MANSIONS on one of Britain’s most exclusive streets sit dilapidated and crumbling — while others have been revamped so extravagantly they resemble “James Bond villain’s homes”.
The Bishops Avenue in Hampstead, north London — dubbed Billionaires’ Row — is lined with sprawling properties worth an average of £9million each.
For decades it has been home to the super rich – attracting A-list celebrities, Premier League footballers, and billionaires.
But walking along the 66-home street – some of the mansions look worlds away from what you would expect, despite the eye-watering price tags.
At least one £18m palace is left completely in ruin after a fire – others look like building sites, and many sit unoccupied.
With a level of wealth on the street described by one local as “terrifying”, much of the street is locked away behind towering iron gates with CCTV.
And it is believed at least 12 of the properties on and around The Bishop’s Row belong to Iranian tycoon Ali Ansari, according to the OCCRP.
Ansari was sanctioned by the UK government in October and branded “corrupt” by the Foreign Office.
He is accused of financially supporting the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Elsewhere, it has been reported Justin Bieber once rented on the street – where short term lets can cost up to £25,000 a week.
The Canadian is said to have occupied a 15-bedroom villa on the famous avenue during his UK arena tour in 2016.
More recently, the road has continued to host famous names, with Ariana Grande staying at one of the ultra-luxury developments while filming the first Wicked movie.
Several apartment blocks are reportedly favoured by newly signed Premier League players.
Behind the towering gates are enormous mansions boasting swimming pools, private cinemas and gyms.
But despite the wealth on display, many of the homes are now falling apart — while others are mid-renovation or being rebuilt entirely, with construction work ongoing along sections of the road.
At the top end of the avenue, brand-new flats are also taking shape, set to complete in 2027.
They will join a small cluster of apartments already on the street offering fortress-like security, concierge assistance, and on-site amenities.
Service charges are reported to reach as much as £70,000 a year.
Yet for every new build or face lift, neighbours say others have been left to decay.
This paper has previously reported how once-grand properties have been abandoned with mouldy hot tubs, leaking roofs and crumbling staircases.
Residents say overseas ownership has turned the avenue into a neglected “playground”, accelerating the decay of homes once considered among the finest in Britain.
A resident who has lived nearby on Winnington Road for 40 years told The Sun that many owners “simply just don’t care” and “have more money than sense”.
“I think when some of the foreign owners do come to London from their Dubai retreat, I am pretty sure they just stay in Mayfair hotels and don’t even bother coming here,” he said.
“The wealth here is just staggering, almost terrifying, the area has become a forgotten playground for them and now likely sits at the bottom of their expansive property portfolio.
“Most of the homes there are owned by Arabs, Russians, who have properties all over the globe.
“Many of the homes are vacant until they want to come here for a few days. Some have gone to rack and ruin and the owners just don’t care.
“And as for some of the disgusting modifications that have been made to many of the homes, these owners are tasteless, and spoiling these original properties.
“They have more money than sense and free rein to do what they want, some of the driveways spiralling underneath the ugly cladded homes, make them look like a James Bond villain’s secret lair.”
The 78-year-old, who asked not to be named”, said there is “no such thing” as a community on the street.
“Nobody knows who lives next door. There is no such thing as a community here,” he said.
“Most people have staff in their homes. People aren’t popping next door for a cup of sugar, it’s not like that, it’s soulless.
He added: “If somebody was having a heart attack on the pavement I honestly think lots of people would walk past without batting an eye lid.”
A construction worker, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions from his employers, suggested another reason behind the neglect.
He said: “Obviously some of the wealth here is just unbelievable, I have had the pleasure of working on some of these homes.
“The contrast between the homes that are looked after and those that are falling apart is just unbelievable.
“Now, in my view, I think the owners are aware of the fact that the ground is worth far more than the real estate.
“So why would they care if the property they rarely visit falls apart? It doesn’t matter because the land is the most crucial thing.
“It won’t be hard for them to ultimately demolish and rebuild should they need, or simply sell the land regardless for somebody else to build on.
“Around half of the homes here have been knocked down and rebuilt in the last 20 years anyway.”
But not everyone is letting their property slide.
The owner of a flash lilac Mercedes G Wagon, who asked not to be named and lives on The Bishops Avenue, insisted it remains a pleasant place to live.
“I love the quiet, is is really peaceful here,” he said.
“Yes I am aware many of the homes are not in the best condition, but that is not the case with me.
“I am covered in paint right now, because I am giving the property the attention it needs. I think it is a very safe area.”
Despite the headlines, Billionaires’ Row still attracts curious visitors.
Matt Hyde, 25, from Maine in the US, was the only tourist The Sun encountered on the street.
“I heard various celebrities that I admire live here and since I was in the capital thought it was worth a visit in the hope of seeing some nice homes and run into cool people,” he said.
“It surprised me how quiet this road is especially. It’s dead. The whole area is really quiet. Which is kind of nice if you do live here.
“Compared to the LA Beverly Hills area where important and famous home, a bit of an equivalent in terms of status there, but it’s more vibrant there.
“Similar to there there are massive gates and hedges. I think it’s probably more well known so curious people such as myself here flock there rather than here.
“But on the topic of homes falling apart, it is odd that this wealthy strip is seeing its homes poorly looked after.
“I think in Beverley Hills homes only fall apart when fires spread and devastate the homes, they are otherwise in good condition.”
Matt was referring to last January, when Jeff Bridges and Mel Gibson were among the celebrities who lost homes in the deadly wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles.
The Sun approached Ali Ansari for comment through Ayandeh Bank, which the tycoon owns.
