Abramovich gets go-ahead for London 'palace'

Russian oligarch and owner of Chelsea Football Club Roman Abramovich has received planning permission create a £150 million property in London.

The billionaire has announced that he plans to convert nine apartments in Lowndes Square in Knighsbridge into an eight-bedroom "palace".

Mr Abramovich bought the apartments, which are situated behind up-market department store Harvey Nicols, individually when they came on the market.

"He was obviously determined to acquire them and just waited patiently until, one by one, they came on the market," a property expert told the Daily Mail.

Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council have reportedly already placed a number of restrictions on the 1830s building that was originally designed by builder Thomas Cubitt.

Abramovich is required to use identical materials to those used in the original building work, as well as facing strict noise limits being placed on any work carried out.

Building consultant John Martin Robinson told the Daily Mail that he thought the proposed work would bring "some of the original early Victorian glamour" back to the area.

This follows news that Kensington and Chelsea topped a poll of the most beautiful London borough, with increasing numbers of people choosing to rent homes there.

Published 12th August, 2008

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