Robbie Williams’ Wiltshire estate for sale again for £2.6 million less than he paid for it
Singer Robbie Williams paid £8,100,000 for Compton Bassett House, near Calne in Wiltshire in 2008. In the years since he’s tried to sell it several times but even now that it has been relaunched for just £5,500,000, will it sell?
Living on a small scale in Central London
Space is at a premium in Central London, so here we share five of the best one bedroom apartments currently on the market. Prices range from £725,000 to an astounding £6,950,000.
B.03.3, One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, SW1X – £6,950,000
The highest priced apartment in this Candy & Candy landmark building sold for £136,000,000 so naturally even what agents Strutt & Parker described as a “the ultimate London pied-a-terre” was bound to be expensive. 989 square foot in size, there is a 26ft by 12ft reception room with a champagne bar, an 18ft by 10ft bedroom and even a car parking space. The service charge for the apartment is a not so insignificant £16,750 per annum but for that you get access to a 60 man Mandarin Oriental concierge team, a private spa and swimming pool, a squash court, an entertaining suite with spaces for canapé receptions for 100 guests and a private screening room with seating for 18 guests.
Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, SW7 – £725,000
Converting a single high ceilinged room into a one bedroom flat wouldn’t normally work but the transformation of this 453 square foot ground floor apartment has produced spectacular results. As well as a bright 15ft by 13ft sitting room, there is a mezzanine kitchen with a dining area, a small internal double bedroom and what agents Marsh & Parsons call a “stylish” shower room.
Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, W1 – £6,000,000
If you’re a bachelor who enjoys entertaining on a grand scale, the star attraction of this 2,047 square foot first floor apartment, which is for sale through Knight Frank, will be the 100 square foot paneled reception room with four floor to ceiling windows. For the dandy, there is a dressing room kitted out with burr walnut fittings and if you’re a studious sort, there’s a compact study/library.
Queen’s Gate Mews, South Kensington, SW7 – £775,000
With a private entrance and 732 square foot of accommodation, this lower ground floor flat is surprisingly light. For sale through Marsh & Parsons and in need of a decorative makeover, it includes a 17ft by 13ft reception room, a dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and a small private courtyard garden.
Shelley Court, Tite Street, Chelsea, SW3 – £1,895,000
Within a purpose built portered Victorian mansion block, Aylesford are selling a 1,050 square foot ground floor apartment that has the look and feel of a smart boutique hotel. As well as a 20ft by 13ft reception room with double doors into a 27ft by 13ft bedroom, this stylish abode also features a large dining kitchen and is just moments from the Kings Road.
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The Mittal family market one of their three “Billionaires’ Row” homes for £7 million less than they paid for it
One of the world’s richest men, Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal paid £117 million in 2008 for No. 6 Palace Green in Kensington. He bought the property for his son, Aditya, from an Israeli-American banker named Noam Gottesman but is now selling the property for £110 million.
The sale of a £400,000 castle owned by a man who was an inspiration for the creation of James Bond’s nom de plume Sir Hilary Bray, Bt and for many elements of 007’s character also
Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees (1925 – 2012) is largely thought of as the man whose persona Ian Fleming “borrowed” to create James Bond’s assumed identity, Sir Hilary Bray, Bt. Now, following on from his death last year, there is an opportunity to buy one of his many properties, Inchdrewer Castle, and the title that goes with it, Baron of Inchdrewer.
The links between Owen Oyston, William Roache and Stuart Hall
Board meetings of Ridings Publishing Company Limited and its subsidiaries and Oystons Limited must have featured some interesting conversations as at them three well-known men were eligible to attend. Those three men, as of today, variously have served a jail sentence for rape, been convicted and await sentencing for 14 charges of indecent assault and await trial for two counts of raping a 15 year old.
As David and Victoria Beckham continue their search for a new home in London, The Steeple Times suggests five of the best options
This morning, yet more “sources close to David and Victoria Beckham” were telling the press that they’re on the search for a London home. This unnamed individual stated that they need a “minimum of 10 bedrooms” (more…)
The Steeple Times asks actor John Challis, best known for playing Boycie in “Only Fools and Horses”: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Marlene is my guiding force at all times. Listen to your wife. She knows best.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Never lose that bitterness”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Wind turbines.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
The energy of my youth.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Life in a warm climate.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Bloody capitalists!
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Gobsmacked”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I support animal charities especially Tusk Trust. They are fighting to save rhinos and elephants from extinction as a result of poaching. Ronnie Wood and I are the oldest and longest serving patrons of Tusk.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Mobile phones are a bloody nuisance, especially on public transport. I have got into fights in the silent carriages of trains. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. I resisted a mobile for years.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Marlon Brando, James Stewart, Kim Novak, Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Tom Graveney, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, Jacques Tati, Marg Helgenberger and Paul Guilfoyle.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Gorgonzola cheese with fresh figs and a glass of vintage port on the terrace of the Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
6pm unless out to lunch.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini, stirred not shaken, with a twist of lemon and an olive for my heartburn.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I don’t do parties anymore. My 60th finished me off.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My brother-in-law, Johnny Palmer.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
ABBA.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A man with a cricket bat striking a cover drive.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
An Aston Martin DB4.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I wear Converse trainers.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Abby Bobblehead (NCIS), a miniature Trotter yellow van and a packet of lupin seeds sent to me from a Twitter follower in Texas.
