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The second most expensive home in London goes on sale for £185 million

An entire John Nash-designed terrace as gone on the market in the heart of the capital...

The second most expensive home in London has gone on sale for an eyewatering £185 million.

Believed to be the first time an entire John Nash-designed terrace has come to the open market, 1-18 York Terrace East in London’s Regent’s Park is a rare beast.

See more:See inside this grand apartment that inspired the design of RMS Titanic's first-class dining room

second most expensive home London

Joint selling agents Savills and Aylesford expect the property to be bought by an individual looking to create a private residence in what is a unique opportunity for an owner to acquire the last remaining full Nash terrace in Regent’s Park. They've also released pictures of how the property could look when finished.

The Grade 1 Listed 117,000 sq ft building has planning permission for the development of two houses and 26 apartments with 42 underground parking spaces.

second most expensive home London

(Image credit: Savills)

Part of John Nash’s masterplan for Regent’s Park, the terrace was built by James Burton between 1821 – 1826 and was originally configured as 18 single family houses.

After the First World War, the fashion for larger homes began to change and there was some modification to the building’s footprint. During the Second World War, the building suffered bomb damage and was very nearly demolished.

second most expensive home London

(Image credit: Savills)

(Image credit: Savills)

In 1947, following public outcry and a Royal Commission, the decision was made to preserve the building and most of it was requisitioned as government offices and occupied by the Ministry of Works. In 1967, the terrace was converted to student accommodation by the International Students Trust.

See more:See inside this Grade II listed London home with its own pier on the River Thames

Sadly many of the original internal features were lost following a fire in 1969. The buildings were listed as Grade 1 in 1970.

second most expensive home London

(Image credit: Savills)

Current owners, Zenprop, acquired the building from International Student House in 2016. They then agreed a long leasehold extension with the Crown and took the property through planning with Westminster City Council to restore it to residential use over a period of three years.

second most expensive home London

(Image credit: Savills)

As part of the planning obligations, the owners are developing 44 affordable housing units in the borough forSt Martin in the Fields Almshouse Charity at the site known as Chesterfield Lodge in St John’s Wood.

second most expensive home London

(Image credit: Savills)

(Image credit: Savills)

See more:See inside this unique Grade II listed Gothic house for sale in Camden

Derrick Beare, CEO of Zenprop said: 'Working on this historic terrace to reinstate its prime residential use, in accordance with the original architectural vision for the park and with the support of the Crown as freeholder, has been a very rewarding experience. It is a unique property which is now fully assembled and we look forward to seeing its magnificent restoration.'

(Image credit: Savills)

(Image credit: Savills)

Stephen Lindsay, head of Savills St John’s Wood, commented: 'Nothing on this scale in such a prime London location has ever come up for sale. It is an opportunity to create a special and extensive private estate within the tranquil surrounds of Regent’s Park, moments away from Marylebone High Street and the West End.'

For more information visit Savills.com.

Contributing Editor

Ruth Doherty is an experienced digital writer and editor specializing in interiors, travel and lifestyle. With 20 years of writing for national sites under her belt, she’s worked for the likes of Livingetc.com, Standard, Ideal Home, Stylist and Marie Claire as well as Homes & Gardens.