Regent's Crescent: The collaboration between George IV and John Nash which became one of London's finest addresses
A rare opportunity for London buyers can be found in the startling reinvention of John Nash’s Regent’s Crescent, finds Holly Kirkwood.


Now known as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of the Royal Parks, Regent’s Park, NW1, was actually one of the later ones to be created for the Royal Family. Originally claimed by Henry VIII as a hunting chase, at the start of the 19th century, the land was mostly made up of tenanted farms on the wrong side of town. But as London began to sprawl north in 1811, the Prince Regent, later George IV, began to see its potential. Keen to make his mark with a new processional road between St James’s and a new royal palace, he developed a plan with architect John Nash for a hugely ambitious project that included a glorious circular park surrounded by elegant terraces, a lake, a canal and more than 50 grand villas.
However, teething problems ensued. The Prince had turned his attention to improvements at Buckingham Palace and there were issues with funding. As a result, some of the original elements in the plan, such as the new palace, were dropped, but the grand processional route along Regent Street and the marvellous circular park surrounded by 11 streets, squares and crescents, all with names connected to royalty, were beautifully realised.
This part of London is an exemplary piece of town planning and is considered to be one of Nash’s masterpieces. As London continued to develop, the area became fashionable with the great and the good. By the 1930s, novelist and Clarence Terrace resident Elizabeth Bowen was able to comment of Regent’s Park: ‘I had always placed this park among the most civilised scenes on Earth.’
A combination of wartime damage and poor rebuilds saw much of the architecture fall into disrepair in the latter half of the 20th century and it is only recently, nearly 200 years after they were originally built, that these historic properties are being restored to their former glory. The central location, parkland setting and architectural pedigree have made this pocket of the capital attractive to high-profile buyers.
Now, after years of meticulous rebuilding work, the only Nash crescent to be restored in its entirety — Regent’s Crescent — has launched to the market. Offering 67 Grade I-listed apartments set behind Nash’s elegant façade, with views across private gardens and into Regent’s Park, Regent’s Crescent combines the elegance of the 19th century with all the conveniences and comforts of a top-flight new build.
Developer CIT worked with PDP London, the architects who brought Park Crescent West to life, to make sure the façade of the building was faithfully restored to the original designs. By piecing together original architects’ drawings for the building, the teams worked closely with English Heritage, Historic England and Westminster Council throughout.
‘We were consulting every step of the way,’ explains head of sales at CIT Christopher Richmond. ‘We very much feel like custodians, and we hope we have respected the responsibility we have to the building and its future.’
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
As he points out, their commitment even extended to preserving and stabilising a vast 18th-century ice house, which was found on the site during construction.
With one to five bedrooms and ceiling heights of more than 14ft, the proportions inside the apartments are nothing short of majestic. Interior-architecture studio Millier has incorporated traditional design finishes and materials, including herringbone timber flooring and ornate plaster mouldings to reinterpret Regency style for a modern age.
Although the bones of the crescent are historic, inside, the properties are state-of-the-art, offering everything from underfloor heating to smart-home technology. Residents’ amenities include a 9,000sq ft basement featuring a spa, 65½ft swimming pool, spa pool, sauna and steam room, private cinema, valet-operated underground parking, a business centre, 24-hour concierge and security.
Prices start at £2.9 million and climb beyond £20 million through Knight Frank and Savills. Nine garden villas will launch at the end of the year.
Unsurprisingly, more than a quarter of the units have been reserved off-plan and there has been considerable interest from both the UK and overseas, says Mr Richmond. ‘We think this particular combination of history, location, heritage and royalty is extremely attractive.’ It’s an appealing package for any buyer at the top end of the market. One could even imagine that, if he were alive today, the Prince Regent himself might happily move in.
Homes in Regent's Crescent are for sale via Savills and Knight Frank.
Credit: Alamy
Curious Questions: Why do the numbers in London postcodes make no sense?
Gone are the days when postcode snobbery hindered the London housing market, finds Eleanor Doughty. Or are they?
Credit: Strutt & Parker
A seven-bedroom townhouse that has everything – including the biggest price tag in Kensington
47 Phillimore Gardens has everything – one of the most incredible postcodes in England, 6,520 square feet of space and
-
‘To this day, it is as attractive as when Hercules first laid eyes on it’: How to escape the crowds on the Amalfi Coast, according to those in the know
The Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s most famed holiday destinations, but, in recent years, mass tourism has made parts of it unbearable. Here’s our guide to making the most of it — in peace and in style.
By Luke Abrahams Published
-
The garden created by a forgotten genius of the 1920s, rescued from 'a sorry state of neglect to a level of quality it has not known for over 50 years'
George Dillistone’s original Arts-and-Crafts design at Knowle House, East Sussex, has been lovingly restored and updated with contemporary planting. George Plumptre tells more; photography by Clive Nichols.
By George Plumptre Published
-
A spectacular tower for sale that's a blend of Victorian folly, architectural marvel and 21st century family home
Hadlow Tower has space, and a back story of love, jealousy and intrigue.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A spectacular, light-filled home on the Isle of Wight where you can see the water from practically every window
Penny Churchill takes a look at the grand and impressive Fishbourne Quay House.
By Penny Churchill Last updated
-
The former stables — and recording studio for the Pet Shop Boys — transformed with a magical blend of city and country aesthetic, now seeking a new owner
In the heart of Clerkenwell, what was once a Victorian industrial unit is now a beautiful home.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
The Good Life 2025? A development promising 'Britain's greenest homes' blends zero carbon, organic allotments and a touch of luxury in the Kent countryside
Hartdene Barns, sitting on a disused dairy farm in Kent, is a vision of what sustainable living one day mean for all of us.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Breathtaking views and gardens that run down to the water's edge at this delightful home in Cornwall
The Garden House in Polruan sums up the appeal of waterside living. Penny Churchill steps inside.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its history
In the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston Martin
A new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
By James Fisher Published
-
The Mediterranean Magic of Malta
With historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
By Holly Kirkwood Published