A magnificent Mayfair townhouse with direct connections to Jackie Kennedy's illustrious family has entered the property market with a substantial £25 million price tag. This distinguished residence at 26 Upper Brook Street presents a remarkable investment opportunity, with estate agents suggesting its value could potentially more than double following appropriate renovations and conversion back to residential use.
A Property Steeped in American Dynasty History
The grand townhouse was originally constructed in the early twentieth century specifically for James Monro Coats, a prominent American businessman from the powerful Coats-Auchincloss dynasty. This family built their substantial fortune across textiles, trading, and finance sectors in America while maintaining strong Scottish roots. For decades, the property served as the family's London base before transitioning to commercial use as offices for the Bank of Africa.
Architectural Grandeur and Renovation Potential
Spanning five impressive storeys, the property offers an expansive 11,494 square feet of living space alongside additional commercial premises at the rear. The current layout features a grand entrance hall with an ornate staircase, multiple reception rooms, and breathtaking views overlooking Hyde Park. Westminster City Council has reportedly expressed positive sentiments toward proposals to convert the building back to residential accommodation, potentially creating a luxurious private residence or ambassadorial mansion.
Estate agencies Wetherell and Knight Frank, who are jointly marketing the property, highlight numerous possibilities for enhancement. These include installing a passenger lift, creating a family kitchen and breakfast room on the ground floor, and developing multiple bedroom suites across the upper levels. The lower ground floor could accommodate either staff quarters or leisure facilities such as a cinema room, gymnasium, wine cellar, and catering kitchen.
Historical Connections to American Royalty
The property's most fascinating historical connection emerged in 1951 when Hugh D. Auchincloss, cousin to James Monro Coats, arranged for his young stepdaughters to visit Mayfair during their European grand tour. Those stepdaughters were Jacqueline Bouvier, who would later become First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and her sister Caroline Bouvier, later known as Princess Caroline Lee Radziwill. While their specific impressions of the residence remain unrecorded, historical accounts confirm Hugh funded their continental travels, including purchasing a car for their European excursions.
Investment Potential and Future Vision
Property experts estimate that with planning permission secured and comprehensive renovations completed, the converted complex could achieve a post-completion value approaching £55 million. The rear section includes a mews house providing 2,434 square feet of commercial office space, which will retain its commercial designation, potentially offering advantageous tax benefits to prospective purchasers.
Peter Wetherell, founder and chair of Wetherell, commented: 'The beautiful and ornate interiors of the house reflect that vast wealth and now a discerning buyer has the unique and exciting opportunity to bring this landmark building back to life.'
Technological Recreation of Historical Grandeur
In preparation for the sale, design firm Casa E Progetti employed advanced artificial intelligence and 3D modelling technologies to recreate how the residence might have appeared during the peak of the Coats-Auchincloss ownership. Their research involved extensive investigation into the family's background, social circles, global properties, and personal connections to accurately represent the fusion of English and French aristocratic styles that characterised their era.
Zaid Shuhaiber, Casa e Progetti’s managing director, explained to The Times: 'We had to do a lot of deep-diving into their background, who they were friends with, the circles they went in, what they owned, their different houses around the world.'
The property's original architectural features remain remarkably preserved, including elegant wood panelling, intricate cornicing, stone and marble flooring, and ornate door frames. The exterior boasts a courtyard with both upper and lower garden terraces connected by a substantial external stone staircase, echoing the grandeur of the family's other estates in Newport, Rhode Island, and Scotland.
This exceptional Mayfair townhouse represents a rare opportunity for ultra-high-net-worth families, foreign billionaires seeking a London base, or nations searching for prestigious embassy premises to acquire a property with unparalleled historical pedigree and significant appreciation potential.
