[www.keralites.net] Costly Mansion

 

Costly Mansion

Would you pay £100m for a terraced house? Former Squat on the market boasting 11 receptions rooms, spa, 'wine cave' and lights controlled by an iPad By Laura Powell and Emily Hill Mansion overlooks London's Regent's Park Luxury home was designed and built by architect Decimus Burton Hippies turned it into a squat in 1975 It was once a squat filled with cannabis-smoking hippies. But walking through the marble entrance hall, past limestone-lined suites and up the original stone staircase, it is hard to imagine that One Cornwall Terrace has ever been home to anyone short of cash. On the market for £100 million, the property is the world's most expensive terraced house. Situated on the edge of Regent's Park in Central London, it boasts seven bedrooms, 11 reception rooms, nine bathrooms, a private gym and a garage with number-plate recognition that can accommodate two limousines. Outdoor opulence: One Cornwall Terrace's grand, sweeping staircases certainly give the garden, which occupies half an acre, the appearance of an extravagant ballroom. The garden is also set below street level, making the space completely private The steel deal: The vast below-stairs kitchen, where most meals are likely to be prepared, also includes a wine cave and cold room The Grade I listed building, whose lights are controlled by an iPad, also has a heated indoor swimming pool – set in Portland stone – complete with spa, sauna and his-and-hers changing rooms. The dining room, which has been restored to its former Regency glory, seats 16, while there are two kitchens in an Upstairs, Downstairs-style arrangement.   The family kitchen has lantern-style windows, a Portland stone floor and heated window seats. The industrial-sized below-stairs kitchen, where most meals will be prepared, also includes a 'wine cave' and cold room. Great lengths: The heated indoor swimming pool is set in Portland stone and has its own private gym, changing rooms, sauna and beauty-treatment rooms Taste of luxury: The dining room has been restored to its former Regency glory and can host up to 16 people Staff at the neoclassical house, which estate agent Savills describes as 'one of the most important private residences in London', have a suite of rooms next to the kitchen. Set in half an acre, the Italianate gardens are below street level and completely private. Thanks to two sweeping staircases, the dramatically lit yard and gardens have the appearance of an external ballroom. Designed and built in the 1820s by architect Decimus Burton, the construction of the whole of Cornwall Terrace was supervised by John Nash, who designed Buckingham Palace. It was named after King George IV, whose titles included the Duke of Cornwall. Bright idea: The family kitchen has granite worktops, bespoke units, lantern-style windows, stone floor and heated window seats Dancing in the moonlight: The private Italianate gardens are dramatically lit and the perfect setting for summer soirees The mansion is most famous for serving as the official London residence of the New Zealand High Commissioner from 1955 until the Seventies. The High Commissioners, from Sir Thomas Clifton Webb onwards, hosted lavish parties where guests included celebrities, ambassadors and royalty. But in January 1975, London was shocked when the building was hijacked by hippies, who broke in when the terrace was temporarily empty and turned it into a squat. Royal connection: Work on the imposing neoclassical front was supervised by John Nash, who designed Buckingham Palace. Everyone from royals, diplomats, celebrities and squatters have since wandered around the Grade I listed mansion Green fingers: The garden expands to over half and acre and has two sweeping staircases at the back of the house Exclusive address: 1 Cornwall Terrace in London is the world's most expensive terrace house and is on the market for £100m One Cornwall Terrace was transformed into a 'temple'. Groups known as the Rainbow People and the Divine Light Mission spent hours meditating and opened a health-food shop on the premises. One squatter, known only as Katherine, recalled a man brewing beer in the kitchen. 'Cornwall Terrace was a glamorous break from the dingy squats I was used to,' she said. 'There was a lot of people wandering in and out high all the time.' After the squatters were evicted in the autumn of 1975, Cornwall Terrace was converted into the headquarters of property company British Land. In recent years, the house has changed hands several times. In 2002, it was registered to telecoms millionaire Charles Wigoder. Nice views: The house looks over Regent's Park and is on the market for £100m which puts it out of the price range of even some of the most wealthy people in the country Exclusive address: Cornwall Terrace Mews is in Central London and overlooks Regent's Park is one of the most expensive area's to live in the country Then in 2007, developer Oakmayne Properties bought Cornwall Terrace and gave the houses a makeover. Supervised by English Heritage and the Crown Estate, each home took 83,000 man hours to refurbish. If One Cornwall Terrace sells for the asking price, it will set the record for a terraced house. ISMAIL CHOHAN

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