A price tag of £75 million is rare, even in the London market. To reach these heights of luxury, a property must, of course, tick off the big three: size, a recent (and pricey) renovation, and location – but it also needs something else. That extra something that seals the deal. In this case, that clincher is star quality, literally: this property at Marylebone’s 33 Portland Place provided a backdrop for the Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech, Amy Winehouse’s Rehab video, and an Agent Provocateur campaign starring Kate Moss.

But let’s start by establishing the basics. This is one of the largest and most impressive homes in the city (Portland Place is unusually wide and offers a spaciousness rarely seen this close to central London), spanning 20,987 square feet, which incorporates a mews house and a lift to all floors. Originally built in 1775 by neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer Robert Adam, the home boasts Grade II* listing.

Ben Pipe for UK Sotherby’s International

Julian Abrams for UK Sotheby’s International Realty

Inside, a revamp by interior design studio 1508 was funded by West Ham chairman David Sullivan, who purchased the property as a project and spent just under £50 million on a seven-year renovation. “I bought 33 Portland Place to turn it from a hodgepodge of rooms and flats into what it was built to be – the finest home in London,” he says. “It was run-down and tired when I bought it… It’s been virtually rebuilt and the entire structure has been reinforced with steel.”

The turn key property now features impressive craftsmanship blended with bags of creativity. Spaces are nothing short of majestic, with a classic aesthetic created via bespoke joinery, lots of marble, hand-painted wallpaper, and artisanal chandeliers. Period details have, of course, been preserved – most notably in the form of a wall installed in the 1800s, where double-leaf mahogany doors slide down to open the ground floor into a spectacular 30-metre space. 1508’s brief was to transform the property into a home suitable for 21st century living, which it has done with sensitivity.

Julian Abrams for UK Sotheby’s International Realty

Julian Abrams for UK Sotheby’s International Realty

The location is a tick, too: Portland Place sits on the doorstep of the green expanse that is Regent’s Park, with the world-class dining and shopping of the West End a stone’s throw away. Also within walking distance is Marylebone High Street, with its boutique stores and artisanal cafes. 

As mentioned, a property can tick all the boxes, but in order to justify such a considerable price tag, it needs that sprinkling of magic that elevates it over all the other stunning properties in central London. For this home, it’s a past as a film set – but the starry designation goes back further than Kate Moss and Colin Firth. The property has hosted society’s higher-ups for almost 250 years, having been home to notable residents from military engineer John Montresor to the Fourth Earl of Abergavenny. It is woven into the tapestry of London’s history.

Julian Abrams for UK Sotheby’s International Realty

Julian Abrams for UK Sotheby’s International Realty

There is no area, really, where the Portland Place property falls short of the mark; in fact, it exceeds expectations at every turn. Thus, the price tag may be dizzying, but the verdict has to be: you get what you pay for.

33 Portland Place is on the market for £75 million, visit sothebysrealty.com

Read more: Period homes for sale in London