London Mansion Formerly Owned by Saudi Royal Family Member Is Now On Sale

Photo: Aston Chase

A manor that was once owned by the Saudi Arabian royal family is on the market in London with a US $14.7 million (which is approximately AED 54 million) price tag. Named Fairwood, the enormous eight-bedroom property is located in the Hampstead Garden Suburb, one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the capital.

The house was built in 1935 and was designed by renowned British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens and is a Grade II listed property, measuring 11,066 square feet and set on a 0.25-hectare plot. The magnificent home comes complete with a triple-height galleried entrance hall, three reception rooms, a library, a family room, a 36ft drawing room, as well as a cinema room and gym.

The luxury property is also conveniently positioned a few feet away from ‘Billionaires’ Row’, known for its elite community residing on the 66-home street, which previously included the likes of the Sultan of Brunei and Justin Bieber.

Seemingly, the mansion has had a notable history that blends “royalty, aristocracy, noted political figures and captains of industry”, with one of its early owners being the McKenna banking dynasty, who resided at the home for three decades before it was purchased by the Saudi royal family in the 1960s.

The house was then handed over to new owners in 2006, after the Saudi royal family’s stay until 2002. The home was originally commissioned by Reginald McKenna, a banker and a senior Liberal politician who served as chancellor under British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith as a wedding present for his son David and his new daughter-in-law Lady Cecelia Keppel.

The property is expected to be in demand with international buyers who have flocked back into the London property market in recent months. Marc Schneiderman, principal of Arlington Residential also said the home was a “landmark property on a remarkable plot”. The seller consensus is that the property, which is ideally situated near a number of high-society North London schools and Hampstead Heath, makes it a “compelling” prospect.