Updown Court

Up down Court is a private residence in windlesham,
Surrey, England and is the most expensive private residence that is currently on the market. [ [http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/mostexpensivehomes.html The World's Most Expensive Homes 2006] ] [ [http://www.forbes.com/realestate/2007/02/21/homes-expensive-world-forbeslife-cx_mw_0222mostexpensivehomes_slide1_8.html?thisSpeed=15000 In Pictures: World's Most Expensive Homes - Forbes.com ] ] It is the largest private residence to be built in the United Kingdom since the 19th century. It was launched on the market in 2005 for £70,000,000 Uptown Court drops down to only one spot following Fair Field, the Long Island, NY manse of Ira Rennet valued at over $185 million by Suffolk County.

History

The original Updown Court, built in 1924 and owned by Prince Sam Gaye of Egypt, was severely damaged by a fire in 1987. The estate is set in the center of 58 acres of grounds, comprising a stable and lake within its gardens and woodland.

Developer Leslie Allen-Vercoe then proceeded to purchase the property, which was just a burnt-out shell of the property it had been, for the approximate equivalent of $38.4 million. He has since invested a further $60 million, through the backing of an Irish bank, with the new property designed by John B Scholz, an Arizona architect. Notable aspects of the architecture include the double staircase that is modeled on the one that fashion designer Gianni Versace had in his mansion in Miami, its Trey-slated rooftops, and the bathroom's honey-colored granite and green Guatemalan marble. It has been described by "The Times" newspaper as Californian Neo-classical. UpDown Court was sold in September 2008 to a unknown Billionaire Mark Sellers of Romford Essex. Sellers (22) made his fortune through online gaming, the property sold for a reported £75 million.

The Estate

Entered by a $3million heated marble driveway, [citeweb|url=http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/buying_and_selling/article2063732.ece|title=The most expensive house in Britain?|publsiher=The Times|date=July 15, 2007|accessdate=2008-05-27] Updown Court has 103 rooms, of which the 24 bedrooms each has its own marble en-suite bathroom. Among other features, it has a two lane bowling alley,cite book |title=Guinness World Records |page=p. 124 |year=2007 |publisher=HiT Entertainment |location=London; New York City |isbn=9780973551440] five swimming pools, squash court, floodlit tennis court, wine cellar, and panic room in the event of a terrorist attack, five acres of more than 30 different types of imported Italian marble, expansive terraces, and a 50-seat cinema. It also features an underground garage, with granite flooring, that has enough room to harbor eight limousines. The first floor is the main residential area, featuring 8 generous bedroom suites. The penthouse floor contains two separate penthouses, each with 2 bedrooms and occupying an entire wing of the property.

The estimated cost for upkeep alone is over £250,000 (Over $360,000 USD) a month. [http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/mar2005/nf20050315_2103_db093.htm A Billionaire's "Statement House" article in BusinessWeek] ]

Location

Updown Court is set in the centre of 58 acres of grounds, gardens and woodland. Also, neighbors include the Elton John, Duchess of York, and, at nearby Windsor Castle, the Queen. [http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/mar2005/nf20050315_2103_db093.htm A Billionaire's "Statement House" article in BusinessWeek] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.savills.co.uk/residentialSearch/dfe77f28-008d-4a89-84db-5307fd3d8574-0-1-1-viewDetailsSubmit/residentialSearch/propertyDetail.aspx?pID=102117/ Property Details of Updown Court]
* [http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/2007/03/09/most-expensive-house-in-the-world/Videos of Updown Court
* ['A Brief Introduction']
* [Sky News Report]