Regality and class never get old. Early this February, a 500-year-old mansion in Kingston-upon-Thames was listed for US$17.5 million. Known as “Cedar Court”, the estate is 14,447 sqft with 12 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms and an additional 2-bedroom annex.
The three-story Tudor mansion was originally built in the 1480s for a rich salt merchant in the Essex town of Colchester, which was said to be Britain’s oldest recorded town. In 1910, it was dismantled and rebuilt on the exclusive Coombe Hill — perched in one acre of mature landscaped gardens with a well, fountain and koi fish pond.
As the story goes, an antiquarian bought the property and spent 100-times the purchase price to relocate the mansion to the plot of land owned by him. Now, after its careful reconstruction in 1910 and modernisation, the estate still has its uniqueness and appeal.
As per Rokstone’s founder and managing director, Becky Fatemi, on Mansion Global, buyers are usually attracted to the property’s interesting narrative. For the charming Cedar Court, it was that and “the rigour of being built twice and extensively refurbished very recently”.
Having endured centuries and the relocation, the mansion is an embodiment of history and character. The brokerage described the mansion as “both whimsical and practical” with original features that were “meticulously maintained and cherished”.
Inside, the mansion is split into the Westwing and Eastwing and has a specific purpose each, according to its listing. The Westwing starts with an extravagant and well-preserved Tudor hall with a long gallery. Following that is a study, living room and spacious dining hall — all made more prominent with fireplaces, wood panelling, beamed ceilings and original stained glass windows. Meanwhile in the Eastwing extension, resides a sleek modern kitchen complete with a pantry, laundry room, cellar and double garage.
The lavish master suite occupies the first floor in the Westwing, and the other bedrooms span throughout the middle and Eastwing. On the top floor, there are more bedrooms, two bathrooms and a spacious living room as well.
From the majestic estate’s architecture and amenities to its modern touches and location, Rokstone claims the Cedar Court to be the ultimate trophy home for a high-net-worth family. The estate is surrounded by some of the finest schools and has effortless access to airports and Central London. The area also offers golf courses, tennis and squash clubs, as well as both indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
The English manor is listed by associate director Shana Edwards of Rokstone.
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