 This house in north London has become the most expensive new-build property ever to be sold in Britain after it was snapped up for £35 million.
The house in Hampstead was bought by Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev, who will move in with his wife Olga and two of his nine children.
It is in a private road where Lulu, Ringo Starr and Maurice Gibb have all owned homes.
The £35 million price tag is equivalent to 177 averagely-priced UK houses.
Visitors to the property will pass through the £50,000 front door and be confronted in the entrance hall by a £750,000 stone staircase.
The drawing room contains a £100,000 carved stone fireplace.
The 17,000 sq ft house is equipped with a nightclub, cinema and indoor swimming pool decorated with gold-plated mosaic tiles.
It also boasts a gym with steam room, hair salon, sauna and spa bath.
The house was designed by architect William Bertram of Bath, who was persuaded out of retirement for the job.
It was originally built for property developer Mansour Namaki, until he decided to move to Regent’s Park.
It was sold to Mr Leviev, the 278th richest person in the world, by two estate agents, Glentree International and Beauchamp Estates.
Gary Hersham, a sub-agent from Beauchamp Estates, said: "In terms of newly built houses, it is the highest price that has been achieved so far."
Trevor Abrahmsohn, managing director of Glentree International, said: "This house represents arguably the finest new-build in Europe, if not the world today.
"I have been in the business for 30 years and have not seen a finer example of quality craftsmanship than this."
The house is equipped with the most up to date technology available, including infra-red cameras, lights, music, electronic doors, heating air conditioning that can all be monitored or adjusted by remote control.
The family room can be transformed into a cinema at the touch of a button, while the pool room can be converted into a ballroom.
Mr Leviev, 51, was born in Uzbekistan but moved to Israel, where he owned the world’s largest diamond company.
A close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, he is estimated to be worth £3.25 billion and donates around £25 million to charity each year.
He also owns homes in Israel, New York and Moscow.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ |
