A house that once belonged to Hollywood legend Richard Burton has gone on the market for £7.95million – and it even boasts a blue plaque.
Burton, who passed away at 58-years-old in 1984, lived in the luxury Hampstead home with his first wife Sybil, from 1949 to 1956.
The seven bedroom property is described as a ‘rare find’ in the leafy London suburb, where the Hollywood actor lived shortly before making a name for himself as a seven times Academy Award nominee.
Burton, who grew up in a working class Welsh mining village, has now got movie lovers talking with the luxurious property, located on Lyndhurst Road.
The Hollywood star, of Pontrhydyfen, near Port Talbot, South Wales, married five times in total – including twice to Elizabeth Taylor.
As well as boasting seven bedrooms, the semi-detached property also has a separate self-contained two-bedroom garden flat.
Buyers can enter the stunning property on the raised ground floor, through the entrance hall and into the inner hall, with a cantilevered staircase.
There is also a spacious drawing room with a marble fireplace and ceiling coving along with a large kitchen leading to the dining room.
The main bedroom features a walk-in dressing room and luxurious bathroom with views of the Shard.
A spacious penthouse studio can be found on the third floor with vaulted ceilings and skylight windows.
It offers plenty of space for guests with an open-plan kitchen as well as a separate ensuite shower room.
Outside there is a terrace and a 60ft long rear garden for entertaining visitors.
Katy Brookes, head of sales in Knight Frank’s estate agents, said the home is a ‘rare find on one of Hampstead’s most sought after tree-lined streets.’
Mark Pollack, co-founding director of Aston Chase, added: ‘This Blue Plaque house is not only notable due to the provenance of its former famous resident, but it also represents a rare opportunity to purchase a magnificent family home situated in the heart of Hampstead and within easy walking distance of Hampstead Heath.’
The house has a guide price of £7,950,000.
- Military building defended nation during the First and Second World Wars
- Martello tower like structure on a spit of land called ‘a first’ by auctioneers
A 168-year-old gun tower that sits in the river with the address No One, The Thames, is up for sale.
The military building defended the nation during the First and Second World Wars, from the mouth of the River Thames in Kent.
Estate agents Savills are now promoting it as a ‘a unique and peaceful position with far reaching sea and coastal views’.
The ex-army site is only accessible twice a day, at low tide via a causeway and owners and guests will have to use a boat at any other time.
Auctioneers expect the Martello tower-like building will fetch £150,000. They added the property, on a spit of land between the River Thames and River Medway, ‘is a first.’
It was the last gun tower of its kind to be built, constructed to protect the nearby military dockyards against French invasion.
Anglo-French tensions ran high in the 1850s and the nation feared a naval attack.
The tower guarded the key link between the Thames and Medway rivers, which led to Royal Navy Dockyards in Sheerness and Chatham.
However, artillery technology quickly improved and the construction became obsolete in the mid-19th century, almost immediately after it was completed.
By the end of the century it was transformed into a defence against raids by fast torpedo boats.
Decades later it was altered again – new, quick firing guns were added during World War I and World War II.
The property off the Isle of Grain, built in 1855 was decommissioned in 1956 and will go under the hammer on September 20 this year.
It is around four-and-a-half miles from the nearest train station of Swale but any potential buyer would need to spend a large amount to repair and return it to its former glory.
The new asking price is a significant drop from when it went on sale nearly three years ago for £1.9 million, having previously sold for £500,000 in 2014.
Savills Auctions Director Jeremy Lamb said the sale is rare adding: ‘There is always excitement when unusual lots come along as they have a special power to capture the imagination.
‘We’ve had water towers and military sea forts in our sales in the past, but this gun tower is a first.
‘A blank canvas with heaps of history and phenomenal sea views, not to mention its coveted No. 1 the Thames address.
‘Historically, rare lots like this have seen significant interest in our auctions.
‘Last summer the hammer came down on Bull Sand Fort in the Humber Estuary at nearly 10 times guide price after attracting bids from around the world and the year before that we auctioned a water tower in Essex which has since received permission for residential use and a chance to design a once in a life time property.’
A spokesperson described the potential buy as ‘atmospheric.’
They said: ‘The tower occupies a unique and peaceful position with far reaching sea and coastal views. The village of Grain is approximately one mile to the west.
