United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty has closed the sale of the largest penthouse at Knightsbridge Gate under an exclusive mandate. The residence, guided at £25 million, achieved a price close to that figure – a commendable result at a time when London's prime real estate sector was experiencing widespread price reductions.
Sales Director Darcy Hunt and Consultant Senior Sales Director Tereza Kandelaki expertly orchestrated the transaction, selling to a seasoned global traveller who had previously lived in several major countries and was now looking to establish a base in London. The deal extended beyond the acquisition itself: exclusive membership at a local wellness facility was negotiated as a separate arrangement, enhancing the material value of the final terms.
Knightsbridge Gate’s Crown Jewel: The Premier Penthouse
Knightsbridge Gate is one of London's most distinguished boutique residential collections, set within one of the area's finest Edwardian buildings. The Grade II-listed structure was meticulously restored by MSMR architects, preserving intricate original detailing and enriching its period bones with contemporary infrastructure. The result is a compelling balance: historic character intact, modern function fully realised.
Commenting on the sale, Hunt shared, "Concluding the sale to buyers who genuinely appreciate the penthouse’s unique sense of place is immensely rewarding. Relationships and trust lie at the heart of our success, and I’m proud to have drawn on the strength and global reach of the Sotheby's International Realty brand to deliver such an exceptional result.”
Kandelaki added, “When I represented the developer on this particular Knightsbridge Gate transaction, the project had been on the open market for quite some time. It’s a remarkable scheme – not a glass box, but an Edwardian façade with brand-new interiors and striking floor-to-ceiling glazing to the rear. I was confident from the start that with the right buyer, we’d achieve a premium, and that’s precisely what happened.”
The penthouse at the heart of this transaction occupies 6,214 sq ft across two floors. The lower level unfolds over three reception rooms of varying proportions, each shaped by restored architectural features and a considered palette of materials. The Boffi kitchen is fitted with Gaggenau appliances and Cosmic Black leather-finished granite; the adjacent dining room offers an elegant formal setting for intimate gatherings.
The upper floor is dedicated to the personal spaces. The principal suite is appointed with bespoke American Oak joinery and enjoys a Calacatta Oro marble ensuite. Original sash windows have been refurbished and fitted with Schuco double and secondary glazing.
The residence opens onto three terraces – a rare outdoor asset of this scale in the heart of Prime Central London. A quieter terrace adjoins the principal bedroom, while two larger terraces extend from the reception level for alfresco gatherings and leisurely unwinding.
World-class communal amenities are on offer: 24-hour concierge, dedicated security, and gated underground parking.
The Steadfast Appeal of London’s New Developments
Contrary to prevailing sentiment, London's new build sector – and its ultra-luxury property market at large – has not only weathered recent tax hikes and policy changes but has also maintained sustained activity throughout. This reflects both London's enduring appeal and the strong value proposition of its prestigious new developments.
What fortifies this appeal is that these properties represent the finest tier of the capital's residential market – exceptional in scale and offering, but limited in supply. This scarcity has become more pronounced following Westminster City Council's planning changes, which prohibit the construction of new residential buildings exceeding 200 square metres in size. This new regulation impacts the city's most affluent neighbourhoods, including Mayfair, Belgravia, and Marylebone, creating what industry professionals describe as a 'market within a market'.
When asked about the new development landscape, Kandelaki stated, "The Prime Central London new-build market operates as a market within a market, defined by its extreme scarcity. In these heavily regulated areas, securing planning permission to create a single apartment of more than 2,000 sq ft is, for all practical purposes, impossible. It is this scarcity that fundamentally underpins sustained long-term value."
According to market data, many of the marquee schemes are completely sold out, with several active developments exceeding 50 per cent in sales. Most of these units have been acquired by international high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, directly challenging the narrative that the capital is experiencing a significant global wealth drain.
This activity is driven primarily by wealthy North Americans and Middle Easterners, who remain unabashedly selective in their preferences and are drawn to the designer interiors, historic pedigree, and five-star hotel-grade comfort these new developments offer. The buyer of the Knightsbridge Gate penthouse exemplifies this trend: initially set on purchasing a townhouse in Belgravia, he ultimately chose the Knightsbridge Gate trophy penthouse for its compelling balance of history and curated luxury.
Kandelaki continued, “After more than ten years selling London new-builds, I’ve seen time and again that although these homes attract a premium, their value holds – and frequently outperforms – because they are so exceptionally limited. Once you’ve lived in a new build of this standard, there is no going back.”
Final Thought
The success of this high-value sale reinforces the brokerage's leadership in the super-prime sector, particularly given reported buyer caution ahead of the 2025 Autumn Budget announcement and ongoing narratives of wealth migration from London. The transaction underscores the cachet of the city's new development sector, proving that those with economic stature are more than willing to pay a premium for heritage, setting, and convenience.
Alex Isidro, Managing Director at United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty, commented, “Darcy and Tereza worked closely with the buyer of this property for a long time and leveraged our longstanding partnership with the Knightsbridge Gate developers to deliver an exceptional outcome for all parties. Their dedication to building meaningful relationships underpins what defines our business – it's about people, not property. This sale demonstrates our dominance in London's £20 million+ market.”
