Prima Ballerina Margot Fonteyn’s Sprawling London Mansion Hits the Market for $86 Million
In 1934, Margot Fonteyn made her stage debut as a snowflake in The Nutcracker at England’s Royal Ballet. The prima ballerina went on to star in titles such as Romeo and Juliet at London’s Covent Garden, where she received a 40-minute ovation for her skillful efforts. While laying the groundwork for her success, the English dancer lived in a mansion opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum in Knightsbridge. You can now call the distinguished address home for a cool $85.8 million.
Brought to market by luxury developer Caudwell, the updated mega-mansion on Thurloe Place is named Fonteyn House after the late classical ballerina, who is known to have hosted international movers and shakers like Princess Margaret, fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, and actor John Wayne while living there during the 1950s and 1960s. Between the 1930s and late 1990s, the now turn-key residence also served as the official residence of the Ambassador of Panama.
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Plans to refurbish and expand the residence were drawn up by GMA Architecture after it sold in 2011, and the restoration was carried out between 2017 and 2023. The Art Deco-inspired abode currently spans three stories with six bedrooms sprawled out over almost 16,000 square feet. Aside from its French windows and ornamental balconies, the trophy residence includes a host of five-star amenities such as three reception rooms, a swimming pool, and a rooftop garden.
Beyond its garden-fronted period facade, details like Arabescato Calacatta and Saint Laurent marble accent the interiors alongside handcrafted oak joinery and Portland stone. The main reception room accommodates up to 100 guests; when its host of French doors are opened, guests can spill out to a terrace. Nearby, is the combined kitchen and dining room, with custom, mill work and top-end appliances.
The primary suite has its own private area on the first floor with two separate main bedrooms. One of them was reportedly Fonteyn’s main bedroom, including a day area and a bay window with Juliet balconies. It also features twin walk-in dressing rooms and two marble-clad bathrooms. Owners can house visitors in the principal guest suite a floor above where Fonteyn’s dance studio once stood. The top floor offers a penthouse being used as a lounge, which opens onto the rooftop garden with a kitchen/bar, plus views of the V&A Museum.
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A club room featured off the main family room keeps you entertained with a luxe cinema room and cocktail bar. The 50-foot swimming pool in Travertine marble on the lower-level spa floor is also ideal for blowing off steam. Speaking of, a sauna and marble steam room are featured to one side of the pool for relaxing. Owners can step out onto the walled terraced with a barbecue area, marble fireplace, and built-in tv screen for alfresco fun, too.
Set near hotspots like Harrods and Hyde Park, the home is said to be “one of the biggest mansion listings in London in 2024” by Caudwell. Contact the developer for more details.
Click here for more images of the lavish abode.
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