The opportunity to live next door to The Queen has arisen in the form of a new development in the heart of St James’s Park.
No 1 Palace Street, in the heart of St James’s Park, was originally constructed as the Palace Hotel for the overflow of Queen Victoria’s guests, built on land formerly surrounded by James I’s mulberry-tree garden and aviary.
Now, it is being turned into 72 apartments, with the redevelopment of the 300,000sq ft building set for completion in 2019.
The building had subsequently been used as office space until it was bought in 2013 by Abu Dhabi Financial Group – they paid £310 million for it, but seem likely to recoup their investment fairly easily. They sold the first apartment for £20 million before construction had even begun – demand is expected to be fierce.
The development company in charge of the project, Northacre, is working with architect Squire & Partners to convert the beautiful Grade II-listed building from offices, using Italian and French Renaissance, Beaux Arts and Queen Anne styles.
Niccoló Barattieri di San Pietro, Northacre’s CEO, believes that the combination of ‘outstanding architecture, high ceilings and contemporary interior design’ will ‘tempt the most discerning of buyers’. Not to mention the wealthiest: prices for the 72 apartments will start at £2,500,000.
What you get for your money, however, is something very special. Residents can expect a full concierge service, valet underground parking, a courtyard garden and a restaurant.
Also on the site will be a 20m pool, a 2,000sq ft gym and a library.
Once complete, it’ll be the only residential property in the capital with views over Buckingham Palace’s gardens.
And on top of that, you never know who might pop round from next door when you throw your housewarming party…
You can find out more about No. 1 Palace Street at Northacre’s website, and you can find more properties within a stone’s throw of St James’s Park here.
How my Buckingham Palace garden party invitation turned sour
Is harsh, stentorian language always unacceptable – no matter who it comes from?
The Garden at Buckingham Palace: An Illustrated History
The garden at Buckingham Palace is the Queen's largest drawing room, writes Roy Strong, but is it a showpiece? Jane
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed follyHagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich historyThree floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
