For the first time in more than a century, London’s former Italian embassy, now a lavish mansion, has hit the market with a £21.5 million (US$27.2 million) price tag.
The six-bedroom townhouse in Belgravia was built at the turn of the 20th century, and in 1923 was acquired by the Italian government to serve as its Embassy in the capital, according to Beauchamp Estates, which brought the home to the market last week.
The building later served as an embassy residence and then the Office of the Italian Defence Attaché, before a new owner converted the property back into a luxurious private residence between 2009 and 2011.
Its listing marks the first time the property has been available for sale on the open market since 1923, Beauchamp Estates said.
During its diplomatic era, the “illustrious townhouse-mansion was visited by notable guests from the pages of history, including Diana Mitford, Lloyd George and Wallis Simpson,” said Charles Lloyd, who heads the brokerage across Mayfair and Belgravia.
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Today, the former embassy is an almost 8,000-square-foot home that’s “well presented and immaculately maintained,” Lloyd added. Mansion Global couldn’t determine who is selling the property.
An entrance hall with bespoke checkered marble flooring leads into the property, which boasts three reception rooms, all fitted with parquet flooring, wall paneling and Regency-style marble fireplaces and ceiling coving; a kitchen with high-gloss white and timber cabinets, marble worktops and stone flooring; and a full-floor primary bedroom suite with two separate walk-in dressing rooms.
There’s also a home theater, a fitness studio, an elevator, staff accommodation, two vaults, a garden and direct access to an underground car park with two allocated parking spots, according to the listing.
This article originally appeared on Mansion Global.
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