John Challis is an English actor best known for his role as Terrance Aubrey “Boycie” Boyce in the long running BBC television comedy series Only Fools and Horses and its spin-off, The Green Green Grass.
To order signed copies of John Challis’ autobiography, Being Boycie and Boycie & Beyond, and to view the list of venues for his show on tour, go to: http://www.wigmorebooks.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/BeingBoycie
The Steeple Times asks estate agent Edward Thomson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Honesty and integrity.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
My favourite is: “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger” but “Try everything once, except incest and Morris dancing” is more amusing.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Mexicans using live dogs and kittens as shark bait.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Living in the countryside and most of the time, a river and a dog.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
The love of my life.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
My integrity and reputation is all that I am; all that I can absolutely determine. When you give that up what have you become? The banks no longer have a code. A few prison sentences ought to remind them to gamble their money, not ours.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“It’s not my problem”: I absolutely hate the mentality of people who say this.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Family and friends first and then animal welfare. In particular, beasts of burden across the world.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Mobile phones are anti-social, but absolutely necessary in today’s world.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Bill Murray, Ranulph Fiennes, that chap who just survived 40 minutes at depth in the North Sea with 20 minutes of mix (seriously interesting chat to be had there I think), Johnny Cash and oh yes, a seriously amazing and beautiful Australian I know.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Potted shrimp on toast, lamb cutlets and some very good Stilton. I would have it on the banks of the River Nadder near Salisbury.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
12 noon. Sherry.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Definitely a cocktail. A Porn Star martini is my current favourite.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Any that end up in Annabel’s. Call me old hat, but I just love the dance floor in there.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My stepfather, Richard. An extraordinary chap.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Smoking. I have to stop again soon.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A rod and a rifle.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
My Triumph TR6. My dream car is a 1949 Ferrari 166MM Barchetta.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I like crooning to old Fred Astaire songs in the shower.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A carriage clock, two candlesticks, a picture of me releasing a salmon, a wedding invitation and a Herend porcelain rabbit.
Edward Thomson works for Strutt & Parker LLP in their Cadogan Street sales office. Website: http://www.StruttAndParker.com
The Steeple Times asks realtor and television personality Christophe Choo: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
That’s a great question. The first thing that comes to mind are the joys and wonderful things in my life: my family & friends and those who guide me in do what I do.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Proper everything and everyone now” and “do the right thing”.
A monthly round up of the moves of the newsworthy
Fishing around 
Poissonnerie on Draycott Avenue, popular with the likes of Sir Michael Caine and Sir Roger Moore, is for sale through Miles Commercial. The 6,700 square foot property, owned by respected restaurateur Peter Rosignoli, has a price tag of £14,000,000 and the agents state that it “has good redevelopment potential”. Meanwhile, around the corner in Walton Street, the same firm seeks £90,000 per year for the former Baity Kitchen premises.
Living like Lilly
The “Queen of Prep” Lilly Pulitzer’s realtor daughter, Liza, is marketing her late mother’s former home at 710 South County Road in Palm Beach, Florida at a price of £5,500,000. Originally marketed at £7,500,000, the fashion titan told the New York Times recently that the house is “just magnificent, but I’m old and I’m cranky and I can’t keep it up the way it should be”. She now rests in peace but with the “cabana inspired” property being marketed as a “tear-down” or for subdivision into two lots, it looks like the bulldozers will be on the way.
Meyer’s kebabed
Sir Christopher Meyer was recently spotted on the steps of 17 Lincoln Street in Chelsea with a group of men who looked like builders. The same property, for which offers in excess of £2,650,000 were sought, is now “under offer/sold” on the Primelocation.com website. If indeed the former ambassador and his wife, who was described as being “Chanel-clad” by the Daily Telegraph in May 2011, have bought the house, they’ll quickly have to get used to the smell of kebabs. The 4-storey unmodernised end of terrace is right next to the Al Dar restaurant.
Monckton moves on
The house where financier John Monckton was tragically murdered in November 2004 in Upper Cheyne Row, Chelsea has recently come on the market with W. A. Ellis. Monckton’s killer Damien Hanson and his accomplice Elliott White were rightly jailed and now, his widow, Homeyra, is selling the 5-bedroomed house at a guide price of £5,500,000.
If you know of a story about someone newsworthy who is changing jobs, setting up a new business or selling an existing one or moving home, do email us at: [email protected]