It wasn't good enough for Onassis... but now this 19-bed Mayfair mansion is on sale for £45million making it one of Britain's most expensive properties
- Number 7 Balfour Place was built in 1891 as an Arts & Craft-style mansion but converted into six apartments in 1991
- 13,000 sq ft home was designed by Eustace Balfour and has five-storey brick façade with large entertaining rooms
- As six apartments, building has 19 bedrooms, seven reception rooms, six kitchens, 17 bathrooms and roof terrace
- Shipping heiress Christina Onassis visited property while viewing Mayfair houses after flying in on private jet in 1978
- But she got cold feet because family whom gossips claimed were cult worshipers lived in neighbouring property
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This sprawling mansion with 19 bedrooms has become the latest 'mega mansion' to hit the London property market - for a staggering £45million.
Number 7 Balfour Place was built in 1891 as an Arts & Craft-style mansion but just over 20 years ago it was converted into six apartments.
But the building, in exclusive Mayfair, is now being sold and it is thought that potential billionaire buyers will want to convert it into a family home.
'Mega mansion': Number 7 Balfour Place was built in 1891 as an Arts & Craft style mansion but just over 20 years ago it was converted into six apartments
On the market: The building, in exclusive Mayfair, is now being sold and it is thought that potential billionaire buyers will want to convert it into a family home
Balcony: Whoever ends up buying the 13,000 sq ft Mayfair home could be making a shrewd purchase as property prices soar
Huge: It was designed by Eustace Balfour and has a five storey brick façade, featuring large entertaining rooms and eight family bedrooms
Prime location: 7 Balfour Place is located a short walk from Hyde Park and Grosvenor Square Garden
It is on the market for £45million and whoever ends up buying the 13,000 sq ft home could be making a shrewd purchase as property prices soar.
The building was designed by Eustace Balfour and has a five-storey brick façade, featuring large entertaining rooms and eight family bedrooms.
As six apartments, the building currently has 19 bedrooms, seven reception rooms, six kitchens, 17 bathrooms and a roof terrace.
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ShareOver the years it has had a number owners including several industrialists, a Dowager Countess and a City of London metal-trader magnate.
However the most famous person to covet the property never actually owned or lived in it.
On August 11, 1978, shipping heiress Christina Onassis flew into London on her private jet for a one-day tour of houses in Mayfair and Belgravia.
Coveted the property: Christina Onassis (left and right) flew into London on her private jet for a one-day tour of houses in Mayfair, including Number 7 Balfour Place
Refurbishment possibilities: Computer-generated imagery of how the bedroom suite could look at 7 Balfour Place
Reception CGI: Over the years it has had a number owners including several industrialists, a Dowager Countess and a City of London metal-trader magnate
Library CGI: In 1991, the property was converted into six apartments and it is this internal configuration that is currently being offered for sale
Living area CGI: It has been put on the market with Wetherell Estates for £45million - making it one of the most expensive properties on the market in the UK
But she backed out of buying Number 7 because a neighbouring property was being rented by the DeGrimston family - whom gossips claimed were cult worshipers.
Their house was dubbed 'Satan's Cave' and it is thought this lead to the socialite getting cold feet on the purchase.
In 1991, the property was converted into six apartments and it is this internal configuration that is currently being offered for sale.
The flats range from 1,255 sqft up to 2,583 sqft in size, offering two to four bedrooms.
It has been put on the market with Wetherell Estates for £45million - making it one of the most expensive properties on the market in the UK.
The home is likely to get the attention of a property developer looking to make a tidy profit.
Bedroom CGI: The home is likely to get the attention of a property developer looking to make a tidy profit
Guest bathroom CGI: Property prices are on the rise in Mayfair with homes changing hands for £4,000 and £5,000 per sq ft
Kitchen CGI: Some industry experts estimate values could hit £10,000 per sq ft in a decade in Mayfair - making this a £130million home
Dressing room: Wetherell estate agents said Number 7 Balfour Place is 'one of the most magnificent Arts & Craft mansions in London'
Property prices are on the rise in Mayfair with homes changing hands for £4,000 and £5,000 per sq ft.
This could give 7 Balfour Place a potential value of between £52 and £65 million.
Some industry experts estimate values could hit £10,000 per sq ft in a decade - making it a £130million home.
Peter Wetherell, chief executive of Wetherell, said: ‘Number 7 Balfour Place is one of the most magnificent Arts & Craft mansions in London.
'Built as a trophy property within the historic Grosvenor Estate it benefits from a prestigious Mayfair address, elegant architecture and rooms with princely proportions.
‘As apartments it could be used as an investment to generate rental income.
'Reinstated into a single residence, it could create one of London's finest mega-mansions, an outstanding home of world class quality and refined provenance.’
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