Former Algerian Embassy in Holland Park for sale for £30 million; the detached stucco house needs complete renovation and counts David and Victoria Beckham as neighbours
The former Embassy of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in Holland Park, W11 has just been placed for sale for the sum of £30 million ($39.1 million, €34.9 million or درهم143.7 million).
Offered by estate agent Anthony Sharp, the 9,490 square foot, Grade II listed detached stucco house includes accommodation over five floors and was built in 1862. One of remaining Italianate villas designed by brothers Francis and William Radford, 54 Holland Park is described as being “in need of full modernisation” and as having “scope to create a magnificent family home”.
The buyer will count David and Victoria Beckham as near neighbours. They paid £31.5 million ($41.1 million, €36.6 million or درهم150.9 million) for 23 Holland Park in 2013 and finally took up residence there in July 2016 after completing an £8 million ($10.4 million, €9.3 million or درهم38.3 million) renovation that included, amongst other things, a vast subterranean redevelopment.
East Sussex country house for sale; it comes complete with an enormous rectangular moat allegedly dug by an eccentric parson in the 1700s
One generally associates moats with castles and manor houses – such as the one we featured last month – but an old rectory currently for sale for £5 million ($6.3 million or €5.9 million or درهم23.2 million) in East Sussex comes with an especially impressive ground water-fed, rectangular example complete with three timber footbridges.
Chailey Moat, Chailey Green, East Sussex, United Kingdom, BN8 4DAThe house in Victorian times with the Reverend Thomas Harry Lee Jellicoe outside with his servants circa 1900This fireplace is one of the most stunning and historic features internallyIt is situated within this reading roomAnother view of the main house shows the size of the moat
Previously marketed for £3.5 million ($4.4 million or €4.1 million or درهم16.2 million) in 2007 but not sold at that time, Grade II listed Chailey Moat at Chailey Green, near Haywards Heath in East Sussex dates to around 1540 and was previously known as ‘The Parsonage’. It blends Tudor, Carolean, Elizabethan and Georgian elements and is centred on an original timber framed medieval structure hidden by later additions. The south-eastern façade is described by selling agents Savills as “most striking” and amongst other unusual features are a Venetian window on the first floor and a brick fireplace in a reading room with an intricately carved overmantel that allegedly came from part of a Charles I bedstead.
Aside from a 6,146 square foot main house with 5 reception rooms and upto 8 bedrooms over three floors, there is a 398 square foot 1 bedroom cottage and a 4 bedroomed, 17th century barn conversion that extends to 807 square foot and also provides a substantial games room.
Gardens and grounds extend to 43.76 acres and aside from the moat – which was allegedly singlehandedly dug by the Reverend Richard Porter, rector from 1713 to 1753 – there is also a enclosed tennis court, an outdoor swimming pool, a stream fed lake, a productive orchard and rolling pastureland.
Chailey Moat is offered by Savills and was described by Country Life’s Penny Churchill as a “mansion of peace” in June this year. In October, the medieval property’s current owner, businessman Andrew Colin, described its idyllic setting to The Times. “It’s like sitting in the middle of a nature reserve”, he said.
The dining hallThe drawing roomThe staircase dates from the 18th centuryThe kitchen has a four-oven AGAThis barn conversion provides ideal staff or guest accommodation and beyond it is a full-sized tennis courtA lake is situated within the groundsWhilst extensive lawned gardens extend out across the moatAnother view of the gardensA floor plan of the main houseFloor plans of the barn conversion, cottage and outbuildings
Jaguar E-Type originally owned by Prince Michael of Kent for sale
A 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-litre FHC originally owned by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent is for sale with an Essex vintage car specialist.
Described as having “matching numbers, in impeccable order throughout and being close to conours”, Prince Michael first tried out the Jaguar at Goodwood with a then eight year old Lord March before taking it to Germany where he was serving in the army. The royal recalls driving the car at 150 miles per hour on autobahns and in the years since, he has been united with the vehicle on several occasions at Goodwood and Kensington Palace.
