For five decades, the upper floors of a red-brick and terracotta edifice in London, neighboring Harrods, were dedicated to the renowned department store’s bakery and chocolate factory. These floors churned out opulent chocolates, Easter delights, cakes, and pastries in a storied production legacy.
Now, these very spaces have been reimagined into an expansive duplex apartment, recently sold for £18 million (US$22.6 million), marking the year’s priciest second-hand apartment sale in Knightsbridge, as reported by Beauchamp Estates, the agency overseeing the transaction.
The building’s history traces back to the early 1910s as the former Harrods Depository, crafted to mirror Harrods itself. Beyond housing the bakery and chocolate factory, this locale accommodated directorial offices, warehouses, and the crafting of the store’s signature goods, encompassing luxurious food, teas, and beverages. An underground tunnel connected the depository to the store, ensuring seamless delivery of exclusive creations, including bespoke birthday and wedding cakes for royal families.
Between 2000 and 2002, the depository transformed into 40 lavish apartments, now esteemed as “one of the most coveted super-prime apartment buildings in Knightsbridge,” stated Jeremy Gee, managing director of Beauchamp Estates.
The recently sold duplex spans 6,404 square feet, boasting a grand entrance hall, three reception rooms comprising the main living area, an adjoining dining space, and a media room. Additionally, it features a well-appointed kitchen and breakfast room, along with a terrace offering views.
Six en-suite bedrooms grace the space, including a primary suite outfitted with dual dressing rooms and bathrooms, accompanied by four parking spaces within the building’s secure lot.
The purchaser, a European family, was drawn by the allure of residing in Knightsbridge in close proximity to Harrods, enthralled by the apartment’s quality, and the comprehensive concierge services and security provided by the building, as stated by Rosy Khalastchy, director at Beauchamp Estates.
