A historic Mayfair townhouse closely associated with Oscar Wilde and believed to have inspired the setting for The Importance of Being Earnest has been listed for sale for £14 million (approximately A$27 million).
The Grade II-listed property at 14 Half Moon Street is being marketed by Beauchamp Estates and is available for sale for the first time in a decade.
The six-storey white-stucco townhouse provides 5,019 sq ft (466.27 sq m) of fully refurbished accommodation, including four reception rooms, four to five bedrooms, a cinema room, steam room and two private terraces.
Originally built in the 1730s as a single-family home, the property was subdivided into apartments in the early 1880s by the Gannon family, becoming known as the Gannon Apartments.
These apartments were operated as bachelor’s chambers, providing accommodation for unmarried men living and working in London during the Victorian era.
At the time, Half Moon Street was known as a colourful and bohemian enclave, home to artists, writers and theatre figures.
The bachelor chambers at number 14 were home to actor and costumier Raoul ‘Reggie’ de Veulle, novelist Hugh Walpole, poet Siegfried Sassoon, and journalist Robbie Ross, a close friend of Oscar Wilde.
Wilde was a frequent visitor to the property and was also a regular presence at nearby Flemings Tavern and Café Royal.
The location and atmosphere of the townhouse are widely regarded as the inspiration for Algernon Moncrieff’s bachelor chambers, where the opening act of The Importance of Being Earnest is set.
The fictional residence is described in the play as luxuriously furnished and positioned on Half Moon Street.
Following the Second World War, the townhouse was converted into offices before being returned to a single private residence in 2008.
It has since undergone a comprehensive refurbishment and modernisation, including the installation of a passenger lift servicing all floors, while retaining its period features.
The ground floor includes an entrance hall with geometric marble flooring, a Carrara Bianco marble fireplace and ornate ceiling details, leading to a family kitchen and informal dining space.
The first floor features a formal reception room overlooking Half Moon Street, along with a double reception space comprising a drawing room and dining room that opens onto a private terrace.
The principal bedroom suite occupies the entire second floor, with a walk-in dressing room and an ensuite bathroom featuring a freestanding bathtub and double walk-in shower.
A principal guest suite spans the third floor, while the upper levels include two further ensuite bedrooms and a family room that opens onto a large roof terrace. Leisure facilities include a cinema room, steam room and extensive storage.
Jeremy Gee, Managing Director of Beauchamp Estates, said: “The bachelor chambers and colourful Victorian-era tenants of 14 Half Moon Street helped inspire Oscar Wilde to write the setting and storylines for his acclaimed play The Importance of Being Earnest.
“In the luxurious rooms of this magnificent historic yet fully modernised Mayfair townhouse Wilde’s play comes to life and you can imagine Algernon Moncrieff, Jack, Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell being quiet at home.”
Senior Sales Negotiator Vlad Viaryshkaka said the property offered a rare combination of heritage and modern living.
“This immaculately presented turn-key residence combines contemporary design with period features. The townhouse offers the ideal combination of spacious entertaining areas, leisure facilities and outside living space,” he said.
