Worlds Best Homes

Princess Margaret’s son designs spectacular St James's Park apartments

1 Queen Anne’s Gate in St James’s Park will be the new millionaires’ postcode as it comes to market with interiors by the 2nd Earl of Snowdon.

David Armstong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon – the son of Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones – is an esteemed British furniture maker, a former chairman of the auction house Christie’s, and the 21st in the line of succession to the throne.

david armstrong-jones 2nd earl of snowdon

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

He is professionally known as David Linely, and founded LINLEY in 1985.

See:An Edwardian apartment in London with a Parisian feel

David Armstrong

The new LINLEY apartments are dressed with bespoke furniture and accessories, and showcase the finest in British design and craftsmanship.

The Grade II listed 1 Queen Anne’s Gate in St James’s Park was originally the abode of the British Foreign Secretary, as marked with a familiar blue plaque – ‘Viscount Grey of Falloden, 1862-1933 lived here’.

david armstrong-jones 2nd earl of snowdon

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

It then became the headquarters of Holland, Hannen and Cubitts, the legendary building firm responsible for the likes of London’s Cenotaph in Whitehall and the East Front of Buckingham Palace.

Henry Cubitts was the uncle and godfather of Camilla Shand (now HRH The Duchess of Cornwall) whose mother was Rosalind Cubitt.

Princess Margaret

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

David Linley

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

Princess Margaret

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

Camilla has fondly recalled visiting her uncle’s offices at 1 Queen Anne Gate and through him Camilla landed a job at renowned fabric and wallpaper brand, Colefax & Fowler.

David Linley

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

The new building, that began work to undergo a conversion in 2014 – a collaboration between LINLEY and architects PDP London –has now been morphed into lavish accommodation over five-storeys; with the finest flats combining a reception room and entrance hall.

Princess Margaret

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

Earl of Snowdon

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

The luxury apartments come complete with underfloor heating, marble panelling, and luxury quartz kitchen surfaces.

St James's apartments

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

Linley has dressed the club lounge, like an exclusive private members’ club for the buildings’ fortunate residents, embellished with the finest furnishings.

The apartments also feature a gymnasium, private cinema room and state-of-the-art sauna.

St James's apartments

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

St James's apartments

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

David Linley

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

Princess Margaret

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

The new LINLEY apartments are priced from £1.67 million up to £9.15 million.

Princess Margaret

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

Earl of Snowdon

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

See:Design house: an historic lakefront Tudor with a dark, Gothic interior

David Linley

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

Apartments are priced from £1.670 million up to £9.15 million and duplexes priced from £3.35 million to £5.25 million; for further information please contact Savills on +44 (0)203 733 7329 or Beauchamp Estates on + 44 (0)207 499 7722).

1 Queen Anne's Gate

(Image credit: Ed Hill / Tom Fallon)

David Linely, davidlinley.com

Jennifer Ebert
Deputy Editor (Digital)

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.