‘The tower is atmospheric internally with a series of rooms, exposed brick work and concrete.
‘Of interest to developers and occupiers, the tower represents a unique opportunity with potential for alternative uses or development subject to the necessary consents.’
More than 2,300 University of Alabama freshmen ran to their new sorority houses on the school’s campus Sunday morning as ‘Bama Rush’ 2023 came to a close.
The sorority recruitment process – which has a cult following and become an online sensation – ended with students running to sorority row from Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Photos and videos obtained by DailyMail.com show the moments that excited women obtained their bids from one of the University of Alabama’s 17 sororities.
Recruiting is a big deal on the historic school’s campus as more than 36 percent of the student body is involved in Greek life.
According to AL.com, of the 2,549 women who enrolled in Open House events – the first round of recruitment – 92 percent received bids, or 2,335 women.
That number is down ever so slightly from 2022 which saw 2,345 women receive bids – approximately 91.6 percent of the women who started the process.
Bid Day starts with the students showing up and being handed envelopes with their prospective houses inside, only to be opened when officials countdown.
After being given the all clear, the anxious and excited students rip open their envelopes to discover which sorority house they were admitted to.
After the moment of glee – or heartbreak in some cases – the young women begin the short journey to sorority row where their ‘sisters’ welcome them.
In the photos from this year’s Bid Day, girls dressed in plain tops – a requirement for the festivities – could be seen running toward their new homes.
The young women ran and walked together while onlookers watched the events unfold from just outside the Tuscaloosa football field.
Grouped together by their new houses, the students can be seen holding up the Greek letters signifying their houses as they travel to the mansions.
The process became an overnight phenomenon on TikTok in 2021 with pledges sharing their outfits, ‘get ready with me’ videos, and ultimately their placements.
It also sparked a 2023 documentary on HBO’s streaming platform MAX which explored the ins and outs of the system and the process itself.
The sensation was back in full force in 2023 with pledges sharing behind the scenes looks at the process for each day of recruitment.
The events unfurl over the course of a week and include each woman meeting with her prospective new sisters under a variety of situations.
Each day has a different theme and different dress code which TikTok users have taken a particular interest in.
DailyMail.com shared how some of the sorority pledges have forked out tens of thousands of dollars on their outfits in a bid to impress Greek house officials.
Back in 2021, a series of women who were trying to join the University of Alabama‘s Panhellenic community documented their road to being accepted.
Their videos on TikTok quickly exploded, and many people on the web became enthralled with watching the lengthy process play out.
Since then, every time August rolls around, #BamaRush goes viral once again, as a whole new set of freshmen attempt to join the school’s coveted Greek houses.
This year Bama Rush kicked off on August 12, and many of the hopeful pledges showcased the pricey outfits that they wore throughout the process to TikTok.
From a $7,950 Louis Vuitton bracelet and a $2,080 Cartier ring to $1,700 Prada sneakers and a $4,110 Tiffany & Co. necklace, the women attempting to join the sororities this year pulled out all the stops.
A TikTok account with the username @BamaRushTok1 rounded up some of the most expensive ensembles that the students have worn – and Bama Rush pledge Bri McCurdy took the lead with a ‘fit that totaled a whopping $22,535.
Bri, 18, originally from New York, opted for a University of Alabama Panhellenic top, which she paired with a Burberry pleated cotton skirt, which costs $300, on Bama Rush day three.
She completed the look with the brand’s Salmond Check Low Top sneakers, priced at $570, and a matching Burberry headband, which was $170.
She accessorized with a slew of lavish jewelry pieces – including the $2,080 Cartier Love Ring and the $7,350 Cartier Love Bracelet.
The 18-year-old also wore a $395 David Yurman sterling silver Cable bracelet with 18-karat yellow gold finishing, a $275 Kendra Scott 18-karat gold Vermeil Cuff bracelet, two $65 BaubleBar 14-karat gold Pisa bracelets, a $11,200 Rolex watch, and a $65 letter B pendant necklace, also made by Kendra Scott.
‘Although the outfits and shoes are cute it’s a lot more than that,’ Bri insisted in the video she shared detailing her outfit.
