For a two-bedroom, 1,790 square feet penthouse apartment to have an asking price of £8.5 million (Dh38.8m), it has to offer something special – even in Mayfair in West London, where property prices are among the most expensive in the world.
This duplex penthouse at 17 Dunraven Street does have something quite special about it. Not only has it been home to British royalty but also revered British novelist and humorist P G Wodehouse, it was last owned by British fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen, who had begun an extensive refurbishment while renting another home nearby. The renovation works had not finished by the time the designer died in 2010. However, interior design specialist Paul Davies London has completed the restoration, with its designs paying homage to the McQueen creations.
The decor includes portraits of the designer as well as photos of his muse Isabella Blow. There is also a “fashion catwalk” area and nods to McQueen’s famous skull motif reflected within certain fittings such as lamps and lampshades.
The lower floor contains the reception and entertaining spaces, including an American-style bespoke kitchen designed by Clive Christian with a central island, breakfast bar and a 10-seat dining area. French doors open on to an outside terrace area. The reception room has a 3.2 metre-high ceiling. It is fitted with a new AV system and has a large, open fireplace. A hallway linking the kitchen and reception areas has been created as a fashion catwalk with mirror-lined walls-to-floor cabinets.
The upper floor contains a master bedroom with built-in wardrobes, an en suite bathroom, a dressing area and a day area. There is also a second bedroom with a dressing room and a day area, which could be converted into a third bedroom if required. There is a family bathroom, and the landing has a chrome spiral staircasing, which leads up to a 2,400 sq ft roof garden with a barbecue and a bar area with views of West London.
Q&A
Who was Alexander McQueen?
He was a fashion designer from London who grew up in a working-class background and left school at 16 to work in the city’s famous Savile Row. He created his own label alongside working at Givenchy, where he became chief designer in 1996. He eventually joined Gucci Group in 2000 and sold a majority stake of his label to the firm for a reported US$30 million. He won four British designer of the year awards.
Can you describe the style of the refurbishment?
It’s been billed as one that “fuses the Art Deco and contemporary”, inspired by McQueen to deliver a more modern style of Mayfair apartment. Floors in the main rooms are made from black American walnut wood, the joinery is bespoke and McQueen’s signature colours of cream, silver and black have been used.
Any idea who might buy it?
We believe that the Alexander McQueen penthouse will sell to a buyer from either the Middle East or Asia. 17 Dunraven Street in North West Mayfair is in the heart of the Middle East Quarter of the district.
Anything else of note?
The apartment and a separate property below were a town house occupied by the author P G Wodehouse. The house was originally the home of Queen Victoria’s grandson, the Marquess of Carisbrooke.
mfahy@thenational.ae
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