A Historic UK Manor That Played M’s Office in James Bond on Sale for £75M
The Grade I estate, which goes by the name of Denham Place, was once the residence of the Bonaparte royal family and also of the banker JP Morgan.
Located just 30 minutes from central London in Buckinghamshire is Denham Place, a stately manor that boasts a laundry list of prominent names who have either made the residence their home or paid a visit. The list of owners includes Sir Roger Hill, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s family, the banker JP Morgan and movie producer Harry Saltzman.
With such a prestigious lineage, Denham Place is listed as a Grade I property, the highest and rarest accolade given only to buildings of exceptional interest. The over 28,000 square-foot manor is on the market for £75 million, according to a listing put up by Knight Frank, Savills and Beauchamp Estates. The huge manor sits on 43-acre of land and its surrounding compound including the coach house has also been given a Grade-II listing.
According to Gary Hersham, the founder of Beauchamp Estates, Denham Place is a highly valuable asset with an impressive history that involves royalty, a prominent banker, and well-known film producers. In a press release, he also mentioned that there has been a noticeable increase in ultra-high net worth families looking for spacious country estates in close proximity to central London, which would give them complete control over their living environment.
For fans of James Bond, they would be delighted to know that during Saltzman’s tenure at Denham Place, the space was turned into a film set. Keen eyes would spot that the library was used as M’s office for scenes in two James Bond films “Live and Let Die” and “The Man with the Golden Gun”.
The seller of Denham Place is Mike Jatania, business tycoon with a diverse portfolio from real estate to cosmetics. He hoped that the fall in value of the pound would attract offers from the US and Middle East. Jatania, who now lives in Monaco, has stated that American hedge fund managers like Ken Griffin have already invested in properties in central London, and therefore, it is highly likely that other American investors will also show interest. Furthermore, there has been a significant increase in wealth in the Middle East, and it is a well-known tradition for families in that region to own properties in London.
Denham Place has undergone an extensive restoration period in collaboration with English Heritage and The Georgian Group. The project was led by award-winning interior designer Alexander Kravetz. The result is a modern manor that still retains the grandiosity of past eras. Think full-length windows, gold trimmings, hand-painted fresco, crystal chandeliers, ornate furniture and many more. In total, there are 12 reception rooms, 12 bedroom suites and 14 bathrooms, a private chapel, two staircases and an elevator
James Crawford, of Knight Frank, commented: “Since Anglo-Saxon times, up to the current vendors, there have only been seven owners of Denham Place; with each family undertaking improvements and bestowing an enhanced legacy for the new owners. Alongside offering private, tranquil parkland, it is excellently connected just thirty minutes from Central London and Mayfair, whilst being just six miles from airport base RAF Northolt for using private jets. Short of acquiring one of the Crown Estate Royal Palaces there is nothing of this grandeur or provenance so close to Central London.”
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