Chris Nelson
If you have ever felt that the noisy neighbours were just too noisy, perhaps living next door to British royalty would provide a more sedate existance.
And who more sedate than Queen Elizabeth II?
The Buckingham at 7-9 Buckingham Gate is a new ultra-prime residential scheme of six two and three-bedroom apartments, including duplexes, looking directly on to the the Queen and Prince Philip’s official residence, Buckingham Palace, forming one of London’s most distinguished address.
The Italianate white-stucco property at 7-9 Buckingham Gate was originally built between 1859-1861 as three grand mansions; designed by the architect Sir James Pennethorne (a protégé of John Nash), who also designed the south wing of Buckingham Palace. The builders were George Trollope & Sons, who had also worked on Buckingham Palace.
Now, after a three-year restoration project, 7-9 Buckingham Gate has been brought back to life and transformed into The Buckingham, by Beauchamp Estates.
Buckingham Palace Quarter, according to a new report by Beauchamp Estates and Dataloft, has outperformed many other areas of prime central London over recent years.
In the past two years, average values in the Quarter have risen by 26.3 per cent, compared with 9.1 per cent for Mayfair, 3.6 per cent for Knightsbridge and 0.8 per cent for South Kensington, according to the report.
Behind The Buckingham’s five storey Grade II listed Italianate façade there are two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 1,718 square feet to 5,189 sqft in size.
Situated directly opposite Buckingham Palace, the project has retained all the historic prestige of these important heritage-protected buildings, with original details either restored or meticulously replicated.
With lift and staircase access, the apartments have the latest home entertainment and security systems, complete with comfort cooling and underfloor heating. CCTV security covers the entire perimeter, with feed to the concierge and security room.
“The apartments at The Buckingham are located on the south-east side of St James’s, a royal retreat, which has the benefit of two Royal parks – St James’s and Green Park – and borders Mayfair and Belgravia. The grand white stucco mansions and buildings that border Buckingham Palace are some of the grandest in the capital,” said Marcus O’Brien at Beauchamp Estates.
Unsurprisingly, to have Queen Elizabeth as a neighbour does not come cheap; prices at The Buckingham start from £4.35 million (Dh20.6m) for a two-bedroom apartment and up to £18m for a three-bedroom duplex penthouse with two private.
chnelson@thenational.ae
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