ONE HYDE PARK: THE MOST EXPENSIVE APARTMENT IN THE WORLD SELLS.


And you thought New York was expensive? Think again. A six-bedroom, two-floor penthouse in the One Hyde Park development in Knightsbridge, London has sold for £140 million — equivalent to around $220 million — making it the world’s highest priced apartment sale, according to THE REAL DEAL. The buyer, who remains anonymous, will enjoy views of the London skyline, private wine tasting facilities and top security features which include bullet-proof windows and a panic room. The property also has tunnel access to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and its 24-hour room service. One Hyde Park was designed by Sir Richard Rogers’ architectural firm Rogers Stirk Harbour. In 2004, the site was acquired by developers Nick and Christian Candy for £150 million, or close to $235 million. The recent sale dwarfs the previous purchase price record for Britain held by an apartment in Westminster’s 8 St. James’ Square, which sold for £115 million — or $180 million — in 2008.

In Manhattan, the most expensive residential property listed is a townhouse on the Upper East Side at 1016 Madison Avenue, listed for $ 72 million, about one third of the cost of the One Hyde Park penthouse. “It is not surprising that New York attracts so many foreign buyers: the value on the very high end for an international city is actually strong, and the supply is very limited”, says Leonard Steinberg a managing director of Prudential Douglas Elliman. “This sale is explained by the lack of super-secure, full service new construction buildings in a prime location. The pound is weak right now, so a perfect opportunity for a foreign buyer to step in.”

The most expensive home in the United States is the Manor in Holmby Hills, Calif., a $150 million, 56,500-square-foot mansion owned by Aaron Spelling’s widow, Candy, according to Overseas Property Mall. The 4.6-acre California property features a library, gym, bowling alley, wine cellar, gift-wrapping room and media room. The grounds have pools, gardens, a waterfall, and parking for over 100 cars.

So does One Hyde Park have a gift wrapping room?