If walls could talk, No.1 Palace Street’s would have a lot to say. The former Palace Hotel, one of London’s first five-star establishments, was built in 1860 and frequented by many a duchess, duke and foreign dignitary during its heyday, thanks to its proximity to Buckingham Palace. With the royal residence just a few yards away, the Palace Hotel became the favoured hangout of Queen Victoria’s guests. Later converted into government offices, the building has now been restored to its former glamorous glory by luxury developer Northacre, a project set to complete at the end of the year.

The heritage building has been transformed into 72 luxury residences, the future owners of which will not only get to enjoy an enviable location, but a design and array of amenities of spectacular standard. Architecture firm Squire + Partners has seamlessly merged five different architectural styles – 1860s Grade II-listed Italianate Renaissance, 1880s French Renaissance, 1880s French Beaux Arts, 1890s Queen Anne, and 21st century Contemporary – to create a building that reflects St James’s varied design. The result is five distinct façades, behind which the collection of one- to five-bedroom apartments have been designed to mirror the eclectic exterior.

Each apartment can be tailor-designed to suit individual resident’s tastes, but two show apartments created by Natalia Miyar Atelier give an indication of what to expect. The first mirrors the building’s French Renaissance design, with parquet flooring, panelled walls and antique furniture, while the second is considerably more contemporary, with a mix of abstract textures, masculine leather furniture and a muted colour palette. Each of the 72 apartments will be equipped with high-tech in-house features, such as home-automation systems that control lighting, heating and security, underfloor heating and pre-wired AV in all principle rooms.

Residents of No.1 Palace Street will also be privy to a host of lifestyle amenities, including a chauffeur service, use of a private car park and a 24-hour concierge. An exclusive wellness centre will include a 20m heated indoor pool, a vitality pool, two personal training studios, a 2,000 sq ft gym and three treatment rooms. There will also be a residents’ entertainment space, with a library, 14-seat cinema, lounge and a private space for meetings and events. A No.1 Palace Street app will give updates on local cultural events and residents’ gatherings. As for the views? You’ll be hard pushed to find better in St James’s – the building overlooks Buckingham Palace Garden.

Read more: A guide to the capital’s prime neighbourhoods