New London Apartments Have a Well-Known Neighbor: The Queen

Live like the Queen of England, or at least right next door.

A new collection of luxury apartments facing the south wing of Buckingham Palace have hit the market, the development’s owner, Tai United, announced Monday.

The Buckingham, at 7-9 Buckingham Gate, has an entrance directly opposite the palace’s ambassador entrance, according to Gary Hersham, head of Beauchamp Estates, the brokerage for the property.

The development consists of six two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 1,718 to 5,189, square feet and priced from £4.35 million ($US5.61 million) up to £18 million (US$23.2 million). The five-story Grade II-listed building has a  Nash-style façade.  

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And it shares more with Buckingham Palace the address.

"Given the proximity of Buckingham Palace, it’s perhaps no surprise that the two buildings share architects and designers," Mr. Hersham said. "The three mansions that form Buckingham Gate were originally built in 1859-1861 by Sir James Pennethorne, who also designed the facing south wing of the palace, with its world-famous ballroom."

Mr. Hersham added that builders of The Buckingham were George Trollope & Sons, who also worked as the original builders on Buckingham Palace.

The Buckingham properties have a storied history, and famous inhabitants have included earls, marquis and baronets, as well as the son of Prime Minister William Gladstone and  French fashion house Callot Soeurs, which was run by French millionaire Marie Callot Gerber, a rival of Coco Chanel.

Construction was completed in January. This spring, designers such as Rose Uniacke, who has worked for David and Victoria Beckham, have dressed show residences to prepare for the launch.

The apartments have large, grandly proportioned living spaces, with double reception rooms and second sitting rooms in an old fashioned style fitting of the royalty of yore.

"The apartments have taken three years to build, and each one has a distinctive character, with luxurious specification and unique layouts and interiors," Mr. Hersham said in an email. 

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Modern touches added in the restoration include underground parking, a 24-hour concierge, modern kitchens with central islands and bespoke fittings, under-the-floor heating, fireplaces, CCTV and elevator access.

And for those looking for even more room, in October 2017, No. 6 Buckingham Gate, a single 15,845-square-foot mansion will launch as part of the development with a guide price of £70 million (US$92.2 million). The home will have five reception rooms, six bedrooms, a private elevator and health spa with swimming pool sauna and gym, a media room, library and a multi-story glass atrium, in addition to other features.