PROPERTY HOME PAGE - EDITORIAL - CHIC and STYLE

Exclusive Berkshire estate - Charters - offered to the market

Knight Frank is offering the unique opportunity to acquire the remaining 20 apartments and the freehold interest in the exclusive Charters estate in Sunninghill, near Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom, for a minimum guide price of £27.5million.

Set in more than 20 acres of landscaped grounds, Charters is the luxury conversion of a Grade ll listed Art Deco mansion, with additional new build homes in the grounds. Knight Frank is acting on behalf of Peter Spratt and Colin Haig of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, joint administrators of Castleleigh Holdings Limited. Originally built in circa 1938 as the family home of the Parkinson family, the property was later acquired by the De Beers Industrial Diamond Division. It was also once used as a ‘bolt-hole’ the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Prince Edward, who was formerly King Edward VIII, and his wife Mrs Simpson) on their return to England from the U.S. in 1947 at the end of the second world war.

Some ten years ago, the property was bought for conversion into 34 incredibly up-market, luxury apartments, which are ideal for day-to-day living, weekend homes or just as a crash-pad when flying into or out of London for business or pleasure. The 24/7 concierge can even organise an executive helicopter to pick residents up from Heathrow or Gatwick to transport them to their home at Charters.

Whilst the original mansion has been converted into six apartments, two new apartment buildings have been built in the grounds in a style sympathetic with the mansion. Of the 34 apartments, 14 have been sold, so 20 remain available for sale. A small amount of building works remains to be completed by the new owner of the freehold interest, together with opportunities to develop the staff lodge, a 1920’s Edwardian cottage and the land known as the triangle, with planning consent for further development.

Barry Gilbertson, specialist real estate partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, the administrators of the Castleleigh companies, explained that: “Charters has facilities like those found in a luxurious hotel in the centre of London, but with magnificent sweeping views over the Berkshire countryside. There is a multi-million pound lifestyle and private spa, supported by a concierge and security team working round the clock to provide first class service to the residents of this magnificent and gated community.”

Gill Lamprell, partner, Knight Frank, added: “Situated just a few miles from Heathrow airport and within an hour of central London, Charters is ideally located for Royal Ascot, polo at Smiths Lawn and golf at Wentworth and Sunningdale. This high-end development is ideal for a UK or international audience and we anticipate that the purchaser may have a long term investment view.”

For further information, please contact:

Gill Lamprell, head of south residential development, Knight Frank, +44 (0) 1483 564660,

Barry Gilbertson, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, +44 (0) 20 7212 3511,

or visit: