Considered to be the archetypal London mansion, this exceptional property sits in the heart of Mayfair, just moments from both Park Lane and Grosvenor Square.
This exceptionally wide, stone-dressed, red-brick, five-storey mansion boasts a stunning double-fronted, 5 window wide, Edwardian facade, elegantly decorated with, Portland stone quoins , a prominent row of neo classical cornices running under the mansard roof and a beautiful Beaux-Arts style Portland stone doorway. The mansions already striking grandeur is further amplified by its highly distinct, French-inspired, railing as well as two large, extremely prominent chimney`s, which are visible from the street and for centuries have been a symbol of status and wealth in Britain.
The mansions exceptional width provides a degree of lateral living rarely found in central Mayfair, with the principle reception areas of the ground and first floors alone boasting the capacity to accommodate over 100 guests.
Half of the grand entrance hall boasts an incredible double height ceiling, courtesy of a generous first floor void, around which an exceptionally wide, L shaped, wooden, staircase zig zags up to the first floor. The staircase is conjoined to and runs along a stunning floor to ceiling wood paneled wall, (composed of the same wood as the staircase) the bespoke design of which it sympathetically matches. The other half of the entrance half boasts a beautiful coffered ceiling, and a gas powered fireplace which is impressive in size and benefits from ornate neo classical design. The entire entrance hall boasts beautiful polished diamond limestone flag stone flooring.
At the back of the grand entrance hall an exquisite set of double doors lead into the majestic dining room, which boasts high ceilings, grand proportions, bespoke neo classical cornices, an ornate marble fireplace and the same polished diamond limestone flag stone flooring as the grand entrance hall. The ground floor also contains a large kitchen, a guest wardrobe and a beautiful guest WC.
The rest of the ground floor is occupied by a study of grand proportions study, which benefits from bespoke finishes and boasts an interior balcony overlooking, the extravagant, lower ground floor wellness suite. The sensitive modernisation of this exquisite mansion included the creation of a wellness suite on the lower ground floor, complete with swimming pool, bar, sauna and relaxation zone, centred around an glazed court yard of astonishing proportions, which boasts a remarkable, pitched glass ceiling, that exceeds 7 metres in height and floods the space with an abundance of natural light. The lower ground floor also benefits from a separate street entrance located at the front of the property and contains three large bedrooms all of which benefits from en suite bathrooms. A guest WC and two utility rooms are also located on the lower ground floor.
The grand entrance halls wide staircase leads to the stately, main first floor reception room which benefits from an open plan design that produces a substantial L shaped mezzanine, overlooking the grand entrance hall, which is an extension of the main staircases bespoke wooden rail and its supporting balustrades. The palatial main first floor reception area boasts grand proportions, a beautiful coffered ceiling (with cornices decorating the beams), graceful floor to ceiling wood paneling with a bespoke, intricate mix of decorative features drawing on a variety of architectural styles, prominent neo classical cornices, an ornate, functioning fireplace as well as a combination of contemporary ceiling lights and wall mounted lanterns with a floral, period aesthetic. At the back of the first floor is a second reception room which is also exceptional in its grandeur, boasting high coffered ceilings (with neo classical cornices running along the beams and dramatic, Beaux-Arts style, floral decorations spread across its entirety), a large functioning marble fireplace with decorative, ornate lining as well as three sets of glass double doors, with rectangular glass fanlights (essentially making them floor to ceiling in terms of light exposure), which flood the space with plenty of natural light and lead out onto an outstanding terrace of immense proportions, that spanning entire width of the building, making it perfect for al fresco entertaining. The first floor contains a third large reception room which boasts striking interior design resulting from its bespoke black wood flooring and black fireplace sharply contrasting the rooms white walls and ceiling. The third reception room also benefits from three sets of floor to ceiling double doors which lead out onto the massive first floor terrace. An guest WC boasting ornate design is also located on the first floor.
The second floor is entirely dedicated to a vast and opulent master bedroom suite, boasting grand proportions, bespoke interior design, a projector above the bed and an tremendously large dressing room with plenty of natural light provided by three windows as well as a separate walk in wardrobe of considerable proportions (accessible via the dressing room). The master suite also benefits from an impressively large, ornate, en-suite bathroom ( complete with walk in shower and bath) and three floor to ceiling glass doors, flooding the room with natural light and which lead out onto a large second floor terrace, made extremely private by the tall bamboo plants surrounding it.
South Street is extremely well-located for a range of amenities and culture. The luxurious and world-renowned shopping streets of Bond Street and Savile Row are a five-minute walk from the property. With 24 hour police security around the house the house is incredibly secure. Even closer is the recently upgraded Grosvenor Square sporting the new Rosewood Hotel. A wide selection of London`s finest restaurants, international music venues, leading museums, schools, and universities are all within easy proximity making it a phenomenal address. The greenery of the 350-acre historic Hyde Park is at the end of South Street and yet Heathrow airport will soon be just 34 minutes away from Bond Street with the arrival of Crossrail. This rare house has been the of home of politicians and celebrities and was designed by two starchitects: Detmar Blow built the Edwardian mansion in 1902 while the modern-day wellness centre was designed by Nicholas Rakic. Boasting only three owners in its history one of which was acclaimed writer Dame Barbara Cartland this house can only be titled the epitome of luxury London living.