Spectacular homes with spectacular owners
Part 2: Works

By Abode Insurance

Exterior view of two ornate, multi-story buildings with a parked grey car and trees lining the street on a clear day.

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Listed properties might be known for their historical interest, beauty, and character. However, some owners still want to make changes and add their own touch to them. Getting planning permission for this can be difficult and time consuming, even if you’re famous.

The Beckham Family

David and Victoria Beckham own a stunning £31 million Grade II listed property in Holland Park, London, which has many features including six bedrooms, a gym, a wine cellar, and its own separate quarters.

The property has a distinctive front entrance with a black and cream tiled path and black iron canopy.

This beautiful home started suffering from significant structural problems in early 2022, leading to a section of the property needing to be cordoned off from the family as it was collapsing. This stemmed from £8 million building works that were carried out in 2016. The Beckhams have a portfolio of other properties to reside in while the building work was carried out, but it proves life in a grade I listed property can come at an unavoidable price.

Entrance to Holland Park displaying a name sign, an information board, and a coat of arms above the arched doorway.

Simon Cowell

Simon and his family owned a 18^th century, seven-bedroom mansion in Holland Park, London, before putting it on the market in 2022. The listing of this property is not known, but in 2020 Simon was granted permission to transform the property, adding a 15-meter outdoor swimming pool and sunroom.

Some of the other work included removing ceilings, fireplaces, floors and adding an ensuite to each bedroom. A new kitchen was built, and the property now has five reception rooms to entertain guests in.

Simon purchased the property for £15 million in 2018, but due to the sometimes-two-hour commute to his son’s school, decided to put the house back on the market in 2022 for £17 million, gaining him a £2 million profit.

Rod Stewart

Durrington House, a £4.65 million 18^th Century mansion, is the UK home to legendary rocker Rod Stewart.

This ten-bedroom, Grade 2* listed house is on the edge of Epping Forest, Essex, and has its own rose garden, croquet lawn, ornamental pond, and selection of guest cottages.

In 2020, Rod was refused planning permission to replace the windows with double glazing to improve ’thermal efficiency’. Epping Forest planners said replacing the windows would be a “contentious intervention”. Historic England also objected claiming it would be “harmful” and affect the property’s significance.

Even with a wife (Penny Lancaster) who is a special constable, this wasn’t enough for Rod to overturn the rules on this occasion.

Ringo Starr

Beatles’ drummer and music legend Starr bought Grade II listed Rydinghurst in 1999 for just under £2 million and put it back on the market in 2014 where it was expected to sell for ten times the amount.

The Surrey property is situated within 200 acres of land and has eight bedrooms, an indoor swimming pool, stable block, four cottages in the grounds, an indoor riding school, cinema, helipad, and a walled garden.

The mansion was untouched for 25 years prior to Starr moving in. But with the help of an interior designer and a little help from his friends (Beatles/Ringo ref there), Starr completely redesigned the house. Some of this work included turning a large library into a music room, building a courtyard with a fountain, and adding a 500ft x 300ft ornamental lake. All of which was done with the appropriate planning permission, of course.

No matter who you are or how grand your property is, your home is one of your most important assets that needs protecting no matter what the cost is. Get in touch with the experts at Abode today to make the first step to insuring your home correctly.

Live with character. Insure with confidence.

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Spectacular homes with spectacular owners Part 2: Works

The Beckham Family

Simon Cowell

Rod Stewart

Ringo Starr

Spectacular homes with spectacular owners
Part 2: Works