Lane “to enhance the serenity of this rare, unique site and deliver a timeless home that transcends trends and cycles.”
5 Cannon Lane is on sale for £22.5m. Call Savills on 020 7472 5000 or visit savills.co.uk