An “iconic” Grade I listed pile on the crest of Richmond Hill has been listed for sale in one of the instructions of the year so far.
Boutique agency Pereds has brought “The Wick” to market at OIEO £15m, and you’d be hard pressed to find a better combination of proportions, provenance and panoramic views.
Built in 1775 on the site of the Bull’s Head tavern and commissioned by Lady St Aubyn, the Georgian gem was designed by the architect and engineer Robert Mylne, who served as surveyor to both St Paul’s and Canterbury Cathedrals and was also responsible for Lord Nelson’s extravagant tomb in the former.
In the 20th century, the mansion became home to the English actor John Mills and family, before being sold to the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood in 1972; record industry exec Derek “Dick” Leahy was the next owner, followed by co-founder of The Who, Pete Townshend, who bought in 1996.
“Apart from the unique location and outlook (the only English landscape view protected by an Act of Parliament), a remarkable thing about The Wick is that it presents from the street as an exquisite Georgian dolls’ house but surprisingly extends to about 8,500 square feet”, said Pereds founder Perry Press, whose association with the property goes back to the early 1970s: “It’s neither grand nor intimidating, more informal, well-proportioned and comfortable.”
Mylne masterfully arranged the three main floors to make the most of the south-westerly vista down towards the Thames, with a set of oval rooms – the dining room, drawing room and principal bedroom – projecting out as a full-height bow; the “lush” sloping grounds measure around half an acre and now take in a heated pool and pool house.
“Robert Mylne may have been less prolific than his more celebrated contemporaries, James Wyatt and Robert Adam, but The Wick is ample evidence that he’s deserving of more attention,” added Press.
Writing about his time at The Wick in his autobiography, Ronnie Wood described it as the most beautiful house in the world, with a “revolving door populated with the world’s top musicians”.
In Pictures: The Wick, Richmond Hill OIEO £15m Pereds
Image credit: Tom St Aubyn
Particulars here
