Britain’s Most Expensive Home Hits the Market for $221 Million

Britain’s most expensive home is so big that if you just happen upon it, you might not even realize it’s a private residence—in many ways, the property looks more like an apartment or condo complex, or maybe even an office building. Known by its address, 2–8a Rutland Gate, the 45-room mansion overlooking Hyde Park recently went on sale for a little over $221 million, according to The Guardian. Originally, the massive residence was built as four separate homes in the 1830s, but was converted to a single home in the 1980s. The British architectural firm Yorke, Rosenberg & Mardall oversaw the renovation of the stuccoed mansion.   

The home was most recently bought in 2020 for about $232 million, and at the time, the reported buyer was Cheung Chung-kiu, the founder and chairman of CC Land Holdings. However, a recent report in the Financial Times claims that Hui Ka Yan, the founder and majority shareholder of The Evergrande Group, is the actual owner. Evergrande has accumulated a series of debts since July of 2020, and Hui has been rapidly selling assets since, according to Insider. 

When last put on the market, the property was in need of extensive renovations, including excavating the basement and repairing parts of the facade. The local city council had granted permits for work to begin, though it’s unclear exactly how much has been completed. A website detailing the proposed renovation noted the home was previously bought in “dilapidated” conditions. Before the home fell into disrepair, it was as stately as could be expected of a property of its caliber, featuring ornate molding and gold-leaf accents. 

Throughout the home’s lengthy history, it has changed hands among many of the world’s most affluent. Before it was sold to its current owner, both a Saudi prince and Lebanese prime minister owned the property for some time. Though it’s a home only few could afford, according to The Guardian report, at least half a dozen potential buyers have already toured the estate. A source told the British paper that “Middle Eastern royal families and super-rich American investors” had been among those to inquire about the sale of Britain’s most expensive home.