A London home that once belonged to the late statesman Winston Churchill has hit the market for £19.5 million (or about $25.2 million). The Englishman served as the Prime Minister of the U.K. twice, first from 1940 to 1945 during World War II and then from 1951 to 1955. Following his election defeat in 1945, Churchill reportedly bought 27 Hyde Park Gate for about $310,000 to use as an office. The location was ideal, next door to a townhouse he already owned, and he soon combined the two homes into one giant mansion. However, following his death in 1965, the Grade II-listed spread, just over two miles west of Buckingham Palace, was divided back into separate dwellings.
“Having been the cherished home of Sir Winston Churchill during a defining era in British history, this property has an illustrious heritage,” James Pace, head of Kensington sales at Knight Frank, told Mansion Global.
The pale-blue reception room’s stately fireplace is embellished with fluted columns.
Knight Frank
The elegant abode last changed hands in 2001 and is currently configured with six bedrooms arranged over four floors. There’s also a private terrace and a rather sizable formal garden thanks to its prime location on a quiet cul-de-sac. Inside, you’ll find much of the original character and charm, like wood-paneled flooring, intricate moldings, and stately fireplaces, remains intact.
The ground floor holds a dramatic double-height reception room in addition to a library and a sitting room. During Churchill’s time, a bedroom was positioned on this level where he reportedly recovered after breaking his leg while on vacation in Monte Carlo. Elsewhere, there’s a fairly modern-looking chef’s kitchen on the lower ground floor along with a breakfast room and formal dining area. The home now also includes its own gym. Fun fact: per English Heritage, Churchill converted one room at the adjacent 28 Hyde Park into his “snob library,” lined with his collection of finely bound books and portraits of his ancestors.
The formal dining room spills out to the garden.
Knight Frank
Kensington has long been a hotbed of high-profile residents who include Madonna, JK Rowling, Stella McCartney, and, most notably, the late Freddie Mercury, who also owned a Kensington home known as Garden Lodge. The storied estate was put up for sale in February of this year for £30 million (roughly $38 million) by his longtime friend and former fiancée, Mary Austin. According to the listing, which is also being represented by Knight Frank, the late Queen frontman helped design the garden and stored the grand piano that he used to compose Bohemian Rhapsody here.
Click here to see more photos of Winston Churchill’s London home.
Knight Frank
Source: Luxury - robbreport.com