- Grade-II listed Shakespeare House is in the village of Rowington, Warwickshire
A 16th century manor house where Shakespeare wrote one of his famous plays has gone on the market for £4.5million.
Grade-II listed Shakespeare House, in the village of Rowington, Warwickshire, was home to the Bard’s relatives and is where he penned ‘As You Like It’, it is believed.
The timber framed Tudor period property is set on a beautiful English country estate with 20 acres of grounds.
The 7,500 square feet, main hall comes with seven bedrooms and four bathrooms and the estate also boasts four separate cottages, as well as stables and paddocks.
Records show it was occupied by Thomas and Isabelle Shakespeare in the late 1600s – with ‘1682 TS IS’ engraved into one of the front gables.
Legend also has it that William Shakespeare wrote the comedy play ‘As You Like It’ in a small room on the first floor.
In 2019 a ring was found in the field next to the hall bearing the inscription ‘Truth Betrays Not’ which appears to date from around the time period.
Retired postlady Sue Kilvert made the discovery and it was reported at the time the gold posy ring may have belonged to Shakespeare himself.
The sprawling manor house is being sold for the first time in over three decades and is on the market for £4.5 million.
Estate agents DM & Co. Homes, which is handling the sale, said the home is in one of the most sought-after parts of Warwickshire.
It is just minutes from the M40 motorway and has good rail connections to London and Birmingham International Airport.
Kathy Griffiths, head of premium at DM & Co. Homes, said: ‘The house today is a Grade II listed building and has remained in private hands since its construction.
‘The accommodation comprises seven bedrooms and six bathrooms in the main house, with kitchen, reception rooms, gorgeous drawing room and dining room on the ground floor displaying period splendour at its very best.
‘But not only will the new owner be the proud owner of Shakespeare Hall, the estate also comes with four cottages and stables, with plenty of paddocks for horses or livestock.’
The agents said for £4.5 million you get a home of ‘historical significance’ which could be perfect as a wedding venue or a boutique hotel for wealthy world travellers who want a unique Shakespearian experience.
Ms Griffiths said: ‘This is clearly a significant historical building as you can see from a brief viewing and it contains features such as myriad examples of stain glass in the windows that point to its legacy.’
The property listing on Rightmove says the detached home boasts examples of ‘rich history and exceptional craftsmanship’ filled with ‘drama and theatre.’
It adds: ‘This exquisite property, originally built for relatives of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare, offers a truly extraordinary living experience.
‘Prepare to be captivated by the charm and elegance of this historic residence.
‘The options and potential for this property are immense, whether it be a fabulous boutique hotel, wedding venue, yoga retreat or simply staying a private home as it has remained over the centuries.’
Shakespeare is believed to have written ‘As You Like It’ around 1599 and it was first published in the First Folio in 1623.
The play has been adapted for radio, film, and musical theatre with the likes of Laurence Olivier, Helen Mirren, Brian Blessed, Vanessa Redgrave and Katharine Hepburn starring on both screen and stage.
- Detached house has six bedrooms and sits on three acres of land in Kent
- Three-floor property is a ‘super rare’ opportunity for investors, say estate agents
A derelict mansion with an exposed roof, rotting walls and a mouldy bed in Sevenoaks has gone on the market for £1.75million.
The detached house features six bedrooms and sits on three acres of land in the sought-after area of Sevenoaks, in Kent, popular with those commuting into Central London.
The three-floor building comes without a roof, rotten walls and a mouldy bed, but estate agents present the ‘super rare’ property as the perfect opportunity for investors. Most rooms only have beams indicating a roof being there at some point.
The listing on Rightmove reads: ‘Tyron Ash are proud to present this rare and unique site set within approximately 3 acres of land (1.214 Hectares) in a high value location of historic natural beauty.
‘Full planning permission granted for the erection of an architecturally designed 4/5 bedroom detached house and associated out buildings.’
The planning permission is for a family home stretching over three floors on about 9000 square feet as well as a detached triple garage, a detached garden room and an open air swimming pool.
The listing continues: ‘The area is renowned for its significant beauty as well as a highly desirable commuter belt location.
‘The subject property/site is located close to the junction with Rycroft Lane and is set within easy access to the to all local amenities.
‘Public transport includes Sevenoaks railway station with is approximately a 10 minutes car drive from the site, with a journey time to London Bridge Railway station of roughly 20 minutes.
