Property of the Month: Oscar Wilde’s former Mayfair mansion
The historic Half Moon Street townhouse, which inspired The Importance of Being Earnest, is listed for £14 million
A beguiling and prestigious Grade II-listed townhouse, set on one of Mayfair’s most sought-after streets, this stunning property, steeped in theatrical history, is listed for sale for the first time in a decade.
Offering 5,019 square feet of lavish living space, the unique home benefits from a dramatic entrance hall, four grand reception rooms, four to five bedrooms, a cinema room, steam room and two private terraces.
The sensational six-storey, white-stucco fronted townhouse was originally built during the 1730s as a single, family home, however, in the early 1880s then-owners, the Gannon family, split the townhouse into apartments. The Gannon Apartments at 14 Half Moon Street offered so-called ‘bachelor’s chambers’ – homes for single male tenants pursuing careers in the capital.
Patronised by world-famous playwright Oscar Wilde, as well as a range of the city’s colourful creatives and Bohemians, including costumier Raoul ‘Reggie’ de Veulle, novelist Hugh Walpole, poet Siegfried Sassoon and literary icon Robbie Ross, the home, where Wilde lived and socialised, inspired his iconic play The Importance of Being Earnest. Indeed, Algernon Moncrieff’s bachelor pad, the setting for the first act of Wilde’s play, is described as ‘luxuriously furnished’ chambers located on Half Moon Street.
Located adjacent to Flemings at 10 Half Moon Street (a once racy tavern with lodgings run by Robert Fleming, and now the magnificent Flemings Hotel, with an Oscar Wilde-inspired VIP suite), the street is steeped in history. Brilliantly located just off Piccadilly, it also offers residents easy access to Hyde Park and Green Park, the shops and restaurants of Mayfair, and connections across London from Green Park station.
Spread over seven magnificent floors, linked entirely by a passenger lift – as well as via a staircase that rises through the house – the exquisite property very much still holds on to tea aforementioned ‘luxurious furnishings’. Having been immaculately designed to the highest standard, it boasts an array of unique features and private, yet intimate, vertical outside spaces.
Geometric patterned marble flooring sets the stage from the ground floor entrance, and is beautifully complemented by an elegant Carrara Bianco marble fireplace and chic ceiling coving. Beyond the impressive entrance hall, the family kitchen with central island and adjoining breakfast/informal dining room creates a homely hub, which is as stylish as it is practical.
The voluminous reception room, with its distinguished bay window, smoked European oak parquet flooring, period marble fireplace and cocktail bar, is the perfect place to entertain on both an informal or lavish scale. Future owners could just imagine Algernon entertaining his friend Ernest Worthing and hosting his formidable aunt, Lady Bracknell, within the refined walls.
Also on the first floor is a spacious interconnecting double reception room providing a drawing room and 10-seater dining room with double doors. This versatile and impressive space opens onto an outside terrace, creating a gorgeous inside-outside extension when hosting or simply relaxing at home.
Transporting the buyer from its Victorian legacy to the modern day, the lower ground floor boasts a fabulous cinema room with built-in bar, steam room, utility room and vast vault storage.
A showstopper of a bedroom, which has come a long way since its bachelor pad roots, occupies the entire second floor. Airy, spacious and stylish, parquet flooring, a deep bay window, walk-in dressing room with bespoke American walnut wardrobes, and a main bathroom with freestanding sculptural bathtub, twin basin and double walk-in shower with Armani marble, are sure to prompt a dramatic pause.
The principal guest suite is set over the entire third floor and is similar in size and features to the master suite. On the uppermost floors are two en suite guest bedrooms as well as a family room/fourth reception room. Opening onto a large roof terrace, this space could also double as a beautiful fifth bedroom, if required.
A tonal palette of soft greys, rich browns, and uplifting stone hues create a contemporary yet neutral sense of place, brought together through lush textured furnishings and thoughtful interior design flourishes.
Jeremy Gee, managing director of Beauchamp Estates says: “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 quite at home. With its links to Oscar Wilde and The Importance of Being Earnest this is one of the most famous townhouses in Mayfair, and we anticipate interest in this property from discerning buyers from around the world.”
Vlad Viaryshkaka, senior sales negotiator at Beauchamp Estates adds: “This immaculately presented turnkey residence combines contemporary design with period features. The townhouse offers the ideal combination of spacious entertaining areas, leisure facilities and outside living space. Located close to Green Park, this townhouse is located in one of the most distinguished addresses in Mayfair. It is just a short walk to Bond Street and Mount Street, the local high street, and is perfectly located to offer the very best of Mayfair living and easy access to the shops and restaurants of Knightsbridge.”
On the market for £14,000,000, visit beauchampestates.com
