Boxes’ for potential developers
£55m apartment that covers whole floor of One Hyde Park
site to parkland if the troops do move, and a test of “tranquillity” to guide the type of developments.
KNF chairman Simon Birkett said: “The Household Cavalry is as iconic to Knightsbridge as Harrods and the Royal Albert Hall. We are keen to protect and enhance the Hyde Park Barracks site, not see HM Treasury flog it off for another ‘One Hyde Park’ type development.”
Residents also stressed that an Act of Parliament would be needed to sell the barracks due to legislation dating back to at least 1879. The DIO has confirmed “it is progressing the primary legislation required to enable the development of the site.”
Talks are understood to be ongoing at the MoD and DIO over the legislation, though work is not yet believed to have started on drafting a Bill.
The forum’s neighbourhood plan insists any development should not increase the height, bulk or footprint of the barracks, excluding the tower.
The MoD said: “Hyde Park Barracks has not been sold. We are currently AN apartment that takes up an entire floor of the exclusive One Hyde Park block in Knightsbridge has been put on the market for £55 million.
Buyers will also face a £6.5 million stamp duty bill and £14,000 monthly service charges.
The 8,400 sq ft apartment is one of the most expensive homes to come on the market this year and will cost its next owner more than £6,500 per sq ft. About 17 average-sized London flats could fit within the apartment, which also has two parking spaces.
It takes up the seventh floor of one of the three towers in the Candy brother’s One Hyde Park development. Highlights include a 34ft master bedroom with its own sitting area leading on to a private balcony, fitted dressing room and his and hers bathrooms.
The other four bedrooms are all en suite, while there are two further bathrooms. On the north side of the flat is a triple-aspect 37ft living room with balcony overlooking Hyde Park, a dining room, sitting room, kitchen- undertaking a detailed review on the feasibility of the barracks and will report on progress in our update to Parliament next year.”
Westminster’s cabinet member for planning and public realm, Daniel Astaire, said: “If the MoD decides to sell the site and a developer comes forward with a proposal for residential development, the planning application would be assessed. We have received no applications to date.” breakfast room and even a chef ’s kitchen. There’s also a cinema room and a study.
The service charge, which runs to £161,000 a year, includes access to the neighbouring Mandarin Oriental hotel’s 24-hour concierge, valet, housekeeping and security services.
Twenty-four-hour catering is available from the hotel’s restaurants, which include two Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, a function room for residents only in which they can hold private cocktail parties, a library, a pool, exercise studios and treatment rooms, squash court, gym and wine cellars.
The sale is being handled by agents Knight Frank.