Prime place for privacy
COURTENAY AVENUE has once again been listed by Zoopla as north west London’s most expensive street and the second most expensive street in the UK, with average property values close to £19.5 million. Set behind a gated, private entrance so residents are protected and hidden from the public, Courtenay Avenue is opposite Kenwood House and, perhaps surprisingly, is only five miles from Piccadilly.
Marc Schneiderman, director at Arlington Residential, says: “Courtenay Avenue is one of only a handful of private roads in London offering an extremely high level of security. The road is in fact a cul de sac with a security lodge at the point of entry, which is manned by uniformed staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All vehicles and visitors coming to the road are carefully vetted and CCTV monitors all movements, while keeping a record of the vehicles entering the street.
“In addition, the security guards patrol the road on a regular basis. As a result, Courtenay Avenue has established itself as one of the most sought-after addresses for high net worth individuals wanting large family homes in a safe and secure environment. As there are only 22 houses in the street, choice is always limited so when a property does become available, it is important to make active buyers aware of the opportunity.”
Arlington Residential has been responsible for the sale of more than 25 per cent of houses on the street, including the recent sale of a family house on a plot of nearly half an acre. The house stands behind mature front gardens with a wide carriage driveway. The rear garden is in two parts — the first is mainly lawned with York stone borders and a feature oak tree. At the rear of this is a hidden woodland, approached via a discreet archway bordered by hedging. This rear section is an unspoilt wilderness, almost a private nature reserve — something rarely found in London.
The property currently offers just over 5,000 sq ft of accommodation but has been granted planning permission for a new residence of 13,488 sq ft (1,253 sq m) over four floors behind a retained façade and would include a substantial leisure complex with swimming pool and cinema.
New to the market in Courtenay Avenue is Oakbank — a home of more than 11,300 sq ft (1,052 sq m) with a principal bedroom suite comprising a large bedroom with two dressing rooms, a sitting room, bathroom and balcony overlooking the extensive lawned rear garden. There are seven further bedroom suites. The house has six reception rooms, a large kitchen/breakfast room, an indoor pool with changing areas and a sauna, as well as a doublewidth garage.
Oakbank is for sale through Arlington Residential with an asking price of £17 million or for rental at £12,000 per week.
Schneiderman concludes: “At a time when privacy, security and exclusivity come first, there is no better address than Courtenay Avenue”.
When privacy and exclusivity come first, there’s no better address’