Chris Nelson
If you have ever felt that the noisy neighbours were just too noisy, perhaps living next door to British royalty would provide a more sedate existance.
And who more sedate than Queen Elizabeth II?
The Buckingham at 7-9 Buckingham Gate is a new ultra-prime residential scheme of six two and three-bedroom apartments, including duplexes, looking directly on to the the Queen and Prince Philip’s official residence, Buckingham Palace, forming one of London’s most distinguished address.
The Italianate white-stucco property at 7-9 Buckingham Gate was originally built between 1859-1861 as three grand mansions; designed by the architect Sir James Pennethorne (a protégé of John Nash), who also designed the south wing of Buckingham Palace. The builders were George Trollope & Sons, who had also worked on Buckingham Palace.
Now, after a three-year restoration project, 7-9 Buckingham Gate has been brought back to life and transformed into The Buckingham, by Beauchamp Estates.
Buckingham Palace Quarter, according to a new report by Beauchamp Estates and Dataloft, has outperformed many other areas of prime central London over recent years.
In the past two years, average values in the Quarter have risen by 26.3 per cent, compared with 9.1 per cent for Mayfair, 3.6 per cent for Knightsbridge and 0.8 per cent for South Kensington, according to the report.
Behind The Buckingham’s five storey Grade II listed Italianate façade there are two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 1,718 square feet to 5,189 sqft in size.
Situated directly opposite Buckingham Palace, the project has retained all the historic prestige of these important heritage-protected buildings, with original details either restored or meticulously replicated.
With lift and staircase access, the apartments have the latest home entertainment and security systems, complete with comfort cooling and underfloor heating. CCTV security covers the entire perimeter, with feed to the concierge and security room.
“The apartments at The Buckingham are located on the south-east side of St James’s, a royal retreat, which has the benefit of two Royal parks – St James’s and Green Park – and borders Mayfair and Belgravia. The grand white stucco mansions and buildings that border Buckingham Palace are some of the grandest in the capital,” said Marcus O’Brien at Beauchamp Estates.
Unsurprisingly, to have Queen Elizabeth as a neighbour does not come cheap; prices at The Buckingham start from £4.35 million (Dh20.6m) for a two-bedroom apartment and up to £18m for a three-bedroom duplex penthouse with two private.
chnelson@thenational.ae
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If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Previous men's records
- 2:01:39: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) on 16/9/19 in Berlin
- 2:02:57: Dennis Kimetto (KEN) on 28/09/2014 in Berlin
- 2:03:23: Wilson Kipsang (KEN) on 29/09/2013 in Berlin
- 2:03:38: Patrick Makau (KEN) on 25/09/2011 in Berlin
- 2:03:59: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 28/09/2008 in Berlin
- 2:04:26: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 30/09/2007 in Berlin
- 2:04:55: Paul Tergat (KEN) on 28/09/2003 in Berlin
- 2:05:38: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 14/04/2002 in London
- 2:05:42: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 24/10/1999 in Chicago
- 2:06:05: Ronaldo da Costa (BRA) 20/09/1998 in Berlin
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh132,000 (Countryman)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
