Greek property tycoon who abandoned £2M London mansion plans to return to sell it

A Greek property tycoon who abandoned his multi-million-pound mansion with plates in the dishwasher and a Bentley on the driveway is planning to return to the UK to sell it after recovering from cancer – as it emerged that £150,000 worth of items had been looted from the empty home, MailOnline can reveal.

Athanasios Tachmintzis, 73, unexpectedly left the imposing mansion near King’s Langley, Hertfordshire in 2017, completely intact with all his belongings, prompting widespread speculation over what had occurred.

Family sources told MailOnline that at the time, Mr Tachmintzis, known by his nickname ‘Thanos’, was battling a medical issue and left his home without informing his five children because of an on-going family dispute.

Mr Tachmintzis travelled to Greece for medical treatment. He currently lives alone in Athens and has recovered, with plans to return to the UK to deal with his lavish property, which is worth an estimated £2 million.

A source said: ‘He did not mysteriously vanish but left because he was struggling with his health and maintaining the mansion. A lot of nonsense has been written about why he left and there have been a lot of wild theories. But the family just want to draw a line under it all and end this ridiculous speculation.

The mansion was owned by a Greek real-estate tycoon known locally by his nickname “Thanos”, and he lived there with his wife and their children for many years

The mansion has been abandoned ever since, although it was rumoured one of his three sons stayed in the mansion to protect it from vandals

Since the mansion has been empty, family members have alleged that around £150,000 worth of goods have been stolen from it, including antiques, kitchen items, soft furnishings and clothing

‘He left with the intention of returning and that has not changed. Prior to his departure, his mental health was really suffering because of the cancer. His home became a bit of a mess, and he couldn’t manage things. He didn’t have it in him to pack things up because life became a struggle. So, he decided to go away. He just hasn’t come back yet, that’s all there is to it.’

Explaining why he did not tell his family, the source added: ‘There were long periods when he didn’t see or speak to his children, and he left without telling them. They have always had a difficult relationship because Thanos is quite a strong personality who has a very fiery temper. He’s a typical old fashioned Greek man.’

Dubbed the ‘mystery mansion’ latest images from inside show the home covered in graffiti with items strewn across every room, while clothes can be seen still hanging up.

In other pictures, furniture, ornaments, and even a half-finished game of chess on a table can be seen, which has fuelled rumours as to why Mr Tachmintzis fled in such a hurry.

Since the mansion has been empty, family members have alleged that around £150,000 worth of goods have been stolen from it, including antiques, kitchen items, soft furnishings and clothing.

One source revealed: ‘As soon as the children found out that their father had left the mansion their aim was to secure it. But that’s been difficult because of all the publicity surrounding it. There have been all kinds of people going in there.

‘A lot of damage has been caused by those illegally entering it and a lot of stuff has been stolen. It’s a real headache for the children.’

Mr Tachmintzis, who has owned the property since 1999, lived there for almost two decades with his two daughters and at least one of his sons.

Dubbed the ‘mystery mansion’ latest images from inside show the home covered in graffiti with items strewn across every room

Mr Tachmintzis was described as a successful businessman who in his heyday, had extensive property interests across London and the South East

The leasehold of the house in Hertfordshire was bought for £1,075,000 in July last year when there was only 18 years remaining on the lease

His wife Sharon, who was born in north Wales, died aged 52 in May 2004 following a 32-year marriage. The couple had three sons Alexis, 45, Nicholas, 43, and Paul, 38, as well as daughters Kristiana, 37, and 31-year-old Alicia.

The source said: ‘It used to be the family home but then after Sharon died and the kids left, Thanos was on his own. He’s now in Greece and getting his strength back and when he’s up to it, will return to the UK to sell this property.’

Among the theories that have circulated since Mr Tachmintzis left his mansion ‘frozen in time’ is that he and his family were being targeted by the Russian mafia or were victims of a surprise burglary.

Land Registry records reveal the house has been owned since 1999 by a company called Ainhurst Enterprises Ltd, with a care of address at a firm of solicitors in Bournemouth, Dorset.

The source said: ‘It’s still Thanos’s property but he’s an old man and everything is a lot harder for him. But it’s up to him to do what he wants with it, it’s nobody else’s business.’

One night in 2017 unexpectedly Mr Tachmintzis fled his mansion leaving behind all of his belongings

Since the house was abandoned, it has been ruined by trespassers who have rummaged through all the left behind items

These images were captured by urban explorer Daniel Sims, 34, known online as Bearded Reality

Mr Tachmintzis was described as a successful businessman who in his heyday, had extensive property interests across London and the South East.

A family source said: ‘At one point he was a very rich man, and he still is, although not to the same extent. He had a lot of properties in some very exclusive areas of London.’

Ainhurst Enterprises Ltd does not feature on Companies House records, suggesting it is based overseas. The Land Registry records also show a number of charges for allegedly unpaid bills have been made against the abandoned house.

Three of the charges registered in 2017 are to repay sums allegedly owed to power company Dong Energy Sales (UK).

There are also three charges relating to debts allegedly owed to Three Rivers District Council. Two of the charge were registered in 2018, and the third was in 2019.

The business affairs of Mr Tachmintzis appear to be shrouded in mystery. 

Companies House records described him as a British property consultant when he was director of a property management company between 1991 and 1995.

His only other UK directorship was in a company called Imperial Estates London Ltd which was set up with him as sole shareholder in June 2017 and gave his nationality as Greek.

The firm never filed accounts and was struck off the companies register in August 2019.

He was also registered as living in 2016 in a Georgian house in Cliveden Place, Belgravia.

The leasehold of the house was bought for £1,075,000 in July last year when there was only 18 years remaining on the lease.