A neglected mansion which has its own 125 foot long art gallery that used to house some of the world’s most sought after art work is set to become a £100 million ‘palace’ after it undergoes a huge restoration project.
The Grade II listed Doughty House, which is more than 100 years old, used to have artwork by the likes of Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt and had Roman mosaic flooring rumoured to be from the ruins of Pompeii.
The plush home in Richmond Hill, London, became a relic after the Blitz, but now a team of 120 contractors are working daily and putting in as much as 500,000 man hours to restore the mansion back to its former glory.
The property, which is 40 times the size of the average English home, has specialist artisans from England, Scotland, Italy, France and California working on it. It is hoped the work will be completed by 2019 and will bump up the value of the 10-bed property to £100 million.
The property will have 48 chandeliers, 9,000 reclaimed bricks, 70 miles of high-tech cabling, 12 grand fireplaces and more than £4.5 million of bespoke joinery – all included as part of the £60 million makeover.
This rundown mansion which was once home to the last Leonardo painting in private hands is set to become a £100 million once it undergoes a full restoration
The plush home became a relic after the Blitz, but now a team of 120 contractors are working daily taking up 500,000 man hours as part of a project to restore the mansion to its former glory
Flooring and columns made from the ancient ruins of Pompeii will also be used in the mansion, as well as the largest reflection pool of any private home in West London and 20 different types of rare marble and stone.
An 18-seat cinema will also be installed along with a grand dining room which can cater to up to 200 guests.
Overseeing the project is ultra-prime developer K10 Group, which describes Doughty House as ‘one of London’s most important heritage restoration and legacy projects’.
Kam Babaee, chief executive of K10 Group, said: ‘With its Grade II listing, illustrious history, grand state rooms and long gallery, Doughty House is one of London’s most important stately homes.
‘The restoration of this magnificent mansion and gardens into a £100 million private palace by K10 Group is a major investment and four year heritage project which will leave a lasting legacy and deliver a totally unique world-class residence.’
Originally made of Portland stone and London brick in 1769 for Sir William Richardson, the property on the crest of Richmond Hill has stunning views near to the River Thames.
The expansive two-storey gallery wing will be altered to entertainment and leisure facilities. One the bottom floor, a long gallery capable of entertaining over 150 guests will be installed, overlooking the garden on one side and the pool and spa complex on the other. The upper floor will be changed into a palatial winter garden room, with enough room for up to 200 guests
Once the renovation is complete there will be a covered courtyard garden where dozens of guests can enjoy summer parties. The property as it stands at the moment is overgrown with weeds and needs a serious overhaul
The huge property in Richmond, West London, will be renovated by the K10 Group, who have spent four years working with architects HTP and international luxury design house Argent for the restoration project
Flooring and columns made from the ancient ruins of Pompeii will also be used in the mansion, as well as the largest reflection pool of any private home in West London and 20 different types of rare marble and stone
A team of 120 contractors will be carrying out around 500,000 hours of work to help restore the property into a luxury mansion worth an estimated £100 million
Originally made of Portland stone and London brick in 1769 for Sir William Richardson, the property on the crest of Richmond Hill has stunning views overlooking the River Thames. It has columns and flooring made from luxury marble
There is still marble flooring and a grand staircase inside the property as well as a beautiful iron gate. Flooring and columns made from the ancient ruins of Pompeii are expected to be used in the mansion
It was then bought by heiress Elizabeth Doughty in 1786, where it gained her name, before wealthy industrialist Francis Cook bought the home in 1849. He was the third richest man in England at the time and owner of Britain’s largest clothing manufacturer.
Cook built up an enviable art collection at the house, including the recently discovered Leonardo painting, Salvator Mundio, which is expected to be sold at the same time as Doughty House when its current ownes auction it off next month.
K10 Group spent four years working with architects HTP and international luxury design house Argent for the restoration project.
The first floor will be home to the master bedroom suite, with His and Hers dressing rooms and bathrooms, along with a day room.
There will be a principal guest suite with day room, dressing room and bathroom. The top floor will be VIP bedrooms, all with en-suits and some with dressing rooms.
The lower ground floor comes equip with a study. There will be a covered courtyard garden along with extensive staff quarters including commercial kitchen, laundry room, utility room.
Staff will also have three studio suites with their own living area, kitchenette and sleeping area.
Some of the pillars on the room are missing and there is a lot of debris at the top of the building which needs to be cleaned and sprayed to help bring the mansion back to a state where the property will be worth £100 million
In the basement of the property, there will be a bowling alley and underground car park with enough space for seven vehicles.
The expansive two-storey gallery wing will be altered to entertainment and leisure facilities.
One the bottom floor, a long gallery capable of entertaining over 150 guests will be installed, overlooking the garden on one side and the pool and spa complex on the other.
The upper floor will be changed into a palatial winter garden room, with enough room for up to 200 guests.
Mr Babaee said: ‘We are working closely with a team of world class consultants and heritage experts on our designs to rescue, restore and return Doughty House to its original stately home origins.
A CGI of how Doughty House will look after undergoing its transformation. The outside stone of the building will be cleaned and the garden will have a new lawn laid out, while lights will be put on pillars near the staircase and iron gate of the property
There will be 9,000 reclaimed bricks used as part of the renovation of the property. New windows will also be installed in the property and the sweeping staircase will be completely revamped
The Grade II listed building will have a new extension attached to the side of its building. The expansive two-storey gallery wing will be altered to entertainment and leisure facilities. One the bottom floor, a long gallery capable of entertaining over 150 guests will be installed, overlooking the garden on one side and the pool and spa complex on the other
A picture dated back to 1905, which shows Doughty House in its prime. This grand room had a beautiful chandelier swinging from the roof, a huge rug pulled across the room and sofas and chairs around it
This picture shows the huge art collection that Doughty House once held. Its expensive fittings and lofted ceilings made it an attractive room to showcase paintings
The Grade II listed Doughty House, which is more than 100 years old, used to have artwork by the likes of Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt
Along with dated paintings which decorated the building, there were statues, sculptures, ornaments and vases decorated in the 125 foot art gallery
Some of the artwork which used to be housed in the mansion has been sold off. Francis Cook, who bought the property in 1849 built up a large art collection. At the time he was the third richest man in Britain
‘The construction work and completion of Doughty House is still another two years away. ‘The buyer is acquiring an important piece of British history and a world-class newly refurbished stately home.
‘If a discerning buyer purchases Doughty House now, they will have the advantage of working with us over the next two years to totally customise and refine the current plans and design scheme to their personal tastes and lifestyle. It’s a unique opportunity to acquire what is arguably the most important private palace ever created in London.’
Peter Wetherell, chief executive of Wetherell and an advisor to K10 Group, added: ‘The K10 Group strategy is to acquire and restore iconic historic buildings, that are unique pieces of British history, and transform them into private palaces which are a legacy for future generations.
‘The ‘3 Ls Property Adage’ of location, location, location now has a new partner of Vision, Vision, Vision. ‘To have the vision and ambition to create the finest mansion in London is incredible.’
The art gallery was added onto the building in 1885 for the Cook family art collection. But the house was damaged by bombing in the Second World War and the 4th baronet moved to Jersey with 30 paintings from the collection
One of the dining rooms in the property, dated 1905. Chandeliers, luxury paintings and a grand mirror adorn the room. The cabinets with glass doors seem to be full with other pieces of artwork