Harrods chocolate factory duplex apartment sells for £18 million

European multimillionaire wants to live next door to luxury store in London

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  The original Harrods bakery and chocolate factory was built by Mowlem & Co in 1913-1914 and opened in 1920. All photos: Harrods

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  The Depository building, which housed the bakery and chocolate factory, was designed as a sister building to the Harrods store – the two look almost identical

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  From the 1920s, Harrods own-brand chocolate was made in the building next door to the Depository

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  As well as luxury chocolate, other luxury food items, teas and beverages were produced at the Harrods bakery and chocolate factory

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  The building that once housed the Harrods bakery and chocolate factory now has 40 luxury apartments

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  The Harrods bakery and chocolate factory produced luxury chocolates, Easter eggs, cakes and pastries that were sold in the Harrods store

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  Luxury chocolates and pastries were produced in the Depository building next door to the Harrods store from the 1920s until the late 1970s

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  Boxes of luxury chocolates were, and remain, popular among shoppers at Harrods

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  Giant luxury Easter eggs were produced in the Harrods bakery and chocolate factory

A duplex apartment inside the former Harrods chocolate factory and bakery has sold for £18 million to a European buyer who wanted to live next door to the London luxury store.

The sale of the six-bedroom, 6,404-square-foot property is one of the biggest apartment transactions in the UK capital this year.

The property covers the fourth and fifth floors of the Harrods Depository building on Trevor Square, next to the world-famous department store.

The Harrods Depository, which was built in 1913 and designed by architect CW Stephens, who also created the department store, housed offices and manufacturing facilities for Harrods's own-brand food, chocolates and drinks.

The Harrods Depository is next door to the department store in London's Knightsbridge. Both were designed by CW Stephens. Photo: Beauchamp Estates

There was even a secret tunnel that ran between the Depository and the store so wedding cakes and other confectionery items made exclusively for royal families in Britain and the Gulf as well as wealthy American visitors could be transported directly and discreetly to Harrods.

The £18 million duplex is set over two floors. Photo: Beauchamp Estates

Between 2000 and 2002, the Depository was converted into 40 luxury apartments, with a covered parking complex, landscaped courtyard garden and 24-hour uniformed security and concierge.

Jeremy Gee, managing director of Beauchamp Estates, the agents for the sale, described the Depository as “one of the most sought-after super-prime apartment buildings in Knightsbridge, literally adjacent to the Harrods store”.

“The six-bedroom duplex apartment offers extensive living space with grand proportions throughout and has a fantastic history as the former bakery and confectionery factory where Harrods own-brand fresh bakery, luxury chocolates and Easter eggs were prepared and stored,” he explained.

The interiors of the duplex were created by luxury designers Candy London. Photo: Beauchamp Estates

The apartment's interiors were created by luxury designers Candy London.

It has a large entrance hall, main living room with adjoining dining room and a family room.

The duplex has six bedrooms, and the principal suite has two walk-in dressing rooms and twin en suite bathrooms. Photo: Beauchamp Estates

The Poggenpohl kitchen, with Gaggenau appliances, opens on to a breakfast terrace and a flexible room that can be used as a gymnasium, exercise studio or bedroom.

The lower floor, where the en suite bedrooms are located, can be entered via a striking curved staircase. The principal suite has two walk-in dressing rooms and twin en suite bathrooms.