Published: 04 June 2026
The north London penthouse that Ariana Grande called home during the filming of both Wicked films is now on the market for £17 million through UK Sotheby’s International Realty and Alexander Main. Listed with Executive Partner Becky Fatemi, the showpiece residence has been described as “the best penthouse currently available in North West London” and “one of the strongest offerings currently available in North London.”
An Exceptionally Rare Find
The penthouse, arranged across 9,677 sq ft, occupies the entire third floor of Harrison Varma’s Buxmead development, a 20-unit development set within 2.5 acres of private landscaped gardens on The Bishops Avenue.
The principal living spaces are anchored by a 44-foot reception room with full-height glazing overlooking Kenwood Park. Light moves through the apartment freely, and the wraparound terraces extend the living space outward in a way that feels considered rather than incidental. For entertaining, there is a formal dining room and a dedicated bar.
The principal suite is generous, with dual dressing rooms, a large en suite and direct terrace access. Four further bedrooms occupy their own wing, each well proportioned and thoughtfully finished.
Below, via a private lift, a lower level functions almost as a private members' club within the residence itself. There is a cinema, games room, gym and study, alongside a secondary kitchen and a six-car underground garage.
Becky Fatemi, Executive Partner at UK Sotheby’s International Realty, shared, “This is a penthouse that understands exactly what today’s ultra-prime buyer is looking for. It’s not just about scale, although the volume here is exceptional, it’s about how that space is used. Everything flows, everything feels considered, and there is a real sense of calm from the moment you step inside.”
The A-list Choice
The interiors, conceived by SHH, are a study in understated contemporary glamour. The distinct appeal, however, goes beyond the apartment itself. The address offers the indulgence of a five-star hotel whilst remaining utterly secluded. Residents have access to a 25-metre indoor pool, Technogym fitness centre, spa with sauna, steam room, hammam and Jacuzzi, an 18-seat cinema and full concierge service, all tucked within 2.5 acres of private gardens patrolled by uniformed security. It is, in every sense, a gilded hideaway, firmly planted in the capital.
Outside the gates lies The Bishops Avenue, commonly dubbed London's Billionaires' Row. Its rumoured residents, both current and former, read like a who's who of global wealth and power. Kenwood House and Hampstead Heath are within strolling distance, and the villages of Hampstead and Highgate are dotted with some of north London's finest independent shops and eateries.
Highlighting the address’s unique appeal, Fatemi said, “What really defines Buxmead is its reputation. It has quietly become known as London’s residential Fort Knox, and that level of security and discretion is incredibly difficult to replicate. It attracts global individuals who want to live well without being seen, and that is reflected in every detail of the development.
She added, “You also have these incredible green views towards the Heath and Kenwood, which completely change the feel of the apartment. It doesn’t feel like central London living; it feels far more open and relaxed, which is incredibly rare at this level. For a buyer looking for something turnkey, lateral and fully serviced, with genuine substance behind it, this is one of the strongest offerings currently available in North London.”
The Star-dusted Appeal of North London
Grande's choice to settle in North London was likely about more than proximity to Elstree Studios. The leafy enclave has long drawn those who want privacy without sacrificing lifestyle, and the celebrity presence here is more significant than the occasional high-profile sighting.
Hampstead, Highgate, Primrose Hill, and St John's Wood have for decades functioned as a kind of discreet parallel London: village pace, top-tier schools and easy access to the centre, without the exposure that comes with a more visible postcode. Sam Smith, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, Dame Judi Dench and Ricky Gervais, whose £17 million mansion comes complete with a spa and tennis courts, are among those who have made the area home.
The regular celebrity presence has lent the area a sense of resilience, regardless of wider market conditions. Demand here is selective and stock tightly held: those who buy tend to stay, and the concentration of high-profile assets means most transactions occur off-market, scarcely making headlines. North London prime remains steady and discerning. The best homes still sell well, while the broader market is price-led and buyers are taking their time.
