Wednesday 9 January 2008

Lev Levaiyov - Daily Mail

Friend of Roman Abramovich buys Britain's priciest new house - a £35m bulletproof mansion
Last updated at 09:02am on 9th January 2008

 

A house in Hampstead, North-West London, has become the most expensive new property ever sold in Britain.

Israeli diamond billionaire Lev Leviev paid £35million for the seven-bedroom home and plans to move in with his wife Olga and two of his nine children.

The family will make the house their permanent residence.

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New home: The Leviev's house in Hampstead which boasts a cinema and an indoor pool which transforms into a ballroom at the push of a button

Olga Leviev

Meet the neighbours: Diamond billionaire Lev Leviev is moving to the house in Hampstead from Israel with his wife, Olga, and two of his nine children

It is in a private road where Lulu and Maurice Gibb and Ringo Starr have all had homes.

The vast entrance hall boasts a £750,000 stone staircase which was carved using techniques last used 150 years ago to construct French chateaux.

In the drawing room, a £100,000 hand-carved stone fireplace is a replica of one at Cliveden.

As well as an armour-plated front door which weighs half a tonne and cost £50,000, the house has a nightclub, a cinema and an indoor swimming pool decorated with gold-plated mosaic tiles.

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Leviev

Palatial: The gold-plated pool and hot tub

The house, designed to last for 300 years, also includes a gym with steam room, hair salon, sauna and spa bath.

A source said: "£35 million is believed to be a record UK price for a new-build property."

The house was designed by architect William Bertram of Bath who was persuaded out of retirement.

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Leviev

Luxury: The carved stone fireplace is a replica of one at Cliveden

It was originally built for property developer Mansour Namaki but when he decided to move to Regent's Park, the search started for a potential buyer.

Those interested had to provide references from solicitors and bankers before being given the £1,000 brochure about the house, which has been named Palladio, after the 16th century Italian considered the father of post-Renaissance architecture.

It is believed the house was sold by Trevor Abrahmsohn, managing director of Glentree International, along with sub-agent Gary Hersham of Beauchamp Estates.

Mr Abrahmsohn refused to comment on the sale, but said: "This house represents arguably the finest new-build in Europe, if not the world today.

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Leviev

Mansion: The vast entrance hall boasts a £750,000 stone staircase carved with techniques used in French chateaux

"I have been in the business for 30 years and have not seen a finer example of quality craftsmanship than this."

The house has the most up-to-date entertainment and communication system.

Infra-red cameras, lights, music, electronic doors, heating and air conditioning can be monitored and controlled externally "from a yacht in the Caribbean if necessary," according to a source.

The family room transforms into a cinema at the touch of a button and the pool room can convert into a ballroom.

Mr Leviev, 51, is a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and is estimated to be worth £3.25 billion.

He donates about £25 million a year to charity and also owns homes in Israel, New York and Moscow.

He arrived in Israel from Uzbekistan in 1971 and went on to own the country's largest diamond company.

He is the 278th wealthiest person in the world, and is believed to be moving to be closer to the City's institutional investors.




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