The most expensive country house in the UK has gone up for sale for a staggering $75 million!
The jaw dropping piece of property known as Updown Court boasts 103 rooms, five swimming pools, two penthouse apartments and a helipad. It sits on 58 acres of grounds.
The residence – in the Surrey village of Windlesham – was originally put up for sale with agents for $70million a few years ago.
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The prestigious owner behind Updown is bricklayer’s son-turned-property developer supremo Leslie Allen-Vercoe, who is 67.
His company Rhymer Investments purchased the home in 2002 out of receivership for $20million – and has since spent at least $30million on renovation work.
Now, an Irish bank has shown a drive to sell the mansion with a new price tag which reflects the high number that’s been put back into it.
Stately home: The house has 103 rooms, five swimming pools, two penthouse apartments and a helipad
Grand entrance: The hallway has two cast-iron banistered staircases and a row of marble columns
The owner behind Updown Court is property developer Leslie Allen-Vercoe.
Extra agents, including retired property specialist Colin Penfold, 73, have also been called in as efforts are increased to make a sale.
Penfold said: ‘It has just about every conceivable luxury. It think it has potential.’
The neo-classical California-style mansion was built in 2002 on the site of an earlier property which was owned during the 1970s by Prince Sami Gayed of Egypt.
The house, which has 23 bathrooms, has been built with some of the world’s rarest materials – specifically Italian marble.
Visitors approach the mansion, which is 30 miles from Central London, along stunning a heated marble driveway.
The mansion has a 50-seat movie theater, a two-lane bowling alley, a gym, a squash court, a flood-lit tennis court, a lake, a wine cellar for 3,000 bottles and a ‘panic room’.
Neighbors include Sir Elton John and Queen guitarist Brian May.
Suitable for sporty types: The mansion boasts five swimming pools and a tennis court
Strike: There is also a two-lane bowling alley
Mr Penfold, from Reigate, believes a wealthy overseas buyer may eventually snag the property.
He has already had two people interested in the mansion – ‘one from Surrey and one from abroad’.
Leslie Allen-Vercoe actually acquired Updown Mansions after a bizarre series of events.
The original Updown Court had been left as a shell after it had been damaged by a house fire in the Great Storm of 1987 – when a tree fell and ruptured the gas main.
It was then acquired by two investors who at the time were bankrupted and that’s when Mr Vercoe then stepped in.
‘Yes, I’m an opportunist,’ said Mr Vercoe. ‘That’s what all good businessmen should be.’
Beautiful garden: The £75million home stands in 58 acres of grounds