Lucky are those who walk the same land Rihanna once tread upon, but to reside in the historic estate where she once spent her time is truly phenomenal. A Chinese millionaire and his family have acquired the St. John’s Wood house, often featured in the singer’s Instagram posts, for approximately $33.4 million. Rihanna, known for her hit “Umbrella,” had been renting this London mansion for $22,000 weekly.
This picturesque double-fronted home, spanning over 6,300 square feet, is located in the St. John’s Wood Park neighborhood and has become the most expensive property to be sold in North London this year. This can be attributed to both the home’s charm and the fact that the famous businesswoman resided here from 2018 to 2020, per The National News.
The white stucco detached villa was constructed in 1844 by William Holme Twentyman for the De Beers diamond tycoon, Daniel Francis. The royal architect John Shaw designed it, and it is the sole surviving example of his work in this century. During the pandemic, the Fenty beauty entrepreneur made the most of this magnificent residence, garnering so much attention that it is now labeled as “Rihanna’s home” on Google Earth.
The house boasts eight bedrooms, multiple reception rooms, both formal and casual dining areas, a library, a gym, and a 21-foot terrace overlooking a meticulously manicured garden. Additionally, it features a health spa with a swimming pool, a sauna, a steam room, and beauty treatment rooms.
Stephen Lindsay, an estate agent at Savills, commented, “This is an extraordinarily unique house, the only one of John Shaw’s original villas on St. John’s Wood Park to have endured into the 21st century. The substantial price it fetched firmly underscores the value and quality of this distinctive trophy home and the enduring appeal of St. John’s Wood to buyers from both the UK and around the world.”
Mark Pollack, a co-founding director at the agency Aston Chase, which handled the sale in conjunction with Savills, remarked, “This sale reflects the surge in demand from Chinese buyers for super-prime homes in London. Due to the inability to travel during the pandemic, many affluent Chinese and Hong Kong residents are prioritizing a ‘plan B’ in case of another unforeseen event that might lead to restrictions on movement by the Chinese government.
