Tycoon’s empty mansion becomes a squat
A veteran group of squatters has occupied an empty £15 million (NZ$26m) central London property purchased by a Russian oligarch in 2014 and opened it as a homeless shelter.
The extensive, five-storey Grade II-listed Eaton Square property was bought by Andrey Goncharenko, a little-known oligarch who has bought a number of luxury properties in London in recent years.
The squatters – Autonomous Nation of Anarchist Libertarians, known as ANAL – said they entered the building through an open window on Tuesday and had accommodated about 25 homeless people so far, many of whom had been sleeping rough around Victoria station.
Tom Fox, 23, one of the squatters, said: ‘‘It is criminal that there are so many homeless people and at the same time so many empty buildings. Our occupation is highlighting this injustice.’’
New rough sleeper figures for London published this week have revealed an increase of 16 per cent from last year, to more than 4000.
More than 200,000 homes in the city have been empty for more than six months, according to new government figures.
Fox said ANAL members had set up a projector so they could hold movie nights, were collecting portable cookers to provide food for homeless people, and were planning to host talks about homelessness and other issues. They had also established a free clothing shop.
The 1329-square-metre property has polished parquet floors and a grand, spiral staircase, is in the heart of Belgravia and a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace.
The building dates back to the 1820s and has numerous listed features including many ornate, hand-carved fireplaces. Planning permission has been granted for a swimming pool in the basement and an extension.
One homeless mother and daughter who had been sleeping around Victoria station said they were delighted to have been offered shelter in the oligarch’s home. ‘‘Westminster council wants to send homeless people like us out of London, and there isn’t much provision around for homeless women,’’ she said.
Goncharenko’s representatives, MCA Shipping Ltd, have sought a possession order in the central London county court. A hearing is scheduled for January 31.