‘This is perfect for investors who are looking for their next big project, please contact us today if your interested in being booked in for our exclusive open day.’
Social media users were left baffled by the price for the derelict house and joked the roofless property is what estate agents would refer to as ‘having potential’.
One person joked: ‘Each room in this large property is bathed in natural light and abundance of fresh air. The house also comes with several large, original feature fireplaces.’
Another added the house was ‘airy and [has] far reaching views in all directions (including up)’.
A third said: ‘Insulate Britain wouldn’t be happy with that roof.’
Others commented on the great views from all bedrooms and great ventilation the roof- and windowless house provided, as well as the truly ‘open’ floor plan.
There will be an ‘exclusive open house’ held tomorrow, on July 29. A user joked: ‘”Open House” is not usually quite so literal.’
- The barn near Henley-on-Thames is a place of pilgrimage for fans of the movie
A converted barn that appeared in the classic children’s movie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, has gone up for sale for £2 million.
Kiln Barn can be seen in the 1968 film when Truly Scrumptious, played by Sally Ann Howes, swerves into a pond in her 1909 Humber 8hp car, to avoid hitting youngsters Jeremy and Jemima Potts.
The barn is in the hamlet of Russell’s Water near Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, is a place of pilgrimage for fans of the movie, which starred Dick Van Dyke as eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, who creates a magical flying car.
The property has five bedrooms, four reception rooms and three bathrooms as well as a separate annexe.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was based on a story by James Bond writer Ian Fleming, which was adapted for screen by children’s author Roald Dahl.
There are two scenes in the film which include the pond on the grounds of Kiln Barn.
The second shows Caractacus and the children driving in Chitty when Truly coming the opposite direction veers off into the pond. Caractacus walks in and carries her out and insists she comes for a ride with them.
Miss Howes died aged 91 in 2021 but is remembered with a plaque on the perimeter wall of Kiln Barn and a tree at Russell’s Water, which were unveiled by members of her family in May this year.
The ceremony was attended by the original 1909 Humber 8hp car she drove in the film, on loan from the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, and a reconstructed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Along with a beloved location, the new owner of Kiln Barn will acquire a home that couldn’t be more different to the ramshackle property which belonged to the Potts family in the film.
Visitors arrive to a spacious front hall, with a 27ft living room, with inglenook fireplace leading from it to the left. To the right are an office bedroom, another bedroom plus a bathroom and shower.
The dining room is also off the hall, which leads onto the kitchen, a garden room, laundry room, back hallway and family room, all overlooking the barn’s extensive gardens.
Upstairs there are three bedrooms, and two bathrooms, including an en-suite to the principal bedroom, which also has its own dressing room.
The property’s annexe comprises a kitchen, family room and bathroom with three bedrooms from a hallway with a separate entrance. There is also a garage large enough to accommodate a flying car.
The property comes with a wealth of original features, including exposed brickwork, beams, a fireplace with seating area, a white, country-style kitchen, and traditional cottage planking doors, and is decorated in tasteful, pale hues.
Outside, the barn has rural views across mature gardens and paddocks set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the village of Russell’s Water.
Jo Parker, of estate agents Fine & Country of Henley-on-Thames, described the sale as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ for someone to acquire an ‘idyllic property’.
She said: ‘It belongs to a couple who are moving abroad for work purposes – if it wasn’t for that reason they would probably never have left.
‘The property would be ideal for anyone who wanted to keep horses, or for a family that wanted their children to enjoy living in a beautiful, rural location with three hundred acres of fields and bluebell woodlands nearby.
‘When you speak to the current owners and their friends, they will tell you about the incredible memories they have created at Kiln Barn. From lively garden parties to intimate barbecues, this place has an enchanting atmosphere that is truly wonderful and it is set in a delightful village with a real sense of community.’
- The Maud Foster Windmill is over 200-years-old and located in Lincolnshire
One of Britain’s biggest windmills which boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms is on the market for £650,000, a figure cheaper than the average house price in London.
The historic property known as the Maud Foster Windmill is over 200-years-old and dominates the skyline over the Lincolnshire market town of Boston.
Standing at over 80ft tall, the seven-storey, five-sail windmill is one of the largest operational windmills in the country.
