You can now live like Harry Potter in his alma mater. Royal Connaught Park, the location for Hogwarts in the "Harry Potter" movies, is now being transformed into a complex of private luxury townhouses, Daily Mail UK reports. The project, now on its final phase, will have a total of 380 detached apartments across its 100-acre land. Currently, 28 units are finished and are now on sale for £649,000 to £2.8 million (roughly $987,000 to $4.2 million).
The complex, known for its Victorian gothic buildings, was constructed in 1903. It was actually a real school -- The Royal Masonic School for Boys until 1977. After that, it became the United States International University-Europe until 2007. Restoration specialist Comer Homes purchased it and decided to turn it into a residential complex in 2009.
Caroline Comer of Comer Homes told Mirror UK that they intend to keep notable buildings intact.
"We've tried to retain as much of that character as possible," she said. "The outside of the main building is the same and we've retained a lot of the internal features too - the original staircases, windows, some original flooring, fireplaces and exposed roof beams. Basically, as much as we can."
In fact, its 1,400-square-foot dining hall, used as Hogwarts' The Great Hall, will be left unchanged. It will be available for residents to rent for weddings, birthdays, and other parties. Dumbledore's Tower will be incorporated in one of the townhouses as well.
But the rest of the area, including the units themselves, will have a modern, luxurious makeover. There's even a gym, pool, and restaurants inside the exclusive compound.
"No two dwellings at Royal Connaught Park are alike, from one bedroom duplex flats with private roof terraces, to four bedroom luxury apartments; each new home has been individually designed with unstinting attention to craftsmanship," Comer added.
Aside from the "Harry Potter" films, Royal Connaught Park also served as locations for more than 300 films and TV shows, including "St Trinian's," "Starter for Ten," "Hot Fuzz" and "Children of Men."
