Britain's most expensive doer-upper? Derelict mansion on sale for £22 million

A derelict mansion on one of London’s most exclusive cul-de-sacs has gone on sale for £22 million.

Nice Place is situated in just under a weed-choked acre of land in Compton Avenue, a private road in north London’s plush Highgate.

The property is being sold with full planning permission to knock down the old mansion and replace it with a detached six-bedroom house extending to more than 18,000 square feet. The buyer could also choose renovating the existing home to restore it to its former glory.

Mansion is on UK's 'most expensive' cul-de-sac

Compton Avenue is off Hampstead Lane and has an average house price of more than £15m. It is famous for its demolish and replace – where homes built during the post-war years are bought and then flattened to make way for multi-million-pound mansions.

In 2008 Israeli diamond billionaire Lev Leviev bought a home on Compton Avenue for a reported £35 million, the most expensive new property ever sold in Britain at the time.

Highgate has been called home by superstars as model Kate Moss, singer and actor Harry Styles, Hollywood star Jude Law, rock star Liam Gallagher, and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

This home is located at the end of Compton Avenue beside a golf course, a particularly desirable position.

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The existing building is in extremely poor condition and currently uninhabitable, according to estate agent Bargets.

The site was first developed sometime between 1920 and 1936. A 1952 map indicates that the property on the site was known as Bishop’s Lodge.

By 1975, Bishop’s Lodge had been extended to form the existing layout, although it did not become known as Nice Place until sometime between 1991 and 1992.

The site and surrounding area have remained essentially unchanged since the 1990s, according to planning documents.

The current owner bought the property for £14,500,000 in 2017, according to MoveMarket.

Six-bed house has grounds of nearly an acre

The 0.89 acre site is bordered by Far End, a detached house, to the south, the gardens of houses on Courtney Avenue to the west and Highgate Golf Course to the north, which is a member’s only club.

The surrounding area is predominantly residential in nature comprising mainly of large detached houses with generous gardens in a mixture of architectural styles.

Daniel Copley, of Zoopla, told MailOnline: “This secluded property could be the perfect project for a buyer with deep enough pockets.

“Although the site is in need of significant refurbishment - it does come with full planning permission for a new six-bedroom home and is a stone's throw away from scenic Hampstead Heath with its many shops, bars and restaurants.”

Owner can renovate or knock down to start again

The property is being sold with full planning permission for a detached six-bedroom house extending to more than 18,000 square feet, with a separate pavilion or alternative accommodation.

The plans also have a basement with underground car parking and leisure facilities, including a cinema, gym and swimming pool.

The listing states: “The permitted scheme will replace the poor quality existing buildings with an exceptional new six bed house with extensive living space and an artist studio pavilion in the garden to the rear

“The footprint of the existing building will be extended and additional accommodation created within the roof space.

“A new single storey basement extension will provide staff accommodation, car parking and leisure facilities including a cinema, gym and swimming pool.

“There will be car parking for three vehicles at the front of the house on the proposed driveway as well as underground parking for four vehicles in the proposed basement accessed via a car lift.”