According to Zoopla, the property has now gone on the market for less than the average price of a London home.
The historic building sports three roomy bedrooms and two large bathrooms, making it an ideal family home nestled on the river banks of the Maud Foster.
Two of the building’s seven storeys are currently home to a shop and a flour business, with a former café located on the first floor.
The windmill was built in 1819 for Isaac and Thomas Reckitt, who ran it up until 1833 when it was forced to close due to several years of poor harvests.
In 1987, the mill was bought by James Waterfield and his family who restored it to full working order and turned it into the ‘most productive windmill in England.’
It still boasts its original floor beams and mill machinery from 1819 and retains its Yorkshire sash windows and red and gault brick fetaures.
Estate agents Bruce Mather are offering the property for sale for £650,000 for just the mill or £998,800 with the five-bedroom mill next door included.
A spokesperson said: ‘A rare and unique opportunity to buy one of Boston’s most iconic landmarks – the Maud Foster Windmill.
‘Built in 1819 for Isaac and Thomas Reckitt, the Maud Foster Windmill is a seven-storey, five sail windmill located on the banks of the Maud Foster from which it is named.
‘The Maud Foster is one of the largest operating windmills in England being 80 feet tall to the cap ball, still working and grinding flour to this day.
‘Currently run as a shop and flour business also formally as a café, at the moment it is open to the public on Wednesday and Saturday.
‘There is scope with the former first floor café to perhaps change use, subject to the relevant planning permissions, and open the business on a full-time basis.
‘To the back of the building there is a staircase which winds up several floors with bedrooms off it to an incredible loft style penthouse which is fabulously decorated and some wonderful features, bragging character throughout, currently arranged with three bedrooms.
‘There are two workshops downstairs as well a garden to the back and ample parking to the front.
‘Available to buy on its own or together with the grand five bedroom Mill House (at a discount £998,800) this much loved working building requires a new caretaker to take it through the next few decades of its history.
‘All viewings strictly by appointment’.
A four bedroom bungalow has gone under the hammer with a bargain guide price of £100,000 but the potential new owners will have a big clean up job on their hands.
The detached property in the picturesque village of Pant, Shropshire, comes with a guide price £180,000 cheaper than the average UK house price.
The estate agents described the home as having ‘fantastic potential’ and boasts a gated driveway, a front and back garden, a hallway, lounge, sitting area, kitchen, bathroom and shower room, as well as four bedrooms.
But it’s definitely not ideal for house hunters looking for somewhere move-in ready as the property is cluttered with rubbish.
It will go under the hammer with a guide price tomorrow and viewings are by appointment only.
The bungalow is being sold well below market value, but once potential buyers enter the door they will see why.
Although it seems like an average property at first glance from the roadside, photos show how the interior is filled with overflowing boxes of old possessions.
A bedroom with a TV lying face down on piles of clothes and bedding while another has a filthy armchair and rubbish on the floor.
The home is strewn with piles of rubbish in almost every single room and the interior is filled with overflowing boxes of old possessions.
The messy garage is almost stacked to the ceiling, which has a hole in it, with household items including a lawnmower, chairs and cardboard boxes.
Estate agents Town and Country are advertising the property as being of ‘non standard construction’ in a ‘popular location’ with a ‘large plot’ of a quarter of an acre of land.
The listing states: ‘Town and Country Property Auctions are pleased to offer this detached four bedroom bungalow of non standard construction set on a large plot of approx. 0.25 acre and offering fantastic potential for development.
‘Set in the heart of the pretty village of Pant offering all amenities.’
By David Southwell For Daily Mail Australia
05:07 13 Jun 2023, updated 07:28 13 Jun 2023
- TikToker Emma stirs rental debate
- Says she is locked out of buying property
- Mum and two kids living in rented caravan
A mother’s distress at becoming homelessness with her two children has been met with widespread sympathy while also sparking fierce debate.
Emma Lenz, who lives in a rented caravan in the Darling Downs area of southern central Queensland, has unleased at property investors who she says have ‘taken all the houses’.
In a video posted to TikTok she writes: ‘I’m angry today. I feel like s*** and I’m homeless‘.
She lays the blame on property investors, writing: ‘if you own more than one house your greed has left me homeless.
