Royal apartments dubbed the “One Hyde Park of their day” go on sale in London’s Mayfair
When the Candy Brothers' One Hyde Park development went on sale with the most expensive flats in the world back in 2011, Londoners scoffed at their £65m price tags.
But it's not the first time the capital has played host to some of the world's most exclusive apartments: in the early 19th century, the voluminous mansions at Connaught Place in Mayfair, one of the first streets in London to have gas lit illumination, was similarly regarded. Now seven apartments on the street have gone up for sale after housebuilder Redrow redeveloped the homes. And, compared with One Hyde Park, they're practically a bargain – with prices starting at £11.75m.
Five and Six Connaught Place were originally built by architect Graham Taylor in 1807, and were later home to, among others, Lady Augusta Murray, the first wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, sixth son of George III. Later, Princess Caroline, the Princess of Wales, moved into number seven.
The homes, which start at a giant 3,839 sq ft, come with a manned concierge supplied by Harrods Estates (naturally), and include plush interiors designed by the likes of Candy & Candy, Heatherwick and Clapham Taylor.
Having once backed onto Hyde Park, the apartments are still within spitting distance, with reception rooms that overlook the park and their own gardens.
And although the price tag might be steep for most of us, it's likely the apartments will be snapped up: despite concerns over mansion taxes in the run-up to the General Election, the top end of the London property market has bounced back, according to research published last week by estate agent comparison site Getagent.co.uk, which said the number of homes worth £2m or more listed on its site had doubled.
Martin Bikhit, managing director of Kay & Co, one of the agents marketing the apartments, said they represented an "excellent investment opportunity".