Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has grabbed the opportunity to become the owner of the historic redbrick mansion on Cheyne Walk in Chelsea, London. He purchased this charming property for £16 million, or about 25 million US dollars. The property was once owned by novelist George Eliot.
According to a report by the New York Times, the mansion lies on one of the wealthiest streets in London. James Whistler, J.M.W. Turner and Mick Jagger's houses are also located in the area. The mansion's size is reportedly twice the size of Bloomberg's current apartment on Cadogan Square.
This 18th-century estate offers seven bedrooms. The house highlights a sweeping central staircase, capped by sumptuous cornices and a Baroque mural of Venus by Sir James Thornhill, who also painted the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, New York Times reports.
According to a report by Daily Mail, the house has stunning views of the River Thames and the Battersea Park. It also features a large garden, vaults, a lift, and original parquet floors. The interior is also ornamented with paneling and intricate cornice work, murals, and marble fireplaces.
For the former Mayor to secure the house, he needed to beat off three other bidders. Bloomberg landed the sale, with the house selling for £1million more than its asking price. The sale also bucked a trend in the recent slowdown in the prime London property market.
Property agent Charles McDowell once said that the property was a very special house with unique historical importance. It is compared to a classic jewel in the crown with its wonderfully exotic features. Daily Mail news also reports that the house is hailed as a historic mansion because novelist Mary Ann Evans, famously known as George Eliot, became a resident of the house until her death in 1880.
The 73-year-old billionaire has donated more than £50.9 million in philanthropic contributions in the UK. Bloomberg was also appointed as an honorary knight by the Queen last year.
Bloomberg is one of the boards of the Serpentine Gallery and provides founding support for the Tate Modern. He is also a supporter of the Royal Court Theatre and a long-term partner of the Prince's Trust, and has even played polo with Prince Harry.