‘I don’t want to pay off your houses, I want to keep one, just one that I’ve paid for for f***’s sake. I hate the world and I hate investors. Give us back our houses you greedy c***s.’
In the video she anticipates a negative reaction to the video.
‘I think one of the biggest reasons people don’t admit to being homeless or talk about it or own it is because when you say you are homeless the stock standard response from every Australian is ‘it’s your own fault’,’ she says.
‘Obviously you have made poor financial choices and obviously that brings a lot of shame and humiliation and it’s desperately unfair.
‘I have paid half a million rent in my time, that’s enough for two houses up here where I live now but I am homeless because when you pay rent you don’t get equity, you don’t get a return on that.’
She says those who accuse of her making poor financial choices don’t realise she had no choice.
‘I wasn’t allowed to buy because my income has never been high enough, I did buy for a couple of years but my ex-husband couldn’t keep a job so we had to sell the apartment and have been renting ever since,’ she says.
‘I have been on my own for 10 years and I am paying an average of $24,000 a year out of a $30,000 income to see rich bastards tell me to see how you would survive if you were paying 80% of your income to rent.
‘Someone recently told me: “Just spend less than what I earn”.
‘Less than what I earn has me homeless.
‘I can’t qualify for housing anywhere in Australia… because I am not a crackhead I don’t qualify for social housing so where the f*** are you Australia, seriously?’
In a later video she explained why she was living in a caravan despite being in a regional area where rents are cheaper than in Australia’s main capital cities.
‘If you are a low income earner on less than $60,000 a year you don’t qualify for a rental, your income has to be three times what the rental is, so around here the rental is $400 a week so you have to be bringing in $1200 of income,’ she said.
‘As a single parent I can only bring in about $700-$800 in a good week.
According to Ms Lenz she would never be able to qualify for a home loan.
‘I am not allowed to buy a house because my income doesn’t service the loan on paper even though I have never missed a week’s rent,’ she said
‘I watched someone get murdered and went home and paid rent that day. I had a baby and paid rent that day.’
‘My ex-husband went completely psychotic. I think that shows I will pay for my housing no matter what.’
While the majority of responses to Ms Lenz were sympathetic some expressed harsh opinions.
‘Get a job,’ said the first one.
‘I’m a single mum and have been for 15yrs. I earn minimum wage. I own my own home. No excuse and you don’t need to be rich to own,’ said another TikTok user.
One told her ‘good luck being so angry and bitter’ to which Ms Lenz posted a reply saying: ‘I am deeply ashamed at how angry and bitter I am’.
Another TikTok user questioned Ms Lenz’s financial claims.
‘Sorry this is what you’re going through. May I ask what kind of job in Australia pays only $30K? Or are you only part-time?’
Ms Lenz confirmed she worked part-time because her son has a disability.
In other TikTok videos she explained her situation saying she had a job that could bring in $100,000 a year, a gardening business and recently got a degree in Fine Arts from Wollongong University.
On her social media she lists her occupation as shearing shed roustabout.
‘I have a couple of jobs. I often go to work at 5am in the morning and try to get home by 9am so I can get the kids to school,’ she says.
‘We are the working poor. We have jobs.’
However, she explains her autistic son can sometimes only go to school for an hour or two a day.
‘I might get four or five days a week I can’t go to work,’ she says but explains her son sometimes comes to work with her.
‘We are working our arses off,’ she said.
‘I don’t take days off, I work weekends as well.’
Ms Lenz said her children, comprising the son and a teenage daughter, had recently come to live with her because they were fleeing domestic violence and came with ‘very few clothes and no shoes’.
The majority of people commenting expressed sympathy or outlined they were in similar situations.
‘My husband and I realised he’s paid off the owner’s mortgage in a little over 10 years already yet rent keeps rising,’ one person wrote.
‘It’s not your fault. There is something broken in this country. I’m sorry for your situation,’ another said.
Another TikTok user noted ‘the financial disparity between men and women, particularly single mothers, is really hitting hard at the moment’.
Some agreed with Lenz that property investment has skewed the market.
‘The rampant speculation into property, because it has become an asset class rather than an abode, is destroying society,’ one person wrote.
