When it comes to prime property, there are few apartments that could be deemed as exclusive as the South Penthouse at The Heron – the bigger of two units that top a 36-storey tower in the heart of the City of London.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment, which is next to the Barbican Centre and just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Bank of England and St Paul’s Cathedral, offers spectacular views overlooking the Thames, which can be appreciated in full at the highest level through terraces with retractable roofing. But this comes at a price – the 6,000 square feet South Penthouse is currently on the market for £15 million (Dh85.3m).
“If you want blue sky living, you get blue sky living,” says Laurence Ronson, the director of Ronson Capital Partners. Mr Laurence and his chairman brother, Gerald, are best known for their work at sister firm Heron International, which has developed more than 10 million sq ft of prime commercial and leisure property in the United Kingdom and Europe.
However, more recently they created Ronson Capital Partners to develop luxury London residential properties – concentrating on a handful of projects at any one time.
Heron Tower was the first. The company has spent an estimated £89m on its development, and it is the first residential building to be constructed in the City of London in 30 years. It has been designed by David Walker Architects as a slender, glass tower, which has the Guildhall School of Music on its lower floors and 285 apartments above. All but four of these have been sold, and all of which are penthouses.
Both the North and South Penthouses are double-height duplexes with floor-to-ceiling windows. They have each been fitted out to the highest quality, featuring marble staircases and worktops, herringbone oak floors and polished stone walls. Both have Boffi kitchens with Gaggenau appliances and aluminium cupboards, electric curtains and dark wood finishes.
However, the South apartment has a dramatic central entrance lobby with a marble staircase, a master bedroom with a walk-in “wonder room”, a cinema room, dining room and dual aspect, full-height, floor-to-ceiling windows. If your budget can’t quite stretch that far, the 4,000 sq ft North Penthouse has similar fixtures and fittings, but only three bedrooms and bathrooms and a slightly different layout.
Q&A
Laurence Ronson, director, Ronson Capital Partners:
What’s so special about this particular apartment?
Aside from the overall specification and, of course, the unrivalled views across the capital, the double height living space in the penthouses is a standout feature. They have floor-to-ceiling glass that frame the views across London. On the upper floor, which includes the master suite, both penthouses have an innovative “indoor outdoor” room with a retractable glass roof, allowing residents to enjoy fantastic natural light and good weather in a sheltered environment, including throughout the winter months.
Hasn't London's property market peaked? Will this retain its value?
London is a global city and financial centre that offers political stability, an excellent education system, a time zone between East and West and, importantly, an enviable lifestyle. For these reasons, the property market in London continues to attract investors from around the world. As well as commercial and investment opportunities, London is a fantastic place to live or visit, with world-class shopping and restaurants and a thriving cultural scene.
What’s the one thing that this property offers that can’t be bought elsewhere?
The penthouses offer a rare opportunity for luxury living in the City of London, from the high specification and generous space to the first-class service and breathtaking views across the London skyline.
mfahy@thenational.ae
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