Date Published 11 July 2022
Agents have confirmed the successful sale of 'one of the last trophy mansions in
Knightsbridge'.
Stuart House, an 11,350 square foot Victorian behemoth on Cadogan Square, debuted on
the open market to much fanfare towards the end of 2021, sporting a guide price of £35mn.
Available for the first time since 1999, the six-storey 'collector's item' attracted the
attentions of a number of uber-wealthy buyers, who went on to make 'multiple' offers; we
hear via joint agents Rokstone and Savills that a deal has now been sealed, although the
final purchase price is undisclosed.
The rare combination of stellar location, vast scale, private entrance, outside space, flexible
accommodation and provenance made for a 'very special' proposition, said Rokstone MD
Becky Fatemi – adding that the heavyweight sale reflects both post-pandemic lifestyle
changes, and a PCL market in 'early recovery mode'.
The buyer was introduced by Savills, making this the agency's third house sale on the iconic
square in the past eight months.
Original period features abound inside Stuart House, including grand staircases, ornate
mouldings and imposing fireplaces, and the current layout allows for seven reception rooms,
five bedrooms (including a 33-foot master bedroom on the second floor, with private westfacing
roof terrace).
Further selling features included access to and views over Cadogan Gardens, staff
accommodation, an 'ideal teenage retreat' up on the top floor, and a lower-ground wellness
complex, housing a swimming pool and gym.
The Queen Anne-style red-brick was originally designed in the 1880s by architects F.G
Knight and Hunt Steward for Oscar Leslie Stephen, a director of the Northern
Railway. There are some historic links to the Stuart monarchy via the Cadogan family, and a
marvellous set of stone carvings by French sculptor Joseph Kramer adorn the walls,
featuring King James I and Mary Queen of Scots.
Becky Fatemi, Managing Director of Rokstone: 'This striking and statuesque
corner property dates back to the 1880s with a sense of history and a strong
backstory. As intriguing and appealing as this is, it is what property offers today
for modern day life which drove multiple offers and secured the sale.
'As well as its size, which is rare in an area where the old mansions have mostly
been carved up into lateral apartments, the rooms are all cavernous, without
exception, and well-lit from deep sash windows with high ceilings and therefore
huge amounts of wall space for art.
'There's studio on the top floor with can be used as a work-out space, home
office or teenage retreat. On the lower ground floor is a gym and swimming pool,
an ancillary kitchen and staff quarters. The terrace looks back of Cadogan
Square and gives residents outside space, which following the lockdowns is at a
premium.
'This sale of course was completed on the property's own merits – Stuart House
is a very special home – but it also reflects the changing PCL market place which
is in early recovery mode as a strong domestic market competes with the
overseas buyers who have returned following the pandemic. It also reflects the
lifestyle changes accelerated by the virus as buyers search for space and their
Buyer picks up ‘one of the last trophy mansions in Knightsbridge' © PrimeResi 2021 | 7
own private entrance. This will drive demand for individual homes from the PCL
mansion to the mews house in 2022.
'We expect Stuart House only to come to market once every few decades and
were honoured to have sold it this time around.'
Alex Christian, Director, Savills London Private Office: 'This sale highlights
the continued strong buyer appetite for large central London mansions, even
those requiring an upgrade as in the case of Stuart House.
'Despite the delayed return of overseas buyer groups to central London, demand
remains robust for these rare, large properties, which often represent a once in a
generation opportunity when they come to market.'
