British billionaire John Caudwell has enlisted an aristocrat to curate one of the world’s most lavish libraries within the UK’s most decadent new residential address.
The self-made Phones4u entrepreneur is spearheading a development of unprecedented grandeur at 1 Mayfair, which will feature 29 homes, including three penthouses worth £200million each.
In addition to the health spa and 20-metre swimming pool, Caudwell is also equipping the £2billion block with a library, where the cream of London‘s literary scene will be represented alongside the classics.
He has enlisted the Duke of Devonshire, 81-year-old Peregrine Cavendish, often known as Stoker, to curate the 1000-book collection.
Stoker owns book salon Heywood Hill, on Curzon Street in Mayfair, which reportedly the late Queen’s go-to choice for stocking her bookshelves.
Heywood Hill, run day-to-day by Stoker’s son-in-law Nicky Dunne, recently launched an exclusive service offering to put together private libraries for the UK’s wealthiest people.
Caudwell revealed he is their latest client, and listed among his inspirations the libraries of Aristotle and Congress, The Times reports.
Meanwhile, Dunne gave some insight into the specific kinds of titles that will line the walls.
John Caudwell, billionaire founder of Phones4u, is developing London’s most decadent and valuable residence
Caudwell is striving to develop ‘the most desirable and valuable residence in London’
Caudwell has enlisted 81-year-old Peregrine Cavendish, often known as Stoker, to curate the library at the complex
He said: ‘It’s certainly going to have a big element on London — books on or about London, its history and heritage from the beginnings of the city to the present day.
‘Biographies, memoirs, diaries, letters, important individuals who lived in London, novels set in London, authors from London, lots of contemporary writers.’
He cited the library at the Bulgari hotel in Knightsbridge, created by Heywood Hill 13 years ago, as an example of what the service can deliver.
Dunne said: ‘The first person to stay in the presidential suite was Bill Clinton. And the owner rang me and said the only thing President Clinton wanted to talk about was the books.’
It isn’t known exactly how much Caudwell will fork out for the Heywood Hill’s services, although the Duke dropped a hint.
Stoker said: ‘A library is, say, £250,000, which is, of course, a lot of money — but compared with the price of contemporary or even old art for some of these people, it’s really… it’s maybe one picture.
And yet it seems to me that the library should be as important as the art on the walls.’
When 1 Mayfair is complete, the apartments will go on sale for prices starting at £35million.
The average price of all 29 units – which cover 300,000 sq ft – will be close to £70million
Far from deterring potential buyers, Caudwell claims there is a waiting list of over 600 people eager to secure a slice of London’s premiere accommodation.
Due to be completed this spring, spending on the scheme will easily surpass London’s previous record holder, the £1.3billion One Hyde Park development in Knightsbridge.
There will be just 24 ‘principal residences’ in the property including lateral apartments, penthouses and townhouses with up to five bedrooms, and five more smaller ‘pied-à-terre’ apartments.
The average price of all 29 units – which cover 300,000 sq ft – will be close to £70million.
The development’s basement is being dug down to 90ft below ground level to make room for a health spa with a 20 metre swimming pool as well as a car park.
The designs were led by New York based architect Robert Stern and practice RAMSA, with contractors, Mace, the construction managers and PJ Carey responsible for the creation of the basement substructure and superstructure.
The Caudwell website says the intention is to create ‘the most desirable and valuable residence in London, rich in craft and provenance, uniqueness and flair’.
