Billionaire US hedge fund manager buys a £95m Georgian mansion in London

A billionaire bachelor has paid nearly £100million for a luxury home a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace.

Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, has snapped up the property in one of the country’s most exclusive enclaves for a record £95million.

Carlton Gardens in St James’s, is the latest in a string of homes purchased by father-of-three Griffin, 50, who is worth a reported £6.8billion.

Illinois’ richest man Ken Griffin, who settled a contentious divorce in 2015 with his second wife, Anne Dias Griffin (pictured with Griffin in 2013) has snapped up the property in one of the country’s most exclusive enclaves for a record £95million

The London property, Carlton Gardens in St James’s, is the latest in a string of homes purchased by father-of-three Griffin, 50, who is worth a reported £6.8billion

The London property, Carlton Gardens in St James’s, is the latest in a string of homes purchased by father-of-three Griffin, 50, who is worth a reported £6.8billion

The spectacular gardens at the £95million enclave. The property is only a stones throw away from Buckingham Palace

The spectacular gardens at the £95million enclave. The property is only a stones throw away from Buckingham Palace

The hedge fund tycoon, runs Citadel, a hedge fund based out of Chicago that handles more than $27 billion in assets, he has splashed out of one of the most prestigious property's in London at Carlton Gardens (pictured)

The hedge fund tycoon, runs Citadel, a hedge fund based out of Chicago that handles more than $27 billion in assets, he has splashed out of one of the most prestigious property’s in London at Carlton Gardens (pictured)

Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, has snapped up the swish property, with comes replete with lovely gardens (pictured)

Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, has snapped up the swish property, with comes replete with lovely gardens (pictured)

The entrance to Carlton Gardens in St James’s, which is the latest in a string of homes purchased by father-of-three Griffin, 50, who is worth a reported £6.8billion

The entrance to Carlton Gardens in St James’s, which is the latest in a string of homes purchased by father-of-three Griffin, 50, who is worth a reported £6.8billion

 A spokeswoman for Griffin, 50, told the FT today that the billionaire had recently bought the mansion.

The spokesman added: ‘It is an historic property with a spectacular location, extraordinary elegance and stunning gardens. It is truly a unique opportunity to own a home in London.’ 

It is thought the billionaire bachelor even got the 1820s home Grade II-listed home at a £30 million discount, as for the past two years it has been on the market for £125 million. 

In November, Griffin paid a record £45million ($58.75m) for the top four floors at 9 West Walton Street, known as No. 9 Walton, in Chicago.

The living area of the exclusive new property. As well as this Griffin has multiple other properties, including two floors in Park Tower, in New York

The living area of the exclusive new property. As well as this Griffin has multiple other properties, including two floors in Park Tower, in New York

The pad boasts a gorgeous open living room with a lot of natural light. In addition to this new home, in November Griffin paid a record £45million for the top floors at 9 West Walton Street, in Chicago

The pad boasts a gorgeous open living room with a lot of natural light. In addition to this new home, in November Griffin paid a record £45million for the top floors at 9 West Walton Street, in Chicago

The decorative doorway at the £95 million property, with a piece of art hanging above the mantel piece, with hard wood floors

The decorative doorway at the £95 million property, with a piece of art hanging above the mantel piece, with hard wood floors

Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, snapped up the property in London for £95million

Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, snapped up the property in London for £95million

A spokesman for Griffin said: 'It is an historic property with a spectacular location, extraordinary elegance and stunning gardens. It is truly a unique opportunity to own a home in London'

A spokesman for Griffin said: ‘It is an historic property with a spectacular location, extraordinary elegance and stunning gardens. It is truly a unique opportunity to own a home in London’

The bedroom at Carlton Gardens, with a small reading light over the large white bed. The property is located in a pretigious part of London near Mayfair

The bedroom at Carlton Gardens, with a small reading light over the large white bed. The property is located in a pretigious part of London near Mayfair

Griffin runs Citadel, a hedge fund based out of Chicago that handles more than $27 billion in assets. The Harvard graduate founded Citadel in 1990, but began his trading career while he was still hitting the books in Massachusetts in 1987

Griffin runs Citadel, a hedge fund based out of Chicago that handles more than $27 billion in assets. The Harvard graduate founded Citadel in 1990, but began his trading career while he was still hitting the books in Massachusetts in 1987

The 25,000-square-foot space may require as much as another £15million ($20m) to finish the build, according to CBS.

The executive also has the top two floors in the Park Tower in New York.

Illinois’ richest man Griffin, who settled a contentious divorce in 2015 with his second wife, Anne Dias Griffin, bought each floor individually, according to public records. 

Griffin shelled out $21.7 million for the 38th floor penthouse unit, by itself. He nabbed the 37th floor for $12.95 million, and the 36th floor for $12.13 million. 

Ken Griffin bought the top four floors at Chicago's 9 West Walton Street for a total of $58.75 million in November. Pictured: the lobby

Ken Griffin bought the top four floors at Chicago’s 9 West Walton Street for a total of $58.75 million in November. Pictured: the lobby

The kitchen at the 25,000-square-foot space may require as much as another $20 million to finish the build

The kitchen at the 25,000-square-foot space may require as much as another $20 million to finish the build

The gym area of the exclusive West Walton Street, known as No. 9 Walton, in Chicago. The 25,000-square-foot space may require as much as another £15million ($20m) to finish the build

The gym area of the exclusive West Walton Street, known as No. 9 Walton, in Chicago. The 25,000-square-foot space may require as much as another £15million ($20m) to finish the build

The resplendent kitchen at the property which was sold by JDL Development to Griffin's Delaware business called West Walton Holdings, which has headquarters in Chicage at the Citadel office

The resplendent kitchen at the property which was sold by JDL Development to Griffin’s Delaware business called West Walton Holdings, which has headquarters in Chicage at the Citadel office

How did the billionaire make his money?

Ken Griffin is reportedly worth an eye-watering £6.8 billion, but how did he make his money?

In 1987, while attending Harvard, he first started trading and even stuck a satellite dish to his dorm so he could get real-time stock quotes.

He graduated with a degree in economics in 1989 and went on to start Citadel, a hedge fund, in 1990.

The company expanded rapidly and by 1998 had grown to a team of more than 100 employees.

Griffin quickly became one of the most influential figures in the world of finance and has featured numerous times in the Forbes rich list.

He is a known philanthropist who has donated to his alma mater Harvard, the Robin Hood Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

The 35th floor went for $12.5 million, and included 7,100 feet of the total square footage.

The properties were sold by JDL Development to Griffin’s Delaware business called 9 West Walton Holdings, which has headquarters in Chicago at the Citadel office. 

Griffin runs Citadel, a hedge fund based out of Chicago that handles more than $27 billion in assets.

The Harvard graduate founded Citadel in 1990, but began his trading career while he was still hitting the books in Massachusetts in 1987.

He reportedly put a satellite dish on the roof of his dormitory so he could get real-time stock quotes.

The father-of-three also owns one of Wall Street’s biggest market makers, Citadel Securities. 

In 2014, he donated $150 million to his alma mater in Cambridge to support need-based financial aid – the largest gift Harvard University had ever received at the time.

In honour of his generosity, the Harvard College Office of Financial Aid was been renamed the Griffin Financial Aid Office and its director is now referred to as the Griffin Director of Financial Aid.

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