United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty has reinforced its leadership in Notting Hill with the sale of a Grade II-listed property, guided at £24 million. The off-market transaction was expertly concluded in a span of three months by Senior Sales Director Lee Greenfield.
This deal marks the brokerage’s entry into Q4, having closed the previous quarter with triumphant results – demonstrating admirable resilience in the face of market headwinds.
A Notting Hill Landmark Property
The home is an authentic showcase of 19th-century Victorian urban elegance. Perfectly positioned on the summit of Notting Hill and backing onto Stanley Crescent Gardens, it presents far-reaching panoramas of the neighbourhood from numerous vantage points.
Steeped in history, the residence was the personal project of Thomas Allom, a celebrated English architect known for designing the distinctive homes on the northern verges of Kensington Park Gardens. Of all his creations across the Ladbroke Estate, this particular home caught the eye of Charles Henry Blake, the property visionary who brought the development to life and shaped Notting Hill as we know it today. Blake then made it his residence. As such, this is much more than a period property; it is a treasured fragment of Notting Hill's heritage.
Spread across five floors, it has remained in the same ownership for nearly two decades, with its layered history carefully preserved. It features a remarkable lateral footprint, with the dual-aspect orientation enhancing the sense of light and space throughout. The interiors, retaining a wealth of original features, have been painstakingly preserved and recently refurbished by French architect Robert Couturier.
The property bears the quintessential hallmarks of Allom's signature style, including ornate console details complemented by a crowning cornice and blocking course. The facade is impeccably symmetrical, with its twin-columned central entrance portico, segmental bays rising through multiple floors, and a continuous first-floor balcony.
Commenting on the sale, Greenfield said, “This property had been in the same ownership for nearly two decades and was a much-loved family home with a lot of history. The deal had its challenges but was meticulously handled collaboratively over a period of three months; this is a clear indication that despite global economic uncertainty, the super-prime market remains strong, with serious buyers ready to act."
Market Significance
The market has reportedly been reeling from the aftermath of the 2024 Autumn Budget, which saw the introduction of the stamp duty surcharge and the abolition of the generous non-dom tax regime, prompting a mass exodus of millionaires and buyer hesitation. Major policy shifts domestically and abroad have sent economic aftershocks through the sector, perturbing market confidence.
Yet this transaction points to the unique market expertise of United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty, particularly in navigating turbulent conditions. The sale forms part of a string of successful transactions in Notting Hill and beyond. In the same area, Consultant Senior Sales Director Josh Ratcliffe recently concluded a high-value off-market sale of a generational family home within eight weeks to a buyer seeking a new primary residence.
"Contrary to prevailing market sentiment, we're successfully navigating these challenges and completing high-value deals consistently," added Greenfield. “People recognise that London – and exclusive enclaves like Notting Hill in particular – truly offer the best of both worlds, from a tranquil atmosphere to exceptional local amenities.”
Other standout deals by the brokerage include Consultant Senior Sales Director Sam Sproston's two consecutive off-market sales facilitated solely through his personal Instagram account (£4.75 million guide for a home on Lyford Road), a duplex within the prestigious Whiteley development completed by Senior Sales Directors Sarah Peck and Tereza Kandelaki (£14.7 million guide), and a trophy property in North London closed by Greenfield (close to £20 million guide).
This repertoire of deals also gives cause for optimism, demonstrating that the market is not as dire as reported. By the end of Q3, leading analysts reported that buyer demand in the prime sector is beginning to stabilise, with around one in five properties in the £2-£10 million range securing buyers. Putney, Barnes, Islington, Wandsworth, and Clapham remain the most in-demand areas.
Meanwhile, demand for super-prime properties in Kensington and Chelsea has also largely improved, sitting at 6% and 5.6%, respectively.
Final Thoughts
This transaction reinforces the market reality that properties in established London enclaves continue to draw in committed buyers, in spite of obscured, volatile headlines and policy shifts. That United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty closed the deal in the space of three months at a time when investor confidence is reportedly fragile bears testimony to the brokerage's market leadership and seasoned expertise.
This landmark deal builds on the momentum of the brokerage's Q3 results, which delivered over £417 million in total sales and an average weekly rent of £8,800 across 83 let properties, the majority driven by international buyers relocating to London.
Alex Isidro, Managing Director at United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty, commented, “This is exactly the kind of sale that proves the market for exceptional properties hasn't stalled. Lee handled it brilliantly, and the result reinforces our confidence heading into year-end."
