Finding yourself in Westminster, London‘s beating political heart, wouldn’t usually sound like our idea of luxury – especially given the last 14 years – but in terms of property location, you couldn’t be closer to the action. And if you fancy giving the new Labour government your own personal welcome, this might be the property for you, as its proximity to the House of Commons means you could practically reach over and give Keir Starmer a handshake.
Proving politics doesn’t have to be drab, The Astor is an excentric blend of Roaring Twenties glamour, British sensibility and a touch of grandiose aristocracy. Named after the socialite-turned-politician, Viscountess Nancy Astor, the UK’s first seated female MP, the three-bedroom duplex apartment is the exact conflux of glamour and tradition that you would expect from its namesake.
The flagship penthouse apartment in Heritage Collection, The Astor is the largest of the Heritage Collection properties and occupies the top floor of 9 Milbank, the Grade-II listed building on the banks of the River Thames. What was once Imperial Chemical House, a vast HQ built for Imperial Chemical Industries in 1929, following a two-year renovation by developer Berkeley Group, 9 Milbank is now a neo-classical masterpiece, filled with wonderful modern amenities including a pool, spa, fully equipped gym, cinema room and full concierge service.
Occupying what would have been the directors’ dining hall, the Astor is 9,582 sq ft of opulent living space that blends historical grandeur with modern luxury, complete with carved architraves, gilded domes, and hand-cut oak paneling. Comprising three bedrooms, the property also has a ballroom-sized reception room, cinema room, a 360-degree roof terrace, and a two-bedroom guest or staff annex.
The mezzanine areas, accessible by a bespoke spiral staircase, host a library and study space, while the rear is home to a bar and games room, each decorated with Art Deco chandeliers and period artworks from interior designer Goddard Littlefair. The three beautifully designed bedrooms are exceptionally generous and are all ensuite, while the primary suite boasts an additional bathroom to total two ensuites and a walk-in wardrobe.
£29.5m (approx. $38.6m) sothebysrealty/millbank