What makes expensive things exciting is the buying and selling of them, especially when the transaction grabs headlines. Consider the case of this iconic mansion in London’s posh Regent’s Park, which has finally sold for $172 million after a steep 44% discount. The 207-year-old property, built by English architect James Burton and designed by his son, Decimus Burton, in 1818, had been owned by Saudi royal Prince Khaled bin Sultan al-Saud and members of the Saudi royal family since the 1990s.
Dubbed ‘The Holme,’ also known as the “White House of Regent’s Park,” the mansion was listed for sale in 2023 when creditors demanded repayment of a loan for a private jet. At the time, the asking price was an astronomical $296 million, but two years later, it has exchanged hands for a much-reduced $172 million.
Even at this price, it managed to secure the title of the second-most expensive property deal in British history.
The new owner is reportedly a wealthy U.S. tech billionaire, who now has the privilege of calling this once-in-a-decade type of mansion, spanning 4 acres, his London home and headquarters.
“He’s an American billionaire with tech money. It will be his London home and HQ base,” said a well-placed source to The Times. “There were several bidders for the house over the last few months. The American secured it after long and hard negotiations, driving the price down from £250 million, a massive £110 million discount.” This is no ordinary dwelling. The Holme features 40 bedrooms across 8,840 square meters of living space, eight garages, a tennis court, a library, a sauna, and a grand dining room.
“It’s very special, because you’ve got the ornamental lake, sweeping lawns, and this magnificent rear façade, which resembles the White House. It’s the most incredible property,” a source told The Evening Standard in March 2023. Saudi defense minister Prince Khaled bin Sultan al-Saud, who served as the kingdom’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Vienna, purchased the mansion for £34 million in 1991.
Wondering who the mystery tech billionaire might be? Perhaps someone like the world’s third richest man, Larry Ellison, who recently acquired a prime London West End office for £162 million ($210 million) from Hong Kong-listed investor Chinese Estates. According to CoStar, the mixed-use building is reportedly intended for one of his businesses. An equally lavish home somewhere nearby would certainly make sense.
