Halcyon days in Holland Park

Former exclusive hotel and celebrity haunt, The Halcyon, is being converted into 12 luxurious apartments, notable for their cutting edge style. Located in Holland Park, one of London’s most prestigious addresses, this is a development that will satisfy the fantasies of even the most fastidious buyer.

The name, The Halycon, derives from its history as London’s original ‘Brit Boutique’ hotel. Belle Époque in style, with a trendy bar, popular restaurant, Aix, and reputation for absolute discretion, The Halcyon was once the favoured hang-out of a number of famous celebrities, including Yoko Ono, Naomi Campbell, Geri Halliwell and Richard Branson, among others. Allegedly, Mick Jagger's extra-curricular activities at The Halcyon ended his marriage to Jerry Hall, while Oasis celebrated the chart success of Definitely Maybe at the London hotel.

The Grade II listed property has a rich and interesting history; built in 1864 as two grand villas, 81-82 Holland Park originally housed two separate families, then in 1901 it became an exclusive a girls’ school for the local aristocracy, before later being transformed into the Halcyon Hotel.

Today luxury developer, Tusk Developments, has meticulously preserved the Italianate style exterior, and transformed the interiors into a vision of twenty-first century design. Tusk’s objective was to undertake a major redesign to create lateral luxury on an unprecedented scale, a vision which has undeniably been achieved. Each of the cutting-edge split-level apartments have high ceilings and a bespoke interior. Features include custom-built wall coverings; solid Wenge, Tiger Wood and leather flooring; stairs with Bamboo Verde marble inserts and a floor-to-ceiling wine cellar with lattice woodwork. In addition, two of the apartments will have specially made tropical aquariums.

All of the apartments, which are available for sale through leading agents Knight Frank and W.A. Ellis and, feature the latest modcons, including top of the range Leax lighting, a Crestron control system operating the lighting, air conditioning, sound and vision, under floor heating, security alarm, entry phone, telephone system, broadband and provide access to all of these systems remotely via internet or suitably equipped PDA. Each apartment also has full air cooling/heating and air filtration and acoustic double glazing.

The kitchens and bathrooms have been ingeniously designed with some benefiting from a specially created cooking 'island', Miele appliances and semi-precious tiles on the walls, while the bathrooms have one of the range of bespoke hydrotherapy massage baths by Tusk which are either glass fronted or fully clad inside and out with a range of Italian glass mosaic tiles; The shower systems are formed from beautiful wooden panels with body jets on either side; Bespoke glass washbasins by Tusk and handmade glass tiles are featured throughout. The powder rooms are especially impressive, some of which boast a specially designed infinity ceiling with a hundred and sixty fibre optics, which can be set to run through a colour spectrum or just one colour to suit your mood.
The Halcyon is situated in prime position on the corner of Holland Park and Holland Park Avenue, a short walk from Holland Park tube station and close to local shops and restaurants, as well as to the park itself.

Mark Mackenzie-Charrington, partner at WA Ellis, based in Brompton Road and specialising in properties in Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Kensington, Holland Park, Chelsea and Westminster, says: "We are delighted to be offering luxury accommodation in this prestigious area of London, and we expect to see considerable interest in the remaining apartments. Of particular note is the scale of the rooms and the extensive lateral space.

“Holland Park has always been a desirable address, and the market reflects this, with continued interest from foreign buyers and investors as well as those based in the UK."

Rupert Dawes, partner, Knight Frank, and specialist in London residential development, comments: “Developments in this area are rare, making The Halcyon all the more special. Holland Park is undoubtedly one of London’s finest addresses with some of London’s finest architecture on attractive tree lined avenues, an array of boutiques, cafes and restaurants and good transport links.

“Tusk have tapped into exactly what the top-end of the market is looking for – exceptional contemporary interiors with bespoke individual style with all the latest gadgets and state of the art features, set within a traditional period building.”

Despite having only just launched the development with the ground and lower ground two-bedroom show apartment, which is for sale priced at £4.75 million, five of the apartments have already been sold and another four have been sold subject to contract. The three remaining properties which are yet to be released are as follows: a two bedroom ground and lower ground floor apartment for £4.75m; the three-bedroom first floor apartment which boasts an incredible 50 x 25 ft reception room at £7.5 million and a lovely third floor two-bedroom apartment at £3.195 million.

Tusk Developments was formed in September 2004 and specialises in the creation of premium residential properties. The company has a workforce of over 160 enabling them to undertake all aspects of the development themselves, including design, glazing, joinery, and has its own range of bespoke bathroom fittings, including the exclusive hydrotherapy baths, washbasins and basin cabinets used in The Halcyon.

For more detail visit thehalcyonw11.com.