What lies behind those imposing gates? That, my friends, is Witanhurst, a mansion so grand it’s second in size only to Buckingham Palace among London’s private residences. The original estate, known as Parkfield, dates back to 1774. The current Witanhurst, however, rose between 1913 and 1920, a masterpiece of Georgian Revival architecture envisioned by George Hubbard for soap magnate Sir Arthur Crosfield. Witanhurst has seen its share of intrigue over the years. It’s passed through the hands of property developers, graced the screen as the backdrop for BBC’s Fame Academy, and even found itself owned by a relative of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Today, Witanhurst is shrouded in a certain mystique, owned by the family of Russian billionaire Andrey Guryev through an offshore company. Its value? An estimated $450 million. This makes it a residence of almost unimaginable luxury, boasting 65 rooms, a sprawling ballroom, and even a subterranean extension that rivals the opulence of the main house. Witanhurst stands as a testament to London’s grand history, a silent sentinel whispering tales of wealth, power, and the passage of time.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to