Ms Lenz also had a warning that no renter could ‘feel safe’ from becoming homeless.
‘Now you can’t get a rental if you have less than $60,000 (per year),’ she said.
‘Next year it will be $70,000 and the year after that $80,000.’
- The luxury villa on the Costa del Sol previously belonged to Frank Carson
- Built in 2008, the property is now on the market for more than £4 million
A seven-bedroom villa which previously belonged to beloved Northern Irish comedian Frank Carson is up for sale for more than £4 million.
The stunning Alhambra-style villa sits at the heart of the prestigious Marbella Club Golf Resort on Spain‘s world-famous Costa del Sol.
Belfast-born Mr Carson, who died in 2012, was best-known for his famous catchphrases, including ‘It’s a cracker’ and ‘It’s the way I tell ’em’,
His sharp wit helped him rise to fame and become one of the most popular comedians on TV in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
The Northern Irish comedian became famous for appearing on an array of BBC and ITV shows including The Comedians and The Wheeltappers and Shunters Club.
Prior to his career on television, Mr Carson had also spent three years in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment, doing tours of the Middle East.
Built in 2008, the luxury villa reflects the unique architecture of Andalucia in Spain, drawing inspiration from a nearby 12th century Moorish fort and the area’s Arabic influence.
The property is listed for sale at a price of €4,750,000 – equivalent to almost £4,100,000.
The luxury property’s rooms are arranged around an open courtyard – called a ‘riad’ – and is set into a hilltop vista, overlooking Marbella Club’s 18-hold golf course.
The shaded entrance is decorated with Moorish-style terracotta tiles and a Moroccan star lantern.
This leads on to an internal open atrium which has a sliding glass roof and a small fountain-pool beneath.
Visitors arrive at the hilltop property via a spiral driveway set into luxurious Spanish style gardens that are cut into the hillside.
On entering the property, the main reception room has floor-to ceiling windows, marble floors and double-height ceilings, as well as a fireplace.
The dining room is directly off this space, with a table to seat 12 and an elaborate Moorish plasterwork ceiling.
This room adjoins a sun terrace with even more seating under a loggia and views across the countryside and golf course towards the sea.
The Moorish style is repeated in the kitchen, which has a stone floor and carved units, as well as an island with a breakfast bar, and an antique table which seats six.
There is also an outdoor kitchen and dining area, under a gazebo-style wooden structure, shaded by vine leaves.
A television room has a feature wall of alcoves to hold family pictures, and this room also has its own fireplace.
The principal bedroom looks towards the sea and has a Moorish-style domed ceiling. It leads to a marble bathroom with a giant, square bathtub set into a marble surround.
Many of the other bedrooms have their own balcony or outdoor space and all have their own, individually-styled luxury bathrooms.
Along with a games room, and gym, there is also an infinity swimming pool which is partially covered, leading from the main entrance area, and a cinema room.
The property also comes with a four-person elevator, direct buggy access to the golf course, two staff, and an integrated garage with 24-hour security within the gated community.
The impressive villa is just 20 minutes from the resort city of Marbella and 15 minutes from seaside town of Puerto Banus.
After building a career in TV, Mr Carson moved to Blackpool before being conferred a knighthood of the Order of St Gregory by Pope John Paul, for his extensive charity work, which he continued late into his life.
The TV comedian’s villa was later lived Mr Carson’s son following his death, Tony, with his wife and children, and it later became their holiday home.
It was while staying there that Tony Carson discovered a box of tapes that were subsequently used in collaboration with acclaimed actor and writer, Dan Gordon, to bring his one-man play; ‘Frank Carson: A Rebel Without A Pause’ to the stage in 2019.
A spokesman for Fine & Country estate agents, which is handling the villa’s sale, said that Tony Carson had told them it was a much-loved family home that had seen many of his father’s showbiz friends visiting to play golf and enjoy parties.
He said: ‘However, as the children have grown up and their visits have become less frequent, the time has come to sell and allow someone else to experience the joy of owning and living in this beautiful property.’
Christopher Hara, CEO of Fine & Country Spain said the home would appeal to any number of people.
He said: ‘It’s a stunning, mesmerising property that offers prestige, security, stunning views, exclusive amenities, a desirable lifestyle, and potential investment gains since the area holds its value well.’