His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent with the Earl of March and Kinrara, Charles Gordon-Lennox in the carLady Gabriella Windsor, Prince Michael’s daughter, with the vehicle
In 1984, Prince Michael wrote about the opalescent dark green with light tan hide interior and Webasto sunroof car in Road & Car Magazine. He stated:
“This was a beautiful motor car, immensely quick, and probably the most enjoyable car I have ever owned. I believe that every man has a special place in his heart for one woman above all others, and also for one car. In my case I think probably my E-Type Jaguar was the most satisfying and exciting car in my life – so far”.
In December 2015, the sixth owner of the E-Type, James Phillips, 67, from Newbury, Berkshire, told The Times:
“I am nearing retirement and it has been our pension fund for many years. We’ve done everything in it and we don’t go out in the rain and snow any more. We just want to pass it on to someone who is going to look after it”.
Vintage & Prestige Classic Cars seek £245,000 ($309,000 or €288,000 or درهم1.1 million) for the car complete with a whole raft of accompanying correspondence and photographs.
Oxfordshire country house that has appeared in many films for sale for £10 million in spite of needing some renovation
Launched to the market in June for £10 million ($12.7 million or €11.9 million or درهم46.7 million) in June 2016 as a while or £7.75 million ($9.9 million or €9.2 million or درهم36.2 million) for the main house alone, Harpsden Court to the south of Henley-on-Thames at Harpsden is a house that many will recognize from its appearances in films and television series.
The main elevation of Harpsden Court, Harpsden, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 4AXDaniel Radcliffe was filmed at the house for for the chilling movie adaptation of the horror story “The Woman in Black” in 2012Harpsden features interiors that are truly jaw-dropping
Rented out for around £2,500 ($3,200 or €3,000 or درهم11,700) per day regularly by the present owners, Laurie and Barbara Gerrard, the 16,098 square foot Grade II* listed country house dates to 1204 but was primarily developed in the 16th century. Featuring architectural styles including Elizabethan, Medieval, Strawberry Hill Gothic Revival, Venetian, Palladian, Tudor Revival, Regency and Victorian, selling agents Savills describe it as having an interior that is “particularly atmospheric, with a rich sequence of well-preserved interiors representing the long history of the house, notable for the oak panelling and exquisite plasterwork”.
The attic is said to have been used as a studio by Humphrey Gainsborough (the brother of the better known painter Thomas) whilst the main bedroom is known as ‘Queen Mary’s Room’ – Queen Mary I supposedly slept there. During the First World War, Harpsden Court was converted to a hospital for British sick and wounded military personnel and since the 1980s, the house has been used as both a family home and film set. Amongst the programmes and films it has appeared in are The Great Fire, A Harlot’s Progress, The Invisible Woman, Jude, The Manhood of Edward Robinson, Miss Marple, Midsomer Murders, Molly Moon, Parade’s End, Quantum of Solace and The Woman in Black.
The house in Victorian times
Featuring 7 reception rooms and 13 bedrooms, as well as numerous kitchens, offices and stores, the main house is complemented by a recently refurbished 3 bedroomed detached house named ‘Guildfords’ and two cottages adjoining a stable block and coach house. Gardens and grounds extend to 22 acres and include woodland, a boating lake, an orchard and a walled kitchen garden.
“It was the glorious summer of 1976 and the house needed lots of attention. We were lucky enough to be able to give it just that. I still remember that long, hot summer so clearly. The lake had dried up so we could walk straight across it. Twenty years later, I remember it was so cold that we could walk across the lake again — this time it was frozen”.
Stephen Christie-Miller of Savills added:
“It’s well looked after and perfectly liveable but needs to be brought into the 21st century. However, I can’t state enough the importance of this property — it is one of the most outstanding and important properties to come to the local market for some time, and it will appeal greatly to those who want a discreet country retreat, without being too far removed from the convenience of modern-day amenities and transportation links. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring this landmark property into 2016, while respecting its antiquity”.
Savills have recently changed the price to “Price on Application” and now offer Harpsden Court as a whole or in four lots.
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