It is well documented that London real estate prices have a premium attached that few other cities can muster. Millionaire Premier League footballers have even been known to baulk at the prices asked. But sometimes, no matter what the square footage and lack of private garden, a property is so historic, so picturesque or so wantable that it doesn’t seem like a premium. That’s the price – take it or leave it.
The penthouse at No 19 Hyde Park, on the market for £10 million (Dh60m), is one such property. The address, whether you know London or not, immediately conjures up images of tree-lined thoroughfares and you won’t be disappointed. The fact that Hyde Park sits between Park Lane, the second most expensive property on the Monopoly board, and is split by the Serpentine River and Kensington Palace Gardens at its other perimeter gives you an idea of the verdant nature of the surroundings smack bang in the centre of London.
Being the penthouse of a six-storey, 19th-century building overlooking one of the world’s most famous green spaces – and within walking distance of Oxford Street and Bond Street – sets a price that most understand but few can afford.
This two-bedroom flat with en suite bathrooms has floor to ceiling windows that take in every inch of the vista, offering a chance to watch London’s seasonal change from a unique perspective.
It has a total floor space of 2,768 square feet which breaks down as a gross internal area of 2,357 sq ft with a terrace of 409 sq ft. As it is the penthouse it has an elevation of 4.5 metres and has been fully renovated using bespoke designers. The level of fine detail in the decor is such that the sales brochure boasts “in the living room, it took workers four days to polish the walls with a porcelain tool, milling the pigments until they gained a lustre”.
But you need to pay to keep this property up to scratch. The service charge is a cool £22,500 per annum. As mentioned earlier, London has a premium that few cities can match, and this residence is certainly a premium location.
ascott@thenational.ae
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