When somebody spends almost a year and a half on a refurbishment project, you’d expect the results to be pretty spectacular. And the work that’s been done on this five-storey house in Chapel Street, Belgravia, is certainly that.
Veteran Tory politician Michael Heseltine used to live here — indeed, it’s the home from which he apparently orchestrated the machinations that ended Margaret Thatcher’s premiership, and the steps outside are where he announced his leadership challenge.
We can’t help wondering if he would recognise the place now, thought: It looks more like a top-end hotel than a home. Yet a home it is — and it’s one of the most expensive currently for sale in London, with a price tag of £28 million via Rokstone.
For that, the buyer will be getting one of the largest (and widest) private homes in Belgravia, with the work done by construction company London Projects including extending two storeys below ground level, adding 900sq ft to the house to make it 6,773sq ft in total.
If you’re worried that those lower levels might be a touch gloomy, fear not: ‘We added a large glass extension at the rear of the house which extends down the lower basement level,’ the developers explain.
‘It includes a glazed ceiling which gives an open air feel to the back of the house and also extends down to a basement lightwell — providing natural light down into the lower core of the building.’
Clever stuff — and involved, too. Apparently the road had to be closed while a crane was brought in to move the necessary 8m glass panels over the roof of the house.
Once you’ve created a basement, what would you want to do with it? Well, if you’re developing super-prime property in one of the most sought-after spots in London, the answer is to install a swimming pool and leisure complex, with steam room, sauna and ‘experience shower’, which we think is one of those showers which plays music and dapples light across you while firing water and aromas at surprising angles.
Yet for all the modern touches that have been added to the place, the original features have been restored and preserved as well. The cantilevered stone staircase with wrought-iron balustrade is a prime example, but original fireplaces, ceiling plasterwork and traditional sash windows remain in many rooms.
Speaking of rooms, the floorplan shows too many to count but there are six bedrooms, one of which takes up the entire second floor thanks to its large en-suite and attached dressing room.
There’s also a huge first-floor reception room with balconies at either end and a study tucked away in the corner, the perfect nook from which to plot a political downfall of a deeply divisive leader — and I think it's safe to say that we could all do with one of those in today's crazy world.
This house in Chapel St, Belgravia, is for sale at £28m — see more details and pictures.
Credit: Strutt & Parker / Sir Winston Churchill's former London home
Video: How Sir Winston Churchill's London home has changed since 1965
A unique chance to see before-and-after images of the home of a Great British icon.
Sir Winston Churchill's house in London goes on the market
This 'very special' home exudes the spirit of old Kensington.
Credit: Strutt & Parker
The magnificent apartment that hosted Lloyd George, Churchill and Conan Doyle
This exquisite apartment is situated in the former home of Arthur Balfour.
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expectThe four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
-
Sign of the times: In the age of the selfie, what’s happening to the humble autograph?When Ringo Starr announced that he was no longer going to sign anything, he kickstarted a celebrity movement that coincided with the advent of the camera phone and selfie. Rob Crossan asks whether, in today’s world, the selfie holds more clout than an autograph?
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealedNew research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of EnglandCome for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River TayCarnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producersStormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
