Celebrity HomesINTERNATIONALReal Estate News

Former Saudi prince’s mansion sells for $263 million

The Holme, a 40-bedroom mansion in Regentโ€™s Park once owned by the Saudi royal family, has been sold for ยฃ139 million (approximately AUD $263 million) in one of Londonโ€™s largest-ever property sales.

The 29,000 sq ft residence, surrounded by four acres of gardens, was initially listed in 2023 with an asking price of ยฃ250 million (AUD $473 million), making the final sale price significantly lower than anticipated.

Built in 1818, The Holme was owned by Prince Khaled bin Sultan al-Saud since 1991 but was put on the market after a loan secured against the property expired.

The Guardian reports the buyer is a UK subsidiary of Zedra, a corporate services firm managing investments for wealthy clients, though the ultimate owner remains unknown due to the use of offshore trusts.

The sale matches the ยฃ138 million (AUD $261 million) price achieved for Aberconway House in Mayfair last year, cementing The Holmeโ€™s status as one of Londonโ€™s priciest properties.

Despite requirements for offshore companies to declare property owners, the real identity of The Holmeโ€™s buyer is obscured, highlighting ongoing challenges with transparency in the UKโ€™s luxury property market.

Described in 1988 as โ€œpossibly the worldโ€™s most expensive home,โ€ The Holme remains a crown estate property, available for purchase on a long lease.

Its location near the Regentโ€™s Park boating lake, London Zoo, and the US ambassadorโ€™s residence makes it one of the capitalโ€™s most sought-after addresses.

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Catherine Nikas-Boulos

Catherine Nikas-Boulos is the Digital Editor at Elite Agent and has spent the last 20 years covering (and coveting) real estate around the country.