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Witanhurst Manor finds a buyer
London's second largest home after Buckingham Palace, has been sold.
Witanhurst Manor, the Queen Anne listed mansion at the top of Highgate's West Hill, has been sold for more than £50 million. The new owner is Elena Baturina, thought to be the wealthiest woman in Russia and wife of the mayor of Moscow.
The 40,000 square foot property has five and a half acres of gardens, 65 rooms, including 25 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, three kitchens, four tennis courts, ballroom, library, sauna and gym.
Soap magnate Sir Arthur Crosfield bought what was to become Witanhurst Manor in 1913 with the intention of building a home to impress the highest echelons of British society. He commissioned architect George Hubbard to come up with a Queen Anne-style extravaganza.
Since then, the house has been the setting for Fame Academy and television dramas including Tipping The Velvet. The Queen has attended an event in the gold-leaf covered ballroom, and neighbours have included Sting, Boy George and George Michael.
Along with 54 other venues, including Highgate Cemetery and Kentish Town Baths, Witanhurst manor has been placed on Camden and English Heritage's 'At Risk' register, which was released earlier this week.
Witanhurst is rated as one of the buildings in the worst condition and the costs of refurbishing the property have been estimated at more than £10 million.
Witanhurst manor was last sold a year ago for £32 million to developer Marcus Cooper of The Cooper Group, who planned to start on the refurbishment works before selling the property on.
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