Hasta la vista... £1.7m house that lost its priceless views of the home of golf
IT has enjoyed grandstand views over the world’s most celebrated patch of golfing real estate for almost 200 years.
And now, for a seven-figure sum, the sumptuous house and its spectacular vistas over the Old Course in St Andrews can be yours.
But there is a devastating catch. The unbroken view is about to be obliterated by a huge hotel extension.
The £7million project will double the size of the Rusacks Hotel and include a rooftop restaurant offering views not dissimilar to the ones it will be blocking for the house yards behind it – which has stood since 1826.
It spells disaster for Greg Incoll, owner of 19 Pilmour Links, who had spent a fortune renovating it to the highest standards before putting it on the market in 2015 for offers over £1.75million. The B-listed house has now been on sale through Savills for 18 months and the price has been dropped by £100,000 – but there are still no takers.
Mr Incoll’s lawyers had complained bitterly about the hotel plans submitted to Fife Council which, they said, were of ‘an overbearing
‘No legal right to a private view’
scale and mass’. But while the council turned the plans down, a Scottish Government appointed reporter approved them, concluding the extension ‘would not be detrimental’ to any listed building in the area, including the hotel itself.
And, while the reporter accepted there would be ‘a significant impact on outlook’ for several properties, he pointed out there was no legal right to a private view.
The bitter irony for Mr Incoll is his house – which includes a home cinema, library, wine cellar and en suites for all four bedrooms – predates even the famous Royal and Ancient clubhouse, which was not built until 1854.
Macdonald Hotels, which owns Rusacks, says the development will comprise 44 suites and a 145-cover rooftop restaurant, bar and terrace.
A spokesman said: ‘We are finalising the design phase of the proposed development with our professionals but we have no definite start date for the project. As one of our most important and iconic developments ever, it’s important to take time to achieve a development to be proud of.’
Savills said the ‘outstanding’ home is ‘the perfect golfer’s retreat’.